Starring:
Date: February 25, 2017
Summary:
Cherii finds out about the "accident" which left Zankuro thinner than he was before.
"Secret of the Miracle Fat-Slimmer"
Marketplace [Konohagakure]
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The entrance to the marketplace is barred off in the evenings but during the days access can be granted by entering a bright red colored archway. A huge multi colored marketplace filled with just about anything ranging from fresh vegetables, fruits and fish to even a selection of different types and colors of spices and seasonings. A giant area dedicated completely to the sale and distribution of all things one might need to prepare a decent meal.
The marketplace isles are filled with women seeking and finding ingredients for the evenings supper and men looking for some interesting objects of food to eat. Although mostly cooking necessities are found here, the small odd areas or two provide places where snacks can be purchased and consumed. The marketplace has a brilliant display of colors in all directions ranging from the roofs, the colors of the walls and the matters of interestingly colored spices.
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A bit of time has passed in silence since Cherii's outburst. She leans back against the wall with her arms folded, staring at the ground. Her face, which had been a touch reddish from a mix of frustration and embarrassment, has returned to its usual pallor. Other than that, though, there's not much to be read in her expression.
…
"I'm sorry fer snappin' at ye, Zankuro-san."
The statement comes without foreshadowing. Cherii is still staring downward at nothing. "Ye've been naught but friendly an' helpful," Cherii continues. "I got upset because it seemed like ye might have a way fer me tae fix me biggest problem, an' I was already anxious from thinkin' aboot it. 'Tis nae right fer me tae dump my issues on ye, especially as an ambassador." Cherii finally turns her head to look at Zankuro. "Would ye forgive me?"
While not exactly content with how things were left off, Zankuro ultimately held his tongue and turned to pace a short ways from Cherii. His face too had been flushed for a time, if moreso due to frustration over anything else. Every now and then, Zankuro stole a look in the ambassador's direction; only for frustration to give way to sinking spirits.
"Huh?" Zankuro starts, and then spins about on his heels. "Ah…. Uhh… Well…" He grumbles, glances away, and pats the back of his neck. "Don't sweat it, Cheers. Everybody's got there heart burrs, and I probably… As your guide, I should've been paying a bit more attention for yours, instead of riling you up… Incidentally." He cracks a wiry grin at Cherii. "Sooo, how bout we just start over?" He asks awkwardly.
Cherii lets out her tension with a long breath. u.u "A'right. Thank ye fer bein' understandin', Zankuro-san." Cherii glances up at the sky, which is starting to turn golden. "D'ye saeppose yer friend will be along soon?"
"Yo!"
Zankuro had just opened his mouth to answer when a familiar baritone voice called out a greeting to the duo. "Ah, speak of him, and thus he appears… eventually." Zankuro casually jokes and gestures after turning about to face the new arrival. The scowl he receives in turn steals some of the air from the Sarutobi's sails. But after receiving so many over a thus far short lifetime, Zankuro recovers swiftly and stands aside for the mini-giant Akimichi, granting him free access to the back door.
"Hope I did'nae keep ya wait'n too long now mam. Once folk realized I was pack'n up early today, things started to get a little sketchy a bit there." Akihiro states, gracing Cherii with a sheepish smile while working the door lock.
Cherii puts a hand over her mouth. "Oh crivvens, I didnae mean tae disrupt yer business! I'm so sorry sair, I'll make sure tae reimburse ye for yer time. If only I could do something for those poor folk who didnae get the food they wanted too." c.c; Cherii pulls out her purse and digs through it. "Aye, I've a decent bit still on me," she mutters to herself, "though I ought tae come back wi' more from th'petty fund before I leave Konoha…"
Both Akihiro and Zankuro share a glance at one another as Cherii panics over the issue. A meaningless gesture by some accounts, but something certainly passes between them to leave the duo grinning weakly at one another. "While I certainly 'preciate the offer mam, I'm gonna have to decline. Far as I'm concern, so long as you and him promise to clean up after will be square enough." Akihiro states before turning back to finish open the shop. "'Sides… Much as I hate to admit it, I do… actually 'owe' this pecker head one." He throws a thumb back over the shoulder at Zankuro. "But ONLY just that one. 'cause frankly speak'n after that whole shenanigans back at the border—"
"Okayokayokay! Man, geeze! No need to bring that back up again!" Zankuro exclaims while waving his hands about.
