Cherubplay

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He rolled his eyes, "No need to get testy." He replied, stretching his arms over his head as he stood from his seat and pushed his chair in, "Just making sure you don't get to enthusiastic about something that's barely even started yet. Not like you lot can afford any mistakes."

Tavros shifted uncomfortably at that.

She sighed quietly, "Then we will tell him after they come back from Parliament, yes? Put a smidgen more faith in your matesprit, dear, he is doing well for all the pressure put on him." Kanaya glanced back at the table, noticing Sollux go off to him room, presumably to get some work done before the meeting with Parliament, "I think he would be happy to know that his darling trusted him enough to tell him about all the goings on, right? He will be much angrier if you keep him in the dark."

2014-08-19 01:09:36
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Karkat sighed. "Seems like there's not much to do but fly by the seat of our pants and hope for the best. If there's anything in what's helped you so far that might still be able to help I'd look that over," he mentioned to Tavros. "There will be plenty to talk about after your return. I'd just make a good impression this time and be clear and logical. Later we can cause more havoc... I think the yellow knows what he's talking about, but I wouldn't mistrust your intuition either. Just be sure before you do anything potentially reckless," he mused, trying in his own way to reassure Tavros.

"I just don't want to burden him with all that shit," he put a hand to his forehead as he grimaced, feeling a headache coming on. "It ain't nice...and I'm not too keen on talking over my life and such. I don't wanna get felt sorry for," he grouched. "I'll do it, but you'll need to cover whatever the fuck I miss."

2014-08-19 01:31:06
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"Sollux does seem to have a good idea as to what will happen and what is going on. It is good to listen to him, just..." He gave a little shake of his head. He couldn't fall into his emotions like that, Karkat was right. He had to be clear and logical. "Yes, I will," Tavros promised, turning his head to glance at the clock in the kitchen, gauging that there wasn't much time until the meeting, "Thank you. I will do my very best today and for the remainder of my time here," He stood up from the table, smoothing out his dress and moving back into the guest bedroom. He would review his notes and make a mental argument to propose to Parliament. Like Sollux said, he couldn't afford any mistakes.

Kanaya couldn't help but giggle, "You are the only troll in all existence that wishes for his matesprit not to pity him." However, she could understand where he was coming from; she certainly hated it when Sollux felt sorry for her when things happened, like she was a wiggler incapable of doing things for herself. "But yes, dear, I will fill in the empty portions. No worries."

2014-08-19 01:46:32
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Gamzee just nodded to her and finished up with the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen. He returned to the table and sipped at his remaining tea, sharing the rest of the pot with Karkat who was still there, deep in thought. The cherry came out of it slightly when the purple sat down, motioning a question with is hands again. Of course, Gamzee had been surprised when he had signed the first time so had to ask how he had learned, being as high up in society as he was. Karkat explained, the whole time they were just talking in sign. It felt kind of good to get in practice again, even if there wasn't much point to it besides not filling up the air with sounds. To answer Karkat's previous question, Gamzee answered that they'd be filling Tavros in on all the vagaries and more history of Wonderland after they got back from the meeting. In the meantime he was going to try his hand at baking. And perhaps start on dinner if it took a long time.

When Sollux reappeared from his room however long from then it was, that was Gamzee's first question. "How long do you think the meeting will last?"

2014-08-19 01:56:17
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"It depends." He was in his uniform, a slightly-stiff, government issued ensemble that was red and black and tailored loosely in the fashion of a suit but thicker. He wore a yellow band on his right wrist to signify what blood color he was, even if, by law, he didn't have to, the government-uniforms usually placed blood colors onto clothing for the sake of showing off. Sollux didn't care about his yellow blood other than the fact that everyone else was sullying it. "Parliament usually handles all the little things; a shop burned down, a legal romantic binding or separation, that sort of thing unless they're in session for laws. Bigger things like this could take much longer, not to mention all the needless formalities that they /insist/ on going on with. Escorting with two guards, an attendant taking your coat and your bags, if any, offering tea or water or coffee. Honestly, if it wasn't for that, you could probably shave off twenty minutes of what should only be a couple hours."

