Accelerator (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
levelshift) wrote2024-04-26 02:03 pm
levelshift) wrote2024-04-26 02:03 pm
Etraya Inbox
un: Accelerator
[Text | Video | Audio | In-person]
un: Accelerator
[Text | Video | Audio | In-person]
( well he better get used to this little guy being around to pour sunshine into those gloomy cracks littered across him. but with a nod, he turns only to pause mid-step then. )
Do you need me to bring back anything? It's no trouble.
( since. you know. he can fly and all. )
Do you need me to bring back anything? It's no trouble.
( since. you know. he can fly and all. )
[For a split second Accelerator considers asking for coffee... but caffeine isn't a great idea when he wants to sleep.]
No, it's fine. Don't worry about me.
[He'd wave him off dismissively, but he doesn't have a hand free to do so.]
No, it's fine. Don't worry about me.
[He'd wave him off dismissively, but he doesn't have a hand free to do so.]
[ That's really all John is asking for: just remembering for next time. Just try. Success is secondary, just trying is what matters.
But he thinks he's gotten the point across, there's no need to belabor it. Instead he turns back to the task at hand, picking up a potato and moving it in front of Accelerator. ]
Next we'll dice the potatoes. They need to be peeled as well even though potato skin is edible. After peeling you'll chop them into approximately two centimeters sized cubes.
But he thinks he's gotten the point across, there's no need to belabor it. Instead he turns back to the task at hand, picking up a potato and moving it in front of Accelerator. ]
Next we'll dice the potatoes. They need to be peeled as well even though potato skin is edible. After peeling you'll chop them into approximately two centimeters sized cubes.
[It's a lot for Accelerator to ruminate on, and something he'll do when he's alone and not in the middle of doing something important.
Of course, that important thing is cooking. He scowls down at the potato, unimpressed with it.]
This is a lot of peeling. Can't we just keep the skin on?
[He's asking that, but he'll pick the potato up and start to (poorly) peel it regardless.]
Of course, that important thing is cooking. He scowls down at the potato, unimpressed with it.]
This is a lot of peeling. Can't we just keep the skin on?
[He's asking that, but he'll pick the potato up and start to (poorly) peel it regardless.]
[ John isn't about to lecture Accelerator on proper potato peeling, so he just lets him do the best he can at it. ]
Keeping the skin on isn't common when potatoes are mixed with other things but it's harmless if you want to try with the skin.
Keeping the skin on isn't common when potatoes are mixed with other things but it's harmless if you want to try with the skin.
[Despite the complaining he persists until he has some peeled potatoes, even though they look like trash.]
Why not? This is a lot of effort for nothing.
Why not? This is a lot of effort for nothing.
[ He does notice that Accelerator keeps peeling despite the complaints. ]
There's people out there who like the potato skin on, but my mom always peeled the potatoes so that's how I cook them. And the recipe said to peel them.
There's people out there who like the potato skin on, but my mom always peeled the potatoes so that's how I cook them. And the recipe said to peel them.
[Yeah, when he hears it's how John's mom would always peel potatoes he isn't about to stop.]
Tche, what a pain. [Eventually he finishes up, and after chopping the potatoes, he looks over.] What's next?
Tche, what a pain. [Eventually he finishes up, and after chopping the potatoes, he looks over.] What's next?
[ Accelerator might not be the best chef out there, but he follows the directions well enough and keeps at it. Next will be a fun ingredient: onion. John grabs it and places it on the cutting board. ]
Next is the onion. You'll have to peel the outer layer off first, but you can do that with your hands, not the peeler, and then cut it in half so the root is split in two. This will keep the layers from sliding around as you cut. We want slices of onion, not diced, so you'll make slices parallel to the root.
[ John is purposefully leaving out that the onion will make his eyes sting. He doesn't want to discourage Accelerator before he starts. ]
Next is the onion. You'll have to peel the outer layer off first, but you can do that with your hands, not the peeler, and then cut it in half so the root is split in two. This will keep the layers from sliding around as you cut. We want slices of onion, not diced, so you'll make slices parallel to the root.
[ John is purposefully leaving out that the onion will make his eyes sting. He doesn't want to discourage Accelerator before he starts. ]
[Accelerator listens to the instructions as he eyes the onion. That honestly sounds simpler than the carrots and potatoes, so he doesn't look too concerned.]
Fine. [He grabs it and starts trying to peel the damn thing, squinting at it.] That's all I have to do for the onion?
Fine. [He grabs it and starts trying to peel the damn thing, squinting at it.] That's all I have to do for the onion?
That's all. Dicing an onion requires more cuts but we're not looking for diced.
[ Besides, the onion will need to be caramelized and Accelerator will probably run out of patience before that's done. No need to make the onion more work than it needs to be. ]
[ Besides, the onion will need to be caramelized and Accelerator will probably run out of patience before that's done. No need to make the onion more work than it needs to be. ]
Alright.
