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Entry tags:
- !event,
- baroque: koriel xii (dextera),
- bastard!!: dark schneider,
- black butler: sebastian michaelis,
- ennead: set,
- expanse (the): amos burton,
- fire emblem: byleth eisner,
- fire emblem: claude von riegan,
- fire emblem: dimitri a. blaiddyd,
- genshin impact: tartaglia (childe),
- genshin impact: zhongli,
- granblue fantasy: eustace,
- jinba: hayame,
- legend of zelda (the): link,
- made in abyss: bondrewd,
- magnus archives (the): the archivist,
- marvel: gamora,
- oc: liem talbott,
- star wars: cassian andor,
- star wars: jyn erso,
- trigun maximum: vash the stampede
The Seeds of Unrest: the Iconoclast Oracle
RUNNING OUT THE CLOCK
The situation is bleak.
The Blight - and the massive labyrinth of roots tearing both cities asunder, spreading deadly flowers wherever they penetrate - have progressed to a point beyond catastrophe. People are dying in rapid numbers. Bearers are having difficulty keeping up with the spread of infection - even among one another. The collapse of Kenos seems inevitable; a cure will not come in time. You can do nothing but watch as each new day brings further disaster, ticking down the seconds until it all falls apart.
And then, you feel something seize your Shard. As if physical fingers have wrapped around it, as if it is being clutched through you by invisible hands, you feel invaded. You feel wronged. But before you can panic, a voice enters your mind through Communion.
“Excuse the dramatics, but there isn’t much time for pleasantries. The Trees are about to hit the point of no return. But there's still work to be done. The Tree of Life will take you where you can find it: the Oracle and the creature causing all this mess. Fix this when you find them. However you'd like.”
Have you heard Aetos’ voice before? Perhaps it is the first time; perhaps it is familiar to you. Either way, the last thing you will remember is a confusing jumble: a spell of immense and incredible power, one utilizing the Tree’s strength to shelter you. The sensation of every cell in your body coming alive, yet seeming to break apart and render you into billions and billions of tiny pieces, all hovering in different times and places across all the different iterations, timelines, and realities in which you have ever existed. A voice that speaks not through words asking your forgiveness, unspeakably sad.
And then, there is nothing.
The Blight - and the massive labyrinth of roots tearing both cities asunder, spreading deadly flowers wherever they penetrate - have progressed to a point beyond catastrophe. People are dying in rapid numbers. Bearers are having difficulty keeping up with the spread of infection - even among one another. The collapse of Kenos seems inevitable; a cure will not come in time. You can do nothing but watch as each new day brings further disaster, ticking down the seconds until it all falls apart.
And then, you feel something seize your Shard. As if physical fingers have wrapped around it, as if it is being clutched through you by invisible hands, you feel invaded. You feel wronged. But before you can panic, a voice enters your mind through Communion.
“Excuse the dramatics, but there isn’t much time for pleasantries. The Trees are about to hit the point of no return. But there's still work to be done. The Tree of Life will take you where you can find it: the Oracle and the creature causing all this mess. Fix this when you find them. However you'd like.”
Have you heard Aetos’ voice before? Perhaps it is the first time; perhaps it is familiar to you. Either way, the last thing you will remember is a confusing jumble: a spell of immense and incredible power, one utilizing the Tree’s strength to shelter you. The sensation of every cell in your body coming alive, yet seeming to break apart and render you into billions and billions of tiny pieces, all hovering in different times and places across all the different iterations, timelines, and realities in which you have ever existed. A voice that speaks not through words asking your forgiveness, unspeakably sad.
And then, there is nothing.
AWAKENING
Your eyes open, gritty with the feeling of a long, deep slumber.
Perhaps it takes a moment to shake off the heavy veil of exhaustion, to recollect what you were doing before you fell into this state of hibernation - but as soon as you do, you feel an immediate sense of foreboding around you. It is thick in the air, oppressive and pervasive, and you aren’t left long to wonder at its source. You lay beneath the branches of the Tree of Life, but as your bleary eyes focus… you see it. The Tree is all but bereft of life. Its bark has withered down to gnarled wood, the soft lichen dried up, and the grass that should be alive beneath you is long dead and gone. There is not so much as a single leaf on its decaying branches.
It has been this way for a long, long time... you realize this with a feeling of intense dread as you see it - the beautiful expanse of stars, of the cosmos, of universes scattered like starlight above the tree's boughs, gone. In its place hangs a sickly, ominously low-hanging, and dying sun ready to sing the end of everything.
