2023-06-16: New Taste
- Log: 2023-06-16- New Taste
- Cast: Rikka Takarada, Akane Shinjo, Sayla Mass
- Where: Tsutsujidai - Junk Shop "Aya"
- OOC - IC Date: 0097-06-16
- Summary: Now that Rikka's gotten a couple weeks out from her ordeal and has started to track a little better than she was, Sayla passes down a Mass household tradition of care to Akane -- and tasks her with passing it along in turn. It's not exactly like the original, but it's exactly what Rikka needs in the moment. Also, Junk Shop "Aya" continues to be a disaster area.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
It's evening now. The warm, summer day has drawn to a close and Junk Shop Aya, too, has closed up for the day - blinds drawn and sign flipped to 'Closed'. Despite being closed, though, the shop floor is still lively with activity as dinner is in the process of being prepared behind the counter. Aya is equipped primarily for preparing diner fare, but with Sayla's instructions that won't be an issue.
They could have used the family kitchen with a more general set-up... but the advantage of using the shop floor is that it's much easier to chat back and forth with Orie and Rikka, currently seated on the shop floor's couch.
She has good days and bad days, but for Rikka, today has actually been on the better end - she's been a lot more active than usual, and even asked to help out around the shop during business hours. Handling the counter on her own is still a little out of reach for her, but she can still help with tidying up.
And right now... she has an excellent meal to look forward to with some of her favorite people.
"That's really smelling good..." Rikka comments with interest, craning her neck just a little to get a better view of Akane and Sayla at work.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
This is Akane's first time cooking this -- and she's actually pretty nervous. What if it sucks? (Some parts of this dish don't make full sense to her own cooking sensibility -- the idea of letting the rice get dark and crispy and caramelized feels weird to Akane.)
Still -- she's pretty enthusiastic. Cooking has always been in her wheelhouse as love languages go and she's really delighted to be doing it for someone she loves. The substitutions she's suggested and the alterations definitely feel like they're uniquely hers, and while they indisputably make the dish more Japanese, she's confident in them.
They're not just because the shop has a surfeit of various types of dashi because Akane does that whenever she has a spare minute and more free brain cycles than she's comfortable having.
"I'm glad! I'm glad we didn't rush it... you seem like you're doing okay today." Getting out of Tsutsujidai for a day or so has also put Akane on an upward, less obsessive trajectory, too. "How was your last session?" She's been out for a little while, so she hasn't actually had a chance to check in in much detail.
She scoots over toward Sayla, asking, "How much longer are we going to be cooking?" ... it smells too good and if she doesn't get to eat soonish she's going to lose it. (Plus, well, this is her first time cooking it -- she doesn't have a perfect sense of the rhythm of the dish yet.)
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
While most of the ingredients had been easy to source locally, there were a few things Sayla had had to bring from home. Fresh mussels from a fish market and the bomba rice.
Now everything is on the last pass, the shrimp and mussels arranged on top, all in a new Paella pan with two heeat resistant letter charms on one handle- an A and an R.
"It's coming together nicely, isn't it?" She responds. She'd been a touch skeptical of the dashi at first, but the smell seems to be winning Sayla over as well.
"Almost done," Sayla says, slicing up a few lemons in a borrowed Aya apron. "You want to listen for it to crackle- once it does, take it off the heat, let it rest under cover, and then we're done."
The last bit of cutting done, Sayla leans on the counter to turn her attentiont to Rikka. "I'm really happy to see you up and about again." She says, with a gentle smile on your face. "How's the day to day going?"
She's still keeping one ear on the food as she talks, and she nods when that crackle comes on. "Can you hear it? That's our signal." She's teaching, but that means letting Akane finish up.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
It's nice to see the two of them cook together. Something about it makes Rikka smile, and Orie smiles subtly at the sight of that.
"Yeah, it's great." Rikka agrees on the food, and then nods. "Yeah, today's been pretty nice, actually. I had a lot of energy I didn't know what to do with, so I ended up helping mama out."
