warmwood, evening 2; tsukiyama + siebold

[lasuaspada]

[He doesn't want to go home after the trial. Not immediately, anyway; there are several reasons why, none of which he really wants to get into or think about very much.

But the fact is that Siebold is a friend and more importantly, Siebold had abstained; he'd even suggested using the Avenger to knock him out instead of sending him to the flames. Even if Tsukiyama isn't trusted, for whatever reason the guy hadn't wanted to kill him, either.

It's...odd, in its own way. Another thing he doesn't really want to think about.

But he'll enter that restaurant after the trial; he doesn't want to go home, but being alone isn't high on his list of things he really wants to do, either. He's trying to keep his tone light, along with his expression; it's something he's always been good at doing.]

Siebold-san?

Comments

[culinarian]

[ Siebold was so relieved when they ended up abstaining; he's rather fond of Tsukiyama and he would have hated to see him thrown to the flames. Perhaps it wasn't the most sound decision, but he is a goddamn Pokémon and therefore no one should criticize him.

He's not doing anything important when Tsukiyama enters the restaurant - he's offering PokéPuffs to his sea serpent, watching it devour the snacks and make happy noises. You can practically see the Amie hearts coming out of it. ]

Tsukiyama. How are you feeling?

[lasuaspada]

[...jesus, that thing is practically exuding hearts, it's mildly disturbing.]

I've...been better, amore, but it's nothing that some fleeting pleasure won't fix.

Are you still interested in cooking something for me?

[culinarian]

[ my little gyarados can't be this cute tbh ]

Of course I am.

[lasuaspada]

I'd like to take you up on it, then.

[culinarian]

You are positive you can handle it, then? Very well. What should I cook for you?

[lasuaspada]

...Make something you like as well. I'd like to make a proper night of it, if you don't mind.

[culinarian]

Hm. I shall make spinach and mushroom spaghetti... And for dessert, a chocolate soufflé.

[lasuaspada]

...I'd like that.

[If for no better reason than he's fairly sure he can actually eat that without...too much of an open incident and/or massive amounts of difficulty.]

[culinarian]

[ And this is now the most elegant timeskip the world as even seen. The pasta is beautifully plated, the candles on the table are lit and Siebold has just poured two glasses of wine. ]

[lasuaspada]

[That was a truly elegant timeskip, sir, and let's be honest with ourselves Tsukiyama was probably chinhandsing at you the entire time you were making that lovely arrangement there.

It's been a while since he's been on an outing like this with someone he wasn't grooming to be eaten later - since he's done this just because he wanted to, because he enjoyed someone's company. He thinks the last one may have been Kamishiro-san, and that...

(I find your cute little human pretense completely absurd. Don't you, Gourmet-kun?)

...It hadn't gone well.

But tonight is going to go well if it kills him, and even if it does (and good lord everything here looks really rich so it may, in fact, actually kill him) then it will have been worth it.]

I appreciate your doing this for me, Siebold-san. It's nice to get my mind off of everything that happened earlier.

[culinarian]

I do not know how he did it, but Kimblee managed to turn the tide in his favor. You brushed against death's door today, Tsukiyama.

[ He picks up the fork and begins to eat, savoring the rich flavors and textures. The mushrooms are perfectly cooked; not underdone and dry but also not overdone and shriveled, and the mushroom flavor permeates the sauce. ]

[lasuaspada]

I actually don't know either. Even if we assume the demons were with him today, I would think most wouldn't be so swayed by his argument after he'd just been outed as a liar.

[He doesn't begin to eat just yet, though he does begin picking at it a bit while he thinks.]

...You do believe me, don't you? Regarding whether I'm a demon or not.

[culinarian]

Kimblee is cunning and charismatic. I suppose that is why he could continue to sway the others even after his lies were exposed.

[ He pauses, and then nods. ]

Yes, I do.

[lasuaspada]

...It's a relief to hear that, amore, you have no idea.

[He does eat a bit then, and to his credit he doesn't seem bothered at all while doing so. He's not nearly as in-practice as some ghouls are at eating in front of humans, and in fact he avoids doing it at all when he can; even as being a ghoul goes, his feeding habits are seen as being picky to the point of looking bizarre. But it's a skill he's picked up regardless, and even if he's a bit slow at it, it's still within the realm of looking acceptable, especially since he'd told the man in front of him that he's physically fragile as hell.]

Ah - Siebold-san, this is...favoloso, it's fantastic! The tastes are all highly distinct without one or another being overpowering, and the interplay of the mushrooms and the sauce is extremely well-balanced, which is highly difficult with something so rich - I'm impressed, very much so.

[culinarian]

[ You know, for somebody who has no idea what the hell he's talking about you know just the right things to say. Hearing Tsukiyama talk culinary to him is like music to Siebold's ears. ]

Thank you, Tsukiyama. I labour tirelessly to create wonderful meals, and you understand my works and my passion so well. Cooking isn't just about filling one's stomach – do not get me wrong, that is also important – it's also an art and an experience. Taste is merely one component; a stunning presentation is crucial because it flavors our expectations and we begin to eat with our eyes before we have taken the first bite.

[ ...He has so many thoughts about this stuff. ]