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]

[Focusing absolutely too hard on something is right. She knows her partner well--but in this case, it isn't fighting or looking after Zen that is keeping Mitsuhide distracted.

Instead, he is in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, apron on to protect his uniform (as it is a uniform of Clarines, it needs to not be dirtied) and staring down at the vegetables he is cutting with single-minded determination. Initially, it was for Zen. He'd noticed that Zen had been missing meals again, and thus Mitsuhide had started to make food, because this song and dance wasn't entirely unusual for them anymore--

But then Zen had popped in to grab some food and Mitsuhide had been touched and amused to find that the reason Zen had been missing official meals was because he had been making sure that Shirayuki, in her studies, was eating--by eating with her.

His liege lord sure was growing up fast.

Still, it would be a shame to leave this unfinished--so he figures that perhaps he can find Kiki when he's finished, and they can share a nice, warm meal. That wouldn't be bad at all. And so he works with all of his knightly focus...on cooking.]

[succinct]

[ He doesn't need to find Kiki.

Because Kiki will find him and will, in fact, stand there for three whole minutes watching him cook with the most deadpan expression she can muster (it's pretty damn impressive). ]

The cooks are too afraid to come back here, you know. They said there's a demon.

[cavaliering]

[Somehow, that's perfectly fitting.

Though Mitsuhide just looks rather hurt at that.

Even as he adds vegetables to the pan, flipping everything with a practiced flick of his wrist.]

Aw...no way! I thought we were on pretty good terms!

[succinct]

I'm sure you are, but most people would be afraid of Prince Zen's most trusted aide facing down vegetables like they were axe-wielding bandits.

[cavaliering]

[and he blinks, as if realizing his ridiculous levels of concentration for the first time.

And he laughs, looking only a little sheepish.]

I suppose I did get a little into it! It's interesting, trying to cook new things.

[succinct]

Is Zen not eating again? This seems like an odd time to get a whim.

[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.]