(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

[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. ]

[expiera]

See? Then it should be fine! [Meanwhile the stranger responsible for his callout just puffs her chest out, as if she takes particular pride in her pick. She may or may not look way too satisfied for someone who just chose a random bozo off the street to share street food she'll be paying for, and once the commotion is starting to settle down, she's taking out a pouch and addressing both Ms. Eleanor and M. Skewers Man with renewed focus.]

How much do I owe you both?

[As she fishes out two sapphire currency stones worth 50 jools total, along with some other quartz ones. Considering that 25 jools is the daily pay for unskilled labor, and this IS street food... This young woman doesn't seem to be hurting for money, does she?

Rand is given some space to come to peace with his street-food filled future, while Ciel happily pays off both vendors without bothering with much haggling at all. Skewers man seems a little suspicious, but she IS making a big purchase, so he gets to work right away after accepting her payment. Ms. Eleanor seems to be a better mood now that she knows she's cooking for her neighbor who doesn't get enough to eat, it IS awfully kind of the young miss to be willing to foot his bill.

That done, the one responsible for his fate saunters over to his side. Nothing else to do while they wait, hm?]

I'm sure you'll do fine~! Have you had much street food living here in Godsblood, mister Rand?

[Very nice of Ms. Eleanor to have introduced him without prompting, btw. Sure makes things easier for this Kenoma Aion! :>]

[dragonmount]

[ the crowd doesn't disperse so much as settle down. they'll want to see these two peoples' reactions to tasting the respective dishes, after all, not to mention learn the final verdict. but food being cooked and money being paid isn't very interesting, so aside from some tutting ("well, dear, you'd better be honest after putting your foot in this") and some heckling ("drop the act, we know you just wanted a free meal!"), rand's mostly left alone.

so by the time ciel approaches him, his composure is more or less intact, though he regards her wryly. ]

I can pay you back. [ which is actually, absolutely untrue, so then he frowns and corrects, ] Not in cash. Not unless you have some time. [ wheeze. but he bulls on, ] But if there's something else I can do, I will.

[ which is a loaded promise, not that he really knows. if he knew her for a kenoma aion, he'd certainly speak more carefully. but while her being a rich newcomer is weird, it's not entirely suspicious. there are newcomers in godsblood every day, and this one hasn't been announced either publicly or through their legacy bond. but it does prickle at him to rely on someone else's generosity, especially a stranger's. so: that takes precedence over asking her question. ]

[expiera]

[Ah, so one of those types. His Legacy did give away as much, though she does have the upper hand in this: not only in being further attuned, but also not experiencing any notable emotional stressor like this poor young man had just been put through. Seriously though, what's the harm in a little taste test and free food? He knows one of the cooks too, so what's the worst that can happen?]

Aha, it's okay. Haven't you heard to not look at a gift horse in the mouth? I don't mind, really~!

[But he really looks too serious for his own good, huh...]

Or are you the super self-conscientious type who can't let anything you feel is slightly unjust go?

[It's a little teasing, just gauging how righteous shounen he is 🤔]

[dragonmount]

[ too serious for his own good he may be, but at least he isn't too self-serious. there's a twitch of a smile at the teasing description, an indication that maybe this isn't the first time he's heard a description something like that. ]

No, [ he says, amused. light, imagine. he'd have nothing else to do with his time if he were. ] But I don't usually rely on charity from strangers.

[ is that a funny statement, given his apparently relationship with eleanor? well: she isn't a stranger, and maybe more importantly she doesn't give him a lot of choice in the matter. (like, you know, right now.) but ciel he's just met, and he likes to think anyone from two rivers would want to offer the same. he likes to think there's enough two rivers in him for that. ]

[expiera]

[Nothing depressive, masochistic, self-deprecating, or delusional so far... You're doing great, Rand! Then again, dubiously sideglances at the other Pleromartyrs...]

Haha, okay, okay. How about you tell me more about this city, then? What's it like living in Godsblood, how do people do things here, what are the important local customs, stuff like that? I'm a traveler just passing by, but I'll still be spending a few days over. Anything you may think of can help.

