shadowdive | 37 // [audio] kind of shittily locked from boyfriendo

37 // [audio] kind of shittily locked from boyfriendo

Hey. Network, I need some ideas, I guess.

[There's a bit of a pause, hesitating, but it eventually.. awkwardly comes out.]

Is there something special I'm supposed to get Karkat for Christmas? Or am I supposed to treat it like just another gift giving holiday? And if you know him well enough, what kind of Pokemon do you think he would like that he doesn't already have.

[This is why this is audio only. He was tempted to use text, but that would be easier to hack, so audio it is........ ~~not like this isn't really easy to hack, but he knows well enough that Karkat can't hack things for shit~~.]

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[He's still quiet for a few moments, simply soaking in the words to really listen to them, and to think on things he could do.]

Yeah, I think I've had a few of those "everything makes sense" moments before. That sounds like a good idea overall though. Now to just... think of what it should be. [Brainstorming, here we go.] We hold hands a lot, and dates typically have a meal in the mix. [And I refuse to let go of his hand until the food has shown up; that comment gets to stay private though.]

Go for something atypical then. Like...if you usually go out for said meals, try making something yourself instead. Or maybe food entirely. The last thing you want to do is fall into a boring, predictable pattern.

I'm guessing he probably makes you watch his romcoms with him? You might want to try watching a few on your own, they honestly aren't a bad place to fish around for ideas. Actually...in Karkat's case, recreating a scene from one of his favorites probably wouldn't be a half bad idea. Though I would say it's probably better to get him to describe a troll movie and try and work with that. The stuff here isn't terrible but it's just not the same, especially to a movie buff. [There's a reason John doesn't watch as many movies here as he did back home.]

[Cooking sounds like an awesome idea actually. Except for one problem.] The only cooking I really know how to do is over a fire. [AWKWARDLY STATED.]

That... sounds pretty good too. [John, his respect meter is rising.] I'll need to practice cooking, but I can recreate a favorite scene easy enough. [Maybe.]

[John doesn't always earn people's respect; but when he does, you had better believe it's in meter form.]

Nothing wrong with that, at least it's something. With a little practice I bet you could learn how to make something simple. Hell, probably even a better than simple since you have a whole month to practice. And honestly, taste doesn't matter as much as the fact that it's something you did for him. If it sucks, oh well. Live, learn, and laugh it off as you order pizza.

[That's true love, right there.]

I really think you can't go wrong with something out of a movie though.

[That meter is at level three presently.]

Is there a certain kind of food that's appropriate or just... go with what he likes?

[He'd kind of enjoy hearing that because awkward cooking times are approaching, it seems.]

What he likes. I mean, there's traditional Christmas food but if he doesn't like it then what's the point of making it? You can never go wrong with your loved one's favorites.

[You can almost hear the sage nod that he's currently doing on the other end of the line, unseen.]

Right. Good point.

[The sage nod would get a noogie for looking like a dork. John does kind of remind him of Ventus though, now that they've been speaking a bit more.]

[John has the tendency of reminding KH dudes of other KH dudes. Just ask Riku.]

Just try not to stress about it too much, dude. Then you just start overthinking and questioning everything you're doing and you run a higher risk of messing things up in addition to making yourself sick. To let you in on a little secret? You learn more from the times where you mess something up a little and the date isn't perfect for x or y reason.

[He grumbles a little because hey, Karkat deserves some perfect dates, but he grunts out a quiet "fine, I'll try".]

[He laughs a little at that.]

Trust me dude, I know it sounds like crappy advice, but it's something I wish I had figured out earlier. Your idea of perfect isn't going to be his idea of perfect and who wants to be with someone who gets everything exactly, perfectly right 100% of the time? Kinda boring, don't you think?

[Puffs out a grunt, but he's nodding on his end.] Yeah yeah, I guess. Keeps things interesting when a stove lights on fire.

