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He had apologized to Quinn over the phone, over a week ago, but he felt like it was best done face to face as well. He had called him, around a month back, telling him that he was leaving Destiny City for a short while - he needed to breath and escape. He had mentioned a fight with Terry, but hadn’t gone into detail, and that his elder cousin was sending him out of the city for a breather. He hadn’t, till that point, ever mentioned an elder cousin either.
It had been nearly three weeks later, after all that radio silence, that he had let Quinn know that he was back - without warning. He had apologized for just vanishing but he’d needed to gather himself and settle a few things. He hadn’t explained yet, it wasn’t a discussion to have over a phone...if it was a discussion they would be having.
Tonight though was time to properly apologize, drop some new and a tentative invitation on the other, and explain things if he was asked. It was all going to be done over food and without Terry as he was still home on bed rest, where he needed to be. He had let Terry know, he was getting better about telling the other things, before leaving to meet the other. He had simply given him an address to a nice Korean restaurant and told Quinn that it was his treat - he owed him.
He just hoped the other would like at least some of the food the place had to offer, it was a nice place that had a lot of choices, it was one he’d been to several times in the past and brought Terry as well as his cousins to. The food was authentic and run by a Korean family that had migrated here years back. The place was also in Korea town, as that made sense really. It was time to give Quinn a few tastes of Korea, literally and figuratively.
It had been nearly three weeks later, after all that radio silence, that he had let Quinn know that he was back - without warning. He had apologized for just vanishing but he’d needed to gather himself and settle a few things. He hadn’t explained yet, it wasn’t a discussion to have over a phone...if it was a discussion they would be having.
Tonight though was time to properly apologize, drop some new and a tentative invitation on the other, and explain things if he was asked. It was all going to be done over food and without Terry as he was still home on bed rest, where he needed to be. He had let Terry know, he was getting better about telling the other things, before leaving to meet the other. He had simply given him an address to a nice Korean restaurant and told Quinn that it was his treat - he owed him.
He just hoped the other would like at least some of the food the place had to offer, it was a nice place that had a lot of choices, it was one he’d been to several times in the past and brought Terry as well as his cousins to. The food was authentic and run by a Korean family that had migrated here years back. The place was also in Korea town, as that made sense really. It was time to give Quinn a few tastes of Korea, literally and figuratively.
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Quinn’s reaction to Seung heading out of the city for a while was probably not what he expected. Yes the young man was concerned for his friend but that was overshadowed by relief that he would have some time to ease his schedule some. His friend had no idea that the work they had been doing together, mostly Seung teaching Quinn, had added further work to Quinn’s already overflowing schedule. He had done his best not to show just how much he had to do to scrape up the time they spent together. He didn’t want his friend to worry, or to pass on his concerns on to the others. Quinn especially didn’t want Seung to let anything slip to his folks.
The call was a surprise. Quinn had been so wrapped up in work that he hadn’t realized that so much time had passed so when Seung called it was a surprise. The younger knight apologized and while Quinn was cool with just the call, Seung wanted to take him out to dinner. As much as Quinn wanted to turn him down he couldn’t do that. First because he really had been worried about his friend although Quinn knew quite well how time away can really put things into perspective. Second because it would really raise red flags about his own habits of late, like the limited meals, light sleep, and major overworking. There was also a way to use this dinner to work in more ‘practice’ for the job his father was working on. Apparently it was progressing slowly but it James was still certain having a presence in South Korea would be a great idea.
Anyway, it all boiled down to this dinner a week later. It had been a serious pain in the a** to rework some things to get the night ‘off’ but apparently when you work like a damn dog people are super accommodating when you need a night to yourself. The restaurant took a bit to locate so he made it right on time, it was a good thing though that he didn’t swing by his apartment to change since that would have made him late. He entered the restaurant in slacks and a work shirt but Quinn had shucked the tie and jacket. He didn’t want to announce to his friend that anything had changed even though an unbiased eye would notice that his hair was a bit longer than it had once been even if it was slicked back, making Quinn appear so much more adult like. There were shadows under his eyes and he was slimmer than he should have been even though the cut of the clothes really flattered him, he still looked like a businessman rather than the carefree college student he should have been.
