I saw Mommy kissing Samba-Claus (KISS BINGO EDITION) 💋🌿

[beleos]

QIASU (HIGHSTORM)

On December 15th, the marker of the latter half of Takiltu, Kenos comes together to celebrate unity and togetherness, to come together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time. This celebration is an amalgamation of many worlds’ winter festivals, and as such, is known in the two cities as the Year’s End Festival, or Qiasu as Highstorm calls it.

This part of Takiltu is when Highstorm truly starts to hit winter. Snow is a frequent occurrence, but it’s one that the city welcomes, since with the snow comes a few of the most beloved traditions of the city. By far the most popular is heading to Greenwood Yards. The gardens themselves may be either dormant or showing their simpler winter gardens, but you may have noticed an area by the bathhouses left in surprising amount of disrepair… This is because during the winter months, this area fills up with a natural outdoor hot spring! Take a swim under the moonlight, and even explore some of those ruined old manors, now with their first floors warmly flooded. It’s a tradition to bring in your favorite drinks and spend an evening sipping it in a parlor with friends, and to make new ones by sharing your drinks. Of course, do watch out for the ghosts. They’re mischievous more than malicious, but this is their favorite time of the year too!

You can also head to the Great Tree, which is decorated for the season with glittering glass orbs and is the current roost for the pale Moonbugs of Highstorm. Write a wish on a slip of paper and hold out your hands, and one of the Moonbugs will come sit within them. Whisper the wish to the Moonbug and it’ll take the paper and fly away to find someone to fulfill it. Of course, this also means that a Moonbug is likely to come find you! Besides it being good karma to fulfill the wish, you’ll be given a brief vision of the person whose wish you fulfilled and be blessed by the tree for the duration of the month depending upon your Aspect:

• Advocate: People are more likely to buy you meals/rounds and every recipe you make turns out perfectly.
• Exalt: Animals seem to think more kindly of you, and you'll find them much easier to befriend.
• Harbinger: You're given a more silver tongue as your arguments seem to be better at persuading people.
• Iconoclast: You won't be effected by cold weather in any way.
• Savant: You heal much more rapidly from any injury and are generally the very picture of health.
• Stargazer: Your indulgences (whatever they may be) are both easier to find and are of higher quality.

And of course, there’s one more well-known practice in Highstorm, though it’s more of a tradition of Kowloon’s… The Gävle family is a well-known family who has lived in Highstorm for a long time, and they brought a tradition of building a festive Yule goat made straw in the square outside of their businesses. However, it also happens to be outside of Yura Szczepanski’s home. He’ll never do it himself, of course, but if you manage to burn it down? He’ll reward you, obviously. It doesn’t make it any more legal, so those that try generally spend some time in a Highstorm jail, but it’s an enshrined enough practice at this point that not only has it burned down more often than it’s survived, but there’s even a betting pool in Kowloon for whether it survives or not.

Of course, if these traditions aren’t quite your vibe, you’ll also find the city just generally set up for a metropolitan winter. The Antiques & Baubles Market is rearranged to make room for a large ice-skating rink, Tasseography (the coffeeshop by the Tomes) has a seasonal special for a hot chocolate that will fortify you from the cold for a few hours (and make you fire resistant? Weird,), and the city also hosts a full-size gingerbread house that you can indeed take a bite from, to name a few things. Generally speaking, if it’s something you could do in a snowy city at home, you’ll probably find an equivalent somewhere in the city of moonlight.

Be warned, however, if you are visiting from out of town. Highstorm's reception seems just a touch bit chiller than the weather!

YEAR'S END FESTIVAL (SPRINGSTAR)

Springstar will never turn down a chance to celebrate, but eternally Highstorm’s opposite, this is the warmest time of year. With the sun always shining, some days can get near sweltering, but that just means you have a different set of traditions to have fun with it!

