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 Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 12:56 pm
It was hard to catch Jett not taking something seriously. Something that mattered, at least.
He took his schoolwork seriously, took his job at the antique seriously, took his fights seriously (unless his opponent was just a waste of his time), and he took his relationship seriously.
The relationship, of course, being the most important of the group. Raven seemed to like to be pampered, as probably any girl would, though Jett took a particular sort of pride when it came to tending to his woman. He'd been fairly considerate towards her recently, pampering her more than usual given the circumstance of her broken wrist. Sure, he was still an a** sometimes—pushing her buttons and poking fun at her, though this was the second time since she'd hurt her wrist that he had told her to come over for dinner.
There were many reasons he wanted to spend time with her, though tonight's dinner was, more or less, required to be perfect. His dedication to the Dark Mirror Court had him taking a rather different course; he hadn't gotten into a good brawl in a hell of a long time, and spending all his time trying to sweet talk the White Moon Senshi had left him with a lot of pent up emotions.
Which meant that he needed an outlet.
Which meant that he wanted to go back to the ring.
Which meant he had to convince Raven that he was good enough that he wasn't going to come home with a ******** up face.
So, he was going to prime her for discussion with the best meal she'd ever had. He just had to make it, first.
Thankfully, Jett was a resourceful fellow, and even if he did feel like an old lady for doing so, he'd prepared a shopping list and was making his rounds through the grocery store to make sure he had everything for the perfect meal.
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 2:35 pm
Nicolae very much enjoyed shopping for food. Perhaps not as much as he enjoyed cooking the food, but he did enjoy shopping for it. It was just fun to pick out the ingredients for a new creation and then take it hope to really create the creation. But…well. He wouldn’t really ever tell anyone that…no. Shopping was just slightly unmanly, and cooking…well. That was something he did let it be known that he did. It was a good way to start conversations and to pick up girls. What girl wouldn’t want a guy who would be more than happy to fix her a five course dinner, complete with an ice cream cake in the image of her head? It was just…simple.
He had a shopping basket looped on his arm and was perusing through the different cans of soup that the store had, trying to find that one specific can of Golden Mushroom soup for the pork chops that were already resting in his basket. That soup really was the key to making them good. Most people used the cream of mushroom…but. That just got too heavy.
Finally he spotted the can. “Perfect…” The blonde reached out, grabbing it and placing it into his basket before taking a step backwards and running right into someone else. “Ah. Sorry about that.” He grinned up at another blonde guy pushing a cart. Well. It was good to know that he wasn’t the only guy who liked to go grocery shopping, and one look in the other blonde’s cart told Nicolae that he wasn’t just doing some dumb little meal that most guys their age cooked for themselves. There was really only one explanation. “Making a dinner for your girlfriend tonight, hm?”
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:42 pm
Jett was never happy when anyone bumped into him—much less when it was a man. He could tolerate women—they were clumsy and it was almost the only way he had physical contact with a woman other than Raven. At least he received an apology, but—whatever. Already he was skeptical about this fellow. Long hair, buying ritzy, odd ingredients—carrying a basket?
There were very few conclusions that he could draw about that.
Still, the man had caught his attention. He glanced in his cart; it wasn't like he was buying tampons and chocolate, so the male's deduction perplexed him. "Yeah," he answered after a few seconds before returning his attention to Nicolae. "Was it that obvious?" he prompted, curious to know how this stranger picked up on it that easily. Not that he minded others knowing what he was doing—just as long as they didn't think he was whipped or something.
He loved Raven, and she was one of three weaknesses (tied with his mother and both only just barely beating out fast food), but he just couldn't allow people to think that she had made him weak. He hadn't given up his masculinity for her; he'd given up flirting profusely, given up his emotional stoicism. It didn't mean he was happy about the sacrifices he'd made, but she made him happy, so she was worth it.
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 9:53 pm
Nicolae grinned still more broadly. Bingo. That had been almost painfully easy. “Well, I just figured, seeing as most people our age only know how to microwave little bowls of macaroni and cheese in order to fill their stomachs…guys in college or around there don’t normally cook unless they’re in school for it, or they have a girlfriend, or they’re hoping to get a girlfriend.”
He inspected the food in the cart for a moment, then just gave Jett a look. “You’re really going to cook her something like that? I don’t think she’ll sleep with you with such a low class dinner. I mean, that’s almost as bad as hamburger helper, to be honest.” Well, that might be a bit harsh. It wasn’t that terrible, it was just almost painfully easy to cook, that was all. And Nicolae liked challenges, be it in video games or cooking recipes. “If you want my expert-ish opinion I would be more than happy to give it.”
The blonde flipped his hair back and just looked like he was on the verge of laughing. “Really. I’m…quite a good cook, and I don’t like to brag, but I really do think I could help you out here.”
