lumberlady | Noctium

[That is a mystery, one that actually makes Konoha laugh again, even though Morga's son was older than her and she technically shouldn't poke fun at a senior, but-]

"Mama", oh, no- ! Not "mother"?

[She tries to imagine a child of hers continuing to call her the diminutive okaa or kaachan past the age of twelve or so, and the vision it conjures up keeps her giggling, though she does try and stifle it for Morga's sake, not wanting to be accidentally insulting.]

I don't think I would have imagined that... I bet most people who meet Morga think your son must be some battle-hardened mute... or maybe a berserker... ?

[It's kind of a compliment. But either way, isn't it a great distraction for just keeping those legs moving?]

That too.

_{[ Really, Morga probably should've tried to curtail the whole mama thing when he'd started getting older but you know what? She never had the heart to make him stop and it sort of eventually became Their Thing. The rest of the kids within the village had stopped around ten, maybe eleven but... ]}

They probably expected him to be like me. Or a berserker. I know I expected him to wind up like I did as he grew older but I think that would've been a death sentence for the neighboring tribes. One of me was enough of a menace to them, but two? Gods...

_{[ She shakes her head, that same fondness making its way to her face and even the rest of her body — a slow sway of her tail here, an almost sad look in her eyes, the works. It does wonders for her nerves though, so it's something. ]}

You could always tell when something upset him at home, at least. Most of the time he'd storm in shouting "ma" or "mother" with a list of grievances, but when something really got to him? That's when the "mama" came out. Or... he'd wind up doing it to make the other person piss themselves. You know how scary us mothers can be when it comes to our children.

[As strange as she does find it as a concept, for a grown man to still address his mother that way, particularly when she was such a powerful woman with a position like Morga... The way she talks about it, that bittersweet fondness... ?]

Well, good for the neighboring tribes, I guess...

[Actually, probably very much so... Now just don't mind the fact that Konoha is slightly lengthening her stride, trying to trick Morga into taking more confident steps while she's distracted.]

I don't even know if my children will end up staying on the mountain with me or going to the human villages, so I hope they don't try to threaten anyone with me... It might be a long trip...

[Also, a bad choice in threats, but.]

How long does it take to go up and down to the nearest village?

_{[ Her body tenses as her back legs almost "lurch" forward with the rest of her, scrambling to catch up with the shift in pace but fortunately? She doesn't go ass over teakettle like she had earlier, only stumbling and leaning against Konoha's side for the brief moment it takes for her feline half to correct itself. ]}

If there were humans you trusted down below, it might help for them to meet one another early so you know they'd be safe if they did choose to live with them.

It's about three days travel... distance-wise it should be just one, but getting down or up Mt. Tsurugi takes time if you want to do it safely.

[There we go, there we go... ! Konoha is quick to support Morga even better when she stumbles, hoping that she will feel more secure in the attempt.]

But that's just the nearest people, just a few hunters and farmers... my home village is five.

[To think, it had seemed so far away once... and now she was in entirely different worlds. Continuing to prattle as a distraction, Konoha takes a few more steps, even adding a slight curve to their line.]

If it were my home village, at least... I know my old boss would take care of them. I still have friends, there, too...

Have you—

_{[ Her ears prick forward and a thin strip of fur raises along the length of both spines at the shift in direction, but it isn't out of fear or worry. Rather, it's curiosity. It's slow-going but for once she doesn't seem to stumble, trip or wobble. Morga can feel her claws digging into the dirt to help pivot, and her tail moves to act as a... counterbalance of sorts, and were she anyone else she might've laughed at the realization. ]}

Have you brought your daughter to meet them yet? I took Montag on his first hunt before he could walk, but never to the neighboring tribes. He didn't meet them until I felt he was old enough to start defending himself should something happen. But we also had no mountains to scale down. Just... trees and caves. The only mountain range near our homeland was dangerous even for a grown hunter taking their time.

[There they went... getting better... ! Which Konoha almost praises, but, afraid that drawing too much attention to it might throw Morga off her game, she avoids it for the moment and instead just answers.]

No, not yet...

[Continuing to support the other woman, she keeps them on a slightly curved path, making a large circle in the old structure.]

