After Dark

[takesitall]

Comments

[ignoranceisblight]

[He comes over, taking a pair of tongs and fishing out a couple pieces of pasta from the pot.]

You have to try it.

[He takes a piece of the pasta for himself and takes a bite.]

This is a little under-done. [Gently:] Give it a bit more time and deal with the rest of the recipe while it cooks.

[takesitall]

Gotcha.

[He trusts Ratio, so he leaves the pot alone and goes to start preparing the rest of it.]

Sorry, this is all pretty new to me after all.

[ignoranceisblight]

It's alright. Like you said, this is all new to you. Being uncertain is to be expected.

[He puts the tongs down, then gently squeezes Aventurine's shoulders.]

[takesitall]

[He smiles at Ratio.]

You're a good teacher, you know. I don't know why people say otherwise~

[ignoranceisblight]

Some consider me too strict or abrasive.

[But, well, Aventurine knew that already, surely.

And, well, some of those students really earn the abrasiveness.]

[takesitall]

Then they should be smarter.

[Aven please.]

Or at least understanding that you don't take bullshit.

[ignoranceisblight]

I fear that may be beyond a few of them, unfortunately.

[Ratio...]

[takesitall]

How do you deal with the public, Ratio?

[ignoranceisblight]

By setting firm boundaries and taking as much time for myself as I need, mostly.

[takesitall]

And your mask?

[ignoranceisblight]

And my mask.

[He'll just look over to check on Aventurine's progress.]

[takesitall]

[He is making some level of progress! He's a bit messy, but he is trying.]

You know, I could make the mask better, if you don't mind some demonic magic.

[ignoranceisblight]

[Mess is fine, mess can be cleaned up. He'll keep an eye on the pasta in the meantime.]

You could?

[He has to admit, he's interested.]

[takesitall]

Yeah, it wouldn't be difficult. I don't know what you have with it already, but I can easily enchant it so it filters noise and light out better at least.

[ignoranceisblight]

... Thank you. I'd appreciate it a lot.

[takesitall]

Of course. Just let me see it when we're done, okay? How's the pasta?

[ignoranceisblight]

[He uses the tongs to fish out a couple more pieces, trying one, then nodding.]

It's done, I'd say-- here. [He offers the other piece.] This is what it should feel like when it's ready.

[takesitall]

[He takes it, chewing.]

...so that one Italian place really does suck, if this is how pasta is meant to be. I knew I wasn't being picky.

[ignoranceisblight]

If it's the one I'm thinking of, yes, it's absolutely atrocious.

[takesitall]

Libeccio or Tonio's only, I guess from now on. So, where are the bowls...?

[ignoranceisblight]

I've always found Libeccio overpriced, personally, and Trattoria Trussardi has the... more pleasant atmosphere.

[Read: Isn't frequented by the fucking mob.]

Ah, they're-- One moment.

[Since that shelf in the cabinet is definitely too high for Aventurine to reach without a step-stool. Ratio grabs the bowls and brings them down to Aventurine's reach before he starts to get the pasta ready-- reserving half a cup of the water before he drains it.]

[takesitall]

You can say "isn't frequented by the fucking mafia", Ratio. Even if they're decent for human mafiosi, they're loud.

[Just saying.

Aventurine pouts at how high the bowls were because this is short demon prejudice but then Ratio does...that.]

Why save water?

[ignoranceisblight]

Loud, and people I'd rather not get anywhere near if I can help it.

[He has a sense of self-preservation, thank you.]

It's to add to the sauce. We're likely not going to use all of it, but it'll help the consistency.

[He'll start adding the noodles to the bowl Aventurine was using for the butter mixture once they've drained.]

Here. Use the tongs to make sure everything is coated with the sauce. I'll add the water if we need it.

[takesitall]

[And he does, careful and looking to Ratio to see if he's doing this right. He seems to be, though, and soon they're eating at the island.]

I did it!

[ignoranceisblight]

You did. Well done, Aventurine. This turned out wonderfully.