A Thousand Sugar Stars, Oh Put Them in a Jar (October Catch-All)

[ricebird]

Characters: Kotori Iida [Sweet Porridge Girl], Della Duck [Icarus], Master Crane [Crane (Tsuru no Ongaeshi)], Disciple [Jekyll and Hyde], and YOU!
Campaign: Break
Format: Starting with brackets, but will match
One Open, Two Closed
Summary: Kotori comes back from a brief trip home, makes lots of tasty food with people, and wakes up at an ungodly early hour to train. (Oh, also, Hyde happens.)


A. I Looked at the World Through Apple Eyes (Closed to Della Duck and Master Crane)

[Wild and unpredictable as restoring The Little Mermaid had been, Kotori is very, VERY glad the ending turned out happy, with not a speck of mermaid-derived seafoam in sight. Coming back to the Index and seeing the city dressed in autumn colors, though… is it already close to a year since the Storyteller first brought them here? Close to a year since she last saw home… She should fix that.

So after telling a few of her closer friends and asking them to watch her place and let any other Aspects who ask know so no one panics ROXAS, she asks the Storyteller to send her home, just for a little while. By Index time, she’s only gone a few days; in Japan, it’d only been a few weeks. It was… weird being back in a completely normal world after spending a year here. Going through school, cooking more with Inuzuka-sensei and Tsumugi-chan, her mom working hard again. Shinobu had even been visiting her during lunch break lately, even if it felt a bit awkward not telling her about cooking with the Inuzukas… or this place, for that matter. The remembered it vividly for a few days, but… then started writing it off as a dream. Huh. The whole business is weird, really, like the time differences, and her feelings for…

But she can think about all that later. The Storyteller brought her back in late at night it seems, and she’s already really tired. One good thing about all her schooling being left at home is that she can sleep in as late as she wants tomorrow. …… Which, if her memories of the Index had been a little fresher, she’d remember as having scheduled a certain meeting with a certain duck. This should be interesting.]


B. And Cut Myself a Slice of Sunshine Pie (Open)

[Between this new routine of cooking sessions with the Inuzukas, her pot’s new shapeshifting ability, the pub’s brand new kitchen, and actually having a recipe collection to work with, and creating the massive feast during the ball, Kotori’s not only started getting used to cooking with other people, she’s actually starting to crave it even more than she had been. So whether she asks you herself, or you ask to come over to practice a recipe (especially for a date coming up~), from late morning to a little bit into the evening, Kotori’s available to make just about anything.

Or maybe you smelled good food inside and decided to invite yourself into this strangely cauldron-shaped pub. (Especially if it involves daikon GOBO.) Those in this category might be confused to see that the space is clean and well-kept, if rustic, there doesn't seem to be much of a crowd. In fact, the only person here is a teenage girl, in the middle of cleaning the kitchen in the back, sweeping and polishing the floors and counters up front, or sitting down at the bar for a meal for one, depending on what time of day you catch her.

Still, yes, Kotori’s door is open, so come on in, cook, and eat!]


C. I Danced with the Peanut Butterflies (Closed to Disciple)

[Of course, even with how fun these cooking lessons are, a little quite time in between is always nice. (Not to mention kitchens don’t clean themselves…) So after doing some sweeping and mopping for the day, Kotori’s sitting at the bar counter with a nice, simple dinner with a steaming bowl of nyuumen and a cup of hot green tea. Perfect for a cool, peaceful autumn day like this… ……. Okay but maybe a miniature apple charlotte after this would be nice. After seconds, of course.]


D. Till Time Went and Told Me to Say Hello but Wave Goodbye (Wildcard)

[[Got something in find other than the prompts listed here? Feel free to hit me up on Plurk or Discord so we can plot!]]

Comments

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Boy, does she ever. Della stammers half-finished apologies and reassurances as Kotori gets herself all wrapped up, before wincing as the kiddo falls to the floor.]

Ooh, you forgot about training, didn't you?

[ricebird]

T-training.....?

[..... Oh geez, THAT thing. (Honestly, though, maybe a small part of her was hoping the somewhat (heh) Della would forget herself...)]

A-ah, right, training! That thing! Yeah, I remember, I just... [yaaawn] didn't know it'd be... so early...?

