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]

[......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?

[cavaliering]

I just tossed them into the pan--lucky for me, they went together pretty well!

[cooking is not something he considers one of his Boastworthy Talents.]

That was pretty lucky.

[succinct]

I get the feeling that half the hopeful cooks would probably want to hurt you.

[cavaliering]

[.....???]

Eh? Huh? I'm always so careful to clean up, I hope I haven't done anything to make them that angry at me!

[This one he's really confused about, and isn't just pretending.

???]

[succinct]

...

... ...

Let me finish this before I hit you.

[cavaliering]

[....... w h y.]

I don't think I've done anything worthy of abuse lately!

[succinct]

There's a limit to how modest you're allowed to be.

[cavaliering]

[...oh.]

That's what this is about...

Ha...Well, if you're enjoying the food, then I'm content! I'm not going to be replacing the chefs any time soon, but I'm glad I can make decently edible meals.

[...]

The chefs do pick out very good ingredients.

[succinct]

...

[ yep, reaching out to flick him - HARD - on the forehead. ]

[cavaliering]

Ow!

[And both hands clasp to the front of his forehead as he stares at Kiki with an almost comically surprised expression.

ouch.]

[succinct]

[ another bite of stew.

... No, of course she's not going to comment. ]

[cavaliering]

[Mitsuhide, on the other hand, is bad at quiet. He's only quiet for a moment before he caves.]

Is it really that bad...?

[succinct]

Do you really need to ask?

[cavaliering]

Haa...I suppose not.

[And he smiles a bit at that, looking amused but also touched.]

I've been practicing for a bit, so...I'm glad to hear that I'm a pretty good cook now! Thank you, Kiki.

[succinct]

Keep trying and maybe I'll consider praising you.

[ yeah, she'd eat his cooking again. ]

[cavaliering]

[...o-oh. That actually makes his heart go dokidoki a little.]

Just say the word, and I'll be happy to make another dinner.