papa was a rolling stone

[insolvent]

Who: Yang (flaredo), Ludger (insolvent>), and Elle (foodcritic)
When: October 18
Where: Ludger's apartment
What: Play date... more or less.
Rating/Warning: None

---

[ ludger wasn't entirely sure how it had happened, but one way or another yang had talked him into inviting her over to his (moderately overpriced) apartment. er... at least, that's what he thought had just happened. still, this was probably a good thing. when all was said and done, ludger still wasn't sure how to best take care of elle now that she was here, so having some help on that front was appreciated. though he'd taken care of her back in their world as well, he'd always had jude and the others to rely on. suddenly playing dad to an eight year old girl was not something ludger was particularly equipped to do... okay he was actually strangely well equipped to do that, but he was still having some trouble wrapping his head around it.

it would definitely help if elle had some friends around her age here though, so calling yang over seemed like a good idea. not that yang was actually elle's age... now that he thought about it, he actually wasn't sure how old she was, but she was definitely closer to ludger's age than elle's. well, regardless, having someone else to play with would would be good for elle.

probably.

he'd at least used that as an excuse to put his place back in order at least, not that it was ever particularly out of order. he'd told elle that yang was coming over too, and she seemed more or less happy about the idea (at least, he thought that was happiness, anyway). so for now, all there was to do was wait. ]

Comments

[insolvent]

Huh? Wait-

[ almost by reflex he tries to dodge, though by that point it's already too late - all he can do is awkwardly fumble around for a second before he takes the brunt of yang's tackle hug. ]

Gah! [ and nearly crumples to the floor. he does not really see how this is supposed to make him better at this. ]

[foodcritic]

[geez, ludger! elle thought he was faster than that. still, the display is pretty amusing to her, and she's letting out some small giggles.]

They look like old friends already, don't they, Rollo? [always defer to the cat.]

[flaredo]

[ Yes, old friends nearly take each other down. It's page 36 of the rule book. And Yang isn't fazed by any of this, unfortunately for Ludger. ]

Okay, so on the promise that I won't show my teeth here, you put your arms around me and squeeze. Got that?

[insolvent]

So that's how this works... [ okay he already knows the theory behind hugging, but he'll play along regardless. all while questioning why it came to this.

as instructed, he puts his arms around yang before giving a squeeze. perhaps a bit longer than necessary, just to make sure he's receiving full credit for this. ] There. Do I pass?

[foodcritic]

Hmmm....

[she's just humming thoughtfully and watching. she looks to rollo, then back at yang while waiting for the verdict. will you pass the hug exam, ludger?]

[flaredo]

[ Well, she was going to get an opinion from her panel of judges, but it's her call, huh? Yang hums just as thoughtfully-- and then she'll nod. ]

We've got to work on your delivery and enthusiasm, but I'll give you a passing grade. Good job!

[insolvent]

[ he definitely lets out a sigh of relief at that... he's not sure he could take much more hugging. ]

I'll... try to work on that. [ maybe. ]

[foodcritic]

[she wasn't sure she really could give accurate input. she wasn't on the receiving end of the hug. and she's not really the biggest hugger either.]

You did it, Ludger! [there's still some giggles going on over here. it's a little funny when people can throw him for a loop like that. rollo probably approve of these developments too...]

[flaredo]

Keep practicing! [ with a wink as she leans back. ] There'll be a final later on. But I feel a lot better now, at least!

[insolvent]

A final...? [ she's just joking, right... though after all this, he can't be entirely sure either. oh well, at least he's in the clear for now. ]

Are either of you hungry? [ as usual, he will retreat into his familiar bastion of cooking. at least in the kitchen, he is safe from hugs. ]

[foodcritic]

Oh, I am!

[when isn't elle hungry for ludger's cooking, though? she's small, but her appetite is formidable. of course, she also has to inform yang of how important this is.] Ludger's a really good cook... pretty much the best.

[trust her palate, yang.]

[flaredo]

The best, huh... I don't know, someone else's cooking skills have given me some preeeeetty high expectations.

[ granted, that someone else is now dead, but-- ]

Let's see what you can do, Ludger!

[insolvent]

[ that sounds like a challenge to him. ]

Well, I don't know if I'm the best... But I'll see what I can do.

[ make no mistake, despite sounding laid back, he is anything but that as he enters the kitchen to do battle. his reputation as a pro chef is on the line here (even if it's really not). ]

[foodcritic]

[elle's familiar with this competitive side of him, which just makes the whole thing better. it's okay... she's picked her side.

team ludger, of course.]

You'll see, Ludger's pretty hard to beat. [elle puts her hands on her hips puffing her chest out as she looks at yang. and for the second opinion:] Right, Rollo?

[always defer to the cat.]

[flaredo]

[ Ever the willing sport, Yang will stick her hands on her hips as well and push out her chest. ]

Even with the support of Lady Elle and the Cat Emperor, he's going to have to work hard!

[insolvent]

...it doesn't sound like we're talking about cooking anymore.

[ but whatever, he's already hard at work cutting vegetables and getting ready to make his famous soup. ]

[foodcritic]

[there is a strange familiarity to this situation.

but as per the usual, while ludger is preparing the food, elle just seats herself at the table, legs dangling as they don't touch the floor.... but still boasting, of course. or encourage, whatever it may be considered.]

Just do your best! I know you can do it! [okay, and maybe she's scrunching her nose a little at yang. doubting ludger's cooking is not allowed. even if no harm is meant by it, she just really loves his food.]

[flaredo]

[ Yang is above a nose scrunch (no she isn't), opting instead to crouch down and bestow Rollo with a few pats. Admittedly, she's more than a little curious to see how Ludger will do. ]

[insolvent]

[ it doesn't take him too long to prepare his specialties. tomato soup (sorry elle, he has to play to his strengths here) and some spaghetti carbonara. he lets the smell drift out a bit from the kitchen for a while as he puts his finishing touches on both dishes, well aware that presentation can't be skimped on.

but soon enough he's placing plates on the table, his masterpieces complete. ]

There. Dig in. [ if there's anything he has confidence in, its his cooking. ]

[foodcritic]

[it can't be helped — she's still making a "really, seriously, ludger?" face at the tomato soup. she's pretty sure she'll never understand why grownups are so into tomatoes. the pasta, on the other hand? that she's totally ready to dig into it.

and of course, what follows is a sound of delight. it's good... it's always good, because ludger's super great at cooking, as far as she's concerned. the verdict on this one really lies with yang.]

[flaredo]

[ As for Yang, she will make a big show of being a very stern judge, glancing from the soup to the spaghetti with a solemn nod and a considering expression. And for just a second, she almost looks sad-- but then the look has fled, and she's digging in.

... And blinking. ]

This is...

[insolvent]

[ he had to bring his A game, and tomatoes are his A game. one day you'll understand, elle!!

though for now his attention is more focused on yang. this was all to earn her approval, wasn't it? or something like that... actually he isn't really sure why he was so fired up earlier. but still, he just kind of stares, waiting for her to finish that thought. ] Is...?

[foodcritic]

Really yummy, right?

[it's the only acceptable response, as far as elle is concerned. she's following it up with a forkful of spaghetti. she doesn't really catch yang's brief look of sadness, just everything else.]

[flaredo]

... Yeah. [ And she'll take another spoonful of soup before she grins. ] This is amazing, Ludger!

[insolvent]

[ okay, he passed. not that really doubted he would, but still a weight off his shoulders. ]

I am a pro. [ sort of. ]