songerein | [08] i'm 'bout to celebrate, push my head into the cake

[Reaper was busying himself re-wrapping his cookie to enjoy the rest of later. He also busied himself putting it back in the bag to avoid the scrutiny of his actions when it came to making more appearances - subtle or otherwise - to the Wild Harvest.]

You must think very highly of this stupid soldier to give him such notoriety.

[He'd bring the conversation back around to the old insult that Susato had given him which had been so damn amusing. Even now, if he thought about it, the whole thing made him laugh to himself.]

No more than usual. I just let you see me more than usual. This place is getting busier each day, and I expect a little added protection from unruly patrons would be valuable to a place based on customer service.

[He could lie his way out of most situations where his integrity was called into question. Except from 76. The man knew him well enough to see through his lies.]

[ She is going to IGNORE his attempts at baiting/trolling, thank you very much (though they are both free to enjoy her visible wincing). Please let it go. ]

Is that all it is. Still treating us like royalty, then. [ Flower Fest ended months ago, OK. She doesn't sound convinced. ] And here I thought we had adopted a rather large, shadowy feline friend.

[It didn't much help that 76 already knew the reason why Reaper was hanging around more often, visibly so.

... Didn't help that 76 had been encourage it either, letting the man into the kitchen with him those early mornings while others were still asleep. Always made himself appear scarce once he could sense life outside of 76 and the animals that kept around. Easy enough to appear as if it was nothing unusual given 76's own habits either.

He shifted weight back onto his heels, even if briefly.]

Even without that particular set of armor, man strikes an imposing and dark figure. [A little dryly. Certainly remembered how that last day ended for him—]

The smaller ones in the garden area probably wouldn't oppose.

[The leaf-tailed cats.]

Well, I seem to recall that no one has retracted the titles, so you two are royalty. I'm nothing more or less than your knight. My armour has just changed.

[He had had a good time at the flower festival, getting into character better there than he had anywhere else. The stone armour was imposing but just not the same as his leather and far more high-tech additions.]

Does that mean you are giving me permission to lounge around in high places in here, Susato? [An invitation to the place would mean he could legit come around more and be more obvious about it.]

[ It would probably be preferable to sneaking around behind their backs, honestly. He is imposing for sure. Jack isn't wrong, though at the question, Susato finds herself sighing. (He does appear to be less imposing the more she spends time with him.) ]

Perhaps if you clean up there while you are at it.

...No scaring our patrons, either.

[Reaper was probably goin to take that as an invitation and permission both-]

At least we all know he can be quiet as well. Better to surprise someone that does, for whatever reason, decide to make an ass of themselves during business hours.

[Majority that worked at the Harvest could handle themselves, but still.]

[Reaper was going to take Susato's words as permission, and he made a rumbling pleased noise in his damaged throat. Excellent, now there was less need to sneak around and even if he did, he had a viable excuse to fall back on.]

Fine, I can assist with odd jobs such as clean up now and again.

[The fact that he agreed without a fight probably should be alarming. He had his way of doing things, and when he was given his way, he certainly had no reason to fight it. He turned his head to look at Jack who he had previously been mostly keeping to the peripheral of his vision.]

The King is your bouncer and bartender, yes? She likes me, so I suppose I can lend my services to keeping the drunken masses in line.

[Said like he was doing them a favour and not the other way around.]

[ So he gets along well with Tifa? Susato would have to confirm that, though she's not sure she would like being referred to as king. Besides, Tifa is not the one he would have to worry about. ]

Royalty or not, Kazuma will still have to approve. You'll have to stay in his good graces as well. [ Or at least, show that he's not a threat. To 76, Susato, or Reverein as a whole. ]

Tifa? Yeah, she's our bartender. Been teaching her a few recipes for off-the-clock use.

[He was teaching her some cookie recipes, and how to prep to make those cookie doughs, along with ice cream. When you made boozey shakes and floats it didn't hurt to know that to make it for fun off the clock. Jack remembered all of the fun Reaper had during that festival, however. He'd listened to him during some of their more idle... chatter?

Something like that.

Arms folded a little more comfortable just under his chest, stance finally reaching more relaxed than a loose parade-rest.]

Susato is right though, Kazuma is the final say on anything to do with the Wild Harvest.