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2012 10:04 pm
Immediately, Jett looked annoyed with the fellow. It was one thing to call him out on having a girlfriend he was cooking for, and another thing entirely to insult his grade of cooking. Jett was not a culinary master, but he could manage. Just because he wasn't a master chef, however, did not mean he appreciated criticism or suggestions—especially when he wasn't asking for them.
It was all Jett could manage not to just tell him to shove his can of Golden Mushroom soup up his a** and bug off.
But instead, he chose to play along, on the offhand chance that this Prima donna actually did have some useful advice.
He rested his elbow on the cart, leaning against it as he looked at the blonde in front of him. "I don't actually consider myself as the sort to need help, but go ahead. Shoot. Tell me, oh great and wise one, what on earth would be a more appropriate meal?"
…Not that he needed an 'appropriate meal' to get Raven in bed with him, but hey. Couldn't hurt.
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 7:54 pm
Nicolae nodded. Good. The guy wasn’t so stuck up that he realized he could benefit from some help. “Well, first off, how long have you been with this girl? Is your relationship still in the early stages where you need to really impress, or is it just a thing where you feel like doing something nice for her because you’re so in love or something.” He began walking down the aisle.
“Guess it also matters with what your gal likes. Is she a meat and potatoes kind of girl? Or would she be happier with something light and fancy? Do you think you could handle something light and fancy?” He looked at the boxes of pasta and picked up a box of the fancy angel hair. “Here. I think she would like this. I’m going to guess she’s a nice, dainty girl who would just like a nice pasta dish. I can help you get some things to make a nice sauce, and some shrimp or something. It’ll be amazing when you finish it. Oh. And I can get you the ingredients you’ll need to make a killer garlic bread.”
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:03 pm
Jett wanted to roll his eyes; he loathed advice of any kind, though this damned fairy probably had a point. Raven was always whining about too many calories, or carbs, or whatever the hell girls worried about. He was bad with all of that, and maybe—once upon a time—when he'd been serious about competitive boxing, he'd cared about what he was eating, but ********, it was fast food all the way. Fast food and the more-than-occasional healthy meal, at least, but he still indulged far more than he ought to have. "I can handle that," he replied, keeping his suave demeanor despite taking offense at this guy telling him what Raven would like. It didn't matter if he was right, Jett would never appreciate the gesture.
…Unless Raven really liked dinner, in which case…
He shook the thoughts from his head and then said, "Sure. Go wild. I'll give it a shot. Do you always walk around grocery stores and criticize dinner preferences, or did you just decide to be particularly intrusive today?" he asked, figuring it rather rude that this guy would prescribe a dinner agenda before even offering his name (or credentials).
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:08 pm
Nicolae shrugged. “Sometimes I just see someone who needs some good culinary help, you know?” He inclined his head, dragging Jett’s cart with him out of the aisle. “I think she would like some nice seafood pasta.” He had mentioned shrimp a moment ago, but he just nodded now, thinking it all though. “Come on. We’ll go to the seafood section. I want you to buy some shrimp, some clams and some mussels. Then we’ll get some white wine to cook the clams and mussels in, and you’ll make her a light butter garlic sauce…and she’ll go completely gaga for you tonight.”
He grinned at Jett and then paused, holding out a hand. “How rude. I’m giving you all of this advice, and I haven’t even introduced myself yet. I’m Nicolae.”
Well. This was an interesting way to spend a day at the grocery store, that was true…but. Hey. It was fun. And the guy was playing along…maybe he would actually listen to his advice. Maybe he really should just go to culinary school. He could end up being amazing eventually. Well, maybe.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 2:50 pm
Oh, look at this guy, tooting his own horn. Jett hadn't asked for his advice, but was reluctantly tolerating it. It frustrated Jett to no end that it wasn't even bad information. Which meant he couldn't refute it. Begrudgingly, he took the male's hand and gave it a particularly strong shake. "Pleasure," he said, even if he wasn't sure this qualified in the slightest. "Jett Draven."
He shook, for a fair few seconds, adding, "Certainly would be awkward if you'd gone through all this effort to plan out the perfect meal for her and I told you she was allergic to shellfish, hmm?"
…Which she wasn't, but Jett couldn't let this guy think he was the king of the world without trying to bring him down a notch at least one way or the other.
Which wasn't to say he thought his dinner wouldn't be amazing; Jett was very firmly convinced that he knew how to make a damn fine meal when it all came down to it.
…This guy was clearly just a kitchen fanatic, and provided he was worth his salt, there was always the possibility Jett could take something out of the conversation.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:08 pm
Nicolae paused, then shrugged. “It wouldn’t be difficult to modify the meal if that was the case. She isn’t Jewish, is she? That would be an issue if she couldn’t eat pork.” He continued walking, picking up various things from the shelves and putting them into Jett’s cart.