The call was a surprise. Quinn had been so wrapped up in work that he hadn’t realized that so much time had passed so when Seung called it was a surprise. The younger knight apologized and while Quinn was cool with just the call, Seung wanted to take him out to dinner. As much as Quinn wanted to turn him down he couldn’t do that. First because he really had been worried about his friend although Quinn knew quite well how time away can really put things into perspective. Second because it would really raise red flags about his own habits of late, like the limited meals, light sleep, and major overworking. There was also a way to use this dinner to work in more ‘practice’ for the job his father was working on. Apparently it was progressing slowly but it James was still certain having a presence in South Korea would be a great idea.
Anyway, it all boiled down to this dinner a week later. It had been a serious pain in the a** to rework some things to get the night ‘off’ but apparently when you work like a damn dog people are super accommodating when you need a night to yourself. The restaurant took a bit to locate so he made it right on time, it was a good thing though that he didn’t swing by his apartment to change since that would have made him late. He entered the restaurant in slacks and a work shirt but Quinn had shucked the tie and jacket. He didn’t want to announce to his friend that anything had changed even though an unbiased eye would notice that his hair was a bit longer than it had once been even if it was slicked back, making Quinn appear so much more adult like. There were shadows under his eyes and he was slimmer than he should have been even though the cut of the clothes really flattered him, he still looked like a businessman rather than the carefree college student he should have been.
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While Quinn looked like the adult he was Seung still...sort of didn’t. He still had piercings in and his hair shaved on one side while long-ish on the other side and streaked in red. Being nearly the same age as Quinn, only a few months younger, you’d think he’d looked a bit more mature but that wasn’t the case. Though he was dressed nice enough.
Sitting already at a table, he’d told one of the hostesses he was waiting for someone and given them his own name for when Quinn asked, there was water at his table and no soju in sight. He wasn’t planning to drink tonight if he could help it. There also wasn’t any food yet but there was an open menu in his hands as he skimmed over it all.
He knew Quinn was busy, he just didn’t know how busy, the other needed some time away from things and to relax and spend some time with friends. He was hoping that while this did fit that criteria, a bit at least, that it could seem to be work related also in order to suit the others seeming need to be working or doing something. Being known for overworking himself as well he could see it in others, always could, and had always sought to get others to relax while ignoring his own advice. After the time away and the talk with Terry...and the others parents, two separate talks, he was starting to take his own advice - he had to.
Facing the door he had no problem seeing when Quii entered and Seung raised a hand to motion the other over. He didn’t call out, didn’t raise his voice, but he was motioning him over and hoping the other spotted him.
Sitting already at a table, he’d told one of the hostesses he was waiting for someone and given them his own name for when Quinn asked, there was water at his table and no soju in sight. He wasn’t planning to drink tonight if he could help it. There also wasn’t any food yet but there was an open menu in his hands as he skimmed over it all.
He knew Quinn was busy, he just didn’t know how busy, the other needed some time away from things and to relax and spend some time with friends. He was hoping that while this did fit that criteria, a bit at least, that it could seem to be work related also in order to suit the others seeming need to be working or doing something. Being known for overworking himself as well he could see it in others, always could, and had always sought to get others to relax while ignoring his own advice. After the time away and the talk with Terry...and the others parents, two separate talks, he was starting to take his own advice - he had to.
Facing the door he had no problem seeing when Quii entered and Seung raised a hand to motion the other over. He didn’t call out, didn’t raise his voice, but he was motioning him over and hoping the other spotted him.
