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Burst Mode
 Author
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Windsor, Ontario
Age: 37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempy
Simultaneous writing and cooking!
Spoiler for Thanksgiving:
Every day, at five-thirty in the morning, Shana rose from her grateful slumber. Slipping on a
tracksuit and running shoes, she would jog for about thirty minutes, averaging two miles a day.
Upon returning home, she would take a morning shower as Kevin prepared breakfast. The smell of food and the sound of the shower would rouse Lilia from her sleep, but it would take the combined
effort of the two girls to awaken the log-like Diana. Even then, sometimes brute force was
needed, much to Diana’s irritation. Really, was five minutes more too much to ask for?
For the hungry Shana and Lilia, the answer was yes. Especially during pancake day. And guess
what? Today was pancake day! So, as Diana steadfastly demanded that the others dress her
(for she is royalty, and royalty do not serve themselves!), Kevin cheerfully flipped flapjacks and
fried some bacon. The combined smorgasbord of smoky bacon, sweet hotcakes, frying eggs,
and brewing coffee was nostalgic, actually, reminding him of the first week with the girls living
with him. Utterly confused and slightly scared, they sat around the table one nervous morning,
wondering what their new guardian was doing. Their wonder was absolutely adorable when
three plates stacked high with hot pancakes, slathered in butter and maple syrup, with crisp
bacon and fried eggs with bright yellow yolks on the side, were placed in front of them. At
Kevin’s gentle urging, it would become their first foray into a relatively normal life.
Kevin smiled again as he remembered a startling contrast of Shana with her opposite, Nanoha.
Whereas the latter loved the intensely sweet and rich caramel milk, the former preferred strong
black coffee. Even further, Shana seemed to be a jazz type (much to Kevin’s pleasant surprise),
while Nanoha danced to J-pop. Ever the sweet tooth, Lilia took up the caramel milk, whereas
Diana preferred the standard milk and juice. In comparison, Fate often chose British-style black
tea (and some times Japanese green) with sugar and cream, and Hayate liked good Japanese
green tea (gyokuro was preferred, but it was such a pain to get).
Sisters, yet so different.
“Good morning, father,” Shana said as she entered the kitchen, her greeting echoed by a still
sleepy Diana and haphazardly dressed Lilia.
“Hey, girls. Breakfast is ready, so go ahead and sit down.”
“Waaaiii~! Pancakes! Pancakes!” Lilia sang as she danced into her seat, her legs swinging
happily as she awaited the wondrous bounty.
“Must you always act so childishly?” Diana grumbled as she languidly hurried to the table. “We
feel it’s unbecoming someone of your stature. Please stop embarrassing Us with your immature
behavior!”
“Must you always talk like that~?” the blue-haired girl sang back, completely unperturbed.
“Even if you’re going to take over the world someday, you haven’t yet~!”
“Why you…!”
“Diana, is such language becoming of a lady of your status? Such crude and rude speech…”
Kevin cut in, though with a hidden smile.
“Wha—so you betray me too?!” the future-Queen-of-the-Universe was wide awake now,
pointing a fork threateningly at her guardian.
“I’m merely pointing out that you were using unrefined language, which is beneath you,” the
older man placed their plates down in front of them. “Also, pointing is rude.”
“Hmph! We are only attempting to communicate with a foolish girl. How dare you call Us
unrefined!”
“Hey! Don’t call me stupid!”
“We did not call you stupid, fool.”
“Now now, let’s just calm down and eat breakfast,” Kevin cut in before another infamous
morning battle would ensue. “Your pancakes are getting cold.”
That did the trick, for Lilia at least. Diana just huffed and chewed on a piece of bacon. Shana,
being the ever calm girl, was already half-way through her stack. Breakfast went about as usual,
with idle chatter about the day’s plans and how much Lilia hated homework (and how she
wanted a second helping of pancakes). Alas, they could not have much time together, for today
was Thursday, and a full day’s schedule was ahead of them. Kevin fussed over finishing the last
touches on the girls’ lunch bento boxes as Shana fussed over Lilia’s horrible attempt at putting
on her uniform and fixing her hair up; Diana just waited by the door with all their bags, tapping
her food impatiently.
“We are waiting, profligates! We will now marr our reputation by being tardy!”
They finally were ready, much to Diana’s annoyance, but before they left, Kevin called out,
“Ah. I’ll be busy this afternoon, so why don’t you all go hang out with Nanoha and the others?
Then, later tonight, you can come home with them.”
Shana asked the obvious, “Why is that, father?”
“Ahh, well, it’s been almost a year since you’ve all came to live with me. I figure tonight, we can
gather everyone we know and have a big ol’ meal with them. It’s about that time of the year,
anyways…”
Time of the year?
“Off with ye to school. Just because it’s a holiday doesn’t mean you get a break! And I got a lot
of work to do!”
Holiday?
Though they pondered his words, Kevin would not explain them as he shooed them out the
door. The curiosity would fade out, however, as the school day progressed. Following their
father’s suggestion, the three girls once known as the Materials would travel with the Three
Aces of Seishou Auxiliary Elementary School, creating what was known as the Six Stars of
Seishou, terror of boys and teachers as they demolished everything academic and physical
training related. Add in Suzuka and Arisa, and there would be the Elite Eight, nigh untouchable
and the crushes of many a poor lad.
For Kevin, they would be the Eight Terrors of his Kitchen.