She's been feeling just a little restless lately. She's a little on the tired side now, but putting herself toward something did a lot to help stave that off.
"She asked me if there was anything she could do, so I had her help clean up while I handled the counter. I think it ended up helping both of us out." Orie explans with a smile. Rikka nods as Sayla says she's happy to see her up and about, and offers her a smile.
"...Thanks. It's good to see you again, too." She replies, and thinks for a moment. "Kind of... up and down? Last week was more down than up, but this week's been better."
She shrugs, then looks toward Akane as she asks about her last session. She has to think about that for a second.
"It was... a little difficult? But... good, too. If that makes sense." Rikka explains. "We covered some pretty rough ground, but it felt good having it... out there."
She thinks a little further.
"We did a little talking, too. I think... I think I'm ready to start doing more things outside of the house." She explains. Her attention is drawn toward the paella, then, as Akane asks how much longer it'll be - and then, as it starts to crackle.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Akane had been very appreciative of the pan; it's... well, like a lot of Sayla's gifts to Akane and Rikka, it's really about promising that there's a tomorrow, and a day after that, and a day after that. It's sneaky, like that.
It's hard to look at it without imagining the two of them maneuvering through a tight kitchen in their first apartment... making something to take to one of Utsumi's younger cousins' graduation party... welcoming the kid Leina mentioned she wanted to have someday.
"Oh, huh. I wouldn't have thought to listen for food," Akane reflects to Sayla -- it makes sense, of course, for what they're doing. It's still a very different vibe from her own very precise cooking style. She's definitely getting a little impatient, but...
She listens to Rikka a little more than the food, admittedly. "No, yeah, I get that," she agrees, at the mention of rough ground. Part of her wants to know a little more, but she doesn't want to pry, at the same time. (It's actually kind of nice to see Rikka hold something back, in its own way...)
"Oh, good. I was kinda hoping that was coming sooner than later. Ehe... been there," Akane replies, rubbing at the back of her head. "I really gotta learn to drive... Tsutsujidai's pretty walkable, though, so maybe not?"
When the crackling starts, Akane moves to remove it from the heat. "Wow, it really does crackle like that!" she enthuses.
Deferring to Sayla on this one, she adds, "That's really the last step, huh?" Once she gets confirmation, she moves to plate.
"Maybe we should try going clothes shopping!" she offers, after a little thought. "We already did falling asleep watching stuff together, and cooking's been pretty regular, but we haven't checked that one off yet."
As painful as the things before and after it were, Akane's never going to let go of the moment they stole, at risk, in that cockpit.
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
As Orie explains, Sayla nods thoughtfully. "That's a good sign, as long as you don't overdo it." Her mind goes back to the early days with Leina, throwing herself into the housework constantly. Her expression saddens, if just for a moment.
"It's a useful trick to learn. It can serve you well if you're after crispy fish skin, or with pork belly, things like that." She smiles at the talk Rikka wanting to do a bit more outside of the house. "I'm glad to hear it."
Akane's enthusiasm for the sound does give Sayla a boost. "Yup. I had a similar reaction the first time I cooked it." Happier days. "It was really hard to stay patient then, too." She gives a thumbs up, clearing Akane to plate up.
Sayla gets out of the way, hanging her apron on a hook and getting the bottle of wine she got to go with dinner out of the fridge. It's still an important part of being a good guest, before taking a seat.
As Akane serves, a thought comes on the topic of driving. "You know, while I'm on hiatus, I've got time on my hands. If you want to get some practice in, I'd be happy to supervise." Sayla pours a glass for herself and a glass for Orie- though if Akane or Rikka want to risk a small glass, she'll pour for them with Orie's okay.
The gentle talk of making plans, looking forward to the future... It's sweet. She briefly considers offering to cover- but it's not really necessary, is it?
