(open) i'm steppin' out

[expiera]

WHO: Ciel, Pleromas who have to deal with more Kenomas on their turf for a few days, various
WHAT: Foodventures ft. a girl who needs her fix, also general July catch-all
WHERE: Godsblood, Achamoth
WHEN: First half of/early Soviseri
WARNINGS: N/A

I. GODSBLOOD; MAY I OFFER YOU AN EGG BITE IN THESE TRYING TIMES?
[It’s a nice day in Godsblood, and there is loud arguing coming from the central marketplace. Between two joints selling street food, to be exact.]

All your dingy little booth does is slather everything in sauce with no respect to the ingredients, just close shop and save yourself the embarrassment!”

[On one side, a brown-haired middle-aged woman in a worn and greasy apron, manning a stall that seems to specialize in grilled seafood behind her.]

Hah! You're one to talk, old hag! Your prices are highway robbery, and your seasoning is as bland as plain rice! The only way you make a profit is con customers who don’t know any better!

[On the other, a young man of average build on the thin side is starting to go a little red in the face, his stall seemingly specializing in skewers instead.]

Watch your mouth, you little whippersnapper! My husband and I have run this business for generations, inherited from my great-great-great grandmother! Our recipe isn’t just tradition, it’s history, we didn’t establish this by bootlicking our way through the culinary guild and begging for handouts to set up our own shop!

[Oh, this is getting heated… They’re staring to attract a crowd, not a sizable one but people are stopping by. The general sentiment seems to be of… entertainment, for better or worse; some locals are even snacking as they watch on?! They seem used to this, for better or worse…]

That is NOT what happened, I worked my butt off at the guild fair and square! You’re just jealous I was a better student – AND a better cook than your daughter, who doesn’t even WANT to take over your tasteless grilling anyway! You ever think about why she never comes around here when you’re “open”? You should’ve retired a decade ago!

[THAT earns a few gasps among the audience; dragging the daughter in? Oh my.]

Sir! Ma’am! Please, a moment!

[Interrupting them both to the surprise of everyone present, is a young woman with short dark blue hair certain Pleroma Aions may recognize. Especially those from the initial group of awakened, she did do a bad thing™ back inside the Suffer Caves and had a bad thing™ done to her in turn. There’s not the faintest hint of that now, she’s actively stepping in between them with a pacifying smile.]

I didn’t mean to start an argument, I apologize. But both your stalls just smelled so good, I’d honestly love to try out anything you would recommend! I wouldn’t mind everything too, to be completely honest, so would that be okay? Just let me know the price, I’ll be happy to pay and wait while you prepare!

[Oh… Business. Business means jools. That DOES seem to get the vendors’ attention, so they both move on to eyeing the girl with a different flavor of skepticism instead of glaring at each other like before.]

With all due respect, miss, you don’t look like much. I don’t mind making a bigger sale, but I can’t condone wasting food.

Our grilled squid is a Godsblood staple, ask anyone here! [The woman haughtily glances at the gathered spectators, who don’t seem bothered at all by the callout.] I can get you one of everything and prove to you QUALITY is why we’ve lasted so long, girlie, long as you tell this upstart exactly how my food tastes better.

—Huh?! You can’t do that, that’s NOT how it works! Miss, you have to judge by yourself, there’s no way I’d lose to sensible tastebuds! [The man looks to be a mixture of indignant and flustered, gesturing at his client who is somehow still managing to keep her smile through it all.]

Ahaha. I’m no gourmet, but I can tell you if I think it’s tasty or not. If you’d like feedback, I’ll do my best! How much will one of everything be?

[The talk of payment once again appears to effectively deescalate the situation further, and it’s at that moment that the girl turns her gaze towards you, a Pleroma Aion. Were you passing by? Or have you been watching for a while? It makes no difference: she’s addressing YOU in particular, holding out a hand invitingly towards your specific direction as she makes her offer loud and clear.]

Can I get that person over there to help me taste-test and eat everything too? I promise we won’t let any food go to waste, it’s fairer to have more than one person judge anyway. How about it? I already said I’d pay, so you don’t have to worry about how much it costs. Will you please help us out?