You can't help but wonder how long Kenos has been in this state, but a sense of gratitude fills you as you realize that the Tree expended the last of its energies to protect you, the Bearers, during your state of rest. Had Aetos worked with the tree to see you sent here?
The next question comes quickly: how much time do you have left…? And can you find the Oracle before that time expires?
Perhaps it takes a moment to shake off the heavy veil of exhaustion, to recollect what you were doing before you fell into this state of hibernation - but as soon as you do, you feel an immediate sense of foreboding around you. It is thick in the air, oppressive and pervasive, and you aren’t left long to wonder at its source. You lay beneath the branches of the Tree of Life, but as your bleary eyes focus… you see it. The Tree is all but bereft of life. Its bark has withered down to gnarled wood, the soft lichen dried up, and the grass that should be alive beneath you is long dead and gone. There is not so much as a single leaf on its decaying branches.
It has been this way for a long, long time... you realize this with a feeling of intense dread as you see it - the beautiful expanse of stars, of the cosmos, of universes scattered like starlight above the tree's boughs, gone. In its place hangs a sickly, ominously low-hanging, and dying sun ready to sing the end of everything.
You can't help but wonder how long Kenos has been in this state, but a sense of gratitude fills you as you realize that the Tree expended the last of its energies to protect you, the Bearers, during your state of rest. Had Aetos worked with the tree to see you sent here?
The next question comes quickly: how much time do you have left…? And can you find the Oracle before that time expires?
ABANDON HOPE (DAYS 1 & 2)
The cornerstones are still active and will take you to whichever city you wish to see.
Highstorm and Springstar sit like empty monuments to the cities that were once filled with life - yet the first thing you will notice is they are strangely absent the signs of the Tree’s overgrown roots, the Blight, the catastrophic damage that you can recall all too easily. Instead, each city sits as those they were summarily abandoned overnight, leaving nothing but their shells behind. There is a stillness in the air that is unnatural and unsettling. Despite the lack of any sign of the citizens of either city, you cannot help but feel… watched.
Something terrible happened here. Best you find the Oracle before something terrible finds you, instead.
The burning of a dying sun beats down on you wherever you go, unbearable heat sending waves off the aged cobblestone streets. Perhaps it is your instinct to seek refuge in the shade - but linger too long about the shadows and that feeling of eyes on your back, of being unable to breathe, of your world closing in around you will grow untenable and drive you back into the light. If you hope to explore the ghostly shell of your city in search of the Oracle - or to sate your curiosity, some problem-solving might be in order.
And while you acclimate yourself to your circumstances, you cannot help but note you feel wrong inside, somehow…
Highstorm and Springstar sit like empty monuments to the cities that were once filled with life - yet the first thing you will notice is they are strangely absent the signs of the Tree’s overgrown roots, the Blight, the catastrophic damage that you can recall all too easily. Instead, each city sits as those they were summarily abandoned overnight, leaving nothing but their shells behind. There is a stillness in the air that is unnatural and unsettling. Despite the lack of any sign of the citizens of either city, you cannot help but feel… watched.
Something terrible happened here. Best you find the Oracle before something terrible finds you, instead.
The burning of a dying sun beats down on you wherever you go, unbearable heat sending waves off the aged cobblestone streets. Perhaps it is your instinct to seek refuge in the shade - but linger too long about the shadows and that feeling of eyes on your back, of being unable to breathe, of your world closing in around you will grow untenable and drive you back into the light. If you hope to explore the ghostly shell of your city in search of the Oracle - or to sate your curiosity, some problem-solving might be in order.
And while you acclimate yourself to your circumstances, you cannot help but note you feel wrong inside, somehow…
EXPLORATION
- If your characters choose to explore previously unreachable areas, please use THIS TOPLEVEL to report when they get there in the thread! We will get back to you with what is discoverable in that location.
- The following areas are off limits for exploration: below Yima’s Manor; below the Church of Heliopolis; Alenroux; Kowloon.
- The Great Trees of both Highstorm and Springstar are in a similar state to the Tree of Life and will not respond to Communion.
- Generally speaking, items will be of poor quality. Most will look as though they’ve aged thousands of years. Others will be in half-decent shape, but sparingly so. Oddly enough, it doesn’t seem like the whole city has aged at the same rate, so especially diligent rummagers can find worthwhile supplies. Please consider this should be rare and don’t go overboard!