Mountain jinba won't move the herd until the baby can walk by itself, so for a month or so... then for a few more months it will be hard to convince him... and once autumn comes the snows will be too thick to safely make the trek, and if I'm with child again by then...

[It's a lot of math that makes her brows furrow and her lips purse, struggling to think of how she could find the time to safely make the journey, but even if it were hard...]

I really want them to meet her, though... Even if they might not be there when I anymore when I get there... I just want my parents to see that everything's alright... that my family is happy because of how happy our family was...

[Even if part of her knew when they sent her off as a bride they did so fully believing it might be the last time they met.]

I... cannot say I understand getting your parents involved, but I understand enough to know that your relationship with them is no doubt leagues better than the one I had with my own.

_{[ Ah, good ol' Scourge-life where they can have a little parricide as a treat. ]}

Have you thought about...

_{[ She trails off for a moment to look down at her own feet - paws - and how her gait differs from Konoha's. Every step the younger woman takes, she has to take an extra two just to keep pace and yet it doesn't feel nearly as tiring as it could be. The only real strain she feels is in the brand new muscles as her body adapts and even then it's... not terrible. ]}

Why not bring your parents to your tribe for a few seasons? See if your husband or some others among yourselves would be willing to escort them so they arrive unharmed. Let them see your child, and... even be there for the second, if it happens. I'm sure they'd be proud to see the things their daughter has accomplished and be more than happy to know that you're not only safe, but happy.

[The portrait Morga paints of possibilities is one that Konoha loves. The idea of being able to show her elderly parents where she called her new home, of being able to have her mother's help with the newborn, perhaps even taking care of them until the end... How nice it sounds.]

Ehe, our ways of living are really different, huh... ?

[Life on the plains in a warrior tribe versus peasants in the mountains... But she can only smile a little, bittersweet, her fingers stroking absently at the older woman's forearm as she guides her.]

Unfortunately... I don't think they'd last long that high up Mt. Tsurugi... the air is so thin for humans... and if they were with us, no one would be able to tend the crops at home, so there'd be no food when they got back, or crops to pay the lord's rice tax with...

[Konoha is still smiling, though, because... Well, she'd known this would happen. And she looks for the positive, settling on,]

Now look... Walking isn't so hard with four legs, is it?

[They'll have her jogging by the end of the hour yet- !]

Konoha, I have a question for you.
You don't have to answer if you don't want to.
It's just been something on my mind.
Nothing.... nothing really that important.
But I'm curious.

How did you know that you wanted children?

[this isn’t actually the first time she’s been asked this question here… she assumes in part because she is one of the very few women amongst so many gembonded who was actually a mother. but coming from Alina, out of the blue… ?]

is alright to ask
i always was knowing I
i want children
i grow up with no sibling
all adopted parents blood children die before i
so i always think fond of big family for self
husband and many children
happy

but
is perhaps question is
when i know i want children with husband?

Oh.
Yes, that make sense.

I didn't know my family growing up.
And I didn't ever really think that far ahead.

And I'm still not very sure.

[ When she should be on account of the whole... you know. Being dead thing. ]

Did you plan it or did it just happen.

[ IS THIS WEIRD TO ASK? Probably but yes, Konoha is the only mom friend she has. ]

is alright to not be sure
or think so far ahead before
i think.
ALINA has much important tasks and power yes?
i was village girl, so this is thing that i think about easily
but ALINA can think of if wanting...

[IS that weird to be asked? naw, surely not... what is tmi?]

husband and i try for child with purpose
because married, and both want it muchly
was in LUNATIA, city like this, for long time together
and there, like here, woman can not bear child
no matter how much tries
so
komatsu did not take long once returning to proper home.

My dear Konoha, as the days grow shorter and colder, my thoughts wander back to your delicious cooking more often.

(This is not a subtle hint that you should prepare another basket for me and Alina soon, although I certainly wouldn't decline your generosity.)

I simply thought you would be pleased to know that I've been teaching myself how to cook. The results are astonishingly non-catastrophic!

[As proof, a photo of...what would appear to be beef wrapped in a flaky golden pastry crust? The dish has somehow become a household staple...]

