Something's brewing;

[succinct]

[ Kiki likes doing the rounds. It's better to move her legs and patrol, instead of having to stand in one corner of the room and watch Zen plow through his paperwork. Occasionally, she gets company. Shirayuki, sometimes, arms laden down with books or plants or both. Obi, balanced lightly on the balls of his feet, cheery and grating.

Mitsuhide, mostly. But she hadn't seen her partner for hours. Which could be concerning, but this was Mitsuhide, and if he'd disappeared, it most likely wasn't because he'd been attacked or kidnapped. He was probably focusing too hard on something, yet again.

But maybe she'll keep more of an eye out for him as she wanders. ]

Comments

[cavaliering]

I had thought so, but...

[well, that gets a Full-Fledged Proud Mother Hen look.]

He was simply taking his meals with Shirayuki to make certain she was eating amidst her studies.

[ISN'T PRINCE ZEN JUST GROWING UP INTO AN UPSTANDING YOUNG MAN mitsuhide's smile radiates as he proceeds to stir what he is making and add some herbs.]

[succinct]

... He's really grown, hasn't he? Soon he'll be doing all sorts of things without you needing to prompt him or fuss over him.

He's already come that far since he met her. [ don't mind this intrusion of personal space as she peers from behind him to look at whatever he's making. ]

[cavaliering]

If he keeps going at this rate, I may be out of a job soon.

[but he

rather doubts it. but yes hi kiki, don't mind if he just stirs it before inspecting it all critically--in-season vegetables and the scraps of meat he could grab that wouldn't mess up the chefs and their plans for everyone else (because that would be terrible)...but it is turning into a delicious smelling mix, at least, simple as it is.]

Do you mind grabbing two slices of bread, Kiki?

[clearly if Zen doesn't need the meal, they can take it together.]

[succinct]

I don't mind, but I didn't know you were that hungry.

[ but she'll grab a knife to find a decent-sized loaf. Cutting was never particularly difficult.

Yes, she won't make this easy for him. ]

[cavaliering]

[...never making anything easy. He focuses on the food, because at least then his amused smile isn't so obvious, and at least he's never been shy about overtures of friendship (though the question forever remains--is a dinner for two a demonstration of partners or something more?)]

Actually, I was hoping you would be willing to eat with me.

[succinct]

[ It's got to be the former, Mitsuhide isn't that suave.

Kiki's raised eyebrow will go unnoticed, her cutting still a steady thunk of steel against a wooden board. ]

You're asking me and not Obi? Isn't he your prospective bride?

[cavaliering]

[This is accurate.

But he was tasting a veggie when she says that, making sure it tastes right--

and so he chokes.]

W-what-- [WHEEZE]

[succinct]

[ She'll just wait for him to speak.

He'll be fine. ]

[cavaliering]

[he (sadly) is fine and doesn't choke to death, even if that might be the easier fate........]

...I think I'd rather share this dinner with my partner, thanks.

[succinct]

... All right, but if he comes to me, needing comfort for his broken heart, I'm blaming you entirely.

[cavaliering]

I think I can handle that.

[no really. But he just takes those slices of bread and the makeshift stew he's made and manages to put them into bowls and aw yes! He's not Super Chef level of cook, but it's edible and, in fact, rather tasty at that.

And with both bowls in hand, he smiles at her.]

Shall we?

[go eat somewhere other than the kitchen where he terrified the chefs.....]

[succinct]

[ after a pause, she holds out a hand for her bowl. ]

Lead on.

[cavaliering]

[PHEW. It's like a huge weight lifting off of his shoulders when she takes it, especially after that pause. Kiki are you trying to take years off of his life--

But regardless, he leads the way with a nod and a smile (ignore the relief in his expression), and takes them to, where else, but one of their spots on the castle walls, where they can see everything that's happening around them while they eat.

And he settles himself and grins and lifts one of the two glasses he brought as well, filled with water because despite this being a nice break, they might still be called upon for duty.]

To Prince Zen's growing up.

[succinct]

Don't get too teary on me now. [ as she clinks their glasses together. ] Or I'll have to revise my opinion that you're handling this well.

[ she could almost be proud. ]

[cavaliering]

[ahaha...ha....]

I wouldn't do that. It would be rude to my dinner partner.

[okay maybe he would get a little teary-eyed at Zen growing up BUT ON HIS OWN TIME.]

So you don't have to worry about that.

[succinct]

Do I ever worry when it comes to you?

[ Yes, but you know what, he does most of it, and she has enough faith in his general stability, so there's that. ]

[cavaliering]

[Aha...he just takes a bite of his food, shaking his head.]

There's never any need to.

[that's what you'd like to think, Mitsuhide.]

[succinct]

If that were the case...

[ IF ONLY... ]

[cavaliering]

...Eh? You don't believe me?

[he looks distraught but is mostly joking. probably.]

[succinct]

Shirayuki worries enough about you, and then there's Zen, so there's no room for me at all.

[cavaliering]

[.........and okay that gets a chuckle out of him.]

I didn't realize there was a limit to how much friends could worry about each other.

[succinct]

I just don't think I need to, when you're already in good hands.

[ yes, Kiki praises other people more than she praises her own partner. ]

[cavaliering]

[kiki so mean. But he's used to this abuse. Sadly.]

Is that so... I wouldn't want to worry Prince Zen with my health, though!

[succinct]

I think you've at least learned not to go sniffing anything from the pharmaceutical section.

[cavaliering]

[......why...... why would you bring that up.]

...No, aha... I don't think that's going to happen again.