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 Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:11 pm
Only when the weather warms up slightly does Sneaky dare to emerge from her home, still wrapped in her three scarves and mangled mittens, and with a small purse hanging off one of her arms. She is not used to going places without her Nusumu; the last time she had to try was years ago and she hated it. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and her Nusumu being gone means that Sneaky has not eaten a decent meal in weeks. There has been takeout and frozen TV dinners, but none of that can compare to a meal lovingly cooked by her Nusumu. Or, failing that, a meal homecooked by anyone.
It is then that she remembers the New Year's soup. Determined to have homemade food, Sneaky approaches the udon-ya. She has at least enough sense to pause at the door and project a greeting, but that greeting is heavily tinged with ravenous hunger. Sneaky practically begs for the chef to be there.
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:29 pm
Sensing someone at the door, the High Priest looks up from his puzzle. He has made some progress, but not much; the picture is proving a welcome challenge, and the lack of edge pieces only adds to the difficulty. When he is finished with the pretzels picture, though, Kouyo is fairly certain he wants to try a prettier, if easier, picture puzzle.
... And hopefully whoever is at the door will let him keep working. He gets to his feet with some reluctance and goes to answer the door, dogged by the knowledge that he has to find places for two more pieces before he is allowed to stop working on the puzzle.
Kouyo also wonders at the visitor's greeting as he grasps the doorknob and pulls the front door open. Something about hungry, and 'the chef'...? He politely tells the stranger that the Knight is not in at the moment, and Kouyo himself does not really know how to cook yet-
-Oh, um. Hello eek The priest steps back from the door but still holds it open, trying to decide what to make of the, uh, visitor.
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Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 11:39 pm
And Sneaky bursts through the door in her hurry to get out of the cold. Although it is a relatively mild day for the season, Sneaky still despises the cold. Once she is inside, she relaxes slightly and looks at the person in front of her.
The Knight? Sneaky does not care about a knight, only a cook! What little Nusumu has told her about the udon-ya is not present in Sneaky's mind as she looks for the kitchen. This is a restaurant, so it must have food! And Sneaky has been very, very hungry, ever since that Princess took Sneaky's Nusumu away. stare
Sneaky even brought money, she adds, jingling the small purse. She is not quite sure what a meal costs; her Nusumu usually handles the money, but she is confident she has enough for a feast! Even enough for the cook to join her, if she is so inclined? She is very pretty for a cook at a humble restaurant such as this, Sneaky must admit.
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:29 am
The priest staggers back out of the way as the visitor rushes into the house, projecting polite confusion. He continues edging back towards the table with his puzzle, and fidgets with his robes to try to calm down.
The stranger is hungry and looking for a meal, then. The one who does the cooking here is Setsushi, and he is not around at the moment. Kouyo - he glances back over at the jigsaw pieces on the table, then returns his gaze to the unusual visitor - Kouyo can make tea and a few other very simple things, but he is no cook himself. If- the visitor can wait for him to finish two more puzzle pieces, he will try to make something to eat?
Settling down on a chair back beside his puzzle, the High Priest continues to project a polite desire to help... along with a continued bit of uncertainty with regards to what exactly he can do. Will the visitor remind him who Nusumu is? And... the stranger is looking for a female cook here - has Dame Tenkyuu prepared something for her at some time when Kouyo was out? He projects a the idea of Dame Tenkyuu as well as he can, to see if the stranger recognizes her.
With shaking hands, Kouyo reaches out over the table and selects a puzzle piece, and starts trying to fit it together with the ones he already has connected. As he turns back to face the table, he gives off a feeling of continued attention as he hopes for a bit more explanation from the visitor.
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Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:52 am
Sneaky is usually marginally more considerate of the feelings of Porcelain she meets, but she is half-crazed from hunger and loneliness. She does at least allow Kouyo to retreat, instead trying to peer into the kitchen?
The chef is OUT? gonk What kind of restaurant is this? Sneaky's distress is not directed at Kouyo- or at this Setsushi, or Nusumu, or anyone. But that she is distressed is evident, and she tries to occupy herself by pawing at her collection of scarves.
