Hello Kitty [ATTN: Dare, Takumi]

[fryn]

Takumi looked from Lace to Dare and then back again. Had he interruopted something? He knew Dare preferred boys and so it would hardly have been anything of a romantic nature but he defi9nitel;y got the feeling something more had been going on than Lace was making out. He would have asked again but his mother entered the room at that moment, carrying a plate of michi.

"It is made from crushed rice," he told them "Inside I hope is anko... red bean paste. My favourite." He glanced at his mother who nodded,.

"Anko and also strawberry ones," she told him.

"Sugoi!" Takumi offered the plate to his guests before taking one for himself. A mochi apiee and then he'd perform the ceremony for them.

* * *

"The chanoyu, or tea ceremony, was developed by Murata Juko, a Zen monk who lived in the 15th century. It is centred around 'wabi'. Wabi means quiet and sober refinement." Takumi poured water into three shallow bowls after meticulously cleaning them with the piece of hemp that had been provided. The bowls were already clean but the action was an integral part of the ceremony. He then scooped up some powdered green tea and dropped some into each bowl, whisking it with the chasen that lay to one side on the table. Only then did he pass one bowl to Lace and then another to Dare, accompanied by a short bow of respect.

"Yorosikattara douzo," he murmured. "I hope you like it..."

Green tea - particularly matcha - wasn't to everyone's taste.

[Dare Madison]

Dare took one of the strawberry ones, not sure about red bean paste. He supposed he should try them as a good vegetarian choice, but he wasn't feeling that adventurous.

The michi was very tasty and it was gone quickly. Dare was fascinated by the tea ceremony, it was very peaceful and soothing to watch as every action was done with reverence and very thoroughly. Dare took the bowl and bowed back and said softly, hoping he was right, "Domo Origato, Taki. He took a sip and smiled finding it interesting and different. It wasn't immediately pleasing, but he knew he would grow used to it.

Ginger curled up next to Hashi and began to lick herself tentatively in preparation for a much needed nap. The dachsund seemed to grin before licking the top of her head. The kitten blinked and seemed to sigh patiently. Dare couldn't help but giggle. "They are so funny together," he explained when his friends looked inquiringly at him.

[Lace Kellan]

Lace who had never even heard of mochi before today looked at it apprehensively. It looked like powdered giant candy balls. She used her wipes on her hands before gingerly plucking it between two fingers. It was kind of puffy and bouncy and squishy and when she bit into it, she found it sweet and her eyes widened. She slid the whole thing into her mouth and chewed. After swallowing, she looked up and smiled. "This is delicious." She said.

When the tea ceremony began, Lace became quiet. Looking at Takumi do it, she found herself relaxing and calming down. Taking the bowl she was offered, Lace took a deep whiff of it before sipping it. It had an unidentifiable after taste which she was sure she had to drink more of to determine whether she liked it or not. "It's...different." She said after a few sips.

Dare's giggle made Lace turn to him with a quizzical look before he explained. She also turned to the pair. "Awww...funny they may be but so adorable!" She gushed quietly. She didn't want to wake them up. "Takumi, thank you again for offering to take her in." She nodded at Takumi and sipped more of her tea.

[fryn]

Takumi smiled and nodded a couple of times. "It's a pleasure and an honour, Lace-chan," he replied. "And seeing both you and Dare happy that Ginger is now safe makes me, in turn, equally as happy." It also helped that Hashi was more than fine with the arrangement and while he knew Lace - or Dare - might want Ginger back at any given time he was determined to look after the kitten as well as he could until then.

He sipped some of his tea and sighed in even more contentment. This afternoon had gone well and it made him that much more confident about bringing Izzy home also. She'd fall instantly in love with Ginger... and Hashi. He was positive of that.

Their tea was all too soon finished and Takumi set the bowls neatly back onto the tray.

"Takumi!"

"Hai, kachan?"

A conversation then progressed in rapid Japanese, at the end of which Taki turned back to his friends, an apologetic smile on his face. "I know that was really bad of us but my mother wasn't sure how to ask this in English so... she asked me to do it. She wonders if you would like to stay for supper but understands if that's not possible. She is starting to prepare the meal and will make more if you want to stay."

He smiled hopefully..

(wasn't sure if you wanted to end or continue so left it open like this ;P Buck passing. Yes, its buck passing! LOL)

[Dare Madison]

Dare was thrilled at being invited to dinner. It seemed so normal, something friends did all the time, but it was his first time. "I would love to stay to dinner, my father is still out of town, so I would have just had take-out with Syn," He made a face mentioning his half-sister, not sure if he had mentioned her to either of his friends. "Can I help with anything?" he asked, thinking it would be interesting to watch Taki's mother cook Japanese. "Lace if your mom wants you back I could have Tony take you, but I hope you can stay too."

"I still want to see your bass, Taki. Maybe if it doesn't bother anyone we could lay down a few lines of sound in preparation for Saturday," the music obsessed youth suggested for after dinner. He was always willing to pick up his baby... his guitar. Syn suggested it was because he needed to be laid and music was a substitution for real satisfaction. She was actually a decent musician herself, but she liked giving him a hard time and she really enjoyed sex and music together.

[Lace Kellan]

[OOC: Maybe I post the last? Then dinner can be passed over if everyone wants it that way ^^]

The rapid and somewhat melodic Japanese that passed between Takumi and his mother fascinated Lace. "Wow..." she whispered, leaning against Dare. "I never knew someone could talk that fast before." She said in wonderment.

Being invited to someone's house was already a major thing for Lace. It's sad how happy she was to be invited for dinner. She supposed growing up with only her family members wanting her around kind of gave her a complex. Nevertheless, the invitation was accepted whole-heartedly. "I'd love to stay for dinner, if your mother doesn't mind cooking more that is." With a beatific smile at Takumi's mother, she nodded at Takumi.

"I'll just call my mother first to let her know that I'll be having dinner outside." Lace excused herself from her friends and slid her phone out of her pocket to dial her home number. After the first ring, her mother's voice filled her ear and she smiled. "Mom...I've been invited to dinner. I know it's a school night but I've done my homework and I promise I'll be home before curfew." She rushed through her words but fortunately Mrs Kellan caught every single word of it and laughed at how animated her daughter was.

"Of course, sweetie. I'm just glad you're finally making friends. I know it's been a rough couple of years for you..." the elder Kellan's voice thinned out before chirping up again. "You should invite that friend of yours over for dinner sometime, Lace."

Ignoring her mother's slight drop in her voice, Lace nodded. "Yes. I will definitely invite them over."

"Them? More than one, Lace?"

"Yes, mom. Dare and Takumi. I'll call you back later before I'm ready to go home mom. Love you. Bye." Lace smiled as she pocketed her phone to rejoin her friends.

"My mother wants both of you to come over for dinner some time." Lace beamed at Dare and Takumi.

This has shaped up to be a very good day indeed.

[fryn]

(wrapping here is fine with me - and thanks to you both for a fun - and sweet! - thread!)

[Lia Juarez]

ooc:It was fun, thanks girls

[nunu]

[ooc: i love this thread ^^]