Kaiba looked over his shoulder for a moment, watching their two servants glaring at each other. At least they were enjoying themselves. He bit back the growl as Pegasus slapped him on the shoulder, being all too familiar for his tastes, and Japanese norms. he just about managed to tune out the prattle, having developed the ability to pick out when something important was being said amidst the chatty drivel, but not have to pay attention to it properly or it would melt his brain till it leaked out of his ears
( ... )
Oh for the love of Kami-sama, if there was a worse reaction Pegasus could have had, Kaiba did not know what it was. he ground his teeth as he grasped at the dying threads of his patience, seriously considering for a moment, whether it would be possible to commit hara kiri with the table knife. It was looking so attractive. He let Pegasus rant, sitting back, taking a deep breath, and forcing himself to remain calm
( ... )
"Oh, I see. So it's only your reputation you're worried about Mr. Kaiba. If my little faux pas didn't affect you, you'd never have brought it up, is that what you're saying?"
Pegasus gave Kaiba a narrow sort of look and pretended to dust a bit of something off the velvet of his upper arm. Next he finally did turn to the waitor and rattled off something in Italian that included their best red wine. He hadn't even picked up the menu but if their chef was worthy of working here he'd know how to make it.
"I should hope I am worth more of your precious time considering the value and extent of the contracts I^2 has offered you. Sometimes I do wonder if your "reputation" is'nt more harmful than good for my own company."
Pegasus was all but grumbling over it now. Despite the promise of good food and wine and the lovely flowers on the table and even the candle light in this darkened little corner Pegasus mood had turned now and he felt like being petulant.
Oh yes, hara kiri right here was definitely looking favourable. He wasn't the best at diplomacy on a good day, but how did he manage to soothe the ruffled feathers here?
"No, that is not what I am saying. I brought it up because while I was not going to take it as such, some other japanese businessman might and take offence." he pointed out, trying to be reasonable. "And while you may not agree with everything I do, the sales figures of Duel Monsters products within KaibaCorp's umbrella cannot be denied." He said talking business.
He placed his own order and sat back, trying to reconciliatory.
"I meant no offence, no matter how abrasive I can be." He said gently.
Kami-sama it was like talking down Mokuba when something unavoidable had come up spoiling their plans.
"Exactly how many other businessmen have you 'offended' by doing 'things' in parks with other men?"
Pegasus gave him a very awkward and accusing sort of look. He had never really thought of Kaiba as gay before. Not the flaming in your face type anyways. But maybe things were a little different here in Japan and maybe those over the top trenchcoats were a nice big "I like other guys" signpost that he'd always overlooked.
And was Kaiba being suddenly nice to him? What exactly was he trying to hide?
This had to be top of a list somewhere of conversations he resolutely did not want to have, ever.
"None, that I am aware of. I am not seen in a situation with anyone normally that can be construed as dating. While I am not saying that I haven't dated, that would be a lie, I am usually very discreet about it. But girls who won't go running to tell their stories to the press when it is over are few and far between."
He took a deep breath.
"Look, at worst the whole of Japan thinks its cute, they think you are a charming eccentric American. I just thought you would appreciate the heads up. Just in case anyone asks about it." He shrugged.
Pegasus said. And that was all he said as he continued to stare at Kaiba as if the other man might suddenly turn into something else if he took his eye off him for a moment. He knew Kiaba, knew his thoughts and his very soul. And int hat knowledge there was a kind of trust between them. Whenever the man did something he didn't altogether expect it created doubts and Pegasus hated uncertainty more than anything else.
He was very glad that the waitor finally poured their wine as if was rather welcome right now.
He took a refined sip still without ever taking his eye off Kaiba. Finally he dredged up some more words from somewhere.
"I'm not sure why you brought it up if it's so harmless. But thank-you, for letting me know."
Kaiba was well aware that he had thrown Pegasus, badly it seemed. Not his intention, but he had to deal with it anyhow.
"It is relatively harmless to me." He shrugged. "But our culture is complex. You can be rude without ever intending to be, not saying you have been mind." he said evenly. "It doesn't do any harm for you to know these things. Though to the public here you personally could get away with just about anything. You could go out in a frilly dress and they would just proclaim you kawaii. Though the business sector would probably declare you mad behind your back." He chuckled softly.
Right. So I'm a 'charming eccentric American' that Kaiba thinks would be 'kawaii' in a frilly dress...
Pegasus coughed discreetly into his napkin and decided he really wanted to change the subject before he had to hear any more about Kaibas odd personal life that revolved around cell phone charms and cross dressing lolita fashion.
"Things are a lot less complicated back in the States. Perhaps you and young Mokuba should come and visit me there sometime instead of me being the one to suffer jet lag all the time."