[#nailed-it]

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Della gives an amused snort and shrugs.]

Well, we want to have enough time, don't we? [Especially since she clearly has a lot to teach Kotori!] Do you need help getting, uh, out of that?

[ricebird]

Ah, no no, it's okay. I'll um... go get dressed, if you want to wait downstairs, Della-san.

[Please at least let her eat breakfast first...]

[noimpulsecontrol]

Sure thing!

[Della starts to back out of the room - then stops for a moment, grinning.]

I'll make us breakfast while I wait! We're going to need to keep our strength up!

[ricebird]

[Wait, WHAT?]

Oh no, it's okay, really! I don't mind cooking breakfast, you're going to be training me after all!

[Half of it is offering to be polite and not be any more trouble. (Plus, really, it's what her powers are for, it's literally no trouble.) The other half is... a sudden little yellow flag going up in her brain. She's never really seen Della cook before, let alone in an unfamiliar kitchen...]

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Della blinks a couple of time before shrugging. If Kotori wants to cook, she's not going to say no - it'll give her more time to prepare!]

Well, if you say so! I'll be outside, setting up.

[ricebird]

[Kotori gives the duck a wave before she retreats. Phew... ......... Wait, what does she mean by "set up outside...?"

Ugh, no... Kotori pinches her cheek both to wake herself up. Why is she being like this, Della's just trying to help... Stop whining and trust her...

With another sigh, she picks out an outfit and goes into the little bathroom to brush her hair and put in her contacts and such. In a few minutes, Kotori comes down the stairs in one of her peasant dresses with her hair in a low ponytail, still yawning a little. She doesn't really have much in the way of exercise clothes, at least not here, but she should probably earn how to fight in things she'd wear regularly, right?]

What do you want for breakfast, Della-san? I can make a few different types of porridge, doughnuts, or I can do a more Japanese style breakfast with rice, miso soup, and something else.

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Della is just outside the door of Kotori's place, but she hears her question and jogs back into the pub, jogging in place as she answers. Gotta stay pumped!]

Well, whatever you want is fine! But protein and carbs are a good idea!

[ricebird]

[Della, what are you doing out there? Is everyone else in the commercial district gonna stare?

But for now, Kotori's too tired and hungry to care anymore. After some mulling over what SHE wants, she goes over to go grab some bowls, chopsticks (and some silverware if Della wants that instead), and her donabe, and set them on the counter. And putting the kettle on the stove for some tea. Kotori has a feeling she'll need the caffeine.]

Cook, Nabe-chan, cook! [Very quickly, the pot begins to fill up with fluffy white rice until it looks to be enough for two people.] Stop, Nabe-chan! [With a wooden paddle she scoops the rice into two (very tall) mounds in two of the bowls, and once the pot looks clear of rice, Kotori asks the pot to cook again. This time light but savory miso soup bubbles up out of nowhere, loaded with vegetables and slices of pork shoulder. One more round, and the two largest bowls are filled with a simple but very delicious stew with squid, taro, and okra. After setting the bowls and utensils where they should be, Kotori takes the donabe back to the kitchen to set the leftover stew in the ice box. (Because leftover stew after the flavors have mingled is AMAZING.)]

Okay, breakfast is ready! Do you want some tea to go with it, Della-san?

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Della grins as she watches the donabe working its magic, distracted to the point that she stops her jogging in place. She hops up onto a chair and picks up the chopsticks, but instead of using them to eat just yet, she gestures as she speaks.]

That's very cool - and tea would be great. Thanks! You must save a lot of time with that!

[Now she'll start eating, switching frequently between rice, soup, and stew.]

This is all delicious, too. Is that squid in here?

[ricebird]

[There we go, the kettle's spout starts gently but significantly steaming when Kotori looks its way again, a perfect temperature for green tea. Kotori scoops a spoonful or two of tea leaves into the her white ceramic pot's infuser and pours hot water over it, all the while talking to Della through the kitchen entrance.]

Yup! Squid, taro, and okra. My sen--

[Ah... Kotori has to stop herself from mentioning Inuzuka-sensei and Tsumugi. She's told Shizuo about the arrangement, when confessing about her knife phobia, but other than that... a high school girl and her younger, recently widowed male teacher getting together regularly might sound... weird. Even if her mom has given permission and his younger daughter is there too.]

