![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[He has no idea which word was the magic word and that concerns him little bit, but still.]
I'll be there in 10 minutes.
[True to his word, he shows up in the kitchen 10 minutes later wearing plain sweat pants and a gray T-shirt that says "Shenanigan Enthusiast." But notably no hoodie, for once.]
I'll be there in 10 minutes.
[True to his word, he shows up in the kitchen 10 minutes later wearing plain sweat pants and a gray T-shirt that says "Shenanigan Enthusiast." But notably no hoodie, for once.]
Edited (Formatting hiccup) 2023-07-15 02:32 (UTC)
[ His arrival earns a quick turn, and a quicker bark of laughter at the shirt. ] Bro! I told you to wear your worst griz, what are you doing here in that finery?
[ It's a joking admonishment and Jake follows it up with a quick wave over to the counter. ]
So what kinda dango are we making here? The sweet kind, the salty kind, the eggy kind... I got the rundown from Finn via Itachi a while back. Fun fact, that dude loves this stuff.
[ It's a joking admonishment and Jake follows it up with a quick wave over to the counter. ]
So what kinda dango are we making here? The sweet kind, the salty kind, the eggy kind... I got the rundown from Finn via Itachi a while back. Fun fact, that dude loves this stuff.
T-shirts are easy to come by here.
[He told him to wear something he didn’t care about, and t-shirts are plentiful at supply drops. Even if this one is pretty amusing.
He quirks an eyebrow at the information about Itachi, though.]
Does he? Huh.
[Anyway, to answer the question:]
The sweet kind.
[He told him to wear something he didn’t care about, and t-shirts are plentiful at supply drops. Even if this one is pretty amusing.
He quirks an eyebrow at the information about Itachi, though.]
Does he? Huh.
[Anyway, to answer the question:]
The sweet kind.
I could've guessed that. You've got a major sweet tooth, pal. [ He laughs, pushing a large bowl of rice flour, a smaller bowl of sillken tofu, and a few other dry ingredients measured out in front of Chishiya -- identical to his own setup. ]
So I did ya the favor of measuring these out for ya already. You combine all these together, add a cup of water, then start mixing. A lot of mixing. [ He holds up two wooden spoons before stretching one of them towards Chishiya. ] It gets hella sticky, wood is your friend.
So I did ya the favor of measuring these out for ya already. You combine all these together, add a cup of water, then start mixing. A lot of mixing. [ He holds up two wooden spoons before stretching one of them towards Chishiya. ] It gets hella sticky, wood is your friend.
[Oh, good, Jake thinks he's doing this for himself. Perfect. Maybe he won't have to explain himself after all.]
I guess I do.
[Not as major a sweet tooth as Alina's but he won't deny that it's there.
He takes the offered wooden spoon from Jake.]
I'm not surprised.
[That it gets sticky. It's about what he'd expect given the chewy texture of the final product.]
So you learned how to make this here?
[It sounded that way, if he learned about Dango via Itachi's preference for it.]
I guess I do.
[Not as major a sweet tooth as Alina's but he won't deny that it's there.
He takes the offered wooden spoon from Jake.]
I'm not surprised.
[That it gets sticky. It's about what he'd expect given the chewy texture of the final product.]
So you learned how to make this here?
[It sounded that way, if he learned about Dango via Itachi's preference for it.]
Sure did. [ Jake responds mildly, getting started on adding the ingredients. Chishiya was plenty observant; he trusted him to pick up without being told that he should follow along. ] Best part about being here. You pull in enough people from different worlds, they bring a lot of new recipes with 'em.
[ He pours in the sugar, stirring it in with the spoon. ]
This is a Japanese recipe, right? Did you just get a sudden craving for home or something?
[ He pours in the sugar, stirring it in with the spoon. ]
This is a Japanese recipe, right? Did you just get a sudden craving for home or something?
[He watches Jake carefully and copies the steps he takes as he responds.]
Well, something like that.
[It's at least partially true. Between the Ximilia and Borderland he's learned to miss certain aspects of the culture he grew up with. He still has a preference for Japanese flavors, and if he's going to learn to cook something, even at someone else's request, he'd rather it be Japanese food he focuses on.