Kanaya, standing to fix his uniform, smiled back at everyone as she re-did his lopsided tie, even if he swatted her away in annoyance, "You two do not mind a few stagnant hours, do you?"

Tavros stood idly by, his coat on and his ribbon having been fashioned with a very neat pin and tied into a bow, courtesy of Kanaya. She had told him that the little details mattered, and he would have to look as flamboyant as possible, short of wearing his ballgown, of course.

2014-08-19 02:07:50
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They both shook their heads. Karkat didn't really know what he'd do, but was sure he'd find something to occupy his time, even if it was just daydreaming or planning. Gamzee got up to go to Tavros's side temporarily to wish him well. He took one of his hands, not wanting to mess up the straightness of his coat or other clothes accidentally in a hug. "When you come back maybe I'll have something for you to try," he smiled, giving Tavros a happier thing to look forward to after the stress of the upcoming meeting.

Karkat could take care of his clothes and getting cleaned up at least. "Well, don't get in too much trouble. We'll try not to either, though this lady here seems like she could get into some major shenanigans," he joked, laughing a little at how much she fussed over Sollux and how much of a show he made over hating it.

2014-08-19 02:22:34
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He offered him a smile, but it was not as bright as his normal ones and definitely not as easily excitable. It was cautious, a bit grim, but he nodded and stood on his toes to kiss his face. "Heheh, wonderful. I do hope there will be plenty of kisses involved, too!"

A laugh left the jadeblood, her skin glowing some in tiny pulses as she did so, "I would not quite go so far as to describe them as shenanigans," She gave a playful wink, "But a sophisticated lady does know how to have a good time, dear." Sollux groaned, "Just try not to get anything disheveled or messy."

"If you keep worrying like that, dear, you will give yourself wrinkles, and I am afraid that I have yet to create my own cosmetics line."

Sollux, clearly exasperated with her quick comebacks, stomped over to the door and opened it, "We'll be back soon. C'mon, Alice." Tavros gave one last goodbye and a kiss to Gamzee's cheek before departing with Sollux, the front door shutting behind them and Kanaya put her hands on her hips.

"What an absolute stick in the mud! I ought to rearrange his entire hive," That would surely drive Sollux up a wall, "We won't do much will we, dears? Just play a few parlor games, perhaps get out newest member up to speed," She strode over to Karkat, head inclined just slightly, "Could I take your measurements, dear? I have plenty of fabric with me and I am sure I could whip you up something. A nicer cloak, perhaps? Meanwhile, I believe you should take the fullest advantage of the ablution block," She nodded down the hall, "We will have you squeaky clean before you know it!"

2014-08-19 02:31:35
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"Sure, not a problem.... you know, you could always just move a couple small things around that would annoy the dickens out of him but not send the whole of his organizational system into chaos," Karkat commented with a smirk. He walked down to the ablution block, quite ready for a good wash. "I don't know if you want to measure me up before or after. Might be more pleasant for you afterwards...."

As the other two left the immediate vicinity, Gamzee straightened up the kitchen before getting out the dishes he would need for his planned dessert. Since they would take a while, he might even start cooking dinner while they were still away if it looked like they wouldn't get home until supper time.

Getting the book out, he looked up the recipe he had marked earlier and took out all the ingredients he'd need. Baking was different from cooking, much less free form, so he was extra careful to measure and mix appropriately. He got out the clementines, substituting their juice for water in the directions--something he'd read about in flavoring cakes in a different section of the book. Soon enough he was sticking the batter in the oven--two layers of cake even--and starting on the frostings he'd use to decorate.

2014-08-19 02:46:31
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Ever since she was a small thing, Kanaya had viewed herself as the motherly type. She doted and fawned over most anyone, whether they were older or younger, and part of what fueled that was the growing disgust of rainbowdrinkers. She wished not to appear as some type of bloodthirsty monster, but someone actually capable of care and compassion. Her romantic ventures, playful or otherwise, were very few and far between; Kanaya, more often than not, immersed herself in work and rarely anything else. Sollux was the only person that, in recent sweeps, actually occupied a quadrant; they had not formally called each other moirails, but Kanaya liked to think that they both fit the bill when the time came. So when Karkat actually said something mildly flirty to her, her reaction was much stronger than it probably should have been.

