[ That she remembers at all is an immediate relief, but even more importantly, she plays along with the memory, and he feels that is more of an accomplishment. He's come to understand (and accept) that war is an inseparable part of her now, but even if only for a few brief moments, he wants her to have some respite and just enjoy herself.
(She may not need it -- she never did -- yet perhaps he's still taking care of her, even now.) ]
These days, I might put up more of a fight if you do not.
[ Not that he didn't enjoy her company just as much as a young boy, of course. It's just that now he's more willing to challenge whoever he must so to be with her. ]
Incidentally, I may have at last figured out how to operate the... sound system, I believe it is called? [ What's the erkuvalent of a music app? Alsexa? ] It is quite the extensive library of genres [ just picture Dimitri stuck on something like Baby Got Back for long, long minutes. ] but fortunately there are some which are well suited to dancing.
[ The blush in her cheeks isn't quite dying down yet. ]
I'm pleased that you have gained such an appreciation for it since childhood.
[ It's strange to think about but almost every time she has had a chance to dance here he has been nearby to ask her for the honor, whether it was fueled by manipulated feelings of fondness or whatever boldness he found under that golden lion mask at the ball a few months ago. And even at the party that was thrown just after her arrival she danced with someone who looked a bit like him. ]
Are you suggesting that we dance properly after dinner tonight?
If you would give me the honor, yes. In case our culinary attempts wind up as a failure, then dancing is one way in which we can succeed for the night, I am fairly confident.
[ Ensuring one small success is hardly his only motive here, but he's been pretty forward as it is. ]
I will be happy to dance with you regardless of how dinner turns out.
[ But most of her recent (and admittedly modest) attempts in the kitchen have gone reasonably well and Ashe's tips were useful. She believes their effort can lead to something delicious. ]
[ This might be the first time since their childhood that they dance together-- willingly, without an influence, and not just near each other. Truly something worth celebrating, too. ]
As for our meal, I was thinking of the Gautier cheese gratin. It would not be actual Gautier cheese, of course, but any substitute should do well enough. [ It's cheese? You can't go wrong with cheese, really! ] It is a fairly popular dish in Faerghus, and hopefully to your liking, as well?
I have not had it since our Academy days, but I always found Gautier cheese gratin a bit heavy for my tastes. Do you have any onions? Perhaps we could try some kind of onion gratin soup?
[ Not like the Academy's, since she is fairly certain that he hasn't been fishing for trout lately, but something similar could work. ]
Though I should admit that I have not tried my hand at soups yet. Have you?
[ ... oh. Guess this must be too Faerghan for her tastes, huh. ]
I have not, admittedly, but I imagine soups should be just as beginner-friendly as a gratin, if not more. I have onions, but no recipes, though I am sure Ashe would not refuse assistance.
[ Texted as he (sadly) shelves the poultry back in the freezer. The things he'll sacrifice for her sake... ]
My apologies. I should have known such a hearty meal would be more enjoyable to someone hailing from colder regions. Even on the island, the weather is fairly warm these days.
There is no need to apologize. We haven't known each other well in some time [ And his memories of their childhood are much better. ] and this is an opportunity to learn, isn't it?
As I recall, there are no ingredients in the cheese gratin that I genuinely dislike. Perhaps I would find it more palatable if it were less smothered with cheese.
[ It means they should easily be able to improvise with what he has available. But this all brings the fact that he wasn't able to taste before his arrival here back into sharp focus. ]
What do you consider the most delicious dish you have had while here?
I suppose that is true enough. Some trial and error is to expected, but I am glad to have this chance to know you well again.
[ Although... does she not like cheese? She really spares no god, huh. ]
As for meals, there are several of them, mostly prepared by Dedue. I could not tell you what all went into them, but I recall one time he made vegetarian meals exclusively. Would you find that more palatable?
[ Granted that his actual favorites... also had a lot of cheese in them, even though Dedue himself doesn't like it, either. Why are the important people in his life such heathens. ]
[ She can't help it when her lips twitch into a small smile. The fact that she is glad to know him again is what led to this dinner-planning in the first place, isn't it?
But she is also glad that he does not take her preferences personally, of course. ]
I don't consider myself a vegetarian but I am certain that I could enjoy many vegetarian meals. I am also fond of fish, for the record.
Will it be helpful if I bring some vegetables with me?
[ Fish and vegetables... no wonder she's so tiny. Get more meat in your bones, Adrestians! ]
That might be for the best. If you bring some ingredients you personally enjoy, I am sure we can go through recipes and adapt them, or perhaps only cook parts of it.
[ Somewhere, somehow, Dedue is shaking his head at this Frankenstein of a meal they're quickly seeming to put together here, but it is what it is. They're doing their best. ]
In all truth, I do not foresee any attempts at filleting fish going well for me. But whatever we make will surely be more of a proper meal than the cake, pastries and bread we once subsisted of for a few days.
