#we both have the Has To Putter With A Soup The Whole Time It’s Cooking gene | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

italicwatches · 6 years

Text

Laid-Back Camp - Episode 05

Good god something I ate has destroyed me. I am not having a good day right now.

But even on bad days, there must be anime. (plus, quite frankly, I can at least actually do this right now, unlike half the other shit I should be getting done) It’s Laid-Back Camp, episode 05! Here we GO!

-We begin at the most devilishly potent temptation, the hot springs. The OutCamp crew scrub themselves down, and even the shower is warm and delightful~

-Meanwhile Rin is puttering along, with another 40 kilometers between her and her destination. And with how brutally cold it is, she’s thinking of her own hot springs adventure…Come on, motivation, hold…

-Opening!

-Episode 05: Two Camps, Two Campers’ Views

-Back with the crew, who are loving this near-cliffside hot spring. It’s so hot, it’s so good, the view is amazing…Getting out of this place is gonna be harder than anything these girls have ever faced, because it’s just so comfy.

-Meanwhile Rin is riding through 2 degrees Celsius on a rickety, cheap, probably used motor-scooter. She is…Not comfy, is what I’m getting at. I do not know the pain of that kind of chill, but I definitely am sharing in discomfort so I sympathize with you, Rin.

-Back with the OutCamp crew, they’re realizing the danger of this place as they nearly end up buying a big heavy lunch that would leave them stuffed all day and unable to properly enjoy camp food. Aoi manages to catch…them…

-They still end up with deep-fried eggs. I’ve never heard of a deep fried egg and I’m not sure if it’d be good or not. This place is truly dangerous.

-Rin’s finally gotten to a big milestone and a gorgeous view over empty fields…A full 150 kilometers! She did it! It’s wonderful! But now she’s gotta find that damned hot spring before she freeze—

-Funny story.

-True story.

-The hot spring is, best case scenario, closed for the winter. Worst case, shut down for good. Whatever the case, it is absolutely entirely closed for today. …This SUCKS.

-Oh, and the amazing view that was supposed to be awaiting her? It’s shrouded by fog from the winter air. She’s starting to feel like she should’ve just done an easy overnighter at a place near her house…Of course, then she crests this ridge, and we get one of those moments that’s just god DAMN. Even Rin, who’s seen a hell of a lot of great views, is awed and re-motivated. She’ll detour to a hot spring when she goes home. But right now, she’s going to find somewhere she can safely cook a little grub.

-And she ends up finding a great little clearing…It’ll just be on the jet-boil, no full campfire, but our humble narrator shows the fantastic little pasta soup you can make on the road in just such a circumstance. It’s a simple, classic dish. Chop up some meat and veggies at home(Rin’s has onion, bacon, asparagus and Shimeji mushrooms), fry them up with a little oil in the dry pot(a great time to add in some garlic as well, such as in powder or squeeze forms), then throw in a little water and a humble stock cube. Get it boiling and toss in your pasta, which along with the stock cube will help soak up a lot of the water. Then when the pasta’s softened nicely, a little milk and cheese to bring in that creamy richness, some seasoning to round it out, and you’re good to go!

-And shit, it’s pretty damn good! Rin, who has lived her camp life relying on things you pour boiling water onto and then wait three minutes, is in heaven. She even sends a photo of it to Nadeshiko, bragging about her roadside cooking skills…

-Nadeshiko, who dozed off at the hot springs. And realizes it’s…Four in the bloody afternoon! OH GOD THEY GOTTA GO so yeah that happened.

-Soon they’re on the move…Through a narrow path in the woods…And the sun is getting low. This is starting to be a bit worrying. Luckily, they make it! And it’s a super basic campgrounds, little more than some cleared land in the woods. This ain’t exactly the kind of place where you get power hookups and a bathroom with actual plumbing. It’s porta-potties and the owner personally delivering some water so you don’t die on his campground.