Ah-ha. +.+ The 'accident' Zankuro spoke of, perhaps? Cherii may have accepted that Zankuro's clammishness about the matter is for good reasons from his viewpoint, but that doesn't mean she's given up on finding out about it. "Would that be th'time Zankuro wound up in a hospital fer a month?" Cherii asks innocently. "He told me a wee bit o' it, but he seems shy aboot it." ;)
"Tsk! More like embarrassed." Akihiro states, blatantly ignoring Zankuro's stuttering attempts to silence the Akimichi. A task Zankuro finds all the more difficult to accomplish once everyone's on the move into the darkened interior. While working to dispel the darkness in the surprisingly long hall, Akihiro doesn't relent in his tirade.
"But make no mistake now. His ass deserved the stay. Shoot! If it weren't for what he already did to himself, I would'a been the one to put him there meself!" Akihiro adds while glaring back at Zankuro and clenching a fist. "C-c-c'mon, maaan! It was an honest mistake! How was I s'pose to know that back was yours?" Zankuro complains. But, he receives no more than another "hmph!" for it.
Cherii follows after Akihiro, listening intently for any useful clues. o.o So far not much, although there's at least a hook for trying to pull more out. "Did to himself, y'say? Whatever could he have done tae himself t'put him in that condition?" :o
As soon as the question leaves Cherii's mouth, a furiously blushing Zankuro glares at Akihiro's backside with the hopes of somehow transmitting "shut up" vibes. No such luck, unfortunately. "Oh boy, Just about the DUMBEST thing anyone can do! He ate one of my foodpills! And then had the nerve — The NERVE to claim he thought it was a like soldier pill. Just… Ugh… So. Fucking. Stupid." Akihiro pauses in the hallway, and pinches the bridge of his nose. Meanwhile, a much more deflated Zankuro looks half-heartedly to the ground, hoping the ground opens up and swallows him up.
Cherii blinks. "Foodpills? I dinnae think I've heard o' those…especially if it's somethin' that'd land ye in th'hospital. Sounds like a concentrated ration tae keep ye goin' when ye cannae carry much food wi' ye, but I'm guessin' that's nae it?" Almost would be like a soldier pill if it was.
"Aye, they're-…" Akihiro catches himself. Frowning, he turns back to regard Cherii, inspecting her much more closely for the first time. After a lengthy moment of silence the chef/vendor turns to walk deeper into the restaurant, eventually leading the duo to the actual kitchen area. However, before they actually reach that point, Akihiro speaks up, if albeit with his guard obviously up.
"Listen Miss. I don't mean to sound all rude and such by presuming too much, but… come clean with me. Do ya honestly know nothing 'bout them? Nothing at all?" He pauses long enough for answer before saying anything more. "To be frank, then. I don't know exactly how much that fool over there told'ja, and again, I ain't meaning to sound all presumptuous, but… let's be clear that those food pills ain't for 'that' sorta thing your hoping for. That idiot was lucky to survive, let alone recover from it like he did."
Cherii tenses slightly as Akihiro stares at her. o.o; Is she getting into clan secrets territory here? Is he noticing her forehead protector for the first time? She did mention back when they first met that she's from Iwagakure, but maybe it didn't sink in, and either way it could seem suspicious to him that she's asking about this sort of…oh. Or maybe he really sees right through her. c.c; Cherii clears her throat. "I've nae heard o' them before. What I know is that Zankuro-san mentioned he had an accident, which put him in the hospital fer a month…an' it's th'reason he's as thin as he is now." Best to be frank at this point, he's not going to just let things slip anymore.
