[video] after morning sirens

[topslug]

It's been more than a year since I got here. To be honest, I completely forgot the date. It's not really the kind of thing that you remember, when you have other things on your mind-- like why you keep waking up on the same day. [ Sheepish smile. ]

I've met a lot of people this past year, and I've seen a lot of things. I could disappear from the Port any time-- maybe years from now, maybe tomorrow-- but I hope I get to remember everything, even if I do. Until that happens, I'll just have to keep moving forward. There's still a lot for me to learn.

[ Judging by the way Yako pauses, that seems to be all she has to say about that. A lot has changed, and though she isn't normally one to mark anniversaries, enough has happened in the past few days that she thinks it deserves noting. Instead of her office, she's making the post from her kitchen-- she hasn't left home just yet.

Absently, she tucks a bit of hair behind her ear, moving it out of her face. ]

I've seen a couple of people post about Valentine's Day, and I know not everybody celebrates it, but... if anyone wants me to, I could show them how to make chocolate and bake some things. It won't be anything fancy, but a gift's always different if it's hand-made, right? I was just thinking of doing it at my house, but it might be easier if we could find a bigger kitchen to work in.

One more thing: if anyone's looking for a place to stay, we've got a couple of rooms we're looking to rent out. Contact me on my NV if you're interested.

Comments

[Voice.]

[graceful_cutter]

It would be nice to learn something new.

[Voice.]

[topslug]

It's all pretty basic stuff, so if you've ever cooked before it won't be hard to get the hang of it.

[paysdelamour]

I would love to join you... sadly, I am working.

[topslug]

It'll probably be sometime over the weekend... Don't you get any days off?

Though I don't know if you want to spend your free time doing what you already do for a living.

voice.

[retraced]

Ah - this holiday again?

[He has nothing but bitterness towards the Port right now, so he refrains from commenting on her anniversary. Otherwise he's sure he'll just end up saying something that he'll regret later.]

Funtom has a large kitchen if you need the extra space.

voice.

[topslug]

Mm-hmm. At least this year I didn't get tricked into paying off someone else's dinner...

[ The offer, though, surprises her. ]

Is that really all right? I mean, aren't you going to be using the kitchen too?

Voice

[1800deadguy]

Happy anniversary, Yako. I think mine's coming up soon too, actually...

I'd like to watch you bake.

Voice

[topslug]

Hey, that'll mean we've known each other for almost a year, right?

Why not? It'll be fun to have the company.

text;

[fidele]

I would like to see how to make chocolate...

text;

[fidele]

[ after a moment; ]

If you have space for me, I mean.

video;

[greenshift]

What do you know how to bake?

video;

[topslug]

Just the basic stuff! Cakes, cookies, brownies. The most complicated thing I know how to make is a swiss roll.

[ video ]

[devourer]

Valentine's Day again? Oho. Perhaps I shall help you. That was rather entertaining last year.

[ even though it's more like three or four years for Yako. Clearly Neuro's perspective is the more important one here. ]

[ video ]

[topslug]

Oh, you really don't have to.

[ Yako's face looks like she she's imagining a thousand and one ways Neuro could use the holiday as an excuse to do something terrible. Unfortunately, she also knows that Neuro will probably exceed her expectations. ]

voice;

[acclimatized]

I didn't know you had been here for this long.

voice;

[topslug]

Kind of amazing, huh?

Video

[icy_heavens]

[Hey, these two haven't talked in ages! And there's actually something here that pings him.] This place feels like a distant dream, after a while.

Video

[topslug]

[ BEEN A WHILE STRANGER. ]

What makes you say that?

video;

[motioned]

I hope something happens that lets us all remember, too.

It's really nice of you to want to teach people!

video;

[topslug]

It isn't much, really. Ms. Mayer's been talking about putting together regular classes for Newcomers sometime. This isn't part of that, but it's good to remember that we can all learn things from each other.

Mr. Nightray's letting me use the kitchen at Funtom, so it looks like I'll be able to do more than I thought. Do you want to come, Ahiru?

[acemedium]

[Maya pauses at this, but Yako doesn't seem to need to be cheered up. Keep moving forward...]

[Regardless:]

Happy late anniversary, Yako! We should definitely do something fun.

And baking sounds like fun!

[topslug]

Thanks, Maya. [ If she's been here a year, Maya's definitely been here longer; Yako's meant to speak with the girl about Shizuo disappearing from the Port, but it's never seemed quite the right time... ]

I'd be happy to have you join in. Someone needs to make sure I don't end up eating all the chocolate. [ She says that a bit ruefully; yeah, her self-control isn't what you'd call sterling when it comes to food. ]

voice; private||very difficult to hack

[truename]

[Have the most embarrassed mumbly teenaged boy.] ...I'd like to know how to make chocolate, especially a nice cake.

It's kind of a weird thing for a guy to do, but since it's Valentine's Day and I'm dating someone...

voice; private||very difficult to hack

[topslug]

[ Yako pauses thoughtfully before she replies, but she doesn't seem inclined to tease Ritsuka for this. ]

I don't think it's weird at all. Most people want to do something nice for someone you care about when it's Valentine's Day. I'd be happy to teach you! [ She supposes he could have asked Gilbert, who would probably know more about this anyway, but maybe Ritsuka found that too embarrassing. ]

[voice] because brb mourning love life

[laurice]

Hey...happy anniversary, Yako.

[voice] like that's going to fool her

[topslug]

Thanks.

Are you okay, Larry?