With your baby's breath, breathe symphonies

[resoundingpledge]

WHO: Residents of Nonah #005, adopted members of Nonah #005, stray birds, stray cats, stray dogs, visitors to Nonah #005, neighbours of Nonah #005, people passing Nonah #005 on the street . . .
WHERE: Nonah #005
WHEN: Feb. 3
WHAT: Setsubun! Bean throwing!! Family dinner!!!
WARNINGS: Teenagers

[Demons outside!
Good fortune inside!

. . . or maybe just an excuse for not-at-all homesick teenagers to throw sweet-crunchy roasted soybeans around the rooms of the house (presumably to invite good fortune in and not just to make a mess), or at anyone who wants to play the part of a demon and be chased out. There's a few bowls of soybeans and paper oni masks around for those who want to join in on the fun.

Unfortunately, due to the absolutely deplorable state of the local supermarket, there's a decided lack of thick, unsliced sushi rolls. They tried, they really did. But as it turns out, defeat might not be a bad thing: instead of sushi, a large electric skillet and two platters dominate the dinner table. One is stacked high with sliced nappa cabbage, mushrooms, onion and cubes of firm tofu; the other has thin strips of beef, ready for the pan.

The first sizzle of cooking meat might just be enough to call out anyone still lingering away from the fun, but if not, at least two helpful birds will poke heads around doors. After that, it's an every-person-for-themselves battle of can you get that piece of meat just as it's finished cooking? Or will that mushroom be stolen just as the sweet soy sauce broth marinates it to perfection?

That's the fun of sukiyaki though, it's the best of family and celebratory meals. And there's been a lot worth celebrating.

Demons out. Good fortune in.]

Comments

[iamtetsuo]

[If Kaneda hadn't flicked a bean at him, Tetsuo would still have thrown some at him on general principle. Kaneda doesn't need an oni mask. It's Kaneda. But if Kaneda's going to start the Great Bean War of 2020- uh - 2016, then clearly this is a call for Tetsuo to escalate the fuck out of it.

The bean halts in midair. It hovers there, suspended completely still.

WIth a psychic-enhanced flick back, Kaneda gets a super-accelerated bean to the head, aimed specifically at what's now the back of his head.

Tetsuo's the one who got a bean flicked at him. It's only fair.]

[rassera]

[If anger's what Tetsuo's expecting from that little act of revenge, it's certainly not what he gets. The moment the bean hits his head, you can practically hear the metaphorical 'tink!' as is bounces off, one hand reaching up to rub his noggin. Did that...did he really just...


And there it is. Kaneda bursting into laughter as he turns around, throwing another. He knows Tetsuo will do the same thing--that's the point.

This WHOLE THING was the point.]

[iamtetsuo]

[He'd deny it forever, but there's the telltale signs of him trying to bite back a smirk as he easily catches and flicks the next one back. This time it's a bean to the forehead, at about the same speed. It'd be painful. Kaneda can survive it. That's the point.

BEAN WAR COMMENCE!!

...It's not like Kaneda can actually HIT him with one. And that, also, is the point.]

[rassera]

[Kaneda's laughter continues, the bean doing nothing but plink off his forehead as he stumbles back, more out of the hilarity of this than anything, one hand slapped to where the bean had made impact.

But he doesn't stop there, rushing for his brother and scooping an arm around his torso to pull them close...

And raining all those beans down on Tetsuo's snowy-coloured hair.]

[iamtetsuo]

[Tetsuo barely has a chance to cry out before Kaneda's darted for him. When it comes to physical ability, Kaneda's always got him bested. So much for that 'Kaneda can't get him with beans' idea; the second that Kaneda's grabbed him, Tetsuo doesn't stand a chance.

This doesn't mean he doesn't yelp, kick out randomly with one leg, and struggle as a shower of beans falls down on his head and shoulders. His hands raise up to try to block more, crossing over his ducked head.]

Hey!!

[KANEDA HE WILL GET YOU FOR THIS. EXPECT BEANMAGEDDON IT WILL HAPPEN]

[rassera]

[Oh, he expects it. Hell, he'd think Tetsuo was sick if he didn't retaliate. But it's the first time in a long while that he's been able to laugh like this with him--HOPEFULLY with him. Since the day Ken swore live on the network.

Taking all that abuse, he backs up, although not out of Tetsuo's retaliation. Part of it, yes, but he also has to reload.

