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

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.

[violence_ensues]

[Adorabat will nod, opting to take the advice. She then glances back over to the tea.]

DO you think you can make me another one? I wanna see how it tastes like.

[Curious bat is curious.]

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

Of course. There should still be some left.

[Getting up from his seat.]

Just give me a moment...

[violence_ensues]

OKay!

[And Adorabat does indeed wait patiently.]

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[And Dylan is back quick enough, balancing a tea cup full of tea on a saucer on his head.]

Here we are.

[With a tilt of his head, it slides onto the table, not a drop of tea spilling.]

You are free to drink.

1/2

[violence_ensues]

[Adorabat will take it and very NEARLY takes a large gulp, but stops upon feeling the heat of the steam. Did... did she drink it with it being this hot? She was super hungry and concentrated on filling her stomach, she doesn't remember...

In any case, she blows on it a little before taking a small sip.]

2/2

[violence_ensues]

[Her mouth forms a small o of surprise.]

...It's good...!

[She didn't really know what to expect, but it wasn't this.]

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[A little laugh.]

I'd hope so! I worked pretty hard on this!

[No venom in his words, it's more like a teasing tone.]

[violence_ensues]

[Another small sip.]

You're a good tea maker!

[Adorabat smiles cutely. It really is a good thing nothing will break this mood. You know, like Dylan asking about the angry washing machine. Or her revealing about the whispering and briefly overthrowing the king during the last meeting, Or her revealing that she has a bear trap during the trial.

Because Dylan is nice like that, right?

...Right?

Right!]

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

Thank you!

[...]

...so...you got a bear trap?

[!!!]

[violence_ensues]

[Adorabat spitters a very tiny bit, getting a few drops of tea on the table.]

Oh...! No...!

[OH WAIT, HE'S GONNA DO THAT BROTHER FACE ISN'T HE...!]

Um! Eheheh! It's- It's to try and trap the prissipull...! Honest!

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[Eyebrow raise.]

And do you promise you are being honest with me?

[violence_ensues]

...W- well, I was gonna ask Hunter about it first, but... yeah! Honest!

1/3

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[...breathe in...]

2/3

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

[...breathe out...]

3/3

[canismajorcontrolfreak]

Two things.

One, make sure it is only used on the Principal, because we do not need anyone here stepping in a bear trap right-or ever.

And two, you can only use it if someone is helping you. Hunter, Sonic, Ava-anyone that's older than you by a wide margin.

If you break either of those rules, I will be confiscating the bear trap. Understood?