There's more to it, of course, but he does jump to explain it. At least not yet.
Well, something like that.
[It's at least partially true. Between the Ximilia and Borderland he's learned to miss certain aspects of the culture he grew up with. He still has a preference for Japanese flavors, and if he's going to learn to cook something, even at someone else's request, he'd rather it be Japanese food he focuses on.
There's more to it, of course, but he does jump to explain it. At least not yet.
（ normally, he resists the urge to roll his eyes.
but jake is blind. his secret is safe. those borrowed, high-end uchiha eyeballs? rolled. 'do your worst', like he's not just a living embodiment of the navy seal copypasta, smh.
he reaches out, both disinterested in and inclined to giving the dog a pat. while he may be fond of animals — there is a division in his mind between one that can speak of the way you've treated it gently and one that can't. instead, he just settles his hand against the back of jake's neck, and summons a wisp of healing chakra. it will feel like the warmth of a summer's day, soft and ephemeral — and while he can't reduce the pain entirely, he does lessen its cruel hold somewhat. ）
but jake is blind. his secret is safe. those borrowed, high-end uchiha eyeballs? rolled. 'do your worst', like he's not just a living embodiment of the navy seal copypasta, smh.
he reaches out, both disinterested in and inclined to giving the dog a pat. while he may be fond of animals — there is a division in his mind between one that can speak of the way you've treated it gently and one that can't. instead, he just settles his hand against the back of jake's neck, and summons a wisp of healing chakra. it will feel like the warmth of a summer's day, soft and ephemeral — and while he can't reduce the pain entirely, he does lessen its cruel hold somewhat. ）
[ While it may not be a pet in the traditional sense, it certainly has the same effect. It's not something Jake is so sure he can share with humans, at least not exactly. How could he explain the trance-like state that takes hold at the nostalgic ministrations of a hand against your belly, or behind your ears, or at the base of your back just above your tail? It made Jake think of baths from his mother and the sunniest spot on the floor and that pleasant moment between a nap and waking.
This wasn't quite like that. For one, Itachi's hand was stationary. For another, for that whole thing to work usually the person doing the petting kinda had to want to be there; though, Jake couldn't help admitting that second thought was more a pity party than a fact. And besides... whatever the touch was, and however freely it was given, it was doing the trick. Jake could feel his anxiety ebbing along with his pain, blotchy color slowly fading from swirling gray blurs to the steely blues of the abandoned quarters.
Without realizing it, Jake's hind leg starts to bob. ]
Dang, Itachi. You undersold yourself, this griz is working a treat.
This wasn't quite like that. For one, Itachi's hand was stationary. For another, for that whole thing to work usually the person doing the petting kinda had to want to be there; though, Jake couldn't help admitting that second thought was more a pity party than a fact. And besides... whatever the touch was, and however freely it was given, it was doing the trick. Jake could feel his anxiety ebbing along with his pain, blotchy color slowly fading from swirling gray blurs to the steely blues of the abandoned quarters.
Without realizing it, Jake's hind leg starts to bob. ]
Dang, Itachi. You undersold yourself, this griz is working a treat.
[ Unfortunately, he doesn't need to. The man's coyness was practically its own language, and one that Jake had gotten pretty good at reading over their time spent together. With an eyebrow raised, Jake's stirring hand slows just slightly. ]
Care to be more specific, or am I supposed to start guessing?
Care to be more specific, or am I supposed to start guessing?
You already made a guess.
[His tone is dry. He could tell him to keep trying, and he actually does consider that, but realizes Jake would probably be as annoying as possible about it.
He sighs as he continues to stir.]
Alina expressed an interest in my cooking.
[He says it casually like it's totally normal for him to go to this amount of trouble because someone expressed a passing interest.]
[His tone is dry. He could tell him to keep trying, and he actually does consider that, but realizes Jake would probably be as annoying as possible about it.
He sighs as he continues to stir.]
Alina expressed an interest in my cooking.