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Quinn passed his name as well as Seung’s to the hostess who greeted him as he entered the restaurant. It had been useless though when Quinn spotted the younger man waving him over, it wasn’t exactly like it had been hard to find the younger man in the semi crowded place. That hair was pretty obvious. Still, the young man waited for the hostess to lead him to their table where he quickly sat down. “Um, Komapsumnida.” He stumbled over the ‘thank you’ to the hostess since he hadn’t really been practicing during Seung’s trip. His greeting to Seung was much clearer and said with a lot more confidence, “Annyeong, Seung.”
“How was your trip? Everything sorted?” He asked his friend as he settled into his seat and picked up the menu. Quinn scanned over the menu, very little of it really made sense to him even with the english descriptions not that he had really been planning on ordering much. He figured he would let Seung take the lead here. The young man was willing to try anything atleast once, besides it now was the time to experiment because when this project of his father’s went live… it would be the height of rudeness to take clients out to dinner and have no clue what he was ordering or even worse, spit out the food they had gotten because he disliked it. Better to have that reaction here in the states with a friend who, while likely disappointed, wouldn’t be offended. Atleast thats what Quinn figured.
“How was your trip? Everything sorted?” He asked his friend as he settled into his seat and picked up the menu. Quinn scanned over the menu, very little of it really made sense to him even with the english descriptions not that he had really been planning on ordering much. He figured he would let Seung take the lead here. The young man was willing to try anything atleast once, besides it now was the time to experiment because when this project of his father’s went live… it would be the height of rudeness to take clients out to dinner and have no clue what he was ordering or even worse, spit out the food they had gotten because he disliked it. Better to have that reaction here in the states with a friend who, while likely disappointed, wouldn’t be offended. Atleast thats what Quinn figured.
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Smiling as Quinn came closer he also thanked the waitress, in much more polished Korean, and watched her leave after telling them to buzz when they had their order ready. Nodding his head he watched Quinn sit down then. “Annyeong.” Nodding his head, though maybe it was a bow...just a short one.
“Yeah, it took some time. Is a work in progress still but is relationship things. Was a big fight with Terry...left, older cousin sent me away from city for few weeks to settle down.” Seung already knew what he was going to be ordering so set his menu down and watched Quinn go over his own.
“Was not planning to leave but can’t deny hyung.” His elder. It simply wasn’t something done, not to mention he and his older cousin were close. He wasn’t going to just say no to something he said, even more so when he knew Hyeon was right. “Terry on bed rest..so thought it best to explain why now and to apologize properly.”
Motioning to the menu he gave the other a questioning look. “Anything interesting or want? Or need help?” Knowing the other wasn’t likely to be familiar with the foods, something Quinn might have to get used to if he actually went to Korea to work - which was likely. He would likely have to go with him and show him around, translate, and help him not get lost - it would be fun.
“Yeah, it took some time. Is a work in progress still but is relationship things. Was a big fight with Terry...left, older cousin sent me away from city for few weeks to settle down.” Seung already knew what he was going to be ordering so set his menu down and watched Quinn go over his own.
“Was not planning to leave but can’t deny hyung.” His elder. It simply wasn’t something done, not to mention he and his older cousin were close. He wasn’t going to just say no to something he said, even more so when he knew Hyeon was right. “Terry on bed rest..so thought it best to explain why now and to apologize properly.”
Motioning to the menu he gave the other a questioning look. “Anything interesting or want? Or need help?” Knowing the other wasn’t likely to be familiar with the foods, something Quinn might have to get used to if he actually went to Korea to work - which was likely. He would likely have to go with him and show him around, translate, and help him not get lost - it would be fun.
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“Sometimes getting away is necessary.” Quinn knew that quite well since he had been removed from the city after he had started to drink way too much. That little incident had caused him to be rather leery of any alcohol right now but Seung knew that. He also knew the reason, at least the general one, as to why Quinn had started to drink. The young man still woke sometimes in a cold sweat from the dreams of the negaverse fight, he still craved a drink when he thought of everything that had happened, and he still wanted to punch something when he remembered what occurred during that fight. That trip had likely saved his life since fighting came along with the drinking… purifying the code piece had just made his drinking and fighting worse. It was that, much shorter, period that convinced his folks to shuffle him off to friends overseas.
