teahoused | general texting meme

Hm, well we have shrimp and scallops. Does that sound good?

[His mouth was already watering slightly at the thought, and he turned back to look at Maren in amusement. She seemed so serious and studious with that notepad of hers, and he'd have to be careful to give proper and exact measurements instead of winging it like he usually did.]

Either way we'll need garlic, butter, and some sake.

I like the sound of that.

[ Shrimp, scallops, garlic, butter, sake -- the flavor profile already sounds fantastic by Maren's reckoning and she doesn't need to look at her list twice to know that they definitely have those things. Maybe a trip out won't be necessary? ]

What are you thinking for measurements?

[ Her own brain is already jumping to answer as much. Depending on the serving number and everyone's appetites -- ah, still, she keeps her ears open, listening intently to Sukuna all the while. She hasn't cooked with him before, so she's not entirely sure how he does thing. It's best to listen and pay careful attention to how he does things. That sort of information is invaluable if Miss Yamaguchi is going to task her with assisting with his meals and schedule regularly. ]

Edited (not thong thong thong thong thongs) 2019-08-31 14:41 (UTC)

Right? What's your favorite food Maren-chan?

[He hadn't asked earlier, and he'd have to keep it in mind if they were going to continue cooking together. He had always preferred having someone in the kitchen to help him out, or get underfoot. Or maybe he had just gotten used to it with the tea house and his own estate before that. It'd been a long time since he'd ever been truly alone.

As for her question... He tipped his head to the side, eyes closed in concentration, arms crossed over his chest.]

There's about ten people working tonight right? Maybe we should make twenty portions so everyone can eat and take some home if they like.

[And if they didn't want any, well, more for them.]

[ Her favorite food? She doesn't have to think twice about that. It actually sees her brighten right up, actually. ]

Beef udon!

[ There's nothing better in Maren's opinion than beef udon shared with friends and family. That enthusiasm doesn't quite fade as she observes him, listening intently, and smiles at his logic. It's very, very familiar. ]

Did you account for the strays? Er, the extras who always show up?

Oooh, we should make that next time then.

[It really was cute how excited she seemed to be about beef udon, and it wasn't like it was a difficult dish to make.

He paused at her point, grin brightening. The number tended to fluctuate day to day, and it was difficult to keep track if he hadn't worked the floor that day.]

I don't think I did! How many are we at today?

Can we?

[ Maren whips her head to look at Sukuna properly, searching his expression in that moment. He didn't strike her as the sort of person to tease about something like that. When he asks about the number of strays, though, she closes her eyes for a brief second in consideration, running through her memory of the day in triple time. ]

Three. Four would be more accurate, I think, judging by what I heard earlier, so twenty-eight portions? Is that okay?

Why wouldn't we? It's not that difficult to make, and Setsura is always saying I need more variety in my diet...

[Which usually went in one ear and out the other because it's not like he needed food, like a mortal might, but it was a nice way to feel revitalized and he did enjoy the act of eating. And drinking. But that would have to come later.

He hummed thoughtfully at the amount of portions they'd have to make, starting to pull out the fridge items.]

That's fine! Maybe we should make it thirty just to be even? I swear whenever it's dinner time people will conveniently come to visit...

[Not that Sukuna was complaining in the least, but it was awfully suspicious.]

Do you want to cut up the meat or do you prefer to start the base for the sauce?

[ It's surprising to hear such a statement out of Sukuna's mouth due in part to the simple fact that she doesn't know him all that well, but also because it's a statement she's used to hearing voiced by older company, and fondly in an exasperated sort of way. She can't quite help lifting a hand to her mouth and chuckling where she'd paused in his official statement regarding Miss Yamaguchi because that had almost sounded like something a child might say of his mother and while it was odd given their apparent ages, it was also sort of cute in its own way and she didn't feel odd thinking as much having watched them interact.

That question of his grounds her, but she doesn't quite lower her hand or put away her smile. ]

I would like to start with the meat, I think. You have more experience making this sauce than I do, so I'd like to watch if you don't mind.

[Sukuna grinned at her small chuckles, shooting her a wink before getting out a knife and cutting board for her, clearing out a space for both of them. He started to portion out what he'd need for the sauce, humming slightly.]

That sounds fine. Would it help you if I told you what I was doing as well?

[It would almost be like being on a cooking show...]

[ It's with accuity that Maren moves to lift and check the knife with a suddenly serious, critical gaze. Sharp enough is the verdict because she's steady, but quick in acquiring the meat and beginning prep without wasting any energy in her movements. Practiced? Quite, and efficient beyond her age, but then, one tends to gain that much more when she's an eager student to a masterful teacher. She's still absolutely attentive to Sukuna's movements, timing her own by his. When he asks that question, she brightens. ]

Please!

Ooh, Maren-chan you're really skilled at that. Do you cook often?

[He couldn't find fault with how she cut, and considering how quickly she was going, Sukuna wondered if it was best if she did the whole dish if she was really curious on making it.

But upon seeing how excited that she looked, he decided against it. Instead he narrated his actions step by step along with a roundabout measurement of each ingredient, showing them to Maren before putting in the ingredients one by one, including the meat.

Once it seemed like it was near completion, the smell making Sukuna's stomach rumble, he turned to Maren-chan with a grin.]

Want to test it?

I do. I've cooked with my grandmother for as long as I can remember.

[ It's a statement uttered softly, fondly despite her continued precision and it draws a softer smile to her face for a moment. She follows Sukuna's actions and words with due care with her cutting instrument and is finished about at the same time he is. When he asks that question, the corners of her mouth tug upward. ]

C-can I, really?

