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

[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.

[succinct]

You don't feel any urge to comment on my beauty, right?

[cavaliering]

[..............................]

Honestly, that wouldn't be that out of the ordinary, but only because you are very beautiful!

[uh is that weird does that make things awkward. He's...honestly treating it like a fact that everyone knows. "The sky is blue and Kiki is very beautiful."]

But I assure you I haven't decided to dabble in pharmaceuticals like Shirayuki.

[succinct]

[ ... Mitsuhide, this is why everyone in the palace has the wrong idea about us. ]

Well, that's a relief. She doesn't need someone like you as a rival.

[ and there are no pauses or odd glances, because Mitsuhide obviously doesn't consider the fact that he finds his partner attractive to be fluster-inducing, so why should she? ]

[cavaliering]

[the question is if it's the wrong idea or if mitsuhide is just slow.

but he scratches the back of his head at that.]

That sounds...honestly terrifying. I've seen Shirayuki at her most determined!

[succinct]

[ the answer is fairly obvious. ]

Hm... that's true. [ focusing on her stew before she speaks again. ] You might not actually stand a chance if she got serious.

[cavaliering]

[truth.

he just shakes his head.]

Probably not. I'm stuck as a humble retainer, I think!

[He says with a big grin as he eats his stew.]

[succinct]

[ Kiki rewards his declaration with a soft snort, taking another bite. ]

... This is good.

[cavaliering]

The chefs do an amazing job picking out ingredients!

[things Mitsuhide isn't going to take credit for: that.]

[succinct]

And it's got nothing to do with how they're used?