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[lamb_of_gold]

Mu hasn't been looking too well recently. Not outright sick, just unwell. He's standing by the Kitchen, leaning on one of the counters with his elbow. Something is cooking beside him, and he's clearly waiting for it to finish, but his posture is unusually tight. His hair is, uncharacteristically, free from any bonds, hanging loosely down to his hips. His head is resting atop clasped hands because the GendouPose is contagious. His look is distant.

Comments

[contract_star]

[Deep frown.] Is this Saint-related? Or do you think it's the Twins?

[lamb_of_gold]

I don't know.

[contract_star]

Has it been like this since the migraine?

[lamb_of_gold]

Mmm. They've been frequent of late.

[contract_star]

Do you know what you've been forgetting? ...Sorry, stupid question. Do you remember this place? The people here?

[lamb_of_gold]

Of course I do.

[contract_star]

Then what is it?

[lamb_of_gold]

A feeling, mostly, but many minute things. [Shifts away to stir whatever he's cookin]

[contract_star]

But you're alright, at least? And your reality is okay? [Forgive his fretting.]

[lamb_of_gold]

For now.

[He wanders to another counter and uncovers several wedges of dough, which he brings back over and proceeds to roll out and flatten, making noodles about the size and width of his thumb. He throws these in the pot]

Keeping busy seems to help.

[contract_star]

[Hei finally notices the food. EVIDENCE OF HOW WORRIED HE WAS.]

...What are you making?

[lamb_of_gold]

[Small smile because even HE noticed the delay] Thenthuk.

[contract_star]

[Hei resists the urge to say "bless you."] Which is...? [Oh lord it smells good *A* Hei has had little more than coconuts and passion fruit for a week now.]

[lamb_of_gold]

Noodle soup. [He finishes going through the dough, so he stirs it again and throws in a few more things] It will be finished shortly.

[contract_star]

[...Fidgets.]

[lamb_of_gold]

[HE KNOWS THAT LOOK] I made plenty.

[contract_star]

[Grins.] Was I that obvious?

[lamb_of_gold]

Having known you this long already, you certainly were.

[Ladles out a pair of big bowls and hands one to him]

There you are. Is warming and filling. The nomads are fond of it.

[contract_star]

[Chuckles and accepts the bowl. He blows on it to cool it off and then takes a bite.]

Delicious as always. Though I might be biased since I've been living on coconuts.

[He stirs his soup a little.]

You're sure you're alright, Mu?

[lamb_of_gold]

I thank you.

I will be fine, Hei.

[contract_star]

[Delicious soup~] Alright. If you say so. Just don't strain yourself, okay?

[He's half done with the bowl before he speaks again.] Mu, there's something I wanted to ask you.

[lamb_of_gold]

[slowly going through his own] What about?

[contract_star]

Do you remember that power I used when I was in PANDORA? [He frowns a little.] I want to understand it. I want to be able to use it properly. I can't just...use it without thinking anymore. The next time I might not be so lucky.

[lamb_of_gold]

[Mu is silent a long while, contemplating his soup.]

I will help you, if that is what you desire.

[contract_star]

Are you sure?