[That prompts some murmurs of interest and agreement among the audience, it’s indeed a fair and open proposition. Tier 1 Pleromas, don’t think too hard about how you were singled out specifically when it could have been anyone else. As for tier 2, figures that someone on the same level from the Kenoma side would have been able to spot you out, as the reverse is equally true. The woman whose dark energies also reflect the Martyr’s Legacy is still smiling warmly and waiting patiently. Well? It’s free food, and everyone’s attention is already on them both. Come on?]

II. GODSBLOOD; SNACKS DON’T SUBSTITUTE FOR PROPER MEALS
[The food stall vendors didn’t get to find out the hard way, but local restaurants sure will! Over the next few days, a head of blue will be dropping by various restaurants in town during lunch or dinner doing the following:

A. Inquiring about their dish with the biggest kick,
B. Clapping her hands together reverently in front of enough food for two~three people, yet is by herself at the table,
C. Looking various degrees of satisfied depending on how good the food was, with an empty stack of several plates in front of her.

Fattydingdong… Approach? She’s quite open to recommendations, there may or may not be mild rumors brewing of some random girl not from around suddenly showing up and eating her way across Godsblood. It seems funny and harmless, plus it does fuel local businesses, so the citizens are largely fine with writing her off as some eccentric too willing to spend jool on food than most others. This Kenoma definitely isn’t here on official business or trying particularly hard to lay low. After all, she’s here for her own reason:]

III. GODSBLOOD; Y’ALL GOT ANY MORE OF THAT… SPICE?
[And no, NOT the one as defined by Urban Dictionary. To anyone observant who is familiar with a certain spice stand in Godsblood, they may be able to note that a blue-haired woman is often found in the general vicinity of that specific Pleroma funding point. She makes sure to never be in sight of the seller, so it may not be obvious right away, but she doesn’t stray far, occasionally glancing towards the spice stall’s general direction in a not-so-subtle way. These are still all public areas, though. Let her be weird on her own, or confront?

Don’t mind her sometimes making light and quiet conversation difficult to eavesdrop with local children, too. She may also be caught slipping a young boy or girl of elementary age a piece of paper and a small pouch, closer to an alleyway a bit more isolated from the main streets where the bulk of the foot traffic is. Nothing suspicious; move along?]

IV. ACHAMOTH; PRIORITIES
[One day during Soviseri, an unusual smell is wafting from the kitchen. Any Kenomie in its general vicinity may be able to catch the scent of something pungent and savory, those familiar with the dish may also recognize it right away for what it plainly is: curry. Even if they don’t, it’s not something the citadel’s kitchen staff normally makes, and if they do choose to look into it, they will effectively find Ciel by herself in front of a large iron pot at the stove.

Holding in one hand a ladle with a yellow/brown-ish sauce coating over chunks of meat, vegetables, and potatoes, she looks like she’s blissfully floating on cloud nine and completely phased out of touch with reality.

This is understandably at least a little weird, so feel free to 180 right back out into the hallway. Unless…?]

V. WILDCARD
[Godsblood, Achamoth, maybe elsewhere, Pleromies or Kenomies, if you’d like something different or a closed starter, hit me up via PM or in the game Discord! o/]

Comments

👁 ernesto;

[expiera]

[True Sight took some getting used to at first, but now that she’s in contested territory, Ciel can well vouch for how useful the ability is. The spec of nebulous white furtively making its way through the crowd easily catches her attention despite the pulled-up hood the figure who bears it is wearing, confirming the brand of the Martyr at its center has her budding interest shift to full on alert. The height and the build, and the way they carry themselves… There’s no mistaking it, she knows that person.

So of course, she follows them. They’re hiding their face; did something happen? It’s been a while since last time, checking in with an acquaintance is a perfectly normal thing to do. Even if she’s only tailing them without their noticing, keeping them within her range yet not making any attempt to catch up fully. They’re just going towards the same direction, Godsblood is busy enough during this time of day to not raise suspicion from any of the locals minding their own business.

It would be an entirely different story for a fellow deeper attuned Aion who can also perceive others on their level and their Legacies, however. She hasn’t lost track of her surroundings, doesn’t notice the fact that she may have made her way onto someone else’s radar either while following her own. Her focus is preoccupied elsewhere, especially so when the object of her focus suddenly takes a sharp turn into an alley ahead, effectively putting themselves out of her line of sight.

She hastens her own pace. It’ll take more than that for her to lose track.]

