second spark ✖ hotpot party at disciple's

[hatesviolence]

Characters: Shizuo Heiwajima [Frankenstein's Monster]; Kazuma Asougi (Disciple) [Jekyll/Hyde]; EVERYONE
Campaign: Break
Format: [ we be lazy yo ]
Open
Summary: Disicple is throwing a hotpot party for some festive celebration and everyone is invited! BRING FOOD AND JOIN IN THE FUN!

[Everyone will receive the following message in their journals from Shizuo:]

Hello.

I don't really know how to do this formally, but Disciple is holding a hotpot party at his place and is inviting everyone to come. If you don't know what a hotpot is, you have a big boiling pot and everyone can put in ingredients to cook and then take out to eat. We have everything and some extra pots, but you're welcome to bring your own ingredients if you want. Just don't make it weird or I'll throw it out.

His place is [Insert address and directions here.] this Friday evening for dinner.

Hope you can make it. Thanks.

[Anyone is free to respond, otherwise they can show up in front of Disciple's house. Which is actually quite big and fancy. Seriously. It's still partially gingerbread on the outside, but is now stable with festive decorations. The inside is also decorated for the foreverlasting Christmas holiday season with ornaments, wreathes, decorations, and even a Christmas tree set up in the main sitting room. The only two areas off limits are the greenhouse and Disciple's personal study. Shizuo himself doesn't actually live here, but he had sparked the idea and agreed to help with the preparations—even if this is the first time he's helping to host something.

But with Kotori's help, everything is set out in the large dining room for a nice spread with a drink bar available. For those who want alcohol, Shizuo is an actual licensed bartender and can actually mix some drinks for those of age. Otherwise there's water, juice, bubbly drinks similar to soda. Hot chocolate, coffee, and eggnog are also available for later, including dessert! (Shizuo made sure of that part.)

This is giant party mingle log, so grab a plate and start dunking in those ingredients! Just don't make too much of a mess or too much of a fuss or the bartender will also double as bouncer and throw troublemakers out.]

Comments

[ closed to kotori ]

[hatesviolence]

[A few hours before the party, Shizuo is making sure they have everything for it. That involves unfortunately bothering Kotori to help in gathering some "last minute" ingredients, saved so that they would be freshest. So he'll be meeting at her at the markets, a bit apologetic.]

Sorry that I've had to bother you like this, Kotori. [An apology he's probably given her several times by now.]

[ricebird]

[He probably doesn't need to, given how rapidly she'd scribbled out a VERY enthusiastic response, promising to meet him as soon as possible. She waves a hand to dismiss the apology yet again.]

Not at all! Like I said, I'm flattered you thought about me, not to mention excited! It's been a while since I've had homemade hot pot, or really cooked much outside of using my porridge pot.

[The boiling part would be easy, but... cutting the ingredients... by herself... Yeah no.]

So what sort of hot pot did you have in mind? Sukiyaki? Shabu-shabu? Ooh, or maybe a fondue of some kind? Everything thinks of the ones with melted cheese, but there are different versions with broth or hot oil or even red wine!

[Her eyes are DEFINITELY lighting up that the prospect of all those amazing hot pot styles. And is she drooling? She might be drooling just a bit.]

[hatesviolence]

[And Shizuo is just going to...kind of stare blankly at her.]

Was just thinking the usual...

[HE DOES NOT HAVE A BIG IMAGINATION HERE.]

[ricebird]

[Ah... She rubs the back of her neck, a bit embarrassed at how excited she got.]

So... a Chinese-style hot pot then? [That doesn't narrow it down TOO much since Chinese cuisine varies a LOT from region to region, but it does help a bit.] Hm, I'm not as familiar with those, but the basics shouldn't be TOO different from sukiyaki. And there likely has to be a Chinese cookbook in the library, right? It might not be a bad idea to have a couple of different pots too, so people who like different levels of spiciness can enjoy it. How many people do you think will be coming?

OTA

[chippedsoul]

[Though the Disciple agreed to host this, it was admittedly way outside his comfort space. He's not shy though, he'll at least greet everyone who enters his home.]

Good evening, dinner will be starting shortly. The kitchen is down the hall and to the left.

[He also has to make sure no one decides to wander somewhere they shouldn't.]

That area is off-limits. [He'll suddenly speak up, appearing behind you as if out of thin air. How long has he been stalking you?? Besides that, most of his time was spent being a quiet observer, listening in on the conversations as he prepared the food at the dining table. Occasionally, he'll get up to collect any empty platters and replace them. If someone needed help reaching for something, he'll oblige to help them, even make sure their protein of choice has been cooked long enough.]

Here. [He picks at the meat to give to whomever is beside him.]

[When he needed some space from the chattering, he'll step out from the kitchen and hide out in the sitting room. He picks up a snowglobe he had set on top of the fireplace and settles in a chair near the Christmas tree, taking in the silence, mostly. There are probably a few stragglers here, but he's not going to trouble them.]

