6th Mistake; a delicious mistake

[moralperil]

[Mahdi addresses the screen dressed in a red apron with his name embroidered on one side: a perhaps-obviously handmade gift from a friend. The apron and his face and bare arms are smudged with flour and a few streaks of chocolate.]

Um, does anyone want cookies? I made cookies.

[Around this time you may notice that pretty much every inch of the kitchen counter is covered with foil-wrapped paper plates.]

I made a few dozen.

And a pie. Maybe two pies.

Baking is how I vent stress sometimes, I guess, um...

I guarantee these cookies will make everyone feel a bit better! So let me know if you'd like a plate, I can drop it off with you. I'll probably be leaving some at the clinic too.


[OOC: Mahdi's cookies will, miraculously, give one a lingering sense of warmth and affection for a short time, due to his powers of emotional projection.]

Comments

[Voice]

[hornedomen]

[Quietly:] I'd like a cookie, thank you.

I have a new toy for you.

voice;

[moralperil]

--Toy? [Mahdi is confused a moment.] I told you I didn't need you to replace that! It's really fine, I'm a grown-up after all!

I arranged the cookies onto these plates, sure you only want one?

[hornedomen]

Okay. [Ico was not in the mood to insist.]

I don't want to eat too much.

[moralperil]

No way! A growing boy can never eat too many cookies! I'm pretty sure that's a scientific fact.

[hornedomen]

[Well maybe Larsa and Kirika could eat the rest.]

I'd like a plate.

[moralperil]

What kind would you like? I have double chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, and ginger carrot!

[hornedomen]

Ginger? [It was slight, but his voice perked a bit.] I'd like that one.

[moralperil]

Alright! Those are going way quicker than I thought they would! [He's excited.] Should I drop them off or can you come by and get them?

[hornedomen]

I'll get them. Where are you?

[moralperil]

Room 402! Would like some cocoa to go with it?

[hornedomen]

Cocoa? [A door shut in the background. He was on his way.] You know how to make that?

Is it difficult? [Mahdi seemed busy already.]

[moralperil]

Um, yeah, but I'm just doing the simple, instant kind. Since I'm all out of chocolate and stuff to make it for real!

It's not, you just add hot water. The really delicious kind might be a little complicated for you, since you have to heat milk and it scorches.

[hornedomen]

I didn't know there was an instant kind. [He paused. It did sound good and he was hungry.] I'd like to have that, thank you.

[Ico made it to 402 and he knocked on the door.]

action;

[moralperil]

[Mahdi answers the door still in his apron, looking a bit mussed.] It's nice to see you again, Ico!

[hornedomen]

It's nice to see you, too.

[He smiled briefly. Mahdi looked busy.]

Do you need help? I know a little about making cookies.

[moralperil]

Yes! [Mahdi taps him affectionately on the nose.] You can help me by taking some of these cookies off my hands, I've been at it for what feels like forever.

And you can drink some hot cocoa!

[hornedomen]

[He shut his eyes. It was a strange gesture, but not an unwelcomed one.]

Thank you, Mahdi. Where are they?

[moralperil]

Right over here in the kitchen. [Mahdi leads him through the neatly-kept apartment, to where there are still several plates of cookies out on the counter waiting to be taken home.]

Cocoa's right here! Enjoy! It's just the instant stuff in a travel cup, but it's made with love.

[hornedomen]

[He took the cup and he slowly sipped it.] It's good.

[Ico looked at the plates.] You made all this because of stress? Will you be okay? [He paused.] Were you there?

[moralperil]

I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me, okay? I'm a grown-up. I've got it together.

...I did go. It was very sad. [Worry suddenly overtakes him!] You didn't go, did you?!

[hornedomen]

[So that was what had Mahdi stressed. Was he truly okay after all that? Ico was doubtful. He lowered his head.]

I did. I wanted to save them.

[moralperil]

I can't believe they send kids out to war zones! [Mahdi's voice raises momentarily, but quickly falls.] I'm sorry... Ico, you should be keeping safe. I know you want to help, but you should leave it to the adults.

[hornedomen]

[That was the first time he saw Mahdi raise his voice in such a way. It surprised him.]

Mahdi, you were there. You saw everything. They need help.

[moralperil]

Not at the cost of children.

You can help here, can't you? You can run supplies and stuff back at the base. Will you please do that next time?

[hornedomen]

[Ico shook his head.]

No. Not as well as I could fight. Please, let me do this.