Who: Minato and Anna What: Going to a cooking class together When: Mid April Where: An Italian Restaurant Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Closed/Complete Upon Posting
The dreams were disturbing at best, although Minato had no real complaints. He just had more questions than he had answers in regards to Kushina and Naruto, the son he'd apparently had with her, in his dreams. Had she left because...no, she would've told him wouldn't she? It'd been a long time since she'd moved back to Japan, his son would be a senior in high school by now, and well, wasn't that a sobering thought?
God, he was getting old. Okay, he wasn't that old, and he definitely didn't look his age, but he felt like an old soul sometimes.
As it was, a night out learning how to cook new things with a pretty girl was definitely a distraction that Minato needed. He adjusted his snap back, pulling it off for a moment to smooth his blonde hair back before putting the hat back onto his head. He had dressed nicely for the evening, trendy as per usual, but casual enough in the event that something splattered on him. His phone began to vibrate, and Minato reached into his jacket pocket to pull it out. It was a text message from a music video director that he'd worked with before asking him to come to LA next week to choreograph a video for him. Minato replied back quickly, saying that he would, and that he could e-mail him the details since he was busy for the rest of the evening.
He'd just turned his phone off, and put it back into his pocket when he spotted a girl he believed to be Anna. He flashed a bright smile her way, and gave a small wave in her direction. "Anna?" He asked, brows rising slightly.
This was one of those things that Anna had always wanted to do, but never seemed to find the time. Or the people to do it with. She posted about it on Valarnet, and, surprisingly, had someone comment who wanted to go with her! So this was the start of a great, new adventure! Anna was probably the kindest person ever, and one of the most bubbly and friendly…
She broke into a bright smile when she saw the guy wave. Her own wave in return was enthusiastic. “Hey!” She hurried over across the parking lot to him so they could go into the restaurant together. “You made it! You’re on time! It’s a miracle I’m on time tonight, too… I almost texted to let you know I was running late!”
Laughing, Minato nodded. "I am a pretty punctual person." He was rarely late unless something prevented him from leaving early, which again, was rare. Minato had learned by living in a city for the better part of his life that if he wanted to get anywhere on time it was best to make sure that you had plenty of time to get there even if that meant leaving really early. "And thank God for miracles hm?" He gave her a slightly teasing smile and a wink. The others that had also been milling around outside started moving to go in, "Well, I guess that's our cue." He gave a small nod of his head toward the front door of the restaurant, before starting toward it himself.
He held the door open for her, and followed in behind her. The class appeared to be on the smaller side of things, which was nice, and he figured that it would make things a little more hands on. "I heard about this other place," he started as he fell into step beside her, "it's called Hipcooks, and they do cooking classes as well. I thought it might be worth mentioning, so you can look it up and see what you think."
Anna stepped through the doorway into the restaurant and glanced around. This was pretty cool! The place was closed save for the dozen or so people who were filing in. There was also a chef and a sous chef at the front of the room, putting out little bowls of supplies and cup measures and teaspoons and the like. There were ingredients on each of the tables, enough for everyone to pair up and create their own dinner.
“This is amazing!” Anna cried out, then lifted a hand to cup over her mouth when she realized that she’d just said that out loud, and not in an indoor voice. “I mean, this is amazing!” she amended, still as excited but quite a bit quieter.
Her exclamation caused Minato to jump slightly, and he glanced over at Anna. Her enthusiasm was contagious, actually, and he couldn't help but to laugh softly. "It is amazing." It was good to see someone so excited about learning something new, and Minato could appreciate that. He made his way to one of the free tables, there were two aprons laying there and so Minato shrugged off his jacket, hanging it out of the way before picking up one of the bright red aprons.
After putting it on, Minato turned his snap back around, his eyes going back to the chef and the sous chef as they began to explain what they would be doing tonight. A recipe was already on their table, but still the chefs kept explaining different techniques and the whys of each ingredient that was on their table. Minato glanced down at the vegetables that they needed to chop, "Do you want to take the bell pepper or the mushrooms?" He asked, glancing over at Anna with a light smile.
Thankfully he didn’t freak out at Anna’s spazziness. She appreciated that, to say the least. Tucking her hair behind her ears and pushing up her sleeves, she followed him over to the table. This looked like so much fun! There was definitely a bounce in Anna’s step--even in her just plain standing still--as she listened to the chef and sous chef, then pulled on her apron. “I’ll do the mushrooms.” She said. That was easier than the peppers for sure!
The knife was super sharp, and the mushrooms were totally easy to slice. But the chunks were totally uneven. She laughed as she chopped. “...I think I’m gonna need a whole lot more practice.”
"Sounds like a plan to me." Minato gave her another bright smile before turning his attention to the green bell peppers in front of him. Carefully he cored them, discarding the middle and seeds into a trash bowl on their table. Each half of his pepper was carefully sliced, and then diced. Working with a knife had become a lot easier for Minato, and he wasn't sure if it had something to do with the dreams affecting him or not.
His attention turned to Anna after he'd put his bell pepper off to the side. "I wouldn't worry too much about it, to be honest." He shrugged, "I think it gives them character myself. Still, I might be able to help a little…" He motioned to the knife, and while it looked as if he was going to take it from her, instead he placed his hand on top of hers and stepped up close beside her.He was about to bring his other arm around when he paused, not sure if she would welcome him invading her personal space like he was at present, "Do you mind?" He asked, brows furrowing slightly.
Anna totally didn’t notice what he was up to until he stopped and asked. Then she realized how close he was, and how this might… look. But she wanted to learn… so. “No, I don’t mind,” she said, and forced a little smile. Though her heart was thundering at his proximity, and her face had gone a (hopefully endearing) deep shade of red.
