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 Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:11 pm
"Yes, they are really good --" He stopped himself, shaking his head briefly, "I mean, you're good too of course. And it's going take me a while to actually get as good as ya in my opinion and ..."
Wisconsin looked extremely flustered, almost modest about this situation - trying to get his composure back, "It wasn't corny at all. I mean... ya do have a point, ya know?" He stopped playing the guitar, mostly because he realized it had been sitting for long enough, "I better get back to work, I mean - on the food of course."
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Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:10 pm
The Volunteer State finally couldn't help a chuckle escaping him at how flustered Wisconsin was. He'd even dare to say the older man was kind of cute when his guard came down a little. It was only a small crack in that ever polite and calculated mask, but it felt like Tennessee was seeing something rare he might not ever see again. His neighbors probably wouldn't believe him if he told them about Wisconsin having a vulnerable side.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot 'bout that," Tennessee said as he took Nashville back so Wisconsin could go cook. "If you want I can teach you some more later."
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Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:48 pm
The Badger state cleared his throat and did a small nod. He was trying to hide any sense of vulnerability as possible, trying to get that smile back up, but all there was a sense of awkwardness about his part.
However, he had to keep up that conversation - making those meatballs a decent size around the size of a plum, "Ah, yeah I have no problem with ya teaching me 'bout if, it's absolutely no trouble at all - ya know?"
Wisconsin wondered how awkward he was like this. It clearly showed he was not used to socializing at all.
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Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 8:02 pm
"Nah, it's no trouble. I like showin' people how to play," Tennessee said as he adjusted his guitar's strings and checked it over out of habit. The way he treated Nashville one would think it was his baby. He gave it a few quick test strums as he fixed it to a new setting until the tone was just the way he wanted it then finally put his guitar to the side.
Tennessee shifted uncertainly as he watched Wisconsin work. He could almost see the other state trying to replace and readjust his mask and the musician found himself oddly not wanting to let that happen. Tennessee stood up and went over to the kitchen with a bit of a curious expression as he supervised the cooking process. "You need any help?" he asked.
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:38 am
To put quite simply, Wisconsin did not like revealing any sort of insecurity about himself even if in many ways when that facade began to crack that he was obvious to read.
"Nope! Ya don't have to worry a thing about it," he said with a grin, "You're a guest here so ya should feel free to make yourself comfortable, ya know?" After that he began to heat the oil in the skillet. "I mean, it's not too much for me to do at all. Even if ya are unexpected, it gives me company and that's enough."
... Did he reveal too much? Wisconsin gulped a bit, that almost sounded pathetic. But he kept cheerful regardless.
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 4:07 am
"I guess it must get kinda lonely hidin' out on your own," Tennessee mused as he put his hands in his pockets and leaned back against a counter out of the way. He was thoughtful for a moment before brightening with an idea. "Hey, if you need a place to hide you can always come stay with me for a while. I don't mind and no one would ever think to look for you there. Then I could show you those harvest festivals I was talkin' about."
He hesitated and frowned a bit as he realized there was a small flaw in that plan. "Although... you'd have to put up with Kentucky and some of the others droppin' by at different times. I never really know when they're comin' over." It was just easier to have an open door policy for his neighbors since there were so many and most of them would have come regardless of any annoyance on his part.
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 11:40 pm
... He did reveal a tad too much about himself, the idea and possibility that he was lonely. Inwardly, he knew it was all his fault in a way with how he never allowed anyone near him or to really know him on some level. But at the same time, the idea of any company would be nice.
After rolling them lightly in flour, he began to fry them but he kept his composure with a smile, "I really have no problem with it, ya know? It might be a bit overwhelming, but I don't think I'll get too annoyed by it."
Partially because Wisconsin would be fascinated instead. He didn't like revealing himself too much, out of fear that even his own cities would begin to seek him out, "It's really nice of ya to invite me somewhere, ya know?"
(OOC: Sorry! I've been busy with real life, but I have not forgotten this thread. smile )
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Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 11:09 am
"So, that's a yes?" Tennessee asked curiously. Wisconsin always seemed to speak in ways that were hard for him to decipher. It didn't particularly bother him although there were some things he was going to need to push for a straight answer on. Having a guest over was different from the usual band of random visitors and, though his house was generally ready for company, he might need to make a few minor preparations.
Now that the Volunteer State could smell the food cooking, his stomach gave a little growl and he blushed. He hadn't eaten on the plane nor while he was waiting at the airport, but he didn't think he was that hungry until just then. "Um... 'scuse me," he muttered.
