[closed post: a task]

[ravkanwitch]

Nina has been feeling more like herself recently. It's taken a few weeks of self care, a failed waffle experiment, many naps with Khitka, a history lesson from Kade, quality time with friends, and a few mildly distressing conversations with alternate versions of people that she knows – but she's okay. She'll be much better once Shen Yuan is back of course, but for now, she'll do what she does best and weather the storm.

There are few things she's considering in her mind but right now, she's flipping through some language books with Khitka curled around the back of her neck, dozing.

Comments

[ravkanwitch]

The cold thoughts also aren't helping much either. Nina starts coughing, laughing as she's coughing at Grantaire standing there dripping wet and similarly struggling. "Wh--" She cough-giggles again. "Why did we do this?"

[futaille]

Grantaire works on scraping his tongue with his teeth. "Adventure." He pauses. "Dare me to have another one?"

[ravkanwitch]

"I dare you tohaveanother," Nina manages to choke out. She's not going to, but he most certainly can.

[futaille]

He promptly plucks another from the plant and has a big bite. He doesn't regret it, but judging from his expression as he chews, he kind of also regrets it.

[ravkanwitch]

Nina just mouths why at him. The spice is finally starting to recede from her mouth and tongue.

[futaille]

Grantaire sniffles, his eyes watering. He shrugs at the question, poking at his cheeks.

[ravkanwitch]

The worst of it has faded for Nina. "Saints, I don't think I'll ever do that again. Though maybe the next time I eat something spicy, I'll find that my tolerance has gone up," she says, with a little laugh. "How... are you?"

[futaille]

He is at least somewhat recovering. "It could be worse. I think that it would actually be quite good in conjunction with other flavors. But it's difficult when alone and concentrated."

[ravkanwitch]

"What kind of dish would you put it in? Oh, maybe a soup! That would actually be delicious in the depths of winter."

[futaille]

"Oh, yes, perfect. Something rich and hearty."

[ravkanwitch]

"We'll ask Luo Binghe or Laertes to make us something with these peppers once cold weather rolls around again." If she remembers!

[futaille]

"Or Lan Wangji. I know from experience he's well-seasoned when it comes to cooking spicy food."

[ravkanwitch]

Nina giggles. "Well-seasoned."

[futaille]

He grins. "Precisely."

[ravkanwitch]

She picks a couple of peppers, carefully wrapping them in a handkerchief and placing them into her pocket. "I'll see if he or Luo Binghe want to do anything with these." It still feels strange to mention them both in one breath but there's no getting around it; Nina can't help that they both have the same similar interests.

[futaille]

"They probably will." He pauses. "It probably won't be anything like what we did with them."

[ravkanwitch]

She shouldn't say it. She really should not say it. Not when they've just repaired their friendship¹ -- but Grantaire would also find it funny. "No, it's not really the kind of spiciness that Lan Wangji enjoys," Nina says, flippantly.

¹Please assume the timey wimey-ness works out.

[futaille]

Grantaire lets out a short burst of laughter. "I certainly can't argue that one."

[ravkanwitch]

Nina grins, then sighs a little. She sticks her tongue out; it still feels somewhat strange. "I think I'm peppered out. And you're still sopping wet. Want to get some ice cream back inside the house?"

[futaille]

"Oh, that sounds absolutely delightful. Will probably counteract the pepper, at that."

[ravkanwitch]

Knowing that both of them are not as athletic as many other mansion residents and quite possibly still handicapped by the post-pepper fugue, Nina gives Grantaire a grin and runs out the greenhouse door. "Race you!" She shouts, over her shoulder.