[ Once Rin has set the food down, Gray will lead her to a side door that ends up leading to Gray's room. Like the main room, it's modestly furnished, the rustic patterning of her comforter and a large rug the only pops of decor. Two large wardrobes and a writing desk stand against the wall. ]
Mr. Dokja was having difficulty dealing with his condition... so I wasn't sure if you'd be the same way.
[ She opens yet another door to reveal a bathroom, which is clean enough to be hotel-grade. Even though she figured Rin would bring her own things, Gray has set aside a second set of towels and toiletries for Rin to use — just in case. ]
That man and I had different types of things done to us, so our outcomes would naturally be different. After attempting to dispel my Discord in many ways, I had to admit there was a portion of it that could not be gotten rid of without someone else taking it from me. When we were at the beach Mordred had volunteered.
[And so she passed her Discord off to the other woman. It was almost a relief to see her acting "normal" during the Oracle trial in the gardens. Tohsaka had worried about pushing off her issues and someone suffering from them. Especially someone who would be a pain to try and repay.
Rin acknowledges what Gray has offered, and sets her leather bag down. It can hold an endless amount of stuff, but that means both her toiletries and her laundry are stuffed in there...]
[ Gray can see Mordred boasting that she could take on any Discord Rin could throw at her with ease. But of course, Mordred wouldn't do that for just anyone; Gray is glad Rin and Mordred have become such good friends. The how of it is a bit more of a mystery, though.
In any case, it would be awkward if Gray hung out with Rin any more in a bathroom, so she begins to back out. ]
Um, please take your time. If you need anything, feel free to commune with me.
[ With that, she'll close the door behind her and get to readying supper. ]
[Rin thanks Gray, but is left in a bit of a spot. She had considered taking her shower after the meal, but... Well, if it still needs time to cook perhaps this is best. Rin will set everything up. Her laundry to start, her toiletries in the bathroom, and her pajamas readied. Once that is complete she'll hop in and enjoy herself.
It gives Gray about an hour to herself. When that's up Rin will set about double checking the laundry, setting what is cleaned to be dried, and meets up with her in the kitchen. Tohsaka seats herself. She looks refreshed, and... will most certainly smell like her perfume again. Why would someone put that on after a shower? MAGE REASONS DON'T ASK]
[ When Rin comes into the kitchen, Gray is finishing up with some dishwashing. As she notices Rin, she towels her hands off and hangs up her apron. The pleasant smell of perfume reaches her quickly, and indeed it seems a little strange that Rin would bother with that right after a bath... but she wonders if the smell serves a magrcraft-related purpose, like Lord El-Melloi II with his cigars. ]
A stew. I made it like we used to in my village, so it isn't anything fancy.
[ She unlids the pot that's been simmering on the stove to reveal a meaty stew of heartily cut portions, chunks of lamb, potato, carrots, and more jutting out of rich broth. The wall of savory aroma that bursts from the pot battles with Rin's refined scent. On a nearby cutting board is a rusty loaf of bread and a hunk of cheese, a couple slices of each already cut. Plates and silverware are neatly laid out as well. ]
You can take as much as you like while I get tea ready.
[Tohsaka stands halted over the stewpot. Its aroma hits her like a violent wave crashing upon cliffs. Not that she hates it, though. No, instead it brings a rush of melancholic nostalgia. Brief days of sharing cooking responsibilities with the rest of the Emiya household. Once or twice sharing the kitchen with her sister. Waking up to a lively household rather than an empty mansion.
It makes her ache. Her eyes water and her throat closes shut. Even sharing breakfast with Lucien was a step up from her decade long routine of loneliness. Eventually Rin moves, though. After all, Gray is giving her comfort. Food, ability to wash her clothes, a shower... To burden her anymore would be a failing on Rin's part. So she gently ladles in a decent serving for her bowl. More than she'd usually eat, but that's fine. She has been skipping meals.]
[ Gray drops loose leaves of the stuff into a pot and follows it with hot water. She's personally fine with bagged tea, but as Rin is a guest, she gets the good stuff.
As she turns to wait for the leaves to steep, she catches Rin stopped over the stew. At first Gray worries that it means Rin finds the stew unappetizing, but upon further inspection, it looks more like Rin's mind is elsewhere.
Gray would like to ask why Rin needed a place to get tidied up at, but given what happened with Dark recently, maybe Gray doesn't need to. Rin has surely been through a lot lately. Tactfully, Gray decides to keep the conversation on its tracks as she comes up to get in line for her own stew. ]
Earl Grey. There are countless varieties of tea here, but I always end up choosing the ones I'm already familiar with. [ Oh. Something else occurs to her. ] I've also made a tart, so if you want some for dessert...
