expiationlogs

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i.
[After the events of the maze, Astralin found it a bit difficult to relax. Everything was a bit too overwhelming, and even though he's recovered since then, he's been a bit restless. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any sort of hot springs or spa opened in Aldrip, and he wasn't about to visit the neighboring villages and towns to try and relax. So, as one does, he took it upon himself to use the remaining land that he had now to incorporate a hot springs on his land.

It's busy on the farm again with construction, and despite the citizens of Aldrip being much more... Wary of the chosen, he still managed to find a few of them that would still work with him on the construction. So, you'll find Astralin hovering over the construction with his arms crossed. His focus on some of the construction workers as they begin working on the hot spring. Ready to open it to the public once it was constructed.]

ii.
[After the construction, you'll find Astralin still outside. He isn't relaxing, but instead, honing his magical abilities. The maze has left a scar on him that certainly left him traumatized, and he feels like he needs to practice more to ensure he can keep the people he calls friends here, safe. It's the least that he can do for them, but even then, it seems like his powers didn't have any affect on the illusions when he did try and attack them.

He tries not to let that bother him though, and he focuses on summoning his icicles from thin air. Those icicles being hauled forward and toward their intended targets that he had set up. The whole farm filled with lingering frost that may or may not shift into Aldrip while he practices.]

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Ah, you need not worry. There are a few citizens of Aldrip that still... I suppose "trust" me to do this work. And, if they truly do not wish to help, I have Vi and Mizuki to help with the labor. You truly need not worry, Ken.

[There are a few people down there through the noise, and Astralin makes room for Ken to see below. They're definitely younger people, luckily, and they wave at the two of them up top.]

Just because you live with me, does not mean you need to earn your keep. I am letting you live with me because I simply want you to. That, and you are friends with Kotone, who... I must admit, I am very worried about at the moment. ... Both of you, actually.

[He knows what went on in that maze for the most part, and he knows it wasn't easy for Kotone. As for Ken... He can only imagine.]

[If he was that insist on not anyone helping him out, he couldn't say much of anything. All he could do was give a nod despite the look of wanting to help out regardless.]

...Is that so?

[He said before shifting his weight a little. There was a moment of hesitation before he mumbled something.]

...Why is that?

[Ken's a good kid, and because of that, he's going to get a headpat from Astralin here. Just a few pats, so he doesn't embarrass the boy or anything like that. Slowly pulling his hand away and resting it against his side with a soft smile.]

... We need not talk about it for now. We have been through a lot, and sometimes talking about it will not do anyone, any good.

[He was happy and content to just be by the two of them without saying a word about what the hell happened in there.]

Are you hungry? Did you need me to make you anything for lunch?

[From the headpat, Ken didn't know how to feel. He knew he was just a kid and that was fine. And yet, just feeling it made him realize that he was still just so small despite his age. Which was why he gave a small pout before briefly looking away.]

...Not really. I don't want you to do all of that when you were just making the hot spring.

[Because this is what polite people are supposed to do anyway!]

Shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't I be making you something?

[To be fair, Astralin is just peak grandpa with his age and all. And considering he's 7 feet tall and towers over a lot of people... It's kind of hard for him not to do the things he does. Still, he notices that pout, and can't help but chuckle a bit.]

Well, I would not say no to someone making me food. I have grown used to Kotone spoiling me with her food, but I did not know you could cook as well.

[He places his hands in his pockets, as his eyes trail back to the house. The sound of construction still rather loud in his ears, and honestly... He wouldn't mind going back to the house for a little bit. Especially to make something for these contractors, so he could get on their good side while they're building the hot spring.]

It's not that I can't cook but...

[He said before shifting his weight once again. He wasn't going to be as good as Kotone or Shinjiro but he liked to think that his cooking was decent enough. Just enough to pass by and make it seem as though he won't go hungry. And yet, he kept mumbling to himself.]

...don't expect anything great. The most I can do is cook some eggs and grill some salmon too.

[Or at least, enough where it isn't too raw.]

I am not picky. Although we have quite the chef back home in my world, I am used to simple cooking as well. I do not mind either, so you need not worry.

[Again, he reaches his hand out toward Ken's head, and pats his head softly. The corner of his lips curved into a comforting smile, so that he doesn't worry about such trivial matters. He really didn't care if Ken could cook or not, and even if he couldn't, he'd be happy with sandwiches, or something simple like that.]

