feetoffury | Second Brawl: A Little Holiday Cheer!

[Mid-afternoon, after her morning shift at Seventh Heaven and lunch, Chun-Li appears over the journal in a video feed. Smiling, and dressed in a heavy brown varsity jacket over warm looking clothes, she’s outside in the plaza, waving down at the camera.]

Hello everyone. This is Chun-Li,, and I’d like to announce that due to the weather, and Smoker’s continued absence I will be cancelling the self-defense classes at the barracks for the next few days. At least until after Christmas, or till Smoker gets back. It just feels appropriate. However, if you’d still be interested continuing to train or you need a sparring partner I’ll be happy to keep up classes in the Battle Dome. It’s just not a good idea to do too much heavy breathing in the snow like this, particularly the sorts of breathing exercises I've been teaching, so keep that up while you're indoors, or meet me at the usual time in the Dome.

That said, I’m also willing to teach anyone proper firearm usage to anyone who doesn’t already know how to use them. That’ll be in the Battle Dome as well, of course, since we don’t really have a whole lot of 9 millimeter ammo to spare. I’m a licensed instructor back home, and I can teach you how to use anything from a pistol to a shotgun. If you can’t defend yourself with your fists, may as well get a gun and learn how to shoot. I’m a strict teacher, though. Don’t expect to be coddled, and I won’t tolerate horseplay, especially with something like firearms.

[She pauses and looks around, letting out a sharp huff]

Switching gears here, what are some foods that remind you of winter, and the holiday season? It’s been a while since I really had time to myself for the holidays, and I gotta say I could use some comfort food. I know lots of folks have been asking about the holidays and stuff, but I guess I just don’t quite know what to make of it.

[She breaks off, looking away from the camera and turning to look up at the sky, and she looks a little more glum than usual. Thinking of her dad, and mom, and Po-Lin always makes her a bit wistful.]

Always makes me a bit daydreamy. Holidays.

[She turns back, smiles and cuts the feed before heading to the store to pick up stuff to cook. That evening, anyone in Community House 3 would be greeted by the smells of an enormous meal being prepared on the 6th floor. Anyone is welcome to stop by, she’s making desserts, Chinese food exactly as Gen taught her, and she’s got a small radio blasting some Chinese pop-songs throughout the floor. Cook something for the people you live with the elf had said, so...she'd complied happily!]

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[Chun-Li's just leaving her shift and heading outside, still shoving her stained apron into a messenger bag she carries most places. She stops short when she sees Robin standing there, watching the restaurant, she decides to approach. Marco had the foresight to show her a picture at least, since the woman couldn't remain a cat forever.

The woman was beautiful, just like he'd said. Over and over again. But there was something there that gave her pause.]

Hey. [It was all she could think to say]

[Robin glances at the sound of the voice and is mildly surprised to see Chun Li. Maybe because she was caught off guard. Maybe because she is no longer a cat. But for some reason she doesn't feel anything toward the woman but a dull mistrust]

Good morning, officer-san. Did you have a good meal?

[Chun-Li turned back to look at the restaurant with a half smile]

I wasn't eating, I was cooking. But the food here is the best when I do.

I beg to differ. [Said pleasantly, though. She doesn't mean to be antagonistic. Only the best food here is best when Sanji does]

A cook, a cop and a trainer... You seem fairly accomplished. Is there anything else in your repertoire I should know about?

[she's lightly teasing even if she is curious]

Oh. I meant that...when I eat here the food is the best. Sanji...I've never met a cook like him.

[She really did mean it that way. The cooking is one reason she's not as unhappy to be here as she should be]

I dunno, I'm not sure what you know about me. I'm nothing special, just someone who's worked hard.

Oh, I misunderstood. [though her approval of this woman goes up a notch in spite of everything. The fact that she knows good food when she tastes it certainly helps--as well as a certain amount of pride]

He is one of a kind...

[she glances at Chun Li. She seems humble enough, but not in the false way as if she is purposefully downplaying her abilities.]

I suppose I'll find out eventually. [after all. What was really worth knowing is often subtle and something most people wouldn't typically reveal]

Do you enjoy working here?

You know him?

[The woman nods to the other, emphatically. She really doesn't see herself as all that special, she's just dedicated. And she knows that much.]

I do, it reminds me of when I was training with Master Gen, when he'd put me to work in his restaurant. He was a firm believer in hard work.

Mm.

[We're nakama, she wants to say... Except that word... It's getting tiresome somehow. As if... She won't think about that. But she is somewhat surprised at the woman's words]

Sanji-kun makes you work hard?

[She's faintly surprised he isn't doing all the work himself in fits of mellorine love]

I don't see a lot of him. I cover the 'shitty' morning shifts, so he can take care of the busier hours. It's not a bad arrangement. I get off for lunch about the time he's able to get in and start working.

[She can't resist smiling at that. He DID do a bit of the ridiculous lovey-dovey stuff from time to time, she just found it kinda sweet.]

I like him as a boss. Hope he gets back from his mission soon.

[Shitty morning shifts. Robin can't help but smile a little at that. She shares this woman's sentiment if nothing else. She wishes Sanji would return. But will he stay for long? Or will another mission pull him away? She sometimes wonders if even nakama aren't a strong enough pull for anyone lately]

I hope he does as well.

[and she hopes he won't be forced into doing anything he'd regret again. She glances at Chun Li. Marco likes her. They are friends and Robin feels somehow they should get along. Even if it's only pretense on her part. Though there is nothing outwardly antagonizing about the woman. At least not yet.]

Would you care to get some coffee?

[Chun-Li is, of course, fairly oblivious to any possible hostility. There's no reason for her to think of Robin in any antagonistic light, because Marco thinks highly of her. She's smiles and nods, taking the offer entirely at face value]

Of course. Let's get out of this weather.

Mm. Where shall we go?

[Robin is unsure whether Chun Li wants to return to work especially since she just left. Not that Robin had had stable work per se, but there had been times when she never wanted to see that damn casino again]

The tea shop? They have good coffee and tea.

[Obviously?]

Sounds good.

[Robin starts in that direction and wonders how to proceed. Other than Marco they seem to have so little in common. Though as long as this woman believes they are on the road to becoming friends, perhaps that's all that matters. Perhaps it will even come true, though she's not entirely sure.]

How have things been for you?

[Chun-Li is a lot smarter than Robin's probably giving her credit for. She's watching Robin as they walk, and she isn't stupid enough to believe someone's mind could change that quickly. Still, there isn't any reason to not be friendly. She likes Marco, and if Robin is important to him then...well...it's worth it to try]

So far, they've been quiet. Just running training classes, and working with Sanji. Getting ready for the holidays and trying to keep my roommate from eating me out of house and home.

How about you?

[Intelligence has little to do with anything. Even the smartest people can be manipulated. Though she really has no such intentions with Chun Li. At least not to carry things so far]

Oh, it's been the usual. [Reading. Trying to stitch her shrinking group back together with no idea how]

Who is your roommate?

[Chun-Li nods absently at that]

Ilyana. A younger girl with light lavender hair. Eats like a starving mountain gorilla. Have you met yet?

Second Brawl: A Little Holiday Cheer!

[Action] No worries!

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