It's... a recipe I picked up during my last trip home. It's kind of a long story.

[Pot, two small cups of the same ceramic, and once Kotori's back to the counter she sets Della's cup in front of her and pours for her first, the tea having brewed just enough by now.]

Here you go. [Kotori takes the time to pour her own tea and set the infuser aside on a small plate before finally sitting down herself, giving the food a quick "itadakimasu~" before digging in.]

Mm! Wow, it's so good~! I'm always kind of surprised how much Nabe-chan's food tastes just like the first time I made it!

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Della may not be the best at picking up on some things, but she knows that "it's a long story" is almost always code for "I'd rather not tell it" - so she just nods along with a smile. She takes the tea gratefully, drinking deeply from the cup she's given.]

It's definitely amazing. You know, I've seen a lot of things in my travels, but never anything that can do what - Uh, Nabe-chan can!

[ricebird]

[A soft laugh.]

Yup! I'm really glad that the Storyteller picked this one for me.

[Even if she was at a loss at first, since everyone's powers were more focused towards combat or healing, and her pot's healing powers didn't develop until later. Heck, it ONLY made rice porridge and like a half-dozen other things to start. Now? Now Kotori's very comfortable with her Essence.]

Anyway, I don't think I've ever asked what your Essence is, Della-san. Someone from Greek Mythology, right?

[The chitons kind of give it away.]

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Della nods, and when she speaks again, her tone is closer to warm and even maternal than the usual hype-up quality it has.]

Good, I'm glad you're happy with it.

Mythology's one way to put it, sure. [A chuckle.] My Essence is Icarus. Never met the guy, of course, but I've heard a couple of things from some friends.

[ricebird]

Oh, right, I think I read-- wait, HUH?

[I mean... Sora prattled about how similar a suspiciously Dismey-sounding mermaid world of his felt really similar to The Little Mermaid as they were IN the story. Is... Della a world-hopper too?]

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Honestly, that's kind of the reaction Della was hoping for. She's something a showman... Showduck?... when it comes to telling her stories.]

Yeah, well, I might be really tight with Selene, the Moon Goddess - like I said, mythology's just one word for it. [She smiles.] And Storkules, the hero, just loves my brother - he's the one who put up a tomb for Icarus. [A beat.] Storkules, not my brother.

[ricebird]

Stork...ules? [...... Okay that sounds too on-the-nose even for a world of bird people. (Plus, since Heracles' name means "Hera's glory," what, is Zeus married to Storka?)] Huh. I... think we have someone in my world's Greek mythology, but we call him Hercules.

[noimpulsecontrol]

[Della just shrugs.]

Whatever you want to call him, he's a big lug - nice guy, though.

[Then she slurps up the rest of her breakfast and tea - You're not getting out of training so easily, Kotori!]

Well, come on - you ready?

[ricebird]

[Oh. That. Aaaand curse her teenage appetite she IS done with her food already. (What about seconds? Or elevensies?)]

A-ah... yeah. R-ready when you are...?

[So excite. Very energy. Wow.]

[noimpulsecontrol]

Alright, come on!

[And Della - oblivious to Kotori's reluctance - is out the door. If Kotori follows her, she'll find a makeshift obstacle course with upside-down (and thankfully, empty) flower pots forming a path to hop across, ropes strung up between bamboo, low to the ground for climbing under and - Della's favorite part - a makeshift training dummy - mostly made out of sacks of soil and flour. That's what the club is leaning against right now, just waiting for Kotori to come and give it a go.]

[ricebird]

[Yeah, she'll follow... and... uh... wow, that's some pretty quick work, Kotori's actually impressed. (And VERY grateful nothing is cut down.... or spouting flames...)]

Huh. This looks... really interesting, Della-san.

[Give her two seconds to remember she has to go THROUGH all this.]

[noimpulsecontrol]

Heh, thanks! It would've been better if I had more to work with - but I think this'll do for your start.

[ricebird]

Right. [Aaaand Kotori's gonna hate herself for asking, buuuut...] So... um... where DO I... start?

[noimpulsecontrol]

Wherever feels right, kiddo! [Della's going to pat her back, as best she can reach - so around mid-back rather than between her shoulders, but still.] I mean, the best thing is if you follow your instincts!