[ Gray has actually just been on a baking kick and happened to make a fruit tart this morning, but she also can't deny that she'd be pleased if Rin was impressed by her evolving baking skill. Most of all, she's just relieved that crisis has been averted. She quickly scoops up some stew, cheese, and bread for herself and sits with Rin at the table. ]
I don't know many hot dishes, but I think my baking has improved lately. If you have any tips for me, I'll be glad to hear them.
[ But that will be later. She hurries the conversation along. ]
By the way... did you need somewhere to stay tonight?
[It's a tempting offer, but in the end she has to decline. Spending too much time in Springstar means, even if miniscule, Discord accumulation. She'll have to be careful. Especially after what happened to Dark.]
[ So she has somewhere to sleep, but there's no shower or means of washing laundry. The plot thickens. ]
Okay...
[ Mages and their secrets. Knowing better than to pry, Gray spoons some stew up.
The stew is simple and straightforward in terms of spice, but it's been cooked with care and hearty for it. The bread is fresh and crisp at the crust, and the cheese is strong and buttery. That said, it's a decidedly rustic, unadorned format for a meal; at the end of the day, Gray is British to the bone. ]
[No follow up? Has she gotten so used to the pushy people of Kenos that somehow she is struggling with Gray? Ridiculous. Tohsaka will make up her own, more palatable conversation.]
[ Gray may be overly conscious about not being pushy, especially in the company of a mage. A mage with a history of retreating if Gray prodded about the wrong things, in fact...
She blinks, a look of dumb surprise crossing her face at the question. ]
Um. Yes, very well, actually.
[ She'll explain more in a moment. But first, she has to make sure this isn't a Mordred situation (as unlikely as that is). ]
He said that you so kindly informed him of my kidnapping.
[There is a bit of displeasure there. Frustration. She keeps herself from going further into it by stuffing her mouth with a bit of bread soaked in stew broth.]
[She'll leave it at that as she tears another piece of bread to soak in the stew broth. It's warm, rich, and salty. The potatoes and carrots are soft. The meat is tender. It's good enough that even miss "I have to watch my figure" Tohsaka gets up for a bowl of seconds.]
[ Weird?? Eustace?? Perish the thought. If they were talking about someone else (Mordred)(Gen) Gray would be content to let Rin's comment sit as subjective truth, but she feels an obligation to speak up for Eustace's honor. ]
He did a lot to look after me when we first met. And actually, he lives in this house too.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2023-09-26 02:52 pm (UTC)Of course, [she replies while using her free hand to push a lock of hair over her shoulder] I did promise that I would take care of it, didn't I?
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Date: 2023-09-27 06:59 am (UTC)Mr. Dokja was having difficulty dealing with his condition... so I wasn't sure if you'd be the same way.
[ She opens yet another door to reveal a bathroom, which is clean enough to be hotel-grade. Even though she figured Rin would bring her own things, Gray has set aside a second set of towels and toiletries for Rin to use — just in case. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-09-28 02:01 am (UTC)[And so she passed her Discord off to the other woman. It was almost a relief to see her acting "normal" during the Oracle trial in the gardens. Tohsaka had worried about pushing off her issues and someone suffering from them. Especially someone who would be a pain to try and repay.
Rin acknowledges what Gray has offered, and sets her leather bag down. It can hold an endless amount of stuff, but that means both her toiletries and her laundry are stuffed in there...]
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Date: 2023-09-28 04:37 am (UTC)[ Gray can see Mordred boasting that she could take on any Discord Rin could throw at her with ease. But of course, Mordred wouldn't do that for just anyone; Gray is glad Rin and Mordred have become such good friends. The how of it is a bit more of a mystery, though.
In any case, it would be awkward if Gray hung out with Rin any more in a bathroom, so she begins to back out. ]
Um, please take your time. If you need anything, feel free to commune with me.
[ With that, she'll close the door behind her and get to readying supper. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-09-29 01:06 pm (UTC)It gives Gray about an hour to herself. When that's up Rin will set about double checking the laundry, setting what is cleaned to be dried, and meets up with her in the kitchen. Tohsaka seats herself. She looks refreshed, and... will most certainly smell like her perfume again. Why would someone put that on after a shower?
MAGE REASONS DON'T ASK]What have you prepared, Gray?
no subject
Date: 2023-10-01 08:02 am (UTC)A stew. I made it like we used to in my village, so it isn't anything fancy.
[ She unlids the pot that's been simmering on the stove to reveal a meaty stew of heartily cut portions, chunks of lamb, potato, carrots, and more jutting out of rich broth. The wall of savory aroma that bursts from the pot battles with Rin's refined scent. On a nearby cutting board is a rusty loaf of bread and a hunk of cheese, a couple slices of each already cut. Plates and silverware are neatly laid out as well. ]
You can take as much as you like while I get tea ready.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-01 05:23 pm (UTC)It makes her ache. Her eyes water and her throat closes shut. Even sharing breakfast with Lucien was a step up from her decade long routine of loneliness. Eventually Rin moves, though. After all, Gray is giving her comfort. Food, ability to wash her clothes, a shower... To burden her anymore would be a failing on Rin's part. So she gently ladles in a decent serving for her bowl. More than she'd usually eat, but that's fine. She has been skipping meals.]