[Oh, wow, phew, she is never going to get over how utterly scandalous phrases like “dear” sound in her language— it’s just Nikolai! They must say things like that in Ravka all the time!

most esteemed NIKOLAI,

i hope you is keeping warm as days chill.
please take care not to become sick with cold.
you has no thick coat naturally.

i am most shocked by the PHOTOGRAPH you send.
not intending in bad way!
just you say you beginning and this dish is looking much complex.
what is?
BREAD is around meat? ox meat?

P.S.
now winter is fine for warm food
you and ALINA is liking miso?
knowing miso?

Edited 2021-12-03 09:44 (UTC)

Fear not, for I have a very stylish overcoat to keep me warm. 😄

It's something called beef wellington. Isn't that charming? As if the beef has a surname. A complex dish to cut one's teeth on, yes, but I've always relished a challenge.

Miso is excellent. Alina has yet to enlighten me on her opinion of miso, but I will get back to you as soon as I know.

[Notably, Alina is not on hand at the moment...]

is good news
i will remember
coats here is much more nice than humans has in i’s world yes

BEEF WELLINGTON
i never hear of
how cook meat shape bread?
or
cook together?
even though bread much different?

if ALINA likes
i am making good winter sweet food
yuzu miso dango
good for warming body

You cook the meat a little first, then wrap it in the pastry before putting it in the oven for good. There are layers of mushrooms and another meat, a type of cured ham, sealed inside the pastry too.

Altogether, a marvel of culinary engineering. I can send you the recipe, if you like.

I'm sure she'll love it. We always enjoy trying the fruits of your labor.

oh!
PASTRY come last step before final cooking
i see
cured meat keep juice inside?
is smart food
but apology, i do not have oven in barn like oven that exists in city so can not try to copy recipe…

then i send some.
always making too much anyway.

[because she’s used to cooking for a family… hah… hah…]

how is?
ALINA

Edited 2021-12-04 23:57 (UTC)

Ah, I should have realized from my previous visits that you're short one oven... You needn't apologize for my oversight.

Then perhaps I could cook it for you someday! This beef has received high marks from both Alina and our dear Father Lime. 🍋

If you make too much, then it's to the boon of those around you. Thank you, Konoha.

[He can guess at how she ends up with too much food: she has only herself to feed. And here he is, mourning a family that has never existed outside the hazy parameters of a foolish dream.]

Alina is well. I've caught her plotting for Sankt Nikolai's Day.

is alright
i have much good kitchen
even stove!
just is not SUMARLOK style
maybe could put inside here?
if hire someone…

both ALINA and LIEM think is good?
then can be no doubt i think
i will love to try

and share.

what is SANKT NIKOLAI’S DAY?
day for celebrating king?
like holiday for emperor?

As it happens, I could help you with that. It shouldn't be hard, as long as you have electricity in your home.

All I ask in payment is your honest opinion of my cooking. 😄

Hardly anyone would mistake me for a Saint. The holiday and I do share a namesake, however. Sankt Nikolai, patron saint of sailors and lost causes. Rather apt, wouldn't you say?

truly?
is easy price!
i has GENERATOR outside rear
is enough?

gasp sound!
i understand
NIKOLAI is receiving name of sacred person
like blessing?
is almost like destiny for sailor…
or inspired?

but how to celebrate cause that is lost???
sounding like sad holiday…

I believe the idea is that he lends HELP to lost causes. Or causes that are presumed to be lost.

The story goes that Sankt Nikolai was a young sailor whose ship was trapped in the ice. When he was sent to find food, a reindeer led him to a clearing where he found a table set with a feast. He stuffed his face and curled up to sleep beside the fire.

In the morning, he packed up the leftovers and rode the reindeer back to the ship. Unfortunately, the rest of the crew wasn't too pleased when he opened his pack and found that the food had turned to stone and ash. They pummeled him accordingly.

This sequence of events repeats itself a few more times, until the Saints get tired of it and finally free the ship from the ice. They curse the crew to taste only stone and ash whenever they eat, then bless Sankt Nikolai's bag to always be full of food and sweets. He spends the rest of his life travelling and handing out food wherever he goes.

In short, it's a day devoted to feasting and giving gifts.

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