Sadly Quinn had basically traded one vice for another. Rather than the bottle he was now sinking himself into work. It was hard to stew over past issues when one became wrapped up in current problems. He focused on mundane tasks and in the process, slowly killing himself. Not that he would ever admit that or even realize it.
Quinn’s gaze snapped up from the menu when Seung mentioned Terry. “Wait! What? Terry’s on bed rest? Why?” What had he missed? Had his friend gotten hurt during a patrol or at a fight? Had he been told about about it and just forgot? There were so many questions floating around his head the young man could only shake his head absently at Seung’s question regarding food. “You choose. Now what happened to Terry? I wasn’t told anything had happened.” I don’t think so at least.
Sadly Quinn had basically traded one vice for another. Rather than the bottle he was now sinking himself into work. It was hard to stew over past issues when one became wrapped up in current problems. He focused on mundane tasks and in the process, slowly killing himself. Not that he would ever admit that or even realize it.
Quinn’s gaze snapped up from the menu when Seung mentioned Terry. “Wait! What? Terry’s on bed rest? Why?” What had he missed? Had his friend gotten hurt during a patrol or at a fight? Had he been told about about it and just forgot? There were so many questions floating around his head the young man could only shake his head absently at Seung’s question regarding food. “You choose. Now what happened to Terry? I wasn’t told anything had happened.” I don’t think so at least.
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“During time away...night of Lily’s party he got into fight - with a General...threw himself into fight not caring.” He answered honestly. He was still upset that he hadn’t been there for it, that he had been clueless as to what was happening. He’d been at his elder cousins, just returned to the city for Lily’s party...and the other had been throwing himself into a fight - something Seung was more likely to do.
“Got a call he was in hospital. He is home now but bed rest...broken arm, other injuries. Parents, especially mother, won’t let him from bed.” And he did agree with that. The other was already hurt and needed proper time to recover from the injuries he’d sustained. The general had not been kind to Terry, either the fight had been that intense with Terry putting up a hell of a fight in return...or the General had wanted to beat him slowly and inflict a lot of pain.
Knowing Quinn had an aversion to alcohol, and wanting to respect that, he would order tea instead for them. For food though...he had ideas. “No allergies?” He asked, already reaching to press the buzzer on their table.
“Will get tea since no alcohol for you. Can’t either...would bother Terry.” The other understood some drinking...not like he could do though, and had in the past. “In Korea...first drink always shared...can substitute for another drink but always together sharing first drink of a dinner. Is...a bonding thing sort of. Just tell people that you cannot have alcohol...but share first drink.” That was the first lesson for the other, one of what would be several during dinner. “When clinking glasses for this normal say is geonbae….like your cheers...but is formal. So used for formal gatherings. Or could say informal...zzan.”
This wasn’t too bad really, little lessons like this. It was what he did with Terry, had since they’d started dating. He’d give little side lessons when doing things, especially on their trip to Korea - that had been filled with lessons. There was a lot to learn...manners were..important.
Shifting in his seat, a hand reaching out to the end of their table...he found what he was looking for. A draw slid opened from the end of their table and from inside he pulled two long spoons and two sets of metal chopsticks as well.
Closing the draw he set the utensils on the table just as their waitress was arriving. Greeting her he picked up his own menu and started to point out what he wanted, while also verbally telling her. He was figuring on a stew each, since it was still a bit chilly out, but he also went with dukbokki that they would share...and then he ordered a few kinds of jeon.
Once he finished, with ordering the tea, he let their waitress leave with the order and their menus as those were no longer needed. Having thanked her, as she left, he turned his focus onto Quinn. “Foods shared...ordered two stews. Other things shared like would in Korea. All in center of table for everyone to have. Ordered dukbokki...is common street food, is spicy, or sometimes sweet, rice cake. Ordered jeon also and is like pancake...most like with makkoli, is alcohol...but don’t need to have both.”
