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May 31, 2023 21:25:23 GMT
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Post by Raven on Jan 8, 2018 3:28:24 GMT
"I've been great. Not much happens up here, so I have a lot of free time; even as the town's Mayor. Let's go for a walk, and you can tell me all about what's been going on with you!"
Kalani grabs Clay's arm and proceeds to walk around town with him, bombarding him with questions about himself, his friends, and the goings-on down at the Guild.
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jan 8, 2018 19:16:03 GMT
Frankly, Clay's pretty sure he knows who's in control of this relationship. It's really not a surprise - he already knows how much like Tiki Kalani can be, and Tiki's penchant for dragging people along with her before they have any say in the matter. All he can do is go along for the ride.
The big news, of course, is them looking for Pokémon for Tiki's Normal Branch thing (and he really wishes he knew more details about what the contest is going to be), and Rei's continuing career as a crash pad. "I know it frustrates her a lot, but, I mean, at least she gets into this stuff because she's trying to help somebody. Not everyone would put themselves on the line for somebody else like that."
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Post by Raven on Jan 9, 2018 0:18:33 GMT
Kalani appropriately gasps when you mention Rei's injuries, and mentions how great it is that you're helping Tiki do something for her Branch. "Well, I hope that Rei gets better soon. Nobody should be cooped up for that long, regardless of reasons. I know it'd drive me batty real quick. It is good that she's helping others, of course. I don't think I could do what she did. Not and live to tell about it. I'm pretty fragile by comparison to her."
She happily talks your ear off for several more minutes before asking if there was anything in particular that you wanted to do.
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jan 10, 2018 22:42:24 GMT
"She's actually been helping Tiki out, too, though she's just been looking around town and Holly's been with her. Nice thing about having the Guild's healers, after the first day or so she could at least get up and move around." He chuckles wryly. "I know what you mean about not being able to stay cooped up, though. Whenever one of my friends is in the infirmary I'm in and out a lot 'cause I can't sit still and it annoys the healers."
He rubs the back of his neck when she asks about things he wants to do. "I mostly came up 'cause I just wanted to see you, 's why I picked this direction today. Uh, we could get something to eat if you want?" Clay's still a little hazy about what you actually do when you're dating someone, especially when he's trying to avoid having to walk home in the dark if he can. Not that he isn't confident that he and Tiki can handle trouble, but it's better not to risk it, right?
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Post by Raven on Jan 10, 2018 22:50:58 GMT
Kalani giggles. "Well, it is nice to see you again. We could go back to my place and get something to eat if you want. Gertrude and her tiny terrors should be back soon; she just took them down to the beach today to get them used to the water."
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jan 12, 2018 18:22:40 GMT
Clay laughs quietly. "As long as she doesn't try to feed me to 'em again. I guess that was probably just revenge for making you cry, though. Getting me nibbled to death by baby Totodiles." He needs to figure out who on his team would be a safe prospect to play with the Totodiles, if it comes to that. Somebody who wouldn't overreact. Sandy might do a good job...
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Post by Raven on Jan 12, 2018 22:49:47 GMT
Kalani waves her hands dismissively. "Oh, no, they just do that on their own. If Gertrude was upset with you, you'd know it. So, was there anything in particular you were wanting to eat, or should I just prepare anything?"
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jan 14, 2018 12:48:52 GMT
"I'm not very picky. Anything you make would be great!" Clay doesn't like bitter foods much, but he doesn't want to be too demanding. "I can even help if you want. You'd kinda have to tell me what to do, though."
Clay's never really cooked, but how hard could it be? (Famous last words...)
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Post by Raven on Jan 14, 2018 19:06:14 GMT
"Oh, great! We'll make a chef out of you yet, Clay!" She giggles as she pulls you along back towards the house. Once in the kitchen, she starts dashing around, taking out this and that and all sorts of things. Before long, she's got you doing simple tasks like "stir this for 5 minutes" or "mix these things together". Within an hour, she has somehow made an entire full-course meal for the two of you. As might be expected, a lot of it is seafood, but it smells delicious at least.
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jan 15, 2018 4:05:43 GMT
Clay mostly sticks to following instructions, a little bewildered by Kalani's dashing around. Cooking seems like it can get complicated, at least when it's a full meal like this - which admittedly is why he pretty much sticks to eating in the Guild's mess. Stirring, at least, he can do, and do enthusiastically... possibly making a bit of a mess in the process.
"So, you like to cook, huh?" He doesn't think she could be nearly this good at it if it was something she only did because she had to. He's not complaining about the seafood - it's something a little different for him, since it's not a massive part of his diet further inland at the guild. "It smells great!"