"That wasn't the only reason." Zankuro mutters under his breath. But if Akihiro heard or took notice of the uncharacteristically listless Sarutobi, the Akimichi chose to ignore it in favor of folding his arms across an expansive chest. "And yer hoping for something similar to that to happen to ya?" He asked, though its clear from his expression he already had his answer. "Well, I hate to break it to ya. But as I said, those 'food' pills ain't for that sorta thing. They're a last resort for combat purposes. The secret of which we Akimichi ain't inclined to share… no offense." He says, seeming to frown more out of a mix of regret and disappointment than anger. "Shoot… I just don't get why so many folk gotta be skinny. Ain't nothing wrong with have'n a bit of meat on your bones! And sure it ain't easy be greasy — as my cousin likes to say — but when you're living large-…"
"You're in charge?" Zankuro cuts in, though without much enthusiasm behind the stolen saying.
Cherii nods solemnly. "I didnae mean tae pry intae confidential information, sair. Iwagakure respects th'right o' clans tae preserve their secrets, especially when they're part o' another village." The stuff about meat on bones doesn't do much to convince Cherii her lot wouldn't be better if she were more trim. This guy's from an entire clan of folk who take pride in their fat and grow up seeing other fat people, of course his view's gonna be skewed. e.e The saying about being greasy especially solidifies this perception, fat or not who wants to be greasy? :P
Cherii clears her throat. "Anyhoo, I suppose we'd best move on from there. I was goin' tae try makin' a cheesecake wi' the ingredients I bought, though I'd be very appreciative if ye'd care tae show me any tricks an' techniques ye're proud o'." :) Cherii unrolls her scroll on a countertop and *POOF*s her foodstuffs into the space.
Although Akihiro's smile does falter a tad in response to Cherii's attempt at reassurance, what ill-feelings linger are kept quietly in check. Zankuro is less than reticent to accept Cherii's words at face value, for they swiftly earn a thumbs up, and a wide-grin accompanied by glinting teeth.
"Ye-he-esss! Finally! Some sweets making! Oh, I can just taste'm now~" Zankuro states unabashed with a line of drool already falling past his lips. Akihiro snorts and shakes his head in exasperation at the smaller man's antics before looking to Cherii. "Well, shucks! I'd loved to miss Cherii. Truly, I would. But the thing is… my main expertise involve a less… Hmm… Well, I can't say less 'tender' touch, but…" He grumbles and starts to reach up as if to rub the back of his head furiously, only to stop short. "Tch! Damn habits… Anywayz… Yeah. Point is, I'm not all that good with sweets. Show me a cow, and boy I'd be able to show you more than just a thing or two! But sweets?" He makes a noise between a snort and "pfft" while waving his hand dismissively.
Cherii unrolls her scroll a bit further and taps a spot on it, bringing out a prime cut of local steer. "Well noo, I did happen tae pick up this li'l beauty. Perhaps ye'd like tae demonstrate yer skill whilst I whip up th'dessert?" ;) Cherii pulls the scroll from under all the ingredients with an expert flick, then rolls it up and stows it away before setting about her confectionry. "Let's see noo, first start the oven tae heatin', then we'll mix th'wet ingredients — Zankuro-san, would ye mind findin' me a bakin' pan?"
With a glint in his eyes and a broad smile, Akihiro slapped his hands together and nodded firmly, accepting Cherii's most gracious offer. However, as he reaches out to begin prepping the promising morsel, he stops mid-way to slap his forehead and chuckle heartily. "Gosh darn it! How could'ae forget? Let me show ya where at least some of the things… And him too, I guess, assuming yer really planning to help this time Zankuro-san?" Akihiro asks, glaring at the man half-heartedly.