Pegasus took another sip of his wine just as the appetizer arrived, baked mussels with sundried tomato, white wine and anise served with three cheese garlic bread and seared scallops on shrimp and truffel risotto. It smelled fragrant and looked even better. Pegasus was happy to take up a fork and enjoy the first course.
In fact, the lack of social subtleties often made Japanese people think of the Americans as rude and brash, but they had learned to accept that they were simply different. He internally winced at the suggestion, but if it kept Pegasus happy....
"Perhaps we should, Mokuba would enjoy seeing your San Francisco headquarters."
Though if he could avoid staying at Duelist Kingdom he would. He was not going to admit that the place gave him nightmares.
"Do either of you know how to ride? You might enjoy a few days up at the compound in Nevada. The ranch is just the same as it was when my parents were alive and it's a nice place to put up visitors. More room to move and less chances for the press to bother you."
Pegasus knew they were just making conversation and that Kaiba would never really travel. But it was still a genuine enough offer on his side.
"Are you going to try the risotto? It's rather nice."
He gestured with his fork and gave Kaiba a look that would rival any mother glaring about uneaten vegetables. Gourmet fare should always be appreciated no matter how ghastly it looked or actually tasted. There was always a horrendous amount of thought and effort and even art that went into it.
"No, not that Mokuba wouldn't be excited to learn I am sure."
Mokuba was the kind of teenager to try anything, and get excited about anything new. And perhaps, perhaps he really did ought to think of giving the both of them a break. He was sick to death of how tired he was all the time.
"It sounds good." He confessed. "Mokuba would love it."
Though he was being chided into trying the risotto, and given that he seemed to have managed to upset Pegasus enough for one day, he did. It wasn't his thing really, but it was nice enough.
It was a bit surprising that Kaiba would actually mention his little brother at all in Pegasus presence. Things were possibly getting better between them and the older man decided not to push things by commenting on Mokuba specifically
( ... )
"I am sure everyone is totally certain I am working myself into an early grave. I will delegate as soon as I have a team I trust to delegate to. Things are only just starting to seem settled after the last hostile take over bid."
Though they were interrupted by someone Pegasus knew, and he gave the older man a look, smirking softly when he found out that he was not the only one to work odd hours. Practise what you preach Pegasus. It was rather odd to get a little insight about how he was seen within Pegasus' company, though he was not offended that Pegasus complained about him. He did plenty of complaining about Pegasus in return so they were even.
Though it seemed he was being included in this proposed game of racketball, and he recognised the way Pegasus had been steamrollered into it.
"I don't think I have ever played." he said taking a sip of the wine.
The main course was brought out just as Pegasus tire of pretending to poke at the appetizers instead of actually eating them. He tried to be more encouraging to Kaiba. It would be some sort of real miracle if they could actually get him playing a real sport with real people instead of something on a computer screen, wouldn't it
( ... )
"I suppose martial arts don't lend themselves to be an informal setting for business, even if they are useful. Potential business partners would probably see it as an attempt to kill them." He joked dryly.
He had to admit, the food was something really quite special, it did make it worth getting out of the office and the headache that was handling Pegasus being volatile. He smiled softly.
"I have to admit, that is my idea of relaxing too, when I actually get a chance."
Reply
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Pegasus gave Kaiba a narrow sort of look and pretended to dust a bit of something off the velvet of his upper arm. Next he finally did turn to the waitor and rattled off something in Italian that included their best red wine. He hadn't even picked up the menu but if their chef was worthy of working here he'd know how to make it.
"I should hope I am worth more of your precious time considering the value and extent of the contracts I^2 has offered you. Sometimes I do wonder if your "reputation" is'nt more harmful than good for my own company."
Pegasus was all but grumbling over it now. Despite the promise of good food and wine and the lovely flowers on the table and even the candle light in this darkened little corner Pegasus mood had turned now and he felt like being petulant.
Reply
"No, that is not what I am saying. I brought it up because while I was not going to take it as such, some other japanese businessman might and take offence." he pointed out, trying to be reasonable. "And while you may not agree with everything I do, the sales figures of Duel Monsters products within KaibaCorp's umbrella cannot be denied." He said talking business.
He placed his own order and sat back, trying to reconciliatory.
"I meant no offence, no matter how abrasive I can be." He said gently.
Kami-sama it was like talking down Mokuba when something unavoidable had come up spoiling their plans.
Reply
"Exactly how many other businessmen have you 'offended' by doing 'things' in parks with other men?"
Pegasus gave him a very awkward and accusing sort of look. He had never really thought of Kaiba as gay before. Not the flaming in your face type anyways. But maybe things were a little different here in Japan and maybe those over the top trenchcoats were a nice big "I like other guys" signpost that he'd always overlooked.