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Post by Raven on Jan 15, 2018 6:29:07 GMT
"I love cooking! It's one of my passions. My mother is very polite about being my guinea pig for new and experimental food ideas, and Gertrude eats just about anything I give her." She sets the table and sits down with you, encouraging you to eat as much as you like.
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jan 16, 2018 23:22:07 GMT
"Red Child's kinda the same way, especially since he evolved. I guess when you're that big you need a lot of feeding."
Clay doesn't need to be told twice to eat as much as he wants. Of course, he has to slow down occasionally if Kalani still wants to talk. Hopefully she won't hold it against him, he's still feeling out this whole "romance" thing. "This is really good!"
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Post by Raven on Jan 17, 2018 0:37:20 GMT
Kalani beams. "I'm sooo glad you like it, Clay! It's a new variation on the typical stuff I made, and I wasn't sure if it was going to be any good."
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jan 19, 2018 6:21:09 GMT
"No, it's great! I guess I don't get a lot of seafood, up in the mountains and then living in Saffron. I've had river fish sometimes but they're kinda different." Clay grins. "I know I don't get up here as often as I wish I could, but I'll definitely volunteer to taste-test new stuff if you want to try it on me."
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Post by Raven on Jan 19, 2018 6:42:28 GMT
"Careful." Kalani's mother calls from another room. "You may just end up regretting those words."
"You hush, Mother! I'm sure Clay will love anything I give him!" Kalani huffs back.
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jan 19, 2018 6:49:18 GMT
Clay blushes a little when he realizes there are more ears around than Kalani's. He guesses it isn't that surprising - it's a big house, as far as Clay's limited experience of houses goes, but there's only so far one can go. And one could hardly blame Kalani's mother for keeping half an ear on them. It's still a little embarrassing.
"'Course I will!" At least he knows the right answer to the implied question. Besides, it's hard to offend his stomach, even if he isn't fond of bitter food.
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Post by Raven on Jan 19, 2018 8:21:30 GMT
Kalani giggles as she ensures you get second and third helpings, plus extra for your Pokemon that might be hungry. She not only made a full, three course meal, she made enough for at least five people! And this is just the first course! Second and third courses are, of course, more seafood, just different kinds and prepared in different ways. Where course #1 was fried and breaded shrimp, course #2 is lobster tail with melted butter and many kinds of dipping sauce. Course #3 is fresh carp (no, not Magikarp). Dessert, should Clay find room enough for it after all that rich food, is a slice of strawberry shortcake.
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jan 21, 2018 7:04:08 GMT
Anybody who's seen Clay being a bottomless pit in the cafeteria would be surprised, but Kalani has actually managed to make more food than he can eat. Luckily, he has a little help. Not all of Clay's Pokémon are all that interested - bad luck, most of his team today are herbivores. On the other hand...
"Forsooth! Real food at lasteth!" Tavi has apparently missed shellfish. Clay giggles a little as Tavi experiments the concept of dipping sauce. "I guess I gotta bring Tavi up here more often. We don't get a lotta fish in Saffron, I think I said that already."
And of course there's Fan, who much like a human will eat just about anything. And steal from right under Clay's nose if he isn't quick. "Hey, c'mon, sis. Not like there isn't enough food for both of us." Fan chitters something and sticks her tongue out at Clay, who rolls his eyes. "... She says it tastes better when it's stolen. Sheesh."
Even Fan and Clay are slowing down by the time the third course is done. "Oof. This tastes so great, but if you do this every time I visit I'm gonna have to start training with the sumo guys." He's teasing, of course. Despite his protests, he nibbles at the cake anyway. Everybody has a backup dessert stomach, right?
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Post by Raven on Jan 21, 2018 7:40:25 GMT
Kalani giggles again as she lays a hand on Clay's arm. "Please don't feel like you have to eat all of it, Clay. I don't want to you make yourself sick trying to be polite. Gertrude and her little ones will happily take any leftovers."
Unlike Clay, Kalani only ate a small amount of each of her own dishes. This seems a common trend among girls: they don't actually eat a lot, even if they made/prepared the food themselves!
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Post by carnackiArdent on Jan 21, 2018 8:15:51 GMT
Clay smiles and reaches his own hand up to find hers. "Sorry. It's kind of an instinct thing. You hear that, Tavi? Leave some for the baby crocodiles. Otherwise they're gonna start chewing on our ankles, and you're closer to the ground than me."
Tavi's response is "Oddsbodkins." They're in no danger of not having leftovers, though, even with Tavi eating like he's storing up fat for the winter.
"You probably don't wanna know what he said." Not that Clay is entirely certain what Tavi said. The intention comes through loud and clear though. "Well, if I'm gonna have a... girlfriend, at least I have one who's as sweet as her cake?" He's not sure how much sense that one made, but he'll try for the goofy in-theme compliment anyway.
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