[IC] Fateful Convergence

[Vocalia]

"No particular reason, love. I'm just curious," Arlia replied. Though dead men told no tales, at the very least, she had decided to be able to cook well enough to prepare a lasagna or a brisket that would exceed her lover's expectation. "To be quite honest, I'm a little bit embarrassed. I know that Eryn can cook quite well and even that uncouth Summerland is able to cook up a palatable dish while I couldn't even chop up some vegetables. I was spoiled by having my meals prepared for me every single day to reduce the risk of poisoning," she sighed

[Daxam]

Nigel stays silent as he finishes fixing up the stew. Then, as he lets it simmer, he turns to Arlia and pulls her into a gentle hug, resting his head on top of hers as he says, "Don't worry, love," he whispers, rubbing her back as he holds her close. "I'm sure that, with enough practice, you'll be able to make even the best meals as easily as if you were making a sandwich. I have faith in you."

[Vocalia]

"I certainly would, Nigel. I'm not going to lose to that blonde brat, of all people," Arlia replied, sounding defiant and determined. Another question then popped into her mind. "Love, what would you say is the strangest food you have ever heard of or come across? I'm aware that people in the Capitol like to eat some strange food, but I've never seen one before."

[Daxam]

Nigel thinks for a few moments as he clasps his hands behind Arlia's back. After a while, he says, "You know, I'm not sure. I suppose it would depend on your tastes. For example, I know that in some countries, frog's legs are considered a delicacy. In others, people actually eat insects."

[Vocalia]

"I do find frog legs to be something of a normal delicacy, but I can see why others would be repulsed by them," Arlia replied with a thoughtful nod, then looked at Nigel with a serious look on her face. "I was told that there was a street food in the Capitol known as a 'corn dog'. It's shaped like a deep fried batter on a stick and is said to be able to give you a heart attack. There are also food such as deep-fried chocolate, butter, and cookies... How could they deep fry things like that? I was told that they were bad for me, but the more I heard about these exotic foods, the more I began to desire them..."

[Daxam]

Nigel chuckles and says, "Well, if you eat too much of it, then you'll get sick. But it's all delicious when you moderate yourself." After a few moments, he grins and says, "Tell you what. There's a fair coming to town in a few weeks. I'll take you there and you can try everything you want to try. How does that sound, my love?"

[Vocalia]

"Oh, I'd love to come with you!" Arlia replied, sounding very enthusiastic about the fair. "I've never been to a fair before, but I've seen a lot of pictures of one. I want to try out the stall games they have. I heard that you can win a lot of toys as a reward," she said, sounding like an innocent child who had lived a very sheltered, if not twisted, life.

[Daxam]

Nigel chuckles and says, "Well, it sounds like a plan, then, love. We'll just have to make sure that our schedules are open for then. And, who knows? Maybe we can talk the others into coming along. Although, we'd have to split up, because there is no possible way I'll share you with anyone." As if to prove she was his and his alone, Nigel quickly pulls Arlia into a deep kiss.

[Vocalia]

Arlia knew well how much stake Nigel had in her and it would be hypocritical for her to say that she didn't return his enormous affection as she returned the kiss, sighing lovingly into his mouth as she deepened their kiss before breaking moments later to catch their breaths. "I do hope you never plan to share me with anyone else, my dear. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

[Daxam]

Nigel chuckles and whispers, "I know. I'm practically Hell incarnate and yet I'd never want to mess with an angry woman." Chuckling, he leans in to kiss his lover again, but stops. Backing up, he checks the stew and breathes a sigh of relief. "Almost forgot to check this," he says as he turns down the heat and stirs the meal. Pulling the ladle out, he tries a little bit before offering some to Arlia, saying, "Love, does this taste alright to you? Or does it need more spice?"

[Vocalia]

Arlia curiously tried a bit of the stew offered by Nigel and tried to find any lacking flavors. "Hmm... Love, perhaps this is just me, but the stew could use a bit of black pepper and a teaspoon of sugar. The salty flavor is overpowering everything else," she replied. While her culinary skill left a lot to be desired, Arlia had a very discerning palate and could identify different ingredients in food, particularly useful when detecting poison.