The ivy-like vines that decorated the city in the beginning of the month (November) are now in full bloom, and you’re now likely to learn why the Meri consider them sacred. Wherever the flowers bloom, they encourage feelings of warmth and slightly higher inclination for physical contact within those that encounter their magical pollen*. Holding hands with someone by the flowers will give you feelings of liveliness and happiness, and for a few hours, the positive traits of the person you’re holding hands with become more prominent in you and vice versa. These effects do linger a bit longer, since for a month, you’ll also find that being around this person also gives you both a little boost in energy. It’s very sweet! This also comes with a bit of a further game, if you’re at all a frequenter of Psychagogía...

Madame Dee’s hosts a very popular competition simply called Kiss Bingo. Approach the booth set-up outside the brothel and touch your Shard to a special card, and names will appear upon it. From there, the rules are simple. Just give that person a kiss! It can be on their hand, their lips, their [redacted], all of it counts, and once you do, a little kiss mark will mark their name out. Get a bingo, and you can pick from a variety of prizes such as a ticket for a week’s worth of visits at a local buffet, a shopping spree at a nearby store, or a box seat for a day at the Coliseum. Of course, if you’re really an overachiever, fill out the whole card to get multiple prizes. Madame Dee might just give you a job!

With the promise of home that the Meri deeply believe in, they have their own gifting tradition. The Shard-Bearers know best that it’s possible to receive gifts from the Timestream, and for Year’s End, it’s tradition for the Tribune to pull out all the stops. For a week of the Festival, the Tribune works just outside of Heliopolis, and with the help of priests from the Church of Helios, reaches into the Timestream to produce a gift for anyone that comes to ask. This year, however, he's asked Quetzalcoatl and Samba's elves to deliver gifts, but you might not get anything you asked for (or maybe you did!) but they're all gifts the timestream spit out!

On rainy days (or simply the unbearably hot ones), you can also go to Starlight Park, which offers a reprieve from the weather. Inside the dome, you’ll find a idyllic, snowy valley where you can partake in all the natural joys of winter. There’s (highly) competitive snowball fights, sledding, and skiing to partake in, though you might be cautioned away from one slope. Head down that course and about halfway down, you’ll be chased by… a yeti? Luckily it doesn’t seem to be able to harm you, but it’s still shockingly fast and will catch you no matter how quickly you ski. You can also spend a bit of money to rent a yurt along the river for a relaxing and exceptionally cozy glamping experience. Some Yurts are even adorned with the sacred vines. You know, for no reason.

You’ll also find the Meri heading away from the city of Springstar a bit to head down to some of the beaches that surround Springstar. Being an island within an Island (capital ‘I’ meaning the Kenos kind of island), Takiltu is the traditional start of Springstar’s summer season and all the fun that comes with that. The beaches are bustling, but the cool and crystal-clear waters of the ocean surrounding the city make it worthwhile. Surfing, diving, and sailing are popular activities, but just make sure to stay within sight of the shore. It doesn’t take too long to hit the end of the Island and sailing outside the magical barrier that keeps Springstar floating in Kenos’s starscape generally isn’t survivable.

Just be mindful, if you're trying to escape Highstorm's chill for some summer fun, as attitudes are shifting toward bearers in general, and it might not be as easy as it once was.

NOTES

Weather summary for the second 30 days of Takiltu (NOV & DEC):

• Highstorm is out of fall and into winter. While there are some milder days, snow (and heavy snow at that!) is getting more common.
• Springstar is hot and humid, and it's not uncommon for brief thunderstorms to roll through in the afternoon.

Notable city changes:

• Both cities have experienced changing attitudes toward shard-bearers. You will need to be mindful if you want to travel to a city that doesn't house your faction, as things might not be as easy when it comes to getting around.
• Springstar has had an increase in attacks toward it's citizens, and they are often fatal and destructive. Rumors travel among Springstar's seedier types that these are escaping from Ryad, and they aren't being reigned in. That always comes with a flicker of worry.

CODING

Comments

b

[baltimores]

[ He's only just entered the greenhouses to the sounds of a commotion, which... seems very off, considering how that sort of thing doesn't tend to occur in most places in Highstorm, let alone the gardens. Who the fuck starts shouting around plants?