-Tents up, rules learned, and a wondrous stockpile of firewood since this kind of campground requires so much wood removal it’s not even worth charging for the stuff. In fact, they’ve got enough that Chiaki decides to try making the…What’s she call it? A Swedish torch, or a lumberjack candle. It’s where you have a vertical log or tied bundle of firewood, with kindling stuffed into an opening in the center and so it burns from the center out, creating a smaller, more focused fire.

-And soon they’re able to just relax…Aaand then the wire they used gives because you’re really not supposed to do it like that, and the whole thing spills out. It’s a good thing nothing gets burned. And Chiaki tries to act like she wasn’t the cause of that near mishap.

-Meanwhile Rin’s got a copy of a book on UFOs, a cup of hot drink, and a great v—WHAT WAS THAT IN THE SKY

-Back with the OutCamp crew, it’s curry for dinner! A stewed, rich curry with a whole array of ingredients, and some pre-cooked rice to pour it over. And to mix it up, Nadeshiko stole the flavor packet out of some instant ramen to bring in that meaty flavor. Which turns into a conversation on how everyone’s own families have done their own take on curry. Every family has a different curry.

-And a montage, as the night goes on, of cooking up marshmallows and kebabs over the campfire…Until finally it’s time to go to sleep…Aaand they’ve run into the problem that they have two tents, three people, and each tent can really only hold two people comfortably. Someone’s gonna be sleeping with the gear as their friend. …Rock paper scissors? Rock paper sci—

-Nadeshiko is now friends with the backpacks. I’m sorry, Nadeshiko. She ends up getting out her phone to text Rin for a bit, who’s facing the frigid cold of her efforts up on the mountains…But damn if the views weren’t worth it. There are so many stars, Nadeshiko…

-And that gets Nadeshiko thinking, as she grabs her lantern and braves the forest trail! She’d have taken the others but they’re asleep, so it’s just her on her own until she gets to a road and a clearing, and…The night view of the city down below.

-A few that Rin is amazed by…And with the bitter chill, she bundles herself up to take the scooter back down to that mountain from her afternoon, and share her own shot. And it’s…It’s powerful, you guys. Even with it being one in the morning, even upon two icy winter campsites, even hundreds of kilometers apart, they feel connected by the majesty of the moment…

-Credits! With a few montage photos of the morning arriving to both campsites, the groups preparing to return to their ordinary lives…And Rin getting her damn hot spring stop on the way back.

-Aftercredits! Nadeshiko got all the photos printed! They can start posting them up on the wall! She’s…Started in the bottom corner so she can fill the whole wall. …I mean, that’s not a bad ambition, but Nadeshiko continues to be like a puppy.

God damn that was a good episode. It was simple, straightforward, but it did what it set out to do with aplomb. The simple contrasts between Rin’s more experienced efforts(though with her new experiments in cooking) and the crew’s more rookie endeavor, their more comfortable easygoing style versus her pushing herself hard…And, that, view.

This was good. This was really good. This is the kind of show that serves as an example of what slice-of-life and healing anime can be, when they really nail the character beats and the visual artistry. I can’t wait for episode six, you guys.

#where I watch #recap #laid-back camp #yuru camp #anime

1 note · View note

megsblackfirewrites · 7 years

Text

The Beginning of a Legacy: Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Muhammad Al-Hasan frowned and scratched his curly black hair. “Well, dog my cat; he raises a good point,” the Brit snorted. “The cooks have been grabbing things that we can live without. Or at least, not need all the time. Sweets are nice, but bullets are worth their weight in gold right now. I’ll get a few of my boys wrangled up for the next trip out and make sure they grab us some more bullets and the spare rifle or two if they can manage. Remind me to thank Joel for being the voice of reason.”

John smiled and nodded. “Thanks, Ham,” he chuckled.

Muhammad huffed and grumbled about his favourite nickname. One of the kids had a hard time pronouncing his name when he first got there and had asked if she could call him ‘Ham’ instead. She had only been three, unable to perfectly string the syllables together and a few of the other kids agreed that his name was difficult. Muhammad absolutely loved the nickname and didn’t care who called him it, although he did love to grumble about it with people that could easily pronounce his name.