The offer of a snack is appreciated, but Sneaky does not want to force this person to cook. She could go elsewhere... but while the raptor is trying to be unimposing, it is very obvious that she would rather stay, even if there is little food to be had.
At least there are distractions in the meantime. Sneaky goes into detail describing her Nusumu, a wonderful, wonderful Porcelain, a superb chef, a sneaky thief extraordinaire. The compliments are a little over the top, certainly more than Nusumu has ever heard, but Sneaky admits that she may not have known all of this until Nusumu left her for this Silver World. The projection of Dame Tenkyuu is met with interest, but unfamiliarity; Sneaky has never met her. It does not divert her attention from the subjects of food or Nusumu for long, but at least Sneaky is starting to calm down.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:21 pm
Kouyo nervously fiddles with his puzzle pieces as he attempts to fit two more of them together. He wishes to help the strange visitor if he can, but is also naturally rather terrified of the unfamiliar creature with so many sharp edges. Still, if she is a friend of one of the other Porcelain....
Nusumu is a familiar name to him, he thinks, the priest tells the visitor somewhat distractedly as he rummages through the jigsaw pieces that liter one end of one of the tables. He does not think he has met her, but he is fairly sure Jilan has mentioned her name.
And then he manages to match up two pieces to make up half of another one of the pretzels, and seems to relax visibly. Kouyo carefully sorts the remaining pieces into small piles of five each, then stands, smoothing his hands over his robes. The High Priest keeps his lingering anxiety over the guest's somewhat fearsome appearance hidden, and smiles faintly as he offers again to dig up something for her to eat? He is no chef, but perhaps it is about time he started trying again to learn.
Kouyo goes to fetch the teapot so he can at least make tea for himself. Miss Nusumu has also gone to the Silver World, then? One of Kouyo's friends is there, too, now, and the priest is beginning to miss him, as well. Both of them should be back before too long, though, no? He is admittedly still not sure precisely how travel to and from the Silver World works, or how time passes there compared to in Gaia, but it at least sounds like they have something in common about which to converse....
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:59 pm
Sneaky is pleased that Nusumu's name is familiar to the priest, though disappointed that it is only a little. Nusumu is wonderful and everyone should know of her! But then again, that makes it very difficult to operate as a sneaky thief, so perhaps it is for the best.
She is quite enthusiastic about the offer of food. Less so about the tea, but anything would be most welcome. Now that she is calming down, Sneaky remembers that not all Porcelain are familiar with her, and she offers a hasty apology for her behavior. It has been a while since Sneaky has been alone, and she does not like change. But that is no excuse. Nusumu would certainly scold her if she were here...
Knowing there is little she can help with in a kitchen, Sneaky does not try to help, but she does mention that if help is needed, she would try. For the moment, she stays out of the way and focuses on the conversation. Yes, Nusumu has gone to this Silver World place, for reasons Sneaky is still unclear about. But it is Nusumu's choice, and Sneaky cannot stop her, no matter how much she wants to.
Considering Kouyo again, Sneaky asks if this one is from that other world Nusumu told her about, the Golden one. Is that why they had not met before? Sneaky thought she knew most of the older Porcelain, but apparently she has a few left to meet.
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Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:32 pm
Kouyo can certainly sympathize with being lonely, so, um, he supposes the visitor can come as often as she likes. And perhaps when her Nusumu returns, she can introduce Kouyo?
Ah, which reminds him, as he finishes filling the teapot at the tap, that he has not yet properly introduced himself. The priest sets the pot aside for a moment, bowing as he tells the visitor that he is High Priest Kouyo. ... Though she is quite obviously not Porcelain, all the rules of propriety help keep Kouyo from feeling too anxious. And he also figures it is best to be polite to someone with that many teeth.