Zankuro — having just recently snapped to attention at the first mention of his name — clutches at his chest as if genuinely wounded by Akihiro's words. "Oi… I helped cooked before." He argues pathetically. But at a gesture from their host, Zankuro grudgingly begins working to largely gather utensils as necessary for the duo. While no stranger to more well stocked kitchens and their usual assortment of instruments, the Sarutobi is less than accoustomed to working for more than one boss; especially one with a bit of a grudge in his built.
So, it may come as no surprise when things are a bit chaotic for the first half of what promises to be an event worthy to be montaged!
And so the cooking commences! o/~ Akihiro had a diner, ee-ai-ee-ai-oh! And in this diner he hosted a chef, ee-ai-ee-ai-oh! With a MIX-MIX here and a CHOP-CHOP there, here a CRACK, there a HISS, DON'T YOU SNITCH THAT ZANKURO! Akihiro had a diner, ee-ai-ee-ai-oh! o/~
After a while of combining ingredients and beating them into just the right consistency, Cherii pours the cream-cheese mixture onto a bed of graham crumbs and sticks the pan into the oven. "There. I can afford tae pay more attention tae yer roastin' noo, Akihrio-san." :)
Zankuro wasn't even trying to piss Akihiro off after the first two incidents involving the more sharper utensils. And yet, the man is forced to put on an impromptu balancing act like clock work at times. Even when the task at hand involving him and Akihiro only entailed the need to literally just stand there and WATCH for something.
Fortunately, in spite of all the close calls Akihiro doesn't fail to impress in a far less comical way. When not dragged back to reality by impending doom, the man behaved like a man possessed and truly in love with his craft. Akihiro goes so far as to even do a jig in between steps and twirl of the knife. But no matter how scarily close his girth comes to knocking things off the counter, Akihiro is ever a centimeter or two away from certain doom.
Heck, there is even a bit of a juggling act thrown in using that that very belly of his!
However, once all is done and the meat is ready to go into its own oven, Akihiro cannot escape being covered in flour. "Zankuro…" He growls out, the smile her wore during the last few moments of seeing the dish slide into place vanishing in an instance. "Watch it." Zankuro audibly gulps, but nods all the same. An action that goes ignored by the Akimichi as he leaves with little more than grumbled words about getting cleaned up.
Cherii watches carefully while Akihiro goes about his art. The flourishes are amusing, but Cherii is more interested in the practical aspects. Little things like the angles of his cuts and the way he sprinkles spices, executed so swiftly that Cherii would hardly see them if she didn't know what to look for.
After Akihiro leaves momentarily, Cherii looks over to Zankuro. "I'm sorry fer bein' so nosy aboot yer accident, Zankuro-san. I saeppose I should've trusted ye had good reason fer nae wantin' tae talk aboot it. I just…well, ye ken how I feel by noo." u.u
As shaken as he was by Akihiro's last words — which without a doubt were nearly pants wetting worth by severity — Zankuro snaps to attention upon hearing his name. "Wha?" He squints for a second, and then opens his eyes wide. "Oh! Oh… Yeah…" Zankuro smiles sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck. "And… and I get it too. Its not like I've been there myself once or twice. But, the thing is… at the end of the day, I wasn't gonna be suddenly mister popular just because I lost a few pounds. And all those health worries aside, being a bit thick in the middle was, well, just another part of who was. And… I liked me! Er, I still do now — don't get me wrong — but… honestly, if I'd known what was gonna happen that day before I did what I did I…"
Zankuro straightens out and intently looks Cherii in the eyes. "Wouldn't have done it. What happened costed me in ways most folk who try to take shortcuts don't realize 'till after what's done is done."
Heh, shortcuts…that's not how Cherii thinks of it. More like hidden paths through an otherwise impassible obstacle. U.U But it doesn't matter now. Even if she could figure out a safe and effective dosage of this foodpill thing, and even if it was only ever used to help her with her personal body issue, Cherii couldn't justify taking something that's a clan secret.
