[closed] it's not a nutritional dinner

[kokuyoyo]

Who: Chikusa, Ken, and all the people invited to Hakkai's temple
When: October 12
Where: Li Tieugai's temple in the Central District
What: Having recently lost their other god, Ken is sad by yet another loss.... so Chikusa is fixing this with his dog's favorite things: people he likes and copious amounts of meat.

Unless people actually ask, Chikusa.... doesn't exactly tell what time the dinner is actually going to be at. At least he'll probably tell them that Hakkai's temple moved? One would hope.

The temple of Iron Crutch Li doesn't really seem all that impressive upon approaching it, despite being in the Central District. The walled gardens are certainly large and lovely enough, if a little wild, but the building itself is rather plain at its two stories. There's a small sign attached to the front door that simply says 'come in'. Chikusa isn't going to bother answering the door for visitors. It's not like Hakkai locks that thing anyway.

The inside of the temple is about as sparsely decorated as its outside, but, today, the overwhelming smell wafting from the kitchen has overtaken any medicinal smells that might normally be about. It adds a certain warmth to the room.

Until dinner will be served a little later into the night, people are free to do whatever- hang about the gardens, go bother Chikusa in the kitchen, or otherwise find the other residents of the temple. Chikusa won't care to stop anyone, although Hakkai might.

As for dinner? Chikusa is serving so much meat: rabbit stew with olives and rosemary, swordfish, curried chicken, veal marsala, and a more traditional spaghetti served with meatballs. Fortunately, at least there's garlic bread and stuffed mushrooms, so there's something that isn't meat.... And for dessert? Zeppole, cannoli, and an apple ciambella with almond cream.

Comments

[junkyarddog]

Talk about it how? I dunno what to say. [Ken's gaze only momentarily flickers. He hadn't really expected Garry to touch his hand.]

[artificialrose]

Sometimes... People feel better when they vent about their feelings. But, it's alright if you don't.

I just want to help any way I can. [Even if it's not a lot.]

[junkyarddog]

...Roy-sama took care of me while I was sick. [Ken's voice is quiet, entirely unlike his usual brash, aggressive tones.] He fed me when I got turned into a kid...he said I was smart.

[artificialrose]

[Gently, Garry reaches up a little close to start rubbing Ken's back.]

What did he tell you that you were smart about?

[junkyarddog]

[Ken leans into the rubbing some, until he's almost leaning against Garry.] He said I was a quick learner...

[artificialrose]

[That's more than fine. He wasn't sure if that would be allowed, but.... Shifting to allow room for Ken to rest against him, Garry keeps at it.]

I bet you are. What sort of things did he teach you? Tell me about that.

[junkyarddog]

He taught me how to pluck a chicken...and how to make stew. Me and Chikusa were little kids at the time, and he caught me stealing food from him, and he just...made food for us...

[Ken's voice is thick. He sounds like he might be crying.]

[artificialrose]

[Oh dear... Garry takes it in stride, however, using his hand to maneuver Ken a little closer so that he can tuck his face into his coat, if he likes.]

It's okay to cry... He sounds really nice, and a good peson.

Do you want to know something that can help keep his memory strong while he's not here...?

[junkyarddog]

Huh...? [Ken looks up at Garry with red eyes.]

[artificialrose]

Do things like that. Everything he taught you. [His hand ruffles softly through his blond hair.] So every time you make stew, or pluck a chicken like that, it'll help make the memory of him being here stronger.

And that means, if he ever comes back again... You can show him how much better you've gotten.

[junkyarddog]

[Ken sniffs, hard. The thought of doing those Roy things without Roy hurts.] ...you think he'll ever come back? [Then he sags a little.] He probably won't remember me even if he does. People who leave and come back always forget.

[artificialrose]

You won't know until it happens. And even if he does forget... If you've bonded with him once like that, it can happen again.

Feelings can outlast memories sometimes, I think. [It's how shinki exist.]

[junkyarddog]

I guess that's true... [Ken's very down at the moment, but even then, he realizes that it'd probably be pretty easy for him to bond with Roy again if Roy appeared in the heavens again. Definitely way easier than trying to win over Hibari a second time.]

[artificialrose]

Mm. And in the meantime, you have plenty of other people here with you too, right?

[At least, he lives in a nice enough home, with a god and another shinki that seems to care for him, so...]

[junkyarddog]

Yeah, but...it's not really the same with them. Roy-sama wasn't like anybody else I know...just like Kakipi isn't like anyone else I know. Even if there's other people I like...it's not the same as having Roy-sama around.

I don't remember ever having one, but I think Roy-sama was like having a dad. One who actually cared about me.

[artificialrose]

That's right... No one else is like anyone else. So... You have to enjoy those people while they're still here.

Like what do you like about your friend Kakipi, or your other god?

[junkyarddog]

Well...Kakipi's tall, and boring, and a jerk who's always making do stupid stuff... [A ringing endorsement.] ...but we've been together forever. Even while we were still alive. And he's smart, and he knows how to do things and what things are the right things, and he takes care of me. We had each other when we didn't have anybody else. And he understands things nobody else does, 'cause we came from the same place.

Hakkai-sama is weird, but...he's kinda like Roy-sama. He cooks for us, and looks after us, and cares about us. It's not the same as with Roy-sama, but...he's nice. [Hakkai isn't quite as paternal and warm as Roy was, and Ken misses that...but Ken is aware, and appreciates, that Hakkai is fond of them and takes care of them in his own ways.]

[artificialrose]

They're really good friends, aren't they?

So.... Instead of worrying every second... Try to take advantage of being with them every day they're with you. Okay?

[junkyarddog]

How do I do that? [Ken cocks his head.] Is it different from just being with 'em normally?

[artificialrose]

Think of it this way- do things you really want to do with them, with no regrets. Does that make sense?

[junkyarddog]

Oh...I mostly do that already, though. [Ken scratches his cheek.] If they disappeared, my regrets would just be that they were gone.

[artificialrose]

Then you're already doing really well! [He pats the younger boy's shoulder.] So just keep doing that, alright? Make sure to enjoy life with them while you're both still around.

[Or afterlife, whatever.]