Characters:
Nancy, Nagi, Omi. (of course)
No warnings.
Checking his knives over one last time, Nagi slid the sheaths into their designated spots: one between the mattress and the headboard, the other in the table next to the bathroom. While knife work wasn't his specialty, he had been forced to admit long ago their usefulness in a last-ditch situation. Schuldig had pounded enough knife-fighting into him that he wasn't totally inept, and knives combined with telekinesis made for a nasty surprise to anyone who thought they had cornered him unarmed.
Unbuttoning his collar, he checked his watch. Almost the time Omi said dinner would be ready. Turning off the lights, he headed back down towards the kitchen, wondering if he would ever get used to this whole 'family meal' phenomenon.
Tsukiyono was just pulling the flan out of the oven as Nagi entered the kitchen, and he smiled briefly at the other man. "Excellent timing, thank you." Moving to the stairs and pulling the door open, he called down, "Nance? Come up and set the table, please."
The little girl ran up the stairs and into the kitchen less than a minute later. "Dinner's ready, yay!" she said happily, having apparently completely forgotten about the sandwich she'd devoured such a short time before. She started moving toward the cabinet she'd gotten plates from at the last dinner Nagi had been there for, and looked confused when her father put a hand on her shoulder and asked, "What are you doing, chibi?"
Giving Omi a slightly suspicious look, Nancy said, slowly and carefully (the way one would speak to a toddler or a small dog), "I'm getting plates, to set the table with, Omi-poppa?"
Smirking slightly, her father said, "Well, you're not going to have any luck there."
Oh, ho. So *that's* what he was doing with all those plates earlier. Hiding his smile, Nagi pulled out his customary chair and sat down, completely poker-faced. It would be interesting to see how Nancy reacted to the challenge.
The child looked confused, and then deeply suspicious. Peering at the cabinet, she struggled to 'push' her Talent out in the new way, just to tip-toe around the edges of things, 'touching' them lightly. About forty seconds later she exclaimed, sounding accusatory, "That's the gravy bowl!" Just as she was about to 'relax', she said slowly, ". . how much did you move, Omi-poppa?"
Her father grinned down at her, looking ever so slightly evil. "Why don't you tell me, monkey-child?"
"Omi-poppa!" Nancy stamped a foot. "I am not a monkey!" She looked around the kitchen, and slowly started to grin. She 'pushed' tentatively at each cabinet in turn, naming the contents -- not bothering to look up, because she knew the 'poker-face' would be on. Naoe-sensei was right, she thought happily, it gets easier when I do it longer!.
"And that cabinet should have the the glasses, eight little and eight big. ." but she didn't trust Omi-poppa not to be sneaky and put a potted plant in there, just to fool her, so she 'pushed' to check, just a little too hard. There was a sudden sound of glass shattering.
". . .um, seven big glasses. Ooops."
Laughing softly, Omi squeezed Nancy's shoulder gently. "Don't try that on people until you're not doing that any more, chibi. . but you got everything correct. Very good," he said proudly. "Let me do the glasses, you do everything else. With your hands."
Wincing at the sound of breaking glass, Nagi watched as Tsukiyono tested his daughter. She's picking this up fast, he thought, eyebrows rising. Not bad. "Of course, now the question becomes, what cabinet does she put them back in?" Nagi pointed out.
Nancy giggled, and Omi grinned at both of them. "I will be cleaning up my own mess after the dishes are done, and take care of it then. After all, if I made her fix everything, the games wouldn't be much fun, would they, Nance?"
The little girl giggled again, and hugged her father. "No, they wouldn't," she said, clearly agreeing with her father's choice of words, and thinking that she had just done something fun, not passed an impromptu examination of sorts. "And even if you do clean up, you are still sneaky and underhanded, Omi-poppa," Nancy said cheekily, fetching a pile of plates from their new location.
"I have to be," Omi said blandly, putting the potentially contaminated glasses in the sink to be washed, and using a basting brush to gather up all the shards and slivers. "I have a legal obligation to do everything in my power to stay one step ahead of you, it was in the adoption contract I signed."
Very shortly, the table was set and Omi had brought over serving trays laden with fresh bread and oyster stew. "Flan for dessert, Nance, so keep a bit of room in your hollow leg," he said lightly.
Not being quite sure what flan *was*, it nonetheless smelled delicious, as did the stew. Waiting until the table was completely set and the others were seated, Nagi began to spoon up a generous bowl of stew, passing it over to Nancy. "So what happens if you don't stay one step ahead of her?" he asked, deadpan. "Does she get the house?"
"Worse," Omi said with a straight face, slicing the bread. "Remedial classes. Picture it, a roomful of parents, knees crammed under the tiny desks first graders used, being lectured by whatever kid they convinced to be a turncoat that month. ."
"Oh," Nancy said innocently, "is that why you had so many 'business trips' last November?"
Laughing, Omi 'served' Nancy her bread by flinging a piece lightly at her head, which was deftly 'caught' and lowered to her plate. "Point to you, and another for speed," Omi said, still chuckling, while passing the bread tray to Nagi.