"Wh-" A jade blush rushed to the surface, and she immediately glowed brightly to disguise it, the whiteness of her skin drowning out any surge of blood, "I do not see why it would be any more pleasant for me," She turned up her nose, walking briskly into Sollux's room to fetch her tote full of items, as well as the sewing machine she kept stashed away in his closet, "I should measure you before any bouts of cleanliness so that I may get started whilst you bathe. It is only common sense."

2014-08-19 02:55:46
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Karkat was confused, as he wasn't flirting at all. "Uh, I just meant I won't stink. Kinda been sitting in a cell for a long ass time. Not a lot of baths were taken." He felt kind of gross, actually. "But I guess if you don't mind that too much I won't stop you," he shrugged. These people were so strange sometimes. It was kind of exciting, he liked how unpredictable they were and how unlike the fucking stupid books he'd been reading. Her fluster was amusing though, but he wasn't about to bother with quadrants himself. He was too concerned with matters at hand to really think of anything like that at the present moment. Afterwards, though, he would probably venture into at least the pale zone, wanting some comforting affection at the very least after the long solitude.

Completely unaware in his cooking zen, Gamzee was perfecting the consistency of the frosting, one bright white and the other a pale orange. He continued on, peeling carefully some sections of clementine that he planned to use for additional decoration. He wanted to make things perfect. It kind of bummed him out, though, as it would probably only be the five of them, and not seven. He wondered how Eridan and Vriska were, hoping they weren't too badly off...though he thought that was unfortunately hopeful of him since the guards wanted information.

2014-08-19 03:20:48
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"Let's just get these measurements done," Kanaya rustled through her bag, pulling out a long ribbon with numbers and lines across it before asking Karkat to stand in front of her. She felt a bit guilty for jumping to such a conclusion, but as she set to work, those feeling dissipated as she instructed him: hold your arms out, stand still, relax your shoulders. She had done this so many times before that it was like breathing and, as she recited the numbers to herself and began to scribble them down into her sketchbook, she spoke about the bathroom, "All the necessities are in the ablution block, dear. Shampoo, soap, the whole nine yards. There is a stack of towels underneath the sink, and I believe there should be an extra toothbrush...if not, let me know, and I am sure I could pick up a couple things out in the stores." She smiled, "And try to keep your hair damp when you are finished, we ought to do something with it."

2014-08-19 03:25:50
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Following her instructions as she gave them, he relaxed marginally. When she mentinoed what sounded like a haircut he scowled a little. "...alright but don't feel you have to fuss with me too much." He sensed he was going to feel like Sollux at the end of these few hours if she was going to be so doting and motherly the whole time.

He found the towels and other things easily and closed himself into the ablution block. Maybe he took a little extra time in the shower, but hell if it didn't feel blissful to be under the hot water. The sensation of soap after so long was also kind of amazing...he noticed all these little things, little pleasures, after being without them. He wondered if he'd be able to take these things for granted again, or if they'd feel this nice forever now when he thought about it.

Eventually he did come out again though, hair damp as requested. He'd only put on his pants again, not interested in getting dirty from his old clothes again, and draped the towel over his upper half.

2014-08-19 03:35:14
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Kanaya had kept herself busy, cutting and sewing and devoting all her concentration to the work at hand. It was best not to interrupt her when she was like this; she was prone to irritation when working on a project, her own high standards preventing her from giving much attention to anything else. She noticed that Karkat had left the bathroom but did not greet him. She was nearly done a shirt that was gray with a red pocket and collar, something simple to pull over his head since she hadn't had the buttons she wanted, -and doubted she would have time to dye the fabric covering them- but she could probably make a separate shirt at some other point.

2014-08-19 03:38:53
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Instead of bother the deeply concentrating seamstress, Karkat wandered into the kitchen where there was a deeply concentrating baker. He was really very surprised by Gamzee. Not just because he didn't expect a purple blood anywhere in the city, but also partially (and somewhat guiltily) because he wasn't at all what he had expected. He watched with interest at how Gamzee prepared the different sections, taking out the cake layers when they were done. The kitchen smelled delightfully of citrus when they emerged and were quickly put onto a cooling rack. Having everything else prepared there was a lull in activity.