Amos has been trying to come here more often — is this how he develops a green thumb? A meaningful one, for the world to come? Hopefully it's a starting point, especially since he lives so close by and really has no excuse — but not often enough that he would think he'd be unceremoniously grabbed and dragged over to the eye of the storm, with cries of there's a Meri with a weapon! and get rid of her!

And, oh.

It wasn't that long ago that he'd had a chance meeting with Gray in this very location, and his initial instinct had been to attack her. But since there's no Oracle at stake at the moment, and also he does not pay attention to politics in the slightest, that instinct is not present.

Even though people are yelling. Possibly at him, now, since for a moment Amos seems almost as mortified as Gray that this is happening at all. Who the fuck shouts at Gray?

It takes him a second, and then Amos springs into action, muscling his way through the crowd to Gray and putting himself in between her and any and everyone else. ]

Calm the fuck down! [ His voice has a decent carry to it, which helps; his presence as a highly harmonized Zenite does the rest in stilling the commotion. ] Nothing's happening here, alright? Go do whatever you were doing before. Get the fuck out of here.

[ Punctuated with a hand on Gray's shoulder, which could mean that he's going to lead her out of here or pick her up and throw her like a football through a window or something, but, no. It's for her. He doesn't know if she's gotten any better with crowds over the past year — that's on him — but getting yelled at by a bunch of strangers probably doesn't help, even if she has. Amos glares out at the crowd, silently demanding they disperse — and gives Gray's shoulder a little reassuring squeeze as he does. ]

[gravings]

[ Gray is much better with crowds than she used to be, but it's still overwhelming to have so much anger pressing down tight on her — especially in the aftermath of a ghostly jumpscare. If she were quicker of wit or at all comfortable with public speaking, she might be able to talk her way out of this. Instead she's fully withdrawn into her hood, her weak protests completely drowned out by the people around her by the time someone bursts onto the scene to intervene.

If Amos's back weren't recognizable enough, his voice bulldozes the crowd's complaints into an uneasy silence. Amos is a well-known and well-regarded Zenite; however righteous the people here may feel, none of them are capable of overcoming Amos's good standing.

Reluctantly, the crowd begins to disperse. Gray's taut breathing eases as the air seems to reach her lungs again, her shoulders loosening under Amos's hand. She's silent until most of the crowd is gone and she and Amos have some semblance of space. She takes a deep breath before looking up at Amos, a bit weary around the eyes but ready to offer him a grateful smile. ]

... Thank you, Mr. Amos. I was a bit careless.

[ She'd reacted purely out of instinct. She can't blame the crowd for being alarmed. ]

[baltimores]

[ Amos keeps watch over the crowd as they leave, more than a few shooting looks back at the two of them as they head to other parts of the gardens or just leave entirely, and refuses to move. Anyone who may still have a problem with Gray will have to tell him first, and nobody seems interested in doing so.

He feels Gray's shoulder loosen, and his hand loosens right along with it. Everyone else finishes fucking off, and that's when Amos feels he can turn back to Gray, looking back at her with his own light smile. ]

Don't worry about it. [ He can give her a light pat on her back before withdrawing his hand; she doesn't need him offering literal, physical support now, he's pretty sure.

A beat. ]

What the fuck was that all about, though? Careless with what? I heard something about a weapon, but when I got here everyone was just yelling at you.

[ Which, going by his tone, he clearly disapproves of. ]

[gravings]

[ Shame pads the silence before Gray responds. This is the one thing she hasn't made much progress in, despite all the other ways she's grown. Worse yet, it's related to something she should be proud of; gravekeeping is her specialty, and that includes the extermination of wayward spirits.

She grinds out a response, her eyes low. ]

When there are ghosts nearby... I'm terribly sensitive. I'm easily possessed by their memories and emotions, especially when they're in a raw state. Just now, I panicked and attacked one that flew at me.