NOTES
Here are some prompt reminders - see the full thing at the OOC Summary!- Characters will have a diluted connection to the Zenith or Meridian.
- There will be periods powers are weakened or non-functional during days 1-2 (up to player discretion).
- The sunlight results in scorching; the shadows cause claustrophobia and fear while outdoors.
THE RITUAL (DAYS 2+)
The place you started your journey to Kenos is also where it seems it will end. As soon as the first Bearer makes contact with the Iconoclast effigy, you are collectively drawn to the roots beneath the Tree - like a pang sent through your Shard. Your objective has been found. The Oracle awaits.
Trusting Aetos seems like a fool's errand, but you must put your hope in the Tree. What choice do you have left? It's time to find what lies at the end of this.
Bearers descend, your steps echoing in the dark, cavernous space. Once brimming with life and vitality, the roots are now dried and brittle like the bones of some ancient leviathan that died long ago. As you make their way deeper into the earth, the deadened roots twist, leading you to a vast chamber deep within it; the air here is thick with the smell of decay, and the faint glow of luminescent fungi and mosses barely illuminates the space.
To your left, the Bearers will notice what has drawn them here - and the object of their search.
An effigy sits on the ground between two darkened tunnels. The effigy is made of gnarled, dead branches woven together in a humanoid shape; its hollow, empty eyes are sightless, yet you cannot help but feel it is watching your every move. Branded on its forehead is the Iconoclast symbol carved into the rough wood.
Once all Bearers are present, the Ritual will begin. Your means of exit have been sealed off, and you are trapped, slowly deteriorating together…
Trusting Aetos seems like a fool's errand, but you must put your hope in the Tree. What choice do you have left? It's time to find what lies at the end of this.
Bearers descend, your steps echoing in the dark, cavernous space. Once brimming with life and vitality, the roots are now dried and brittle like the bones of some ancient leviathan that died long ago. As you make their way deeper into the earth, the deadened roots twist, leading you to a vast chamber deep within it; the air here is thick with the smell of decay, and the faint glow of luminescent fungi and mosses barely illuminates the space.
To your left, the Bearers will notice what has drawn them here - and the object of their search.
An effigy sits on the ground between two darkened tunnels. The effigy is made of gnarled, dead branches woven together in a humanoid shape; its hollow, empty eyes are sightless, yet you cannot help but feel it is watching your every move. Branded on its forehead is the Iconoclast symbol carved into the rough wood.
Once all Bearers are present, the Ritual will begin. Your means of exit have been sealed off, and you are trapped, slowly deteriorating together…
NOTES
- Bearers will have access to the Ritual Chamber which is a very wide, open space with the effigy situated against the far wall from the entrance. Several smaller tunnels off-shoot from the Ritual Chamber. They all run to dead ends; some are very small or narrow. This may afford you meager privacy away from the group.
- Once a Bearer steps into the Chamber, they can no longer head back out the way they came. They’ll find themselves automatically walking back into the Chamber as if of their own volition.
- For brevity’s sake we won’t list them out again here, but the complete description of effects Bearers will experience days 2+ is available in the OOC Summary.
- The effigy is impervious to damage.
- It Is Watching You.
- In a dead-end root tunnel attached to the Iconoclast’s Chamber is the Blighted statue of an Otter that may be familiar to some… Please see THIS TOPLEVEL for more information!
THE PURGE (DAYS 5+)
The sap has festered in your veins for what feels like days. It’s impossible to tell how much time has passed; this place has no sunlight. The effigy watches as you remain trapped, huddled together around it, unable to leave as you find yourself sick with the affliction of the Meridian, Zenith - or both.
And then… something finally gives.
Though it does not move and speaks no words, you feel the effigy offering you guidance. Knowledge. Much like the Tree speaks to you in impressions and feelings, you are conveyed wisdom you did not have before: a way to take what you want and rid yourself of what you do not. A way to make your convictions known to all who would hear them. A way to be known. To write your path in blood, be it yours… or theirs.
When all is said and done, only one force - Zenith or Meridian - will gain its favor.
Show it who you are. Show it what resolve looks like to you - and what you are willing to do to attain it.
And then… something finally gives.