There's one last bit to wait for, though. "Go ahead. Tell us what you think." It'd be rude to eat before the people they were cooking for.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
The pan... Rikka never ceases to be impressed with Sayla's thoughtfulness. It says so much, just by itself. She teared up a little when she saw it.
"I wouldn't have thought of that, either..." Rikka considers, of listening to food. She makes a mental note - it might be good for her to remember, too. Sayla, meanwhile, says it's a good sign - as long as she doesn't overdo it.
"Don't worry. I was taking breaks." Rikka assures, and Orie nods in confirmation.
Rikka nods, then, as Akane says she understands, of how sessions can be difficult but good. She quietly appreciates that she doesn't pry. She smiles and laughs a little, though, as Akane admits that she was hoping she'd be ready to do things outside of the house sooner than later.
"Honestly, I kind of have been too?" Rikka admits. "I've been feeling just a bit... cooped up. I didn't feel ready before, but... I do now."
Akane considers learning how to drive, and Orie lazily raises a hand.
"I'd be happy to give some pointers, too. I taught Rikka everything she knows about driving, you know." She says with a hint of pride. Akane begins to serve at this point, and they both gratefully nod as they accept their plates.
Orie gratefully accepts the wine - and after a moment of consideration Rikka shakes her head, but looks grateful for the offer. She looks toward Akane, then... as she makes an offer! Clothes shopping...
"That'd be really great, actually. I think I'd like that." Rikka replies, and then laughs. "We did. That has been pretty nice..."
Rikka remembers that moment, too - it sticks out, as perhaps the only genuinely good memory she has of that time.
And so, at Sayla's urging, Rikka and Orie both take a bite of the seafood paella! It's hard to miss the way Rikka's eyes light up.
"Wow... this is good." Rikka says, impressed. "Incredible, actually... You two did great."
Orie nods in agreement.
"Not bad, not bad..." She says. She's as casual as always... but she can't help but sound a little impressed.
BBSYS: Post 987, 'Hero or Menace?' has been published to Cutscenes & Logs by Gemini Sunrise.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"Huh, yeah. I usually put pork in soup so I usually end up not needing that kinda thing, but for something where the texture's more important..." Akane thinks aloud about it as she keeps plating.
"Definitely don't push yourself. Namiko'll be here for restock days, too... man, it's actually kinda crazy how many people keep showing up asking to help." Then again, she'd said that people would be willing to crawl over shattered glass to help Rikka... it's nice to be proven right.
She glances at the wine, looking at it thoughtfully. Would she like it better than a bunch of cheap vending machine beer and chuhai? She does actually have to take a little time to consider it, but ultimately waves it off.
Finally hanging up her own apron as well, Akane agrees, "I could use the practice for sure. I wouldn't mind doing that with either of you." It was nice to let Rikka drive for the part of their road trip they actually got -- but Akane could stand to be the one behind the wheel, too.
"... So, uh -- you can say no to this," Akane leads with, "but if we're going shopping, 3G refunded my vacation as pay and I guess I get hostile fire pay? For both last month and this month?" She sounds almost bewildered by the idea that this is happening (which may be part of what's motivating this). "Anyway, uh -- what I'm saying is, like... our next shopping trip is my treat."
It's a very different sensation, she realizes, than when she'd do this kind of thing living as a god -- it feels earned, sincere in a way that sort of thing never did. "Both of us could probably use a wardrobe update," she adds.
And then, at last, she eats. "... Hmmm -- I think I'd actually go with a richer dashi than this... this is the kind of thing where cutting it with shiitake dashi might pop?" It was a bit much for her soup, but for this? Sure. "Thanks for teaching me this one." Then, to Orie, "Thanks for letting us use the shop kitchen, too."
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
"Sounds like you have plenty of options then, here and at home." Sayla says, in response to Orie. "I'd hope you didn't teach Rikka to handle yellow lights the way you did, though." Sayla teases. It's easier to laugh about it now, but on the day Sayla had been very grateful for Orie's 'as fast I need to' policy.