[goldendeceiver]

[ True Sight is a double edge sword too, isn't it? It's useful for being able to spot your enemy easily in a crowd, but it's also a huge blinking beacon for that enemy to spot you with too. Not that all the Pleroma have it, of course, including the man that Ciel is currently tailing.

But the man who is also keeping an eye out on her currently stalking target? That's a different matter, and he sees that weird swirling void as he's come to think of it sitting right above her chest almost the minute he catches a glance of her out of the corner of his eyes. Though he wasn't aware of what she was doing at first, the longer he stayed behind her to follow with the same sort of casual ease, the more apparent it became.

So now they have this fun stalking chain, where Ciel is trailing after Dokja, and Ernesto is trailing after Ciel, suspicious of what she might do.

Which is why when Ciel's target makes a turn out of her line of sight, and she starts to hurry her pace, Ernesto is fast to pick his up as well, reaching out to grab onto her arm before she can make that alleyway turn herself. ]

Señorita! I thought it was you! It's been too long. How have you been?

[ Casual, friendly, and disarming as he wags his tail for the sake of anyone passing by.

There have been no new Kenoma rumors here, and people haven't been paying any attention to her. The chances are good that people aren't aware of what she is, and that Ernesto isn't risking anything by pretending to know her. She'd be risking something if she wanted to cause a stir right now though, with all of these people potentially able to act as witnesses.

And he does know her anyway... in a way. The two had never actually exchanged words, but it's hard to forget the faces of the people you were tortured alongside. ]

[expiera]

[This is carelessness, no two way about it. Ciel knows she's in enemy territory, she should have been more alert.

But at the same time, this is Dokja, the miserable, pathetic, and shriveled up man who does have her wonder if he has any friends other than that insufferably optimistic priest who would impose noncon friending (and then some) over anything sentient that crosses his way. ...Actually scratch that, sentience is highly likely optional: a rock is probably fine too, if he was bored enough. Is Dokja emotionally well adjusted enough to even be able to call anyone among the Pleroma his friend, come to think of it? Another worrisome question, but that's neither here or there. Introverted, perpetually tired, definitely has a terrible diet, most probably obsessive, shamelessly depressive, and just a mess of a scrawny frame on thin legs in general, can she be blamed for following such a troubled person on principle? And if someone takes issues with that, then doesn't that make them an interesting person too by association alone?

So it's more plain surprise rather than worry (much less guilt, which obviously does not apply to her or the situation at hand) to feel someone else reach for her, this is definitely no accidental bumping. She's going to lose track of her target at this rate... But appearances ARE important, she recognizes the dog-eared man she turns to face too. It's in good part thanks to a recent communion memory that a co-worker of hers had shared, pertaining to the very owner of the spice stall that she was in Godsblood to check out.

Ciel blinks, a little wide-eyed but not seeming any flustered beyond that. What a quaint string of coincidences. The ears ARE looking even cuter on closeup, tho. The fact that the luminous glow of this dog-man's aura is coming from his... Hm.

Hm.

Ok sorry if her gaze dips low for a moment, it's just to perceive the sigil of the Lovers he internalizes, won't be for any longer than that! She is looking back at him respectfully in the eyes within the next beat, willing herself to motor right on from what a... unorthodox place his shard is apparently situated at.]

--Goodness. What a surprise! It has been many moons, that's true. [Since the Suffer Cave days, what a time that was.] I'm well, as you can see. And you? What brings you here, monsieur?

[She takes to his charade well, plays right along with the narrative he's set with his opener of choice. It's a shame about Dokja, but no, she has no intention of causing a scene. Señorita, though? Is he Spanish or maybe South American, judging by his almost beach wear? She picked a basic one-piece dress for herself that reaches to her knees, plain and dark gray that's boring but gets the job of 'blending in' done well enough. Accosted by a Pleroma... What could he possibly want from her? 🤔]

[goldendeceiver]

[ Harsh... But admittedly if he knew what she was thinking Ernesto at least wouldn't entirely disagree with her assessment of Abel (even if he won't say it out loud, he owes Abel too much to put him down that way). It might help put his mind at ease to know that she's not here to do that miserable, pathetic, and shriveled up man harm though, especially after Dokja has already been put through the emotional wringer.

