1074/Lunch at Augusta

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Lunch at Augusta
Date of Scene: 18 February 2016
Location: Uminari City - Hotel Augusta
Synopsis: Makoto and Usagi have a lunch date with the Tsukinos
Cast of Characters: Usagi Tsukino, Makoto Kino


Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Ikuko smoothes out her skirt and fusses with Kenji's tie. Then, being a doting mother, she fusses over Shingo's hair.

"Why'd we have to come here for Stupid Usagi?" A grousing boy not yet a teenager.

"Mind your manners, Shingo." Ikuko gives his hair one last fuss. "Because if we're somewhere nice, maybe you'll stay calm. Besides, I know you miss Usagi just as much as we do."

The boy scoffs and looks away, mostly to hide his brief lip wibble. "I do not. But I'll let you hug me if she wants."

"How magnanimous of you. Now, you're also to be nice to her friend, you hear me? She's been staying with Mako-chan. Such a sweet girl!"

~*~*~*~

Usagi sighs and fusses with her skirt just outside the hotel's entrance. "Thank you soooo much for coming with me. If asked, I'm feeling much better than I was Monday, but still recovering. And I'm a stubborn and cranky patient. Those are truths, so you're not lying!" She wrings her hands. Then a tight hug for Makoto! "I'm so happy they invited you, too! Yay!"
Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto is only a little less fidgety than Usagi, not helped by the unexpectedly fancy surroundings - she doesn't often have occasion to come to places as nice as the Augusta, and although she's dressed up in a nice blouse and skirt she can't help feeling out of place - but Usagi's hug grounds and her and she smiles as she hugs back. "I'm kind of nervous," she admits with a wry smile, "but I'm happy, too."

As long as she doesn't have to outright lie, she thinks, it should be okay. Right?

"Are we meeting them here or inside?" she asks a little anxiously. After checking the weather forecast she'd decided not to wear a coat, and now she's regretting it a little. "I shouldn't have left my scarf at Nephrite's restaurant," Mako complains, half to herself.
Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Inside!" Usagi unwraps her own scarf and drapes it around Makoto's neck. After all, hair scarf!

"Okay, so, two things. I think Shingo has a slight crush on you, so expect him to say stupid things. Also, because I know sometimes worry about it and never ask, feel free to order whatever you like. And if you're still unsure, I'll let you peek at my choices so you have a good price range.

Her nose twitches and she turns her head to sneeze. "Bless me. Okay. You ready?"

A deep breath! Then she leads Makoto in, tells the hostess her family name, and is led to a table with a nice view of the hotel's fountain outside.

And Makoto has absolutely nothing to worry about, if her concern is being not fancy in front of Usagi's parents. After all, their daughter is...well...Usagi.

Ikuko spots them first and raises to give hugs, first to Usagi, then to Makoto. "It's so wonderful to see you again, Mako-chan! Thank you so much for looking after my girl."

Kenji stands up, too, gives Usagi a hug, and Makoto gets a warm hand on the shoulder.

Then Usagi is almost bowled over by an eleven year old boy. Who is not sniffling! (He so is.)

Usagi turns her head to sneeze again.

"Bless you, dear. Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

Usagi shrugs. "More or less, Mama."

Kenji grumbles, hiding his concern. "Let them sit down. If Makoto-chan's anything like our daughter, she's about to pass out from starvation as well, even if she's eaten an hour ago."

Usagi has a raspberry for Papa!
Makoto Kino has posed:
The hair scarf and the quick patter about Shingo having a crush on her make Makoto laugh, so she's still bright-eyed and cheerful by the time they meet the rest of the Tsukinos. She hugs Ikuko back, smiles at Kenji and Shingo in turn. "I was glad to, really," she says in protest to the thanks. "It's been nice having company. It's just too bad about the circumstances." These things, also, are all true.

She's still smiling as she takes a seat, leans over to offer Usagi a folded handkerchief embroidered at the corner with pink roses. "Maybe someone's talking about you?" she suggests in a teasing stage whisper.
Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi sniffs as she takes a seat as well. Her eyebrows rise at Makoto's tease, and she gets a suspicious look on her face.

Too bad she can't actually just think words at him.

Then again, maybe its best she couldn't!