…Could she? c.c
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The entrance to the marketplace is barred off in the evenings but during the days access can be granted by entering a bright red colored archway. A huge multi colored marketplace filled with just about anything ranging from fresh vegetables, fruits and fish to even a selection of different types and colors of spices and seasonings. A giant area dedicated completely to the sale and distribution of all things one might need to prepare a decent meal.
The marketplace isles are filled with women seeking and finding ingredients for the evenings supper and men looking for some interesting objects of food to eat. Although mostly cooking necessities are found here, the small odd areas or two provide places where snacks can be purchased and consumed. The marketplace has a brilliant display of colors in all directions ranging from the roofs, the colors of the walls and the matters of interestingly colored spices.
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A bit of time has passed in silence since Cherii's outburst. She leans back against the wall with her arms folded, staring at the ground. Her face, which had been a touch reddish from a mix of frustration and embarrassment, has returned to its usual pallor. Other than that, though, there's not much to be read in her expression.
…
"I'm sorry fer snappin' at ye, Zankuro-san."
The statement comes without foreshadowing. Cherii is still staring downward at nothing. "Ye've been naught but friendly an' helpful," Cherii continues. "I got upset because it seemed like ye might have a way fer me tae fix me biggest problem, an' I was already anxious from thinkin' aboot it. 'Tis nae right fer me tae dump my issues on ye, especially as an ambassador." Cherii finally turns her head to look at Zankuro. "Would ye forgive me?"
While not exactly content with how things were left off, Zankuro ultimately held his tongue and turned to pace a short ways from Cherii. His face too had been flushed for a time, if moreso due to frustration over anything else. Every now and then, Zankuro stole a look in the ambassador's direction; only for frustration to give way to sinking spirits.
"Huh?" Zankuro starts, and then spins about on his heels. "Ah…. Uhh… Well…" He grumbles, glances away, and pats the back of his neck. "Don't sweat it, Cheers. Everybody's got there heart burrs, and I probably… As your guide, I should've been paying a bit more attention for yours, instead of riling you up… Incidentally." He cracks a wiry grin at Cherii. "Sooo, how bout we just start over?" He asks awkwardly.
Cherii lets out her tension with a long breath. u.u "A'right. Thank ye fer bein' understandin', Zankuro-san." Cherii glances up at the sky, which is starting to turn golden. "D'ye saeppose yer friend will be along soon?"
"Yo!"
Zankuro had just opened his mouth to answer when a familiar baritone voice called out a greeting to the duo. "Ah, speak of him, and thus he appears… eventually." Zankuro casually jokes and gestures after turning about to face the new arrival. The scowl he receives in turn steals some of the air from the Sarutobi's sails. But after receiving so many over a thus far short lifetime, Zankuro recovers swiftly and stands aside for the mini-giant Akimichi, granting him free access to the back door.
"Hope I did'nae keep ya wait'n too long now mam. Once folk realized I was pack'n up early today, things started to get a little sketchy a bit there." Akihiro states, gracing Cherii with a sheepish smile while working the door lock.
Cherii puts a hand over her mouth. "Oh crivvens, I didnae mean tae disrupt yer business! I'm so sorry sair, I'll make sure tae reimburse ye for yer time. If only I could do something for those poor folk who didnae get the food they wanted too." c.c; Cherii pulls out her purse and digs through it. "Aye, I've a decent bit still on me," she mutters to herself, "though I ought tae come back wi' more from th'petty fund before I leave Konoha…"
Both Akihiro and Zankuro share a glance at one another as Cherii panics over the issue. A meaningless gesture by some accounts, but something certainly passes between them to leave the duo grinning weakly at one another. "While I certainly 'preciate the offer mam, I'm gonna have to decline. Far as I'm concern, so long as you and him promise to clean up after will be square enough." Akihiro states before turning back to finish open the shop. "'Sides… Much as I hate to admit it, I do… actually 'owe' this **** head one." He throws a thumb back over the shoulder at Zankuro. "But ONLY just that one. 'cause frankly speak'n after that whole shenanigans back at the border—"
"Okayokayokay! Man, geeze! No need to bring that back up again!" Zankuro exclaims while waving his hands about.