Taking a couple pieces of his own, Nagi snagged himself another heaping bowl. After one cautious mouthful, he began eating enthusiastically. I wonder who's winning? It seemed to be a long-running game between father and daughter, at least.
"A fate worse than death," he agreed between bites. Looking around, Nagi decided to do a bit of encouraging of his own--a brief look, and the butter scooted promptly to his side of the table.
Nancy grinned happily when she saw the butter move, and she wasn't doing anything! I dunno about 'training', but so far just learning stuff has been cool. 'sides, I don't have lessons on weekends, so I guess one or two afternoons a week is okay. She didn't talk nearly as much tonight as she usually did, and started looking seriously sleepy halfway through the meal.
Omi had been directing the occassional polite remark to both of his dinner companions, but hadn't been very concerned about keeping a conversation going. The second time Nancy spent longer than usual looking at the flan on her fork before devouring it, he had to use his napkin to cover up a laugh. Poor chibi, wore you out, did I? Well, better things exploding inside cabinets than randomly through the house. Maybe you're even tired enough for me to survive the discussion we're going to have in a bit. .
Consciously reminding himself to slow down, Nagi made an effort to savor his food much more than he normally did. Having home-cooked meals wasn't that unusual--he didn't allow himself the potential liability of having a housekeeper--but having home-cooked meals that took more than twenty minutes and a few boxes of noodles was.
He was thankful that Tsukiyono wasn't demanding much in the way of polite conversation; he'd never been very good at it, preferring to keep his thoughts to himself. The last few days had pulled more words out of him than he normally used in a month.
He noticed the careful watch Tsukiyono was keeping on Nancy as they focused on dessert--the girl was visibly drooping. Finishing off his last bite, Nagi thought about asking for thirds for several tempting moments before deciding it would be impolite to be a *total* glutton, and pushed back his plate.
"That was very good. Thank you." He sighed, enjoying the feeling of being comfortably full.
"You're welcome, Naoe-san; I'm glad you enjoyed it." Omi made two mental entries on his running checklist of "Foods Approved Of" as opposed to "Foods Not Rejected", the later consisting of the entry "everything not on other list" at this point. He had a feeling food might become one of his major weapons for diffusing tension after rough training sessions if Nagi was anything like Nance in that regard.
After a short moment of watching Nancy blink at her empty plate, Omi poked her gently. "Would you like more, Nance?"
"Nuh-uh," the little girl shook her head. "Should I clear the table now?"
Blanching slightly, Omi said mildly, "I'll take care of it tonight, chibi. Why don't you go walk the labyrinth now?" He wasn't sure if she was planning on using hands or Talent, but either way he didn't want to have to buy another new set of dishes!
"I can assist, if you like," Nagi offered slowly, slightly uncomfortable. He wasn't sure where he stood in the realm of domestic chores, being a long-term guest--and he certainly didn't want to get sucked into the black hole of domesticity Tsukiyono seemed to have inside the house. Still, it seemed unfair to do nothing to repay him for the food...
He glanced over at Nancy, who was in the process of sliding out of her chair and heading for the back door. "Be careful not to push your gift too hard, or you'll end up with a headache. You'll need a good night's sleep."
The little girl paused on her way out the arched entryway to look back. "Yes, Naoe-sensei," she replied obediently, sleepily reminding herself that Naoe-sensei wasn't Omi-poppa, and so she'd get in trouble twice for sticking her tongue out at him, probably. Not stupid, she thought a little grumpily as she headed outside.
"If you wish, Naoe-san," Omi said, with a slightly dubious look at the other man. "There are plastic containers in the lower cabinet by the refrigerator, if you wouldn't mind putting the leftovers away." Not that four pieces of bread, a quarter-flan, and one decent serving of stew count as 'leftovers' in my book, he thought disapprovingly, efficiently stacking the dishes to carry to the sink. I need to increase the recipes more. .
As the stew had been started this morning, and he'd already washed the dishes used for preparing the flan, there weren't very many to do anyway. The other man's help wasn't needed, but Omi was chalking the offer to help up to new-guest nerves and just hoped Nagi would get over it soon.
Tsukiyono seems to have his doubts about this arrangement as well. Declining to comment, Nagi simply began to carry what leftover food there was to the counter. After spooning it away into its various tupperware containers and packing it into the *very* large refrigerator, he washed his hands and gave Tsukiyono a glance.
"I'm going to be online for a while, unless there's something you or Nancy-kun had planned."
Omi had been staring fixedly at the kitchen wall, as if he could see through it and the furo to watch Nancy in the backyard if only his concentration was focused enough. When he answered, it seemed disconnected from Nagi's query.
"Another full evening would help, wouldn't it? For the training. Having Wednesdays as well would make things easier for you, am I correct?"
Nagi blinked. "Of course. Why?"