Though it does not move and speaks no words, you feel the effigy offering you guidance. Knowledge. Much like the Tree speaks to you in impressions and feelings, you are conveyed wisdom you did not have before: a way to take what you want and rid yourself of what you do not. A way to make your convictions known to all who would hear them. A way to be known. To write your path in blood, be it yours… or theirs.
When all is said and done, only one force - Zenith or Meridian - will gain its favor.
Show it who you are. Show it what resolve looks like to you - and what you are willing to do to attain it.
NOTES
Here are some prompt reminders - see the full thing at the OOC Summary!- You can Purge your alignment through various methods: Trading, Corrupting, or using the Effigy itself.
- All characters will understand the end goal is for everyone to Harmonize; the alignment with the higher rate of Harmonized Bearers alive when time’s up wins the Oracle’s favor.
NOTES
- A reminder that the Harmonization tally will take place on Friday, the 19th and be open through Monday, the 29th. The results will be released on Wednesday, the 31st OOCly.
- Don’t forget to submit any deaths to the Death Tracker, with a gentle reminder characters will remain dead until the event conclusion!
- Reminder to fill out the SETTING POLL ASAP if you haven't already!
- Have some MUSIC if you'd like. LYRICS here!
- HAVE FUN!!
no subject
I doubt any of Golarion's deserts could prove fiercer.
[Taldor had a rather mild, warm climate, but he can't imagine any normal desert proving more punishing than this unnatural, unsetting sun. Though, as they make their way towards a fork in the road ahead, he shakes his head slightly within his hood.]
No… not this cloak. [He would love to have a cloak imbued with magic against the sun; most of his garb back home had been imbued with magic of some kind of another. But he has found that such craftsmanship seems to be a rarity here. Unfortunately, Liem's current cloak is only expensive — not magical.] I was speaking of the spell that I often use to shield myself from daylight. It seems to shred apart after only a short while in direct sun.
[Which is… sort of the exact thing that spell is not meant to do.]
no subject
Oh— [ She makes a little noise of surprise, but also interest, since she hasn’t heard of a spell like that!
bc it’s bespoke] Well, that’s no good at all! I’ve seen people having trouble with the sun, but vaya, you’re very sensitive![ There is definitely sympathy in her voice as she says it, especially since it’s kind of her domain! She feels like she should be able to help! Though even normally, there’s not much she could actually do to tell the sun to leave Liem alone, alas… ]
Well, it's not much, but I'll come with you so you can at least be in my shadow! It's the least I can do, since the sun doesn't bother me nearly as much... I could even try and materialize my cloak for you if you want! It's not anything special for the sun, but it is magic, technically!
no subject
Thank you. I am, yes — but, I think just your shade will suffice perfectly.
[Some of the strain leaves him as they leave the shadows of the commercial street behind them, exchanging the strangling gloom for the sun's merciless glare. He has kept to the shadows more and more as he's made his explorations of the abandoned city, and the oppressive feeling of being watched has begun to fray terribly at his nerves. To spend even a few minutes out of that shade without being subject to the blood-red daylight of this place is a blessing worthy of a Divinity.
Coincidentally, as they pause briefly in the intersection so Liem can turn to her, Quetzalcoatl's shadow does more than just shelter him from the sun. Despite the sun's position in the sky throwing long shadows from everything in sight, his own conspicuous lack is obscured by the shade that the god casts over him.]
My home should be his way.
[He points down one fork in the road, the direction of which places the sun directly behind them, with few usable shadows cast by any of the buildings. This means that Quetz will need to follow behind Liem to continue acting as his parasol, but in happier news—]
You're welcome to come in, once we get there. I have no idea what condition it will be in, but you're welcome to all the hospitality I'm able to provide, should you wish to stay.
no subject
…Though, running into that consideration again makes her think that she should really pursue a Master, maybe. A problem for later, regardless, since the thought is almost immediately gone as Liem mentions his home. ]
Oh!! Yes, I would love to see your home!
[ She is gladly his sunshade as they head into the bright street, and she seems nothing short of delighted by the invitation. ]
You don’t have to worry about hospitality, no, since I don’t have a gift to offer you in return right now either! [ She laughs, but also much more seriously makes a mental note to herself to remember to bring him one when this is all done. Which, it will be. Definitely. Her optimism might be Cope, don’t worry about it! ] I’ll just be honored to see it, yes!
no subject
Nonetheless, just as he'd felt the need to at least offer some semblance of a proper welcome, he's still pleased by the thoughtfulness involved in considering a gift for hospitality. Whenever they next have time, he'd certainly love to invite Quetzalcoatl over and serve her tea and snacks on his fancy china.]
