♦ ♦ 14th Contract [Video/Action]

[mortemscintilla]

[ The feed snaps on to 'Li' popping shut the oven. He's in Cafe Satine's kitchen, surrounded by a colorful cornucopia of half-and-fully decorated desserts. Most stark is a tray of painfully red cupcakes with sugar-shards. A serial killer's treat. ]

[ Sublimation is a terrible thing. ]

[ Scowling, Li digs the heels of his hands into a slab of dough. Folds it. Digs again. From behind it looks like he's pummeling someone to death. One of his memories has crept its way onto the Network. He can't ignore it. But he can't withdraw somewhere until it disappears either. ]

[ That'd be tantamount to admitting he has much, much more to hide. ]

[ OOC: Memory bits shown are from 11:27 to 12:37, 15:21 to 20:17 and 20:28 to 24:19. ]

Comments

action;

[mortemscintilla]

[ How cute. Ken has a weakness for fresh bread. ]

No problem. The cafe serves different types. Zucchini. Monkey bread. Sourdough. Rye.

action;

[oceantrauma]

[Technically, Ken has a weakness for being fed homemade things. That's what happens with an eleven year-old living alone who was accustomed to homemade meals.]

I'd like to try whatever you make. ...could I buy, maybe, something like a loaf?

action;

[mortemscintilla]

[ Stick with Li, kiddo. He'll feed you aaaaall the time. And subtly brainwash you. ]

Of course. We've just put out a fresh batch. [ He indicates to the display. The cafe is fragrant with the sweet doughy scent. ] What kind would you like?

action;

[oceantrauma]

[He's already been somewhat brainwashed before, and would prefer to NOT be again, thanks. But he'll take the food as a bribe to keep his mouth shut on his thoughts.]

[Ken looks at the display from the distance, eyes a little wide. He has to swallow.] I.... Could I try some first? Do you have samples? I'm not sure which I would prefer, yet.

action;

[mortemscintilla]

[ THAT'S JUST AS GOOD. ]

There's plenty of samples. [ He reaches for a laden basket. Sets it before Ken like a centerpiece. ] Pick your favorite.

action;

[oceantrauma]

[Skinny, hungry kid looking over a basket of bread. He's hesitant, at first, then takes a few small bits here and there to try. Then, eventually, points to one of them. Only when his mouth is empty do he speak.]

This one. I would like a loaf, please. It'd be much better to buy bread from you than the store.

action;

[mortemscintilla]

[ Consider it Hei's good deed for the day. Like taking a kitten out of the rain. He smiles fondly. ]

You can buy all the loaves you want. We bake fresh ones every other day. [ ChingChing!!! ]

action;

[oceantrauma]

[Second time he's been alluded to a kitten....]

I just need one for now. They're best fresh. I'll try to remember - every other day.

action;

[mortemscintilla]

[ You must admit. The resemblance is uncanny. ]

I can even customize them into shapes if you like. Braids. Swirls. Animals.

action;

[oceantrauma]

[He would make a very cute one. With black fur and blue eyes.]

Ah, braids is good enough. Or however you make them. You don't need to go to any trouble. I'm just happy to have fresh bread.

action;

[mortemscintilla]

[ And the tiniest mew. ]

Braids it is. And it's no problem. I like to keep busy.

action;

[oceantrauma]

[He'd be a little mortified at the mew.]

Th-thank you, Li-san. I really appreciate it.

action;

[mortemscintilla]

[ Benignly, he pets Ken's head. Not an incidental gesture -- a test to see if he'll shrink back, tense up. Any indication of how revealing the video was. ]

[ And his opinion of 'Li' now. ]

action;

[oceantrauma]

[He just looks up, maybe a little curious and confused. Li's not normally the touchy type. Well, as far as Ken's gotten to know him.]

action;

[mortemscintilla]

[ Situation normal. He smiles at Ken's expression. ]

Don't look so worried, Ken-chan.

action;

[oceantrauma]

[A smile, a weak one, then.]

I didn't mean to. Could I pay for the bread now?

action;

[mortemscintilla]

Of course.

[ He leads Ken to the counter. This one, at least, isn't a threat. For now. But the day has been more of a close shave than he cares to admit. ]

action; end?

[oceantrauma]

[Ken's smart, but luckily that intelligence includes smart enough to know when to keep his mouth shut. And as Li's done nothing wrong (that Ken's aware of), it'll stay that way.]

[He pays for the bread and holds the bag close to himself.]

Thank you, Li-san. For everything.

End~

[mortemscintilla]

[ Wise choice, Ken. It's loudmouths who get themselves into trouble. Wiser counterparts know when to zip it and move on. He nods, casual as you please -- the poster-boy for Customer Service. ]

No problem. If we include new types of breads in the menu, I'll keep you posted.