Players:
Summary: Christopher and Rashmi talk about those missing, cooking and future goals.
Date: October 26, 2010
Log Title: Comfort Cooking
Rating: G
Xavier Mansion - Kitchen
This kitchen was designed to feed large numbers of people, and looks it with its bright white walls and stainless steel appliances. The stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher are all larger than normal. There is an island with stools around it for people to sit and eat around along with a table for twelve by the windows in back. Along the wall is a hole in the wall looking into the dining room so food can be passed back and fourth. Anything you want to cook or eat in the kitchen you will find the food and supplies to do so.
The smell of apples and cinnamon fill the air in the kitchen along with the sound of something frying. There are sevearl peeled apples on the counter along with a big bowl of some sort of batter that Christopher is putting spoonfulls into the hot oil. There is a platter of a bunch of round balls of something sitting there over paper towels to cool and dry. There's definately a large amount of the apple zeppoles as it seems Christopher is going on a cooking binge.
The door to the Kitchen eases open, a bright red head of hair poking through. For just the barest instant, Rashmi looks disappointed that the kitchen is in use, but then it registers that Christopher is the one using it, and the young woman's face brightens. "Hi, Mr. Mayfair-Parker," she calls, tucking the SHIELD-issue laptop under her arm and making her way toward one of the seats in back. That smells *wonderful,* what is it?"
Christopher turns towards Rashmi and smiles, flour coating his shirt and pants. "Hello there Rashmi, I'm making some…well a ton of Apple Zeppoles. I find that cooking calms my mind. You're welcome to help since I think I have become a little over zealous with the amount I plan on cooking." He wipes his hands off on a towel and looks down at himself. "I really should use an apron and since you're not a student here anymore you can call me Christopher if you like, less of a mouthful. So have you you been doing?"
"Well maybe," Rashmi admits, dropping into a chair and setting her computer up, "but it's sort of habit, really… I just call people who deserve respect Mr. and Mrs., y'know? Anyway, I totally understand how you feel, but at least even if you have cooked too much you can give what's left to the cafeteria, right?"
"Well I'm cooking this for the entire school, not just for me." Christopher says with a chuckle. "I just cook a lot when trying to sort out my thoughts. So how are you holding up?" He does know that a few of her friends went missing and is concerned for the girl. "And I'll answer to either Christopher or Mr Parker-Mayfair."
Rashmi lifts a shoulder. "Worried, of course… *Really* worried, really. I mean, a bunch of people just up and vanish, and nobody can figure out what's going on? Yeah… *Really* worried. …It doesn't help that Mike's parents are frantic, that SHIELD is wondering what's going on… One of the instructors there vanished too, did you know? And I've still got to carry my classwork so I don't fall behind, plus I've had to take a leave from Ms. Walters' firm…." Settling back in her chair, she blows out a breath, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "…I'm holding up, I guess. What about you?"
Christopher walks over to Rashmi and puts a hand on her shoulder and squeezes gently along with giving her a reassuring smile. "You have every right to be worried Rashmi, I think a lot of us wish we knew what was going on. It's rough right now with so little to work off of. We just have to have faith that they're alright and that Scott and Emma are looking after them. I'm just trying to keep spirits up on this end a bit."
Rashmi nods quietly, reaching up to pat the hand on her shoulder. "Thanks… That's what I'm trying to do, too… Well, that and help Theo come up with anything that could remotely be considered a clue. … …Speaking of which, has anyone talked to Kisha since she's come back? I was going to, but I heard some rumors that she's booby-trapped her room or something… I guess she's not taking it all that well?"
"I heard that Sam..Mr. Guthrie had a talk with her. Something about a shovel and pumpkin pie but I don't know much more than that." Christopher says as he goes back to cooking a bit. "From what I understand a lot of people are trying to figure out clues but there isn't much. Even the camera's don't show us much way to much fog. Though I have to say I appricate you coming here and sticking around during this. How are things at your new school?"