“Sir!”

John turned to look at the scout that came running up to him. Laura Wong saluted, panting heavily as she tried to catch her breath. John made the ‘at ease’ motion and she slumped forward, pressing her hands against her knees. She straightened up after a moment and set her arms behind her back.

“Sir, there’re military personnel at the western watchpoint requesting permission to enter Haven and speak with you,” she said.

John stiffened. “Did they give a name?” he demanded as Muhammad cursed and pushed his fingers through his curly hair.

“One did, sir,” she swallowed. “Major Malaha Bashir. Short lady, black hair, blue hijab. Missing a bit of the end of her nose. Striking features.”

John let out a soft laugh before he headed for the Jeep. “Come on, best not to leave the Major waiting.”

He drove back to the western watchpoint with the scout sitting in the front seat blasting air conditioning in her face. There was a sports drink on her lap for her to replenish her electrolytes after running across the town to find him. He left her in the Jeep to cool down, smiling as she slumped against the dash to get the full force of the air conditioning in her face.

He mounted the steps to the overlook below the watchpoint and leaned on the railing. He smiled down at the Major as she lifted a hand to block the sunlight from shining in her eyes. As beautiful as he remembered and not a single gray hair yet. He was a little jealous.

“Well, aren’t you a long ways from Texas, Major?” he called down.

“I could say the same for you, Captain,” Malaha laughed. “Are you going to invite us in or are we going to go hoarse yelling at each other?”

“Joel, open the gate; they’re friends,” John called as he swung himself down to the lower deck.

Joel grunted and started the process of opening the thick metal doors to let their visitors in. Major Bashir strode through the door with her retinue in tow and John saluted immediately. She made the ‘at ease’ sign and smiled at him.

“You’re looking good, John,” she said. “Better than most at the moment.”

“Good food and a place to lay my head at night; I’m doing very well,” John agreed. “Major, welcome to Haven, Indiana.”

“Haven?” Malaha laughed. “Oh, John, you haven’t changed a bit.”

“Old friend?” Joel asked as he walked over with his rifle resting on his shoulder.

“Yes,” John smiled. “Major, this is Joel McCree. Joel, this is Major Malaha Bashir. We went through basic and were stationed in Siberia together under the same regiment.”

“Ah,” Joel inclined his head. “Nice ta meetcha, ma’am. Sorry ‘bout the hostile welcomin’ committee. Too many military boys come stompin’ up here thinkin’ they can just tell us what to do. Sometimes gotta remind them that we ain’t scared civies.”

“I am aware of how the local units have treated strongholds,” Malaha nodded. “I am looking into the matter personally and everyone involved will be compensated.”

“Food means more than money right now,” Joel shrugged. “Bullets too. If ya don’t mind, ma’am.”

Malaha chuckled. “Charming. I’ll see what I can do,” she said before looking at John. “We need to talk, Captain.”

“There’s a room right over here,” John said. “Joel, show the retinue to the soup kitchen. I’m sure they’re hungry.”

“Right. Long walk in,” Joel chuckled. “This way, boys.”

John led Malaha to a side room in the fortification wall and got some water for them. Malaha watched quietly as he puttered around the room. When he sat down, she sipped her water slowly.

“You’ve made a good life for yourself here,” she murmured. “I feel bad for what I’m about to ask, but you know I wouldn’t come here unless it was important.”

“Shoot,” John said as he sipped his water.

“The war is going badly,” Malaha sighed. “The omnics are tearing armies apart. There doesn’t seem to be any way to get them to stop.”

“That is troubling,” he murmured. “Doesn’t exactly look good for anyone involved, especially not anyone that has invested good money in their armies.”

“The United Nations has proposed an international taskforce to deal with the omnics head on,” she said. “They’d have border immunity, allowing them to chase the omnics wherever they ran regardless of the country they were in. It’s a group filled with amazing individuals, the best of the best and, failing that, the best the best has to offer.”

“And you want me to join up,” John shook his head.

“No, I want you to lead it,” Malaha replied.