[Once he finishes peeling it he grabs the knife without hesitation and starts to chop. Much like the other vegetables it's rough and the cuts are coming out uneven. Accelerator doesn't particularly care though, he's just aiming to get it chopped without cutting himself again.
Of course, partway through his eyes will start to water. It's irritating, and he does his best to ignore it.]
[Once he finishes peeling it he grabs the knife without hesitation and starts to chop. Much like the other vegetables it's rough and the cuts are coming out uneven. Accelerator doesn't particularly care though, he's just aiming to get it chopped without cutting himself again.
Of course, partway through his eyes will start to water. It's irritating, and he does his best to ignore it.]
[ The uneven slices don't matter too much for onion, it'll all cook down fairly evenly. John moves a bowl over for the onion to go into once the slicing is done. ]
We'll start cooking the onions before doing the rest of the preparation work. Onions have natural sugars that will caramelize if we cook them long enough.
[ He moves to the nearby stove that has a large pot already on it. ]
Turn the burner on to medium and wait for the butter and oil to get hot before adding the onions.
We'll start cooking the onions before doing the rest of the preparation work. Onions have natural sugars that will caramelize if we cook them long enough.
[ He moves to the nearby stove that has a large pot already on it. ]
Turn the burner on to medium and wait for the butter and oil to get hot before adding the onions.
[Accelerator will start dumping the onion into the bowl, before following John's next instructions. Grabbing his crutch, he moves over to the stove and turns the burner on, then adds oil and butter and waits.]
Are we gonna cook the potatoes and carrots the same way?
Are we gonna cook the potatoes and carrots the same way?
No, those will get boiled later. Carrots can be sauteed but potatoes are usually boiled or baked. That will take much less time than the onions which will cook for about half an hour.
[ John fills up a measuring cup with some water and brings it over to the stove. ]
Mix the onions so they're coated with the fats, then add water and put the lid on for about ten minutes. The water will wilt the onions quickly which speeds up the process.
[ John fills up a measuring cup with some water and brings it over to the stove. ]
Mix the onions so they're coated with the fats, then add water and put the lid on for about ten minutes. The water will wilt the onions quickly which speeds up the process.
[Accelerator sighs at all of that. So much effort, he wishes they could just go to the 7-Eleven and get some premade vegetables or something. Or even....]
Couldn't we just toss all this shit in a rice cooker? That's what Yomikawa would do.
[He's saying that as he mixes the onion, then pours the water John has brought over in and puts the lid on.]
Couldn't we just toss all this shit in a rice cooker? That's what Yomikawa would do.
[He's saying that as he mixes the onion, then pours the water John has brought over in and puts the lid on.]
[ Harold has set up an array of camera feeds for John to watch, and he does so vigilantly. There's nothing out of the ordinary, but the memory, the feeling of carrying Accelerator back to the library is too fresh. He has to be useful for something, and Harold is handling staying by Accelerator's side.
John has hardly eaten anything during this vigil of sorts, but he just ignores the hunger and keeps watching the video feeds. Maybe he'll make something for the two of them when Accelerator comes out the room. ]
John has hardly eaten anything during this vigil of sorts, but he just ignores the hunger and keeps watching the video feeds. Maybe he'll make something for the two of them when Accelerator comes out the room. ]
[It's a little while before Accelerator feels comfortable enough to venture out of Harold's room. Leaving the library and heading back out into the fog is out of the question, but he doesn't feel like sleeping at the moment, either. That doesn't leave a lot for him to do, so when he starts feeling restless he grabs his crutch and gets up.
Anxiety and fear are still buzzing around in his head and he tries to ignore them as best he can, but there's a spike of adrenaline when he comes in and sees the entire setup of camera feeds. That's for him, isn't it? In case Sleipnir shows up to kill him again —]
.....
[He tries to shake that thought off and reluctantly approaches John.]
H... hey. Finch told me what you did.
[Got his body back here, instead of leaving him out there in the fog alone.]
Anxiety and fear are still buzzing around in his head and he tries to ignore them as best he can, but there's a spike of adrenaline when he comes in and sees the entire setup of camera feeds. That's for him, isn't it? In case Sleipnir shows up to kill him again —]
.....
[He tries to shake that thought off and reluctantly approaches John.]
H... hey. Finch told me what you did.
[Got his body back here, instead of leaving him out there in the fog alone.]
[ The urge to turn around when he hears the door open is sharp, but John reins it in, keeps control of it. He wants to check on Accelerator, see that he's safe here, but he also knows he should let Accelerator make the first move. Maybe he doesn't want to talk at all. But it's a relief when he's approached and he does turn then, looking away from the camera feeds for the first time since he sat down. ]
I didn't do much. Harold took care of most of it.