“Got a call he was in hospital. He is home now but bed rest...broken arm, other injuries. Parents, especially mother, won’t let him from bed.” And he did agree with that. The other was already hurt and needed proper time to recover from the injuries he’d sustained. The general had not been kind to Terry, either the fight had been that intense with Terry putting up a hell of a fight in return...or the General had wanted to beat him slowly and inflict a lot of pain.
Knowing Quinn had an aversion to alcohol, and wanting to respect that, he would order tea instead for them. For food though...he had ideas. “No allergies?” He asked, already reaching to press the buzzer on their table.
“Will get tea since no alcohol for you. Can’t either...would bother Terry.” The other understood some drinking...not like he could do though, and had in the past. “In Korea...first drink always shared...can substitute for another drink but always together sharing first drink of a dinner. Is...a bonding thing sort of. Just tell people that you cannot have alcohol...but share first drink.” That was the first lesson for the other, one of what would be several during dinner. “When clinking glasses for this normal say is geonbae….like your cheers...but is formal. So used for formal gatherings. Or could say informal...zzan.”
This wasn’t too bad really, little lessons like this. It was what he did with Terry, had since they’d started dating. He’d give little side lessons when doing things, especially on their trip to Korea - that had been filled with lessons. There was a lot to learn...manners were..important.
Shifting in his seat, a hand reaching out to the end of their table...he found what he was looking for. A draw slid opened from the end of their table and from inside he pulled two long spoons and two sets of metal chopsticks as well.
Closing the draw he set the utensils on the table just as their waitress was arriving. Greeting her he picked up his own menu and started to point out what he wanted, while also verbally telling her. He was figuring on a stew each, since it was still a bit chilly out, but he also went with dukbokki that they would share...and then he ordered a few kinds of jeon.
Once he finished, with ordering the tea, he let their waitress leave with the order and their menus as those were no longer needed. Having thanked her, as she left, he turned his focus onto Quinn. “Foods shared...ordered two stews. Other things shared like would in Korea. All in center of table for everyone to have. Ordered dukbokki...is common street food, is spicy, or sometimes sweet, rice cake. Ordered jeon also and is like pancake...most like with makkoli, is alcohol...but don’t need to have both.”
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Quinn winced and muttered a curse. He had no idea that Terry had done that but could understand what had driven the other knight to pull such a stupid stunt. It was only through sheer dumb luck that Quinn himself hadn’t gotten into the same type of situation. “Yeah he needs to heal. Glad he is ok though.” The young man hid behind the menu as he mentally squished down the little voice that chided him for not realizing his team was going through problems. It was scolding him for not even knowing that Terry had gotten hurt or paying more attention to Seung’s reasoning for skipping out of the city for a while.
He was a little preoccupied with his own thoughts that it took a moment for his brain to process Seung’s question. “Hun? Oh. No. None that I’m aware of at least.” Unlike his friend, Quinn wasn’t allergic to anything that he knew about. At least not the normal stuff like nuts, dust, pollen, etcetera. Maybe there was some odd thing that made his body react but he hadn’t found it yet. “Can’t stand key lime pie but no I shouldn’t have an allergic reaction to anything you order.”
The sandy haired young man fell silent as his fellow knight started to explain. He understood the concept of the shared food, it was a surprisingly common practice in several places although it was more of a ‘pass the plate around’ kind of thing then everything just piled in the center. He waited until Seung finished his explanation before asking questions, “So if this was a more formal setting would I be the one ordering or would we each order something or what? Are the stews always necessary? Would they always be single servings? And since we both aren't drinking it's not a issue now but what happens if we are with people who do drink? How is that ‘mixed company’ handled with regards to drinks?” There were so many rules and manners to keep in mind. Quinn had no idea what his dad was thinking when he tapped him for heading this project. Seung made a hell of a lot more sense.