Sure, it was his one of his own making, but that doesn't mean that Ernesto can't feel for the guy as he wallows in his depression hovel.

Though right now he mostly feels for himself as Ciel pretty blatantly checks out his ears, then lets her gaze drop much, much lower. There's definitely a good reason for that, and Ernesto's own heightened understanding does allow him to know what she's really looking at. Those cuter up close ears pin back, even as he smiles widely as their act goes on.

If nothing else he really appreciates how fast the Kenoma that have come to Godsblood have taken to playing along with whatever act he goes with. It's hard to say how long it will last, but he'll take it for as long as it does. ]

Ah, I guess you wouldn't have heard, but I moved here recently.

[ It's doubtful she "wouldn't have heard". The Kenoma already know he's very literally set up shop here, though his name might not have been specifically mentioned. ]

What brings you to this fine city though?

🐕 eustace;

[expiera]

[The last time Ciel followed a dog, it was in Venera during a tense time. At least the ending was a happy one: the Innocence afflicted litter wasn’t too terribly off, they were able to get back on their feet (paws?) with some help. She did get to pet a set of remarkably fluffy ears too in the process, so that truly ended up as quite the unexpectedly positive (dream-like, even) experience. Wonder what this energetic and playful corgi wants to show her, today? It seems to be doing quite well for itself, the unbelievable part is really the fact that it’s a stray with no home to return to. It’s not wearing anything that may identify an owner, the state of its fur is also indicative of some time out in the elements. It could use a proper bath and brushing for its coat to shine again, no doubt.

That she finds the same company she had back in Venera at the other end, after winding through several back alleys to a well-hidden pocket of space away from the public… Haha. Can’t say it’s surprising, especially not when the wolf-eared man surrounded by dogs is peacefully chilling with a calm contentment very rarely seen under any other circumstance. The picture is painting worthy, frankly!]

Taking a break?

[The question is light and cheerful as she steps into what’s practically a urban clearing, the corgi barks once before joining Eustace’s other friends at his feet. Don’t mind the fact that she’s carrying another paper bag today, too. It was just a helping factor in meeting up with the corgi, that’s all!.]

finally coughs my way in here a week late

[lockedon]

[ So he's been caught.

It was bound to happen sooner or later despite his best efforts, and he can only be glad that it's someone like Ciel who he reasonably likes and trusts as opposed to a complete stranger, but it's still somewhat embarrassing to be caught like this, crouched on the ground and surrounded by dogs with his guard let down. There are a few tidbits of kibble in his outstretched hand, currently being licked away by an overeager Pomeranian, but he pays the small dog no mind as he stares at Ciel, posture slightly defensive. ]

Something like that.

[ Truthfully he sees this more as work rather than a laze about kind of break, though being around animals (and dogs, no less!) certainly makes him feel relaxed. Someone has to take care of all the strays in town, make sure they're having enough to eat and have a safe place to sleep at night. Why not him? It's not like he has that much at the Citadel to keep him occupied.

Once the last of the kibble is snatched from his hand, he dusts them off and stands back up. ]

What brings you out here?

makes u tea and wraps u in blanket

[expiera]

A friend of yours, it would seem.

[She answers pleasantly, and the corgi that led her there innocently blinks up at them both. No, it doesn't answer why she's out of the citadel in the first place, but she IS here because she followed a snitch new friend along.]

You've really gathered a crowd. Someone's popular~ [He doesn't need to address that, and she doesn't expect him to.] Are they all strays?

[They look to be at a glance, but asking to make sure. With how well they all seem to be behaving... He must've been at this for at least a month already, taking a guess?]

thank u, my hero

[lockedon]

[ Popular, huh? He makes a bit of a face at that, but doesn't say anything to prove or disprove her point. The trust and friendship of dogs is hardly difficult to earn, canines easily bribed with food and a few kind words. ]

Yeah. There weren't this many of them when I started.

[ Just one or two, trotting along behind him because he'd made the mistake of giving in to their (literal) puppy eyes once or twice. And they'd brought their friends and those friends and brought friends and now here they were, with a second two-legged friend added to the mix. ]

They don't have anywhere else to go, so...

