Afterparty the Third

[canreallymove]

[Yuta's gone. He can't do the after party. So now it's up to Sonic. Yes, Hunter was going to do it, or...at least yell at the sheep to do it, but Sonic pointed out they were going to need more than just apple slices. People were starving and the sheep couldn't cook. In his opinion, of course. How does one even bruise an apple like that!?

Hunter wasn't happy with him, and what's her face Jeanie probably hated his guts now, but honestly, who was happy with anything at this point?

So, the first thing he does is go to the kitchen and start to do the one thing he knows will at least help: cook. The food is back, and so he's going to make a hearty mean and veggie stew in the oven, courtesy of an old recipe that nanny Rosie would make when they were kids. Back before the takeover. After they got food in Knothole.

While the stew is stewing in the oven for a good hour or so, Sonic himself is just...stewing. And also making something with rice in the microwave to tie people over in the meantime. It's actually congee, but he thinks its hot rice pudding, so whatever, it's good to go for people.

And yes. He also has apple slices and graham crackers, Hunter insisted on it. And yes, he's made extra and enough for everyone and Nanami to have seconds if they'd like. They need to eat, albeit slowly so they don't get sick, and he makes notes at the cafeteria table stating that. Then he gets to work with a cookbook to try and make some kind of drink that can help with getting people back on their feet. Dylan does cover with chamomile tea, at least, so it's not as much of an urgent issue.

He's mostly staying in the kitchen if people want to bug him. When he does finally come out, he sits in silence, staring at his bowl of stew, picking at the carrots. He's tired. It's pretty obvious on his face.]

Comments

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[Dylan is in and out of the kitchen, always leaving the kitchen with a tea cup on a saucer balanced carefully on his head. He doesn't know how many people here drink chamomile, let alone tea in general, but...this is the first time he doesn't feel completely horrible a trial. He wants to do something.

So, everyone gets a cup. Even the animals, if people request it. Or if they don't-because they probably need some too, after this week.

And once everyone's got some tea, he'll just...sit, eat, and drink for now.

Entertainment was...never really his strong suit...]

[violence_ensues]

[A familiar bat friend lands next to Dylan after a while. Enough time for Dylan to have some time to think.]

Hiya, big bro. Whatcha got there?

[Adorabat has never really seen tea before. Neither Mao Mao nor Badgerclops drink it.]

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[A nod of acknowledgement, a small smile on his muzzle.]

Tea. Chamomile. One that's friendly to dogs and helps soothe nerves.

Did...did I forget to give you some?

[violence_ensues]

Uuuuh... I wasn't paying attention when I ate. I just... ate things.

Are you okay now?

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

Hah, that's fair.

[He's not going to be the one to dictate how an animal should eat.]

I...think so, yeah. Sorry if I was rude before. It just...it's a lot to take in, the whole picture.

[violence_ensues]

mmnh, I just don't like seeing you so sad. In the future, if you want time to be alone, I'll just... leave you alone.

[Adorabat pokes the tips of her wings together when she says this.]

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

...thank you.

I know that you want everyone to be happy, and that's a good thing, but...people just need to be sad, sometimes. And there's not much that can be done about it.

[violence_ensues]

[This is... admittedly, a new concept to Adorabat.]

But being sad doesn't feel good... Why would people want to be sad?

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

It's...complicated.

Some people may just be better off dealing with things on their own. Others would just...like to have their time to mourn, or cry, before trying to feel better.

Point is, it's good to help, but...it's also good to know when to step back. Be there when you know you're needed.

CW: Mao Mao Spoilers

[violence_ensues]

["Complicated". There's that word again. Adorabat doesn't really get it. SHe's never really mourned for anyone.

Not even her mother.

But who really has time for that when there's so much fun stuff to do like fight monsters and be with Mao Mao and paint and go to skewl and drink chokkit milk...? This is one of those things that's hard to wrap her mind around.

Adorabat kicks on the seat idly like one would kick the ground.]

Hmph. I got nuthin' I need to cry over. But I'll let you feel bad, even though it's weird. ...Growing up sounds kinda dumb.

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[A chuckle-hard to tell if it's forced or not.]

Well, you're...not wrong, there.

And that's fine. Just...be prepared for that to change, someday.

[Maybe.]

[violence_ensues]

[Adorabat makes a pleading poke to Dylan.]

Big bro... How did Mao Mao and Badgerclops do it? And- and King Snugglemagne? And... and daddy?

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[That...raises an eyebrow.]

How...how did they grow up?

[violence_ensues]

I never asked them. I mean Mao Mao told me how he got Bao Bao, and how he met Badgerclops, and how he lost his tail, but I never really asked any of them how they grew up.

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

Well...the same way it happens to everyone, I guess: time, and experience. It takes a lot of both to really grow up, and...even if someone does have a lot, it doesn't mean they're grown up.

Like I said, it's complicated. Sometimes I don't even understand it.

[violence_ensues]

["There are no shortcuts to becoming a hero."]

...I'll do it. I'll try my best to learn how to be an adult! I'll learn though however many days it takes even though it's kinda dumb! For MAO MAO!

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[...this feels like a mistake-]

Y-you don't need to be so eager! You should...you should still enjoy being a kid, you know? You have a lot of time to grow up, but not as much to be a kid.

[violence_ensues]

[Wow, sending some mixed signals there.]

...Well. Um. Okay! [She giggles.] I like being a kid. Adulting can wait then!

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

Sorry, I know it's confusing. It's like...be prepared, but there's no need to rush.

[hashtagwoof]

Thanks...

[ Hunter didn't pay attention to who was serving the tea until he has to grab the cup off of Dylan's head. ]

Huh? [ That is tea. He has to check the drink for traces of dog fur but actually brewed tea. ]

Woah. Did you brew this?

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

Huh?

[Previously lost in thought, Dylan looks up at Hunter, a little confused.]

Uh, yeah? I figured everyone could use a little help calming down, and we have chamomile, so...

[A shrug, like it's the formalist thing in the world for a dog to brew tea.]

[hashtagwoof]

Yeah, but you're a dog. How are you brewing tea with your paws or...

[ He stops himself to reconsider his instinctual need for things to make sense. ]

Whatever. It tastes alright.

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

Well, it's not exactly easy, but it's still possible.

[Dogs know how to do things!!!]

And what, did you expect fur? I wore gloves to make sure there wasn't any.

[hashtagwoof]

[ He opens his mouth, incredulously...

But then decides it's probably not worth it to ask and sips the tea... ]

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[Yeah, that's what he thought.

If there's no other response, he'll just give an eye roll and walk away. There are other things to focus on.]