Well, let us just hope it's where I'm expecting it to be. I'd be rather embarrassed if we arrived at the address to find it had been replaced with a tenement house.
[Given the rate at which property gets bought and redeveloped in Springstar, he wouldn't be surprised if this were the case — especially since it's not clear to him how this version of Springstar came to be this way. They walk for a while, making their way past cramped townhouses and low-rise apartment buildings jostling for space.
But when they arrive at the lot where Liem's home belongs, the elegant townhouse is right there to greet them, albeit in rather decrepit condition, all peeling paint and dirty windows. Liem tuts quietly in disapproval, though it's only to be expected. The house's neighbours are no better off.]
This is it, [he proclaims. Removing a shiny brass key from a pocket, he fits it into the front door's lock — and, with a grunt as he forces the disused mechanism to turn, he succeeds in pushing it open, revealing a gloomy, still and silent interior.] Welcome to my temporary home — or what remains of it.
no subject
[ She says it with a merry laugh, though she’s not sure if she ever would seek her own spot anyways. Honestly, it feels a bit weird to consider! If she made a place her “home” it would surely be a temple in her honor. Otherwise, staying in Heliopolis to be its protector felt right.
As they approach, Quetzalcoatl is taking in the surroundings with interest. For one, the way that Springstar styles itself is just always neat, but more importantly, she wants to remember where his house is so she can come back without problem! As such, she makes a delighted noise when he points out the townhouse, and while he unlocks the door, she takes her time to look around and try and memorize the surroundings. ]
It's very pretty! I’ll imagine it all nice and fixed up, of course, but with that, I feel like it suits you!
[ It’s in a way that she can’t fully explain, but just a sense that it’s fitting for him. Even moreso when they step inside, and she nods as she looks around. Though with a light ah, she laughs and dips into a graceful bow. Clearly, she’s remembering her manners, so even if things are looking a little rough, she’s still happy to have been invited! ]
¡Gracias por recibirme! [ It’s not a bow that’s held for long, though, since she straightens and starts to (nosily) peer into a few rooms curiously. ] I bet it's normally very clean, yes? You strike me as a very neat person!
no subject
And yet, despite the dusty and deteriorated state of his home, it's impossible to miss the way Liem's face lights up when Quetzalcoatl compliments it, or when they step inside and he sees the interior of the home still intact, just as he'd left it. It truly is like a little piece of home for him: something to remind him of the place and the people he loves while he has to be away from them.]
You are gracious to say so.
[Given the proclivities of his sun-aspected guest, Liem goes to a wide front-facing window and draws back one layer of crumbling curtains, letting dull red light filter through the thinner, translucent curtains beneath to illuminate the space. The dying sun's muted light reveals a beautiful, painstakingly arranged sitting room now faded beneath a layer of dust, but largely protected from the ravages of the sun thanks to Liem's habit of leaving his home shrouded in darkness. This place has been as dark as a tomb since the last time he set foot inside it.]
I do like to keep a tidy house, yes. Though realistically, I haven't spent enough time here to accumulate much clutter.
[Hefting the bag of scavenged supplies on his shoulder, Liem glances deeper into the house, past a modest dining area, where gloom swallows a kitchen that fills the rear of this floor.]
I found enough supplies to put together a meal, if you're hungry.
[He'd made sure to locate a cake of reasonably trustworthy soap, too, because gods know nothing in here is clean enough to eat off of anymore. In ideal circumstances he'd want to deep-clean the entire place, but they all have more pressing things to worry about right now than the tidiness of their temporary living spaces.
Besides, he has barely enough energy right now to tackle cooking. Cleaning up this ruin is definitely beyond him.]
Unless you're more interested in rest right now.
no subject
Well, then! I’ll help you collect a little clutter once we’re back, yes! A home full of things that make you smile is the best!
[ She’s warm in her teasing, but also perfectly serious… She’s never had a home of her own exactly, but if she did? Every inch of it would be decorated with gifts from others and things that make her smile. Though as she starts to wander into one room, Liem offers a meal, and she perks up maybe a little too enthusiastically. She laughs, realizing it, just a little bit sheepish, but still warm. ]
Oh… I would never turn down a meal! I have to admit that I need to eat more as a Servant, yes…! But don’t worry yourself about it, okay? Or, no, no, if you’re cooking, let me help!