Ah-ha. +.+ The 'accident' Zankuro spoke of, perhaps? Cherii may have accepted that Zankuro's clammishness about the matter is for good reasons from his viewpoint, but that doesn't mean she's given up on finding out about it. "Would that be th'time Zankuro wound up in a hospital fer a month?" Cherii asks innocently. "He told me a wee bit o' it, but he seems shy aboot it." ;)
"Tsk! More like embarrassed." Akihiro states, blatantly ignoring Zankuro's stuttering attempts to silence the Akimichi. A task Zankuro finds all the more difficult to accomplish once everyone's on the move into the darkened interior. While working to dispel the darkness in the surprisingly long hall, Akihiro doesn't relent in his tirade.
"But make no mistake now. His **** deserved the stay. Shoot! If it weren't for what he already did to himself, I would'a been the one to put him there meself!" Akihiro adds while glaring back at Zankuro and clenching a fist. "C-c-c'mon, maaan! It was an honest mistake! How was I s'pose to know that back was yours?" Zankuro complains. But, he receives no more than another "hmph!" for it.
Cherii follows after Akihiro, listening intently for any useful clues. o.o So far not much, although there's at least a hook for trying to pull more out. "Did to himself, y'say? Whatever could he have done tae himself t'put him in that condition?" :o
As soon as the question leaves Cherii's mouth, a furiously blushing Zankuro glares at Akihiro's backside with the hopes of somehow transmitting "shut up" vibes. No such luck, unfortunately. "Oh boy, Just about the DUMBEST thing anyone can do! He ate one of my foodpills! And then had the nerve — The NERVE to claim he thought it was a like soldier pill. Just… Ugh… So. ****. Stupid." Akihiro pauses in the hallway, and pinches the bridge of his nose. Meanwhile, a much more deflated Zankuro looks half-heartedly to the ground, hoping the ground opens up and swallows him up.
Cherii blinks. "Foodpills? I dinnae think I've heard o' those…especially if it's somethin' that'd land ye in th'hospital. Sounds like a concentrated ration tae keep ye goin' when ye cannae carry much food wi' ye, but I'm guessin' that's nae it?" Almost would be like a soldier pill if it was.
"Aye, they're-…" Akihiro catches himself. Frowning, he turns back to regard Cherii, inspecting her much more closely for the first time. After a lengthy moment of silence the chef/vendor turns to walk deeper into the restaurant, eventually leading the duo to the actual kitchen area. However, before they actually reach that point, Akihiro speaks up, if albeit with his guard obviously up.
"Listen Miss. I don't mean to sound all rude and such by presuming too much, but… come clean with me. Do ya honestly know nothing 'bout them? Nothing at all?" He pauses long enough for answer before saying anything more. "To be frank, then. I don't know exactly how much that fool over there told'ja, and again, I ain't meaning to sound all presumptuous, but… let's be clear that those food pills ain't for 'that' sorta thing your hoping for. That idiot was lucky to survive, let alone recover from it like he did."
Cherii tenses slightly as Akihiro stares at her. o.o; Is she getting into clan secrets territory here? Is he noticing her forehead protector for the first time? She did mention back when they first met that she's from Iwagakure, but maybe it didn't sink in, and either way it could seem suspicious to him that she's asking about this sort of…oh. Or maybe he really sees right through her. c.c; Cherii clears her throat. "I've nae heard o' them before. What I know is that Zankuro-san mentioned he had an accident, which put him in the hospital fer a month…an' it's th'reason he's as thin as he is now." Best to be frank at this point, he's not going to just let things slip anymore.