He was a little preoccupied with his own thoughts that it took a moment for his brain to process Seung’s question. “Hun? Oh. No. None that I’m aware of at least.” Unlike his friend, Quinn wasn’t allergic to anything that he knew about. At least not the normal stuff like nuts, dust, pollen, etcetera. Maybe there was some odd thing that made his body react but he hadn’t found it yet. “Can’t stand key lime pie but no I shouldn’t have an allergic reaction to anything you order.”
The sandy haired young man fell silent as his fellow knight started to explain. He understood the concept of the shared food, it was a surprisingly common practice in several places although it was more of a ‘pass the plate around’ kind of thing then everything just piled in the center. He waited until Seung finished his explanation before asking questions, “So if this was a more formal setting would I be the one ordering or would we each order something or what? Are the stews always necessary? Would they always be single servings? And since we both aren't drinking it's not a issue now but what happens if we are with people who do drink? How is that ‘mixed company’ handled with regards to drinks?” There were so many rules and manners to keep in mind. Quinn had no idea what his dad was thinking when he tapped him for heading this project. Seung made a hell of a lot more sense.
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“Same here. Mother knowing now won’t let him not rest.” Not that he would let the up out of bed yet either, even though his legs were perfectly fine. He wasn’t having the other jostle his arm - either of them.
“No worry, don’t have key lime pie...nothing sweet like that for deserts here. Deserts, many, red beans and more savory with some sweet.” If that last part made sense. It was just how it was though. They did have fruits in desserts though, and nuts, but a lot of deserts did have red bean involved, in some way. It was very different from the sweets here, which he always found to be too sweet.
“Stews not needed. Thought it cold so would be nice to have something warm. You could order in formal setting - would likely be better. Everyone will wait till you lift chopsticks before they go to eat...and will wait till you finish - is proper.” Older people were held higher, it was just a thing. “Normally higher rank is older age...most will be will than you...might make some uncomfortable - taking orders from younger person.” Biting down on his bottom lip for a moment he tilted his head a bit. “If doing barbeque...youngest is supposed to cook meat and serve his hyungs. Just as younger pours drinks for olders...and look away when older drinks. Drink is poured two handed and is received two handed. If in mixed company, and you don’t drink, say so and drink something else. Is more about sharing first drink and glasses not being empty at all.” There were a lot of rules, and he knew it. He’d have to show as many as he could over time, not just tonight, it wouldn’t be something learned over night. It was very different there and stricter.
“For food...not normal for single servings. Food is for groups to share...people are social eaters and rare to see people out eating by themself. So always in the middle and grab what you want as needed, no digging around with chopsticks. Oh! Banchan...banchan are side dishes...always free, like kimchi, and refillable as many times as wanted. Is considered part of service and being taken care of.” Banchan dishes were favorites, and not just because kimchi was always one of them. Generally speaking they were good and gave a nice break from the meal itself...or added to the meal.
“No worry, don’t have key lime pie...nothing sweet like that for deserts here. Deserts, many, red beans and more savory with some sweet.” If that last part made sense. It was just how it was though. They did have fruits in desserts though, and nuts, but a lot of deserts did have red bean involved, in some way. It was very different from the sweets here, which he always found to be too sweet.
“Stews not needed. Thought it cold so would be nice to have something warm. You could order in formal setting - would likely be better. Everyone will wait till you lift chopsticks before they go to eat...and will wait till you finish - is proper.” Older people were held higher, it was just a thing. “Normally higher rank is older age...most will be will than you...might make some uncomfortable - taking orders from younger person.” Biting down on his bottom lip for a moment he tilted his head a bit. “If doing barbeque...youngest is supposed to cook meat and serve his hyungs. Just as younger pours drinks for olders...and look away when older drinks. Drink is poured two handed and is received two handed. If in mixed company, and you don’t drink, say so and drink something else. Is more about sharing first drink and glasses not being empty at all.” There were a lot of rules, and he knew it. He’d have to show as many as he could over time, not just tonight, it wouldn’t be something learned over night. It was very different there and stricter.