[ That seems like a good, happy medium to her, so she nods enthusiastically. ]
You’ll have to tell me what to do a little bit, but I’d love to learn!
no subject
I'd welcome your assistance.
[It is an acknowledgement in response both to that first offer, and to her suggestion that she help cook. For the moment, Liem places her divinity out of his mind — well, no, he can't really do that. But he sets it aside a little bit, as he leads her further into the house and opens up another set of curtains to reveal a worn but still serviceable kitchen. Because, diverting as he finds it to cook by himself, Liem learned to cook at the insistence and determined instruction of a good friend, and despite the decades and worlds that have removed that person from his life, he still loves the simple pleasure of cooking with another person.]
Though — there's really nothing for it.
[He sets his bag of pilfered supplies down on the dusty countertop, fishes out some soap, and sets it down next to the sink. The faucet might not work, but he doesn't need it. Even at a fraction of his normal magical ability, he can still summon the water to rinse out the basin, and then once it's plugged, begin to fill the whole thing.]
We're going to need to do the dishes first. [Still in the midst of conjuring, he gestures towards a cupboard with his other hand. He has a few things gathered from the city, but they may as well take stock of what's available here as well.] Might you check to see if any of mine are still serviceable?
no subject
¡Lindo, lindo! I love your kitchen!
[ She nods, but with a happy little ah, she heads over to the directed cabinet. Quetzalcoatl starts looking through the cabinets and picking up what’s inside as she inspects them. They’re largely not great, unfortunately, but when there’s one that looks serviceable, she pulls it out and sets it on the counter for Liem to be the secondary inspector. ]
You know, I haven’t cooked very much at all! Maybe that’s not a surprise, but I’ve always thought it looked fun! There are a few things that I granted to humanity that they loved cooking with, but it wasn’t often I had a chance to try it.
[ It looks like there will at least be enough for just the two of them, if only barely, based on what she’s pulling out. ]
Is there something in particular you really like cooking?
no subject
Eventually, he's filled the sink suitably for his purpose, and he goes about washing the weathered dishes in the conjured water. What he'd do without his spell, he doesn't quite know. Go in search of the nearest town well, perhaps?]
There is a certain pleasure to it, to be sure.
[Some people he's tried to sell on cooking (cough Gen cough) stubbornly resisted his attempts to present it as an enjoyable pastime, but he senses an easy convert in Quetzalcoatl — though whether she'll have enough interest to ever do it on her own remains to be seen.]
Pies are the popular dish in my country. Savoury ones for meals and accompaniments, as well as dessert pies. I enjoy the process that goes into making them.
[Of course, they won't be able to make one now. He hasn't been that lucky with his search for ingredients, and besides, it would simply take too long. A simple stew is probably the best they're going to be able to do at the moment.]
Perhaps I'll make you one later, when we've finished here. [No sense thinking about what might happen if they aren't successful in their current mission.] Do you have a favourite food, ma'am?
no subject
Oh, yes, I’ve liked pies!! I had both kinds you’re talking about in Springstar, the savory and sweet, and they were both very good! Though I’m still getting used to sweets, I have to admit! My lands didn’t have sugar, so it’s still a surprising taste. So, if you do, savory please! I’d hate for you to do so much hard work and for it to be too much for me…
[ She laughs, and though she doesn’t tell the story, the tone of her laugh makes it clear she’s remembering a little mishap with it. Pies weren’t so bad, since fruits are expected, but a cupcake had been overpoweringly so. It’s something she clearly takes with good humor, though. ]
So, it might be funny for me to say after that, but I love spicy food the most! My favorite food for a long time has been tamales with a good chili sauce, but the more I try in Springstar, ay, I’m loving eating from all kinds of places! The other day I tried a curry from India, and it made me really sweat, so I loved it!
[ And with the dishes put away, she’ll just watch how Liem watches the dishes for a moment, since she’ll help with that too! …Once she knows how, at least. The Throne of Heroes may give Servants enough information to not be totally lost when being summoned, but washing dishes was definitely not included as pertinent information. ]
To be honest, it’s actually very fun to be able to try all kinds of things… Usually I’m way too busy to just, I don’t know, kind of just live how normal people do!
no subject
Well to be truthful, I'm not especially fond of sweet foods either. They can be a bit cloying.
