nexus_sages | Sibling Rivalries: Chili Edition

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.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Still better not to fall into a bad habit, she thinks. She's not great at getting out of them again.

"Very fair," she agrees. No need to risk upsetting Gracia! She'll dish some up for him, and hands it over with a nod toward the toppings. "I suggest some bacon and cheese on top. I hope you like it."

The first bite gets an approving nod before he's fully finished it. "It's very good," he says with a smile, "but I like your suggestion of bacon and cheese." If the mentioned additions are easily available, he'll add them quickly before trying again. And what a delicious taste difference they make! He smiles even more brightly. "Your suggestion is fantastic, Verity."

Beat. "I don't suppose, once this contest has come to a close, you'd be willing to share the recipe with me...?" Seems like someone wants to bring it home for sharing with his family.

All the toppings are on a table between her station and Clint's, so everyone can enjoy what they want. Nice and easy. She grins when he approves, both times. It's a lot of grinning. "Glad you like it. Yeah, you can have the recipe. I'll bring you a nice neat typed copy next time we have coffee."

Gracia, she suspects, will appreciate that. And also, the packet of hard-to-find spices she'll include. Grains of paradise probably aren't something Gracia can get at her local market.

The grinning is perfectly acceptable - she did make some fantastic chili. "Thanks, Verity. I definitely appreciate it." Now, excuse him while he finishes off his bowl in just a few more bites...

Probably not. It's a good thing Verity's so thoughtful.

"My pleasure. I hope Gracia and Elicia like it." It's occurred to Ver that she knows very little about the cuisine in Amestris; if they're not used to spicy food, they might not be as enamored of it. "How are they? They've been well, I hope?"

"They've been well," he says after finishing off his bowl and setting it aside. "Elicia is in love with her princess doll and Gracia's already figured out how to make more of those hand towels. She thinks they're one of the best things ever invented. 'No more falling towels - it's amazing!' she said." He chuckles. "I never thought I'd see her so excited about something so mundane," he admits. There seems to be no disappointment in his face, though. In truth, he thinks it's rather adorable.

"Ah, good. I'm glad to hear it. What did she name the doll?" Because of course the doll's been named. "Don't tease Gracia too much, you're not the one doing extra laundry when they keep falling down."

"Miranda," he answers with a smile, "after a friend she made. The doll looks a bit like the girl, so Elicia decided that's what she should name her. Isn't it adorable?" Oh god stop him before he starts pulling out pictures of the three of them together.

"Oh trust me, I learned long ago not to say anything that would truly upset her. Besides, I can't remember to tease her when I get so distracted by her excitement." Oddly enough, not an innuendo. He honestly gets distracted by everything she does when she starts working toward it so fervently.

"That's very sweet." Verity likes seeing the pictures. Sometimes it's bittersweet for her, knowing her dad does the same thing for his 'new' family, but that doesn't make Elicia any less adorable. "Princess Miranda. Sounds like a fairy tale name."

She is so glad that's not an innuendo. Nobody can try and father her like Hughes does and then say stuff like that around her without consequences. "Probably for the best. She's going to be popular when she teaches her friends how to make them, and then you'll be the favorite husband on the block for bringing them home to her."

No stopping him? Well, out they come, then! An adorable picture of Elicia, her little friend, and the doll. "Aren't they just a picture of cuteness? I couldn't help myself when I saw them together like this!" Don't squee, Hughes, it's not a very manly thing to do.

He blinks then grins at her. "I hadn't even thought about that. Well, aren't I a lucky man?"

"Oh, that's precious. I love how you can see what good friends they are." Facebook has honed her kid-picture-complimenting skills quite well. "I can see where Elicia picked up on a resemblance. Smart and cute, she's going to be dangerous when she's older. Good thing she's got you watching her back."

She grins back and gives a little shrug. "Of course, you've got this gorgeous family of yours. That's enough luck for three lifetimes."

"I hope I teach her well enough that she won't always need me watching her back," he says with a chuckle. It's a great distraction for all involved. Best to laugh to cover up the worry about the future, really. "Smart girls shouldn't always need backup anyway. I got a Lieutenant friend back home who more than proves that every day."

"Three lifetimes, hm?" He puts a hand to his chin thoughtfully. "I wouldn't mind that, if my family came with me each time."

"When she's grown up, yeah, she'll be okay. But you've got a while yet before that happens." Plenty of time for him to watch her grow and teach her things and do all that 'dad' stuff Verity's heard about.

"That'd be a good deal for all of you."

"I'd still like to teach her early, just in case anyone gets any ideas." Note he's not saying 'boys.' Everyone can be a problem when you're the father to an adorable little girl.

Verity will give him full props for being progressive enough to understand other girls can be as challenging as boys. "I'm sure you will. But not too early." Making her grow up too young...

Well. He wouldn't want her to turn out like Verity.

"No, not too early. I want her to enjoy being young while it lasts." He smiles fondly at that thought.

"Thank you for the chili, Verity. It's been a delicious treat."

She looks away for a moment but rallies another smile soon enough. "You're welcome. Enjoy your afternoon."

Sibling Rivalries: Chili Edition

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