And was Kaiba being suddenly nice to him? What exactly was he trying to hide?
Reply
"None, that I am aware of. I am not seen in a situation with anyone normally that can be construed as dating. While I am not saying that I haven't dated, that would be a lie, I am usually very discreet about it. But girls who won't go running to tell their stories to the press when it is over are few and far between."
He took a deep breath.
"Look, at worst the whole of Japan thinks its cute, they think you are a charming eccentric American. I just thought you would appreciate the heads up. Just in case anyone asks about it." He shrugged.
Reply
Pegasus said. And that was all he said as he continued to stare at Kaiba as if the other man might suddenly turn into something else if he took his eye off him for a moment. He knew Kiaba, knew his thoughts and his very soul. And int hat knowledge there was a kind of trust between them. Whenever the man did something he didn't altogether expect it created doubts and Pegasus hated uncertainty more than anything else.
He was very glad that the waitor finally poured their wine as if was rather welcome right now.
He took a refined sip still without ever taking his eye off Kaiba. Finally he dredged up some more words from somewhere.
"I'm not sure why you brought it up if it's so harmless. But thank-you, for letting me know."
Reply
"It is relatively harmless to me." He shrugged. "But our culture is complex. You can be rude without ever intending to be, not saying you have been mind." he said evenly. "It doesn't do any harm for you to know these things. Though to the public here you personally could get away with just about anything. You could go out in a frilly dress and they would just proclaim you kawaii. Though the business sector would probably declare you mad behind your back." He chuckled softly.
Not that Pegasus wasn't already.
"Relax, I am not about to bite you."
Reply
Pegasus coughed discreetly into his napkin and decided he really wanted to change the subject before he had to hear any more about Kaibas odd personal life that revolved around cell phone charms and cross dressing lolita fashion.
"Things are a lot less complicated back in the States. Perhaps you and young Mokuba should come and visit me there sometime instead of me being the one to suffer jet lag all the time."
Pegasus took another sip of his wine just as the appetizer arrived, baked mussels with sundried tomato, white wine and anise served with three cheese garlic bread and seared scallops on shrimp and truffel risotto. It smelled fragrant and looked even better. Pegasus was happy to take up a fork and enjoy the first course.
Reply
"That I can agree with."
In fact, the lack of social subtleties often made Japanese people think of the Americans as rude and brash, but they had learned to accept that they were simply different. He internally winced at the suggestion, but if it kept Pegasus happy....
"Perhaps we should, Mokuba would enjoy seeing your San Francisco headquarters."
Though if he could avoid staying at Duelist Kingdom he would. He was not going to admit that the place gave him nightmares.
Reply
Pegasus knew they were just making conversation and that Kaiba would never really travel. But it was still a genuine enough offer on his side.
"Are you going to try the risotto? It's rather nice."
He gestured with his fork and gave Kaiba a look that would rival any mother glaring about uneaten vegetables. Gourmet fare should always be appreciated no matter how ghastly it looked or actually tasted. There was always a horrendous amount of thought and effort and even art that went into it.
Reply
"No, not that Mokuba wouldn't be excited to learn I am sure."
Mokuba was the kind of teenager to try anything, and get excited about anything new. And perhaps, perhaps he really did ought to think of giving the both of them a break. He was sick to death of how tired he was all the time.
"It sounds good." He confessed. "Mokuba would love it."
Though he was being chided into trying the risotto, and given that he seemed to have managed to upset Pegasus enough for one day, he did. It wasn't his thing really, but it was nice enough.
Reply
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"I am sure everyone is totally certain I am working myself into an early grave. I will delegate as soon as I have a team I trust to delegate to. Things are only just starting to seem settled after the last hostile take over bid."
Though they were interrupted by someone Pegasus knew, and he gave the older man a look, smirking softly when he found out that he was not the only one to work odd hours. Practise what you preach Pegasus. It was rather odd to get a little insight about how he was seen within Pegasus' company, though he was not offended that Pegasus complained about him. He did plenty of complaining about Pegasus in return so they were even.
Though it seemed he was being included in this proposed game of racketball, and he recognised the way Pegasus had been steamrollered into it.
"I don't think I have ever played." he said taking a sip of the wine.
Reply
Reply
"I suppose martial arts don't lend themselves to be an informal setting for business, even if they are useful. Potential business partners would probably see it as an attempt to kill them." He joked dryly.
He had to admit, the food was something really quite special, it did make it worth getting out of the office and the headache that was handling Pegasus being volatile. He smiled softly.
"I have to admit, that is my idea of relaxing too, when I actually get a chance."
Reply
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