[Spoken by the man who takes his food as bland and tasteless as he can get it. Somehow, although he's spent decades nurturing a love of cooking, food is still just nutrients to him.
He notes the attention that Quetz pays to his current task once she's finished putting the other dishes away. Taking a moment to be a touch more demonstrative with his technique, he offers to let her take over his position, shifting aside so that he can rinse off the washed dishes and prop them nearby to dry.]
Spicy food doesn't tend to agree with me either… But it is nice to try new things, and find out a little about the places and cultures they came from.
no subject
[ Which might be a little silly and she knows it, but it’s also a good reason to keep trying all kinds of things. With how much people seem to like sweets too, it seems worth it, at least a little!
She makes a quietly content noise as Liem offers the dishwashing position to her, and dutifully she’ll take it. Luckily, she’s at least competent in following along with the task as Liem had been. She may be a few steps removed from humanity and simple, mundane concerns, but she still respects the day-to-day life of people deeply. She may be a god, but there’s no shame in washing dishes just like anyone else. ]
Hmm, but no sweets and no spice… So, what kind of food is your favorite, then?
no subject
After a moment, he decides just to be as honest as possible.]
Food that I made with someone else is always nice, regardless of what it is. I have trouble enjoying the taste of most foods, so the process of making it is what I tend to enjoy most.
[Cooking with another person is always a companionable experience, he finds, even if all they're doing is roasting game over a campfire. There is something a little intimate about eating with someone else, and in the ritual of preparing for a meal. So, although he finds it difficult to get excited about most foods, he still appreciates an invitation to take a meal together.]
Otherwise, I mostly prefer things that aren't too strongly flavoured. Although… sometimes, when I'm feeling well, I do branch out a little.
[He sets one last dish down to dry, and moves over to the bag of scavenged goods on the counter to begin setting things out. Given the ingredients he was able to gather, the meal they make likely won't taste especially exciting, but he's confident that it will still at least taste fine… to his companion, at least.]
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[ She’s surprised, since while Liem may not look human, he looks human enough, at least to her. Plus, vampires in her universe are, uh. Different. Luckily for me, I’m fairly sure she wouldn’t know about them, so I get to skip a chunk of insane lore, hooray. ]
Well, then that’s all the nicer of you to enjoy cooking! It means you enjoy the social part, yes?
[ Or just being helpful, but they’re hardly mutually exclusive. In fact, considering the domains of Liem’s god, his enjoyment of being helpful would almost go without saying, she figures. It’s hard to imagine someone drawn to worship that wouldn’t. Though there’s another little thing she latches onto to ask about while she finishes up the last dish. ]
Do you usually not feel well, Liem?
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[He doesn’t really need the pocket change at this point, especially considering many of the people who attend his classes pay by saying, Come by my shop! You can get something on the house, or by offering to teach him something in return. But he likes teaching, and the habit is one that he looks forward to most weeks, unless he’s simply too busy to spare the time.]
I used to feel unwell very often, before I was brought here. Almost all the time.
[Turning to regard his wood stove, he discovers that the iron has corroded badly enough that it would probably be a fire hazard to try to use it. There’s still the hearth, though; he steps over to it and crouches down so he can start getting a fire together.]
Less so, of late. Though it helps when I can stay out of the sun.
[So, he does admittedly feel about as bad as he looks, after his trek through the city.]
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[ Of course she’s delighted by his dedication, since though they’re not her primary domains, they’re still ones all the same. This Abadar god is so lucky to have Liem as a follower, she thinks! Dutiful, kind, and giving… A god couldn’t ask for better!
…Not that he would be fitting to be one of her priests, technically. But! Also technically, she hasn’t had one for a long time, so it’s probably freer to be whatever she designated it as, right? It’s just an idle thought (she’s not seriously going to steal him away) at least, and with that, she’s finished with the dishes, so she’ll set them aside with a proud little nod. One basic task, accomplished! ]
Mm, I’m sorry to hear that you were unwell so often, though… It’s good that Kenos is better! But still, it’s hard to go through things when you’re feeling bad. Especially if it's because of the sun! That's, well, hard to avoid! Unless you're in Highstorm, I guess, but that place is demasiado lúgubre.
[ A much more serious thought is that she’ll have to look into finding him a gift to help with that once they’re back to Kenos-proper. To her, that’s a certainty, even if she doesn’t know how they’ll end up doing that just yet. ]