[His head tipped a bit towards Reaper, a shift on his foot as he moved a little to the side and there was a brief bump of shoulders with the man as he took up to form a half-circle with how the three of them were standing.

Easier to look at each other, only reason. Right?]

[Of course it would come down to Kazuma. The kid would definitely not approve of him, and he had no interest in pulling his punches with him either. So, he was fine remaining to the shadows then.

If he was in Kazuma's position, he'd definitely make life hell for him. Reaper was a vengeful asshole though.]

So it will be as his Royal Highness, Prince Kazuma, decrees.

[He spoke in a sort of disinterested way, even waving a hand lightly to dismiss the topic as over and done with. He had already decided he was going to lurk about, and Kazuma could sniff and snarl about it all the kid liked. If he had to pull the 'boyfriend' card, he would. Desperate times and all that.

He felt the light bump and moved to cover the antics by crossing his arms so that it looked like they had just shifted position to accommodate one another in this new half circle.]

And where is the Royal Pain anyway? I'm surprised his Reaper-dar hasn't pinged him to be present.

...Hah. [ As she looks between the two of them, she can definitely sense something has changed. It's an innocent enough gesture, that touch of the shoulder, but it makes her feel othered, even though she'd also been a part of that half-circle. Even though this is her kitchen, too.

She takes a step back, then glances towards the kitchen door. Might have been holding back a small smile at the idea of a princely Kazuma. He totally deserved a win, too. ]

I believe he saw him go out with Fang for a bit of exercise, when he thought I was still sleeping.

[ ...... ]

...Reaper...dar?

He'll be out a while then knowing Fang- she and Blue can play pretty hard whenever she follows me this way.

[76 was still acting as if there was nothing unusual going on, despite how much more relaxed -even if subtly- he was with Reaper's presence. Not more on edge, some alertness as if ready to jump for some move the other made.

None of that was as present as it would usually be.

His head tipped a bit.]

As if having a second sense, being able to just feel that Reaper was here. Play on radar.

Well then, since we can't put the matter at his Royal Pain-in-the-Ass's feet, I believe you two were here in the kitchen on business.

[He looked to Susato first, since she had been in the kitchen first baking and decorating away the early morning hours. Perhaps she had other matters to attend to or perhaps she was going to stick around now that 76 was here.]

Are you planning on doing kitchen prep together? I could be convinced to lend a hand if so.

[A weird group activity. Besides, it let him see how 76 and Susato interacted with each other.]

[ Sure is great that Jack is around to explain jokes. Not that Susato fully understands yet still, but she makes a mental note to either look up or ask him in private what radar is, later.

She is still looking back and forth between him and Reaper, ignoring the latter's jab at Kazuma. ]

Well... We often help each other in the kitchen, yes. But I can't help but feel as if I've interrupted something, even though you were the ones who joined me.

Is the reason I usually turn up early here- get some of the early prep done, and Susato always slides in once she's down here.

[A tone that it was welcomed, as if she'd been there the entire time with how they'd gotten used to working in the kitchen together. Some dishes just needed that early prep time to get a jump on the day, rather than it becoming something to be worried about for some of the quick sales.

The cookies would no doubt be one of those—]

Nah, you're fine, kid.

[Couldn't interrupt what hadn't started yet—]

[At her comment about interrupting, he finally turned his head where he could observe Jack from behind his mask. He made a noise in his throat then shrugged, brushing off the idea with a sort of indifference.]

Then you should stay. The old man seems to want your company for prep.

[It might put a damper on original plans, but they were adaptable. This was an inevitability that they would have to deal with at one time or another, and she was given a pass far more than most.]

I'd like to see your recipe for the cookies anyway.

[ They always seem to appreciate each other's quiet company. There's a glance at Jack, the "old man," at his mention, but her head turns back around to Reaper quickly enough. ]

You would?

[ So far, she knows that he's great with needle and thread. Now she's learning he's a chocolate cookie enthusiast. What a dad. ]

...Hm, I don't know, Jack. Should we share our secrets? Perhaps we should make him earn it.

[A hand lifted so he could finally take off the visor, and unhook the part that it connected wit as well. Left him smoothing his beard own with a hand while he let the visor and 'head' piece drop into a shadow he conjured up. Could grab it from anywhere as needed with that.

Was also a brief flick of blue eyes Reaper's way and a slight tilt of his head. They could take some time after, he could put something to a different time after all.]