[ Harold kept the situation under control, handled everything in his precise way and didn't leave room for John to go out for revenge. Carrying that small body back to the library had filled him with desperation to go find the assailant and make him pay, but Harold had stepped in, called the truce, left John with no recourse but to wait. But he still feels it burning in his chest as he hears Accelerator's unsure greeting, even as he knows Harold chose the right path. There's a tightness in his voice that isn't usually there, as if he's having to work harder than usual to keep an even tone. ]
I didn't do much. Harold took care of most of it.
[ Harold kept the situation under control, handled everything in his precise way and didn't leave room for John to go out for revenge. Carrying that small body back to the library had filled him with desperation to go find the assailant and make him pay, but Harold had stepped in, called the truce, left John with no recourse but to wait. But he still feels it burning in his chest as he hears Accelerator's unsure greeting, even as he knows Harold chose the right path. There's a tightness in his voice that isn't usually there, as if he's having to work harder than usual to keep an even tone. ]
[Accelerator almost wishes John kept his attention on the monitors. Not because he isn't glad to see him (he is, even if he has trouble admitting it), but because this is going to be a difficult conversation and it has him... more than a little nervous, honestly.
That's why he's suddenly getting abrasive at John's response.]
Shut up. [He's spitting that out before he can stop himself, and he may as well lean into it. What else is he supposed to do? Calm down and act rationally? He just died.] You did a lot, don't fucking understate it.
[Sorry John, you aren't getting off lightly. Going out there into the fog and hauling a dead body all the way back here is a lot and it needs to be acknowledged. He inhales deeply, trying to temper his tone a little bit, though he still glares.]
... Thanks. Waking up out there would have been a pain.
That's why he's suddenly getting abrasive at John's response.]
Shut up. [He's spitting that out before he can stop himself, and he may as well lean into it. What else is he supposed to do? Calm down and act rationally? He just died.] You did a lot, don't fucking understate it.
[Sorry John, you aren't getting off lightly. Going out there into the fog and hauling a dead body all the way back here is a lot and it needs to be acknowledged. He inhales deeply, trying to temper his tone a little bit, though he still glares.]
... Thanks. Waking up out there would have been a pain.
[ People thank him all the time for saving their lives, but they're people he'll never see again so it's trivial to brush it off, leave it unacknowledged, disappear into the crowd and never have to face it. Doing that here is... not acceptable. ]
You're welcome.
[ It's rusty and awkward, like he's forgotten how to say those two words. ]
You can stay here as long as you want.
You're welcome.
[ It's rusty and awkward, like he's forgotten how to say those two words. ]
You can stay here as long as you want.
[Gratitude isn't something Accelerator likes dealing with. He doesn't like it when people thank him, and he's rarely been in a situation where he feels the need to give it himself.
This, sadly, it one of those times. There are no two ways around it, so it's better to get it out now and move on. He means it, and he wants John to know that.]
.....
[He bites the inside of his cheek, pushing down his fight or flight reflex at the offer. Part of him wants to get out of here, get someplace where he can be alone. But... he had been on his own when he ran into Sleipnir. If he leaves the library, what are the odds of that happening again?
He can feel his free hand start to shake, and he clenches it into a fist as he looks away.]
I don't think it's safe to go out in the fog, but when it lets out I'll get outta here.
This, sadly, it one of those times. There are no two ways around it, so it's better to get it out now and move on. He means it, and he wants John to know that.]
.....
[He bites the inside of his cheek, pushing down his fight or flight reflex at the offer. Part of him wants to get out of here, get someplace where he can be alone. But... he had been on his own when he ran into Sleipnir. If he leaves the library, what are the odds of that happening again?
He can feel his free hand start to shake, and he clenches it into a fist as he looks away.]
I don't think it's safe to go out in the fog, but when it lets out I'll get outta here.
[ The tension in Accelerator is obvious and John doesn't think there's any right words to say. Nothing can ease over death, as he knows from personal experience. But he's glad they're moving past gratitude, it's something he'd rather not confront if necessary. ]
You don't have to leave after the fog. We have good security here.
[ And John will feel much more comfortable with Accelerator somewhere he can keep an eye on him. Harold might have bargained a truce, but John maintains his suspicion of the opposition. ]
You don't have to leave after the fog. We have good security here.
[ And John will feel much more comfortable with Accelerator somewhere he can keep an eye on him. Harold might have bargained a truce, but John maintains his suspicion of the opposition. ]
[Extra security is tempting... but he doesn't know how strong Sleipnir actually is. He never bothered to find out in San Francisco, and while he can get the jump on him with his ability... that's about all he knows. How secure is this security against an unknown enemy? More importantly, would staying here only draw Sleipnir's attention to the library? That's the last thing he wants.
He shifts his weight uncomfortably, leaning more heavily on his crutch.]
I'd be imposing, and I already have one of the apartments claimed.
[It's safer this way.]
He shifts his weight uncomfortably, leaning more heavily on his crutch.]
I'd be imposing, and I already have one of the apartments claimed.
[It's safer this way.]
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