[video]

[assays]

[When the feed switches on, it shows what looks like a workout room. It's bright and airy, with neutral colours on the walls. The floor is lined with soft mats and there is a training dummy in the right hand corner, suitable for building upper body strength and where to land punches. After a few moments the camera pans around to show Peggy; she's dressed more casually than usual, wearing something fit for training in.]

Good morning. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Peggy Carter.

[Using Margaret appeared too formal in her opinion and she has been here for a while now.]

The government saw fit to grant me the role of a self-defence instructor and I fully intend to commit to that. I'll be offering one-to-one classes as well as groups-probably no bigger than twelve people to a class, depending on interest. Strictly eighteen years and over for the time being, I want to strongly emphasise that so please don’t try to break that rule. I won't have it.

[Peggy's expression grows serious for a moment to further emphasise her point.]

If you are willing to put some hard work in and are dedicated to learning how to defend yourself, I'd like to hear from you. Beginners are welcome of course, both men and women.

You can drop me a line here or contact me privately for further information.

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[rassera]

About me? Well...I mean, I'm just a guy from Neo Tokyo, I guess!

I'm...pretty good at...cooking.


[Is this how small talk works?]

[assays]

[Pretty much how small talk works.]

Cooking, hm? That's a good skill to have. Do you have a speciality dish?

[rassera]

Heh, not yet. Kinda just picking up things as I go.

Ken--guy who lives at the house I'm at...I make Tamagoyaki for him. But that's about all I've got down pat.

[assays]

What exactly is Tamagoyaki? I'm afraid that I haven't heard of it before.

[rassera]

Hmm?

Oh! Well--[He sits forward, setting his tea down to give a little bit of a visual reference with his hands.] Tamago means egg. So you bassssicallly take some egg and a little sugar...and whatever you want I guess, put it in a pan and roll it up, and you keep rolling until you run out.

[Basically? Like a weird kind of omelette. His hands imitate chopsticks a moment, turning the invisible piece of food over a few times.]

Ken loves it.

[assays]

Oh, now that sounds lovely. A bit like how you would cook an omelette. [ She understands what he was trying to convey with his gesture. ] But different of course.

I would like to try it sometime if that was possible. I'm curious. [ There's always the chance that Peggy will hate the dish - though she hopes she won't. ]

Is Ken a housemate of yours?

[rassera]

[His eyes widen. Not that Peggy's request was incredulous but...this would be his first dish to someone outside the house.]

Yeah? I mean I could--You can make it to go, you know? Bento, and all.

[But she asks about Ken, and his whole face seems to light up.]

Yeah! He's a kid, but don't let his age fool you, he's 12 going on 40.

[assays]

12 is still rather young, but I suppose one could be mature at that age.

[His reaction makes her smile. Peggy was glad that he had such a close friend here.]

I'm pleased to hear that he has someone looking out for him.

[rassera]

[There's a little smile, as if he's trying to hide it while he looks down into his tea--he'd never admit it, but the statement means more to him than you'd think.

Looking out for people is his way of looking out for himself too.]

So...where do I bring the Tamagoyaki?

[UGH HE IS COOL TEENAGER AND HERE WE GO TALKING ABOUT FEELINGS!!]

[assays]

I live in Nonah. [Insert address here.] If you could just give me a call before you bring it over, that would be lovely.

[Peggy offers him a small smile in return.]

Perhaps I could cook you something traditional from my country. Only if you like of course.

[rassera]

...

[Blink.]

You're ...next door.


[Kaneda's memorized most of Nonah by heart now and that...that's definitely his street.]

[assays]

[A long pause.]

You're joking.

[Now she feels awful for not even knowing about it before. Peggy sighs.]

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

[rassera]

[If Kaneda's upset, he sure doesn't show it, instead just bursting out into laughter, leaning back on two of the chair's legs and clutching his stomach.]

Small world!!


Well, no excuse, right? You give me food, I'll make Tamagoyaki.

[assays]

[Thank goodness for that. Peggy smiles at him before laughing softly herself, wondering why she had been so concerned before. He didn't seem to mind at all that she wasn't aware.]

Definitely no excuses at all. I will make you something and try Tamagoyaki. On whatever day or time suits you best.

[rassera]

[If that smile were any wider, you'd swear it'd split his face.]

You got a deal!

Shall we wrap this up soon?

[assays]

Excellent.

[She sips from her tea, still smiling at him.]