"That wasn't the only reason." Zankuro mutters under his breath. But if Akihiro heard or took notice of the uncharacteristically listless Sarutobi, the Akimichi chose to ignore it in favor of folding his arms across an expansive chest. "And yer hoping for something similar to that to happen to ya?" He asked, though its clear from his expression he already had his answer. "Well, I hate to break it to ya. But as I said, those 'food' pills ain't for that sorta thing. They're a last resort for combat purposes. The secret of which we Akimichi ain't inclined to share… no offense." He says, seeming to frown more out of a mix of regret and disappointment than anger. "Shoot… I just don't get why so many folk gotta be skinny. Ain't nothing wrong with have'n a bit of meat on your bones! And sure it ain't easy be greasy — as my cousin likes to say — but when you're living large-…"
"You're in charge?" Zankuro cuts in, though without much enthusiasm behind the stolen saying.
Cherii nods solemnly. "I didnae mean tae pry intae confidential information, sair. Iwagakure respects th'right o' clans tae preserve their secrets, especially when they're part o' another village." The stuff about meat on bones doesn't do much to convince Cherii her lot wouldn't be better if she were more trim. This guy's from an entire clan of folk who take pride in their fat and grow up seeing other fat people, of course his view's gonna be skewed. e.e The saying about being greasy especially solidifies this perception, fat or not who wants to be greasy? :P
Cherii clears her throat. "Anyhoo, I suppose we'd best move on from there. I was goin' tae try makin' a cheesecake wi' the ingredients I bought, though I'd be very appreciative if ye'd care tae show me any tricks an' techniques ye're proud o'." :) Cherii unrolls her scroll on a countertop and *POOF*s her foodstuffs into the space.
Although Akihiro's smile does falter a tad in response to Cherii's attempt at reassurance, what ill-feelings linger are kept quietly in check. Zankuro is less than reticent to accept Cherii's words at face value, for they swiftly earn a thumbs up, and a wide-grin accompanied by glinting teeth.
"Ye-he-esss! Finally! Some sweets making! Oh, I can just taste'm now~" Zankuro states unabashed with a line of drool already falling past his lips. Akihiro snorts and shakes his head in exasperation at the smaller man's antics before looking to Cherii. "Well, shucks! I'd loved to miss Cherii. Truly, I would. But the thing is… my main expertise involve a less… Hmm… Well, I can't say less 'tender' touch, but…" He grumbles and starts to reach up as if to rub the back of his head furiously, only to stop short. "Tch! **** habits… Anywayz… Yeah. Point is, I'm not all that good with sweets. Show me a cow, and boy I'd be able to show you more than just a thing or two! But sweets?" He makes a noise between a snort and "pfft" while waving his hand dismissively.
Cherii unrolls her scroll a bit further and taps a spot on it, bringing out a prime cut of local steer. "Well noo, I did happen tae pick up this li'l beauty. Perhaps ye'd like tae demonstrate yer skill whilst I whip up th'dessert?" ;) Cherii pulls the scroll from under all the ingredients with an expert flick, then rolls it up and stows it away before setting about her confectionry. "Let's see noo, first start the oven tae heatin', then we'll mix th'wet ingredients — Zankuro-san, would ye mind findin' me a bakin' pan?"
With a glint in his eyes and a broad smile, Akihiro slapped his hands together and nodded firmly, accepting Cherii's most gracious offer. However, as he reaches out to begin prepping the promising morsel, he stops mid-way to slap his forehead and chuckle heartily. "Gosh darn it! How could'ae forget? Let me show ya where at least some of the things… And him too, I guess, assuming yer really planning to help this time Zankuro-san?" Akihiro asks, glaring at the man half-heartedly.