Rashmi chuckles. "Well, aside from the correspondence thing at the moment, pretty good. Coming here did a lot to prep me for how weird it could get when you smash a lot of powered people in one place, otherwise I'm not sure *how* I would have been able to take stuff like the Supernatural Studies course, or the whole secret-facility thing in general, y'know?"
There's a smile at her words as Christopher grabs a small plate and puts some of the zeppoles on them, sprinkling them with powered sugar and topping them with some cinnamon whipped cream before placing the place infront of Rashmi. "This place does a lot of good, I know it also helps develop confidence in people if they realize it or not. It's not fair that so much has to happen here to the students but unfortunately we have to learn to live with it."
Rashmi bobs her head, eyes lighting up at the plate set before her. "Oh, *wow,* these look *incredible,* sir… Um. Yeah that's why I'd come back on the weekends to help out… Well, Sundays now… For all the craziness, I'm *really* glad I got to come here at all, it really did a lot to help. I just wish there was more *I* could do to give back, you know?" Conversation pauses, as one of the zeppolis are bitten into, and the redhead slumps back in her chair, eyes closed in bliss. "…And then there's your food… *wow.*"
"They don't have fabulous chefs like me at your new school?" Christopher says beaming at the compliment. "I think someday you might be able to help more than you realize. You never know one of these days you might end up a teacher here and helping kids the same way in which you were helped. I think a lot of times we give back more than we think we do. You volunteering your time to see what you can do to help out during a crisis like this, that helps more than you know."
Rashmi smiles. "Well, maybe… After I've done my time as Senator or President or whatever I end up managing. Luckily, what I want to do with my life wasn't hurt much by finding out I'm a mutant, it just means I've got more work to do than I expected. And, well… yeah, I mean, it's a government school, and with all the kids and students and teachers and support staff, you can only expect so much brilliance out of the chefs. It's *good,* but, not *nearly* as good as… well, just about anything you do, sir…" Picking up a second zeppoli, she pauses, blinking. "…I never gave you Mami's masala recipe, did I? I've always wondered what you could do to that…"
"So Government Mac and Cheese? And let's just hope you're not trying to butter me up with your flattery." Christopher teases with a chuckle. "You do have some amazing goals Rashmi, I hope you reach them. You do apply yourself hard for them." Teachers do notice these sort of things even if they're just a culinary teacher. "Where you're going to school now is probably a step in the right direction. They seem to have ties that we don't, espeically since it is Government run."
Rashmi bobs her head, grinning. "That does help, yeah. Also since I'm not exactly planning on doing a whole lot of superheroing, I don't have to worry about all that much fouling up debates and such… But *that's* not going to come until I've sat the Bar, and spent a few years doing my practice. In the meantime, though, between being Ms. Walters' assistant, and interning at the Genosha Embassy, it helps to give me a better idea of *what* I need to watch out for, and *how,* right?"
"I can't give you a yes or no on that Rashmi. I don't know much about politics and law, but I will say just because you have powers doesn't mean you -have- to be a superhero. But it also doesn't mean you have to stop using your powers but I think you have a good grasp on that." Christopher says with a nod. "I mean I like to think I'm a simple hairdresser and a teacher, and I'm happy being both."
Rashmi nods. "Oh, I know *that,* sir," she says with a chuckle. "I just mean that if I *did* want to be a superhero *and* run for election, probably a third of my debate time would be answering for stuff like 'So if you're out to prove mutants aren't dangerous, how come fighting the Dark Lord of the Dark ended up in umpty-billion dollars in property damages?' Not the *best* way to run for office, y'know?"
"Well you'll definately have my vote no matter what Rashmi." Christopher says as he would too but then he is a former teacher of hers. "And Dark Lord of the Dark, I think if I ever go evil I'll use that name just for you. It also makes no sense with my powers but Dark Lord of the Dark who can light up everything in sight." He starts to make more zeppoles again while continuing to talk to Rashmi. "But I really think you're taking steps in the right direction not just for yourself but for mutant kind. Showing that we are just people who want to have normal careers." As normal as politics can be.
