expiationlogs

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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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.

[Perhaps Ken should visit and look at the cabinets some more. As he raised an eyebrow at the list of ingredients, he wasn't aware that there were already so many he could choose from. Scratching the back of his mind, he was starting to feel embarrassed by it....]

...Maybe I should. I think I'm just overthinking all of this.

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