Zankuro — having just recently snapped to attention at the first mention of his name — clutches at his chest as if genuinely wounded by Akihiro's words. "Oi… I helped cooked before." He argues pathetically. But at a gesture from their host, Zankuro grudgingly begins working to largely gather utensils as necessary for the duo. While no stranger to more well stocked kitchens and their usual assortment of instruments, the Sarutobi is less than accoustomed to working for more than one boss; especially one with a bit of a grudge in his built.
So, it may come as no surprise when things are a bit chaotic for the first half of what promises to be an event worthy to be montaged!
And so the cooking commences! o/~ Akihiro had a diner, ee-ai-ee-ai-oh! And in this diner he hosted a chef, ee-ai-ee-ai-oh! With a MIX-MIX here and a CHOP-CHOP there, here a CRACK, there a HISS, DON'T YOU SNITCH THAT ZANKURO! Akihiro had a diner, ee-ai-ee-ai-oh! o/~
After a while of combining ingredients and beating them into just the right consistency, Cherii pours the cream-cheese mixture onto a bed of graham crumbs and sticks the pan into the oven. "There. I can afford tae pay more attention tae yer roastin' noo, Akihrio-san." :)
Zankuro wasn't even trying to **** Akihiro off after the first two incidents involving the more sharper utensils. And yet, the man is forced to put on an impromptu balancing act like clock work at times. Even when the task at hand involving him and Akihiro only entailed the need to literally just stand there and WATCH for something.
Fortunately, in spite of all the close calls Akihiro doesn't fail to impress in a far less comical way. When not dragged back to reality by impending doom, the man behaved like a man possessed and truly in love with his craft. Akihiro goes so far as to even do a jig in between steps and twirl of the knife. But no matter how scarily close his girth comes to knocking things off the counter, Akihiro is ever a centimeter or two away from certain doom.
Heck, there is even a bit of a juggling act thrown in using that that very belly of his!
However, once all is done and the meat is ready to go into its own oven, Akihiro cannot escape being covered in flour. "Zankuro…" He growls out, the smile her wore during the last few moments of seeing the dish slide into place vanishing in an instance. "Watch it." Zankuro audibly gulps, but nods all the same. An action that goes ignored by the Akimichi as he leaves with little more than grumbled words about getting cleaned up.
Cherii watches carefully while Akihiro goes about his art. The flourishes are amusing, but Cherii is more interested in the practical aspects. Little things like the angles of his cuts and the way he sprinkles spices, executed so swiftly that Cherii would hardly see them if she didn't know what to look for.
After Akihiro leaves momentarily, Cherii looks over to Zankuro. "I'm sorry fer bein' so nosy aboot yer accident, Zankuro-san. I saeppose I should've trusted ye had good reason fer nae wantin' tae talk aboot it. I just…well, ye ken how I feel by noo." u.u
As shaken as he was by Akihiro's last words — which without a doubt were nearly pants wetting worth by severity — Zankuro snaps to attention upon hearing his name. "Wha?" He squints for a second, and then opens his eyes wide. "Oh! Oh… Yeah…" Zankuro smiles sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck. "And… and I get it too. Its not like I've been there myself once or twice. But, the thing is… at the end of the day, I wasn't gonna be suddenly mister popular just because I lost a few pounds. And all those health worries aside, being a bit thick in the middle was, well, just another part of who was. And… I liked me! Er, I still do now — don't get me wrong — but… honestly, if I'd known what was gonna happen that day before I did what I did I…"
Zankuro straightens out and intently looks Cherii in the eyes. "Wouldn't have done it. What happened costed me in ways most folk who try to take shortcuts don't realize 'till after what's done is done."
Heh, shortcuts…that's not how Cherii thinks of it. More like hidden paths through an otherwise impassible obstacle. U.U But it doesn't matter now. Even if she could figure out a safe and effective dosage of this foodpill thing, and even if it was only ever used to help her with her personal body issue, Cherii couldn't justify taking something that's a clan secret.
…Could she? c.c