[She proposes breezily. It may be somewhat modest, but it is a proposal all the same. There's a gleam of something expectant twinkling in her blue eyes now, too; how about it?]

[dragonmount]

[ there's a flicker of thought, that he seems to be hearing this a lot lately. eustace (whose name he never got) had also played tourist, had asked rand about the city. but it's different enough to not solidify into a connection. eustace had needed directions somewhere, had asked rand about his life, had talked about the innocence. ciel sounds more like she's looking for a travel brochure, which is unfortunately not a thing that exists in rand's world.

more to the point, he laughs, brief. ]

Where do you want me to start?

[ those were a lot of questions! though they gave him an idea, and he'll be looking to hit all the points in question. ]

[expiera]

[Good to know this is actually part of why they work so well together, unintentional as it may be! Eustace being aloof and Ciel being social somehow ends up working out for their favor, incredible.]

Hmm... [Making a show of thinking with her hands linked behind her back, she beams back at him once she settled on an idea.]

How about your favorite thing about Godsblood? Things are okay too, if there's more than one~!

[Don't mind the detail that it's sounding to be more about him and less about the city, mmkay?]

[dragonmount]

The shore and the docks,

[ but since those aren't necessarily tourist attractions™ that godsblood is known for, his tone quickly turns rueful. ]

I used to live somewhere far inland before I was here, [ by way of explanation, ] in the mountains. The first time I saw the ocean was in Godsblood.

[ and he hurries to add, ]

And there are a lot of buildings by the shore that are just huge ships, turned into places people use every day. [ well. city people. ] They're worth going to see.

[expiera]

[Somewhere far inland but mountainous, huh? Haha. Does a place like that even exist, on Horos? There's not much in ways of mountains at the center of the continent, if she recalls correctly. Godsblood was allegedly already the most mountainous region on it.

But that's an inconsistency a native well versed with Horosian geography would tell him, one that a fellow Aion is happy to overlook even if she's from the opposing sect. So her smile doesn't falter, and she nods along as she watches him.]

The ocean must look amazing the first time you get to see it no matter what, hm? Abandoned boats becoming repurposed does sound very neat, I'll make sure to do that. [Wouldn't hurt to get some familiarity with the city, imminent military occupation notwithstanding.] Did you get a chance to go swimming in the ocean, yet?

[dragonmount]

[ he has — been vaguer. he'd started out saying so little about himself, but living in the city meant he couldn't just be nobody from nowhere. well, he could. but not for long.

not once he started having neighbors like elanor, familiar haunts, people who recognize him on sight and know his name. and he is such a bad liar. so he picks and chooses bits of the truth, farm, or inland, or mountains, and no one's too picky about pressing him. not about such a boring, tiny little village. you won't even know its name, he usually laughs, and people often agree. there are so many travelers in this city, and plenty too who are running from something, so why press a polite young man too hard?

and there's no need for him to think of any of this at all right now. ciel's expression stays bright, and her question startles an amused sound out of him. ]

In the ocean? Light, no. I've swum in rivers and lakes, but nothing that deep before.

[ nothing that salty before either, for that matter. just another layer of difference from home, from what he knows. ]

[expiera]

Why not? It's not like all of the ocean is deep, you know. You haven't gone down to the beaches for a dip at all? Isn't that missing out?

[Yes, they're just having a casual chat, making small talk no different or more significant than the passing ocean breeze. Gone within moments after coming, leaving nothing noteworthy behind with its passing.]

I've heard that the seafood is excellent, though. Have you been enjoying the fishes, shrimps, squids, and so on? Lobsters and crabs too, maybe?

[A glance over their shoulders to where Eleanor and Skewers Man are diligently working, bless their souls. Watching the sizzling and grilling is captivating in its own way too, honestly?]

[dragonmount]

[ he shakes his head, eyebrows raised. seeing the ocean is one thing, but going into it? willingly? that's a little bit much for him. sailing on the ocean is theoretically less daunting — by way of being on a ship, with someone else doing the sailing — but, light. imagine being that far from good, solid earth.

no, he's fine without swimming in the ocean. it's just weird!! besides, it's not like he's hurting for places to theoretically go swimming if he wanted to. ]

It'd be stranger if it weren't, wouldn't it? [ be excellent, this close to sea. but there's still a ring of amusement in how he asks that. following her gaze to eleanor, he admits, ] She's introduced me to a lot of it. Fish I'm used to, but most of it's been new to me.