The red-haired Porcelain picks up the teapot again, holding it by the handle with the other hand underneath as he warms up the water inside. Then he sets it on the table, nodding in response to the visitor's inquiries - yes, he has come from the Golden World, and only fairly recently. Is the guest's friend Nusumu from Karyasihu, or Dragonlamp, as well? Kouyo knows that there are several Porcelain who have been here in Gaia for quite sometime, and did not originally arrive here from the same place he did.
... Curious, really. He would be most interested in getting to know some of the others who are not of the Golden World.
And, ah, what sorts of things does the guest like to eat? Kouyo wonders, opening the electric coldbox and poking about to see what is inside.
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Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:25 pm
When Nusumu returns- a day that cannot come soon enough in Sneaky's mind- she would be pleased to introduce her to Kouyo. Especially if he is lonely; now that Sneaky knows what that is like, she does not want others to feel that way if it isn't necessary.
Despite confusion at what exactly a High Priest is, Sneaky is impressed with the title. Kouyo must be a very important person! Sneaky is not particularly important by human or Porcelain standards, but then, it is easier to act from the shadows when one goes unnoticed. ninja
Sneaky can confirm that there have been Porcelain in Gaia for some time now, and that Nusumu is one of those from this Dragonlamp place. In another time, Sneaky had intended to visit, but that never happened, so she does not know what the home of Porcelain looks like. Though she supposes if nothing else, Gaia is another home for Porcelain now. Nusumu would be better at explaining these things though.
Food, however, is a subject Sneaky can discuss in great detail. Her favorite foods are, of course, made by Nusumu. But she also likes food that Nusumu does not prepare, particularly meat dishes. While not a vegetarian, Nusumu does not enjoy most meat flavors- something Sneaky has never understood. But then, Sneaky likes food in general, and is easy to please, provided there is enough.
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Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:04 am
The home of Porcelain? Kouyo's brow furrows and he frowns, but he keeps his emotions drawn behind a wall and his back to the guest as he rummages about in a drawer. He gently tells Sneaky that, at least as he knows it, Dragonlamp is not home to Porcelain at all, but then adds that he has also heard of things on other planes being somewhat troubled and different from what he thought he knew.
... Aah, meaning the river of history in those places has meandered differently than Kouyo expected, he quickly points out, not wanting to trouble the visitor or lead her to believe that Miss Nusumu had walked into danger in going to the Silver World. He also does not mean to offend by implying that Miss Nusumu was somehow not a true Porcelain simply because she came from Karyasihu - on the contrary, from what he has seen of Jilan, he and those like him seem identical to the Porcelain of the Golden World in all ways except perhaps upbringing.
Then the High Priest stands and turns, holding an opened package of hot dogs with six of the eight remaining. With a bit of wariness, he tells Miss Sneaky that this seems to be the only meat they have in the house at the moment, and wonders if she would like some? Kouyo does not mind eating some meat every now and then - his temple sect permits it.
... ... But if Miss Sneaky is a connoisseur of Gaian meats, perhaps she can properly inform this little Kouyo if Gaian "hot dogs" are, in fact, made of dog? sweatdrop
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Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:48 pm
Oh? Then perhaps Sneaky is mistaken, or it is different here. All she really knows is that her Nusumu and many other Porcelain came from this Dragonlamp. There were some problems there a while back though, so perhaps this has to do with the trouble that Kouyo mentions.
... in truth, Sneaky did not consider the Silver World to be particularly dangerous until Kouyo brings it up, at which point she is considerably apprehensive. The explanations help ease these worries somewhat, but it is clear that she is now more concerned than before. What will become of her little Nusumu? She can take care of herself, Sneaky knows, but she cannot protect herself the way Sneaky can protect her...
As if trying to distract herself, Sneaky adds that she considers Kouyo a true Porcelain as well, despite his upbringing. Until recently, Sneaky has not known Porcelain to be any other way. wink
Once Kouyo reveals the hot dogs, Sneaky smiles, displaying a number of teeth. Hot dogs are very good! A bit salty if one is not prepared for it, but Sneaky often likes a good bit of salt. The last question takes some thought; Sneaky is not entirely sure. But she does recall someone telling her that hot dogs are not dogs at all, but other kinds of meat, depending on what is on the label. From what Sneaky remembers, Gaians get squeamish about eating their pets.