[ The explanation she's trying to avoid: she's afraid of ghosts. She doesn't intend it to be an excuse. She should be more composed about it by now, but this has always been her way of coping: getting aggressive to make the problem go away. Otherwise she'd be like someone with acrophobia stuck on a tightrope, too paralyzed to move a muscle.

Her eyes move to the distance, toward the little garden plot she keeps in Greenwood Yards. ]

For some reason, it seems like there are a lot of them around the Yards. It's probably best if I stay away for now.

[baltimores]

Shit.

[ It's immediately sympathetic, Amos' voice soft and surprised all at once. His first instinct is to reach for her again, pull her into him, but... there aren't any ghosts here right now. And the crowd has dispersed. There's no actual threat, nothing for him to protect her from.

So he doesn't pull her in; merely stays by Gray, looking down at her even as she averts her gaze. A strong, sturdy presence; the least of what he can hope to be. ]

I think it's that time of year. I don't really pay them mind, but... [ But he doesn't pay attention to ghosts. They could never hurt him; not when there was so much in the physical world that would occupy his attention. Why be afraid of make-believe when the real world will chew you up and spit you out on its own?

Which isn't the case for Gray, for whom it's obvious they're a real threat if she would cause a scene like that, however inadvertently... so. ]

... that's fucked. [ His own way of expressing sympathy. Amos turns from looking at her to her little garden, still doing well. ]

I can look after your plants for you? If you want. Until it's safe for you to be here again. [ The offer comes as naturally as breathing. He wants to learn more about caring for plants. Gray is his friend. There are only upsides here. ] I live nearby, so it'd be easy. Actually, if you wanted to get out of here...

[ A beat. He could invite her back to his place, or... ]

Or if you wanted to stay a little while longer, I'll stay with you. So no ghosts come by again.

[ Not that he thinks his presence alone will ward them off, but... maybe? Or if it just helps Gray feel safe, that's plenty, too. ]

[gravings]

[ Gray smiles slightly. Only Amos could make profanity sound so gentle. She isn't looking to be babied over this, and she doesn't want to inconvenience him... but in this case she might just have to deal with being a nuisance. More of a nuisance than she's already been. She weighs her options for a quiet moment before looking back up to Amos. ]

If you don't mind... if we go to the patch, I can show you how the flowers should be cared for.

[ She doesn't know if Amos's presence will actually ward any ghosts away, but she's willing to give things a shot. His presence may be well enough for her — an anchoring body, who at the very least can smack her back to her senses if necessary. Though now that she knows more of what to expect, she shouldn't have any more outbursts... hopefully. It might depend on how determined these spirits are to be mischievous even after watching one of their own get eaten by a giant scythe.

Gray begins to walk them to the garden proper. ]

Do you like scary movies, Mr. Amos?

[ Just a point of curiosity. He's one of the few people she's certain comes from a time and place that had scary movies to speak of. ]

[baltimores]

[ He follows her, dutifully just a half-step behind, and everything about him — amiable smile, relaxed body language, the fact that he'd offered to begin with — indicates he indeed does not mind. ]

Shit, I'd be happy to.

[ There are actual nuisances to deal with sometimes — and sometimes, said nuisances are even people he would consider friends — but Gray just does not fit that word. Probably never will.

Though that question feels like it's kinda coming from out of nowhere. Amos cocks his head in response, taking a moment to think it over. ]

I never did watch a lot of movies. Usually it'd be with friends. Cap and Alex both liked westerns, though. [ Just something he chucks out there, as though that'll mean anything to her. A beat as he thinks it over again. ] I liked some of the, what would you call 'em. Slasher flicks? Lots of blood, high body counts. Those were fun. They count as scary?

[ It's a real, if stupid, question, because when you don't really feel fear... or at least, don't think you do, it can be a little hard to tell. ]

[gravings]

[ It's a valid enough question that it gets Gray to pause to ponder it. ]

I suppose... some people would be scared of them.

