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[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[On the Plane appears a large mound of rubble, shifting uneasily as though it were just placed there and didn't have time to settle. A slightly corroded pillar stands next to the mound, teetering back and forth before it balances and stays where it is.

For a moment, nothing happens. Then... the rubble shifts and a hand pops out. It waves around before it finds good purchase among the rest of the debris, and soon, Ryotarou pulls himself out of the mess and rolls off the mound, stopping on his side. He's dirty and bloodied, and there are rips in his clothing where the sharper pieces broke through. The smaller cuts have healed already, but the larger ones are taking longer.

As it is, he just lets his head fall to the 'ground' and breathes in the fresh air.]

(ooc: ... This time, it is the fault of AIM dice.)

Comments

[contract_star]

...The money? Then where have you been staying? What have you been eating?

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

I stay on ZeroLiner. I have some money, just... not much.

[contract_star]

[A bit worried now.] ...You didn't answer my second question.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

Eh? Oh. ... I've been eating. [shrug?]

[contract_star]

... [Facepalms.] You really are hopeless, you know that?

[Jerks his head in the direction of the kitchen, since there's NO WAY he's going back to his own reality :|] Come on.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[... blink.] Eh?

[contract_star]

I'm going to feed you before you starve. There'd better be a step stool...

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to starve... [Yet, he stands up slowly, and a bit shakily. A sharp intake of breath, but it's more pins and needles than anything.]

[contract_star]

You won't now, that's for sure. [Smiling a bit to himself.]

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Ryotarou tilts his head.] Ah... You don't have to, you know.

[contract_star]

I like cooking. It's no trouble.

[They arrive at the kitchen and--hooray! There's a step stool. Hei brought it before for Henrietta to use. Hei sets up the stool near the stove and then rifles through the cabinets and refrigerator and pulling out ingredients.]

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Ryotarou watches a bit awkwardly near the counter.] ... Do you.. want help with that?

[contract_star]

Mind chopping the peppers? [Nods at green and red bell peppers. Is starting to cook some rice on the stovetop.]

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

Um... sure. [He's not the best at it, but at least if he cuts himself, it won't matter too much. He steps up to the counter and finds a knife to start chopping with.]

[contract_star]

Watch your fingers when cutting. Don't splay your fingers out--curl them like you're going to claw the peppers. That way if you slip you won't take the tips off.

[Dragging the step stool back and forth between the rice and some green onions he's chopping up, and a soy sauce mixture he's making.]

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

Ah... Okay. [He nods a little and follows instructions, but pauses to watch Hei, tilting his head.]

Um... Hei-san... do you still have your dexterity, even though you're...?

[contract_star]

[Makes a small grumbling sound. He's holding his own knife completely wrong, but his hands are too small anyway.] No. I'm just making do. I cooked plenty at this age, so it's fine.

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

Are you sure? [Looking a bit concerned now.] I can do it... even if I'm not as experienced, at least it'll be okay if I slip up.

[contract_star]

[Is about to say something like "That's no way to think of it" until he realizes that if their roles were reversed, he'd probably be doing the same as Ryotarou.]

A logical argument. But I'm fine. [Finished with the green onions now anyway.]

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[He's just trying to make the best of it.]

Alright. If you say so.

[contract_star]

[Falls silent, since he's sort of Zen about cooking. He starts stir-frying the veggies with some garlic and sesame oil.]

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Ryotarou half-watches Hei cook while he chops. With only part of his attention on the task, he ends up nicking his finger and drops the knife with a small clatter; he covers the wounded finger with his other hand, applying a bit of pressure with a wince, and hopes Hei doesn't notice.]

[contract_star]

[THIS IS HEI WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. He sighs, reaches over and takes the knife from Ryotarou.]

Sit down somewhere away from the sharp objects. [Mental note not to give anything pointy to Ryo ever again.]

[saythistostart.livejournal.com]

[Ryotarou places his good hand over the handle before Hei can reach for it.]

I can do it. It was just an accident.

[contract_star]

If you weren't immortal right now that would probably be a trip to the ER right there.