John snapped his head up to look at her. “What?”

Malaha sighed and set her drink down. “John, the world is going to shit,” she said. “In spite of that, somehow, you’ve made an ordered society. Every other refugee camp and stronghold I’ve visited is a nightmare. But not Haven. You did that, John.”

“And the help of others,” John growled.

“Still humble,” Malaha smiled. “You know, you were the first person I thought of when I was asked to recommend someone. My superiors were impressed with what they saw in your file. From farmboy to shining star to retired military veteran raising a boy out in the forest in the middle of a refugee camp. You’re an amazing person to represent the Overwatch Initiative.”

John rubbed his eyes and sighed heavily. “Malaha, I’m retired.”

“The brass is willing to reinstate you,” she said. “All your ranks and titles are to be immediately reinstated, as well as progression for any promotions. They want you back, John. We all do. The army needs more men like you.”

John chuckled. “Malaha, if I take this offer, I need to be sure that everyone here is safe. I’m not leaving them high and dry to fend for themselves. We just got a whole bunch of new refugees from Virginia. If they aren’t properly integrated, it’ll be trouble.”

“Completely understandable,” she nodded. “I am willing and happy to do anything needed and provide whatever provisions you need. I’m not about to let one of the last stable areas of the country go to hell because I took their leader away from them.”

John nodded his head. “Okay,” he murmured. “I need to think this offer over, but you and your retinue are welcome to stay here until I’ve made up my mind. There’s plenty of places to sleep and more than enough food.”

“Of course, John,” Malaha nodded before she reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “It’s good to see you again. I’ve forgotten how damn bright that smile of yours is. Surprised everyone here isn’t tanned after standing in your presence.”

John laughed and lifted her hand to his mouth, kissing across the back of her hand. “You and Joel should get along swimmingly,” he teased. “Both irresponsible charmers.”

She laughed and threw her head back, removing her hand from his. She snorted into her fist, grinning at him enough to make her brown eyes sparkle. There had been a time when John had wanted to date and marry this woman, but those days were long behind him. It was just good to have an old friend around again, even if she had just offered him a very dangerous job.

“You do realize that I’m going with you,” Joel said.

“Of course,” John replied as he checked over his rifle one more time.

It was their turn to go hunting and it gave them a chance to talk in private. The whole town knew that the Major had offered John the position of Captain of an international task force. Whispers were abound about what that meant for them all and Joel knew that his friend needed some time in the woods to clear his head.

“I mean it,” Joel said as they headed out the southern gate. “I ain’t just posturing.”

“I know,” John threw him a smirk. “You just can’t ignore the call of adventure.”

“Pa!”

Joel turned and smirked at Vanessa as she came running up to them, her orange hunting blazer tied tightly around her. She grinned widely, the slingshot that Thomas had given her for her birthday dangling from her hip. She looked from Joel to John and clasped her hands in front of her.

“Please?”

“Alright, Birdie,” Joel chuckled. “But stay behind Pa and Uncle John, got it? No running off and no getting in front of our guns.”

“Okay, Pa!” Vanessa squealed and hurried after them.

John glanced at him and smiled as Vanessa eagerly held Joel’s hand. “Katie might just kill you,” he said, continuing as if Vanessa hadn’t interrupted them.

“Let’er,” Joel growled.

Things were rocky between him and Katie. Ever since they arrived at Haven to protect their precious darlings, she had been unbearable. She was ready to attack anyone and everyone and seemed to get a kick out of pointing out how everything was all Joel’s fault. She was acting like he had been the only one running with Deadlock and she had been an innocent little flower that he had dragged down into Hell. Her hands were just as bloody as his were, no matter how much she tried to convince herself that they weren’t.

“I suppose absence makes the heart grow fonder,” John mused as they walked across the forest floor.

“Somethin’ like that,” Joel chuckled. “Bird.”

John brought his rifle up and took the head clean off of the grouse. It flopped to the ground and Joel strode forward to tie it to his belt. Once he was certain the bird was secure, he followed John further into the forest, Vanessa trotting at their heels with a big grin on her face. Already in love with the smell of gunpowder. That was his little girl.

