catch-all open log!

[rebells]

Who: Anyone and everyone!
Where: On the beach, and various other places throughout the hub island
When: Day 80, and the next couple days after
Open/Closed: open log for hub shenanigans!

[This evening, someone has placed an old, rusted-over camp stove on the beach near the coven's row of huts--anyone examining it in detail will see that it's not operational at the moment, but that could potentially be changed, couldn't it? If someone was handy with mechanical things . . . .

Next to it is a crate (which, from the weight of it is empty) and pinned to that crate is a sheet of paper with a map on it, something like a much cruder, black-and-white version of this:



with the following key:

1 - crags. Contain snakes which may be poisonous. Watch out.
2 - ocean, going about one mile out from the coast.
3 - lagoon. Contains thick reeds (could be woven or shaped into tools) and frogs (edibility uncertain).
4 - abandoned campsite.
5 - orchard. Currently, trees are diseased and bare. Plant healer needed.
6 - abandoned house. A family used to live here, from the looks of it. Still contains some useful supplies.

And there should be a 7 north of base camp with the notation "graveyard. Graves unused." but the player forgot and is too lazy to go back and fix it right now. Observant individuals will note that the map looks like a more detailed version of one hanging on the door to a certain coven member's cabin, one that has a note on the bottom: "Have information? Ask for Jay."

Other than that, it's a quiet night on the hub island. We've been here for a couple days; maybe you're getting restless? Want to check out that ocean, or lagoon, or even those crags? Maybe just go door-to-door in the beach huts? Maybe you're sick of shrimp and looking for other things to eat . . . hopefully someone's got a fire going tonight, and thought to kill a boar . . . .

What are you doing tonight?]


((here or here for place descriptions))

Comments

[allconsumed]

[Velvet has been busy. First and foremost, if they're going to be stuck on this island for a little while, she's going to eat as well as she can. As luck would have it, hunting wild boars is a specialty of hers. And after scrounging around the estate, she finds all of the simple tools she needs.

The pleasant smell wafts out from the beach near the huts. With dusk approaching, the large fire she's built becomes increasingly bright and visible against the darkening sky. Over it, Velvet has skewered a good-sized boar on an old fashioned spit. Who needs a stove? Sadly it makes an annoying and drawn out squeeeeeeeak every time she turns it, though she doesn't seem to notice or care.

Drawn to the sound, the sight, or the smell? There's satisfaction and pride behind Velvet's typically surly expression. This is too much food for her to eat by herself, after all, and for now she's not in a particularly boorish mood. Get it.]

You hungry?

[talim]

[ jude wouldn't expect someone like velvet to be good at cooking, but then again, he's only met her once, and as intimidating as she was, it's a completely baseless assumption. he can't help but feel a little ashamed, to be so judgmental.

and jude hasn't forgotten the fact that he owes her, either, but... that doesn't stop him from walking up to her, coming out of his hiding place behind the nearest tree. he hadn't been spying or anything... ! just observing. he didn't even mind the noise. ]

Starving, actually. It smells good. Is it okay if I sit with you?

[ jude toes the sand with his shoe, looking a little shy. like he's expecting her to say no. ]

[allconsumed]

[Well, well. Velvet definitely hasn't forgotten that he owes her, but cooking is something that she enjoys and it's less fun when there's nobody to share with. Still, Jude doesn't receive an overly warm welcome. Velvet gives him a short glance, then nods towards a log set near the fire, indicating that he can sit.

She squeaks the spit around for a bit longer before breaking the silence.]

It's going to take some more time, so relax.

[talim]

Sure.

[ ...

maybe the silence would be more comfortable with someone who wasn't velvet, but jude feels an immediate urge to fill it. he is genuinely curious about some things, though, and it isn't difficult to speak. ]

Do you like cooking? It seems like you've done this before.

[allconsumed]

[Velvet doesn't mind chatting. There's nothing too complicated left for her to do so it's not too much of a distraction or anything. She also isn't immune to feeling awkward, so.]

I haven't used a spit before, but it's a simple concept. I'd like to make a stew with the leftovers, but I'm not sure how well it'll keep. It pisses me off to waste food.

[talim]

If you're good at it, then I'm sure you can come up with something. I'd offer to help, but I doubt I'm as talented at cooking as you are.

[ he can't help but wonder about the latter statement, but he says nothing about it. he doesn't disagree with the sentiment, after all. ]

[allconsumed]

I don't give out lessons for free.

[Not that he was asking for them? That might have been a joke, actually, but it's hard to say since her tone stays exactly the same.]

If you want to help, then take some of the leftovers to your friends. You have those, right?

[talim]

Friends? No, I'm not familiar with the concept.

[ he gives her a deadpan stare. ]

Yes, I have friends, and of course I'd be happy to share with them. I appreciate it.

[allconsumed]

[Look, Velvet doesn't have any, so. Don't friendshame her, jeez.

Anyway, if he's trying out-deadpan her, good luck.]

Good, you seemed like the type. Tell me what they think about the taste. I have a feeling boar is going one of main menu items for a while, so I'm going to try cooking it different ways.

[talim]

[ so she's complimenting him now? this woman... ]

I'm looking forward to trying it. It smells delicious. Looks delicious, too.

[ he almost tells her he never would have guessed she's the type to enjoy cooking so much, but he rethinks that statement and decides to keep it to himself. the last thing he wants to do is insult her, even unintentionally. ]

... But why don't you share some with your own friends? Food always tastes better when you're sharing it with other people.

[ surely she has friends, right? ]

[allconsumed]

[She thinks it's more of an observation than a compliment. From the standpoint of someone cold and pragmatic, friends aren't very useful. Even if they act supportive, they could use your trust against you at any time.]

