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 Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:44 am
It's the morning of one of Setsushi's days off, and he's up with the crack of dawn, fussing about the kitchen as soon as he's done with his morning toilet. Although he tries to move about quietly, his mind leaks a continuous stream of excitement.
whee
When the bowls are set out and the cookbooks all bookmarked and annotated and he can stand the waiting no more, he peeks around the screen to Kouyo's makeshift bed (which has been improved by some fluffy pillows and blankets since the High Priest moved in.)
Kouyo? Kouyo?? Is he awake? Setsushi doesn't want to wake him, but...
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:55 am
Kouyo yawns and rolls over, awake but unwilling to get out of bed until Setsushi comes looking for him. He flashes his friend a quick smile that is completely without energy or enthusiasm, and crawls out of bed, then starts working on brushing the folds out of his robes.
"But what?"
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:00 am
Today, Kouyo! Today is Setsushi's day off, and he has something special planned!
... It's quite a sight, the Maiden of Ice almost dancing around in glee.
Setsushi gestures for Kouyo to follow him over to the shop side of the house, where he makes a grand gesture indicating the supplies all laid out. Kouyo is free of the birdcage, a citizen of Gaia, and so he must learn to function as a free maiden in this world. And so! Today! Setsushi is going to teach Kouyo to cook!
He beams.
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:05 am
A- a free maiden. Right. Kouyo tries to share his friend's enthusiasm, but is having a bit of trouble with it.
Give him several minutes? The High Priest walks to the wall and starts measuring in paces the dimensions of Setsushi's house again. He has to do this every morning, even on mornings like today where he feels like he hardly has the energy to move.
... But maybe cooking will be a distraction from the vision from a few days before. Kouyo has definitely been wracking his brains over it.
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:10 am
Setsushi's brow becomes a little worried, but he still smiles. He thought it would be fun, at least... And it will give Kouyo something to do when he is alone and bored. And anxious.
They can start with some simple recipes... Then he'll teach Kouyo to make udon using the ingredients that Setsushi prepares. Kouyo could even run the shop himself when Setsushi's not there, if he decides that he wants to... ... ...
Setsushi's thoughts trail off as he watches the priest pace the room.
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:16 am
The house appears to be the exact same size as it was last night. But Kouyo will measure again just to be absolutely sure.
He does have hobbies already, though. Collecting hobbies had become one of the High Priest's hobbies. He could grow small plants, and he could do calligraphy, and he could build little models, and he could paint well enough to enjoy it even if he was still terrible, and he could write poetry....
But now there were no people to cook for him. It was not Setsushi's job. So it was not so bad to learn, Kouyo supposed. If he could be any good at it.
A small part of Kouyo keeps insisting that he needs to be the High Priest now, and not a cook. However, if learning will make Setsushi happy, Kouyo will do his best to learn.
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:00 pm
Well, it's a new hobby for his collection. One that sustains life, for oneself or others. And it can be turned into money, too.
When Kouyo's done, will he come over here so Setsushi can show him how to operate the heating coils and the electrical ice-box? Then Setsushi will teach him how to make a noodle dish using the ingredients Setsushi has already prepared. 3nodding What's Kouyo's favorite flavor?
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:42 pm
Kouyo considers the question for a long moment, then shrugs a little. Whatever Setsushi likes is fine. He usually had very similar meals every day in the tower, one choice of about twelve different things. He had very painstaking statistics so he could make a bit of a game of predicting what was being cooked for him on a particular day, but the High Priest is pretty sure he burned those, too.
... What's Setsushi's favorite flavor?
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:57 pm
Setsushi's favorite is fox udon. 3nodding It's sweet, and it reminds him of his childhood.
... Setsushi is trying very hard to be cheerful and warm. Kouyo has been acting so distressed and nervous recently, and the passing days don't seem to have been helping... And so he's trying to find some work to keep his friend busy, fun and constructive work, in the hopes that it will be the medicine that he needs.
But he keeps these thoughts carefully shielded, and instead gives Kouyo a warm and gentle smile. First, they shall prepare the aburaage.
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:11 pm
Kouyo thinks Setsushi is acting a little strange, but decides to go along with it for now. He wants to talk to his friend about things much more important than cooking, but of course the High Priest is still unsure if he possesses the courage to bring it up.
He starts working on braiding his hair a little, to keep it out of his way, then moves closer to Setsushi. Okay, what did they need to do?
... The High Priest then finds himself trying to remember what he liked to eat when he was young, before he entered the priesthood.
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:22 pm
Setsushi proceeds to demonstrate the proper straining methods, and how to prepare the soup stock.
Setsushi learned everything he knows about cooking from Chiyo. Did Madame Tenkyou teach Kouyo things like that? Setsushi's recollections of his mother's lessons are some of his fondest...
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:29 pm
The younger Porcelain honestly cannot remember. He thinks that perhaps he forgot on purpose some time ago. ... Kouyo has not seen his mother in years.
Though he is doing his best to pay attention, the High Priest gives off a distinct feeling of being mostly distracted by other, darker thoughts.
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:33 pm
But Kouyo is free now. If they find a way back to the Golden World, he'll be able to see his mother again, and they can re-establish ties.
Setsushi smiles, though his cheerful facade is starting to wear thin. Sensing that his attempt to cheer Kouyo up isn't working so well, he grows quieter as he guides Kouyo through the subsequent processes.
What sort of garnishings?
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:43 pm
But how could he possibly just start living as Setsushi has always lived, as a free maiden? Is it all really something lessons can teach him? Even here in Gaia, without Setsushi's help, Kouyo would likely have died days ago from starvation or his wound getting infected, or he would have been preyed upon by something terrible that hunts down tragically beautiful men. And even if he learned how to properly take care of himself, Kouyo is still one of the stray threads in the knit scarf of Porcelain society. Like a Sorcerer.
... What? Oh, onions or something is fine.
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Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:48 pm
Setsushi bites his lip.
Lessons will not teach everything, but they helped Setsushi. It wasn't easy... it still isn't easy. After all these years, Setsushi thinks that it's impossible to really know how to live correctly. But surviving gets a little easier, day by day...
And what are the Sorcerers but free maidens anyway?
Setsushi slices up some onions for their meal and then sets the two bowls on the table. Collapsing into one of the chairs, he stares at Kouyo with a look that is both kindly and troubled.
Kouyo knows that Setsushi wants to help him. Is there something else that he can do? He mustn't be afraid to ask...
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