Monday December 19th, 6:14 pm after school at the grocery store

[amanda_evers]

Amanda walked into the store and looked around. She was in a cheerful mood, since Okita and her had made plans for the break. They were going to have dinner at Amanda's house and she was here to decide what to make for dinner when Okita and the twins came over. She would be making something Italian, but she hadn't yet decided what it would be

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[cunning_wolf]

Shuichi walked along the aisle's, the basket in his hands bumping against his legs. He grumbled to himself as he looked over the contents on the shelves. One thing he had yet to get used to living in an apartment was cooking for himself. Washio hardly ever cooked, and Shuichi didn't see him eat often. So, food was left to Shuichi.

Cooking was new to Shuichi. He came from a family that had their own chefs and even waiters to provide them with the utmost service. How come he couldn't keep at least one of the chefs at his temporary housing? It would make life so much easier, Shuichi thought as he threw in more simple ingredients into his basket. He had mastered curry and stuck with making that most nights.

Reaching for an item on a higher shelf, Shuichi ended up knocking down the items surrounding the one he needed. He stepped back, avoiding the cascading the merchandise, swearing under his breath.

[amanda_evers]

Her attention caught by the sound of falling merchandise, Amanda looked over and couldn't quite muffle the small giggle that escaped her. She walked over calmly and glanced at his basket, noting that he was buying curry items.

"Are you ok?" she asked, the amusement not touching her voice, but showing clearly in her eyes.

[cunning_wolf]

Shuichi used his foot to stop one of the spice cylinders as it rolled across the floor. A second one with a faster pace continued down the aisle before veering off towards the wall. Just as he let out the curse word under his breath, he heard a nearby voice directed towards him. His eyes moved in the direction towards the source of the voice who Shuichi recognized from school (with blonde hair and colorful eyes, Amanda stuck out in school).

She asked if he was ok and his immediate thought was, ‘Ok? No I’m not ok! What if that was to have fallen on me? I could have been hurt!’ He broke his eye contact with her and bent to pick up his mess. “I’m fine, and I would be better if they didn’t stack things so freaking high,” he said, a pang of annoyance at the store edging his voice. 

[amanda_evers]

Amanda bit back a giggle as she knelt next to him, setting her basket aside, and began to pick up things as well. "At least you were able to dodge...you could have been hurt if some of these heavier things had actually hit you."

She was cheerful as she put things back where they belonged. "Are you making curry?" she asked, pointing at the items in his basket.

[cunning_wolf]

He could see United States, but not Italy with that blonde hair. "For being raised in the United States, you don't seem to be very hot-headed," he stated, referring to the stereotype. "I think I'll just deal with Washio. I'm not a big fan of unnecessary paperwork. Besides, he does come in handy every once and a lone while. And I admit that enjoy being able to say something to someone every so often. I'd imagine I'd be rather bored and lonely by myself."

He followed her into the kitchen, looking at the spices in her hands. This cooking ordeal seemed like it was going to be a lot to learn. He hadn't even heard of a majority of the spices. "I don't need an apron. I'm not a messy person, nor am I wearing anything that would stain noticeably. If it did, I'd just buy a new one in its place. Where do we begin?"

[amanda_evers]

Amanda gave Shuichi a smile. "I was raised by an Italian woman...my aunt. It's her philosophy that it's better to feed people than act like an idiot American. But I do get hot-headed sometimes. I'd punch anyone who hurt one of my friends."

"We'll start with the meatballs. In general, when you cook you should always start with the items that take the longest so the rest of the food doesn't get cold." The blonde washed her hands as she spoke and motioned for him to also wash up.

She started adding spices to the ground beef and naming them as she did. Amanda didn't measure, but she seemed to know when to stop. "Adding spices and herbs to the meat provides a little extra umph to the food, but it's not required if you don't want. Spices are also added to the sauce."

She motioned Shuichi over and showed him how to roll the meatballs. She then waited for him to try.

[cunning_wolf]

Amanda's threat of violence while wearing such an apron as such that Shuichi thought it was quite comical. He with held any laughter though, in fear that she may test out her free will of punching people.

When she began to talk in terms of food, Shuichi began to carefully listen. He was taking mental notes and trying to figure out how much of the spices she was using. Already he was feeling overwhelmed. When he attempted to roll a meatball, he ended up with an odd lump of meat that was falling apart. This was going to be a long night.

[amanda_evers]

Amanda smiled with encouragement. "Your first attempt is better than mine was." she commented, though she didn't mention that her first attempt was when she was only three and her hands were too small to form the meatballs correctly.

"Try using a little more pressure. Meat is not delicate, especially ground beef. It falls apart like that if the pressure is too light." She motioned for him to try again. She was tempted to show him the way her mother and aunt had showed her, by guiding his hands with her own, but had a feeling it might be awkward, since she was only about an inch taller.