[Daxam]

Nigel smiles and nods as he reaches for the pepper, then the sugar. After adding them, he tastes it again and smiles. "Perfect," he says before turning the stove off. Reaching into the cupboard, he pulls out six bowls and hands them to Arlia, saying, "Go ahead and set the table, love. I'll be out in a few moments to dish up the stew."

[Vocalia]

"Gladly, love," Arlia replied and quickly worked on setting the table, putting the plates and utensils meticulously and making sure that everyone has ample space around the table. Glancing into the living room, she smiled as she saw Eryn still stroking Sean like a cat and Hayley simply relaxing alongside Isaac. Seeing everyone in good spirit, even after all that happened, warmed her heart and made her even more determined to protect the group, her 'family'.

[Daxam]

Nigel soon brings the pot of stew out of the kitchen and uses the ladle to pour some into each of the bowls. Sean, smelling the stew, opens his eyes, having dozed off while Eryn petted him. "What's that smell?" he asks tiredly. "I think Nigel and Arlia made dinner," Isaac says, leaning against Hayley and in no hurry to move. Sean yawns and sits up, rubbing his eyes as his other hand immediately curls around Eryn's. "What's for dinner?" he calls into the dining room.

[Vocalia]

"Nigel has prepared some stew for you lot to eat. You'd better get here soon or I'll drag you all here myself. The last thing I want is to have my beloved's cooking going to waste!" Arlia replied, making no attempts to hide or even tone down her affection for the silver-haired man. "Okay... Stew sounds good right about now. Let's head to the table before the mental woman makes her way here," Hayley said to the group, noticing how even Eryn was adjusting to the women's rivalry.

[Daxam]

Isaac chuckles and rises to his feet as Sean yawns and says, "I'll be right there. Just let me wake up a bit." As the rest of them walk over to the table, Nigel tells Arlia, "You helped, as well, love. That's why it tastes so great; you and I made it together." As Nigel brings his lover in for a kiss, Vincent says, Ugh, gag me with a spoon. Isaac chuckles and replies, You're just jealous because Alexis isn't ready for a relationship, yet. Long moments pass until Vincent says, Maybe...

[Vocalia]

As Hayley sat on the table, she looked at the stew and smell the flavorful aroma coming from its vapor. "Smells nice... but if it's something you help make, I'm kinda suspicious..." she said to Arlia, who pouted in response. "Mark my words, Summerland. By the time everyone had their fill, your bowl would be sitting empty on the table," Arlia proudly replied. Think she put in some sort of poison on my bowl? she asked Alexis, the latter moving into the shadow of the bowl and discreetly dipped a small part of her into the stew. "I detect no poisonous or harmful contents within the stew. It is safe to be consumed," Alexis replied. "Well then, let's dig in and see if the angel's work can back up her boast," Hayley said to the table.

[Daxam]

Isaac picks up his spoon and experimentally tastes the stew. Nodding appreciatively, he turns to the silver-haired Brit and his lover and says, "This is pretty good, you two. Not bad, at all." Nigel grins and, sitting down at the table next to Arlia, says, "Thank you, Isaac. It's nice to see that some people--" he glares pointedly as Hayley "--know how to enjoy the fruits of a pair's hard labor."

[Vocalia]

Scoffing at Nigel's glare, Hayley took a leap of faith and gave the stew a try. She remained silent for a short minute before begrudgingly saying to the pair, "I suppose I should take back my words..." Satisfied to see Hayley humiliated, Arlia smiled and replied, "All is forgiven now that you know how well we can cook together." Lovingly leaning against her lover, Arlia's smile became less smug as she watched her beloved sister try out her food and expressing her liking to it even without saying anything. She could tell from her face that she similarly liked their food and it brought joy to her, moreso than watching Hayley, who was now eating her food with little complaint, squirm.

[Daxam]

Nigel smiles down at Arlia, seeing where she was looking, and kisses the top of her head before taking a bite of his food. It was then that Sean decided to sit down at the table, next to Eryn. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he takes a bite of stew and feels his eyes widen. "Wow, that's good!" he says before he starts shoveling it into his mouth, barely taking time to breath. "Uh, Sean," Isaac starts, only to shut up when Vincent says, No, let him go! It'd be good dinner entertainment if he throws up!