[ Maomao clicks her tongue quietly in annoyance, just once. Jamil is her least favorite kind of attendant. Even if she can sympathize with him a great deal more than she can with Kalim, he sets her teeth on edge. And the way Kalim seems to shrink when he apologizes to Jamil bothers her. It really does remind her of some of the worst ladies-in-waiting she's met, and as far as she can gather, Kalim has no other confidant here. Is Kalim lonely? Well, far be it from her to understand the mind of someone like him.
She meets Jamil's indignation with placid look and a nod of concession. ]
I understand your concerns. You have a responsibility to uphold not only your station, but his as well. [ She begins tidying up the kitchen, gathering cooking utensils for washing. ] But you know, Jamil, even if we were back in your homeland now, his will would still triumph. As a lowly peasant, and one not even from this world, I wouldn't be in a position to refuse anything Kalim asked of me anyway, right?
[ Sorry Kalim, nothing personal! In fact, it sounds decidedly impersonal. Not waiting for an answer from Jamil, she turns back to Kalim. ]
[ Kalim looks between the two of them uneasily. WOW. He knows he is terrible at reading the room but the vibes in here are AWFUL.
Well. He's pretty confident he isn't going to be able to figure out the right thing to say here, so it's definitely best to just ignore it, especially if someone's asking him a question. ]
Well, it looks fun! Jamil always looks so cool when he's cooking... And I'd really like to be able to make food for other people, because getting food made for me makes me really happy! Jamil wouldn't have to do so much work if I could cook, too...
[ Ah, how admirable of him. Earnesty counts for something. He's like a big, stupid, friendly dog. There are definitely worse kinds of people. ]
I won't refuse, if that's what you want. [ Keyword: what Kalim wants. C'mon, Jamil, you wanted to play the servant, now you're gonna have to play along with Maomao ]
I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with your homeland's cuisine, but I'll do my best to teach you the basics. A strong sense of the fundamentals is what's most important.
[Maomao's main mistake is thinking Jamil gives a shit about what Kalim wants in this situation. Unfortunately for Kalim, as much as Jamil serves him, he also serves Kalim's parents. And that overrides any of Kalim's impulsive decisions, as well as Maomao's attempts to cultivate them.]
You'll be doing no such thing.
[He's already on his feet, his mug left forgotten on the island where he was sitting. He's not about to pick a fight in the middle of the kitchen, but the stormy expression on his face and the way he bites out his words make it clear he would really like to.]
We of course appreciate your generosity and patience in this... time in our household, but be careful not to overstay your welcome.
[ Ooh boy. Maomao is starting to feel like perhaps her offer to help with breakfast was a little too generous, because whatever is going on between these two, she super does not need or want to be involved. As much as Maomao hates being told what to do by someone like Jamil, she hates getting wrapped up in other people's business more, so she suppresses a momentary grimace in favor of a bland expression. The polite thing would be to stick around and clean up, but surely this is beyond the bounds of politesse. She offers a polite bow instead. ]
I've no wish to overstay my welcome. If I can be of no further help, I'll take my leave now.
[ Kalim sounds a bit desperate. On principle he hates the idea of anyone being made to feel unwelcome on his watch, but more than that he really feels like he needs backup. Any kind of backup. Maomao please ]
A-and Jamil, you don't have to... I know it's your job but you can have an easier job!
[Jamil doesn't remember what he intended to say when he opened his mouth--probably something about how Maomao leaving would be preferred, actually--because he's hit by a wave of dizziness as soon as he does, and his thoughts disperse entirely. Where did that come from? He blinks rapidly, trying to get his eyes to focus again.
Oh. Right. He's not supposed to be getting worked up. Doctor's orders.
His balance is affected badly enough he has to sit down before his knees hit the floor. Now he's lost his place in the argument, and probably undermined his own position to boot. That's embarrassing.]
[ Kalim rushes to his side so hastily he almost stumbles in his alarm. He seizes Jamil's hands and looks at him with big wet eyes, like he's worried he's about to keel over any second. ]
[ Urgh. Just as she was about to make her escape... Maomao suppresses a sigh and with a deep sense of resignation, she turns back towards Jamil. If they're going to drag her into whatever weird unresolved tension they have going on here, Jamil could at least have the decency to be less of a pest about obeying doctor's orders. She channels her annoyance into a stern frown at Jamil as she closes the distance between them in a few quick strides. ]
I told you not to overdo it, didn't I? You ought to be back on bed rest.
[ With a polite but distinctively dismissive wave, Maomao shoos Kalim out of the way. She can't do anything while Kalim's clinging to Jamil like a wife in distress, and she's not sure the emotional tone vibe he's bringing is helping the situation either. Everyone here needs to take a lesson in chilling the fuck out. ]
I'm going to check your temperature. [ Maomao prefers to be warned before someone touches her, at any rate, and she puts the back of her hand to Jamil's forehead. Running too hot, of course. Up close, he looks even worse. She glances over at Kalim. She's pretty sure he'll just hover and fret unless she gives him something to do. ] I think Jamil needs that glass of water right about now.
