lumberlady | Noctium

Gem sheep is adequate enough.

[And likely easier, as he can't picture what a 'hayburner' might be in a known animal equivalent and will likely stick to the 'gem animal' naming convention himself.]

They do. Pets are very common. Cats and dogs mostly where I'm from. I never had them myself, but there are a lot of strays in the city; cats that aren't really anyone's pets, but they wander around and people feed them.

[If only she knew what antelope were so she could call Hayburners "Gem antelopes"...

Konoha listens to the response with a little nod. "Strays" sounded more like what she was familiar with, but "pets"... the distinction to her seemed to be more confusing, and she pauses in setting the table to gesture vaguely in what might be a petting motion.]

What about... like rich folk do, keeping those tiny little dogs and pretty cats in the house and feeding them people food... those sorts of things?

[You know. Weird stuff.]

[That doesn't strike him as a distinction from regular pets, 'rich folk' pets.]

They're often kept inside, and... monitored when outside, taken for walks. The dogs. Cats aren't... those type of pets.

[It's hard to explain something so mundane and normal to him as anything significant.]

They tend to be regarded as part of the household, the animals. People bond with them.

[Konoha, for her part... has at least come to realize that other people found these questions odd. It's why she scratches a bit self-consciously at her temple, finishing her table settings as the microwave pings.]

With animals that just eat your food... ?

[She already didn't like being around animals in general, a product of being hyperaware all her life that her kind were thought by many to be part animal themselves, by some to be no better than animals, but at least if it were one with a purpose, like a plow ox or a ratter...

Wait, she must sound like a crazy person, she hasn't even said why she asked-]

Someone I knew... went back to their world. And they sent me their cat...

[But there's no cat in the barn...]

[That is really all they do, when she puts it that way.]

They do... take resources without much in return, but they provide companionship for people who live alone, or for children who may not have anyone to play with. I don't know how to explain it. There's an emotional attachment people have with their pets.

[Sitting down at the table, he looks around for that cat. One that was likely given because they'd thought Konoha would take care of it...]

And what did you do with it?

[She’s not technically wrong, right… ? But why can’t she shake the feeling the person who sent her the animal would be cross…]

I put it out by the shed where I store my crops, so it can eat all the rodents there.

[She made sure it had plenty of food sources… there’s lizards out there, too!

Gathering some pot holders, Konoha pops open the microwave to check on the stew, nodding approvingly as she begins pulling it out.]

[Perhaps unfortunately for the cat, Marco's lack of pet experience leads him to thinking that's a perfectly suitable solution. The cat can adapt.]

I'm sure it's fine out there. They're instinctual hunters.

[Validation… !]

Oh, phew, that’s what I thought! I was starting to think I was going crazy or something…

[Thank goodness, there were other sensible people out there about animals… Why Magnus had entrusted her with the creature she certainly didn’t know, she’s trying to take it as a compliment or proof of his trust in her but? A mystery.

What isn’t a mystery… is that this stew smells amazing? Pulling it out, Konoha gives a big whiff, breaking into a smile as she trots back to guess table to set it down.]

This smells amazing… taste it and let me know if it recovered alright in the box!

[He’s the one who knows how it’s supposed to taste, after all.]

[Marco has to stop himself from laughing at that phrasing, and it comes out like a snort, which he pointedly ignores as he stirs the stew a little before trying it. It's not too hot, and days of refrigeration hasn't has any effect on the taste.]

It's good. I think it... recovered well enough.

[He can't suppress the next little bit of laughter that escapes.]

If you don't like it, you can feed it to the cat.

[Marco, are you laughing at her??? Konoha honestly can’t tell, at first. Did she say something strange? Maybe that’s not how you were supposed to talk about micro waves?

But he’s laughing, so… it must be funny! So she laughs too, also because the very idea of feeding good stew to a cat???]

It would be so spoiled… !

[(Konoha, that’s the point…)

But she is pleased he thinks it’s good, and she’s ready to try, so she plops her rear down into the dirt more like a canine than an equine to make the height of the human-use table better for her, clapping her hands together with a “thank you for the food” before-]

Marco, this is amazing- !

[Amazing might be going a little too far, but Marco appreciates the enthusiasm.]

I'm glad you like it. Connie always got excited about it, no matter how many times we had it.

[It doesn't hurt to talk about her right now, and that's the first time since he'd found out what happened to them. It's concerning in a way, and he has to wonder if it's a good or bad thing, to have let go of even a fraction of that pain. Mixed feelings continue to be difficult.]

[The bar might be kind of low, it was true, Konoha was an enthusiastic woman who was often quite free with praise, but still... She nods along for further approval, taking another spoonful and this time actually trying to savor it, like one of those fancy restaurant review people she'd seen on the Gem screens in the city.]