[ He shrugs, just a little. It's not an ideal long-term solution, he knows that, but it's not as though he can stop himself from doing this either. ]

🔪 abel;

[expiera]

[It’s been a surprisingly nice and busy day, somehow. Ciel probably should have made a bigger attempt at finding important and useful information, like look into the Legacies and the last Aion war, but she didn’t want to risk anything that may give herself away in any situation on this (spice) trip. Thus the hours were wiled away striking conversation with many business owners, food related places especially as she could placate the owners by paying them while being able to chow down anything she purchases. That keeps her hands free and lets her stay light on her feet, she’s also taken the liberty of swinging by some of the more popular guilds just to check out what they’re like. What a bustling and outgoing city, so outspoken and full of energy in sharp contrast to withdrawn and sleepy Venera. Hmm…

Then came dinnertime, and while she’s not exactly famished, having spent a good deal of the day pecking away at some snack or another, street food stalls remain a far cry from full fledged restaurants. Besides, she’s been walking around all day, it would be nice to sit down in front of a hot plate to start winding down for the night. Now, where to?

A sign catches her attention. The… “Savoury Siren's Seaside Serenade”? The temptation to simply continue walking is strong, but the fact that the sign somehow manages to weave illustrated chili peppers into its logo is what gives her pause. She ends up simply standing close to the entrance for longer than entirely polite, possibly drawing a few judgmental glances while she sorts out for herself is a potentially spicy menu worth chancing over a ridiculous and corny name.

The answer ends up being yes, of course, arguing AGAINST spicy will always be a losing battle. Giving in with a faint slump of her shoulders, Ciel wills herself to ignore the name as she finally steps in, unaware of the company she ended up drawing during the time it took her to deliberate her way to a foregone conclusion.]

Good evening. Table for one, please.

[...Geez, seriously. Isn't that a really long name and a mouthful to say? What were the founders thinking?]

[inutilis]

[ Gen; Amos; Eustace. there have been others bearing this tell-tale curling, unnatural darkness swirling like smoke from a candle around their person, permeating outward from their Shards and marking them as Aions, as Kenoma among the countless faces of Godsblood's number.

suppose Abel is adding another number to the ever-growing list of those who makes his heart sink into his stomach.

he trails her from a safe distance, watching her watching the sign with a curious sort of intensity; he isn't quite sure what it is about this particular venue that's caught her notice, but it doesn't matter. eventually, she slips inside and Abel can see through the colorful glass windowpanes as she's led off toward a small table reserved for couples or singular diners there to take a meal in peace. Ciel is handed a menu; offered some water (or a stronger drink of her choice, of course); rattled off the specials to give her time to ruminate over her inevitable order.

just like Ciel had studied the building's exterior, Abel studies Ciel.

...he absently rubs his forearm beneath his sleeve, and then he steps inside.

right before the waiter can depart to go and get her beverage, a tall, silver-haired man is plunking himself down into the only other chair at her table, pushing the hood of his cloak aside and heaving a hearty exhale of relief - as if he had rushed here, as if he had made it by the skin of his teeth, a broadly grinning buffoon basking in his victory. ]

--Sweetheart! I'm so sorry; I didn't keep you waiting, did I...? Did you already happen to order for us or did you think I wouldn't make it? That meeting took a bit longer than I expected it to~! --Sir, if you could simply put me down for whatever she's having, that would be wonderful. Thank you, thank you~!

[ he rattles it all off in record time, full of infectious energy and no shortage of saccharine cheer. just a man running late to a date with his... wife? lover? ....EX???? nothing to see here!!! ]

1/2

[expiera]

[Ciel was going to settle on water. Not that she can't drink, but she's here for food, not alcohol. The latter is more expensive anyway, and she DOES have a budget to keep in mind even if may not be obvious at a surface glance. Godsblood food is distinctively different from Achamoth's, probably by design (that and everyone who lives here would probably get mad if the two cities' cuisine is compared), so might as well explore the more innocuous facet of this town while she's here. Two birds one stone, something like that?

The sudden CHAOS FACTOR that has decided to insert itself into her dinner time almost has her reconsider her choice of beverage. To her credit, she manages to remain unmoving in her seat, don't mind the stiffening of her frame.

It takes a second, but her blank expression does change.]

2/2

[expiera]

...

[The 0.1 second of murderous aura that suddenly spikes in the atmosphere is purely a product of some overly active imagination.]