How about in a pair of hours? There are still some preparations I need to tend to first, but it should leave us with enough time to cook our dinner, nonetheless.
[ And by preparations, he means he's going to decorate some. Weaving flower garlands is too much of a delicate task for him, but he can still pick some roses for their dinner table. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
(She may not need it -- she never did -- yet perhaps he's still taking care of her, even now.) ]
These days, I might put up more of a fight if you do not.
[ Not that he didn't enjoy her company just as much as a young boy, of course. It's just that now he's more willing to challenge whoever he must so to be with her. ]
Incidentally, I may have at last figured out how to operate the... sound system, I believe it is called? [ What's the erkuvalent of a music app? Alsexa? ] It is quite the extensive library of genres [ just picture Dimitri stuck on something like Baby Got Back for long, long minutes. ] but fortunately there are some which are well suited to dancing.
no subject
I'm pleased that you have gained such an appreciation for it since childhood.
[ It's strange to think about but almost every time she has had a chance to dance here he has been nearby to ask her for the honor, whether it was fueled by manipulated feelings of fondness or whatever boldness he found under that golden lion mask at the ball a few months ago. And even at the party that was thrown just after her arrival she danced with someone who looked a bit like him. ]
Are you suggesting that we dance properly after dinner tonight?
no subject
[ Ensuring one small success is hardly his only motive here, but he's been pretty forward as it is. ]
no subject
[ But most of her recent (and admittedly modest) attempts in the kitchen have gone reasonably well and Ashe's tips were useful. She believes their effort can lead to something delicious. ]
Can I ask what recipe you are considering?
[ Call her curious! ]
no subject
[ This might be the first time since their childhood that they dance together-- willingly, without an influence, and not just near each other. Truly something worth celebrating, too. ]
As for our meal, I was thinking of the Gautier cheese gratin. It would not be actual Gautier cheese, of course, but any substitute should do well enough. [ It's cheese? You can't go wrong with cheese, really! ] It is a fairly popular dish in Faerghus, and hopefully to your liking, as well?
no subject
Hmm. ]
I have not had it since our Academy days, but I always found Gautier cheese gratin a bit heavy for my tastes. Do you have any onions? Perhaps we could try some kind of onion gratin soup?
[ Not like the Academy's, since she is fairly certain that he hasn't been fishing for trout lately, but something similar could work. ]
Though I should admit that I have not tried my hand at soups yet. Have you?
no subject
I have not, admittedly, but I imagine soups should be just as beginner-friendly as a gratin, if not more. I have onions, but no recipes, though I am sure Ashe would not refuse assistance.
[ Texted as he (sadly) shelves the poultry back in the freezer. The things he'll sacrifice for her sake... ]
My apologies. I should have known such a hearty meal would be more enjoyable to someone hailing from colder regions. Even on the island, the weather is fairly warm these days.
no subject
As I recall, there are no ingredients in the cheese gratin that I genuinely dislike. Perhaps I would find it more palatable if it were less smothered with cheese.
[ It means they should easily be able to improvise with what he has available. But this all brings the fact that he wasn't able to taste before his arrival here back into sharp focus. ]
What do you consider the most delicious dish you have had while here?
no subject
[ Although... does she not like cheese? She really spares no god, huh. ]
As for meals, there are several of them, mostly prepared by Dedue. I could not tell you what all went into them, but I recall one time he made vegetarian meals exclusively. Would you find that more palatable?
[ Granted that his actual favorites... also had a lot of cheese in them, even though Dedue himself doesn't like it, either. Why are the important people in his life such heathens. ]
no subject
But she is also glad that he does not take her preferences personally, of course. ]
I don't consider myself a vegetarian but I am certain that I could enjoy many vegetarian meals. I am also fond of fish, for the record.
Will it be helpful if I bring some vegetables with me?
no subject
That might be for the best. If you bring some ingredients you personally enjoy, I am sure we can go through recipes and adapt them, or perhaps only cook parts of it.
[ Somewhere, somehow, Dedue is shaking his head at this Frankenstein of a meal they're quickly seeming to put together here, but it is what it is. They're doing their best. ]
In all truth, I do not foresee any attempts at filleting fish going well for me. But whatever we make will surely be more of a proper meal than the cake, pastries and bread we once subsisted of for a few days.
no subject
[ Stubborn pride, maybe, but as he said: they ate very simply when they were snowed in together. And she did not mind it. ]
When should I arrive?
no subject
[ And by preparations, he means he's going to decorate some. Weaving flower garlands is too much of a delicate task for him, but he can still pick some roses for their dinner table. ]
no subject
[ It also gives her enough time to find some treats for the most clever of hunters, who should not be forgotten. ]
I will see you soon, Dimitri.
no subject