FOR MALIK

[duranduel]

Comments

[godcards]

[ blushing intensifies ]

You're not Egyptian, you don't know how to make it.

[duranduel]

Yeah, I'm Mongolian, but still. I know how to cook in general. Even if it's not your dish, I know some simple dishes that I made for myself when I was out adventuring.

[godcards]

...If you want to make something, I won't stop you.

[duranduel]

[i hate this because mandi would've probably got self-conscious at this but since he is on vibing auto-pilot he just nods]

Let's have tea first, and then I'll show ya.

[godcards]

...Okay.

[ a lot of awkward pausing! why is this happening, he legitimately doesn't understand his own feelings. but that's okay, because he can focus on his mintea instead. a welcome distraction from whatever the hell is going on here. ]

[duranduel]

[Tugging them to a table!! Sit, you gay binch.]

Hm. Do you like soups, or stuff with rice in it?

[godcards]

[ wow he's sitting no need to get all alpha about it ]

I like both.

[duranduel]

[alpha week never ended (no)]

That's good. I know a recipe that's a soup with rice, actually. So you can have both at the same time.

[godcards]

Alright... That sounds easy enough... [ wait ]

There's no meat in it, right?

[duranduel]

Mm, there is meat. You can't eat it?

[godcards]

Yeah. I don't really like it, anyway.

[duranduel]

No problem. A vegetable soup, then.

[i hope they're still holding hands while drinking tea because they're stupid]

[godcards]

[ it's funnier that way and so it shall be. ]

That sounds nice, actually...

[duranduel]

Mm. And it's not too hard to make. Once I show you, you should be able to make it, too.

[godcards]

Right... but if I don't have to, I'd rather have someone else do it. There's plenty of people here who know how to cook.

[ why exert the effort if someone else wants to? work smarter not harder! ]

[duranduel]

Well, of course. But think of it as a tool you can use later. You can keep it on your belt.

[godcards]

I really hope I'm never in a situation where I have to use it.

[ look. sometimes you get accustomed to always having someone else do things for you, so the thought of being actually, for real, self-sufficient is foreign and bizarre. ]

[duranduel]

You can hope all one wants. But hope doesn't stop things from happening. Like carrying a shield. You hope nobody attacks you, but are prepared in the case someone does.

[godcards]

[ he finally pulls his hand away from mandi's (but gently). ]

I have other means of protection under normal circumstances. I don't think that's comparable to being able to make a meal. I always have someone else around to do things like that for me. If it gets to the point that I no longer have that, then I... am not going to be in a very good place.

[duranduel]

[He looks down as they detach, but doesn't move, just blinking back up at Malik.]

You can't always predict what might happen. But still. It's something to think about.

[godcards]

I'll keep it in mind. [ said flatly. will he? yes. but will he actually utilize these skills? god he really hopes not. ]

[duranduel]

Good. Please do.

[Nodding! Sipping tea!]

...You know...after your goal is done...will you stay in Egypt?

[godcards]

[ malik has been sipping away to punctuate his sentences, because his throat is weirdly dry? hm. ]

I left Egypt years ago. I've been traveling... I was in Japan before I came here. I'm not going back until my goal has been definitely achieved.

[duranduel]

Japan...?

[A tilt of his head.]

So the Pharaoh is there?

[godcards]

Yes. His soul was sealed in an ancient artifact long ago. That artifact was stolen from Egypt and nobody knew where it was. I spent years searching, but it's only been recently that I was able to confirm the Pharaoh's whereabouts. It seems he finally chose a vessel to inhabit...