“You think about where yer leavin’ Jack?” Joel asked as he helped Vanessa over a log, kissing her nose to make her giggle.

“With Tammy,” John said. “He’s already comfortable with her and she’s great with kids. She’d keep him safe.”

“Hmm,” Joel mused. “And the town?”

“Ham,” John smiled. “He’ll keep everything running.”

“He won’t like it,” Joel laughed. “He likes just being in charge of the scouts.”

“I’ve already talked to him about it,” John chuckled. “He’s not happy, but he knows it’s important. The only one I have to talk to is Jack.”

“He’ll be okay,” Joel smiled reassuringly as they vaulted another log. “He’s a big boy. Van, honey, don’t climb...okay, actually, that’s fine.”

She grinned as she wiggled out from under the log and trotted over, hugging Joel’s leg.

“I know,” John said as he held out a hand. He shot the head off of another grouse and Joel went to collect it. “I just don’t want him to feel abandoned.”

“Jack’s a smart kid,” Joel soothed.

“That’s part of the problem,” John sighed and pushed a hand through his graying, golden blond hair. “He understands way too much.”

“Too much?” Joel asked as he let Vanessa tie the bird to her vest. “Now how is that possible, John?”

John shook his head. “He’s too understanding. He doesn’t act like a seven-year-old. He doesn’t get angry with me or cry or scream. He just quietly accepts it. It’s not fair to him. I never wanted to turn him into a little adult.”

Joel frowned as he checked a berry bush over before letting Vanessa devour the bright red berries. John had a point. Jack was unnaturally understanding for a seven-year-old. Hell, Tommy was as calm as can be and he still threw more hissyfits than Jack did. It was a little unnerving at times how very grown up Jack acted.

“You scared, John?” Joel asked as he accepted the handful of berries from his daughter and popped them into his mouth.

“Very,” John sighed.

“Jack’s scared too,” Vanessa piped up as she cleaned her fingers. “He says that people die when they go to fight the omnics. He’s really scared that you’ll never come back, Uncle John.”

“Oh?” John asked as he tilted his head to the side. “You sure about that, Hummingbird?”

Vanessa nodded. “Yup. He’s trying to be really brave for you, Uncle John. He doesn’t want you to worry about him. But he’s really scared,” she smiled.

“And how does my little hummingbird know this?” Joel teased as she ruffled her hair. “Mighty smart for a four-year-old.”

“Jack’s my best friend!” Vanessa glared at him and reached up to fix her hair. “He tells me everything!”

“And did he tell you not to tell me?” John smirked.

Vanessa grinned and shook her head. “Nope! He never said a thing,” she giggled. Her face fell before she looked at Joel. “Tommy said you’re going with Uncle John. That you won’t be back for a really long time. Is that true, Pa?”

“It is, pumpkin,” Joel sighed. He sat down on the forest floor and let her snuggle up on his lap. “But I’m doin’ this to keep you, Tommy, and Jesse safe.”

“The omnics are dangerous,” Vanessa swallowed and rubbed at her eyes. “I don’t want you to go.”

Joel hugged his daughter close and kissed her forehead. She snuggled close, wrapping her little arms around his neck. She whimpered and sniffled, wiping her nose on the collar of his shirt.

“I’ll be back before you know it,” Joel murmured. “You got yer Ma, hummingbird. She’ll look after ya.”

“Okay,” Vanessa murmured. “Can I shoot yer rifle before you leave?”

Joel smirked and kissed her nose. “You bet; next bird we see you can shoot, okay?”

“Okay,” she smiled and rubbed her eyes. “I love you, Pa. More than there are stars in the sky.”

“I love you too, my little hummingbird,” Joel cooed as he covered her face in kisses.

She squealed happily as he got to his feet, swinging her up onto his back to cling like a baby koala. She giggled, grinning at John as they continued on their hunt.

#John Morrison #Joel McCree #Vanessa McCree #lots of OCs #Jack Morrison

2 notes · View notes