"You two have made a lot of strong friends. That they're coming through for you like this is proof of it." A lesson Sayla's had to remind herself of, recently.
Sayla can't help but smile as Aken sheepishly offers to cover, based on her own efforts. It's sweet. The little feelings she picks up around from all three of them are buoying.
"And that's the other thing you keep an ear out for when you're cooking," Sayla says slyly to Akane. "No better evidence you've got it right than that." She finally takes a forkful for herself. There's a slow nod, as she takes the time to savour it. Think about the flavours. "You're right. It's very close in flavour to how I remember Mama making it, but a little weak. But for a first attempt, this is excellent."
She goes for the lemon, squeezing it over the dish. "I'm glad to have had the chance to teach you. It's... something special to see someone take their own twist on what you teach them. Especially with food." With a smile, she glances to Rikka, then Akane. "Once you've made it your own, I'd like to see you teach that to someone else you care about. That's the best way to keep it going. I'm eager to see the directions the two of you take it."
After all, a recipe isn't just about the chef. It's about who you make it for.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
"Wow... Namiko too?" Rikka replies, surprised - and touched, too. She remembers that well, what they spoke of. To see it in reality - to see so many people coming together for her sake, to support her when she needs it... It's encouraging. "...Okay. I'll be sure to take it a bit easier."
"Then feel free to grab me any time." Orie replies in regards to helping Akane drive... and then, she smirks slyly at Sayla's teasing. "Well, you know, sometimes it's okay to be a bad example."
Rikka laughs a little at her mother's joke... but her expression softens at Sayla's comment.
"...Yeah. We really have, haven't we?" Rikka replies, looking toward Akane. It's a very warm feeling, feeling so loved. The world has its cruelties... but it has this too, this feeling, and right now it's shining so bright.
Right now, she's so, so glad that they're both still in it.
She looks toward Akane curiously, though, as she starts to say something.
"W-wow. I guess... it makes sense they would." Rikka replies consideringly. "Thanks. I appreciate it. I'll definitely take you up on that, I think.
Akane points out that they could probably use a wardrobe update... and it's a very good point, considering everything.
"Yeah, you're right..." She admits, then smiles. "I'm really looking forward to this now, though."
She continues working through the paella as she listens to Akane's musings and Sayla's coaching, looking up as Sayla looks to her, and then Akane.
"...I'm a little excited for that, too." Rikka says, looking right at Akane.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Rubbing at the back of her head at the mention of the things she needs to listen for, Akane nods to Sayla. "Right." She probably can't count on sourcing every ingredient in exactly its best form every time -- but she's always been passable when it comes to substitutions and alterations. If she can make something half this good each subsequent time she'll consider that a win.
She takes another bite, sighing contentedly after swallowing. "It's definitely not quite the same as yours, but that's probably a good thing," she affirms -- before turning her attention to Orie. "We'll have to close up shop for that... or at least do it kinda late. But I'm definitely not handling yellow lights the way it sounds like you do." Come to think -- it's probably not super long before she ought to finally let Orie and Rikka get back to running the place full time, or maybe just reduce her own hours.
... not that she minds having the excuse to hang out.
"Great -- just let me know when you're feeling up to it, okay? We can get food, too... I like cooking, but I don't mind eating out, either." She pauses, going through the sentence again --
-- and decides that she will, for once, confidently let any accidental double entendre rock, wearing the smug little smile of 'I absolutely meant what I said and didn't stumble into it at all.'
Sayla encourages Akane to pass the recipe along, with a clear implication -- and Rikka looks at her with expectation. That actually makes her turn much more pink than the previous thing. "Wwwwell... I think I can manage that," she agrees.
Another bite. "Oh wow, the seafood is really good..."
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
Orie gets another laugh out of Sayla. "I'm sure I wouldn't know," She responds playfully.