"Looks like you've done this before," Karkat commented.

Gamzee looked around startled. He hadn't noticed Karkat come in at all. "Nah, first time bakin' anything." Karkat was surprised again, it looked so well done and it was still in the processes of creation!

2014-08-19 03:54:13
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Kanaya worked diligently, using the measurements to her fullest capacity while she worked off the patterns she had made back at her store of popular items. She had plenty of items stashed about in Sollux's hive, -much to his annoyance- from fabrics to zippers and buttons, and she constructed two pairs of slacks, both black but one slightly fancier with very light pinstripes in them. She had started to work on altering one of Sollux's older, but still in pristine condition since he had never worn it in the first place, coats that would match the fancier pair of slacks when she smelled the fruity scent of the baked good. Snapped from her stupor, she set down her work briefly to investigate, "Why, I rather like the shenanigans you've gotten up to, Gamzee."

2014-08-19 03:59:12
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"Don't say that until it's done and you've tasted it. Might be terrible," Gamzee said.

"It's the first time he's baked anything, he says," Karkat told her with a look that said he suspected the legitimacy of this claim based on the current results.

"I'm serious, never had stuff for baking before. But prices in Undlegire were so good I got some things so I could try it," he shrugged. "Hey, Kanaya, if they're gone 'til dinner, could you get some cluckbeast? Wanted to make something nicer for supper. I have some money stored away for it."

He'd found a slightly more decorative serving plate and set it aside for now. He'd put the cake on it after he was finished decorating so it would look as nice as possible. On a different plate he set the first layer and started icing the middle.

2014-08-19 04:06:37
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"If it is anything like it smells, then I am sure it will be wonderful, regardless of it being the first time." Kanaya had had her fair share of cakes and such in the past, but she didn't think it was anything like this. Certainly nothing modeled after citrus fruits. "But, yes, of course, dear. I believe I have to go out, anyway..." She sighed dramatically, draping the back of her hand over her forehead, "A seamstress's work is never done! Although," She perked up, motioning for Karkat to follow her as she moved into the living area, "I have a couple items I would like you to try on, Karkat. I usually have a mannequin to work off of, but I have yet to stash that away in his hive."

With a tiny laugh, she laid out the clothing on the back of the couch. She had been working on a small table by the window in the living room, the sewing machine standing at attention with a coat already in it, the shirt and and two pairs of pants already finished on the couch. "I would like to see how things fit," For a quick moment, she peeked at her sketchbook before continuing to speak, "I need other fabrics and a few other random things for your dressier outfit for when we see the Queen, but I believe this will be a good start."

2014-08-19 15:08:40
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Karkat nodded and took a the fancier shirt and pair of pants that looked like they went together and changed in the bathroom. He saved the planet ones for second because hopefully he wouldn't have to take them off. He came out shortly and modeled them for her, spinning do she could see how they fit everywhere. He was just thankful for something else to wear, though it was extremely nice that they also fit. He tried on the plainer outfit afterwards and showed her the same way.

Coming to an easy pausing point in cake construction, Gamzee went and searched through his bags to find the few good he had along with some silver to give to Kanaya. He didn't know how much it would cost but he hoped it was enough.

2014-08-19 15:57:17
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Pleased that everything fit correctly, Kanaya smiled over at Karkat, "Excellent! I have begun altering one of Sollux's older coats," She gestured to the sewing machine, "He never even wore it! I believe he bought it just to ensure that I would cease reminding him to purchase another coat to begin with." With a small laugh, she gently took out the remaining items of her tote so everything would fit inside when she went out to one of the marketplaces in Starnette, "Alright, I am going out now. Do either of you need anything else?" She peeked outside, seeing the clouds roll in, as if it were to snow soon.