“For food...not normal for single servings. Food is for groups to share...people are social eaters and rare to see people out eating by themself. So always in the middle and grab what you want as needed, no digging around with chopsticks. Oh! Banchan...banchan are side dishes...always free, like kimchi, and refillable as many times as wanted. Is considered part of service and being taken care of.” Banchan dishes were favorites, and not just because kimchi was always one of them. Generally speaking they were good and gave a nice break from the meal itself...or added to the meal.
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Quinn smiled softly, a laugh clear on his face, “I can imagine. My folks don’t know and I still get tied down when they find out I get hurt and they find out.” Like the one time he had gotten his leg chewed by a pet youma and his shoulder dislocated, he ended up basically under house arrest at his folks for the duration of his injuries. Honestly it was surprising his parents didn’t think something was up with him. That they didn’t corner him and demand to know what was going on. Then again, was getting his a** handed to him as a knight better then getting arrested for B&E like he had been doing before he became a knight? But that was a thought for another night. Right now he needed to focus on what his friend was teaching him.
The young man winced at the thought that he would be the head of any official meal. He would be the one that everyone would be watching, he would be the one they would defer too. It was Quinn’s worst nightmare come true but he would suck it up. He knew what he was getting in too when he threw himself into work all those long months ago. He knew. Getting the degree now was just a statement, proof of him being able to finish something. There was no way he would become an architect now.
With that rather disheartening thought Quinn absently fiddled with his chopsticks, handling them like a pro as he listened to Seung finish explaining about the side dishes. “Makes sense. One more question. You said that it would be ok to not drink alcohol while everyone else is, I get that, but would it affect anyone if the oldest or highest ranking one didn’t drink? Like if we went out to a dinner meeting and I didn’t drink would others choose not too as well just because I didn’t?” Quinn knew about the social aspect of drinking, Seung had told him before, but adding in the little ‘I’m your boss’ notation… how did that change things? There were more then enough people here in the states who would refrain from drinking if the person they were with, or trying to impress, refused to drink. Would it be the same in South Korea?
The young man winced at the thought that he would be the head of any official meal. He would be the one that everyone would be watching, he would be the one they would defer too. It was Quinn’s worst nightmare come true but he would suck it up. He knew what he was getting in too when he threw himself into work all those long months ago. He knew. Getting the degree now was just a statement, proof of him being able to finish something. There was no way he would become an architect now.
With that rather disheartening thought Quinn absently fiddled with his chopsticks, handling them like a pro as he listened to Seung finish explaining about the side dishes. “Makes sense. One more question. You said that it would be ok to not drink alcohol while everyone else is, I get that, but would it affect anyone if the oldest or highest ranking one didn’t drink? Like if we went out to a dinner meeting and I didn’t drink would others choose not too as well just because I didn’t?” Quinn knew about the social aspect of drinking, Seung had told him before, but adding in the little ‘I’m your boss’ notation… how did that change things? There were more then enough people here in the states who would refrain from drinking if the person they were with, or trying to impress, refused to drink. Would it be the same in South Korea?
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“No, certainly not. Korea is...big on drinking...considered normal. Many co-workers go out once a week or every two weeks to drink - play drinking games. To socialize and loosen up, talk less formally. No, they would still...too much a normal thing.” No, drinking was very much a social thing and with Quinn likely to be one of several people there and also likely the only one not to drink...they others would. If anything Quinn might find himself having to talk some out of drinking more, or calling a cab for some.
“If anything might have some drinking too much before going to karaoke to eat and drink more.” It was one of those things, it just seemed to be normal. You went to sing at a norebang and you drank and ate a bit, but mostly drank, with friends. You went out to eat with co-workers and you drank. There was a lot of drinking.
“Terry once looked up information...said people there drink more hard liquor than many others.”