The blonde glanced back and then grinned at Jett. “Really, you’ll thank me when tonight’s over. You’re going to get so much action tonight, it’s not even going to be funny. That is what you’re going for, right?” He gave a wink then kept walking.
“Anyway. What sort of food do you like? You planning on having some wine with your dinner? I’m sure I could figure out a good kind to go with the food. And dessert. Are you planning on making her something nice on that front too? I mean, you can’t just make dinner with no dessert. All girls love desserts.” And truly, he loved making desserts for the girls. They always were so much…friendlier after they had half a pound of sugar in their system. But then again, who wouldn’t be?
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:31 pm
Initially, Jett thought to protest when Nicoale began dropping things into his cart, but—what the hell. He wasn't about to tell the male that he wasn't yet of legal age to purchase alcohol, but—then again—that's what fake IDs were for. And it wasn't like he and Raven hadn't indulged in some wine before. "You know, for as demanding as you are, you'd think I was making dinner for you," the male huffed, though simply followed behind the cart as Nicolae pulled it. "And I'm sure dessert is her favorite part of every meal, so naturally I wouldn't skimp on it. In your professional opinion," he said, rolling his eyes, "What are you going to tell me to do? A nice, citrusy dessert to compliment the mussels? Lemon sorbet? —Or, no. Lemon Soufflé. Or maybe you'd rather recommend, to compliment the shrimp, some—oh, what's fancy. What—chocolate cupcakes iced with salted caramel, is that good enough for you?"
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 6:37 pm
He glanced at the other blonde and fluttered his eyelashes. “Well, Jett. If you wanted to make dinner for me, I really wouldn’t mind. You could…practice on me and see just what happens when I eat your delicious chocolate cupcakes.” Nicolae winked then continued walking. “But, in all seriousness, the chocolate cupcakes sound kind of amazing, and I think she would like it. Maybe fill the centers with the salted caramel and top the cupcakes with a fudge icing and do a little caramel drizzle, sprinkled with some rock salt…yeah. Yeah I’m positive she would go for that. I mean, who wouldn’t?”
He made a sharp turn and drug the cart down another aisle, throwing some baking ingredients into it. “And oh yeah. This is going to be amazing. I think though, perhaps I should come over to make sure you’re making all of this food right, after all, you don’t want your pretty little girlfriend coming over to a dinner that has overcooked seafood or burnt cupcakes.” Nicolae nodded and gave a dramatic sigh. “Guess I’ll have to stay for dinner too, you know. Since I’m being so generous here.”
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:43 pm
"Drawing the line there," Jett grumbled, and while the male's brazen attitude amused him, there was no way he was inviting some strange guy over for dinner. "You might have helped me pick out what to make, but I don't need your help actually making it. Regardless of whatever you've come to think about me, I wouldn't be trying to cook my girl dinner if I didn't know a thing or two about cooking. And—no offense—but with all this talk about how much action I'm gonna be getting if I go through with this meal?"
He gave Nicolae a very obviously skeptical look over. "Nooooo, thank you."
He didn't have an issue with guys taking other guys home with them, but as for him? …Yeah, no. Even if he wasn't in a monogamous relationship, he'd have to be pretty damned desperate to take him a creep like this guy. Unless his food really was to die for—then, maybe.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:24 pm
Nicolae rolled his eyes. Well. Damn. Maybe he wouldn’t be getting a free meal tonight. It was worth a try, at least. “Well, fine then. At least let me give you my number. So I can hear how well the meal went. You know. Bro to bro. Since, I would assume that the two of us are bros now.”
He grinned, throwing one last thing into the cart. “That should be all you need. I guess you can figure out how to cook it when you get to your place, since you are such a cooking guru too.” The blonde drew out his phone and gave a little shrug. “So. What’s your number? I’ll shoot you a text, then you can contact me if you really don’t have all of the skills that you claim to, and if you do…well. I suppose you can gloat.”
He hoped that Jett wouldn’t start gloating. But. If it happened, it happened. Hey. He couldn’t be the best all the time, now could he? He had to realize that some people did have some skills. Not many had them, but some did.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:56 pm
For a good few seconds, Jett wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. On one hand, he could walk away and pretend like he hadn't heard Nicolae talking. On the other hand, he could give him his number and ignore him if he wound up being too annoying. He figured the guy might stalk him home if he didn't give in, and instead of offering some threatening words or waving around his fists, he rolled his eyes once more and fed Nicolae his phone number in a practiced tone; it clearly wasn't his first time handing it out.
"But I'll take offense if you start contacting me for no damn reason," he warned. "I'll take your advice, I'll make her," he gestured to the cart, "This. But if it doesn't work out, I'm coming after you and I expect a full refund for all this junk."
He spoke in a haughty tone, though it was obvious that he was probably joking. Jett wasn't typically so trivial that he would stalk someone for compensation for a meal, but—hey. He needed somebody to blame if this turned out to be a bad idea.
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