Mmm... I really like the spices! We don't have any combinations like this where I'm from, it's really good...

[Meat and vegetable soups and stews and hotpots were quite common, but this taste is so different even though the base ingredients are the same... But she smiles, genuinely glad, it seems, to hear what he says.]

Your wife has good taste! I wish I could ask her mother for her recipe, it's always even just a little bit better when your mother makes it.

[But this version is quite delicious as well! And though she has a large appetite, (and two stomachs), Konoha tries to be polite enough to cup a hand over her mouth when she speaks.]

What are some of her other favorites... ? I might have to try those, too...

Spices can change everything.

[He's in agreement there, and sometimes it's the only difference between two dishes as far as he can tell. He tries not to let his expression falter at the mention of Connie's mother. Marco's only memory of her is something he doesn't want to reflect on, and instead he focuses on the concept of it, the point of Konoha's statement.]

I think that's owing to nostalgia, always remembering it better tasting than something you've made yourself. Never lives up to it. But I think we've gotten pretty close.

[He pushes the pot slightly closer to Konoha's side of the table, she can have as much as she likes. It's good to see it's enjoyed.]

I'd say she mostly liked more savory things as opposed to sweet. Meats with good sauces...

[Not exactly fluent with the French, his pronunciation of some things are off, but he tries for traditional names.]

Coq au vin, which is a chicken dish, with a wine sauce and bacon and mushrooms... Cassoulet, that's beans with a few different meats, usually whatever's available. It's a little bland if it's duck.

[Not a fan.]

Have you ever made quiche? It's like a pastry or a pie, but the filling is sort of a custard made with cheese, meat and vegetables. Spinach or some other greens.

Mmm, I know it’s probably all in our heads, but… my mother’s sour plum rice balls always taste better than mine, no matter how exactly I copy the recipe.

[And you know what… That’s fine, isn’t it?]

Oh, Miss Connie had good tastes…

[… it’s also find if he wants to slide that dish over because she will carefully save him a portion but she’s also going to go to town on the rest. She has been in the fields all morning. Also, those dish names sound so exotic? Especially when you don’t know the pronunciation is a bit off.]

No, I’ve never made a “quiche”… My world doesn’t have the grains for the pies and cakes like they have here, so I’m really behind on learning those…

So it’s like a savory one… ?

[The availability of grains hadn't even crossed his mind, modern trade conveniences and farming innovations allowing for nearly every place to have access to things from all over the world.]

Right, instead of for a dessert.

[And though he's technically volunteering Alex and not himself for this...]

Maybe we'll make that next time, and trade you for some of those sour plum rice balls.

[Pour one out for lack of proper wheat...]

Oh, you want to trade? That would be really fun!

[Konoha claps her hands back together, this time not for prayer but for excitement. Food... She loved food so much-]

Or, ah, if you tell me what kind of food is coming... I could make something in the same theme, but from my world! Like if it's this "quiche" maybe I trade... vegetable egg rice?

We can do themes.

[It's more organised that way, and some of her excitement is catching, but for different reasons; the food secondary to having something to set-up and oversee in any small way.]

It would be. Fun.

Edited 2022-03-08 05:01 (UTC)

Mmm, it would!

[They can do themes... ! Konoha does look genuinely excited, she's glad to see even just a little bit of it rubbing off on him, and with her brain already ticking with ideas...]

Okay, Marco, let's come up with some themes...

[She'll even do her best not to speak with her mouth full.]

I'm sorry to message out of the blue like this but this month has been rather frustrating.

Are you having problems with all this pheromone business? Or whatever it is?

[Because she's having problems, damn it.]

Edited 2022-05-11 02:30 (UTC)

hello OPHELIA
i would ask how is but
i think i know...

if is like how i is...

[p... roblems]

[Ah, so it must be an Emerald thing.]

I thought it must be something to do with the gembonds since I do know dryads seem to affect people but I never imagined it would be quite like this!

I've had people in Marilla talking to me constantly!

[Mostly because she's just been unconsciously oozing loneliness and longing. Apparently that brings all the boys to all the milkshakes or some such?]

yes may be correct
i know RUBY was acting odd before
now EMERALD? possible?
this do feel like some time when is DRYAD...
but is not DRYAD now

you is in MARILLA?

I am, yes. Are you?

[She's beginning to wonder if the whole of the population of Noctium has escaped to Marilla.]

no
i never get sick when human get sick in i's village
so i stay in SUMARLOK to nurse
... then was wrong about never getting sick when human get sick
but still in SUMARLOK

You're far kinder than I am then.

[Ophelia might be empathetic but she's a better nursemaid for friends than the general populace.]

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/gently wraps up in favor of march event!!!!

text; un: ophelia

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