Rashmi flushes slightly, ducking her head. "Well, yeah, there's that too… … Not that I have much of a lock on what's *normal,* have you ever *seen* the firm Ms. Walters works for? But yeah… That's the big thing, isn't it? Most mutants just want to live as normally as they can, right? Have jobs, pay taxes, same as everyone else. … …And given that it's not exactly something anyone *should* have to want, it's going to be an uphill battle."
"Actually I haven't seen the firm she works for, I know a few stories but I mostly just cut her hair." Christopher says with a chuckle as She-Hulk has quite the head of hair and has special needs with it's toughness and gamma irrated hair folicles. "I'd like to think so. I mean I know I did when I was your age. I went to college and I have my own place but eventually I came back here after opening my own Salon but look at Jeri and I. We teach here, but we also have our own professions that aren't related to mutants. It is going to be an uphill battle for your Rashmi but you also have friends on your side who will always route for you no matter what and have your back."
Rashmi chuckles, nodding. "…Well yeah…. once they get back, anyway," she says, a shadow flickering over her face, banished with a shake of the head. "I'm not *worried* about the battle, sir… I just remind myself now and again, so I don't think it's as easy as it is reading it off my list."
Christopher walks over and gives Rashmi a hug as he notices the shadow flicker across her face. "Your friends will be back soon, I am sure of it Rashmi." He can't help but try to reassure her as he can believes she's trying to be strong about it and he thinks she's doing a damn good job of it. "Well I believe in you since I think you're one of the more dedicated and passionate students that have gone here."
Rashmi ducks her head, smiling gently. "Thank you, sir… That really does mean a lot, I mean that. Just…" The redhead draws in a deep breath, sagging against the arms around her. "I'm worried for them. Some of them… a lot of my friends… Can't really handle all the kinds of horrible stuff that can happen, or never *had* to. And… well… I just hope this isn't going to end up the breaking point, you know?"
"If we don't let it be the breaking point, it won't be. Even if we have to force some of the kids to see my husband, he's a great threapist." Christopher says as tightens the hug for a second before letting go. "A lot of horrible things have happened in the past and sometimes it makes us stronger and sometimes it wears us down bit by bit. We have to be delicate and hopefully help them to become stronger and sometimes talking to a therepist can help."
Rashmi nods quietly. "Yeah, I know… I'm hoping it'll be mostly okay, anyway. Until they get back, it's really all I can do, aside from helping some of the other kids when your husband's too busy." Looking up at the teacher, she lifts a shoulder in a casual half-shrug. "You're right, though. It'll be okay. If Ms. Frost and Mr. Summers are with them, how can they not be?"
"How about this, I know it sounds silly, but I'll prepare something like this everyday. And plenty of food so that when they come back they can be welcomed home to a warm meal. Sometimes food can provide comfort and maybe adding to the feeling that they're 'home' might help and show how much they were missed and are loved." Christopher loves cooking and loves to be surrounded by people and food, it's just a nice feeling for him. "I've heard you talk about Faith before, I know I have it right now and I want to believe they all will be alright."
Rashmi smiles, nodding. "I like that idea, sir… I don't think it sounds silly at all. Let me know if you want any help at all, okay? I've got enough time, it shouldn't be a problem at all."
"Yes, I'd love some help and just like forgot to mention before, yes I'd love your Mami's masala recipe and I'd love to try it out. Also as I've heard from many folk, you make a wonderful curry so I'd love to have help." Anything to help, even in the smallest ways, Christopher tries. "Thank you again for coming back here during this Rashmi, I know your friends will be delighted to see you once this is over. We can only hope they get back soon."
Rashmi chuckles, shaking her head. "There's no need to thank me, sir… I'd've done it anyhow, and having Selene take over my Latin class is a small price to pay to help out again."
Christopher raises an eyebrow and smiles. "I've heard thing about Selene but I have not met her yet. So right now I stand netural on the subject but anyway in regards to Latin, that's good. At least you have something to keep you busy. Now would you like to help me finish cooking these?" He asks with a grin.
"Sure!" Rashmi says, glancing back at her laptop. "Just give me… one… second…" Her fingers stab at the keys, and a handful of assignments are sent off to their respective teachers. "Okay! Let's get to it, then!"