Are you delusional, mister? With all due respect, we've never met, and if you are so quick to mistake a stranger for a woman dear to you, then I do feel very sorry for her, so much that I can't even bring myself to get angry at your rudeness and lack of manners.

[There is nothing but haughty indifference and contempt that greets him from the other end of the table. Ciel does not bother keeping her voice low either, though this "normal volume conversation" may already be making heads turn at the Savoury Siren's Seaside Serenade. Is this restaurant popular at all with couples? Of course she wouldn't know, she's basically a tourist, but the fact that there seems to be a concert area for live music may be indicative of something more elaborate.

...

Next time they're out of public eye, she is going to hurt this man in a place where the sun does not shine. Her cool and nonchalant gaze does sweep over his arm as it goes; last time, it was... (...) Well. He sure seems to have no problems whatsoever using both his hands for more theatrics today, now does he?

The poor waiter tho, surprise morphing into unrecoverable confusion in record time as the polite young man just trying to do his job is now frozen in place with no idea of what to do next. Does he just... Go get the lady her water and pass on her order? Or is he really going to x2 that, but she just denied even knowing the man who just rushed in? What's going on??]

[inutilis]

Oh, you always were such a kidder...

[ Abel leans back in his chair with a hearty, chesty laugh, waving his hand in dismissal as if they were simply two old friends having a good ol' raucous good time. the waiter doesn't seem to look convinced, though, glancing at Ciel as if attempting to discern whether or not he should take this as, like,

...w-worrisome or not, or????

but the priest is merely smiling in that ever-so-beatific way that suggests he hasn't a care in the world. ]

Don't mind her, sir. She's just a bit sore after the divorce, you know how it is after such messy proceedings. We had to split things right on down the middle and I don't think she's ever forgiven me for taking the family dog, to say nothing about her ruined reputation after the infidelity came out. [ a rueful sigh; a pluck at some thread hanging from his sleeve; an exaggerated heave of his shoulders. ] Please go right ahead, mm? Don't pay any mind to her glowering; I'll make sure you're tipped handsomely and then some~! She might be stingy with me, but she'll be plenty generous to you just to spite me, I'm sure~!

i

[dragonmount]

[ he was, in fact, just going about his day.

it's not that he didn't notice the commotion. it's just that, after living in godsblood long enough, you develop a certain ability to tune them out. loud arguments are part and parcel with the populace around here, and rand learned a some time ago that serious offense is rarely taken from them. it'd been alarming at first, but now it's normal.

not homey, exactly. nothing will be home again after two rivers, not ever, and the town is sleepier. oh, lively in its own ways, but tiny compared to a city like godsblood, and more amicable. generally. you always have your congars and coplins, don't you, old grumps like cenn buie, but that's still different. godsblood is a little like if everyone were a coplin, but much better humored, and still got along at the end of the day. rand's politeness had been the thing out of place here, and while he isn't impolite (not often), he's better able to be readily direct with strangers when he needs to be.

so when ciel points him out, there's a moment before he realizes she means, uh, him. and his eyebrows go up as his mouth opens, head shaking already. ]

No, I'm —

[ "rand!" is the aggrieved wail from the woman serving the grilled seafood. "you won't believe the insults i've had to endure today!"

and of course, from the man: "no! they know each other, he's biased! maybe eleanor planned this — "

a big gasp from the crowd, and eleanor herself. the man does at least have the grace to look chastened, but he doesn't take it back. ]

I'm not biased, [ rand protests, taking a few steps closer, ] I'd never lie about which is better —

[ before he remembers that he kind of is biased, and maybe he should be willing to lie? he lives right next door to this woman, and the light knows she can make his existence a living hell if she wants to. she hassles him enough as it is; and, more charitably, it's not like he hasn't spent a fair few evenings eating her food. also, he belatedly considers, he doesn't actually want to be part of this? he was trying to say no? he should not be establishing his food taster integrity right now?

more than likely, ciel can feel the ripple of embarrassment and bewilderment through the bond of their shared legacy. ]

[expiera]

[My, my. What do we have here? The plot thickens! The unlucky Pleroma she's picked out is an acquaintance of the grilled squid lady, as it turns out. What a stroke of misfortune, Ciel can plainly recognize that for what it is. She can make out his Legacy at a glance too, from within the swirl of a small but bright aura clustered around the (tall...) teen's collarbone: one that matches her own, and that observation has her perk up further in turn. He must have come with the second wave of awakened Aions, but more importantly: is he also a disaster of unquantifiable magnitude?

