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

She tries not to be that quick to dismiss people. Anymore.

"Never hard around here," she agrees. "If you really want to work up an appetite, I could insist you pick me up at home. It's a bit of a schlep. Can't beat the view, though. Chao garden on one side, parklands on another, and far enough away from the neighbors to not hear them."

"If you can get me an address and directions, I would be happy to come and get you." It means he can find more peonies for her and not have them awkwardly sit at the table between them while they eat. "The fresh air and exercise will certainly do me some good."

"Certainly. I'll even draw you a map if you'd like." Geography Club has improved her cartography skills. She's leveled up from little-kid crayon drawings to stick figures!

More peonies will always make her smile, but they're not necessary. Getting to go out with a friend is more than enough to make her happy.

Just give her a minute to work on this map, it gets a little tricky at one point. "You're a very cheerful man. I don't know how people like you manage it."

"You're most kind," he says with a smile as she begins drawing the map for him.

He likes giving her flowers, so as long as she doesn't object, she's going to keep getting them. Never let it be said that he won't take 'no' for an answer if the word is actually put out there.

"People like me?" What a strange question. "What ever do you mean?"

"Oh yes, so kind of me to make sure you don't get lost on your way to doing something nice for me." She's not a kind person. She knows herself too well to believe that.

It's unlikely she'll ever say 'no', but it's even less likely she'll ever make demands.

"Cheerful people. You come to a place outside reality as you know it and you delight in it. Most people don't." There's a distinct trend in how people react to arriving in the Nexus, and she's noticed it. "It's impressive."

He's not a kind person either. He just happens to like Verity.

He shrugs nonchalantly. "When life gives you lemons," he says with a chuckle. "Being petulant about the situation will get me no where. I'll either make it back to my world at some point or I won't. No need to waste precious time on wallowing."

It's a start.

"Mm. That's a good way to look at it." Here, Red, have a map. And a smile. "Still, you could give lessons. Be a motivational speaker. Start a new fashion for hats."

"I'm not sure I'd make a very good teacher," he admits as he takes the map from her, "but the hats I can get behind. They're very fashionable, and keep the head very cozy in cold winters like this." And when he chooses them? They're nice as all hell, too.

"It's good to have goals." She hopes he can understand the map. Sometimes what's clear in her head doesn't translate to paper very well. "And hats, this time of year."

He'll figure it out, and leave extra time to get to her place just in case. "Any time of year, if you're me. But it's mostly about the fashion in my case. I really just like the hats." He can't help but grin a little with that wink.

"They look good on you. You've chosen well." Normally she prefers a man with hair, but he makes the stubbly-headed thing work. The wink doesn't go unnoticed. "Clearly, the hats like you, too."

"I'm so glad you think so," he chuckles. What fun company she is.

"Shall we adjourn for the time being, then? I shouldn't keep you from the other voters. Oh, and what time shall I pick you up this evening?"

She tries to be. She knows it's very hit-or-miss still.

"Hmm. Seven?" She can be ready by then, if she hurries. After all this food, a run might be good for her--if Reynard hasn't been overly generous with the ice. "If that's okay?"

"Seven sounds perfect." He gives her another large smile. "Until tonight, then. Good luck with your contest."

"Thank you. And thank you for coming." He gets a warm smile in turn. Not as warm as Clint's chili, but, she wouldn't want to spoil anything.

Sibling Rivalries: Chili Edition

Tomorrow, rise of the New Blogs: humans optional.

What a terrifying thought

I know. I apologize for my part in helping it come to pass.

Thanks. =P

It's the least I can do.

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