I don't care who I'm sharing it with as long as they appreciate it. You fit the bill, I suppose.

[She lifts her palm dismissively.]

Besides, I can't taste normal food.

[talim]

You can't?

[ jude has heard some pretty odd things, but lacking taste buds? he gives velvet a quizzical look. ]

But why? I've never heard of a condition like that.

[ he doesn't mean to pry, except he kind of does. ]

[allconsumed]

[A "condition," huh. Velvet is mildly amused by his word choice. A short, derisive noise rises from her throat.]

I said normal food. Blood is all that I can taste.

[Did she start with that revelation for the shock value? Yep, pretty much.]

If you really want to know, it's because I'm not human.

[talim]

I...

[ jude has no idea what to say to that. velvet continues to elude him.

he could say she looks plenty human to him, besides the whole demonic arm thing, but jude knows better; milla looks plenty human, after all, and she's far from it.

so all things considered, he takes this information surprisingly well. ]

Then what are you?

[allconsumed]

[Not easily fazed, is he. Velvet can appreciate that.]

A daemon.

[Nobody around here seems to know what those are, specifically, aside from her acquaintances from back home. She doubts Jude is the exception.]

If that doesn't ring a bell, then you're better off not knowing the details.

[talim]

But what if I want to know the details?

[ his expression is unflinching. ]

[allconsumed]

[Her eyes narrow.]

Why? Are you that curious about me?

[drizzle]

[The sound will be one that will catch her attention along with the size of the fire. It was the biggest she has seen, which was commendable as it gave off a good amount of light and warmth to the lightly chill area, while at the same time it could be a potential hazard as well. Nike will head on over to the area, curious over the workmanship of the fire place and boar, but when her attention turns to the woman next to it -- she'll end up staring in awe.

Why is she dressed like that? So little clothes, isn't she cold? Nike couldn't help feel concern and admiration filling her. With a weak smile, she'll head to her direction as she asks her a question.]

I am! I've been exploring the area while finding a place to live that I had forgotten all about eating.

[Which was odd. Normally, Nike was prone to hunger due to her powers, but now that it was disabled she didn't feel her stomach grumble in the least. After some thoughtful consideration, she'll decide to ask her directly.]

Did you kill and cleaned this boar?

[allconsumed]

[Velvet doesn't mind the staring too much; she's used to it, though it's more often looks of concern or fear. She allows Nike to approach, not looking up, still focused on the boar.]

That's right.

[She doesn't feel like she needs to elaborate. There's a horizontal log next to the fire, and Velvet motions towards it.]

You can sit if you want.

[drizzle]

[Nodding her head, happily.]

Thanks. I really appreciate the gesture.

[To be invited to dinner, even by a total stranger, is the greatest kindness anyone can every bestow on her. She was excited to dig in and have a good first meal with a potential ally. She'll take her seat by one of the log with her attention on the female chef with interest.]

I haven't had meat for a while. The Palai's diet mainly consisted of seafood and vegetables. They had pretty good dishes. I kinda saved some of the ingredients. Would you like to have some with me next time?

[allconsumed]

I suppose that would get old.

[Back when she could still taste regular food, and had access to a kitchen, Velvet made it a point to fix a wide variety of dishes. She learned new recipes whenever she could, and the skill came in handy during her travels. Their group managed to come across a surprising amount of different ingredients.]

Think I might take you up on that, though. Just a warning: it's all going to taste the same to me.

[drizzle]

Unfortunately.

[There will be a weak nod of her head as she says it. As much as Nike didn't want to admit in having been spoiled by the Sun Kingdom when it came to always having an unlimited variety of choices in food, it was clear as day that she was by the comments she had made. Food in her childhood was very limited due to the state of her kingdom being very penniless.]

Huh? Why? You don't sound sick or look injured.

[The other girl's comment will catch Nike slightly off guard. It was enough to have her returning her focus back at her with curious concern.]

[allconsumed]

[Velvet turns her head and looks Nike in the eye for the first time. She doesn't mind explaining, and the serious look on her face indicates that she's not trying to mess with her. Not that her face isn't serious 99% of the time, but…]

I'm not human.

[OK, maybe that's not that much of an explanation. She offers a little more.]

The only thing I can taste is blood, but I doubt that sounds appetizing to you.

[drizzle]

...no, it doesn't...not for me, anyway.

[All said without a second thought as she was taken by surprise by the thought of her not being able to taste anything else except blood. Nike already knew there were those that weren't human, but she has never met anyone admit such an issue to her before. It was clear from the other girl's gaze that she wasn't kidding around neither.

Needless to say, Nike can't help feel a bit of guilt over having complained over eating the same meals when there was someone that could taste only one thing and it was something that should be considered unpleasant. It does make her wonder if...]

Do you like the taste of it?

[It was the only thing she has ever tasted in her entire life. She couldn't help wonder over the type of species she was too. It was clear she was in no danger. This woman reminded her a little of her grandmother -- being the very direct type. Which Nike didn't find unnerving in the least bit.]

[allconsumed]

[Velvet is privately glad that the revelation doesn't scare Nike off; there's a lot of food here and she'd honestly hate to waste it. She continues to gaze at her rather seriously.

Her question is interesting. Lying is always an option, but it feels pointless. There's no need for Velvet to go into too much detail, anyway. It would be difficult for her to describe just how it tastes, specifically, for a number of reasons.]

Usually. For a stretch of three years it was all I had to eat. I fed on daemons, so the blood of animals like this boar would taste bland. It's not very tempting.

[Also the fresher, the better, but she leaves that detail out.]