"I'll let Nance know, then. She may be sullen the first Wednesday, but I would appreciate you mentioning any outright defiance or disobedience, Naoe-san. Not that I expect any," and a dish was rinsed rather vehemently before being set in the drainer, "but sometimes she does act her age."
Nagi had to think for a minute, back to the schedule mentioned that afternoon, before he put two and two together. "Ah," he commented, raising his eyebrows. "Well, it's your decision to make. And I'll make sure to do that...which brings up another question. Do you plan on observing her lessons at all?"
Rinsing the last dish, Omi set it in the rack before turning and leaning against the counter, arms comfortably crossed in front of him. "I'd like to, at least some of the time." he said easily. "Both for curiosity's sake, and because I think it would help my understanding a great deal as well." Lips twisted in a wry half-smile, he admitted, "You haven't even given Nance her first formal lesson, and I'm already starting to suspect I've been going about things completely incorrectly."
"Not completely, no. But you've missed some of the basics, near as I can tell, which affects how she views her Gift." Nagi shrugged. "It's often the simplest things that are the hardest to see. Especially for a non-Talented." Moving back to the kitchen table, he sat back down, leaning back and crossing his ankles. "But if I am to be 'training' both of you, then yes--your observation of the lessons would certainly help. It might also reassure Nancy-kun that she hasn't been abandoned to my tender mercies." He gave Tsukiyono an arch look.
Omi bit back the outright laughter, but let the snort out. "You have tender mercies, Naoe-san?" Then he sighed, and shook his head. "I will happily observe any lesson you invite me to, but I have a feeling that Nance will be easier to deal with for the next few days if I'm not around." I'll have to decide Wednesday morning if I should be out of the house for that lesson. . or out of the city.
Watching him carefully, Nagi said only, "Consider a blanket invitation extended, then. And as I said, that decision is certainly your prerogative. She's your daughter, after all."
"She won't appreciate this for a few years, I don't think. . but this training is the most important thing for her, right now," Omi said flatly. "I didn't ask you to go to all this effort to turn around and handicap you, Naoe-san. Any family issues, I'll do my best to keep between Nance and I."
He shoved away from the counter, and nodded politely, smiling faintly. "And I think it's about time I triggered one of those issues. Have a good evening."
A bit startled by the summary dismissal, Nagi watched Tsukiyono leave without saying anything. The older man looked like he was preparing to go to war--which, Nagi supposed, might not be far from the truth. Apparently Nancy was not going to be happy over losing her gymnastics.
Well, as Tsukiyono said, family issues were family issues, and ultimately had little to him. As long as Nancy didn't let it affect her attitude towards being trained, they wouldn't have a problem.
Nancy, indeed, was not happy. At all. Omi had cornered her as she exited the labyrinth, looking about ready to curl up on the lawn and sleep, and told her they needed to talk.
He talked, and Nancy scowled blackly and yelled back. Her father wasn't going to yield, and the second time he quietly said he was sorry, but this was what would happen she really lost her temper. After screeching incoherently, the little girl turned and ran for the house, 'reaching' ahead of her to bang the door open and then slam it in Omi's face. Pure rage gave her more power than she should have had, and she was able to keep moving up the stairs.
Lips thinning, Omi yanked the door open again and caught up with his daughter right before she could escape into her room, reaching out to shove shut the door she was 'opening'. "Calm down right now, young lady," he ordered sternly. "You know this display certainly isn't going to make me change my mind."
Nancy spun around and put her back to the door she could no longer open without 'shoving' Omi-poppa. . something her self-preservation instincts wouldn't let her do. "You're not going to change your mind anyway, you, you dictator! If I don't have any say, why don't I just go live somewhere fascist? Turkey would be nice, you'd have a ready-made prison to throw me in!" Nancy shouted, not even thinking about the fact that the guest room was occupied.
The small voice in the back of Omi's head, the one that always reacted inappropriately, started laughing. Oh good, she really does pay attention to the world news. . The man wasn't really at all amused, however. "We can discuss the reasons later, when you're not so angry," Omi said, relatively calmly. "And then we will discuss proper behavior, and what are acceptable ways to show anger. Temper tantrums aren't on that list." He eyed the sulky, resentfully silent little girl glaring balefully at him with carefully hidden sympathy. It really sucks, being so young, doesn't it, chibi? "And you will not vent your anger on Naoe-san, do you understand me? This was my decision, not his."
"Yes, sir!" Nancy almost snarled, snapping a perfect military salute. "Is there anything else, sir?"
Omi stepped back from the door and said mildly, "Go to bed, Nancy. You clearly need sleep. And do not slam the door."
The door was closed soundlessly behind an equally silent little girl. Omi sighed softly and turned towards his own rooms. Fuck his no unnecessary medication policy, he needed a handful of aspirin.
From the safety of his own study, Nagi raised his eyebrows. Fascist dictator?? When no more insults were forthcoming from outside, he turned back to his book, settling back in the chair and turning a page. Well, at least he wouldn't have to worry about her vocabulary...