[ She might even be taking a few steps to bridge the gap between them as she asks. ]

She must be very proud to have such a capable granddaughter. Does your grandmother live here?

[He hadn't gotten a chance to learn much about Maren considering she was so new, but he was curious what had made her so hardworking at such a young age. And if he should be concerned, since while it could just be her personality, but she seemed awfully serious for a girl her age.

Encouragingly, he ladeled some of the sauce into a tiny tasting bowl, handing it to her.]

Of course! I want your expert opinion on if it needs anything.

[ If he hadn't asked, Maren might have opted not to say anything given how happy Sukuna looked. She can't help that tiny swell of pride, though. About this one thing Maren is very certain, at least. That her grandmother was proud of her. It's something she had been told earnestly, something she had been encouraged to believe because it was the truth, and now... ]

She passed away.

[ It's all she can really bring herself to say about the matter as she accepts the bowl, trying not to look Sukuna in the face. Right to her lips it goes, her concentration foisted upon discerning the taste, anything that might be missing. ]

... Ah.

[Perhaps Sukuna should have been able to guess considering it was strange to see a young girl working so hard as Maren-chan did, and now that he thought about it, he had never seen anyone come to pick her up nor had she ever had to call someone to say she was staying late. It seemed like the two of them were very close, and he set a hand on Maren-chan's shoulder.]

My condolences. She must have been someone very special to have raised you so well.

[And since it seemed like Maren-chan didn't want to discuss it, he switched topics back to the food.]

So what do you think?

[ It's a gesture she appreciates, that hand on her shoulder. It doesn't feel as heavy as the hands of her grandmother's friends and acquaintances had back then. It feels... warm despite the gravity of the words or perhaps she doesn't feel so numb in this moment? Maren isn't entirely sure. It isn't as though there's a compass and map to help a person navigate loss and grief or instructions she could copy onto her hand and glance at every now and then. It hurts and it's hard. With her rather than behind her.

Maren takes another sip from the cup, redirecting her attention. Hmm. ]

Chopped onion. [ Sip. ] A pinch of salt. [ Sip. ] Half a dash of... garlic. [ Yes, she's certain. ]

[It must have been new and raw, but then again, was there a time line for grief that most people followed? Sukuna could recall some comrades he had lost along the way like it was yesterday, while others he was ashamed to say he couldn't recall their faces. Mortals had it worst, perhaps, since they could never live to see their loved ones as they had once been.]

Oooh! We missed that much?

[Dutifully, Sukuna started with the salt since it was the quickest, before quickly grabbing an onion.]

Can you take care of the garlic?

I can.

[ She perks a little in placing the cup down on the counter and moving to acquire the garlic. It won't take her more than a minute to work out just how much they need, and without any use for measuring cups and the like. ]

Is this your personal recipe, Sukuna-san?

Yup! Back in my day we didn't have fancy cookbooks or the ability to look up anything we wanted on the internet.

[He winked at her, chopping up the onion before sliding it into the pot.]

And cooking is like making medicine. It's about measurements, stirring, and trial and error.

[ Back in his day?! Maren blinks once, twice, then lifts both her hands to cover her mouth in a bid to keep from giggling. That made him sound very, very old, but he doesn't look like he's much older than her. Maybe his twenties? Not thirty, most definitely not is her thought as she deposits the garlic into the pot. ]

I suppose it is. You're a doctor, Sukuna-san?

[ That might be a little more believable than Sukuna being a super ancient grandpa. ]

More of a pharmacist. I'm better at prescribing medicines than diagnosing.

[But back in his time, such distinctions hadn't been around. He hummed as he stirred the curry, ladeling more of it into Maren-chan's tasting bowl.]

Other than cooking, what do you like to do Maren-chan?

[ She holds it close politely with both hands. ]

Well, I'm not very interesting, but I do like to play shogi.

[ Hello, Hikona-san. You really did hire a real life sixteen year old grandma, who's already lifting the cup to her lips. Give her a second. Give her a second. ]

Ah, it's delicious! [ Look at her face. ]

Edited 2019-09-17 08:33 (UTC)

Eh, what's wrong with liking shogi? Are you very good at it?

[From one grandpa to a grandma, Sukuna couldn't find any fault with this sort of lifestyle and her hobbies.

He beamed at the sight of Maren-chan looking so pleased with their food, laughing.]

I'm glad it has your approval! Do you mind calling people in while I set the table?

[It was nice to have everyone sit down and eat, though Sukuna wouldn't fault people for taking a bowl and leaving.]

I've been told I am.

[ Often enough that she believes she's decent maybe. Maybe. ]

I-I don't mind.

[ And she'll place the tasting bowl into the wink before smoothing her clothes down and moving to call everyone in. It, uh. Takes a minute as soft as her voice is and Sukuna may very well recognize Setsura commanding quiet so that she can be heard. ]

Er, dinner is ready!

[ Here's hoping Sukuna's ready because the wolves are coming and in such force that Maren has to dip to one side of the door... ]

[Luckily, Sukuna was used to feeding all manner of beasts, the ones he employed included, so he was already doling out portions on the table before the first person even heard Maren's voice, much less reacted to it.

Dinner was a noisy affair, which Sukuna enjoyed beyond measure. He liked the liveliness and noise of mortals, but once the rush was over, Sukuna started collecting up the dirty dishes. He chanced a glance over at Maren-chan, a bit concerned.]

Did you get enough to eat, Maren-chan?

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