[ Theoretically, there's plenty to be scared of. If a killer is coming at you in a strange mask or outfit, it should be terrifying to a normal person... but as a practitioner of magic-like strengthening techniques, Gray just isn't part of the target audience.

But here's Amos on the other end of the spectrum. She looks askance at him, curious. In any other context, following the words "lots of blood" and high body counts" with "fun" would be a cause to call the the police. ]

Are slasher films supposed to be fun? I've watched a couple, but now... I'm not sure if I understood them.

[baltimores]

Why would anyone make them if they weren't supposed to be fun? Isn't that the whole point of movies?

[ He looks back at Gray; again, real questions. Amos was never a big media consumption guy, so it's like... why would you watch something that wasn't fun? That'd be a waste of time. ]

I don't think there was a lot to understand. [ Maybe. Part of the reason he liked them. ] You make up a guy who likes to kill people, he kills 'em. It's not like anybody actually got hurt or died. It ain't real, so you can be as ridiculous as you want. It's funny.

[ Long pause. ]

Maybe they weren't supposed to be scary after all?

[ ??? Big questions over here. ]

[gravings]

[ Only the most important questions over here!! ]

If you found them fun, then they were probably meant to be.

[ Amos is the normal one here, she figures. ]

Back home... there was someone who would watch films about ghosts and possessions with me, because she wanted to see if I'd get scared. So I thought the purpose of it was to see who would get most frightened.

[ Like a test of courage, maybe. It might sound like a cruel thing to do to Gray given her phobia, but she smiles fondly in remembrance.

It's a little bit of a confession, but she continues shyly as they approach the door to their destination, a greenhouse. ]

I prefer stories about adventures. When someone from a small town saves a princess... Things like that.

[baltimores]

[ Gray you met him while he was on a depression bender and taught him how to pet a cat... Gray please no you're the normal one here...

He's trying to gauge how to react to that, but Gray's little smile tells Amos he should maybe give her one in return, too. So he does, accompanied by a little shoulder clasp. Of support, of course. ]

I'd be bad at that. I don't really get scared, so guess I'd lose. [ Just a statement of fact; nothing more. He gives her shoulder a light jostle before letting go, not unlike some brotherly teasing — and also because they've got a greenhouse to go into. ] Adventures though, huh? I dunno how much of those I ever watched, but I'd watch that kind of thing with you if we had movies here. Did you have a favourite?

[gravings]

[ Most people opt to pat Gray on the head, but Amos goes for the shoulder. Maybe it's just because everyone else is so much taller. Gray finds that she almost prefers Amos's display of manly camaraderie; she's hardly a child anymore (despite what her height says), and the head pats can make her feel awfully small.

She answers as they enter the greenhouse proper. ]

It wasn't a film, but there was a show. It was about a chef who would— ah!

[ She exclaims softly and automatically grabs onto the fabric of Amos's clothes with her fingertips. The reason is in her gaze, fixed worriedly overhead: a ghost divebombing them, trying (and succeeding) to jumpscare them as they step inside. ]

[baltimores]

[ Gray's head would indeed be easier to reach, but it would also be condescending, probably. Maybe it's because Amos often defaults to being a shoulder guy, but it's the more natural movement. What you'd do with a friend.

A chef, he starts to think, before they're both so abruptly cut off.

Amos acts on instinct, putting a thick arm around her and pulling her in closer to his body, looking to shield her. He stares up at the ghost, angry at it more than anything else, since the ability to be scared got largely beaten out of him and anger is a comfortable emotion to default to in its stead. ]

Fuck off! [ He swipes his free arm at the ghost as if it's going to shoo it away, but?? He's never had to fight ghosts before?? So much of his magic is physical too; other than yelling and looking big and trying to shield Gray he isn't quite sure what to do. ]

[gravings]

[ Luckily, the ghost is only interested in inciting a reaction. Between Gray's fright and Amos's anger, it's had its fun; it swings up sharply before Amos's fist with a whisper of a cackle before disappearing into the wind.