[He says it casually like it's totally normal for him to go to this amount of trouble because someone expressed a passing interest.]
Edited (My formatting is cursed in this thread) 2023-07-23 20:23 (UTC)
[ Is it more or less frustrating that Jake doesn't seem to react at all at the name? Well, scratch that. There's a reaction, however uncharacteristically subtle. As Jake continues stirring the mochi flower, his smile twinges slightly into a half grin. Almost like he's about to laugh. ]
Is that right. [ He asks, taking great pains to sound casual. ] And how'd she get the impression you knew how to cook, brother?
Is that right. [ He asks, taking great pains to sound casual. ] And how'd she get the impression you knew how to cook, brother?
[ There's only one thing embarrassing in dog culture: being a bad one. Itachi doesn't say the dreaded words themselves, but he can't quite fight the tug at his chest at the man's regrettably correct assessment. ]
Solid burn, bro. Gotta give it up. [ Jake's voice sounds genuinely admiring, body relaxing further under Itachi's touch. It's with the clumsy probing of a still blind dog that he extends a paw towards his friend's voice, crawling carefully from his makeshift den and towards him. Jake isn't so bold as to settle into Itachi's lap, however tempting it is. Instead, Jake lays directly alongside the man's leg, leeching his warmth with a heavy lean. ]
But for what it's worth I don't...[ Jake yawns. It's a large one, swallowing up the back half of his sentiment. It also seems to swallow Jake's focus, paw rubbing wearily at one of his large eyes. ] I could fall asleep right here, man.
Solid burn, bro. Gotta give it up. [ Jake's voice sounds genuinely admiring, body relaxing further under Itachi's touch. It's with the clumsy probing of a still blind dog that he extends a paw towards his friend's voice, crawling carefully from his makeshift den and towards him. Jake isn't so bold as to settle into Itachi's lap, however tempting it is. Instead, Jake lays directly alongside the man's leg, leeching his warmth with a heavy lean. ]
But for what it's worth I don't...[ Jake yawns. It's a large one, swallowing up the back half of his sentiment. It also seems to swallow Jake's focus, paw rubbing wearily at one of his large eyes. ] I could fall asleep right here, man.
[He'd rather he not react, so that's good actually. Until Chishiya notices him smiling. That's a little irritating. He narrows his eyes slightly.]
I can cook a few things.
[He mutters because he can, in fact, cook well enough to feed himself, but he doesn’t feel good enough about it to feel confident cooking for someone else.
And he definitely never learned how to make mochi or anything like that. Which she specifically asked for.]
I actually told her I couldn't. But then she seemed...disappointed.
[Even as he says it he realizes that this sounds the opposite of casual. Hm.]
Anyway, I like challenging myself sometimes.
[Nailed it.]
I can cook a few things.
[He mutters because he can, in fact, cook well enough to feed himself, but he doesn’t feel good enough about it to feel confident cooking for someone else.
And he definitely never learned how to make mochi or anything like that. Which she specifically asked for.]
I actually told her I couldn't. But then she seemed...disappointed.
[Even as he says it he realizes that this sounds the opposite of casual. Hm.]
Anyway, I like challenging myself sometimes.
[Nailed it.]
Edited 2023-07-29 09:44 (UTC)
（ the... encroachment upon his territory does not go unnoticed, but itachi does not shift away. he lacks wei ying's aversion to dogs, but they are still not exactly his favourite four-legged creature.
he does, maybe, just maybe scritch at jake's ears just a tiny bit.
an old reflex, from when he worked alongside pakkun, maybe. ）
You should. I doubt you have gotten much rest in your condition. I will watch over you, if you wish.
he does, maybe, just maybe scritch at jake's ears just a tiny bit.
an old reflex, from when he worked alongside pakkun, maybe. ）
You should. I doubt you have gotten much rest in your condition. I will watch over you, if you wish.
