Teacher, Teacher! [Makoto]

Living on-and-off in the Moonstone Monastery was interesting, and pleasant, to say the least. Between Toki and Mae both being wonderful to hold conversations and have tea with, and Shade being the perfect cuddlebuddy and a sweetheart in his own right, day-to-day life here was warm and cozu; something that Makoto always enjoyed coming back to, even if they sometimes would return to their own home in Rosewood from time to time.

Today would be no different - Makoto humming gently to themself, as they were chopping up vegetables; making something in the slowcooker, for dinner later tonight. A potroast, to be exact! It was likely a bit different from the usual fare of asian food that everyone here tended to enjoy having - but the Renamon-X was feeling like mixing things up today, and experimenting a bit. A good potroast like this would provide plenty of food for everyone, after all, and they had made doubly sure to make sure there'd be leftovers for if anyone got hungry the day after.

As Makoto worked on preparing the ingredients though, the distant sound of little itty-bitty claws tapping on the polished wood floor would catch both their and Kuro's attentions - the shadow turning its 'gaze' towards the entrance to the kitchen. <Someone's coming...> It'd murmur - to which Makoto chuckled. <Sounds like a certain darling kit, if you ask me.> They'd respond, taking the time to toss the now-chopped vegetables in the slowcooker, alongside the roast within, and setting the cuttingboard aside for now as they dismissed the shadowy knife they had been using.

When Omen burst into the kitchen proper though, Makoto and Kuro both couldn't help but jump a little nonetheless at the suddenness - even if they both expected the Wispmon's entrance. The older Renamon-X was more than happy to laugh this surprise off, though, as they turned towards Omen; kneeling down to her level, and opening their arms to offer a hug. "Well well well, I can see my favorite lil niece has come to visit," They'd muse out loud, a warm smile plain and visible on their face. "How're you doing, Omen darling? Have you been good, since we last saw each other?"

<Hello, Omen.> Kuro would gently greet Omen - its presence a familiar and welcoming warmth against the young kit's mind. Having had time to warm up to her, the shadow wasn't all too shy towards her anymore - it even felt a bit fond towards her, in the same way that Makoto did. <What brings you here?>

Makoto would be more than happy to catch Omen as needed - wrapping their arms around her, and cradling her close in a warm embrace. "That's good to hear, dear." They'd murmur to the little Wispmon - stroking the top of her head with one hand - in hearing that their niece was doing good. "It's nice to see you, darling; is it just me, or have you been growing big and strong?" It was a gentle and affectionate tease, paired with a light nuzzle from them.

But it wasn't only Omen who was here to visit - it looked like Mae would be here, too! "Thank you, darling." They'd mention to Mae with a warm smile. "The potroast will be for dinner later tonight - but both are you are more than welcome to attend, of course; there should be more than plenty in there to feed everyone, once it's ready." They made sure of that, after all; leftovers were always good to have, and potroast tended to reheat perfectly fine!

"There's no worries, though; slowcooker meals are easy, and can wait a minute when adorable darling nieces, and their dear mothers, come along~" With that, Makoto would set Omen down, and (playfully and gently) pinch at the Wispmon's cheeks, while smooshing them.

With the question of food though, as well as Omen being reminded to say 'please', the older Renamon-X couldn't help a gentle laugh. "That's a good girl, Omen dear - manners are good to have; saying please shows people that you appreciate the favor and effort you're asking of them." They'd praise the Wispmon, gently ruffling the top of her head, before standing up. "Since the potroast is for dinner, we'll have to wait a good bit for that to be ready - but I'm more than happy to make us some lunch in the meantime. What would either of you like to eat?"

Making food for everyone was of no issue to Makoto; they had been getting a bit peckish themself, anyways, and putting smiles on other peoples' faces was always good.

Makoto couldn't help but laugh warmly at the teasing and banter shared between mother and daughter - reaching a hand up to ruffle Omen's head, before setting down the Wispmon. "You can't be too sure; your mom might end up surprising you, if you two ever end up comparing Ultimate stage forms, or even Mega stage forms." They'd point out, smiling warmly at the youngster.

Of course, one could never say for sure how far a digimon will go until they actually reach those stages; and Makoto wasn't sure if they ever saw Mae past her Champion form. But, it never hurt to throw in a good-natured tease sometimes.

In the meantime though, there was the question of food - to which there was only one big request: no sandwiches! "Aww, what a shame - there's so much you can do with a sandwich, y'know." Makoto would tease Omen, with a warm chuckle. "But that's no problem; it shouldn't be too hard to figure out something else."

As Makoto began perusing through the kitchen for ideas, (Kuro sliding along the walls of the kitchen as it joined in the search,) they'd hum to themself - mentioning to Mae and Omen "Since we're in the Blossom Isles, most of the ingredients we have around here are typically things you'd expect to find in more Asian-oriented cuisine, particularly the sort of stuff you might find in the Human World's Japan, which is where Shibuya is. However, I do make sure to pick up other sorts of ingredients, just so we can have a variety." As if to prove their point, Makoto would nod towards the slowcooker, the potroast slowly cooking inside.