[ unsurprisingly, given what he's said of where he came from. ]

[expiera]

My. You're more timid than you look~

[What's that supposed to mean? He'll have to decide for himself.]

Haha, that's true. They weren't joking when they say Godsblood has the best seafood on the continent, I'll end up spending all my money on food here if I'm not careful! [More true than one may expect, even if it won't necessarily be on seafood. That said, her gaze trails back from the woman back to the Aion at her side.] Ms. Eleanor sure works deftly. How did you come to meet?

[dragonmount]

[ what is that supposed to mean? but she's clearly teasing, and at the end of the day it's not like the opinion of a stranger he'll never see again (ha ha) means much. ]

Have you had the seafood anywhere else?

[ since godsblood is, after all, not the only coastal settlement on horos. she may even have some familiarity with freshwater foods, as he does.

as for her question, there's a fond smile that tugs at his lips. there was no disavowing familiarity with eleanor from the moment she'd recognized him, and it's not like he's inclined to. why should he tell anything but the truth? ]

We live next door to each other. And she's the sort to know all her neighbors.

[expiera]

[haha yeah, stranger... Sorry not sorry, all's fair in love and war? :) ]

Yes, generally freshwater ones. It's not just that though, the way how things are cooked and seasoned are much more bold here also. I think that's a good thing!

[Of course the spice addict would say that, but that's neither here or there. Ahem.]

My, that certainly explains it. The sort who knows what everyone around them is up to, right? I expect it in small villages where rumors travel fast and everyone knows everyone, but it's comforting to know the big city has its share of ever-fretting busybodies, too. You must feel quite indebted to her, judging by the face you were making earlier~?

[He was totally making a face, no same Legacy empathy necessary to tell. Though that deluge of embarrassment and surrender sure was something else!]

[dragonmount]

[ this definitely seems like a safe topic of conversation to have with a v e r y n i c e s t r a n g e r. ]

I wasn't making a face, [ is said reflexively, even though he definitely was. blame abel and his previous accusations of ridiculous face making, even though despite his best efforts, rand al'thor really does wear his heart on his sleeve. ] She's been kind to me when she didn't have to. [ is essentially a yes, i do feel indebted to her, though he follows that up with, ] You'll find a lot of people in Godsblood are like that. They're ready to give newcomers — and visitors — a chance.

[ which is actually a difference from his small town, full of busybodies and goodwives as it is. peddlers like padan fain are at least familiar, if not one of them. but new faces come so rarely that they're often a spectacle, whether that's positive or negative. ]

[expiera]

[to be fair it is? Perfectly safe? Things wouldn't be shaking up if he doesn't accidentally a murder? He's really going to make it clear he has impulse control issues by the time this month runs through, huh...

The smile he gets is one that says "sure dear if you say so" without saying anything, so letting it go is just as well.]

Haha, I think I know what you mean. They were both friendly, forward, and very compelling, I really didn't mean to start an argument when I got interested in what they're both selling. I'm sure everything is going to be super tasty though, I'm looking forward to it! [nbd about the judging part, just stuff your face and enjoy tbh? 🤤]

Sooo, how would you describe Ms. Eleanor's cooking? You've had it before, right~?

[Just a food-minded tourist badgering him for more food deets... Totally harmless!!]

[dragonmount]

[ wow his impulsivity is fine??? footage not found this is victim blaming??? ]

Then just have strong opinions, [ he says, not that she sounds particularly put off by that, ] which is also common around here. I wouldn't be surprised if they get along well most of the time.

[ the two cooks have certainly settled down, focused on their orders and the competition at hand. and he opens his mouth to answer her question, then closes it, and shakes his head with a slight smile. ]

I have, but I wouldn't want to skew your opinion before you can taste anything. She'd never forgive me for that.

[expiera]

[no it's called "the consequences of my own actions", look it up maybe?]