But that is digression. After school, they traveled en mass to the Midoriya, where Shana
immediately stuck to Momoko in learning the art of pastry, Diana in the art of eating pastry, and
Diana slowly taking over the shop by subtle land grabbing of tables. Kevin was strangely absent,
however, and none of the Takamachi clan knew (or would tell) where he was.
The evening came eventually, with the Midoriya closing early that day. To the Materials’ surprise,
they would be escorted home by the entirety of the Takamachi clan, Suzuka, Arisa, Fate, and
even Hayate. What was going on? All they got were secret smiles and urges to continue home.
They had not gotten even on the same floor as their apartment when Lilia picked up on the
scents of cooking, speeding up ahead of the group in excitement. She would be corralled by
Diana, however, though all three girls seemed particularly curious about what was going on at
home. Upon opening the door, they would discover their dining room and living room combined
in order to fit a monstrously huge table, currently fussed over by the Wolkenritter and Arf. Busily
shuffling plates and silverware were Chrono, Amy, and Yuuno (of which was promptly tackled
to the ground and nuzzled fiercely by a now ecstatic Lilia). From the kitchen, Linda Harlaown
appeared in frilly apron and oven mitts.
“Oh! You’ve all arrived! Wonderful timing, everyone!” Lindy greeted with a wide smile. “I hope
the trip over here wasn’t too bad?”
“It’s pretty chilly out, but refreshing,” Shirou Takamachi smiled as he took his family’s coats.
“You would not believe how difficult it was to keep this all a secret,” Momoko giggled into her
hand, moving to help set up the table.
“Ahh! No, wait, I got it!” Vita protested as a pile of plates were lifted off her hands.
“Don’t be silly, dear. Let me help!”
“Ne ne, Fate-chan, should we help?” Nanoha turned to her friend.
“Hmm, should we?” the blonde pondered as she watched the proceedings
“Oh no, you all go and relax a bit,” Chrono managed to cut the idea off, waving the girls off as
he juggled a handful of glasses. “We got this covered.”
Amy ruffled the boy’s hair much to his dismay, “You should take your own advice, onii-chan.
You’ve been here since, what, noon?”
“Don’t worry about it. Everything’s ready,” Kevin finally came out of the kitchen. “Alright, I
know everyone must be starving to eat, so…”
He tossed apron into the kitchen with dramatic flair, “Sit down, and let’s eat!”
=====
The chef had to use every bit of willpower not to break out in laughter, seeing the ever-
increasing looks of amazement as each and every dish was carried out and laid out on the table.
His daughters’ eyes were as big as dinner plates by the time the final dish was set out.
Heck, even the natives of Mid Childa were amazed by the spread: whole roasted turkey, spiced
leg of ham, fresh buttermilk biscuits, fresh cranberry sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes,
buttered peas with shallots and pancetta, roasted autumn vegetable medley, potato, leek, and
watercress soup, sausage and kale cornbread dressing, green bean casserole – the sheer
quantity of foods was staggering. There were even non-traditional foods like baked brie, roasted
Brussels sprouts, and an uncomplicatedly fancy macaroni-and-cheese with bacon, no less than
five cheeses, and other delicious bits. And let’s not even get into the desserts.
“One country I visited was the United States. It is full of strange people, but in its diversity they
find strength. A holiday they celebrate is called Thanksgiving, and it is one that I rather like.
However, I never truly celebrated it outside of the US, since rarely had people to celebrate it
with; my family is scattered, and my friends have their own to worry about. Today, I feel I have
real reason to celebrate.
“Thanksgiving is a holiday in the United States. Originally, it was a religious thing, a harvest
festival in which families gave their thanks to God for their fortune of the year, and ask for
continued blessing for the next year. Today, the holiday is largely secular and followed by the
worst days of retail, but people still give thanks for what they have,” Kevin looked up, his gaze
traveling over the gathered. “Today, and everyday, I am thankful that I am here with you all.
Nanoha and the Takamachi family, I thank you for giving me the opportunity, a lifetime chance
that has gifted me with the success I have now.
“For years, I had no real place to belong to. My parents were supportive, but they could not help
me settle down. So, I traveled all over, working and learning, but also searching. I was searching
for a ‘home.’ So what was I supposed to expect when a certain pink beam shooting young girl
gifts me with simple bread and water? She saved me, a full-grown man. I suppose this was a
sign of how she would grow and what she would do.”
Nanoha blushed a cute red, much to everyone’s amusement. Fate and Yuuno, they looked upon
their friend with immeasurable gratitude. Hayate looked ready to cry.
“Then what would happen but three girls seeking a home of their own? They too needed help.
So where I was saved by a girl’s kindness, I decided I too would do the same. And now, I have
a family. Shana, Lilia, Diana, I am thankful for you all.”
The girls seemed like they were ready to jump out and tackle their father figure, but they reeled it
in quite well.
“Now, here I am, here we are, together. Today, and tomorrow, I give thanks.”
Kevin bowed his head, an action mirrored by everyone else. A moment of silence, then finally,
what everyone wanted to hear:
“Now then. Eat up.”
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You silly Americans! Thanksgiving was last month! 
Very nice story, but I must ask where is Kevin from originally? He describes the US as a place he once visited rather than where he's from.
Found one mistake, though
Quote:
where Shana
immediately stuck to Momoko in learning the art of pastry, Diana in the art of eating pastry, and
Diana slowly taking over the shop by subtle land grabbing of tables
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I assume that first 'Diana' should be 'Lilia' 
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