... though she feels that they would probably taste just as good. Not that she's tried, of course. sweatdrop
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Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 7:36 pm
Kouyo feels a bit bad, worrying the guest, but, at the same time, would of course prefer to be honest. Until very recently, he explains to Sneaky, all those of the Golden World only knew the Silver counterpart to their homeland as the afterlife, but now he has met Porcelain who have gone to there and returned, still very much alive and well. So... perhaps it is not precisely a scary place so much as one that is not well known. The priest is fairly certain Miss Nusumu is there with a tutor or host of some sort, though, so she is not wandering about alone or anything.
... With a small smile, he also points out that she may, even at that moment, be studying recipes of the Porcelain of the Silver World.
He shies away from the teeth, then hastily apologizes for his show of fear as he shuts the electric icebox. Kouyo is quite touched that Miss Sneaky desires to be a protector for Miss Nusumu, and he does not doubt that she can do a good job of it with her impressive arsenal.
The priest studies the hot dog package for a moment, observing and pointing out to the guest that these are apparently made of turkey. Then he sets the package down on the counter and gets a pot from one of the cabinets. Should work just fine to boil these things, right...?
How many would Miss Sneaky like? Kouyo thinks he will pass on the hot dogs, himself, though. The shape disturbs him somewhat.
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:47 am
... the WHAT!?
Sneaky's tail lashes violently, knocking a chair over, but otherwise she remains still as Kouyo explains. She is at least confident that Nusumu is still alive. If she recalls, she has at least heard of this Jilan. So perhaps it is safe enough. Nusumu is not book-learned, but she is clever enough to take care of herself. At least, Sneaky sincerely hopes so.
As Sneaky rights the chair, she tries to change the subject, and finds it changed for her. If Nusumu comes home with new recipes, that would be worthwhile indeed! Not that Sneaky ever tires of old favorites, but it is fun to try new things too.
If anything, she seems pleased by Kouyo's fear, and tries to clarify this feeling: fear makes Sneaky feel like she is capable of protecting Nusumu, and others if necessary. Sneaky is not very big nor well-trained. She cannot hold weapons, so her only defenses are her natural ones. She is sorry if she scared her gracious host, but she is somewhat gratified to know she hasn't lost her touch. If he requires it, Sneaky would be pleased to protect Kouyo anytime. Not that she hopes he requires it, of course.
Er. As for the hot dogs... whatever is made, Sneaky will take care of. Making things disappear is her specialty. ninja
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:15 pm
As the chair clatters to the floor, the High Priest fumbles the package of hot dogs, but manages to catch them before they fall to the floor. As he clutches them, he backs up against the cabinets, fearfully watching the visitor.
He seems further disturbed that Sneaky is pleased by his fear, but keeps his thoughts on this behind Lucid walls, not wanting to be rude. The priest seems to calm down, but very slowly. After a few moments, he stands slowly, and turns on the tap with shaking hands to fill the pot. Kouyo seems wary of completely turning his back on the guest, at least until she offers to protect him as well.
Setting the pot of water on the stove, Kouyo turns it on and glances back to Miss Sneaky, with a small sad smile. Though he still seems a bit apprehensive, the High Priest tells her that he will remember her offer, and call on her if he finds himself in need.
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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:49 pm
Did Sneaky do something she shouldn't have? She offers an apology for... whatever is upsetting Kouyo. Her people skills have never been that great. A lot of skills have never been that great. It usually doesn't bother her, but she does seem concerned about having troubled her host. It seems she will have to learn to do better.
At least he is not asking her to leave, though Sneaky wonders if she should just to put his mind at ease. Instead, she nods- smiling might not be the best idea here- and begins to fidget again. Can she help? Sneaky is not especially skilled in the kitchen, but she can at least get bowls and ingredients and set the table, provided shelves are not too high for her.
She seems desperate to do something to make amends. That she is lonely is clear, and she does not want to scare off the only company she has had of late.
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