Sayla takes a sip of her wine, and just... enjoys the moment. Of all the things certain people hate newtypes for, this is the one Sayla can understand. To be able to feel these moments so vividly, and reinforce them, just by being close to each other. It's the one part of being a newtype that is always worth the rest.
It's in the middle of this idyllic thought that Akane makes her comment and a bit of wine goes down the wrong way. Sayla covers her mouth as she clears her throat with a few coughs, and then tactfully says "Pardon me," and nothing else.
There are some things that would be simply bullying Akane if commented on in front of her girlfriend's mother.
Especially as said mother is a menace.
"Thank you." Sayla says, a smile coming back to her face. It may not be a long lived tradition... but it's one she's happy for Akane and Rikka to continue. With that said, she digs back into her meal.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
"Oh, that's fine. We'll figure something out." Orie says nonchalantly. She doesn't mind closing up shop or being out late to give Akane a hand - and she laughs, as Akane comments on her driving, too. Sayla, of course, has her own playful response. "I can't believe you're both ganging up on me, here. Come on, Rikka, back me up. Put in a good word for me, tell them I'm usually better than that!"
Orie looks expectantly toward Rikka - who responds by shaking her head grimly.
"Sorry, mama, you're on your own." Rikka replies, barely restraining a smirk. She nods toward Akane, then, taking a bite.
...Which leads to her sputtering, just a bit, as she catches Akane's double-entendre.
"Y-yeah... okay. That would be great. Definitely soon, I think. I'm looking forward to it." Rikka replies with a smile, attempting to maintain her composure - though her face is just a little pink. There's a lot more she could say, but her mom is right there!
Orie, of course, continues eating as if nothing had happened. It would be easy to assume she didn't catch it... at least, for anyone who doesn't know Orie Takarada.
...Rikka smiles, though, as Akane says she can think she manage it. Sayla smiles - and so too does Orie, who in that moment looks proud and satisfied.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
It... didn't grind the conversation to a halt?
Oh no. She might have to get more confident on purpose instead of just on accident. (As it is, she continues turning a steadily brighter shade of red -- and snags her glass of water to fill empty conversational space.)
She lets the conversation cool down a bit before she proceeds, allowing the topic of driving to likewise skate for a while. "Aaahh... so! It might be a little late to go out after this, but... do we wanna settle in and watch a movie after this or something?"
Taking another bite, she says, "This is kinda out of my wheelhouse, but I don't wanna rush on a Taraba movie for a series Rikka and I haven't watched yet, so maybe The Fourth Tragedy? That came out last year, but I get the feeling all of us were a little busy." She lets out a nervous -- if good-natured -- laugh, before admitting why she wants to see it: "... Padoc M. Boss did a bunch of the music for Shin Tarabaman too, so I'm kinda curious..."
<Pose Tracker> Sayla Mass has posed.
The little pause in conversation gives Sayla a chance to recover. The offer of a movie, though... "Well, if you don't think we'd be crowding you two, I'd be game."
There's a pang of guilt, but she pushes it away. If she's going to be ready, she needs to take this moment of rest. To shore herself up for what's coming with the help of the people she cares about. The people who care about her.
She turns to Orie. "That said, if it's not an inconvenience I might ask to borrow your couch afterwards. I'm not really feeling up to a late flight home after all this."
Sure, she could just get a hotel room... but there's something that feels good about being able to ask.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Akane suggests... watching a movie! Rikka perks up at that.
"I don't think I've heard of that one before. That sounds great, though! Let's do it." Rikka agrees, and then laughs. "So that's why... Well, that's as good a reason as any."
For her part, Orie smiles and shrugs.
"Sure, why not? Could be fun." She says, then looks toward Sayla. "Hey, don't worry, it's no inconvenience at all. Of course you're welcome to."
Orie recognizes that Sayla could - and in the same vein, it feels good to be able to offer that kindness.