Sibling Rivalries: Chili Edition

[brave_heart_verity]

Flyers have been going up around the Forum and Commercial District for the last week or so. This morning,the lights in the VSW Meadhall came on. By noon, anyone getting close enough to an open door would know: chili's on!

Inside, everything's set up and waiting for the hungry and the curious: Clint's cooking in one corner, and Verity's in the other. Between them, tables are laid out with the necessities: bowls, plates, spoons, and plenty of napkins. There's beer and iced tea, some lovely tres leches cakes provided by the Nexus' favorite Japanese detective, and various toppings for the chili: bottles of sriracha and sweet Thai chili sauce, red pepper flakes, green onions and red, lime wedges, diced bell peppers and jalapeños, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream. Cornbread and tortilla chips round things out.

Long tables with a mix of benches and chairs fill the hall on either side of the fire pits. One has board and card games stacked neatly at one end (they were neat when they were put out, at least). Another has two boxes, one wrapped in purple paper and one in pink, for depositing voting slips.

Poll #17301 1st Annual Chili Cook-Off

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 7

View Respondents

Who gets your vote?

View Answers

Clint--Avengers Assemble!
3 (42.9%)

Truthfully? Verity.
4 (57.1%)

The fire pits are lit, the food is waiting, and there are games in want of players. What are you waiting for?
((There will doubtless be further Cupid-based shenanigans, but this weekend, it's all about the platonic relationships. Bromances, BFFs, and family ties rule the day! Let's celebrate! Threadhopping, tangents, games, and mischief are all encouraged. Just don't start a food fight or Verity will have to yell.))

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

All of that sounds horrible. And she doesn't remember agreeing to any of this.

"But... I thought you liked us."

It's suddenly much less fun with a fate like this waiting for one of them.

Acts of Kirk

[smartass_captain]

"Of course I like you guys. And here I thought you'd be crowing with glee over the prospect of Clint having to try my mystery chili." Jim's actually tried it and it's not that bad. It's pretty bad though.

She looks positively crestfallen at this though. For someone who's best friends with a trickster god, she doesn't seem to be hip to pranks.

"If it's really upsetting you though, I'll chuck it out. No harm no foul. I just thought it might add to the competition is all." Jim's quick to play it off like it's no big deal. He was pretty proud for thinking it up on short notice, but he doesn't want to ruin their fun either. "Last thing I wanna do is ruin your fun times."

[brave_heart_verity]

The thing about being best friends with a trickster god is, sometimes, you need a couple tricks of your own. Pouting adorably is always a great 'out', if somewhat disingenuous. But, oh dear, he doesn't seem to realize she's playing.

Time for another hug.

"You know how seriously I take food. I wouldn't want to inflict it on anyone as a punishment." It really does sound rather dreadful, but she'd do it if she had to. "You could never ruin the fun, sweetie. Everything's better when you join in. Speaking of, when I win, you're invited to my circus waffle victory party."

[smartass_captain]

Oof! Jim laughs into the hug and shakes his head.

"You're way too good at playing the pity card, Ver. I thought you were gonna kick me out for a minute there." He's laughing though, so it's clear he's clued in now.

"I'm taking this seriously! I tried to make chili too." He just...also knows he can't cook. This chuckle is entirely self deprecating. "I do promise however not to sway the vote either way." Circus waffles is her prize? Jim whistles, clearly impressed.

"I know it's a long shot, but what's he get if he wins?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"You have to be good to pull one over on the god of lies," she points out. Would he mind if she cuddled into his side for a minute? Being 'on' like this, in public, is still so hard for her. A minute's reprieve would be helpful.

"Mm-hmm. He wants angel food cake with strawberries on top. But for you, I'll make some caramel apple slices too." Always, always, thinking of how to spoil her beloved brothers. It's important to her. "I'm assuming he'll invite you too."

Because let's be honest, Clint's getting his cake however this turns out.

[smartass_captain]

Jim's not one to ever deny Verity cuddles. If she wants to play shy toddler hiding behind her sibling for a minute, Jim's willing to oblige.

"That sounds amazing actually but I'd have to...sweet." Jim doesn't even have to compete and he gets to share both victory prizes. "I promise to take a bite of my chili with the loser too. That way I'm not just leeching off the victor."

Of course he is. Verity never turns down an opportunity to shove food at her brothers.

"Speaking of, I should probably let him know that my chili is a thing too before I get to tasting the ones that are actually being judged."

[brave_heart_verity]

There are worse ways for her to deal with her issues.

The baby brother usually gets spoiled. Isn't that how it's supposed to work? "If it makes you feel better, sure."

They don't really mind, though, do they? And she tries not to do it too often.

"Okay. Come back when you're hungry for something you can actually taste through the fire."

[smartass_captain]

"Let it not be said that I don't know how to play fair." Jim replies with a wink before he leans over and kisses the top of Verity's head, careful not to mess up her hair.

They never mind Verity's cooking, are you kidding? She's amazing.

"Be right back, save a bowl for me yeah?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Mm, I wouldn't dream of it." She can live with fixing her hair after affection like that, but the care taken is appreciated.

"Sure thing." She gives him a little wave as he heads off before going back to the stir-and-check routine.