They say it's not a date but....

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

WHO: Saori, Kaiji, and you [open!]
WHAT: Saori and Kaiji have a dinner and everyone's allowed to harass them
WHEN: Nov 7th, late afternoon to night
WHERE: Hotel kitchen and lounge.
RATING: PG to PG-13
NOTES: 2-part plus joint post. Go crazy guys.


A. Saori left work quickly and had already went to the market to purchase the ingredients she needed for her special dinner. After that was done, she went straight to the hotel's kitchen. Some chopping and seasoning later, her beef stew was simmering away in a pot. While that was going she was getting ready with the side dishes.

B. Much later, near their appointed time, Saori messaged Kaiji to come down to the hotel's lounge when he was ready. There would be stew, dinner rolls, salad and of course, the moat important thing of all, a good beer to match with it.

Comments

B

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

Kaiji was only a few minutes late, probably unsurprisingly. He didn't come empty-handed at least - he carried a small box from one of the local bakeries. Etiquette wasn't his thing, but he figured he should bring something, and probably not booze. He was pleasantly surprised at the dinner Saori had put out. It's not often Kaiji gets a home cooked meal.

"Hey. You didn't have to do all this. Looks great, though. Um, here. I brought this." Kaiji handed Saori the box. Inside was half a dozen chocolate chip cookies.

B:

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

Garviel is reading a large leather-bound book in the lounge, and sipping red wine as he does so. He looks up at Kaiji, and Saori, and just nods gruffly.

"Good evening to the both of you."

As for whether he understands what they're doing, well, recent events with Nero have given him more insight to men and women, and why they spend time together.

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

Saori had just finished setting up when she heard Kaiji's voice.

"I'm glad you could make it. Like I said before, I like cooking for others, Kaiji," Saori beamed at him. "Oh wow, I recognize this bakery. They do make some really good stuff! Thank you for bringing this over. Please, have a seat and you can start if you like while I go and plate this."

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

"Ah, good evening, Mr. Loken. How long were you there?" Saori didn't even remember hearing Garviel come in. She wasn't really expecting anyone else to be in the louge because she figured people would be getting ready to head out for the Dark Hour.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, sure. Figured I should at least contribute somethin'. You sure you don't need any help?"

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

How did Kaiji miss the giant man sitting there? Garviel could certainly slip into the background well.

"Oh, hey. We're not, uh... bothering you, are we?" Kaiji wasn't sure how to feel about the whole situation, especially with other people around. Like he couldn't be awkward enough as it was.

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

Mostly because Garviel used to be a Space Marine Scout, and is thus pretty darn stealthy. Especially when he's just sitting there reading.

"No. By all means, continue whatever it is you were doing. I was simply passing the time with a book."

A

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

Coming in from a long day of deliveries and getting yelled at, Miki waltzes in, drawn by the smell of cooking food.

"You're cooking again! This seems a bit more complicated than noodles."

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

Saori was in the middle of taste testing her stew when Miki came in. Naturally, she smiled and waved. After finding out Miki's impression of Kaiji well...weren't the greatest in the world, she would have to keep the fact she was making the stew for him a secret.

"Hey, Miki. Yeah, it's beef stew tonight."

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

"Well, if you don't object to us being here, I guess it's alright. Just let us know if we do bother you though." At least Saori could trust Garviel to not broadcast this whole event to everyone. Then again, she sort of did that already so it wasn't so much a secret anymore.

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

It smells good! I hope you aren't just making it all for yourself!

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I'm good. Oh wait, we need glasses for the beer. One second. Make yourself comfortable, Kaiji!" Saori briskly headed back into kitchen. A minute later, she returned with some of the cookies on a plate and two chilled glasses.

"Alright, I think it's safe to say we can start."

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

"It's for someone else and myself but I'll save an extra for you if you like," Saori laughed. She had a feeling Miki really wanted a taste from it.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

"Cool. This all looks great, by the way. Smells great, too." A meal like this was pretty rare in Kaiji's life, especially back home. It was a nice change.

Not knowing what else to do with himself, he went ahead and pulled out the chairs. He felt weird just standing there doing nothing while Saori got everything together.

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

"Thanks! Is this for the same guy you made the noodles for the first time you cooked here?"

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

"Anytime. Oh, you mean Kanda? No, it's actually for someone else." Saori looked up at the clock, she had about half an hour until the appointed time. Now she had to figure out how to get Miki away before she saw Kaiji.

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

"Haha, you are always making food for someone else. One of these day's I'm gonna have to cook for you to give you a break."

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

"Um, there's a lot of food, if you're interested. Or... cookies, at least."

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

"Well, I love cooking for others, so it's natural for me to do this sort of thing," Saori laughed sheepishly. "So what sort of things do you cook?"

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," Saori smiled. She went ahead and poured him a glass. "Please, you take first. You're my guest after all."

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

Ramen mostly. I can do a lot of Chinese food too, since that's what my mother's restaurant originally served.

[genius-idiot.livejournal.com]

He grinned a little as he took the glass. "No way. Ain't it 'ladies first'?"

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

"Okay, those are some of the few things I can't do as well. I could learn something from watching you make some time if that's alright." Then an idea came to her mind. "Do you mind tasting for me? I'd like a second opinion."

[nomammano.livejournal.com]

"Sure! It's not that hard, you just need a good fire for Chinese food. Lemme get a spoon to try your stew!"

Miki hunts around for a few moments for some loose tableware and returns with a spoon, ready to taste.

[needsteaplz.livejournal.com]

Saori opened the pot to reveal the stew inside. It was a simple beef stew with the usual vegetables and meat. "Here you go. Let me know how it is."