Oh my god, if you can cook on a fire you can cook on a stove. You will be fine! You just have to be careful. I would offer to help teach you but if you don't know what you're making yet, that makes it a little difficult. Plus I have no idea where you are right now, but if it's not Vermillion that makes it a little hard too. Distance and all.

Actually, we're in Vermillion too. [ARE WE GOING TO HAVE COOKING SHENANIGANS?! I THINK WE ARE.] I'm leaning on making burgers since they... look easy enough. Sweets on the other hand I'm not sure about.

Well that's oddly convenient. I figured you might not be since Karkat was so anti-tournament. If you feel like coming over for some practice at at some point before you leave, you're welcome to. [COOKING SHENANIGANS COULD POSSIBLY BE A THING, YES.] Rose is unconscious right now so I would rather not leave too much if I can avoid it. Because I kind of want to be here when she wakes up.

I participated in the tournament and got knocked out in the first round. [A little grumbly about that still, yup.] Where are you staying?

That sucks. I managed to make it to the second round in the Elite cup but Surge kicked my ass round one in the Advanced. [Grumbly buddies. He can't believe he lost to a gym leader. :T] Got him back for it though. We're staying at the inn closest to the pokemon center, room 304.

[Vanitas nods before gdmit audio. At least they can grumble about the tournament all they want >( goshh] Alright. I'll be there soon. [There's a pause, before he grunts.]

Keep a water type handy or something, I don't have any to put out fires.

[He chuckles.]

Got that covered, don't worry. But I'm sure everything will be fine. See you soon.

[With a bit of a grunt, he hung up; but it was hardly twenty minutes later when there's a knock at the door and Vanitas standing there, holding a little bag of groceries. He at least did his own shopping.. and there's a box of cake mix in the bunch!]

[John pulls open the door a few moments later, beaming.]

Sup?

[He scoots back from the door a little so that Vanitas can come inside, holding it open for him.]

[Stepping inside, the question just gets a grunt and a gesture with his head down to the grocery bags.] I picked up a cake mix too since I have no idea how to bake without lighting something on fire.

Hehe, well hopefully we can fix that today. While I am not the best when it comes to baking, I did learn from the best so hopefully we can keep the building intact as well as make something edible. That being said, come on, we may as well go get this party started.

[With that, he heads towards the kitchen.]

[Shutting the door behind him, Vanitas simply moves after John while shifting the bags to one hand. Once in the kitchen, he'll bring it all up and unpack on the counter; burger meat, cheese, ketchup, onions, bacon, and Bonnie Cracker vanilla cake mix!]

[No sooner are the two boys in the kitchen than an overly happy Litwick swoops through the air with a happy squeak, colliding with the side of John's head in what is presumably some kind of affectionate gestures. He giggles and scratches the side of her head before she zooms over to Vanitas because omg new person. Let her just love on you a little! How about she floofs your hair? Yes, this is a good use of her time.]

[This prompts even louder laughter from John before he moves to look at what Vanitas brought with him.]

Ah, good it looks l-- [He cuts off as he catches sight of the box of cake mix, staring at it with a look of disbelief.]

[What.]

[The actual fuck.]

[WHY DOES THIS EXIST IN JOHTO.]

[Jerking at first in surprise at a ghost flying up, but when she doesn't do more than fuss with his hair, Vanitas relaxs and lifts a hand with a soft snort. The sound of John ~~choking on words~~ pausing has him looking, blinking a bit.]

What? Is vanilla not good?

audio; L33t sk1LL5 i don't know how to type that way..

audio; 5up3r l33t, it's okay i don't either fjsadljf reasons i don't play a troll

audio; YUP THIS ^

audio; we're just not cool like that

audio; that's okay, we play croberts

audio; yeeaaaaaaaaaaah B)

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action!

action!

action!

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OH MY GOD VANITAS YOU DICK

IT'S NOT BETTY CROCKER 8DDDD