Greeting (sorta)

[twilightskey]

[Roxas didn't mean to wander into an off-limits area. He had just been feeling a little overwhelmed and wanted to get away from the crowds, and had taken to wandering about the less-occupied rooms. He was peering into the window of the greenhouse curiously when the Disciple spoke up, and he let out a startled yelp and whirled around, a hand on his chest.]

S-Sorry. I didn't know... [How long had he been watched??]

[chippedsoul]

[Maybe someday he'll learn how to come up and talk to someone without startling them.]

Are you looking for something? [He's got the judgmental look going, eventhough he's just wondering if the kid was looking for the bathroom.]

sitting room

[hatesviolence]

[Things seemed to be going well, so he's going to check up on Disciple to see how he's thinking of this whole thing. After a bit of peeking through rooms, he finds the man sitting in the main sitting room, looking like he needed a break. This makes him hesitate for a second, but hell. Maybe he should check on him, anyway.]

Hey. [Just his usual quiet greeting.] Feeling all right?

[chippedsoul]

[He lifts his head, turning in the direction of the voice.] ...I'm fine. [Guess it would be concerning if the co-host wanders off.] Am I needed for something?

Dining Room

[ricebird]

[At first she'd been a bit nervous, being called on to supervise cooking in a stranger's home, but even if the Disciple was a bit stoic, he still seems like a calm, gracious host. She can see why he and Shizuo must get along, and with the help of a few cookbooks from the library the three of them actually had fun getting everything set up for the party. And now was one of the BEST parts: enjoying the fruits of their labor.

Kotori smiles as the Disciple passes a piece of thinly sliced boar over to her plate.]

Ah, thank you~ [She dips the pork into a small dish on hoisin sauce before popping it in her mouth.] Mmmmm oh my gosh~~~ I've never had Chinese hot pot before! I was worried it was going to be a bit too spicy, but the peppers give just the right amount of heat, and the hoisin is thick and sweet and salty to balance it out nicely!

[Yup, the shy little girl turns into a full-on motormouth whenever food is involved.]

[chippedsoul]

[As Kotori chats away, the Disciple is quietly listening and eating his meal. There's some vague feelings that this conversation seem familiar. It's not concise enough that he could make sense of it. He should try and make conversation, shouldn't he?]

It's fine. [Perfect.]

OTA

[fifthforce]

[ Musashi is not saying no to free food.

However, even though she shows up with her own offering - homemade udon noodles - seeing how fancy the place looks makes her feel like she should've tried harder. ... Oh well. She's new anyway.

In the house, Musashi can first be found by the ingredients, setting down the noodles she brought. If she gets any curious looks for it, she'll address them with a smile. ]

Don't worry, it's only udon. It'll be great with everything else, trust me!

[ Otherwise, she'll be sitting at the dining table, taking full advantage of all this free food by eating an absurd amount of it. Is she on plate three already? Yep, and she's showing no real signs of slowing down, aside from when she stops over at the bar for some sake to go with her meal.

Eventually, she does finally stop. Staring into her drink thoughtfully, she asks outloud: ]

Hey, can everyone here fight?

[ ... ]

... I-I'm not trying to start something. Just curious.

[twilightskey]

Why would you want to know that?

[That just sounds suspicious when someone says they're not trying to start something. But he nods.]

I can.

[fifthforce]

[ She laughs awkwardly in response. ]

This place has elements of danger to it from what I've seen so far! I just wanted an idea of who might need protecting and who could handle themselves.

[ And to scope out who might be super strong and worth trying to fight some day. But you know, protecting people too and all that. ]

So, what kind of weapon do you use?

[trustfallen]

[ Therion also is not saying no to free food! And neither are the song birds that have invited themselves in along with him, picking at bits of this and that off his plate. He's long since given up trying to stop them. However, even in spite of birds helping themselves, he comes equipped with a normal human appetite, and as such, he winds up just kind of staring at Musashi in mild awe as she fills plate after plate. It makes his stomach hurt just watching, so once done with his own food, he migrates over to get a drink himself so he doesn't have to watch anymore!

But of course she winds up there too. At least it doesn't look like she's drinking at the same pace she ate... ]

... you know, when you say it like that, it sounds exactly like you're trying to start something.

[One of the birds - a sparrow currently making itself comfortable in his hair - twitters at her too, but whether it's agreeing, disagreeing, or saying it is absolutely up for a fight all of the time (which it is) is unclear. Unless she speaks bird.]

[fifthforce]

[ Much like staring directly into the sun, not watching Musashi eat for too long is a wise decision. She does know when she's being stared at, but she honestly could care less. She's barely had anything to eat for a while now! That's what happens when you immediately blow your money on swords.