Minato offered her a reassuring smile as he wrapped his other arm around her, steadying the mushroom that was on the table. The flush to her cheeks was cute, although he did feel a little bad at putting her on the spot like that. Still, he thought that he might be able to help teach her a little on how to keep things even, though he didn't mind if the chunks of mushrooms weren't even. "Just let the knife slide through with a little pressure, it's sharp enough and if you force it it'll end up tearing the flesh of whatever you're cutting." His hands were gentle as he guided her, the slices more even and once the mushroom was cut he removed his hands from her and stepped back away.
"My dreams have helped give me a more steady hand, and a better eye I think." He chuckled softly.
Anna’s brain was buzzing as this guy--this Minato, who was kind and nice and helpful--put his arms around her and helped her chop the mushrooms with a little more regularity. The thought slowly filtered into her head that though this was just a couple of people with a similar interest going out to enjoy said interest, what if this was… more? Was this more? Was Anna on a first date and didn’t know it? Now she felt awkward and embarrassed, but she really didn’t want to show it.
Anna nodded, finding she could breathe again when she stepped back. “That’s good. I mean, the chopping. Thank you. For the chopping.” She gave him an apologetic smile, still bright red. She’d met him on Valarnet, so he must have been a Dreamer. “At least something good comes from the Dreams every once in a while?”
It would figure that he'd overstepped his bounds. Minato blamed it on being raised by Jiraiya, that man was one smooth talker and Minato? He'd learned a thing or two from his adoptive father. "You're welcome. Sorry if I overstepped my bounds." He gave a small bow of his head in her direction, his small way of truly apologizing to her.
He smiled, "Yes, I suppose it does." Although his had left him with more questions than answers, and he wondered again about Kushina and Naruto, and if they were real here. They were given more instructions once everything was diced, and the pasta that the veggies, along with a creamy sauce, would be poured over. "How long have you lived in the OC?" He asked, glancing over at Anna with a raised brow.
“No, you’re okay. Really.” Anna felt bad for feeling awkward. She was ridiculous, and probably beet red. Tomato red, even. She cleared her throat. “I mean, more than okay. You’re great. Really great, and it’s me--it’s all about me, I’m the awkward one.” Babbling now, she picked up a little chunk of mushroom and popped it into her mouth to chew and force herself to stop talking.
“Mmm,” now she had a mouth full of food and couldn’t answer! Jesus, what was wrong with her? Oh, Anna. Nodding and chewing frantically, she lifted a hand to motion that she was about to answer, and then she swallowed. Hard. Coughed once. “...my whole life,” she said, her voice raspy from food sort of choking its way down. Thankfully, there was water on the table. She lifted a glass for a sip.
She was adorable, but Minato still felt bad for making her blush as deeply as she was. He couldn't help but to chuckle softly at her compliment, "Nah, you're not. You're great yourself." He offered with a smile, and a gentle nudge to her arm after she'd put the mushroom into her mouth.
A look of concern crossed Minato's features as she coughed, and he watched her carefully. Minato waited until after she finished with her sip of water before he spoke, "You okay?" He asked finally, brows furrowed slightly.
Anna liked this guy. She liked being here. She was having a really good time tonight, chopping vegetables and learning to cook a new dish with a new friend. Minato was friendly and fun, and Anna liked that he was willing to wrap arms around her to help her cut, or nudge her arm with his elbow. She was a pretty physical person, so those little touches made her happy.
“Yes,” Anna said, nodding vigorously. She sipped again from her glass. “Yes, I’m okay. I’m sorry. I’m awkward, and I’m okay, and I’m sorry.” She gave him what she could muster of a smile. It was genuine, and sheepish, and probably remarkably adorable under her bright pink face. “Did I miss our next instructions?”
That smile really could brighten up a guy's day, and Minato returned it with one just as genuine. "Nope, you didn't. I think they're waiting a few more minutes to let the others get caught up before telling us anything more." He lifted a shoulder, moving to stir the pasta before glancing back over at her. "And you don't have to be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong as far as I see it. I blame the mushroom and my poorly timed question." It was about that time that more instructions were given, and Minato placed a pan on the burner to begin heating it up. Some olive oil was added, and then the veggies. It wasn't long before the sauce was ready, and the noodles drained. "I think we did rather well." He looked at the food before them and then at her, "Ready for a taste test?"
“It’s okay, you’re allowed to ask questions.” Anna reassured him. That was a nice smile, too. They both had really nice smiles! She was glad she was in good company, though she was still a little confused. Was this a date? It was going remarkably well if it was. Almost a blind date. Kinda. She knew next to nothing about this guy, besides he was good with knives (red flag?) and had a nice smile.
It seemed like things were progressing quickly with the food. Anna smiled as she saw the dish come together. “Yeah! I think it looks amazing!” She’d actually cooked something. Anna was super proud of herself now. It showed on her face how accomplished she felt.
It was nice to make something with your own hands, to know that you could do it was empowering. Minato knew how to cook some things, but he was always ready to learn new dishes and try new things. Pulling chairs around for the two of them, Minato moved to sit down in one of them. He shook his head as one of the staff came by and asked if they'd like any wine. Minato wasn't opposed to drinking, but he didn't feel like it tonight. The water was enough for him, and he twirled some of the pasta around on the end of his fork before finally taking a bite.
The sauce wasn't too heavy, the vegetables still had a nice bite to them and overall? He was definitely calling this a win. "Oh yeah," he raised a hand to cover his mouth as he finished chewing, "we definitely did well." He glanced over at Anna, giving her a wink. He would definitely be up for more cooking adventures with her in the future.