Maybe we should have him learn it hands on. No secret has to be spoken, and it's a well earned way as well, unless you've something else in mind, Susato.

[Reaper shifted his attention to Susato to avoid having to stare at that ridiculously attractive beard. He was used to it, but sometimes, he knew better than to look. He couldn't yet risk the urge to reach out and touch it, though he was pleased to see it so well trimmed. You're welcome.]

Are you telling me that I have to bake to earn a recipe? I was willing to do a recipe exchange, but I suppose this is the next best thing.

[He was growling it like the whole bargain was difficult to swallow. It wasn't. He wanted her recipe more than he wanted to grump about watching.]

[ Nothing has to be spoken...

Hmm. There's a beat as Susato naturally gravitates to a nearby shelf, reaching for a notebook that she keeps here in the kitchen, just for the occasion. Inside there are multiple doodles of Toby, from back when she was designing the Lestrade Chocolate Special cupcake, and also notes from the current recipe in question, which also contains their multiple attempts before they settled on something they liked. ]

I could show you. But now I am curious as to what recipes you have to offer. What other delicacies do you favour besides chocolate chip cookies, I wonder?

[76 was removing his gloves as well, giving them the same treatment as his visor and headgear. Moving then just a few steps away as he shrugged out of his jacket to reach through a shadow 'drawn' in the air and drop through it into his private room at the Harvest. Would find it later rested over the back of the bench-like couch there.

Idly he smoothed down the hugging short-sleeved shirt, grabbing his apron to pull on and tie at his back. Easily going through the motions of starting off his day in the kitchen-]

Maybe you should offer the secret of your churros and the dip that goes with it, Reaper.

[Idly spoken, even as he cut Reyes a brief look. Sweets for sweets?]

[He remained stiffly standing there in the big kitchen, as if trying to stand his ground against this negotiation and pretending to fail at it. He growled as Susato like her question was uncomfortably invasive, perfectly willing to make a show of it.

Then his head snapped around and his posture changed to offended as he pointed a finger at 76 who had recently lost more than a few articles of clothing. Damn old man.]

No. That's a family recipe, and as much as I like cookies, churros is worth far more than cookies. [By 'like' cookies, he actually means 'loves'.]

Sacrifices had to be made in order stick around here and get that recipe. His outfit was definitely not designed to cook in, and he supposed he could trust Susato with just a peak at himself as his gloves and bracers turned to smoke. Much like 76, his hands and fingers were blackened, but unlike 76's, his looked far more unnatural like his skin was necrotic.]

Move aside. I'll show you Huevos rancheros and you'll like it or else.

[ Rude! "You'll like it or else" is totally her threat. ...But you know, maybe can understand the value behind a family recipe. She would have to earn that one, but for now, she'll look at Jack before taking those few precious steps back and giving Reaper the floor--or the counter. Conveniently, she already has a place to take notes, so all she has to do is turn to a fresh page. ]

Huevos rancheros...

[ Spanish? Did she even spell that right? ...She squints at her scribbles, and decides that's good enough.

Let's see... ingredients first, right? ]

Eggs?

Right, right.

[Oh, he knew it was a family recipe; adding the right sort of point where Reaper could keep up this little show and keep the attitude going while 76 rolled his eyes and played right along. Even if here and there he was setting out the pan that would be needed well within reach for Reaper to use as he moved.]

Floor's yours, old man.

[76 could keep himself out of the while while still getting a few things set out and at the ready- without being obvious about it.]

[Without waiting for anyone to agree, Reaper bustled off to search for ingredients while Susato began to ask questions. He knew 76 would be tolerant of him taking over, even if this was technically their kitchen to utilize. He'd commandeered for less honestly.]

Yes, eggs. This recipe fries eggs, but you can also scramble them and that's called Huevos a la Mexicana. First we need to make salsa.

[He came out with an onion, tomatoes, cooking oil, chilies and set them out on the counter. He pointed at Jack with a blackened finger.] Do you have chili powder or cumin any kind?

[He began to chop up the tomatoes with skilled fingers of someone who had been working around a knife for a very long time and was perfectly comfortable talking and cooking at the same time.]

And how old are you turning this month, old man? [He said it with a casualness of someone knowing exactly what they were doing. After all, he already knew what age Jack was. Susato clearly needed the benefit of a birthday coming up rapidly.]

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