[Video] Kazoo 1

[ayao]

[Since he enjoys cooking, he can be found in the kitchen, following through on the chore set for his team. While he waits on various ingredients to thaw, he addresses the train as a whole:]

To those who are new to our ranks, welcome. To those who have lost loved ones, I hope my soup will bring you some comfort.

[His hands are light and gentle as he adds broth into a pot. He is also good with a knife. A little too good.]

My name is Meng Yao and I am happy to keep you company if you feel lonely. I know many stories that could, for a time, distract you from your pain.

Comments

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[lanxichen]

[ Xichen is not exactly allowed to cook, beyond tea and boiling rice, but he can chop and slice and dice with ease, hence he is in the kitchen to help.

And... for the first time since he has been on the train, he has his forehead ribbon on. Since he finally has it. Even with the orange hoodie - he sometimes wears what his roommate weaves, but he is afraid she may be overworked so sometimes changes to the assigned clothes - it makes him look slightly more like himself.

Of course, he is (again) almost as pale as the ribbon.

Still, he is there, rather than avoiding almost anyone in his cabin. Or avoiding Meng Yao in particular. ]

That is a kind offer.

[ Not surprised or questioning him, merely commenting on a fact. As he helps. ]

Action <3

[ayao]

[Having Xichen near is wonderful. Meng Yao sneaks the man tea - brewed just how he likes - and little plates of food. The Lan's pallor concerns him and he wants to...help. Not hinder. He has done more than enough of that!]

I like those on the train. [He admits, blushing, his head bowing.] I have met no one who feels threatening and if I can help them feel a little better, I think that is useful.

[Since he made the broth from scratch, he begins to dice and peel vegetables to go in it.]

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[stardustofdawn]

[he peers in, wearing an apron as this is his time of the evening to cook dinner and help out in the kitchen]

Hello, you're cooking? Mind if I join you? I can help by boiling and making rice.

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[ayao]

[What a nice surprise! Meng Yao smiles and makes room for Xingchen immediately.]

Please! I would like your company, Daozhang Xingchen.

much <3

[lanxichen]

[ Xichen's blade stills for a moment, but it's thoughtful, not surprised - and definitely not in a bad way. ]

When you say not threatening, you mean in a way that would affect the illness of the mind that you found materials about?

[ Because he knows he does not mean da ge. Not in this context. ]

:)

[ayao]

[He takes a step closer to the other man, peering up into his face.]

I have given up on my ambitions, Zewu-Jun. If the illness exists, I must be aware of it. I must understand it. No one on this train has made me feel...defensive.

That is a start.

[stardustofdawn]

[he enters the kitchen, wearing an apron and he has his hair all tied up, then get to work on boiling the rice]

It can get busy especially during meal times. There's a lot of people and children to feed. What were you making?

[ayao]

Soup from scratch with plenty of chicken and vegetables. Rice would pair nicely with it.

[He has braided his hair back too and there is an apron tied around his waist. There's no need to be too messy.]

[lanxichen]

[ Xichen shakes his head immediately in denial of the suspicion, then takes a breath, considers, then shakes it again slower, more composed. ]

I did not mean to imply you have not given them up, merely asking for confirmation.

As with illness of the body, there are people to help and take care of the patient - so I am sure it is with an illness of the mind. While nobody can touch it but yourself, expecting you to do everything to facilitate the healing would be...

Unfair.

[ayao]

[He loves being near Xichen. Something deep within him settles when he sees that handsome face. He believes he can keep himself in check. For Mingjue. For Huaisang. For Xichen.]

You have spent time with me. [He drops his gaze, flushing.] Think of that as a splint or a bandage. Your kindness holds me together and I am grateful.

[stardustofdawn]

[with a thoughtful look]

Soup from scratch. We could put some vegetables in it. I know it sounds very poor, but carrots, opinions, and potatoes will be good to put into the soup.

[what he meant by poor, he lives in Yi city on meager savings ;;]

[ayao]

Simple dishes warm the heart and keep well if we have any leftovers.

[He lived on the cheapest of bread and vegetables once. After his mother died, it wasn't like he could stay in the brothel.]

I have carrots, onions, potatoes, celery...

[stardustofdawn]

Those sound good to add. I'm starting to read a lot in the recipe books. So if you like, I suggest adding some seasonings to the soup. I learned my dishes were bland for a taste from experience.

[in the meanwhile, he rolls up his sleeves to bring out a pan and spatula over the stove and start cracking eggs]

I'll make fried rice and omelettes. A lot of kids like that dish and goes well with the soup.

*video*

[soldier_blade]

[Interested as she is, Sonya's in the middle of cleaning one of the carriages, so she can't really join him in the kitchen just yet.] Are we allowed to ask what's in the soup, or is that a family secret?

[Because some people could be especially touchy in that regard.]

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[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea's there helping with lunch anyway, so it's as good a chance as any to catch up with Meng Yao. Especially since he's made a fair amount of soup himself since arriving on the train; it's easy enough to fall into a familiar rhythm of preparing ingredients, allowing him to pay more attention to the conversation.]

Soup's a good idea. Especially on platform day; not only is it comforting, but platform days are hectic in general for just about everyone. Soup is something you kinda have to slow down to eat.

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[sizedoesntmatter]

[Yugi hadn't really lost anyone he was particularly close to, but he knew someone who had.]

Is it okay to ask if I could maybe take some to someone who might need it? Or at least teach me how to make food that is comforting anyway?

[ayao]

Mm let's see... I have some basil, some rosemary... [The soup needn't be overly flavorful. Meng Yao would rather it be comforting instead of exciting.]

A fine idea, Daozhang. You have a keen understanding of children, I have noticed.

*video*

[ayao]

I could tease you, but that would be cruel. [Oh he can be far worse. Far, far worse. Or, rather, he will be in the future.] I am using chicken, an array of vegetables and perhaps some rice in a broth.

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[ayao]

[Meng Yao smiles warmly upon seeing a friendly face. The encouragement makes his face warm and he ducks his head shyly.]

I like the idea of bringing comfort. Spending the day running to and fro does work up an appetite - and to quench it, the food should be healthy, but not too heavy.

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[ayao]

Of course. [He knows the feeling of wanting to be alone; of wanting to block out the world until the pain subsides.] I can see to both if you like? Can you make your way to the kitchen?

[stardustofdawn]

Basil and rosemary. Those are good herbs for the soup.

[He shakes his head and smiles sadly]

I'll try. The train is full of them and they look so happy. Some of them are sad though because on platform day, a friend can leave them and they're gone and not coming back. Some of them have families and some do not. I'll do what I can for them.

[it won't be long until he finished plates of fried rice and omelets served on the side and he'll keep making it until the soup is ready]

Re: *video*

[soldier_blade]

[She lets out a snort, her mouth twisting in a grin.] I've spent years eating in various mess halls, you wouldn't believe the jokes that go along with military chow. I can tell first hand if someone's teasing about recipes.

Was that a challenge; she'd let him decide.] That does sound good, though.

[lanxichen]

[ Xichen lowers his eyes, but after a brief pause, his hand resumes the chopping of vegetables with absolute precision. ]

If I can help... I am glad.

[ Trusting ... is not going to be easy. But this much is true. ]

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[sizedoesntmatter]

I can. it shouldn't be too far actually.

[ayao]

You do. [And if that helps Xichen, he will repeat those words daily. They are true. Without Xichen, everything would be much harder and darker.]

We are drawn to certain points of light, I believe. You are mine.