2014-08-19 20:29:01
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Karkat and Gamzee both shook their heads no. Gamzee had everything he needed to cook besides for the meat, so wished her well and returned to the kitchen to further ice the cake. Karkat didn't know if he really needed anything besides new clothing for the moment.

Noticing the clouds Karkat frowned. "Sure glad I'm inside. Hope it doesn't snow too much. Winter is wretched." He hated the cold weather, much too warm blooded and fond of heat. Gamzee just hoped the two outside already would be warm enough if it did decide to precipitate.

The cake was pulling together. The two layers were now stacked with the flavored icing between them. He started covering the outside of it with the bright white frosting as Kanaya left.

2014-08-19 20:47:05
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Kanaya was out for about an hour and a half, returning with her tote full and her hair and clothing a bit wet from the snow. She took off her shoes at the door, shivering some as she rubbed her arms with her hands, "Dreadfully cold out! There is a troll normally in charge of handing out firewood when it snows..." Whenever it snowed or became much too cold out, there were several trolls that went from residence to residence to deliver firewood. Apartments received a huge deposit in the lobby where patrons could take wood as they saw fit. Kanaya had not yet seen any wood in the lobby when she returned, but, being in an Inner Circle complex, she did not think it would take much longer. "The wood should be coming soon. Sollux seems to be running low," A quick glance at the fireplace determined her to be correct, and Kanaya, eager to get warm, excused herself to go change offer dropping her bag off in the kitchen. She had gotten a couple things, the cluckbeast and a bottle shaped like one holding wine but it had no label. It was quite heavy with a bluish colored twine tied around the neck of it.

2014-08-19 21:37:44
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While she was gone Gamzee had finished the cake, now hidden away in the refrigerator so it could be a surprise, and had taken a break for about an hour, in which he dozed a little on the couch while Karkat read the book he'd brought with him. They'd talked a little, mostly Gamzee filling in Karkat at his request. Karkat was absolutely devouring the book, much better quality writing and interesting subject matter. While it was something of a cook book it also detailed the troll's adventures in finding the recipes as they'd traveled, and different food preparation techniques. It was somewhat old, but food styles lasted much longer than much of anything else, though the higher bloods of the current time might call most of the dishes "rural". They were warm heavy meals meant to be filling, and slow cooked to be delicious. He'd already been filled in, with some prodding, to what Gamzee had decided on for dinner and he couldn't wait.

After his nap the purple blood had started peeling and cutting vegetables in the kitchen. When Kanaya brought the bag in he didn't bother with it, thinking it would be rude to dig through her things. He had plenty of vegetables to go anyway, and was patient to almost a fault even if he hadn't.

2014-08-19 22:10:16
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She returned shortly with a sweater pulled on over her clothing, her hands immediately going towards her bag to take out the chicken, carefully wrapped in a white cloth with twine. She set it in the kitchen, then took out a darkened glass from one of the cabinets. Kanaya opened the bottle and poured a bright blue liquid into the glass, but was glad that it was dark and ornate, otherwise everyone would see her drinking blood. It wasn't some type of secret, but it would probably be off putting to those around her and she was aware of that.

2014-08-19 22:19:12
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Karkat was off in the other room so didn't notice. Gamzee did though, but was just curious. Obviously he wasn't going to judge or be frightened at all, and he couldn't say that it bothered him at all. While he prepared the chicken, placing it in the deep baking dish with the already prepared vegetables and spicing the whole thing copiously, he wondered if she would talk about it. "Is it rude if I ask you about your rainbow drinker stuff? I'm just curious I guess. It's your own business though." He piled more vegetables on top of what he already had in the dish, then put it in the oven to cook. The heat from that at least would keep them warm while they waited for firewood.

2014-08-19 22:31:36
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"Oh, not at all," She shook her head, giving a smile, "I did not think you would be interested at all." Consuming blood was something she did exclusively in private, making a point not to drink any around in public unless it was miced with something else so that the blood could not easily be identified. "What is it that you would like to know?" Most wished to know if she bit people and drained them dry; not only was Kanaya much more refine than that, she would likely run into legal trouble should she sneak around drinking fresh blood straight from the source. She was a rainbowdrinker, not a barbarian.

2014-08-19 22:51:53