[Mingler] Gong Hey Fat Choy! (Congratulations and be prosperous)

[chevalier_boy]

Riku has fond memories of Setsuban or the Lunar New Year, and given the number of Chinese immigrants in their neighborhood, his dad had offered a double celebration at Omoro. And so, as part of continuing to give back to the Mansion and the people in it, he's spent the past day cooking up a buffet of Asian delicacies, including Chinese dumplings

Comments

[not_snake_bite]

Steerpike stared at the 'dragon' for a bit, then decided that it wasn't doing anything dangerous and shrugged it off as a weird ritual. If someone should know how weird rituals can be, it would be anyone from Gormenghast.

So here he is, sneaking behind Riku and lookiing at the maki rolls with curiosity.

[not_snake_bite]

"I understand," Steerpike replies, though he has no idea what an Asian country is. "I don't think I have ever heard of such a thing before."

Which might be an excellent lie if Muraki taught him this, or not.

[cute_shinigami]

"Yeah, the idea is only just getting better known in other parts of the world," he says. But from the concern that's crept into his eyes, there's something that's on his mind. "So... have you been keeping out of harm's way? I'm only asking because, well, I'm sort of monitoring someone who could potentially be a lot of trouble for a nice-looking young guy like you."

[not_snake_bite]

"I'm quite alright, thank you," Steerpike replies, and he's tensing a little at the compliment, though trying to ignore it in favor of covertsy. "I only study and spend time in good company, all is well, truly."

[cute_shinigami]

"That's good," he says, a bit relieved. "But if a pale good-looking guy a bit taller than me should bother you and make you uncomfortable in any way, you let me know and I'll take care of it. I don't want you or anyone else to be hurt by him." His tone is dead serious, even concerned. "He's hurt a lot of people in the past, including my partner."

[not_snake_bite]

"I have been lucky to evade such a terrible fate," Steerpike replies. "But perhaps he will show up in my humble life - where might I find you, if he does?"

[cute_shinigami]

"I'm usually in the kitchen, or I'm in the main room or the library, reading or, well, taking a nap," he admits, a little sheepishly.

[not_snake_bite]

"Then I will make sure to find you," Steerpike replies, and he stores this information for his master, safely.

Ready to wrap it up?

[cute_shinigami]

"I hope you don't have to, but I'll be there for you, if there's any trouble, I promise you that," Tsuzuki replies with a protectiveness that borders on a fatherly concern, even though to all appearances, he's barely ten years older.

Sounds like a plan!

[not_snake_bite]

That's a bit odd, but hey, Steerpike will take it. "Thank you," he replies, putting his hand on his heart. "Your promise does not fall into deaf ears."

And on yours?

[cute_shinigami]

"If there's anyone you can count on in this place, Master Steerpike, it's me," he says, with a small, sad, but reassuring smile.

He just hopes he never has to keep that promise, for both their sakes...

FTB!

[chevalier_boy]

It's a little hard to sneak behind a Chriopteran chevalier, but Riku would admit he's the gentlest one out there. It isn't till he's set down the pot and the wooden spoon and taken up the basket of red envelopes to hand them out. "Gong hey fat choy," he says, offering one to Steerpike. "That's 'Congratulations and be prosperous', in Chinese."

[not_snake_bite]

Steerpike blinks at the foreign language, then catches on. "--- and the same to you, of course, lad," he replies to Riku, though he's not even a decade older than him. "What's that you have there?"

[chevalier_boy]

He holds up the basket. "It's lucky red envelopes for Chinese New Year: they'd usually have money and candy in them, but there doesn't seem to be any money here. They've got chocolate coins in them." He takes one out and holds it up to him. "Here, have one."

[not_snake_bite]

"Thank you," Steerpike replies, accepting the envelope. "I did not know of this... tradition."

[chevalier_boy]

"Yeah, it's mostly celebrated in Asian countries, but it's getting a little better known in other places," he says. "But everyone could use a little good luck or at least a chance to have some good food, no matter where they come from, so thought I'd share the fun.

"So are you a student at the university here?"