She purses her lips and shares a look with Makoto. "Who could it be." Not Mamoru, he's off somewhere...doing something...palacey related.

Maybe she really is getting a cold?

Shingo snorts. "Who'd think about Usagi?" The usual bite in his words are subdued by the hearts in his eyes as he gazes in adoration at Makoto.

Kenji harrumphs but says nothing. Probably to do with the jostle under the table when he started opening his mouth.

Ikuko changes the topic somewhat. Or changes it back. "Still. It is absolutely a great relief knowing Usagi has a wonderful friend who is willing to take care of her."

The waiter comes and takes their drink orders.

Usagi orders juice!

Kenji leans his forearms against the table's ledge. "So, Makoto-chan. Still bake? I must admit, I sometimes dream of those brownies you brought over the last time you visited."
Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto's shoulders lift in a little shrug as she catches Usagi's look. It was only a joke, anyway; if she had to guess she'd pin the blame on Mamoru first and foremost.

When the waiter comes around to her she orders tea, and ducks her head a little, pleased and embarrassed, as Kenji compliments her brownies. "Yes, I do," she answers. "Pretty often, actually; it's relaxing. Especially with Usagi-chan to help me hide the evidence once I'm done," she adds, and grins over at her friend like they're co-conspirators in something. Which truthfully they are.
Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi's look turns devious, and she gives a devious little evil giggle at Makoto. She even rubs her hands together! "Mweeheehee! I love hiding the evidence. And helping Mako-chan!"

Her parents' eyes widen in concern. "What has she burned? Is it a pot? A pan? We'll be happy to replace it."

Oh, them! Usagi sticks her tongues out as their drinks arrive. "I'll have you know I help through emotional support! And beating up the dough."

Usagi doesn't notice the looks her mother are giving her. Contemplative. Something's changed since last time she saw her eldest.

Kenji, of course, gives a wistful sigh. "If you ever have too much evidence to bury, I'll be more than happy to help."
Makoto Kino has posed:
"It's fine, really!" Makoto is quick to protest, holding up her hands. "Nothing burned at all. We have a good understanding involving licking the mixing spoons." She punctuates this statement with a firm nod backing up Usagi's claims to innocence, and also doesn't really notice the look on Mrs. Tsukino's face.

This is nice, really. Less awkward than she was afraid it might be. It stings a little too, but that's an old ache and one that Mako has long since learned to carry lightly. It wouldn't do to be envious of her friends' families.

So she smiles brightly at Kenji across the table and promises, "I'll remember that for next time."
Usagi Tsukino has posed:
She turns her nose up and gives her parents a look and crosses her arms. "Seeeee?"

Kenji is too busy beaming at Makoto. "It would be appreciated." There's a wifely elbow against his ribs. He oofs a little. "Only if its no inconvenience, of course."

Usagi hums over her menu. It would be easier to decide what to get if it were just for herself, but she wants to bring Mamo-chan some left overs.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Usagi." Ikuko smiles warmly when her daughter looks up. "You seem happier this week than you have in awhile."

Usagi blushes and stares back at her menu. "Well, you know, lots of rest."

Ikuko looks at Makoto. "Whatever's got her happy again, can you try to make sure it keeps up?"

More bunny blushing.
Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto, who was suddenly very interested in the menu herself when Ikuko began speaking to Usagi, peeks up over the edge of it with brows lifted with those mother's eyes turn her way.

"I will!" she promises, a little too hastily, and then starts turning pink for rather different reasons than Usagi. "I mean - I don't really know how much help I can be, but I'll definitely do my best."
Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi gasps and looks at her friend. "You helped lots and lots, Mako-chan. And you keep helping. So there."

After all, Makoto was there and got hurt in the process, which she still feels guilty for, and is also willing to be a cover patsy while she's still 'sick.'

She decides what she's going to get and shows it to Makoto. "I'm getting this. It looks yummy."

Kenji sighs. "Are you getting enough for a small army again, Usagi? Will you have enough left over to take home?"

Usagi preens. "Yes, Papa."

A grunt. "Good girl."