That is more than enough for me. I do think we have some fish in the fridge after my recent fishing trip.

Yeah but...

[It was a little different when it was cooking for someone who was living with them! Again, he was mumbling a little with the headpat before looking toward the farmhouse.]

...what kind of fish do you have? I know that it is a little different with how long you're suppose to cook depending on the fish.

[See? He learned something from Shinjiro and the others here!!]

We have quite a bit of salmon in the fridge. I thought... It would be a familiar fish for you and Kotone to cook with, so I went ahead and just stocked our fridge with it. It is already filleted and cut into portions, so you need not worry about that.

[The corner of his lips curve into a smile again, and he brings his hand toward his hair to brush it back a bit. An unconscious movement, as he begins to motion Ken toward the farm house again. His finger beckoning the younger teen to follow behind him.]

I recently bought some seasonings that you may be familiar with.

[This wasn't how it was supposed to go! While his sensibilities were telling him that he was technically a guest in Astralin's home, his upbringing was also telling him that he should be doing of the work. Not when he was setting up the hot springs!

Still, he still had a chance to be as polite as possible as made his way to the farmhouse.]

...You didn't have to do all of that. Should I be the one to go out of my way to help you out?

[He was kind of living rent free in his place after all.]

[He tends to reverse uno people who they aren't expecting it. It's an Astralin thing for sure, but none the less, he smiles at Ken, and shakes his head. Not wanting him to think that he had to do things to earn his keep here. It was truly such a strange thing for them to think that, but then again, he treated his kids with the same kindness he's treating Ken with.]

Why? Because I am letting you live here without payment? There is no need to fret about that; I am more than capable of providing for you and Kotone both. Besides, being here is... Enough of a punishment for you two. The least I can do is give you free room and board.

[He curves his lips into soft frown, before sighing softly.]

I just want you all to relax while you are here. Who knows when you will be up for sentencing.

I suppose so but I just know it's the polite thing to do. My mother always taught me that if people do something, you should always try to pay it twice forward.

[Which made him smile softly before chuckling to himself. Indeed, his mother did always teach him to be polite and use his manners as much as possible. Perhaps it might be a cultural thing but at least he knew better.]

...And that's what I believe in too.

Well, while I do not require anything at this current moment, I will keep that in mind. Now, shall we go inside and have something to eat?

[He's heard enough banging and moving rocks around for one day, and he gives a soft smile to Ken as he motions the teen toward the house. His stomach beginning to growl once they reach the entrance to the house, and he finds himself rather famished after working the fields, and doing a little construction work himself.]

What do you want with your salmon? Rice? Potatoes?

[Luckily, he can cook both, but he figures that this is when Ken might interject and want to do the side himself.]

[He still wasn't too sure about that. If anything, he still felt awkward knowing that he didn't have to do anything for him. However, that just means he'll need to find a way to make it up to him somehow. But he couldn't think about it for long.

Not when he was making his way into the farmhouse before he could say anything.]

Rice? I have to admit, that's what I usually have but I never tried it with potatoes before.

[Pause] ...But I can try and make them.

[There it is. He isn't too surprised, and there's a chuckle that escapes from his lips as he stares down at the younger boy with a soft smile. His hand extending out toward Ken again, where he doesn't hesitate to pat his shoulder as they walk into the kitchen. Astralin retreating away from Ken as he sticks his head into the pantry, and reaches for a sack of potatoes that he recently harvested.]

Here. You can experiment with these, if you like. You know where the seasonings, and condiments are.

[Despite being tall, he made sure to keep all of that in arms reach for both Kotone and Ken to reach.]

[It seems that Ken was going to have to get use to him touching his head or his shoulder, wasn't he? With a sigh, he'll just have to deal with it. Either way, as he looked at the sack of potatoes, he tried to grab one out.]

I heard that you were supposed to cut them up into small pieces before adding salt or pepper on them.

[With that, he started to look around in the kitchen for a knife. Of course, as he kept looking around for said knife, he had to wonder just which one he was suppose to use...

He could use a regular one but it seems a little small when trying to cut up potatoes.]

That is correct.

[Well, he has the basics down, at least. Although, it looks like he's trying to find a knife now, and he immediately shifts his gaze toward the knife rack that they had in the kitchen. Astralin reaching for said knife, and offering it to the younger teen with a happy smile. More than happy to assist him, and watch over him when it came to cooking.]

Use this. When you cut the potato, ball your hand into a fist as you are cutting and holding onto the potato, so that you do not cut your fingers.

