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

[rideme]

Not yet you don't.

[Maybe Kaneda will get out of it. But in the meantime, Bull will be doing his best to bench press the kid. This is absolutely ridiculous.]

[rassera]

[Excuse you sir, but he is not your dumbbell! His torso twists, trying to reach over and wrap his (smaller but still muscular) arms around Bulls neck to try and either a.) toss him (unlikely) or b.) swing himself around and land.]

Why you son of a--

[There's no bite to his words, though. This is pure, old fashioned play wrestling.]

[rideme]

I could be.

[He pushes Kaneda up toward the ceiling as he feels those fingers brush his neck. Up over the horns, holding him aloft there for a while. Hahaha take that.]

[rassera]

[And Kaneda's balanced on that giant hand, eyes staring straight up at the ceiling...towards the staircase...

And suddenly trying to reach for the railing to grab onto like the damn spider monkey he is.]

[rideme]

[He could drop him, there. See if he can manage to hold onto the railing without Bull's hands holding him up.]

[But hey, anyone who tries that as a solution earns a little bonus. So Bull lets him scramble up there, grinning up at him.]

Good idea.

[rassera]

[He probably could, too. Neo Tokyo was built as vertical as it was built horizontal, so climbing became one of the many skills he obtained. And with newfound muscle...

Well, he easily hoists himself onto it, straddling the bar and looking down at Bull rather ungracefully.]

Oh yeah.

[A hand reaches into that pocket of his, pulling one bean out and dropping it right onto Bull's head.

-Plink!-]

[rideme]

[Oh. Oh hell no.]

[If there's a foot or hand or anything within reach, Bull is going to snap a hand up to grab it. And pull. Hard.]

[rassera]

[That hand gets a hold of Kaneda's wrist, and if you think he won't pull against that...you don't know Kaneda.]

OI!!

[His body tilts over the guardrail of the stairs, eyes widened in surprise. This is it this is how he dies and it's stupidly ungraceful.]

[rideme]

Apologize for the beans...

[This is where Bull draws the words out. Tugging slowly on the kid's arm, despite the way Kaneda pulls against him.]

[Kid has some more muscle on him, to be sure. But Bull has weight, muscle and leverage on his side.]