won't you take me

[kokuyoyo]

Who: The Li Tieguai clusterfuck
What: Well, we're out of a shitty haunted forest, who wants dinner?
When: November 16, evening
Where: Li Tieguai's Temple

Usually, when there's some big nonsense in Heaven, Chikusa can be found out cold or "away" in his own head for most of the following couple of days afterwards... but that apparently only counts for event which involve people. Spending an entire day trekking through a possessed forest filled with violent plant-life and cultists is manageable.... somehow.

No matter how exhausted or injured anyone in the temple is, food still has to be made, and Hakka is in no condition to make it. Thus, dinner is being arranged by the other cook in the house, and invitations have been sent out to the relevant people Chikusa thinks care- namely Nanako and Ayumu, along with anyone they seek to bring. That doesn't mean people checking in on the Li Tieguai temple can't just waltz right into the dinner as well....

There's a lot to do in the time leading up to dinner, after all, depending on when people show up (or, you know, realize there's smells coming from the kitchen). Bon, the resident enormous Tibetan Mastiff, demands attention in the form of bodily flinging himself at people. There's a goat in the garden, tied away from all the important medical herbs. At least four different nekomata wander in and out of the temple ground whenever they please, including Pookie, the most permanent resident, and never shut up.... Not to mention that a Kung-Fu movie has been put on the television for people to watch.

There's also a sign on all entrances to the kitchen that says: CHO HAKKAI IS NOT ALLOWED TO COOK. Presumably Chikusa put it up while making direct eye contact with him.

Either way, mess around until dinner, have dinner, crash in the living room where another kung-fu movie has been put on again... Have fun.

Oh, and before it can be forgotten.... The dinner menu for the night is fritto misto, meaty Amatriciana sauce with bucatini noodles, and all the garlic bread in the world apparently. For dessert? Cannoli again. That... might be all he knows how to make on the dessert front.

Comments

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai, obediently -- though with his eyebrows arched in a distinctly doubtful manner -- hands over the clothespins as D2 takes the sheet.]

I spent yesterday in bed.

[Which, all on its own, is more resting than he generally does after anything short of a near-death experience; but despite the fact that he isn't physically injured past scrapes and bruising, the energy drain has been dragging him down.]

Really, I felt I had to get outside at least a little bit today. And Chikusa has barred me from the kitchen.

[smilingbullet]

That sucks but also that's really good.

[ It's no fun being stuck in bed. Been there, done that. He even remembers some of it. ]

I saw the lovely sign. If you'd like I can bring some food over to give him a break while you're banned, at some point. You can go outside without working or doing chores. You could go for a stroll, if you need to move.

[reformedsinner]

[As much as Hakkai doesn't want to admit it... he clears his throat.]

I don't think I should go for any strolls just yet.

[He's too likely to collapse into a ditch and drown, which would be an embarrassing way to die. At least, if he collapses while doing the laundry, it will be into a soft basket filled with linens.]

He might appreciate some help with the cooking, but I don't think this ban will be too long-lasting.

[After all, today is Chikusa's party. Hakkai can accept one day of being banned from the kitchen for Chikusa to use it. Longer than that, and they will have to have words.]

[smilingbullet]

Ah. I can guess why. How about just walking around your own garden with an animal around to do a Lassie for you?

[ Or, in the case of that fluffy dog they got, act as a pillow to catch him and then do a Lassie. The nekomata could probably sass a person out of a coma.

D2 looks at Hakkai with a scrutinizing expression. ]

Mmmmh-hm, I'll check with him on that topic.

[reformedsinner]

I think I'd need to pay Pookie to get her to agree to that. And Bon isn't particularly well trained.

[Well-intentioned, yes. Hakkai suspects he'd be more likely just to try to lick Hakkai back into consciousness, and while that might work, he'll pass on the experience regardless.]

Do tell me what he says?

[Even if it's 'not a chance,' Hakkai plans to be back on his feet and into his usual routine soon. He doesn't have the patience for extended recoveries, and he hadn't been wounded as such. A little rest and he'll be back to normal.

Or close enough.]

[smilingbullet]

Bribery is a viable option in these cases.

[ He wants this idiot idiot friend of his to stay safe whenever he can, and yet he's got a fair bit of trouble with that. So bribery is just fine, this time. ]

I suppose that I might tell you if I have to.

[ The same way he clearly has to steal Hakkai's laundry and put it up for him before he has the chance to do it himself. ]

[reformedsinner]

Mhm. [Hakkai hasn't quite become willing to stoop to bribery. Yet.]

I do plan to start cooking again as soon as I feel better, so I suppose you don't have to tell me....

[smilingbullet]

[ D2 raises an eyebrow at that luke-warm response. ] Well, bribery is generally the most effective way to deal with cats either way, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

[ He shrugs as he moves on to the next laundry piece. ] Nah, I might tell you, I'll send you a text or something if I don't catch you after talking to him.

[reformedsinner]

In my experience, once you start bribing cats, the bill gets longer very quickly.

[He nods at the laundry, and, stepping back, settles down on a seat-height boulder.]

Thank you for helping, by the way.

[smilingbullet]

That can make life interesting huh!

[ D2 has several cats, though at least none of them talk this far. ]

It's my pleasure~ This is pretty fun. Also, it gives me another chance to hang out with you and be useful at the same time.

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai blinks, and then smiles, ducking his head slightly.]

I do appreciate the company. It's good to see you.

[smilingbullet]

[ Watch it, or he'll ruffle his hair. He's very tempted. ]

Yeah, it's good to see you too.

[ Okay, so he can't resist. You know he's an idiot and it might be weird, but it's all a very fond gesture. ]

[reformedsinner]

[No, D2, you don't understand: he ruffles other people's hair, and not vice versa. He blinks, then chuckles, ducking his head in a solemn mockery of a bow to make it easier to reach.]

Well, then!

[The laundry is set out; the basket is empty, and the scent of rich tomato sauce is beginning to waft from the temple to match the overpowering aroma of garlic.]

Shall we go in? I think it's getting close to dinner time.

[smilingbullet]

[ Better get used to the thought, because it's likely to happen again at some point.

D2 picks up the empty basket to carry it inside. ]

I should actually probably not stick around for dinner, if I do I bet I'll be late for a tutoring session I have later.

[reformedsinner]

[Hakkai falls in behind him, following him inside.]

Ah, well, in that case... I'll see you later, hm?

Would you like me to save you any? Chikusa is a good cook.

[smilingbullet]

Yeah, you definitely will.

[ He turns a raised eyebrow toward Hakkai. ]

I doubt that will be an easy feat.

[reformedsinner]

If Chikusa wants me to take it easy, then he won't let Ken fight me for the leftovers, don't you think?

[He can take some advantage of this annoying attempt to wrap him in cotton wool for his own protection.

(Never mind, of course, the fact that he still is exhausted.)]

[smilingbullet]

Hmmm, I guess you might be right about that.

[ Nobody's trying to wrap him in cotton. They're just a bit concerned. So what if that means that they're also annoying at the same time? ]