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003. (v2) [video]
[At first, there is no sound; there is only the image of Xanth's forearm. Lines of letters curl around his fingers, twist around his hand, and spiral onto his arm. The ink, jet black, is stark against his pale skin.]
Th-this-- it means I-I've been-- t-too quiet, right? I-It... it wants me to-- t-to say... s-something.
[It's been a while since he's checked in, made sure people knew he hadn't vanished, but there is nothing to say.
The feed remains set on Xanth's arm.]
I'm... o-okay. I'm s--still here.
A-Are... are you guys... o-okay, too?
[He heard that crack some days ago. No one has called for help on the journals, so no one was hurt in the expedition that came after, and no one had been hurt during the initial bang.
Or so he hopes.]
Th-this-- it means I-I've been-- t-too quiet, right? I-It... it wants me to-- t-to say... s-something.
[It's been a while since he's checked in, made sure people knew he hadn't vanished, but there is nothing to say.
The feed remains set on Xanth's arm.]
I'm... o-okay. I'm s--still here.
A-Are... are you guys... o-okay, too?
[He heard that crack some days ago. No one has called for help on the journals, so no one was hurt in the expedition that came after, and no one had been hurt during the initial bang.
Or so he hopes.]
[Commentlog]
She didn't have time to make everything look nice. There's just some fish pieces and lettuce on the plate. The fish is mildly spiced and has lemon juice squeezed over it, but that's all she could really manage. And it didn't cook evenly either. But at least it isn't burned!
She's so engrossed in the food that she doesn't notice Xanth right away. When she does see him, she stops short and does her very best to stifle a giggle.
He looks damp, especially his hair. If he were anything like Riku or Sora, he'd look cranky at her.]
Come one.
[She turns toward the stairs. There's a dining room in this building, right?]
We're eating.
[Commentlog]
He follows behind Kairi, peeking over her shoulder at whatever it is she's made. Looks fishy, smells spicy. Cue apprehension. Spicy is not his favorite, but Kairi knows that by now, doesn't she?
Xanth puts his trust in her. Whatever it is, he should eat it anyway. He could count his ribs in the shower...]
W--We?
[Commentlog]
[She isn't the best judge of that either. Would it be enough for both of them? Well, if Xanth was really hungry, she could always have less.]
I can't cook very well, but you looked hungry.
[She starts climbing the stairs. It's a half-truth. He looked like he hadn't been taking care of himself, and that probably meant he hadn't been eating.]
[Commentlog]
I-- I-I bet it's good.
[In truth, he has no idea; anything Kairi has ever made for him was some sort of dessert. But whether it's good or not, as long as it's edible, Xanth will eat as much as he can, because he hasn't been taking care of himself. He hasn't been able to muster up the will to even go to dinner regularly. Despite his lack of appetite, he knows he needs to eat.
That, and he doesn't want Kairi to feel bad about her cooking. He's already upset her once.]
[Commentlog]
[She glances back at him as she turns onto the second flight of stairs.]
Bet what?
[Commentlog]
U-Um--
[He smiles again, though it's unsure.]
I-I wasn't, uh, r--really serious!
[Besides, he doesn't have anything to bet but clothing! And he will not bet his clothing for even a joke.]
[Commentlog]
[She hadn't really. But she was still game if he was.]
Come on, if I win, you have to eat the whole thing.
And if you win...?
[She trails off. She's forgotten who she's talking to again. Were he Sora or Riku, he would know the play. Now it was his turn to name what he wanted in exchange.]
[Commentlog]
[But he's got nothing to bet!
Kairi has things to bet, though, doesn't she?]
H-How about, if-- i-if it i-is good, a-and I win, you-- you make it for me a--again?
[Commentlog]
[That was easy.
And with a smile, she turned into the hallway and soon after, the small dining hall.
She deposited the plate on a table and glanced back to see if Xanth was following.]
Well?
[Commentlog]
[He takes a seat at the table. The fish smells spicy and it's cooled from hot to warm, but Xanth would eat anything Kairi put in front of him at this point. Without further ado, he digs in.
Ha. It might not be the best thing he's ever eaten, but it is good. Xanth swallows the first bite, licks his lips, and then shoots Kairi a small grin.]
I-- I win.
[Now, please excuse him as he continues to eat!]
[Commentlog]
Hey, are you just saying that?
[She giggles.]
Because you can get better food from the kitchen.
[Commentlog]
[Xanth gets a forkful and then offers it to her. Come on, Kairi! It's good! Really!]
Re: [Commentlog]
But it would be rude to say now.]
Heh, okay.
[She takes the fork and nibbles at the end, swallows and then grins.]
You win.
[Commentlog]
S-So you'll-- y-you'll make this a-again? I-If I... a-ask?
[Don't worry. He'd never inconvenience you with making him food. Just... if he ever stops feeling like making food for himself again, he knows who to call.]
[Commentlog]
Well, not all the time.
[Cooking is not one of Kairi's favourite hobbies. She's discovered that unless she's with friends and they're having fun, she doesn't actually like being stuck in a kitchen.]
[Commentlog]
[His tastebuds would die! Some spice is good here and there, but the burnination! Xanth is no Trogdor.]
[Commentlog] I HAVE NO APPROPRIATELY CRACKY RESPONSE ;A;
[Kairi could, and happily.
Well, no...]
Heh, I'd miss the smoothies.
[Commentlog] IT'S OKAY, IT JUST SPRUNG UP ON ME
[Then he digs back into his fish. His appetite is picking back up!]