4:30:00
...And Counting.
... ... ...
By the time the group had gotten all of their respective gifts in order, they'd found that they had a good three hours to spare before the party was supposed to be starting. Gene was getting himself rested up, sprawled out on the couch like a beached whale. Jim was trying his hardest to spot Aisha as she benchpressed what had to be closing in on a ton. He'd long since decided to just sit on top of one huge weight and pray that Aisha wouldn't turn the whole affair into a shot-put contest in the heat of the moment.
At the same time, Melfina and Suzuka were in the kitchen. As Suzuka watched, Melfina carefully went about slicing the vegetables to put into some stew. The bio-android watched out of the corner of her eye as Suzuka got up from the table and walked over to the counter. Wordlessly did she approach, the fighter for hire whose epithet of 'Twilight' struck fear into the hearts of any man - At least, any man cognizant of life's own fleeting transience. She carefully lifted a knife and, watching Melfina's hands, began chopping with her.
Melfina didn't know exactly what to think, right then. Was this a show of camaraderie? Did Suzuka simply wish to add cooking to her repetoire of such skills as Death In One Movement and, that which Melfina knew well from having saved her once, Crimson? Or was she simply bored out of her skull and succumbing to cabin fever like the rest of them? It could be any of the above, any combination of the possibilities, or perhaps even none at all.
What Melfina could say for sure was that two sets of hands would be very useful for cooking the evening meal before everyone got ready to head out to the party; even if one of those sets possessed experience in killing more than cooking. Melfina cautiously said, "Suzuka, if it would be okay, could you chop the meat while I chop the vegetables?" The taller woman gave a bit of a start, but quickly recovered. Nodding, she cleaned her knife at the sink and turned to the other task.
It couldn't be helped. Melfina had to turn full away to hide the delighted smile on her face to have someone to cook with. Human emotions could sometimes be a burden when they were first arising, but some, like this upwelling of joy, made the daily routine so much easier. Plus, it was too endearing to see the slight awkwardness in the kitchen that Suzuka lacked on the battlefield. Even if she was still completely calm and showed not a hint of emotion, it was plain to see that her eye occasionally flicked over to Melfina for confirmation of her actions.
When a certain event from their past resurfaced, Melfina was forced to re-focus on the task at hand. Suzuka gave the slightest of smiles at Melfina's blush as she indicated that the pot was beginning to boil over. The two were soon back to their comfortable silence.
Suzuka really was like the twilight time. Quiet, difficult to understand at first, at times dangerous by nature...But to someone who could appreciate them, unsurpassed in their qualities of beauty and counsel.
... ... ...
"Aisha!"
"Hold on Jim! I've almost topped my last record!"
"Aisha, I think you need to stop!"
"No way! 117, 118, 119, 120, 121..."
"Aisha, for the love of God, please stop!"
"...124, 125! Yeah!" With a whoop of victory, Aisha slid her way out from under the weight and stood up. Wiping sweat from her brow, she looked around. "Huh? Jim? Where'dja go? Aisha told you to spot her! Mrowww!" It was then that she turned around.
Fittingly similar to a cat that's been scared within an inch of its sixth or seventh life, Jim was gripping the huge, cylindrical weight as if it was his last link to the mortal world, flat against it. Wow he was shaking like a leaf on a tree. Aisha had never seen a Terran turn that pale.
At a loss for what to do, Aisha carefully dug her fingers in under Jim's hands. Prying his grip off in a way that wouldn't hurt him, then repeating this for the other hand, Aisha carried him awkwardly over to the couch and set him down.
He was still quivering, but color seemed to be fading back into his face. "You should be relieved! I know there are few besides a Ctarl-Ctarl whose hands I'd place my life in!" No visible response. "C'mon Jim! Aisha's sorry! If she cooks you some stew will that - "
Jim gave a low, quavering moan and tumbled over onto his side. He was now in the fetal position, staring straight forward. Aisha stared. "...Alright, scoot over. They're having a documentary on big cats that Aisha wants to see."
Though it took some work, Aisha was able to maneuvre so that she was sat on the couch with Jim's head in her lap. As she stroked her fingers through his hair, he finally began to calm.
At that moment, Gene came back into the room from the bathroom. He took one look at the scene unfolding, sighed, and went over to sit at the table.
Turning the radio on while he was walking, he stopped short at the song that played. Even Aisha couldn't help but give a snort.
Juliet,
When we made love
You used to cry,
You said "I love you like
"The stars above,"
"I'll love you 'til I die..."
Jim sighed. "That's not funny Gene!"
Gene guffawed. "Yes it is!"
Aisha was tearing up.
... ... ...
3:57:46
...And Counting.