Tenth Snapshot | Action;Video

[expertonshutters]

[Someone has been hard at work since returning from Glacier.]

[Or at least, trying to be. Space wasn't really the issue. He'd found a small room and with permission, set it up as a temporary dark room. He really needed to just rent out a studio but for now, being as he was still settling after the Oakenshield residence went up for sale, this would work for what he needed it.]

[He had some pretty important pictures to develop. It's too bad the place covered in huge, extroverted pokemon made that really difficult.]

[About the sixth time someone tried to open the door (Three or four times with it still being locked somehow) Hayato just set out his two biggest pokemon to guard the door while he worked.]

[Feel free to still try to bug him. Nikon is kind of a pushover and Fuji is really easily distracted. He could probably use an interruption.]




[Video]

[When the video clicks on. Hayato can be seen with a bright grin. He's wearing a work apron and a pair of goggles on his head- his usual for working on photos. As such his antennae are visible for once instead of being crammed under a hat. They flick and twitch with his expressions.]

So it looks like everyone had a pretty good trip. We made out okay even if I've gotta be kind of hush hush about the details, but what about everyone else? Got anything fun to share?

[It looks like he's about to say something else when there's the distinct sound of a door opening and a creaking of hinges. He jolts, antennae flicking straight up and he turns towards the hall he was standing near.]

Oi!

[Someone tried to go in the dark room again. The feed ends as he's running towards the source.]

Comments

[expertonshutters]

[OH HO HO. I hope you didn't think he was going to back down from that. He takes up the menu with a grin and looks it over.]

[Let's see here...]

[It only takes him a minute to find what he's looking for. He sets the menu back down with a grin to put a Banette to shame. When the waitress comes by he happily places the order.]

I'd like the Tauros Bulgogi and my friend here would like the Laal Maas. Also a pot of chai.

[The waitress glances at Nero and then nods. Okay! Your funeral. She'll be right back with your order.]

[demenscantrix]

[No...she didn't. And she grins right back.]

What's in that, anyway?

[expertonshutters]

Mutton, [Assorted sheep pokemon.] garlic, and lots of red chilis.

[Lots and lots.]

If they did it right, then this should have been made and set aside for a few days to really let the flavor set in.

[demenscantrix]

Oh that sounds wonderful!

[Really, she sounds totally excited. This isn't a joke. She does like hot stuff...]

[expertonshutters]

Good! I'm glad you're excited for it.

[He's honestly curious to see if she can handle it.]

[Luckily it doesn't take long for them to bring out the tea so there's that while they wait.]

[demenscantrix]

What kind of tea is this?

[She sniffs it, curious, but not drinking just yet.]

[expertonshutters]

It's Chai tea. It's a spiced tea that's best served with milk and a little sugar.

[demenscantrix]

Oh that sounds splendid!

[Nero sips it, eyes widening and her lips parting into a broad smile.]

This is wonderful! Are all Calderan teas this pleasant?!

[expertonshutters]

[He laughs a bit.]

Well, I'm a little bit biased, but I do think our tea is pretty great!

[A thoughtful expression.]

I've got a few at home you could try. I think Waver keeps some around, too.

[But hey, here comes their food! Are you ready for your bowl of red death, Nero.]

[demenscantrix]

[She looks at the bowl of red death, and then at Hayato.]

Is there a special way to eat this properly?

[expertonshutters]

[He shakes his head.]

Just dig right in.

1/MAAAANY

[demenscantrix]

Very well then.

[Picking up a spoon, Nero takes a bite. She chews thoughtfully, swallows. Nods.

Takes another bite. And then another. And another...]

2/???

[demenscantrix]

This is actually pretty good. Not so spicy at all...

3/???

[demenscantrix]

[Another bite.]

I'm not sure that there's even any pepper in this at all...

4/????

[demenscantrix]

[A waitress hears that and blinks.]

Madame, was this order mistaken? Am I actually eating something spicy?

[The waitress snickers.]

Give it a moment dear.

5/???

[demenscantrix]

[Another bite, and her face starts to go red.]

Ah. This is alright. Not so bad...

6/???

[demenscantrix]

Eh!

[Okay. It's burning now.]

This is getting warmer. All the better!

7/ Probably 10 total

[demenscantrix]

[Another bite. And she suddenly gasps out...]

GACK! H-HOT!!!

8/10

[demenscantrix]

[Another bite, and she's clearly forcing it down...]

H-H-H-HOOOOOTTTTT!

[Literal fire comes out of her mouth as she gulps down more of the tea...

The good news is at least that the chai helps. The bad news? She's continuing to eat, practically wolfing down bites. She will not be defeated!]

9/10

[demenscantrix]

[Which goes extremely poorly for her, tears and snot and all manner of gross things streaming down her face as she comes into the home stretch...

Just a few more bites...!]

10/10...and done.

[demenscantrix]

[Another bite, and it's down. All. Gone.]

H-Haaaa...there! I...have...finished...

[expertonshutters]

Oi, another pot of tea if you don't mind!

[Holy crap. He honestly didn't think she'd try to finish the whole thing while gasping in pain but- well. That was Nero for you. He's half-way impressed and guilty because wow.]

You sure did. I don't think I've ever seen someone wolf down Laal Maas so fast without being escorted out on a stretcher.

[demenscantrix]

[Nero tosses up a peace sign.

Grins.

Burps.

And then...]

I shall return momentarily.

[ZOOOOOOOM to the restroom.]

[expertonshutters]

[W e l p.]

Should I get our next pot of tea to-go?

[demenscantrix]

[When Nero returns a little later, she looks a little less green around the gills, and she's wiping her mouth on a paper towel. Clearly she purged...]

It's perfectly alright. Here will be acceptable.