estoria | ( OPEN )

[Judge all you want, Koumei has no shame in the fact that he's done the equivilent of naming a cat 'kitty'.]

Indeed. Now, if only there was a way to keep the apartments safe from a bored Kogitsunemaru...

[People and their wild pet names...

He's also nodding in response to that because boy, truer words have never been said.]

Maybe we should get him more foxes to play with.

[Ah. Does this mean he can't eat it with his hands? Even if he's careful?

...Oh well. Taking the bowl and chopsticks.....now that he's got the appropriate eating utensils, he tries actually eating the thing, fumbling it slightly as he listens to Koumei talk. He's not a chopstick master, but.]

They do look quite like mochi, though...is there something different inside? [As fox watches him take that first careful bite.]

[A spoon was better in theory-- the sweet, gingery syrup that the dumplings were served in was quite sticky.

Koumei just has yet to find the proper ones in the kitchen.]

Sweet potato and dried fig paste, [he explained patiently, watching Naki fumble with the chopsticks for a moment before he began his quest for the spoons anew.] But typically it's a sesame paste inside. They're sweet, and are generally served at a family gatherings. I feel like this is as close to a family gathering that any of us are going to find in this city, so why not enjoy ourselves?

Edited 2016-06-03 20:58 (UTC)

[h e a d t i l t.]

Have you seen the state of Mister Naki and Mister Kogi's room? They've plenty of foxes, and they've recently found another to play with.

Edited 2016-06-03 21:00 (UTC)

[ If it's sweets, then Sebastian's skill for that is unparalleled. Considering Ciel's love of sweets, this was one of the first things he had learned to cook to excellence, and it was also one of the things he happened to enjoy a fair amount. The precise measurements and decoration (because that was truly just as important!) appealed to a neurotic person like Sebastian quite a lot.

The smell is coming from the chocolate cakes cooking away in the over, but while those cook, Sebastian is dutifully working on the toppings to go with it. He's making his own buttercream icing, since apparently everyone in swordhaus is getting spoiled today. He looks up from measuring things out, then laughs at the question. ]

Well... Something like that, yes. I would say more that it was Kashuu that took it upon himself to bring me here, but it was Mr. Haru's kindness that allows me to stay.

[ Which is fine with him, really. He's not one to really need any kind of frivolous things, and he includes paying for an apartment in full in that category. Sharing the cost suits him. ]

So as such, it is the least I can do to cook. Though I do enjoy it, I will admit.

[ how could sweet, innocent kashuu ever be mistaken about what sebastian is... that's just crazy talk!! ]

[ But at the very least, Sebastian is no fool with that. It's lucky that the demon Kashuu had collected is relatively benign as compared to many of his kin, because most demons would hardly be content to cook and clean for little benefit. Everything is cost and gain with demons, and for this, well, Sebastian has definitely defined a rather unique "gain." Reputation is valuable to him, or that's what he tells himself to justify the idea of continuing to loyally bow his head and serve.

Not, of course, that he enjoys this. He's odd for a demon, more or less.

As Haru comes into the kitchen, Sebastian glances back to look towards him, though he smiles as he pulls out the step stool. It's not quite happines that he's feeling so much as fear, but that's the conditioned reaction when anyone tries to help him in the kitchen by now... The Phantomhive servants are just that useless. ]

Why, good afternoon. I can take care of things, so you really needn't worry—

[ He asserts it politely, but he's also more respectful towards Haru considering this is "his" place. So it's not quite as staunch a refusal as he's inclined to give normally. ]

But if you insist, then I will not turn it down... Do you have much experience with Western culinary techniques?

[ Sebastian had only stepped out for a moment to go fetch something else, but when he returns and sees someone sneaking a taste of the food... Well. He should have expected this, right? It surely couldn't be that easy.

He sighs and puts his hands on his hips lightly, since it feels strange to fully admonish an acquaintance. Even if he's living here now too, it's something he'll have to warm up to. Perhaps as more and more food is snuck away... ]

Really... It will not be that much longer, so you could have waited.

[ A normal person would probably be a bit embarrassed about meeting anyone again that they had met in such a state of undress, but... Not Sebastian, apparently. He doesn't even seem to remember it with how casually he acts, but that's less elderly forgetfulness like some people and more a true lack of shame on Sebastian's part. Still. It's rather useful when it comes to things like this.

As Mikazuki grabs his attention, Sebastian looks up from his work with a polite smile at first. Being called a butler as if it were his name makes him laugh, and he offers his name gently after. ]

Well, whatever you would like, really. But my name is Sebastian Michaelis, if you would instead prefer that.

[ He doesn't particularly care either way, in truth. It's an assumed name, so "Sebastian" is just as good to him as "Butler-kun." Or, well, mostly. He'd prefer the former if only because it's more dignified. ]

...Ah, but yes, of course? [ There's a slightly wary tone in his voice as he answers, though. ] What is it that you need, Mr. Mikazuki?

[ are you really ready to go down this road kashuu... are you really... ]

[ But it doesn't matter, because they're going. Sebastian looks up from his sweeping with a bright smile, since he really is cheered up by such simple tasks. Even the most domestic of swords don't come close to Sebastian's enjoyment of such mundane tasks. ]

Why, naturally. To have such cleanliness and order within one's home is as good a reason to be happy as any, would you not say?