[Quite frankly, Jamil would rather Kalim not be so tearfully in his face at the moment either, so he is privately grateful to Maomao for sweeping him off. He doesn't protest her taking his vitals either--he knows he just blew up whatever point he was trying to make by swooning (ugh) at just the right time, so making a further fuss can only worsen his humiliation. Radiating sullen energy at Maomao as she goes about it is the most he can do.
Kalim can even get the stupid water if he wants. See? Jamil can compromise. The fact that he still feels a bit like he might not be able to stand up has absolutely nothing to do with it, either.]
[ Yeah, the least Jamil can do is make this a little easier on her, but the lack of resistance is pretty telling. Be as sullen as you want at her, Jamil, it honestly makes her job easier when you don't talk.
She gives Kalim a perfunctory nod as thanks for the water, then gestures at breakfast. ] Why don't you eat while the food's still hot? There's not really anything else you can do for Jamil right now.
[ It is the nicest possible way she can think to say "you will just be in the way". She dampens a clean cloth for a cool compress and looks Jamil up and down, lips pursed. ]
How much do you weigh?
[ This is not a purely academic question. She is already rolling up her sleeves. ]
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no subject
She meets Jamil's indignation with placid look and a nod of concession. ]
I understand your concerns. You have a responsibility to uphold not only your station, but his as well. [ She begins tidying up the kitchen, gathering cooking utensils for washing. ] But you know, Jamil, even if we were back in your homeland now, his will would still triumph. As a lowly peasant, and one not even from this world, I wouldn't be in a position to refuse anything Kalim asked of me anyway, right?
[ Sorry Kalim, nothing personal! In fact, it sounds decidedly impersonal. Not waiting for an answer from Jamil, she turns back to Kalim. ]
May I ask why you want to learn to cook?
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Well. He's pretty confident he isn't going to be able to figure out the right thing to say here, so it's definitely best to just ignore it, especially if someone's asking him a question. ]
Well, it looks fun! Jamil always looks so cool when he's cooking... And I'd really like to be able to make food for other people, because getting food made for me makes me really happy! Jamil wouldn't have to do so much work if I could cook, too...
[ A brief pause. ]
You totally can refuse, though!
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I won't refuse, if that's what you want. [ Keyword: what Kalim wants. C'mon, Jamil, you wanted to play the servant, now you're gonna have to play along with Maomao ]
I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with your homeland's cuisine, but I'll do my best to teach you the basics. A strong sense of the fundamentals is what's most important.
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You'll be doing no such thing.
[He's already on his feet, his mug left forgotten on the island where he was sitting. He's not about to pick a fight in the middle of the kitchen, but the stormy expression on his face and the way he bites out his words make it clear he would really like to.]
We of course appreciate your generosity and patience in this... time in our household, but be careful not to overstay your welcome.
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[ Kalim turns to look at him, disappointed and confused. Why is he so mad? ]
I thought -- Wouldn't it make things easier for you?
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It's not about making things easier for me. How many times do I have to say this? I work for your parents, not you. This is my job.
[That last comment is directed, very obviously, at Maomao instead.]
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I've no wish to overstay my welcome. If I can be of no further help, I'll take my leave now.
[ She is already edging towards the door. ]
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[ Kalim sounds a bit desperate. On principle he hates the idea of anyone being made to feel unwelcome on his watch, but more than that he really feels like he needs backup. Any kind of backup. Maomao please ]
A-and Jamil, you don't have to... I know it's your job but you can have an easier job!
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Oh. Right. He's not supposed to be getting worked up. Doctor's orders.
His balance is affected badly enough he has to sit down before his knees hit the floor. Now he's lost his place in the argument, and probably undermined his own position to boot. That's embarrassing.]
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[ Kalim rushes to his side so hastily he almost stumbles in his alarm. He seizes Jamil's hands and looks at him with big wet eyes, like he's worried he's about to keel over any second. ]
Are you okay??
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I told you not to overdo it, didn't I? You ought to be back on bed rest.
[ With a polite but distinctively dismissive wave, Maomao shoos Kalim out of the way. She can't do anything while Kalim's clinging to Jamil like a wife in distress, and she's not sure the emotional tone vibe he's bringing is helping the situation either. Everyone here needs to take a lesson in chilling the fuck out. ]
I'm going to check your temperature. [ Maomao prefers to be warned before someone touches her, at any rate, and she puts the back of her hand to Jamil's forehead. Running too hot, of course. Up close, he looks even worse. She glances over at Kalim. She's pretty sure he'll just hover and fret unless she gives him something to do. ] I think Jamil needs that glass of water right about now.
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Kalim can even get the stupid water if he wants. See? Jamil can compromise. The fact that he still feels a bit like he might not be able to stand up has absolutely nothing to do with it, either.]
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He spills it a bit on the way back though. ]
Sorry-! Here.
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She gives Kalim a perfunctory nod as thanks for the water, then gestures at breakfast. ] Why don't you eat while the food's still hot? There's not really anything else you can do for Jamil right now.
[ It is the nicest possible way she can think to say "you will just be in the way". She dampens a clean cloth for a cool compress and looks Jamil up and down, lips pursed. ]
How much do you weigh?
[ This is not a purely academic question. She is already rolling up her sleeves. ]