But now that this guy's responding to her question, she looks over at him with a smile. ]

I'm not that bad of a house guest. Starting something can wait 'til tomorrow! [ She chuckles to herself, meaning that to be a joke. Sort of. ... Then her eyes glance up at the bird. A few times. ] ... So, are you someone who can fight, or are you a birdkeeper of some kind?

Roxas || OTA

[twilightskey]

[Roxas has never had hot pot before, so he's pretty intrigued by the idea. After some consideration he decided to bring some fish from the market and add them to the table of ingredients. He has no idea if fish is a traditional hot pot ingredient, and if anyone gives him any odd looks he'll shrug sheepishly.]

This is my first time doing something like this.

[When it's finally time for the hot pot itself, he can be found at the table, watching someone try it out first before having his own go at it. It's actually pretty interesting, and tasty! However, as the night goes on, Roxas eventually drifts away from the crowds and maybe wander off to explore one of the less-populated areas of the house.]

[ricebird]

[No odd looks here; there are a few different ways to prepare fish for hot pot even. And even if it was an odd ingredient, Kotori certainly wouldn't be complaining, especially with the awed look she's giving Roxas's catch.]

Oh wooow~! These look beautiful, Roxas-kun! Did you catch them yourself?

[twilightskey]

[Roxas shuffled his feet a little sheepishly, though he grinned at the praise.]

No, I wish. But the shop owner in the market said these go well with almost any kind of cooking. I've never had hotpot before but I thought they'd be a good ingredient to bring.

Shizuo | OTA

[hatesviolence]

[This was the first time Shizuo was actually involved in planning and organizing anything, so he worked doubly hard to make sure this went well! That said he also isn't really...the most engaging person, preferring to kind of watch and just be part of the crowd. That's what he was used to at least. (How did these two end up hosting some kind of party is a miracle.) But he'll still do his part and mingle with those who come in.]

Hey, thanks for coming. [A RARE SMILE!!] If you need anything, just let me know.

[For the most part, he'll be at the hotpot helping include some ingredients and even give some tips if he can. He's not exactly an expert, but he's had it often enough to at least know the basics.]

You should let that simmer more... And add it after the meat. Usually tastes better.

[He'll also offer any pieces to others first before putting any on his plate.

Finally, he'll be at the bar to handle drinks. There's both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, and he can actually mix the drinks if he's told what it is. And if it's something he doesn't recognize, as long as he's told what's in it he should be able to come close.]

hotpot

[trustfallen]

[Such a correction is met with a flat glare.]

I don't remember asking for input.

[He'll cook his hotpot however he damn pleases!!!1!

Besides, these first bits aren't for him - they're for the freeloading birds hopping about on his shoulders impatiently so that maybe they'll stop picking at him. Should songbirds eat cooked hotpot food? Probably not. Is that going to stop them? Nope.

He continues to glare at Shizuo as he holds out one of the under-simmered bits for the birds to munch on, and they go to town.]

[hatesviolence]

[...Wow??? Do you wanna go????? Okay no, but Shizuo meets that glare with a frown of his own. It's only (constantly) reminding himself that he's a co-host and shouldn't get mad at guests that his "rage meter" hasn't ticked up a few more levels than it has.]

It was just a suggestion... ...And I don't know if you should really be bringing birds into the house. [Now this he's not trying to be offending. He's more concerned about Disciple noticing and getting mad about it.

...]

...Or feeding them right in front of the hotpot. [That's like. Kind of unsanitary, dude.]

Rokurou | OTA

[rokubro]

[Free food free food, hell yeah! And since he's the Huntsman, well. Of course he's bringing in meat ingredients to the table. He's even done everyone the favor of sorting and slicing them up to be perfect for the hotpot.]

Help yourselves, guys, I got plenty. Fresh kills, too.

[...Okay maybe too much information, but he looks so damn pleased with himself. And seriously, he brought a lot and Disciple may be finding himself with a gift of leftovers.

After that's done, Rokurou will be at the hotpot dipping in—mostly meats, but he has vegetables, too!]

Man, it's been a while since I've had one of these. Kind of brings back memories. [A boyish grin as he waits for his portion to finish cooking before putting it on his plate.] Should we try adding some hot sauce to it? [No unless this group actually likes it spicy.

And when he's not eating, he'll be just be off exploring a bit, curious to see how huge this place really is. ...And he may be tempted to try and peek through the "No Entry" zones. Not like he actually would, but one can't help but wonder what's in there.]

Meeeeaaaat~

[ricebird]

Aaaah~ I've never seen meat this fresh before! And you cutting them up like this is a HUGE help, Rokurou-san, thank you~!

[Yeah, it wasn't just starvation making Kotori squee over ingredients in the last story.]

[rokubro]

[He laughs at Kotori's praise.]

Hey, I'm the Huntsman. Have to be able to do this much, right?

Anything you really want?