2nd VHS

[ai_can_cook]

Who: Ai Amano, anybody else.
When: June 18, afternoon
Where: Park.
Style: Whichever. I can roll with whichever.
Status: OPEN


[Ai mostly kept to herself since coming to Vatheon, since she was mostly soaking everything in. The first curse was more fun than a curse to her, and now that it was over she sort of missed it. In any case, she found out where her brand was, and managed to somehow get used to life in this city. Sitting on a blanket in the park, Ai laid out some food she made and began snacking a bit, taking in the calm atmosphere. A bit more dull than she was used to, but at least it was peaceful. For now.]

Comments

[bufudine]

[There's a familiar face! Serph hadn't seen Ai since the capture the flag tournament and he'd like to get to know her better.

When he approaches, he greets her with a nod.]

Mind if I join you?

[The black tattoo on his face that had been missing during the tournament is back in its proper place on his left cheek.]

[ai_can_cook]

[Ai cheerfully stands up and waves in greeting]

Hey there, Serph! No, I don't mind at all!

[people who were beaten in a sporting event weren't usually this friendly, but Ai wasn't one to look a friendly face (?) in the mouth]

I kinda brought too much for myself, so if you want to eat something, feel free to take it!

[bufudine]

[Serph's certainly a friendly face! Even if his tattoo has several sharp teeth. He nods in acceptance of her offer and takes a seat on the blanket. However, he doesn't take anything just yet, gesturing at the spread of food instead.]

What are all these?

[His shopping trip with Tiir has shown him that he really doesn't know the names of almost all the food he eats.]

[ai_can_cook]

[... that, and he's a cannibal? lol]

Well, this one's takoyaki, and this one's hot-dogs cut up to look like mini-octopii, and these are sandwiches...

[Ai goes on listing off her dishes. she doesn't usually make this much, but there wasn't much else to do than practice her cooking]

A lot of it I haven't made before, but so far they've proven to be edible!

[bufudine]

[Shhh no one needs to know that.

Serph patiently listens to her, making mental notes on what's what. But at the last part, he tilts his head. Ah...]

You cooked all this?

[He's cooked once! ...It was difficult. Which makes him all the more amazed. He reaches for the takoyaki.]

Is this your hobby?

[ai_can_cook]

Well, yeah, I guess! About a year and a half ago I was a terrible cook despite being advertised as a great one, so I had to learn the hard way. I mean, it looked good but apparently the end result was still inedible. C'est la vie.

[Ai shrugs]

I made sure to use actual octopus in the takoyaki this time, though.

[bufudine]

[Advertised...? He keeps that thought aside for later and eats the takoyaki. The only indication that he likes it is a small, pleased sound before he swallows.]

What did you use last time?

[Is it story time?]

[ai_can_cook]

Oh, just... you know, things here and there!

[at the time, she was so focused on just the appearance that the taste took a hit... oops.]

Thank goodness I got over that phase... you know, eventually. Cooking is hard, but a lot of fun!

[it's not really a good story, but Ai was lucky enough to have had a guinea pig when she was still practicing]

[bufudine]

[It's a story that doesn't have a sad ending, so that automatically makes Ai's story better than all the stories he's heard. But Serph nods in agreement; he's only cooked once under supervision and that was pretty tough!

He reaches for a sandwich, which gets halfway to his mouth before a thought occurs to him.]

If you enjoy cooking, Yosuke is hiring a cook for his bar.

[Otoha, he means. Also, excuse Serph's bad table manners; he kind of shoves the whole sandwich in his mouth.]

[ai_can_cook]

Whoa, someone has a healthy appetite!

[Ai's pretty amazed. Not even Yota liked her cooking this much!]

Hmm. I guess I could use something to do around here. Thanks for the heads up, Serph!

[she waits for him to finish chewing before moving on]

So, how long have you been here?

[bufudine]

[More like an insatiable appetite. And Serph was never taught good table manners, unfortunately. At least he swallows the food before he answers her question after nodding to accept the thanks.]

Nearly five months.

[...Wow, that long, huh...]

Have you been here long?

[He hadn't seen her around before the tournament, but Serph can't say he knows everyone living in Vatheon.]

[ai_can_cook]

A couple of weeks...?

[Ai counts the days on her fingers, as if that helped]

I still consider myself pretty new, but I've settled in fairly well.

[bufudine]

[Serph nods. Ai certainly seems to be doing well enough! He reaches for a hot dog before he speaks again.]

Have you been on the island yet?

[Because that's really the most important place in this world. Also that hot dog? It's pretty much getting eaten whole.]

[ai_can_cook]

The island?

[Ai tilts her head]

No, I haven't. Is it filled with good-tasting things?

[bufudine]

[Uhhhhhhhhhhh. Serph thinks about that for a moment.]

I see many fish out in the water.

[He's learnt that fish is used in cooking!]

But there are no shops.

[Because all food is either made by foreigners or 'sold' in local stores, right?]

[ai_can_cook]

Gee, Serph, what kind of world do you come from if you sound so baffled by talking about something as ordinary as this?

[Ai takes note at how he's eating. He's got a healthy appetite, to say the least. But anyone who eats her cooking can't be all bad.]

I know! I could try to teach you how to cook! They say the best way to reinforce what you know is by teaching it, right?

[bufudine]

[...Actually he's already got a teacher, but Serph sees absolutely no problem with having two teachers! He nods.]

I'd like that.

[Though, to answer what was probably a rhetorical question...]

Food like this doesn't exist in my world.

[ai_can_cook]

Really? You're really missing out! Food is about half of life's pleasures! Though I hear there's a rather major debate on the other half.

[Yeah, well, Ai knows that men typically consider the other half sex]

There's tons of stuff, like fried bread, ice cream, takoyaki, curry, french fries... the list goes on and on!

[prominence_glow]

Ai! Hey, Ai!

[Yep, sure is Lea, jumping a little and waving enthusiastically a small ways away.]

[ai_can_cook]

Oh, hey Lea!

[Ai waves backs, standing up and jumping. enthusiasm ahoy!]

You hungry! I got food!

[she says it enticingly, as she beckons him over]