He lifts the cup slightly, swirling the milk before beginning the latte art. His movements are practiced, fluid. A cat begins to take shape in the coffee, its round face floating, its tiny toe beans visible. But he keeps it angled away, just enough so Dove can’t see it yet.
"Distorted memories or not, you’re still you," Akira says simply. "Doesn't matter what’s real or fake—what matters is who you are right now."
He pauses for a moment, letting the words settle, before adding, a little more offhandedly, "Besides... I’ve got a tape myself."
The milk finishes its work, but Akira isn’t quite done. He moves over to the cabinet, fingers brushing quickly over the shelves until he finds what he’s looking for. Cocoa powder.
Returning just as smoothly, he sprinkles a light dusting of cocoa over the cat’s toe beans, giving them a soft definition. Perfect.
Only then does he finally slide the cup toward Dove, setting it in front of him with a quiet clink.
"Here. Try imagining yourself free from the whole tape mess for a sec."
His smirk returns, just a little as he leans on the counter again, chin propped up in his palm.. "I’d say it’s a solid distraction."
2/2
He lifts the cup slightly, swirling the milk before beginning the latte art. His movements are practiced, fluid. A cat begins to take shape in the coffee, its round face floating, its tiny toe beans visible. But he keeps it angled away, just enough so Dove can’t see it yet.
"Distorted memories or not, you’re still you," Akira says simply. "Doesn't matter what’s real or fake—what matters is who you are right now."
He pauses for a moment, letting the words settle, before adding, a little more offhandedly, "Besides... I’ve got a tape myself."
The milk finishes its work, but Akira isn’t quite done. He moves over to the cabinet, fingers brushing quickly over the shelves until he finds what he’s looking for. Cocoa powder.
Returning just as smoothly, he sprinkles a light dusting of cocoa over the cat’s toe beans, giving them a soft definition. Perfect.
Only then does he finally slide the cup toward Dove, setting it in front of him with a quiet clink.
"Here. Try imagining yourself free from the whole tape mess for a sec."
His smirk returns, just a little as he leans on the counter again, chin propped up in his palm.. "I’d say it’s a solid distraction."