"As far as options go though, we could whip up something quick and easy with some rice or noodles if you want something freshly made, or do something like a soup - though that may take a little longer. There is also some leftover casserole in the fridge from the night before that I can heat up for all of us, as well." Glancing to Omen and Mae, Makoto would smile and conclude "If either of you have any suggestions or ideas though, I'm all ears."

"You'll never know - many digimon vary widely in size, after all, even if they're of the same species." Makoto would chuckle - a wry smile to their face as they knelt down before the little Wispmon. "Can't say for sure, until you see her as a Meicrackmon - or one of her later stages - for yourself; and even beyond that, it's good to be ready for whatever possibilities may come your way, darling."

"Possibilities, including.... THIS!" Suddenly, Makoto would begin to tickle at Omen, as they playfully growled "Ooga booga booga!" at the younger fox; how would Omen approach this sudden tickle attack?

Well, either way, Omen would eventually ask about them having some sushi then - to which Makoto would hum thoughtfully. "That'll take a little bit of time to make - but I can do sushi for all of us." They'd respond with a warm smile, adding in suggestion "Would you two like to help out, by taking a look through the pantry and fridge while I get the rice cooker going, and picking out any ingredients that might sound good in some sushi?"

It wasn't too hard to get the rice cooker set up on the counter, and it only took time for them to get the bag of sushi rice and actually get it going in the cooker - but as they worked, they'd mention "People usually put seafood of some form in their sushi - be it fish, or crab, or even stuff like eel or sea urchin. But, if you want me to try making something out of more oddball ingredients, feel free to suggest it to me and I'll let you know if I think I can make it work."

Now the only question was, what the mother-daughter duo would pick out for the sushi!

"But how can I, when you look so cute and precious, smiling and laughing like that~?" Makoto would tease right back; briefly and playfully pinching Omen's cheeks, before patting her on the head, and standing back up with a warm smile. "Besides; I think we both know that I can make you laugh at any time, without even laying a single finger on you." They'd add with a chuckle - wiggling a single claw in Omen's direction briefly, as if to convey the point.

(Makoto couldn't figure out why - but even when they were a kid, the 'pretend tickles' always tended to make them break out into laughter; and it seemed to work for just about any child, at that.)

But all that aside, it was time to get to work on figuring out some ingredients - and while Omen and Mae did pick out the main ingredients, Makoto would also pick out some general condiments and veggies and the like, that typically went into sushi - things such as cucumber and sesame seeds and spicy mayo. "Oooh, looks like you've got a good selection there, thank you darlings." Makoto would muse with a smile, as Mae set the two bags down on the counter. Might as well do a little bit of preparations, while the rice was still cooking!

Thus, Makoto would get out a few cutting boards, and would materialize a knife from Kuro's shadow, before getting to work chopping some of the fish, crab meat, and vegetables into proper portions for when it was time to put everything together. And as they worked, they'd smile over to Omen, mentioning "So you mentioned learning to digivolve outside of fights - do you think you'd be able to show me, Omen dear? I'd love to see how you've been progressing, on that front."

And glancing over to Mae, they'd also ask "I don't think we've ever had a chance to talk all that much, by the way - how've things been for you, Mae darling? Anything particularly exciting going on?" They could handle conversations with both individuals - and they didn't want Mae to feel left out at all, either.

As Omen expressed her desire for crab - and Mae mentioned her love for crab cakes - Makoto would chuckle, smiling warmly and nodding. "I'll make sure that your sushi has plenty of crab in it, then; how does that sound, Omen darling?" They'd offer - smiling warmly as they continued to prepare the ingredients. Hopefully, they'd be able to make plenty of sushi, that Omen and Mae both would be able to enjoy.

In the meantime though, Omen seemed excited over the subject of showing off her ability to digivolve on her own - and Makoto couldn't help a warm laugh, at the child's enthusiasm. "Well, let's take a look-see, then!" They'd muse as they watched Omen scurry to some open space - and as the little fox's inner flame enveloped her, it'd soon reshape her into Teumesmon! Makoto, however, would simply give Omen a sympathetic gaze at the mention of her not needing to say 'I'm ready to die.'

"I'm still sorry that you had to go through such a stressful situation then, dear - if I had had any control over the situation at that time, I would've kept you well out of harm's way." The Renamon-X would murmur, reaching out to pat Omen on the head once again. It didn't help that they had - at the time - thought that Omen was already able to reach Champion, given the mission's initial requirements. "But nonetheless, I'm happy to see you be so excited, over this - your Champion form is quite impressive, Omen darling. How's Nanami been, since we last met?"

And Mae, meanwhile, would talk about general busywork in Luminas, as well, as keeping up with her two daughters. "If you ever need help with looking after either of them, I'm more than happy to lend a hand, Mae darling." Makoto offered, adding "I'm more than happy to be a family friend for you all; and us being in the same team means keeping in touch shouldn't be too tough."

As far as how things have been with them, though... "Ahhh... If I'll be honest, not much has been going on, since the Crystal Tyrant mission." Makoto chuckled softly. "I've mainly been taking it easy, and continuing with my general travels, while coming either back home or here on an occasion to relax and socialize with friends. Perhaps I ought to find myself some excitement, sometime soon?" Chuckling jokingly, they'd add "Perhaps it'd even help take a couple of those earth-rending occurrences off your shoulders, depending."