And boy is he going to scoop up as many beans as he possibly can in his shirt.]

[iamtetsuo]

[Beans, dust, a lost coin - everything bean-sized or smaller on the floor within easy radius rises slowly into the air, one of them nudging itself from under a startled cat. Tetsuo, too, is getting his ammo ready. And this time, he's not waiting for beans or brother to strike first - oh no.

As the cat watches amazed from underneath furniture - Dalish, maybe? He's not paying attention - all of that stuff shoots through the air on a silent command straight in Kaneda's direction. However many beans Kaneda can get, Tetsuo can get MORE.

If he wasn't enjoying this, would he have carefully tried to only get the beans? The remote stays where it is, only nudged slightly from the mass abuse of psychic powers. The cat, too, was largely unaffected.

He's got to be enjoying this on at least some level. Don't tell Maya or Ken that he could have made cleaning this up so much easier and didn't.]

[rassera]

[The beans pelt at him like a machine gun, Kaneda dropping his spoils to hold his hands up to defend himself. It does nothing to stop his laughter though, as he's sent to the ground from barrage of beans.]

Matte! Matte!!

[It's not long before he hits the ground on his back, swatting at them from below with his gloved hands. But they don't stop, Kaneda's eyes shut as he 'fends them off, catching a few in mid-flight and throwing them back. A futile attempt, but Kaneda never gives up!]

[iamtetsuo]

[SUCCESS!!! Fall, Kaneda, and plead for his mercy! Your paltry attack is nothing compared to Tetsuo's might! You really think he's gonna stop just cause you want him to? He's just getting started!!

Etc, etc.

Tetsuo looms over his fallen adversary, his grin leading into a soft, but surprisingly genuine laugh. He doesn't manage to catch everything; all the beans in his telekinetic grasp require far too much concentration to grab even more incoming beans. One or two even manage to hit Tetsuo, bouncing harmlessly off and snatched instantly up as more ammunition to annoy Kaneda with.

Bean fights are absolutely serious business, okay. There is nothing not totally serious about this situation. Nothing at all. You can tell by the way even Tetsuo's starting to find this hilarious.]

You give up yet??

[You'd think he'd learn his lesson about getting in range of being grabbed or counterattacked. You REALLY would. But apparently that's second to the need to gloat about sudden hard-earned ridiculous victories.]

[rassera]

[Kaneda's arms have effectively covered his head, shielding it from the rain of beans taht Tetsuo has volleyed down on him. A gentle hailstorm of vegetables that has no end in sight, at least, from what the little eye poking out between his elbows can see.

Tetsuo's got the high ground (anakin), this should be his victory. Or that would be the case, if Kaneda were anyone else. But no, he's the brave warrior who decided to take Orochi head on--Fukuryuu was banking on his good luck this day, because he'd need it to stop this mighty barrage of bullets.]

Not a chance!

[His legs push from underneath him, getting back up to his feet. They keep coming, but it's clear that Tetsuo is running out of ammo. He had none himself--it was stolen from his grasp when Tetsuo made his attack. But that doesn't stop him from trying to grab some mid air and...

Moving to pick Tetsuo up and plop him on the couch, tackling soon after.]

GOTCHA! You think you can beat me?

[iamtetsuo]

What are you d-??

[That sentence cuts off into a surprised yelp, back bouncing easily against soft cushions. Before Tetsuo's arm can get purchase to push himself up, Kaneda's landing on him, pinning him down so he can't easily continue the fight in his style.

That does not mean he doesn't struggle, trying to claw his way out from underneath Kaneda, one arm pushing against his chest, the other reaching out to grab at the edge of the couch. Maybe if he curves his back, he can get his feet braced against Kaneda somehow, if he can just keep him far enough away to get any advantage...

His head twists to the side, scanning around for any easily visible beans to snag. Dammit, he had been so close!! Just admit defeat already!!]

Yes!

[It's a reflexive answer, but that reflex is back. He punctuates that by pelting them both with a few more hastily summoned beans that found their way to the nearby floor, too determined to strike as fast as possible to aim them well.]

[rassera]

[Tetsuo's pushes and slaps against his chest are met with laughter, hands reaching up to try and grab those wrists. Not overly aggressive, he knows just how gentle to take it with Tetsuo now. And he knows full well the guy can knock him flat through a wall.