[It was simple, but helpful advice, he hopes. Though, he does turn away, so that he can move toward the fridge. His hand reaching for the salmon filets that he has been wanting to cook for them. It would be a nice treat for everyone, he thinks, and while Ken is dealing with the potatoes, he'll just be seasoning the salmon in a familiar way to Kotone and Ken.]

[As he was headed said knife, he raised an eyebrow. It certainly looked a little different from what he expect considering that it was slightly larger. Although, in hindsight, he wondered if he should have boiled the potatoes first before cutting them. But...

As he tried to follow what Astralin was saying, he did place his hand in a fist before attempting to cut one down. At the same time, he was kind of looking at him from the corner of his eyes.]

You mean like this...?

[He said before doing just was he was told. Of course, he was having some trouble cutting said potato as he didn't realize just how much pressure he would need to push it down.]

[This was kind of wholesome, to be honest. He watches Ken with a watchful eye, and some part of him can't help but chuckle a bit at the struggle. Not that he wasn't patient -- he was, and he takes a step forward so that he can ensure that Ken can actually cut the potato, rather than his fingers.]

Yes. With a little more pressure.

[That knife was particularly sharp, but he still knew that potatoes needed a bit more force to deal with. So he makes a motion with his hands to show the proper pressure, which. Honestly makes him feel a bit silly, but he is still a parent at heart, so he'll do these silly things. Even though Ken isn't really a child.]

You will not cut the cutting board if you add more pressure. You need not worry.

[With some more pressure, he did eventually cut a few more pieces. While he manages to get the hang of it, it didn't stop him from feeling frustrated. Mumbling to himself, he stared at the potatoes with a small frown.]

...No wonder a lot of people don't eat it with potatoes. This is a lot harder than I thought.

[But then again, he never said it was easy and especially with how much he saw Shinjiro cooking.]

[At least he's cutting potatoes, Astralin notes. Though, again, he can't help but chuckle a bit when there's so few pieces. Still, Ken will get the hang of it, and Astralin goes head and starts the oven so that Ken can put the potatoes in the oven whenever they're ready.]

It is hard at first, but you will get the hang of it, the more you practice. Cutting anything in the kitchen is rather tedious, so I do understand.

[When he was a boy, he certainly wasn't great at cooking either.]

Put the potatoes on one of the cooking trays when you are finished, and put it in the oven. The temperature is already set.

[He smiles at Ken, before reaching for one of the pans that he needs to cook the fish with.]

[After a while, Ken manages to put the potatoes into smaller pieces. Granted, it wasn't as pretty as he wanted to but at least it was a start. Mumbling to himself, he stared down at his work before looking back at the oven. As he walks over and places said pieces onto the cooking trays, he raised an eyebrow or two.]

I have to admit, I never really seen people cook potatoes this way before. I'm more familiar with them frying it in a pan.

[Of course, he was used to potato fries or some other fancier way to cook.]

...I suppose that's the difference between how other people cook it compared to Japan.

[Honestly, Astralin doesn't mind how they look, as long as they taste good and they're seasoned well. His eyes quietly watching Ken, before moving so that he can place those potatoes in the oven. The heat, luckily, at a perfect temperature so that they'll cook evenly and properly.]

I do not mind either method; I suppose I used the oven because it is a bit healthier than fried potatoes.

[He is familiar with this Japan, but the name is certainly different back home. There seems to be a lot of similarities -- down to the names, food, and buildings.]

I am familiar with Japanese cuisine, although it is not named that in our world. However, I have seen familiar ingredients that we have been using, used back at home.

Really? What kind of ingredients have you seen?

[He said before raising an eyebrow or two. Perhaps he just wasn't used to this style of cooking and maybe just using some things he was more familiar with might make him a better cook.

Either way, as he looked down at the oven and then back at Astralin, he crossed his arms before giving a small pout.]

...Although, I have to admit, I still want to try my best to impress you.

I have seen soy sauce, wasabi, chili oil, ponzu... Multiple things. They are in the cabinet above you, should you ever want to use those condiments.

[There's also fresh ingredients in the fridge that he noticed Kotone liked using, so... He's made sure to make them as comfortable as possible now that they're living here. It's the least he could do as the adult.]

Impress me? There is no reason reason for that... Truly. It would mean more to me if you were much more relaxed.

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whatsamada - 2023-11-06 22:29 (UTC) - Expand

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