It's a harmless encounter. Even so, Gray finds herself needing to lean on Amos so that she doesn't sink downward. Her body is overly receptive to spiritual influence. A raw ghost like that one encroaches easily on her soul, its malice staining deep like ink on a sponge.

A bit paler than usual, her breathing heavy, Gray takes a moment before forcing herself to unstick from Amos's side with a low and bitter gaze. To her, this is like being an ant exterminator having to flee from a single ant. ]

... Thank you.

[ She starts forward again, eager to get to the garden plot sooner rather than later. ]

[baltimores]

[ He's left to level an angry stare at the spot where the ghost vanished, not understanding what that was about. Like all it wanted to do was torment Gray... Amos is still bristling at the idea, keeping Gray close to him until she indicates she's ready by separating from him herself. His arm relaxes, but he's still glaring at thin air.

At least until she thanks him, at which point Amos blinks, like he's resetting himself. Lets that anger (mostly) fade away, now that the threat is gone. Looks at her back for a moment, almost sadly, before moving to catch up. ]

Yeah. 'course. [ He sounds a little uncertain, though — not from her thanking him, but for how he could have handled that better. Stopped it from happening at all.

A beat, and, ] After you show me what to do you don't gotta come back here as long as the ghosts are around. I can let you know when they're gone, too. ... When it's okay again.

[ Mostly, he just feels shitty that anyone would put her through any ordeal like that at all. ]

[gravings]

[ Gray can hear the uncertainty in his voice, and it tugs her loose from her tightly wound shame. Just enough to feel a different sort of shame. When it comes to things like this, she becomes all too aware of how self-absorbed she can become, as if her fears were worth dwelling on. Turning inward only makes other people worry.

Amos, ever thoughtful, is a case in point. Gray schools her breathing into regularity and her expression into calm before turning her head to look at him with a tenuous smile — grateful at least that he's doing his best for her. At times like these, her hood really is an asset. ]

If you don't mind... that would probably be for the best.

[ She hates to impose, but she'd hate even more for the flowers to die. And speaking of the flowers... ]

This is the patch, right here. And this one next to it belongs to Rin.

[ Gray's is a modest plot, not as expertly vibrant or exotic as some of the others in the greenhouse, but it's cozy with soft flowers and fragrant with herbs. There's a little crop of powder blue flowers that might be familiar to Amos; either way, Gray crouches to touch them lightly, a bit of warmth easing her smile. ]

Thank goodness... These bloomed nicely. I wasn't sure if they'd do as well here.

[baltimores]

[ She tries to smile, and he tries to smile back. And nods — yeah, he'll look after her flowers for her whenever she needs it, without fail.

His smile turns that much brighter when they reach her plot, though. A little more so at learning that Rin's are right here, too. It's good, he thinks; he can visit them together. ]

I think most things do well here. Gotta make up for the lack of sun somehow. [ Amos mimics her, crouching down right beside her and tentatively reaching out to touch a soft petal once he sees it's okay to do that. He feels warm; happy. Fuck ghosts, they can't take this away. ] We grew plants on our ship in space. Air purifiers mostly, but we had tech that made it work. Makes sense that they'd figure out how to do it here.

[ He lets his finger slide from the petals; turns to look at Gray. ]

They're beautiful. I won't let 'em die. 'specially when they're right by Rin's; they go well together. [ A beat. ] Did you want to pick one and take it back home with you? So you can still have one of them with you always?

[ There's gotta be some kind of magic or something that would help preserve them, or even let them thrive... Amos had been trying to look into that sort of thing, but gave up pretty quickly once he (sadly) realized that kind of magic was more Meridian-inclined. ]

[gravings]

[ Amos doesn't bring up space life too often with her, so she looks up at him with curiosity when he does. When he puts it that way, it makes sense that there's something, magic or technology, that allows the plants to thrive. By this point, technology impresses her far more than magic, so she thinks it must be magic.

Would she like to take a flower back? She considers the blooms again, considers the hostility of the people just now, and thinks that she doesn't know when she'll be able to come back. Maybe soon, maybe never. ]

I think that's a good idea.