Too early to tell, but the following exchange between madam Eleanor (grilled squid woman), 'Rand' (Pleroma Martyr), and the skewers man (identity pending) is very much pushing him closer towards the messier end of the scale than not.]

Oh, goodness.

[Now she really wishes she already bought something to munch on, and having front row seats to that blast of Complicated Feelings™ is really something else. Amazing... Almost enviable, even!]

That is quite the coincidence, but your suggestion is a little over the top too, mister. [It was more of an accusation, but let's stay polite.] Ms. Eleanor didn't pick Rand out, I did. By that logic, do you think everyone here is in cahoots with her? That would be really unreasonable, don't you think?

[The man mutters something under his breath and glances away, but doesn't look any more willing to take back what he said.

Ciel moves right on.]

Still, Rand looks like a healthy and growing young man. [Says the 5'4" girl who looks to be around the same age as him, heck, maybe even younger.] You said you didn't want food wasted, mister, don't you think he'd be a good person to make sure of that? Would you know about how well he eats too, Ms. Eleanor?

[She smile sweetly at the older woman, whom she is NOT aware is Rand's neighbor who already feeds him occasionally (on top of trying to hook him up with his daughter, allegedly). But that should just mean things would work out even BETTER, right? Can Ms. Eleanor vouch for this tall awkward and probably disastrous Pleromartyr's appetite? 😊]

[dragonmount]

[ the man, despite his displeasure at this turn of events, can't help nodding reluctantly. this young man does seem like he can pack a lot away — listen, he remembers being that age — and certainly more than the petite woman (girl??) trying to arbitrate this dispute.

eleanor, at the same time, is nodding emphatically. she readily admits, "of course i would! but it doesn't take an expert," which she's apparently claiming to be? an expert in rand's appetite? "to tell! just look at him. he doesn't get enough to eat, if you ask me."

possibly what's worse than that declaration (besides its volume) (or the tone, as if suggesting she's just slightly too polite to suggest that he is practically SKIN AND BONES) (which he is not) is the fact that there are some sympathetic hums of agreement as people crane their necks to get a better look at him. he does, in fact, look exactly as healthy as ciel had suggested, but — well, the good thing is that he isn't unfamiliar with this. in the years after his mother's death, a lot of people in emond's field took it upon themselves to take exactly this kind of attitude with him whenever he and his father came down to the village.

so, like, it's mortifying but he's not entirely out of his depth here. there's definitely amused resignation radiating off him now, as he's ushered closer to This Whole Situation. there is no turning back now. he is, unfortunately, committed. if mat could see him now.

he raises both hands, briefly. ]

I can promise to be completely honest. I'll do my best to be impartial.

[ accepting his fate is kind of his Whole Deal. ]

ii - a

[wolof]

[ It was one of the places known for spicier dishes, for certain that she was in, for certain. Someone else at the bar overheard her, and with a glass held to her lips, and golden eyes watching, she wondered for just a moment, why someone sporting blue hair was here. It was unusual enough — like a Fantassin, if she were thinking of home — but most didn't seem to give her much mind.

Akua, however, loved spicy food. She was Praesi, after all, and so she leaned forward, to speak up. ]

If you're looking for recommendations, there's a meat and vegetable dish that's... about as spicy as they make here. [ She gestured down at her plate, which was a soupy array of meats and vegetables all mixed into a spicy looking sauce.

[ Akua, of course, had not been here long enough, and has no clue that the person two seats down is one of their enemies. She only smiled, encouraging. ] But I would only get it if you actually like spicy food.

[expiera]

[In hindsight, coming to Godsblood and acting like a tourist was similar to something she's already done before. Pose as someone she can't be, the opposite of what she has to be, and no matter how inane and frivolous the things she does while under cover, it won't matter anyway once everything is over. (So she tells herself.) It makes the act more convincing.