(It's ok. Life happens sometimes. xp )
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Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:32 pm
"Oh... um!" Wisconsin said with a stammer, while he continued frying and browning the food with a small hum. He had to make note to not speak in such a round about way, it could get a tad confusing, "Yes! Of course, ya know?"
And he once again made what he had to say needlessly long, but to move away from the topic that he was not exactly the most social - "Ya don't have to excuse yourself for being hungry! That's why I'm making this for ya after all!"
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Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2011 8:30 pm
Tennessee smiled and genuinely seemed happy Wisconsin was going to come visit him. Their recent time together had obviously lead him to believe they were friends now. Perhaps not very close friends, but it was a step in the right direction. All good relationships had to start somewhere.
"It smells really good," he said cheerfully as his blush faded. "I didn't realize how hungry I was 'till you started cookin' it."
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:10 pm
Eventually he discarded the meatballs to the side, on a piece of piece of paper towels to drain them after meticulously and carefully browning them. Prior to that, he heated the oven to 350 degrees likely in preparation and continued talking, "I figured ya might have an appetite all considering ya came up here unexpectedly."
Wisconsin gave out a nervous laugh, "Nothing wrong with that of course, but it gives me an excuse to make something, ya know?"
He was pretty self sufficient in a way with how he managed things in that sense while afterward he was discard oil in skillet; stirring in mushroom soup and beef broth, scraping bottom of pan to remove brown bits. Every so often moving between the two while after draining them and putting them in the baking dish. After that he went back to completely checking on the broth.
"I know I'm not the best at cooking but this would probably be good enough, right?" It almost sounded nervous. Like it wanted approval or meet a certain standard from others.
(OOC: I'm going to a meeting so I likely won't be back until very late! Later!)
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:17 pm
"It looks real good," Tennessee agreed with a nod. He doubted the meatballs could hold a candle to many of his neighbors' cooking, but the Volunteer State felt compelled by that voice to be a little more encouraging than normal. Wisconsin always seemed to be trying so hard at everything and it didn't sound like he got a lot of reassurance. "Like I said, I'm not too picky anyway, so don't worry 'bout it."
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Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 2:54 am
Eventually he was done with preparing almost everything to set - pouring the broth he was making over the meatballs he had set in the baking dish. With a small self satisfied smile, he put them in the oven to predictably bake.
An hour or so they'd be done but now he could get back to socializing a little bit with Tennessee. Inwardly, he was not sure how to take that compliment, and nervously coughed once again clearing his throat with a smile.
"... Well, I suppose that's good. I'm good at craftsmanship but when it comes to actually cooking - well, I guess that's something I'm not the best in." As much as he hated to admit.
"... can I ask what your neighbors are exactly like?" It would make sense he was fairly sheltered, "Ya talked a bit about them so I'm kinda curious." What it might be like to have someone check up on someone unexpectedly on a regular basis. That is what he wanted to add, but didn't bother doing so.
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Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 1:39 pm
"What they're like?" Tennessee repeated the question thoughtfully. That was kind of hard to answer. "Well, there are eight of 'em who actually share a border with me, but I guess you could call everyone in the region my neighbors... Even though 'bama likes to be called the Heart of Dixie, my place is technically the real center of the South."
"They can be pretty pushy and sometimes they like to force me into their arguments," Tennessee said and felt a little exhausted just thinking of the recent drama over water rights between Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Somehow their bickering resulted in Georgia wanting to drag up the old border dispute between the Peach State and Volunteer State. "Sometimes I think they only come to my place to argue or cause trouble... but other times, when we get gathered together, someone will bring food and someone else will happen to have their fiddle or somethin'. Then we'll have a big dinner and play music together. No matter what we've been fightin' 'bout things usually end well over a good meal and song." He smiled wistfully at the thought of their impromptu parties and concerts. "Even though they stress me out a lot, I'm glad to be in a position where we can all be together like that."
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:33 am
While he was listening, nodding to hear about these descriptions of the states he didn't know personally but seen casually at some meetings while washing his hands. A soft chuckle came from Wisconsin, hearing the opinions and more information about them.
After drying off his hands and choosing to sit down again to next to Tennessee he commented, "But still, it sounds despite their troubles they might bring ya, ya can still trust them no matter what to be therefore ya in case things go wrong or something like that, right?"
His voice sounded genuinely questioning and curious.
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