[ Nailed it. Jake definitely isn't snorting into his flour as he begins mixing. ]
Mind if I run that story back to you, just to get your take? [ Jake begins, lightly enough, feeling the dough's texture and holding it out to Chishiya ("Feel that," he instructs in a quick aside, "It should feel like that when you're done"). ] Okay, so. This girl you hang out with constantly asks if you can cook, you tell the girl who hangs out with you constantly 'no', the girl you hang out with constantly seems suddenly disappointed aaaand....
[ Flour mixture divided into three bowls, Jake begins adding the flavorings with only a quick glance up in Chishiya's direction. ]
Now you're out here challenging yourself, completely independent from Alina's big doe eyes? Now I asks ya, pal, if I told you that story would you think I'm full of it or what?
Mind if I run that story back to you, just to get your take? [ Jake begins, lightly enough, feeling the dough's texture and holding it out to Chishiya ("Feel that," he instructs in a quick aside, "It should feel like that when you're done"). ] Okay, so. This girl you hang out with constantly asks if you can cook, you tell the girl who hangs out with you constantly 'no', the girl you hang out with constantly seems suddenly disappointed aaaand....
[ Flour mixture divided into three bowls, Jake begins adding the flavorings with only a quick glance up in Chishiya's direction. ]
Now you're out here challenging yourself, completely independent from Alina's big doe eyes? Now I asks ya, pal, if I told you that story would you think I'm full of it or what?
[He focuses on the dough, patting it at Jake's instruction and making a mental note of the texture. Though he's listening to the rest of what Jake says, too. In spite of himself, honestly.
Okay, maybe Jake has a point. Maybe Chishiya even knew that this would happen. Still, he doesn't answer Jake's question at the end, instead he says:]
I don't hang out with her constantly.
[Sometimes, he does other things. Like work in the infirmary and tinker in the lab. He people watches and trolls the network. He eats cookies and listens to tier talks. He takes naps.]
Okay, maybe Jake has a point. Maybe Chishiya even knew that this would happen. Still, he doesn't answer Jake's question at the end, instead he says:]
I don't hang out with her constantly.
[Sometimes, he does other things. Like work in the infirmary and tinker in the lab. He people watches and trolls the network. He eats cookies and listens to tier talks. He takes naps.]
Edited 2023-08-13 23:05 (UTC)
[ All this before coffee, huh? Welp. Alright, then. ]
I mean listen, you’re not giving me much to work with, saying “not mouth”. There are a whole lotta parts of people that aren’t mouths. You could be talking as high as thirteen here, but, ah…
[ Wobbly mental text transforms into a face, looking up from his cot. It was rare to see Jake asleep this late in the morning, but he’d been keeping odder hours aboard the ship. More hungover hours, too. ]
Since you’re saying one and a half, I’m guessing you mean the cheeks above the belt not below it.
I mean listen, you’re not giving me much to work with, saying “not mouth”. There are a whole lotta parts of people that aren’t mouths. You could be talking as high as thirteen here, but, ah…
[ Wobbly mental text transforms into a face, looking up from his cot. It was rare to see Jake asleep this late in the morning, but he’d been keeping odder hours aboard the ship. More hungover hours, too. ]
Since you’re saying one and a half, I’m guessing you mean the cheeks above the belt not below it.
Ha, ha.
[It's only fair for him to turn his video on, too. Yujin's out of his cot and in a wood-paneled room filled with thick volumes and cloudy glass bottles: turns out a ship surgeon's duties don't wait for him when he's also hungover. One drink for courage had become a few more to celebrate his own boldness with the rest of the crew, and, well... 44-year-old Yujin isn't made of the same stuff as he was before.
He raises an eyebrow, but outside of looking a bit tired, his expression's unreadable.]
Neither. Let's say the hand. Theoretically.
[It's only fair for him to turn his video on, too. Yujin's out of his cot and in a wood-paneled room filled with thick volumes and cloudy glass bottles: turns out a ship surgeon's duties don't wait for him when he's also hungover. One drink for courage had become a few more to celebrate his own boldness with the rest of the crew, and, well... 44-year-old Yujin isn't made of the same stuff as he was before.
He raises an eyebrow, but outside of looking a bit tired, his expression's unreadable.]
Neither. Let's say the hand. Theoretically.
Page 6 of 7