Verity Willis (
brave_heart_verity) wrote in
nexus_sages2016-02-07 12:35 pm
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Sibling Rivalries: Chili Edition


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 jalapeƱos, 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
Who gets your vote?
((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.))
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"The Invention of Murder, which is thoroughly unromantic, and perhaps not appropriate today," she admits into his shoulder as she settles into the post-kiss hugging. "I'm so glad you came. Thank you."
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"It is early," he's kidding of course and there's a laugh to go with it. "Death by chili is closer than we can imagine at the other table."
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"Is it? I haven't had any yet. It certainly smells... interesting." If she can handle Clint's chili better than Matt, he might never hear the end of it.
And, speaking of awkward, when she opens her eyes again and looks around... "Oh. Hey, Steve."
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Steve's also had years of experience being the third wheel even unexpectedly and didn't make a sound. In fact, he's been looking anywhere but at them for the last few seconds and had been trying to inch away when Verity caught him.
"No, no. Don't..uhm...I'll just...be going...sorry. I..I didn't mean to tag along like that..." He sounds every kind of uncomfortable despite his attempts at levity.
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Beer too? Steve is a real friend. Matt on the other hand he keeps a hand on Verity while the other rubs the back of his head. "No, no. You're great." Hand done with trying to fluff or rub away his own second hand embarrassment he pats Steve on the shoulder.
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None of that sneaking away, Steve: having seen him, she's not going to let him get away so easily. "None of that, you know I'm glad to see you. And you don't really think I'm letting you get out of a chance to feed you, do you? Would you like a hug too?" There's always hugs if Steve wants one.
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Beer is finally released from it's prison. Steve wastes no time in gulping down a mouthful just to have something to do aside form shoving his foot further into his mouth. The other he holds loosely, waiting for Matt to free up either of his hands, really.
After a moment of him not letting Verity go, Steve does squint at him a bit.
"Do you want yours or not? Because I'm fine drinking both of them over here by myself." He's teasing, and besides Steve is ninety pounds he should really not do that over anything short of a couple hours, at least.
"Only if Murdock promises not to put his family's boxing prowess on me for accepting."
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Sorry, Steve. He really is.
"Please. I think that chili and beer are an excellent pairing. Don't ask me about wine and food. Beer and food," he does a little head bob. Imagining all of those ninety pounds taking in that much alcohol does make Matt snicker.
"I know when to pick fights. And they're in circumstances without you or Verity." To make it even more transparent Matt steps aside so he can have a first sip of beer too.
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Yes, Matt, she's got the hint: beer for him, wine for her. It'll work.
"Thanks for coming, Steve. I hope it's worth braving the cold. How did you like Clint's recipe?" Hugging accomplished, she steps back so Steve isn't all crowded. The fact it's where Matt is is entirely coincidental.
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"Spicy, but...smoky? It tasted like it was made on a campfire. I liked it. Didn't expect Matt to have as much trouble as he did..." You starting something, Rogers? A bit of teasing maybe? Matt can handle it, otherwise Steve wouldn't try.
"Oh, it's no trouble. I was practicing pool before I came."
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"I'm sticking with interesting. Probably a good alternative for fossil fuel." Just thinking about it is bringing back the memory of the taste. He'll drink more beer for that.
His eyebrows lift as he blinks incredulously. "Guess I don't have the same kind of stomach as some people."
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She'll let the boys tease each other, but Matt gets a little nudge when she heads back around her table. He can follow if he wants, or keep hanging out with Steve. Either way. "You two ready to try mine? Or do you need some cornbread to cool things down?"
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"I'll be good with just the chili, but Matt here might need some help." Steve rolls his eyes good naturedly, and gives Murdock a small push toward Verity. "I'll take mine and wander. I shouldn't...have you know." If he says intruded they'll insist he's not, but Steve knows better.
He is a Professional Third Wheel.
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Pushed this way, pushed that way, Matt still stays on his feet. "Jeez. I have a low tolerance for that stuff. I should have said so." Low tolerance, yeah, sure.
"C'mon Steve. No one's making you leave to go anywhere you don't want to." Professional Third Wheel meet Professional Negotiator.
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Steve gets a shake of her head. "You're not intruding. How can you intrude at a big public event like this? Don't be silly. You two stay and tell me how good my cooking is, then go play some cards or something. Which reminds me."
She rummages in the bag she has stashed under her table a bit before holding up a pack of playing cards, which she then tucks in Matt's pocket. "I found some cards with Braille on them. I have a feeling you'll have the best poker face in the room, so go easy on the rest of us, hm?"
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"Hey yeah. We can make Clint regret teaching us how to play pool by schooling him in cards, too." When this became Steve and Matt against Clint is anyone's guess. Steve thinks it's fair for it to be two against one if the one is an Avenger.
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"It smells better to me," and this is an honest assessment. Having a seat also means he can enjoy more. Or sweat more inconspicuously. Matt isn't a fool enough to think that Verity's chili won't burn. He hopes it does. And he hopes to not have heartburn to kill a giraffe after all this.
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"Small bowl to leave room for cake? Yeah, I can agree to that." Steve gets the first serving, since Matt's got that cornbread to finish. "Try some red onions and bell peppers, I think you'll like the play between the cooked and raw flavors." It'll be an education for him, and he did ask her to teach him how to cook.
Then for Matt, a larger serving; he'll burn it off. "Here, try it as-is, then let me know what you'd like to add. There's bacon, sour cream, cheddar, raw veggies, tortilla chips, and hot sauces. For you, I'd say bacon and cheese are obvious, but I'd also say a little bit of red pepper flakes."
Her chili aims for the warmth of sitting by a fire, not in it.
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"Sure!" He goes to do as he's told, and seems quite pleased with the combination. When she mentions red pepper flakes though, he's going to add some of that and some cheese too. He is surprisingly sturdy for spicy food.
"How long did this take to make Verity?" Steve has to get a napkin. "The meat's so tender."