[OOC] Folkmore IC Inbox

[pyrighteous]

[ Instead of a welcome message, there's just muffled noises as Hunter tries and fails to get his comm to do what he wants it to do. ]

Comments

[apuckalypse]

[Casey beams immediately, tilting a bit into it, so if Hunter's looking for confirmation of it being a good call, there's that.]

Oh, here's a trick I've learned that might help. [He arranges the meat on the tray, washes his hands quickly, and grabs a little metal timer magnet off the fridge.] It's a cooking timer! You can set it for however long you want, and it'll buzz to remind you to check the food. So it won't burn!

[pyrighteous]

[ Good. He's still learning how to do this casual affection thing.

Anyway, he shifts back a bit to watch Casey work his magic. ]

Oh. That ... makes a lot of sense. Better than me walking off and leaving the eggs.

[apuckalypse]

[He's doing good! And as someone who grew up on casual affection, Casey's happy to continue demonstrating how great it is.

He adds a few more spices and a drizzle of oil, mixing it all up, then slides it into the oven. (It really is a simple recipe, perfectly suited for newbies.) Then he sets the timer for half an hour, and steps back.]

And there we go! Dinner, coming right up. Should be done by the time we finish cleaning up.

[A much less fun job, but the stovetop needs saving if they ever want eggs again.]

[pyrighteous]

[ That poor, poor tabletop. Hunter moves to fetch ... uh ... multiple sponges, to start with. ]

That ... really was a lot easier than I thought? That was even easier than eggs.

[apuckalypse]

It feels a lot easier when you only do half the work!

[Casey's tone is an obvious tease, though he isn't wrong.]

Seriously though, if you want help with any cooking, just say so. I'm happy to.

[pyrighteous]

W-well - okay yeah but - both halves seemed easier!

[ He's learning okay! This is still new. Anyway. ]

I - uh, I might take you up on that. I really want to be able to do this for you but...

[apuckalypse]

[Casey's proud of him learning! He just shouldn't force himself. It's a good life skill to learn if he wants to.]

You don't have to rush. I'm still learning, too- I didn't know how to do much more than roast a rat before I got here. And you're better at stuff that I don't really like doing! Like cleaning. Never liked cleaning much. Anything you clean in this place is like a present to me, I swear.

[He does it out of pure necessity, not joy. His room grows a little less militarily clean and a little more teenage-boy-messy by the month.]

[pyrighteous]

... Really?

[ Hunter can't help but perk up. He IS great at cleaning, actually. Thanks Belos and all the endless castle chores. ]

[apuckalypse]

Really! You might even be too good at cleaning. It doesn't have to be spotless, seriously. And dishes... I love when I cook and you wash the dishes, I don't end up with wrinkle-fingers that mess with my calluses.

[He wiggles his fingers, which are already getting pruney from washing the stove with a wet sponge.]

I don't mind splitting chores or anything! But if there's stuff we like to do, um. We can do those. If that makes sense?

[pyrighteous]

W-well - I like spotless. And my fingers don't do that.

[ He's already wiping down the stove here. ]

... I think that makes sense. Yeah.

[apuckalypse]

Does the water feel good instead?

[Water and sunlight... well, it makes sense, if he's secretly made of wood. Kind of useful, actually.]

[pyrighteous]

Honestly? Yeah. Most of the time.

[ He has to really think about that for a moment. ]

I guess my fingers swell up sometimes if it's too much, but it takes a lot for that.

[apuckalypse]

Huh...

[That makes him think.]

Since water's pretty dangerous on the Boiling Isles [considering the name] have you gone swimming before?

[pyrighteous]

[ Hunter shakes his head. ]

We have lakes that are safe, but not many of them. And I never went anywhere for fun, so...

[ Someone doesn't know how to swim! ]

[apuckalypse]

[Casey's eyes light up immediately.]

We should go swimming, then! I bet you'd really like it.

[pyrighteous]

R. Really? Is it difficult?

[apuckalypse]

I think with how active you are, it wouldn't be that hard for you. It takes stamina, but floating is easy and feels nice! Everything else builds on that.

[pyrighteous]

Huh ... All right. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try then.

[ Scrub scrub. ]

Where do you swim around here?

[apuckalypse]

I learned to swim in the lake near Gram, but I think it's too cold right now.

[The weather isn't winter weather, but the outdoor water's still cold, and likely will be until summer rolls around.]

Kuma Lisa has a pool. I've been before, it's really nice. We should go there!

[pyrighteous]

All right. Uh - we can go after school in a couple days? After you rest.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey laughs, his expression deeply fond.]

You're really twisting my arm to sleep, huh. [He gives Hunter a gentle nudge with his elbow, since their hands are busy.] Thanks for looking out for me.

[pyrighteous]

Well - I mean -

[ He laughs a little, his expression going soft. ]

You really have been working hard at this. I'm a little worried too.

[apuckalypse]

Yeah... that's fair. I'm sorry for worrying you. [Even for a good cause, Hunter has enough to worry about as it is.] No more overtime! Tomorrow my real vacation starts. I'll stay in bed all day, watch me. I'll even skip school! Gotta get rid of these.

[He points to the eyebags. Yeah, he's noticed them, too.]

[pyrighteous]

Good.

[ He straightens up just enough to bump Casey's shoulder. ]

I'll skip school too. Just to make sure you stay in bed.

[apuckalypse]

Haha... maybe we really will need Mom to write a note.

[Probably not, but it would be kind of funny. There is some relief in his tone and body language, though. The idea of staying home to rest, and having company too? It's nice. He really likes that. They can just chill and not worry about anything for once.]