What type of tea?
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Date: 2023-10-05 05:32 am (UTC)As she turns to wait for the leaves to steep, she catches Rin stopped over the stew. At first Gray worries that it means Rin finds the stew unappetizing, but upon further inspection, it looks more like Rin's mind is elsewhere.
Gray would like to ask why Rin needed a place to get tidied up at, but given what happened with Dark recently, maybe Gray doesn't need to. Rin has surely been through a lot lately. Tactfully, Gray decides to keep the conversation on its tracks as she comes up to get in line for her own stew. ]
Earl Grey. There are countless varieties of tea here, but I always end up choosing the ones I'm already familiar with. [ Oh. Something else occurs to her. ] I've also made a tart, so if you want some for dessert...
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Date: 2023-10-06 12:25 pm (UTC)[Her offer may be genuine but in the light of her brining a gift and it getting rejected a seat at the table is... is...!]
Do you not like egg tarts?
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Date: 2023-10-09 04:00 am (UTC)No! Or, um, I'm not sure because I've never tried one, but I've liked all of your cooking... The tart was something I'd already made.
[ And there's always room for more dessert... ]
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Date: 2023-10-10 06:35 pm (UTC)[She sighs and settles herself at the table.]
If you're looking to show off for me, I suppose I cannot deny you.
[If the intent is that Gray wants to impress her, that's... cute. She'll have to squash the bloom of warmth and excitement that unfurls in her chest.]
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Date: 2023-10-11 03:35 am (UTC)I don't know many hot dishes, but I think my baking has improved lately. If you have any tips for me, I'll be glad to hear them.
[ But that will be later. She hurries the conversation along. ]
By the way... did you need somewhere to stay tonight?
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Date: 2023-10-12 04:49 pm (UTC)[It's a tempting offer, but in the end she has to decline. Spending too much time in Springstar means, even if miniscule, Discord accumulation. She'll have to be careful. Especially after what happened to Dark.]
I have somewhere to sleep.
[Her shop. And no one will ever know!]
no subject
Date: 2023-10-14 04:41 am (UTC)Okay...
[ Mages and their secrets. Knowing better than to pry, Gray spoons some stew up.
The stew is simple and straightforward in terms of spice, but it's been cooked with care and hearty for it. The bread is fresh and crisp at the crust, and the cheese is strong and buttery. That said, it's a decidedly rustic, unadorned format for a meal; at the end of the day, Gray is British to the bone. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-10-17 01:17 pm (UTC)Hm... also, do you know a man named "Eustace"?
[She has to confirm something.]
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Date: 2023-10-18 05:18 am (UTC)She blinks, a look of dumb surprise crossing her face at the question. ]
Um. Yes, very well, actually.
[ She'll explain more in a moment. But first, she has to make sure this isn't a Mordred situation (as unlikely as that is). ]
Why do you ask?
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Date: 2023-10-19 02:59 pm (UTC)[There is a bit of displeasure there. Frustration. She keeps herself from going further into it by stuffing her mouth with a bit of bread soaked in stew broth.]
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Date: 2023-10-20 03:57 am (UTC)[ The obvious displeasure in Rin's demeanor makes Gray sit up like a poke in the back. ]
W-Was it supposed to be a secret? I'm sorry... We were both worried about Mr. Dokja, so I thought I should share as much as I could.
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Date: 2023-10-21 07:42 pm (UTC)[It didn't get very far. Tohsaka was difficult, as usual, and perhaps Eustace determined it was too much of a hassle to try and deal with her.]
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Date: 2023-10-22 04:57 am (UTC)[ About Dokja, she means. She's a bit surprised Eustace cut her out the middle and went straight to Rin, but he is a direct person. ]
I hope it wasn't too much of a bother.
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Date: 2023-10-24 08:49 pm (UTC)[She'll leave it at that as she tears another piece of bread to soak in the stew broth. It's warm, rich, and salty. The potatoes and carrots are soft. The meat is tender. It's good enough that even miss "I have to watch my figure" Tohsaka gets up for a bowl of seconds.]
no subject
Date: 2023-10-25 05:07 am (UTC)He did a lot to look after me when we first met. And actually, he lives in this house too.
[ Just. For Rin's information. ]
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Date: 2023-10-28 03:09 pm (UTC)[Rin puts her bowl down and closes the distance between them. She leans over to look directly into Gray's face as she asks the question:]
You live in a house with two old men?
no subject
Date: 2023-10-29 06:41 am (UTC)Um. Yes. Though I don't think they're that old.
[ she is so (half) wrong about that ]
no subject
Date: 2023-10-29 04:42 pm (UTC)[Does Gray have two dads or does Gray have two Daddies?]
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