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Post by Aikaterine "Ai" Volkova on Oct 22, 2010 20:29:31 GMT -5
Aikaterine was not generally one to make herself something to eat. Normally, she was more than content to eat what was available, but today she had a real craving for something spicy and not sweet, and Rhythan had been very much in a 'nothing but sweet' mood. Though that was far from unusual for him, it didn't suit Ai.
The fact that it was Halloween week probably had something to do with Rhythan's major sugar kick, Ai mused. Humming to herself, Ai threw a handful of spices into the pot of chili she was making and smiled at the smell. Her mother had taught her how to cook, and Ai tended to have a talent at knowing what would taste good and exactly how much to add without measuring. It didn't always work, but it wasn't often she found a combination she didn't like. She wasn't quite the genius Hitoshi tended to be, but that didn't concern her. It wasn't like Ai needed to eat very often anyway.
Still in her half-daze, Ai started singing softly to herself. "As I came back through Dublin City At the hour of half past eight Who should I spy but the Spanish lady Brushing her hair in the broad daylight First she tossed it, then she brushed it On her lap was a silver comb In all my life I ne'er did see A maid so fair since I did roam"
She hummed the chorus softly, dancing along slightly to the song in her head with no concern that someone might come in. If they did, she probably would just start dancing with them.
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Post by Zypher Aetai-Hiller on Oct 22, 2010 20:59:51 GMT -5
Zypher had followed his nose to the kitchen, having about as much interest in a sugar coma as he did in his advanced calculus homework, and smelling something that promised to be a bit more hearty, if he could manage to cajole some out of whomever was cooking.
Glancing in, he grinned to see one of the Volkova girls dancing with herself across the kitchen as she cooked. He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms, listening to her sing what sounded like an old song.
It sort of reminded him of her. He still wasn't quite sure which this was, as they were identical and he didn't know them well enough to tell by choice of music which was which, but he was rather certain they'd spent some time in Spain.
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Post by Aikaterine "Ai" Volkova on Oct 22, 2010 21:09:20 GMT -5
Aikaterine continued to hum to herself as she finished the chili, taking it off the heat and letting it cool for a moment. She turned and blinked, then smiled at the young man in the door. "Well, don't be a stranger, Zy. Surely by now you know me well enough to come say hi."
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Post by Zypher Aetai-Hiller on Oct 22, 2010 21:15:10 GMT -5
"But I like lurking in doorways. How else could I watch you dance by yourself to music only you can hear?" he smiled, still leaning against the door.
"Still have that silver comb? Bet it goes well with your silver spoon."
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Post by Aikaterine "Ai" Volkova on Oct 22, 2010 21:17:10 GMT -5
She looked at him steadily. "And what, pray tell, is that supposed to mean, Mr. Aetai-Hiller?"
Pouring herself a bowl of chili, and grabbing a piece of sweetbread that Rhythan had in the fridge, she turned to look at him again.
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Post by Zypher Aetai-Hiller on Oct 22, 2010 21:20:18 GMT -5
Zypher paused and thought about what he'd said. "I think I meant 'silver-tongue' meaning you're gifted with words," he said thoughtfully.
His dark eyes looked hungrily at the pot of chili. "I didn't mean any insult. Can I have some, please? It smells really good."
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Post by Aikaterine "Ai" Volkova on Oct 22, 2010 21:26:20 GMT -5
Ai regarded him thoughtfully, then grinned. She wasn't aware of Zypher being fond of spicy food, and she'd made this almost as spicy as Dr. Yogo tended to.
"Of course you can," she said sweetly. This ought to be good. "Just serve yourself. I certainly made far too much for me alone."
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Post by Zypher Aetai-Hiller on Oct 22, 2010 21:36:59 GMT -5
Something about her tone seemed to set off warning bells in Zypher's mind. However, the growling of his stomach drowned them out and he served himself a bowl. He moved over to a table in the cafeteria, hooking the chair with a foot and pulling it out, then pushing another out for...
He looked again closely at the Volkova twin he was talking to. It was the small details that generally made these two stand apart when one wasn't talking to both of them to see their personality differences... and the ink stains under her nails proclaimed this to be Ai. Well, at least my comment about her being skilled with words was correct. He nodded at the seat he'd pushed out as he took a bite of chili.
And promptly dropped the spoon, panting and with tears in his eyes. He wiped them away and quickly ran into the kitchen to get a glass of milk.
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Post by Aikaterine "Ai" Volkova on Oct 22, 2010 21:46:44 GMT -5
Aikaterine took the pro-offered seat in time to easily see Zypher's reaction to the chili. She covered her mouth with her hand, laughing. Served him right for that earlier slip. 'Did she have a silver spoon to go with her silver comb' indeed. Ai knew perfectly well she was not what one could possibly call 'a spoiled rich kid'. If anyone here had a silver spoon, it was Zypher, though she knew he hadn't been born with it. After all, Zephyros was basically her uncle... which made Zypher her cousin.
But then, so was Jack. In the same sort of way. Frankly, if you went by the logic of friends so close they were siblings, half the school seemed to be her cousins. Doctor Stryker (she couldn't help but think of it in a British accent and that made her giggle) was basically adopted by Grandma Riv, as was Professor Oloran. Headmaster Hitoshi was her father's cousin... Ai missed Zypher's return as she mentally worked out just how many of the professors and students she was basically, if not literally related to.
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Post by Zypher Aetai-Hiller on Oct 22, 2010 22:05:18 GMT -5
Zypher came back with a piece of the same bread Ai had, and a rather large cup of milk, and shot her a glare. "C'mon, would it have killed you to warn me it was that hot, Ai? Seriously, I thought I was going to breathe flames, and even for me that's impressive."
He sat down again, being careful with his second bite. It was still nearly too hot, and he followed it immediately with a bite of bread. He was too hungry to go looking for anything else, and if one could set aside the extreme heat, the chili was pretty good.
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Post by Aikaterine "Ai" Volkova on Oct 22, 2010 22:10:12 GMT -5
Ai gave him a wide-eyed look of utter innocence, pulled away from her musing on the extent of her extended family. "I don't know what you're talking about, Zypher dear. It's not hot at all."
To prove her point, she ate several bites of her serving without a bite of bread or going to get something to drink. Sitting back, Ai looked at him with a demure smile that had just a hint of an edge, probably helped by the slight point of her fangs peeking out over her upper lip. "See? Besides, you seem to be enjoying it anyway."
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Post by Zypher Aetai-Hiller on Oct 22, 2010 22:56:59 GMT -5
Zypher just sniffed at her and kept eating. "Maybe I'm just so starving I could eat almost anything. And don't go getting ideas on that, Miss Volkova. I've decided your sense of humor is dangerous. Maybe all your tastebuds are so fried that it has to be that hot for you to notice."
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Post by Aikaterine "Ai" Volkova on Oct 23, 2010 0:09:00 GMT -5
"And what is that supposed to mean?" she asked dangerously. "Is that supposed to be a comment of some sort?"
She drummed her fingers on the table slowly, looking at him intently.
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Post by Zypher Aetai-Hiller on Oct 23, 2010 0:52:59 GMT -5
Zypher could be dense... but he was not so dense enough to not realize he had strayed into what could be very perilous waters. He stopped and looked at her, trying to see how he had transgressed this time.
"Oh you think I... No! I didn't mean... I was making jokes about how all the spice had burned your tongue not..." He facepalmed and hissed when the bit of spice that he had gotten on his hand burned his eyes. "Ah! Ow!"
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