[ She can show it to everyone at the house. A splash of color among four people who seem allergic to anything but monochrome. ]

You can pick things for yourself too, if you like. [ She points. ] Those are cooking herbs. And the tomatoes should be ready soon. Oh, I can write down their watering schedules for you...

[ She whips out a little notebook and a pen (fountain) and begins to write away. Neatly, a simple doodle of each plant, followed by the name and care instructions. There are aren't more than a dozen types of plants, but because she's trying to be thorough, it may take more than a moment. ]

[baltimores]

[ Amos is thinking: Gray will have one of her flowers with her while waiting for the ghosts to go away for another season. Nevermind the earlier hostility; who would do that to Gray twice? And nevermind what may come in the future, because what would Gray have to do with that? She should always be welcome here; he just can't fight off ghosts is the only problem.

He looks over at her with a strong degree of fondness as she starts to list off all of these possibilities— takes out pen and paper to write it down so he won't forget. Amos is silent as she does, so he doesn't interrupt her concentration; if she ever looks back up at him, she'll find him smiling warmly while alternating his gaze between her and the plants around them.

And when he thinks it's safe to speak again, ] I'll use all of 'em. Figured it's about time I learn how to properly cook, anyway. It'll taste better knowing where everything came from.

[ By which he means both from a friend and fuck, I love natural food.

He takes a moment to reach back for her flowers, letting his fingertips graze, then rest steady on one of their petals. ]

Maybe I could take one back with me too. Then we'd both have one at our places at the same time.

[ Like a different kind of friendship symbol from the plant they'd planted together back in Springstar all that time ago. ]

[gravings]

[ Gray smiles into her notebook, the ends of her pen still bobbing away. ]

I see... They could be sister flowers.

[ It's a nice thought, especially considering Amos's manly air, and it manages to warm her despite the cold press of spirits in the air. It's cute to think about, though she isn't sure most men would appreciate being called cute. ]

Do you live with anyone, Mr. Amos? It can be more fun to cook if you have someone else to cook for.

[baltimores]

[ Sister flowers. He looks thoughtfully at the flower he's lightly touching, little smile on his face. He likes the sound of that.

At her question, Amos turns back to look at her. ]

Me? Nah. Not since... Well, I don't think manors really count. So not since I was back on my ship in my first universe. We'd do family dinners once a week, though. Usually I'd be on sauce detail or something easy like that.

[ A beat; a new thoughtful look crossing his face. ]

Did you want to pick some stuff and come over to my place for dinner?

[ What else could she mean... But he'd be happy to have her. ]

[gravings]

[ "First universe." It's a distinction that makes her smile a bit wrly. There probably aren't many people left he could say that to with no explanation necessary. ]

To your place... Is that okay?

[ Especially with tension being at an all-time high. Even though the crowd ultimately respected Amos's decision to defend her, she knows it didn't make for good politics. And it won't be much better for him to welcome her into his home... ]

I wouldn't want you to get in trouble.

[baltimores]

It's my place. How would I get in trouble?

[ The question is a real one, Amos unbothered by tension he doesn't feel and uncaring of politics he doesn't acknowledge. To him, this really is nothing more than him inviting a friend over for dinner. If Gray had her own timely business to attend to then that'd be one thing, but since he doesn't think that's the case... ]

C'mon, let's pick our ingredients and go.

[ ... it's almost dinner time, isn't it? ]

[gravings]

[ Well, if he says it's alright... Gray may be cognizant of optics and politics due to her time in a place that was relentlessly political, but she doesn't care for those things either. Besides, if there's any damage being done to Amos's sterling reputation, the worst of it would have been done when he stood up for her in the first place. The least she can do is help him with dinner. (Is it that time already?) ]

... Alright. We can cook something together.

[ And she can finish up her notes for him later. She claps her notebook shut and tucks her pen away, looking over which plants are ripe for the picking.

(And then they picked their ingredients and went and cooked a nice rustic meal.) ]