Ikuko knows what Makoto's pink cheeks are for. Or at least has a good guess. She sets her menu down and looks at the tall, lovely girl. "Mako-chan, one day if you'd like, I'd love to cook a meal with you. I've always wondered what its like to share a kitchen with someone who knows the difference between a spatula and a fork."

Usagi sticks her tongue out at her Mama, then realizes the implications of what was just said. Her eyes widen with wonder and awe, and she turns to Makoto with wide, sparkling eyes. "A Mako-chan and Mama feast?!" She turns back to her mother. "Really?!"

She looks back at Makoto!

Ikuko sighs with long suffering affection. "Only if she wants to, my bottomless pit."
Makoto Kino has posed:
Mako smiles gratefully at Usagi, before leaning to have a look at the menu where she's pointing. "Oooh," she says appreciatively. "That does look good. I think..."

She's still dithering over the selection when Ikuko distracts her and she looks up again in faint surprise. "--aah?" Momentarily too flustered to speak, she glances towards Usagi, sees the big sparkling eyes turned her way.

Who can say no to that look?

"I'd really like that a lot, Tsukino-san," she answers, looking earnestly back towards Usagi's mother once she manages to start putting words together again. "I'm sure it'd be a lot of fun."
Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi lets out a squeal of delight and hugs her friend! "Yay! The two bestest cooks in the world!"

Ikuko's answering smile is both warm and happy. "Well, it will be awhile before our kitchen is in...usable order." A quick flicker of her eyes toward her husband. She's not exactly pleased about it, either. "But if there's a way to do so beforehand, it would be my pleasure cooking with you."
Makoto Kino has posed:
Laughing, Makoto hugs Usagi back before nodding to Ikuko in understanding. "My kitchen's pretty small," she says. "But we'll work something out one way or another." There's a whole fresh wave of nerves, but it's a nervousness that glitters faintly with excitement too. "I'll be looking forward to it!"
Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Ikuko grins. "Our first place was small, right, dear?" Kenji grunts and places his order. Then Usagi hers. "When we found out about Usagi, we moved to the house, and oh! I almost didn't know what to do with a kitchen that size!"

She leans forward and her eyes sparkle. "I was so used to our quirky old oven that I burned the first roast in the new house."

Usagi gasps! "Mama's burned food before, too?"
Makoto Kino has posed:
"Everybody does, starting out," Makoto laughs. "Or when they're using a kitchen and an oven they're not used to. It's not like anyone just starts out knowing what to do - right, Tsukino-san?"

Smiling, she looks to Ikuko for confirmation, before she realizes that the waiter has come around to her and she hastily picks up the menu to point. "Um, this, please."
Usagi Tsukino has posed:
The Tsukino matriarch laughs. "I've been trying to tell her that for years. But she sometimes comes up with interesting recipes. Or at least, decent ideas for replacement. She suggested hot cocoa mix when I couldn't find any baking cocoa. Not quite the same, but saved a trip in the snow."

Usagi just blushes.

The waiter takes the rest of their orders.
Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto immediately looks intrigued by this story. "Hot cocoa mix for baking cocoa? That could be interesting, depending on what you were making..." She is quickly distracted by considering the possibilities in any number of things that call for cocoa powder. "You'd want to reduce the amount of sugar you used, but..." Hmmm!
Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Ikuko's eyes light up with the solving of a puzzle. "That's why it was too sweet! Well, too sweet for some of us, anyway. And by some, I mean me."

Ikuko is, of course, more than willing to talk baking with Makoto.

Kenji leans over and discretely passes Usagi this week's envelope of money. She sighs, of course, but takes it because otherwise there'd be a scene. Maybe that's why he started taking her to lunch.
Makoto Kino has posed:
Mako's absorbed enough now that she doesn't even notice the envelope; she nods to Ikuko, bright-eyed. "Baking's kind of tricky to experiment with. Not like other kinds of cooking. But now that I've heard that story, it makes me want to try some things and see what happens. Who knows?" She grins over at Usagi. "You'll be up for taste-testing for me, right?"
Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi's eyes light up and she practically bounces in her seat. "Of course! That way, when you open your world famous bakery, I'll have the experience needed to be your official taste tester!"

Ikuko laughs and Kenji arches a brow. He knows his daughter will never become a brain surgeon, but he has hopes at least!