[handset | video] one love, one life (backdated to 3/5 or so)

[edgeoftheknife]

[The video flips on to show Erskine, gorgeous as always, and actually not looking dog-tired for once! In fact, he's smiling. This is possibly the happiest Erskine has looked on the network while sober.

...which probably has to do with the attractive redhead hovering in the background. Those who've seen Erskine's echo stone will recognize Hopeless. Those who haven't might recognize the man Erskine's been attached at the hip to for the last couple of weeks.]

Right, hello everyone. So, Hopeless had a question--

[The redhead in the background scoffs gently.]

Alright, we had a question. How old are all you Foreigners out there? We're interested in age demographics. You can be vague if you like, and you don't have to answer of course.

And in the spirit of sharing, I... missed my last birthday. It was in February. Which I suppose makes me 409 now.

Comments

video -> action!

[lasergrenades]

[Pepper has taken this time to rest her chin on her hands, and she looks like she's taking in something utterly precious, because she is.]

Yeah. [She reaches off-screen, like she's about to cut the connection, and pauses.] You two look good together. I'm glad he's back.

[Even for a little while.

Sure enough, about twenty minutes after she cuts the feed, she's bounding into the shelter, smiling from ear to ear. She doesn't wait to say anything before locating Hopeless and hugging him.]

There. One down. Hi! [Pepper turns to Erskine, beaming, and mouths he's super cute behind a hand before pulling something out of her bag.] I brought candles. Not enough, obviously, but actually using the right number would be a serious fire hazard. This is why I don't use candles on Bakura's, either; I don't think there are actually enough in the city. What are we making?

[Enthusiastic? No, really.]

[scryinghope]

[Hopeless has already gotten out everything they could possibly need for baking a cake. He's started some preparatory measuring by the time Pepper arrives for a drive-by hug. Luckily, Rover is not so long ago from Hopeless's perspective that he isn't prepared enough to put down his utensils and turn to hug her back, just as if he was expecting it.

[I saw that, Hopeless mouths to Erskine over Pepper's head, gesturing emphatically down at her attempt at a secret that absolutely was not a secret.]

That depends. We can make basic vanilla. We can make a mud cake. We can make a proper Irish spice cake.

[edgeoftheknife]

[Erskine is standing nearby, leaning casually against a counter with his arms crossed while he watches these two, and grins at the two of them passing their 'secret' messages.

I know right? is the 'hidden' answer to Pepper, behind a hand.

In response to Hopeless he just rolls his eyes and chuckles warmly.]

Look, that's not even a real choice. Spice cake, obviously.

[lasergrenades]

Definitely the proper Irish spice cake, [Pepper agrees immediately, trying not to giggle too much at Erskine's silent reply.

'Hopeless' was an interesting name choice for a man who seemed, on the whole, very optimistic. His choice probably had deeper meaning than she could divine over the course of a single baking session, but it intrigues her.]

You're gonna have to lead on this one, though, [she tells Hopeless, taking off her bag and setting it aside. She goes to the sink to wash her hands.] I'll just be the sous chef.

[scryinghope]

I think I can cope with that, given some moral support.

[Hopeless smiles warmly at them both and turns to spread out some of the mixing utensils.]

Well, there's some stove-top attention needed, as well as the usual mixing. Which would you prefer to take over?

[edgeoftheknife]

[While Pepper moves over to the sink to wash her hands, Erskine sneaks over to Hopeless to give him a peck on the cheek and then moves back to prop up his section of the counter again. He's so sneaky.]

[lasergrenades]

Uh... I will take the mixing, [Pepper decides, casually pretending to not notice Erskine sneaking in the kiss. They are adorable.] Stove-top seems like the helm of the ship.

[She considers this thought for a moment, and then shakes her head.] Okay, no, wrong metaphor. You're taller, you get the hot things. [And the hot person.] Where'd you learn to bake?

[It doesn't seem like the kind of thing one picks up in a war.]

[scryinghope]

[Oh, well. That certainly counts as moral support. The smile Hopeless gives Erskine is a little shy, and a lot blushing.]

Hot things, yes.

[Focus, Hopeless. He turns toward the counter to split the utensils and ingredients they're both going to need, and pulls over a little book in which he's been writing his recipes.]

From watching the cooks employed by my old employer. I used to be a valet. Here; this is the recipe we're using.]

[edgeoftheknife]

[God, Erskine loves that blush. He could stand here propping up the counter and grinning like a dork at Hopeless all day. Except it seems like they're starting to get into the actual mixing and baking now and Erskine isn't going to be any help with this part.]

Tell you what, I'm going to go make the rounds of the shelter for a bit and leave you two to wrangle the oven and such.

[He moves to leave the kitchen, trailing his hand across the small of Hopeless's back briefly as he does so.]

I'll be around if you need me.

[lasergrenades]

[continued]