So I've seen, haha. Are you brave enough to ask her about the gentleman manning the skewers stand? Maybe they are both rivals and friends, just as you're guessing?

[That earns a small laugh from her, light and easygoing.]

Not even if it's good? Goodness, you certainly are diligent. Okay then, I won't badger you for more spoilers. But see, you're a good pick for judging after all~!

[dragonmount]

Maybe after the competition.

[ he says wryly, considering the question maybe more seriously than he needs to. maybe after...like, tomorrow after, depending on whose food is declared better. he's still not entirely sure how he's going to manage that one, besides doing his best. maybe he can just avoid picking a single person's cooking over the other? they do have different specialties, after all. ]

I can be fair, [ he says, on the topic of being a good pick, ] but that doesn't mean I know much about food.

[ oh, there's the self-deprecation...but anyway, ]

I don't think I got your name.

1/2

[expiera]

Hmm... Maybe I'll do it for you? I'd certainly like to take note of the best street food stalls in the city for future reference, I don't know about you! [One eyelid flutters close to something akin to a wink, at least she doesn't grill him further over how serious he's taking all this.]

Haha, you don't have to take it so seriously. Eating may be a necessity, but it's also a luxury. It would do disservice to the cooks too if you're so focused on trying to be fair that you forget to enjoy the food, you know. Cooking is a labor of love, too.

[That said, while the question for her name doesn't cause her expression to change, there is a small pause before she answers. Easy to miss and nothing noteworthy in and of itself, but it is the time she takes to mull over if she should lie to him or not.

...]

2/2

[expiera]

Skye. It's nice to meet you, Rand!

[In the end, she settles on a lie. Who knows how things will be when she meets this Aion next time, as Kenoma versus Pleroma proper? But for today, she's a traveling young woman in Godsblood for food tourism leisure, who happens to cross the path of a young man who's also simply living his life the best he can. She doesn't intend on keeping her 'real' name a secret from him, but he can find out about that once they face against each other in earnest as the enemies they truly are. And whenever that day may be...

It's not today. So today, she's "Skye". What's a temporary name anyway, to someone who's already discarded her birth name for many years now?]

[dragonmount]

Are you a cook?

[ feels like a reasonable thing to ask, given her passion for the subject. she's clearly a foodie, with her strong opinions about cooking, about food, about the enjoyment of it, so for him it seems likely that she must have some connection. he can cook insofar as having some level of self-sufficiency to take care of himself (and previously his father), but he was never a cook. he doesn't think about food, or cooking, any more than he really has to. so ciel's (sorry, skye's) enthusiasm is foreign to him...but kind of endearing. it's cute. ]

It's nice to meet you too, Skye.

[ feels like a strange name to him, but admittedly a lot of names he's heard around here are strange to him. one day he might even discover that abel's first name isn't 'father'...maybe. ]

And if you want to ask, I'd like to hear the answer.

[ isn't, you know, a cop out...maybe....he would ask eleanor, actually, because he isn't really afraid of her. but since ciel ("skye") seems so interested in the topic, there's no harm in her asking. ]

[expiera]

No, I sadly don't have much chance to cook leisurely, but I did grow up in a bakery. Does that count?

[Her answer is honest. It's very much a connection, one she won't deny. In a perfect world, she would be nothing more than a baker who spends her days toiling away on tasty pastries and pretty cakes. The world is not perfect, however, and that's why she finds herself here, using a fake name in front of a friendly young man whom she'll be at odds with soon enough.]

Likewise, Rand. I'm only staying in Godsblood for a few days, then it's back on the roads for me. This is a lovely city though, I wonder if I'll get the chance to visit again.

[And it's not going to be a short few weeks from now, because by then, it's 'Ciel' who's coming. (...) Mm, it really is best to keep things separate, now that she can't simply stick to one name and brainwash her way through everyone she meets anymore. Suggestion really was convenient, but alas...]

Okay, maybe after we've eaten? Speaking of which, I think they're finishing up on the first batch!

[She did order "one of everything", which in hindsight is a much bigger undertaking than "several of one thing", but oh well. Is he ready for seafood and skewers?!]