estoria | ( OPEN )

[Ah...Naki freezes, staring at Sebastian like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar--which he basically is, right now.

Quietly putting the rest of that morsel in his mouth, while the fox tries to apologize.]

We're really very sorry! The kitchen smelled so good, it was hard to wait...

[THEY'RE ALREADY ROLLING AWAY, MUTSU, IT'S A LOST CAUSE...

But since he sounds so frantic about collecting them, Kashuu will reflexively try to help?!]

Why—?! Where did these stupid things even come from? Where do they go?!

But they weren't here a moment ago...!!

[Slipping and sliding, the fox eventually trips and falls on a bunch of beads and starts rolling in Mutsu's direction...while Naki finally scrambles off the couch to go catch him. Phone games can wait, there's a catastrophe here!]

Aha, I have nothing but free time for awhile. [ There are some things that need planning later but for now, he's completely free and happy to help. He's one of the stronger tachis too so it'll be smooth and seamless to lug the futon into the bedroom. Mikazuki won't go as far as to do it all himself, he doesn't want to insult the other possibly so it'll be a team effort for a little while. ]

That's a shame but you can assure that I'll keep a spot open for you if you come to visit. There's nothing quite as healing as a good cup of tea if you ask me. [ Considering how much tea he really drinks, he's the one to ask! ]

So, Senpai. How does it feel to be back here after some time?

[Koumei leaned up against a wall nearby and watched with interest, rolling around the little bead between his fingers while Mutsu tried to make sense of this.]

I would suggest a bored Kogitsunemaru, but this seems a little elaborate for him.

...and particular. There are many more interesting munitions besides simple beads.

[He held the bead out for Mutsu, if he wanted to take it.]

What are your thoughts?

They can be-- when you have a big family.

[procuring a spoon, he handed it off to Nakigitsune and took a seat so he could speak to the both of them.]

Between all of my siblings, their retainers, and their spouses, there's at least three dozen of us in total-- and that is only factoring in a guest or two per person. The hallways and the rest of the palace in the capitol would certainly not be empty if we ever did find reason to have such a gathering. With the current political climate, however, such occassions are rare.

Edited 2016-06-05 01:08 (UTC)

I'm not going to take that bet-- nor do I have any right to judge them.

[After all, he is the man who befriended a flock of pigeons as a kid...]

Hm. Well, there are definitely more than a dozen of us around here... I suppose it'll be enough. I just would hate for anyone to miss out.

[ Taking the bowl, he stares at the dumpling with intense scrutiny and curiosity before popping it into his mouth quickly with one of those pairs of chopsticks left around. Probably easier to use his hands, which is something he would do, but to maintain a relatively courteous and display manners... ]

Ooh. These are tasty.

[ A few more thoughtful chews and then puts the empty bowl down. ]

I believe he will be, too. No one ever said more foxes would create more problems, yes? [ Kogi smiles, thinking about the addition of yet another vulpine roommate, though this one is certainly more fox than he and the other that currently lived in their specific room. ]

[ Staring up at the ceiling, Kogitsunemaru isn't sure how to respond yet. Firstly, though he's not really injured, it's not the physical pain that he's feeling the most. It's the embarrassment of taking a fall and not being able to get up? If he did, he would CERTAINLY fall over again.

So he rolls around, with tiny beads in his back.

And now Mutsu is on the ground. This is not helping Kogi's situation. ]

... are you okay?

[ UGH MUTSU YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THIS COMING! The destruction of the Swordhaus is nigh, by tiny teeny orbs... ]

I don't think anyone here's judging 'em, at least.

[The fox room is cute and he likes it, even if he may laugh sometimes about just how many foxes they've amassed.]

Buuut we could probably go for a different option, yeah.

[Thank goodness for spoons...now he can safely nibble at it without fear of dropping again.

Also lifting the spoon over to share with fox! It may not be a large potato fig thing, but they can both manage with tiny nibbles.]

...Like the Toushirous. [Referring to the three dozen siblings.] Your palace sounds as lively as our citadel! It's quite nice, isn't it? Being able to enjoy so much lively company.

[Chocolate had definitely been a first for Souji when he arrived in Cerealia, but it's certainly something he has embraced with open arms and learned to love within five seconds of tasting it. So his gaze definitely lights up at the sight of what's in the oven, and he sidles in the least subtle way possible into the kitchen, still beaming. He's still listening politely, however, and makes a warm little sound at the mention of Kashuu.]

I see. You could say it's the same for me. That is, I'm here because of Kashuu - and Yasusada-kun too, of course. They used to be my swords, see?

[And there is definite pride there, not so much on his own behalf as a warrior, but rather because they had turned into such extraordinary people, and he had the fortune of being allowed to be a part of that, however briefly.]

Ah, and then Haru-kun wouldn't hear of me living alone in my state, so that was that. [A small laugh..] He doesn't demand much in the way of recompensation, but if you're enjoying yourself, I'm sure no one is going to try to stop you. Besides, this household might occasionally need some people with a firmer grasp on how kitchens work.

[Whoa, there. Sayo's not blaming Mutsu, since why use these beads?]

I know, but where do they come from?

[Ahhhh, he's just a tiny tantou with tiny hands. There's only so much beads he can hold at once.]

It can be, yes. [He said, smiling fondly as he thought on the pleasant times that shone like brilliant gems in a time of war.] And it's why I'm glad to you and your friends for letting Kouha and I stay here. Neither of us would know what to do with ourselves if we live on our own.