The love of spicy food, however, is genuine. A bit of truth in every lie to make it more convincing overall, or something like that? Scoping out the Pleroma Aions is a bonus side objective this time, she really did come here for no other reason because several of her peers told her about good spice being available in Godsblood. Thus she doesn't bat an eyelash as she turns to beam at the Sovereign Pleroma--or to be more precise, the woman with remarkably sharp golden eyes, and her plate with even more remarkably fragrant spice.]

I am, thank you! [With all the bright-eyed excitement of a child at a candy store as she happily claps her hands together, this has to be a tourist, right? Or well... Someone who's not from Godsblood, that seems evident.] Ooh... I can smell it~! Would you say it goes better with rice, flatbread, or on its own, ma'am?

[Water is for the weak and a beginner's trap, obviously! Grains, on the other hand...]

[wolof]

[ Akua, who is far too new to Horos to notice the same details -- but her smile was guarded all the same -- more a habit of being Praesi than it is from any suspicion. She's just the type that smiles enough to look welcoming -- but it never reached her eyes. She nudged it forward, to offer it to Ciel. ]

Of course you can.

Personally, I like it without, but... if one wanted the extra energy, I would say flatbread. Or there's always those soft breads, to eat with it.

[ See, Akua washes it all down with wine -- something she has a second glass of with her, in fact. Not as effective, but when one spends several years dead... the bite is welcome. ]

I take it you're a fan of food with proper flavor?

iii-ish

[aquaveiled]

[ Himeka is a frequent flier of the spice stand, though her true purpose for being there isn't immediately apparent. (She may not be the best at subterfuge but even she knows it would be terribly telling were she to simply pass new stock over the counter to Ernesto directly.) But she is also too curious for her own good, wanting to see how things are progressing on the customer side. They have been fairly lucrative thus far, after all.

So Himeka approaches casually, wearing a simple white linen dress that would be fairly common in Godsblood (and definitely not reeking of forest). It seems like she's done a bit of shopping given the various food products sticking out of a leather bag (which definitely does not match the feel of her dress). She makes a point of "examining" the spices, but to a keen eye she's definitely more interested in the people who are also taking them in.

From one Tier Two to another, though, she's clearly an Aion.

She smiles at one child as they approach the stand, tightly holding a piece of paper. She tilts her head as they seem to be reading from it. ]

Oh...are you trying to find something particular?

[expiera]

[Ciel may have a freakish sense of smell, but it's very much not quite good enough to pick up the scent of the woods from a woman several dozen feet away. It would be a detail anyway if once they meet face to face, but in the meanwhile, the kind red-headed woman is only dealing with a local child, while her fellow Tier Two Aion of the opposing sect is staying out of sight.

The child, a little boy around 8 give or take, blinks up at her and nods.]

I'm helping run an errand! Are you the boss, pretty lady?

[He looks quite earnest and serious too, this boy who certainly knows his way around words. Is she the bosswaman? 👀]

[aquaveiled]

[ Well now this little boy is quite eager, isn't he? Still she doesn't want to give him the impression she's in charge even if she, ahem, knows the stock quite well. So Himeka shakes her head. ]

No, I'm not, I'm afraid.

[ Even so, she does kneel down so that she's at a closer height to the boy. (Look 5'2.4" is very tall where she's from.) ]

But I come here often enough I may be able to help you out. What are you looking for, hm~?

📖 dokja;

[expiera]

[Eventually, Ernesto is Dealt With Ciel is free to do as she pleases. It was never a question of "if" but "when", so the "how" doesn't really matter either. Fact remains that at some point during her brief stint in Godsblood, someone is knocking at Dokja's door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Anyone home? (She knows he's in there.)]

[salvageable]

[ Why are so many people checking up on him... Let him be miserable in peace!!!

Except he's not as miserable as before thanks to a certain priest, so instead of being curled up in bed with all the curtains drawn and the lights off, he's scribbling something down in a notebook when the knocking comes. Dokja raises his head in surprise, and he's slow to react, opting to stare at the door like he expects whoever it is to just barge on through.

After a few seconds, he finally pushes back his chair and gets to his feet in order to pause at front of his door. There's no peephole, so. ]

Who is it?

[expiera]

[Hmm...

Whoever's on the other side of the door is patient, and only takes a few seconds to reply after he tentatively makes the inquiry like a normal person for a change.]

A visitor here to see you~?

[The tone may be friendly and easygoing, but the familiar voice isn't exactly one associated with good things, is it...]