But they're having fun, right? This was wrestling, like they'd done when Kaneda threw the candy out the window in his room. His heart swells at that revelation--that they're finally back to a point in their lives where they can have fun. How long had it been?

Surely not even just before their arrival. It had to be years...maybe he was thirteen...

His laugh is strained when Tetsuo turns, trying to keep his hold on him like a wiggling fish as he sees his head turn, beans lifting up from the ground, reloading.]

Ahhh....uh oh.

[Soon, he's all but pelted again, and his arms move up to try and block the incoming barrage.]

[iamtetsuo]

[The beans that smack him in the face are well worth it.

Usually by now, things would be different. Kaneda was one to press the advantage as long as he had it, never letting go or giving ground... and Tetsuo couldn't stand a chance, no matter what he did. It made him fight all the harder, teeth clenched in determination - but for all his effort and pain, he never succeeded. Kaneda was too good at everything. It was intimidating to even try, and infuriating to always fail.

They haven't done things like this in a long time for a damn good reason.

But this time, a few things were different. Although he's determined, Tetsuo doesn't need to turn this into a desperate, all-out fight to get an upper hand this time. Finally... he's got an advantage of his own!!

Kaneda has to let go of Tetsuo's wrists to shield himself, and Tetsuo seizes the opportunity immediately, twisting around as much as he can and shoving Kaneda with all his might. This couch is going to be HIS, dammit, get off of him!


Even then... deep down, he doesn't really expect he'll be able to win this. It's Kaneda.]

[rassera]

[That amount of force is all Tetsuo needed to topple him back, his shoulderblades hitting that sarm of the couch as he falls back, noticing that one very determined psychic has gotten the high ground. It's surprising, and his eyes widen to show that, but it doesn't deter him as his arms try to fight back.

He doesn't use his full strength, of course. But then again, neither was Tetsuo. Tetsuo could flatten the house with the amount of power he had, or send him through the wall until he fell unconscious.

Tetsuo was holding back just as much as he was, and in the end...that made if a fair fight, didn't it?

His legs brace against the other arm of the couch, completely sprawled across the cushions as Tetsuo has him pinned, the entire thing littered with beans like a popcorn bag exploded. But with Tetsuo's (albeit brief) victory, Kaneda can't help but give out another laugh, as genuine as the first.

He's having fun. He's REALLY having fun.]

Someone's determined! But don't think I'll throw this so easily! I want this couch!

[His hand reaches up to press against Tetsuo's cheek, trying to shove him off that way.]

[iamtetsuo]

[A hand reaches out, fingers stretched and palm down over the couch, his other pressed down on Kaneda's chest. Beans gravitate to his hand like iron filings to a magnet; only when he's got a handful does he close his fingers around them, capturing his prize.]

You don't have to throw it...

[The effect he was going for is only somewhat lost as Kaneda's hand braces against his cheek, shoving his head to the side. He grits his teeth, determined-

And pours that handful onto Kaneda's face. What plan is this, 'annoy him into submission'?]

I'm taking it anyway!!

[rassera]

[And Kaneda looks up, watching as those beans gravitate towards that hand. Deep down, he knows it's coming, but that doesn't stop him from trying to fight against Tetsuo's grip. Although even if he were using all his muscle, this was a pretty good hold Tetsuo had on him.

But even with his hand pressed against his face, those beans rain down, and it distracts him long enough to try and swat them away.]

Ha! Didn't you know? I'm immune to your beans now!

[Sort of. As he flails to get them out of his hair. And flick some back right against his forehead.]

[iamtetsuo]

Oh yeah?

[He barely finished that before one manages to bounce off his forehead - dammit! That's unacceptable!]

What about these?!

[One of the cushions helpfully dislodges itself and drops against the top of Kaneda's head. Beware the Death Cushion!!]

[rassera]

[Kaneda can't contain his laughter, muffled by the pillow and fighting 'desperately' against it. NOT THE DEATH CUSHION! HAVE MERCY!]

IT'LL NEVER WORK! I'm too strong!

[He says while having a face full of decorative pillow.]

[iamtetsuo]

[The cushion lifts a bit, then starts batting Kaneda's face repeatedly in what's probably the most annoying thing it could possibly be doing. Tetsuo's tone is equally annoying; both mocking and immature, but highly, genuinely amused. And despite his smug bastard voice, he's not doing anything but being an extreme pest.

This is what you enabled, Kaneda. You allowed this.]

You can't hold out forever, Kaneda!