[ probably not, sebastian ]

[ haru hesitates at the question, tallying up what experience he does have with western food, before cautiously shaking his head. ] I cook mostly Japanese food. I'm pretty good at baking western-style, though. Cakes and.. things like that.

[ he pulls his hair back in a short tail, securing it with a band around his wrist. he glances back up at sebastian, then, pale eyes cautiously warm and a little embarrassed. ]

I was hoping to maybe pick up some things from you while you're here. I'm a pretty decent cook, but I mostly stick to comfort food and things like that. [ he rocks back on his heels, ears going a little red at the tips. ] Stuff I learned from our zashiki-warashi back home. [ since his parents were usually too drunk or drugged or gone to care about that sort of thing. ]

[ Sebastian is definitely coming to the kitchen once he starts to smell smoke. It's like a conditioned reaction for him, considering the Phantomhive manor's "cook" has such a strong liking for explosives that he really can't be trusted with any sort of flame... He steps into the kitchen with a look of deep concern, and as Tsurumaru speaks to him, his attention is divided between introductions and the near-fire in the microwave?! ]

I—?

[ It's a very eloquent start, but with purpose, Sebastian starts to head over to collect towels and start a pot to filling with water. There's probably a fire extinguisher here somewhere, but he has no idea what that is, unfortunately. ]

Yes, I will do something about it! How did this even happen?

[Hearing the scream and the suspiciously familiar sounding marbles, Sayo exit whatever room he's in and stand there, staring.

Beads. Beads everywhere. Oh god, it's those beads.]

Mutsunokami-san!? Those beads...

[Sayo's rushing over, looking at the beads with confusion and worry, and recognition!? He bends down and start picking them up.]

[Unfortunately (?), there's a young looking boy standing at the front door. Kaguya would be able to tell he's a tsukumogami, too. Sayo Samonji have just returned and looking up at Kaguya with a blink.]

... Hello, miss. Are you here to visit someone?

There's probably room to cram a few more in there.

[There is such a thing as too many foxes, though...]

[Look... He's a fool who doesn't know what he's about to unleash. A FOOL.

But he's actually genuinely curious and a little bit Concerned For Real because literally who could actually enjoy this. Sebastian the mountain demon, apparently?!]

I mean, the part when the cleaning's done and everything's all nice and neat is good, but isn't the cleaning up part kinda... [Boring? Tedious? Unpleasant?? He could think of a lot of adjectives but just makes a vague shrugging gesture.]

[Just because Kashuu can so easily accept and bring someone over, it doesn't mean Sayo's fine with it. That said, he can stay civil and watch to see if Sebastian's a trustworthy enough spirit.

Or whatever he might be?

In any case, Sayo's not the type to steal bites. People generally give him free bites, instead... He stands on the tip of his toes, trying to get a better look at whatever Sebastian's cooking.]

... What are you cooking?

[ in all honesty, almost no one in swordhaus even knows what a fire extinguisher is. their actual fire extinguisher has probably been sitting in its pretty glass casing for months, untouched as appliance after appliance bursts into flames.

because he's so used to ruining appliances and running away from the aftermath of cleaning them up, tsurumaru will first watch what he does, before moving to collect any spare towels that sebastian misses, hoping that doing so would be of some assistance — and explains the situation along the way. ]

Well, you see... I was making popcorn, but after I went through all the trouble of putting it in the microwave, I wondered if I could make it even crunchier.

[ the popcorn, he means. the microwave looks kind of crunchy now, though... it's crispy and well-done. ]

So I microwaved it for ten minutes instead of two, but then everything kind of went boom, and smoke started coming out, and... that's what happened.

( Aaaaaah, Mutsu's on the floor, sprawled out all over the place and trying to collect as many beads as he can before they can roll away. )

Don't just stand there! Help me get 'em!

( Poor smallest fox didn't ask for Bead Tsunami. )

I dunno, I dunno! ( Screaming, ) I just got here!

( ALL HE DID WAS WALK THROUGH THE DOOR )

Aieeeeeeesh....

( Mutsu's holding the top of his head because that sure was a large jar of beads that hit him as soon as he walked in through the door. Give him a second to collect himself (unlike all of these beads on the floor). )

Who's idea was this?

Hey, hey, be careful, Ko--

( Too late. Sorry. He tried to warn you, Kogi but now there are thousands of beads and a Sanjou sword ont the floor. Being the good spirit he is, he's fumbling over to try and help Kogi up but that just means he also ends up crashing on the floor. )

Aieesh... Y'okay...?

( Holding the top of his head gingerly because do you know how heavy 5,000 beads in a jar is??? )

Nah! I just got home and then--

( Hands at the beads. Hands at the jar rolling on the floor. Hands at everything. )

( Sasyo's getting war flashbacks too, huh? Mutsu's alreayd on the floor, arms sprawled out and trying to keep them from rolling away even more. )

It wasn't me!

( He's ready for someone to blame him already. )

[Ooh sweet potatoes. Has he ever had figs before? It's tasty sweet, though! Even if he ends up dropping the rest of it in the bowl. Slippery...]

Family gatherings...that's very thoughtful of you, Koumei-dono! Are family gatherings usually special affairs like this? [With special family gathering foods and everything!]

Edited 2016-06-04 17:33 (UTC)

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