When the food started to arrive he wasn’t surprised with the banchan when it was set down as well. Two stews, as he’d ordered, and the rest all into the middle of the table and drinks set down for them personally. They each had little empty dishes themselves, for food that they were taking, and a rice filled bowl. “Rice is one thing we use spoons for.” Which was why he did take two spoons from the opening draw in the table, and placed his own by his rice bowl and offered one to Quinn.
“If anything might have some drinking too much before going to karaoke to eat and drink more.” It was one of those things, it just seemed to be normal. You went to sing at a norebang and you drank and ate a bit, but mostly drank, with friends. You went out to eat with co-workers and you drank. There was a lot of drinking.
“Terry once looked up information...said people there drink more hard liquor than many others.”
When the food started to arrive he wasn’t surprised with the banchan when it was set down as well. Two stews, as he’d ordered, and the rest all into the middle of the table and drinks set down for them personally. They each had little empty dishes themselves, for food that they were taking, and a rice filled bowl. “Rice is one thing we use spoons for.” Which was why he did take two spoons from the opening draw in the table, and placed his own by his rice bowl and offered one to Quinn.
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Quinn nodded and mentally sighed. After drinking himself silly for days on end it was not something he really wanted to be surrounded by. Not because he thought he would be tempted, waking up in a strange man’s bed once with no memory was plenty to keep him on the straight and narrow, but because he knew he would have to deal with the aftermath. The drunks and the alcoholics, the hangovers and those that were still tipsy the next day. It wasn’t his ideal time, not at all. But he would learn to deal with it, he had too.
“Why does that not surprise me,” He said even as he shifted to make things a bit easier for the waitress bringing in the food. “Considering how easy it was for you to drink me under the table I would have to say that Korea drinks like American’s eat.” It was a joke and even if the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, Quinn didn’t mean for it to be taken as an insult.
Looking over the spread of food the young man felt a little lost, he had no idea what to try first. “For shits and giggles let's pretend you're older tonight. You go first.” Quinn looked over at Seung before adding, “You are older aren't you. If you stick to the Korean calendar age thingy? Would I have to go by that as well while over there?”
“Why does that not surprise me,” He said even as he shifted to make things a bit easier for the waitress bringing in the food. “Considering how easy it was for you to drink me under the table I would have to say that Korea drinks like American’s eat.” It was a joke and even if the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, Quinn didn’t mean for it to be taken as an insult.
Looking over the spread of food the young man felt a little lost, he had no idea what to try first. “For shits and giggles let's pretend you're older tonight. You go first.” Quinn looked over at Seung before adding, “You are older aren't you. If you stick to the Korean calendar age thingy? Would I have to go by that as well while over there?”
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“We are...drinking culture. Allows for shy people to be more social and to bond. I drank with friends...and with classmates and professors.” So he could drink, and he hadn’t planned to drink Quinn under the table. “Not that heavy drinker like friends I have are...some drink me under table.” Several of his friends back home could drink him under the table and he was sure he had family members who could as well, as most had been drinking longer and did so for work as well.
“If I use that and you do not...then I am...but otherwise we could say equals since born in same year. But I can pretend and I will tell you what is what on table.” Picking up his own chopsticks he pointed out what the panchan was, giving out what main ingredients were, the main parts of the meal he went over then with the other. He was quick about it before moving to pour tea for Quinn and then himself, instructing the other as he did so.
“There it might be good to use Korean age, would maybe make older than some you would hire...also they would...to use American might confuse them.”
“If I use that and you do not...then I am...but otherwise we could say equals since born in same year. But I can pretend and I will tell you what is what on table.” Picking up his own chopsticks he pointed out what the panchan was, giving out what main ingredients were, the main parts of the meal he went over then with the other. He was quick about it before moving to pour tea for Quinn and then himself, instructing the other as he did so.
“There it might be good to use Korean age, would maybe make older than some you would hire...also they would...to use American might confuse them.”
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Quinn could only sigh and shake his head, running this project was going to be interesting to say the least. “Ah well,” picking up his tea the young man toasted his friend. “Geonbae.” Time to dig in.
