Blushing Noodles

[assaultedramen]

Action - Hotel Kitchen

[After waking up somewhere around noon, as is the luxury in being unemployed, Miki sets off on making a batch of shio ramen, as she promised she would for Issei after he helped her out. Aside from the various vegetables and cuts of meat that Miki is slicing up for her soup, there are two bowls- one plain and one red with a fancy design on the side- a large plastic container, and two carnations sitting on the counter.]

Action - Hotel, Outside 507, Iseei's room.

[Miki is knocking on Issei's door while holding the plain bowl.]

Video - Faillocked to Lion

[Miki appears on the Videophone, looking rather sheepish.]

H-hi Lion! I was just making some shio ramen and it seems I made a little bit too much. I was just going to bring it to you, b-but I remember I don't know where you're staying, hahaha! If you would like some I'll be in the kitchen cleaning up for a little bit. M-maybe we could go to the arcade after, heh, y-you know, so I can show you around, that is!

[As she mentions the going to the arcade Miki's face starts to redden with embarrassment.]

Comments

[Action]

[unknownrival]

[Issei opens the door for her.]

Please come in.

[assaultedramen]

[Miki obliges.]

Well, here it is! Like I promised. Is there anywhere you want me to put it?

[unknownrival]

On the desk there will be fine, thank you. How are you?

[assaultedramen]

[Miki walks over to the table and sets it down.]

I'm doing better. I talked about what happened with a few people I think that helped me.

[Miki gulps a bit of anxiety back and with a nervous glance at the ground asks Issei her next question.]

I-I know this will sound weird but... but is v-virska ok?

[unknownrival]

[He's not terribly surprised that she wants to make sure Vriska's not in the same mood.] Yes, she is. I calmed her down.

[assaultedramen]

T-that's good. I feel really bad about what I made her do... I really hope it doesn't cause her too much trouble.

[unknownrival]

I'm sure she'll be fine. Please don't worry about that, really.

[assaultedramen]

I...I know I shouldn't but I said some really hurtful things to her...about you... and I...it's just this entire thing has been my fault.

[unknownrival]

No, it wasn't. She should never have reacted that way.

[assaultedramen]

I dunno, Saori thinks she was justified. She's usually right about me. I..it wouldn't have happened if I stopped teasing her.

[unknownrival]

She shouldn't have done it. There's no reason to lash out so badly over a few insults. It doesn't matter if you could have prevented it, she chose to take it to that level.

[assaultedramen]

B-but I should have been able to stop her! It-I was too weak...

[unknownrival]

There's nothing wrong with being beaten.

video -> action

[oneinamillion]

[Oh, dear, why is she so nervous? Lion is a bit concerned for her state of health and wonders if her injuries are hurting her yes he's dense. He nods at the camera.]

I would like that very much. I'll be there shortly.

[It doesn't take Lion long to get there since he also stays in the hotel. Once Lion reaches the kitchen, he heads immediately to Miki, looking a bit worried.]

...Are you feeling alright, miss Miki? If your injuries are still bothering you, please don't push yourself too hard on my account. Just offering to bring your shio ramen to me is very much appreciated!

[assaultedramen]

[Miki's blush goes from 3 to 7 when Lion thanks her for making the soup.]

Y-yeah! I'm fine why do you ask? Actually, I feel even better now for some reason! I guess it's all this moving around to cook! Hahaha!

[oneinamillion]

[He takes note of this, and continues to worry for her health.]

Your face does seem a bit flushed...are you certain you're alright? If you have a fever, you should take care not to move around much. But if you say you're fine...I suppose I'll take your word for it.

[He smiles a bit at her.]

[assaultedramen]

Whu-buh-Y-yeah! I'm fine! I'm sure of it, haha! H-here let me get you your ramen!

[Quickly, Miki pours some broth into the Red bowl, plops in the noodles then stops.]

You- do you eat meat? I guess I should have asked before making all of this pork.

[oneinamillion]

I'm glad that's the case, then.

[He's not completely convinced, but he won't press the matter. He looks at the ramen.]

That looks delicious. Thank you for going to all this trouble, miss Miki! And yes, pork is more than fine.

[Even if it wasn't, refusing a meal would be very impolite.]

[assaultedramen]

Ok! I wasn't sure, I didn't want to serve you a bunch of meat if you didn't eat it!

[Miki carefully places the meat and vegetables onto the surface of the soup, swiftly grabs the flowers from the counter and hides them behind her back before placing the bowl down in front of Lion.]

I hope you like it!

[oneinamillion]

Thank you very much.

[He's always been cooked for, growing up, but he hasn't ever really been given food by a friend. It's a new experience and...a very nice gesture. Plus--ramen. He's accustomed to predominantly Western food despite being Japanese, so this is an interesting change.

He eats some, elegantly, and then takes a moment to compliment her.]

...Not only does it look delicious, but is certainly is a fine meal. I expected no less from you, miss Miki!

[assaultedramen]

[Miki sputters for a bit before she is actually able to remember what words are supposed to sound like.]

Phvht-bhet-th-thanks! I-I also got you some...something esle too!

[Miki whips the two red carnations she had bought from Eater's shot out from behind her back and jams them in front of Lions face, as if giving him time to think before he has a face full of flowers might cause the universe to explode.]

F-For the other day! I thought that you might like them! You seem to like red a lot!

[oneinamillion]

....?

[Lion blinks at the flowers for a moment--she truly is a thoughtful girl! He doesn't really know why she's doing all of this just for the other day, though. He accepts them regardless.]

Oh, you didn't have to, really--but they're lovely. Thank you! I'm surprised you noticed I'm fond of that color.

[He smiles softly. He feels a bit guilty he has nothing to give to her, though...]

[assaultedramen]

I was just thinking about you a lot, over the past few days and-

[Miki's face goes full red at the point when she realizes what she just said!]

Because you helped me out! Yeah! B-because of that! I thought that you would like them! Hahaha! I really should eat something too!

[Miki goes and finds another bowl, whistling as she tries to look as nonchalant and unnervous as possible.]

[oneinamillion]

[Oh Lion is just so flattered here. Such nice people in Prospero! They make the stay worth it. Lion considers the flowers, still smiling a little, before going back to the ramen.]

I do like them. You're such a considerate person, miss Miki. Your hard work deserves a break--yes, you should eat as well! It wouldn't do for you to go without.

If I recall, you mentioned going to the arcade today...?

[assaultedramen]

[Miki starts to ladle the broth into a bowl as Lion asks her the question.]

R-really? Would that be ok? I-I don't want to be a bother, but I would lo-like to go with you!

[Miki's ladling seems to have become automatic as she answers, as the bowl has long since filled but she just keeps on ladling.]