Oh? And what's your suggestion?

[About either Kogi or Fishy. He truly wanted to know.]

[The chopsticks were a good move, because the Tang Yuan were served in a sweet, gingery syrup that would be sticky on the fingers and make a mess of everything they came in contact to. While they were superficially similar to the Mochi that Kogi would be more familiar with, that itself was one of the key differences between the two.]

I'm glad you approve of the sweets. They're a dessert from home that's popular to serve at family gatherings, and I feel like the filling inside is something my brother would enjoy.

[Though sesame paste was traditional, these were filled with sweet potatoes and dried figs. Kouha was a notorious lover of anything involving sweet figs, so it seemed like a good choice.]

And I'm certain there will be no complaints about Mister Kaden. Life is much more interesting if there's more people around, even if you prefer books over people for company.

Maybe we can get Kogi a second job? I'm not sure... Or we can just, y'know. Get rid of Fishy, but he'd probably be sad.

[Haru sure wouldn't be, though?!]

But-- It wouldn't be polite... [She trails off uncertainly already this guy is reminding her way too much of Kai. Maybe if she ever showed up, Kaguya could introduce the two? Though knowing Kai she'd immediately want to hit on him then wail when she finds out he's a sword.

(Something like, "I'm not that manly to marry a sword!" or something like that)

Ah, Kaguya misses her. At least Kashuu isn't insisting on calling her "Kaguchin" or himself 'Kashuu-chin" or something. Yet.]

They are very delicious! I ave still been trying to find my way around the city, so I am afraid I have not had much time to explore everything it has to offer. There are so many different foods and clothes that I've never seen before. I can not keep it all straight yet.

[She smiles warmly and follows him eagerly, interested to see everything] Even back home, the heavens were always a little noisy-- it happens, when so many strong personalities come together in one place. I imagine that is why many of them choose to go to the human realm and mingle or fight.

The drawback of being immortal is that things can become so boring after a while. [She trails off, a bit sadly, because she hates that so many of them turn to mischief to alleviate their boredom. ~~LOOKING AT YOU DA JI~~

She folds her hands in front of her and nods] I have met Lord Kiyomitsu and Lord Hakata. But I have not been able to meet any others, so far.

[oh no he's adorable.]

Forgive me, my lord. I did not mean to be in the way. I was told by Lord Cao Pi that the tsukumogami live up here, and I was eager to meet you all.

I hope I am not a disturbance...?

[YET. Please don't introduce him to those because he'd probably find them cute enough to use...]

It's fine, it's fine! I mean, you're like, waaay above me on the totem pole, y'know? I should be the one saying stuff like that to you! [Says Kashuu without actually having any intention of doing so... He's respectful but look, he doesn't even call Mikazuki "Mikazuki-san".

But he'll brighten right up at that! Heck yes, his good food picks.]

Glad you like 'em! If you want, I can show you around. I've been here for a long time so I know aaall about where to get stuff. Especially food! [He makes a vague sweeping gesture toward the kitchen and then points toward the table set up in the living room.]

Anyway, wanna sit down while you wait for more people?

[ At the moment, he's working on dinner, so there are several pans on the stove, all cooking various things. There's one sauteing vegetables, another set to simmer, and generally just a variety of rich, Western foods. He has a wine bottle in hand, since he's about to add some to the sauce he's working on, but he lifts his arm a bit higher as he realizes he has a guest in the kitchen. ]

Why, just a simple dish, really...

[ But don't listen to him, since Sebastian's definition of simple is far from it. ]

It is a chicken breast with a delicate, but flavorful white wine sauce. The vegetables I found I am sauteing lightly, and they should compliment the sauce quite nicely.

[ Sebastian genuinely listens with interest when he realizes what's being explained, since despite being a new resident of the house full of tsukumogami, Sebastian really didn't have a very good understanding of what they were. Ironically, it was also what had lead to this in the first place, since a slight misunderstanding between cultures had lead him to the conclusion that they were somewhat similar... Neither party has realized that they're wrong just yet.

It's easy enough to translate this, since clearly this man was something like their master, but it's still a surprise to hear the fondness. There was certainly no such attachment for a demon and their contractor, but Sebastian doesn't exactly envy this. It's just strange to him. ]

Ah, yes... Kashuu did explain that somewhat. It is still somewhat difficult to think of him as a sword, but I have heard stranger.

[ He hums thoughtfully, but that thought is quickly pushed away in favor of giving attention to that last comment. ]

...Ah, dear me. Are the people here unskilled with cooking.

Ah, yes, I suppose that is what I should have guessed... I hope at the very least you can teach me a bit about Eastern cuisine. I confess, it is something I am not very familiar with, for it is not to my master's taste...

[ Minus that one chapter where Sebastian made donburi, but that was an emergency, duh. And also never referenced again. ]

So, indeed, we may as well swap. [ Sebastian laughs pleasantly, but he cants his head lightly at the unfamiliar word. ] Though, I do ask that you pardon my ignorance... What is a zashiki-warashi?

[ Sebastian looks at the fox, then frowns a bit more, since this is also something he's yet to get used to. It's a bit odd, but, well, everyone here is a bit odd in their own way. Himself included, but he's a bit too arrogant to think of that. ]

While I am glad to hear that it is appetizing, I must insist that you wait.

[ His glances to the fox becomes a bit more pointed. ]

And especially with— [ How does he refer to the fox? He pauses, then just swerves around the topic. ] Well, I am afraid that I do not like animals in my kitchen, in short.

( OPEN )

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