04 - Mulled Cider and Wine; Eel and Root Vegetable Hand Pies; Creamy Cod Chowder

[tisfinished]

1: The Milk Run, docked at Flotsam

Senshi seems unusually focused and far less chatty than usual as he serves up hearty winter fare; in addition to the headline items from this post's title, he has hot tea, coffee and cocoa available as well as pork pies and (as a vegetarian option) mushroom pies and an array of pickled vegetables.

He tries to be friendly as ever, but it's clear something weighs heavily on his mind.

2: The Vault's Practice Halls

Senshi is in need of a sparring partner. He's practicing with axe and shield - curiously, practicing with a cage strapped to his chest - and the poor wooden practice dummies he's been whaling on have been taking a serious beating.

"Think maybe I need an actual opponent," he says, his voice unusually clipped.

3: Solstice Gift-Giving

Beware: if you've done any kindnesses to the weird dwarf that loves to cook with monster meat (even more so than most Flotsam pirates, at any rate) then you're liable to find a box outside your home or apartment door wrapped in a ribbon.

While there is no name identifying who could have left them, the fact that they are exquisite, frosted gingerbread monsters narrows down the possible culprits significantly.

Comments

3-ish

[theriflespiral]

Of course, it being Solstice, and Natalia definitely not being worried about her tenuous position within the Corsairs, but rather wishing to allay suspicions, has decided to deliver a gift of her own.

She knocks on the deck hatch to the Milk Run, and while she waits, inspects and re-ties some of the moorings. She holds a parcel under her arm. Not one for secrets, this one.

Re: 3-ish

[tisfinished]

Senshi looks far more tired than he did when he advised Natalia on Solstice traditions.

“Natalia, was it?” He says. “What brings you here? Kitchen proper is closed but I can get us a hot drink.”

It seems Natalia is not the only one to anchor themselves with etiquette when at sea.

Re: 3-ish

[theriflespiral]

"I won't say no to it, but... Perhaps I should prepare it?" Natalia offers. "-- As for what brings me here..."

She produces the parcel from where she had stowed it. "I... Wanted to express some gratitude for the advice."

Re: 3-ish

[tisfinished]

“No, let me - you don’t know how the galley’s set up,” Senshi insists.

And then he sees Natalia take out the parcel, and pauses.

It’s hard to tell if he’s smiling, but that tinge of leaden weight to his words is lessened.

“Funny coincidence, I’ve got a thing for you, too. Come in and make yourself comfortable.”

He takes the package and steps aside, leaving an entrance point for his guest.

Re: 3-ish

[theriflespiral]

"Thank you." In she steps, quickly, to avoid letting any more heat out than she already has.

In the parcel, whenever Senshi cares to open it, is a honing steel, several small vials of herbs, and a bag of refined sugar that kept the rest from rattling against the side of the package. She had considered getting him already completed hard candy, but he genuinely did seem to take as much joy from the cooking as anything else about the things he had made-- and he likely had a better idea than she did for what to do with all of it.

As far as making herself comfortable, of course, that was impossible, but she could pull up a chair and sit in it. Ignore the faint rattle of boxes in her coat-- she does have more stops after this one, not that she'll say it.

I really hope the link is to the start of the video

[tisfinished]

“Ingredients for sugarplums,” he says, shaking his head, once.

He chuckles.

“Took my advice to heart, did ya? May as well give you my present, as long as we’re having coffee. Don’t know you that well so I improvised.”

And when he arrives with the coffee - with some sugar, cream, and for Natalia’s sake butter in dishes on the side - he also hands over his gift box.

Re: I really hope the link is to the start of the video

[theriflespiral]

Natalia blinks, staring at the gift box for a long moment, not entirely sure how to react. Rather than open it-- to delay the inevitable-- she doctors her coffee.

"Not just that. But that you remembered." She gestures to the butter, before taking some to stir in, even as it feels like she's pulling teeth as much as she is hunting for words. "You... Are a very considerate dwarf, I think. Even a chance meeting, for a moment, a few days ago. You... Remembered."

She can't bring herself to say it. She sips her coffee. "... It is well-done."

[harlequinchimera]

I: The Milk Run

Oki finally had the location and free time to visit Senshi's floating commissary, and thusly did, looking curious. She had taken up a plate, gathered from his offerings a pair of pork pies, some pickled vegetables and a mug of coffee.

She gave the dwarf a small bow and spoke, her voice soft for the moment. "I have something that you might like, a bit of a recipe from my own world..."

"It may not look it, but I have ears, if you've wont to speak."

III: Gifts, Solstice and thanks for all the fish?

Oki had spent most of a morning away from the group, between planning and also swimming and visited Senshi's ship, with a trio of enourmous fish, so fresh as to be nearly wriggling as she arrived. "I am told this is a time of givingg gifts. I have nothing beyond equipment to my name, so, I thought that a present from the bracing chill of the sea a worthy and useful gift."

1 with a side of 3!

[newmemorywhodis]

By this time, Link's more than familiar with Senshi's meals; it doesn't take him long to figure out just who the mysterious gifted of gingerbread is.

Link's not entirely sure of the expectations around this tradition of solstice gift-giving; it's not a tradition present in Hyrule. But returning with a gift of his own seems appropriate - so when Link makes a point of catching Senshi on his next milk run.

He pauses, noticing that Senshi seems...a little more solemn than usual. But maybe that just means he needs a gift even more. Link presses into Senshi's arms a small box, inside which is a freshly baked nutcake.

Re: I really hope the link is to the start of the video

[tisfinished]

"Someone has to care. World doesn't," Senshi says. "But thank you."

He doesn't comment on the quality of his coffee. He's confident that all his craftdwarfship is of the highest quality, especially when it comes to products culinary.

[tisfinished]

"A fine solstice gift. Give me a little time to return the favor," he says, examining the salmon among his prizes. "Time enough to put these on ice till I can make something of them, at least! This beauty is bound for the smoker."

If there is heaviness in his heart, Oki can at least tell her gift made it a little lighter.

"Love to hear your recipes... and your thoughts on Corsair new years festivities."

By which he clearly means the fireworks at the Vindess Mines and Bluvink arms factories.

[tisfinished]

"Thank you," he says, simply. "Kitchen's open, if you want anything."

He opens the package and is, for a moment, taken aback by it.

"You made this?" he asks. "Well. In that case, would you prefer coffee or tea?"

The solemnity is not gone, but it is for the moment lessened.

Re: I really hope the link is to the start of the video

[theriflespiral]

The words seem to hit her like a particularly high storm swell, and she sets down her coffee. With shaking hands, she carefully opens the gift box.

... Gingerbread monsters?

[tisfinished]

Gingerbread monsters.

"Like I said, no one minds fresh baked stocking stuffers," he says. "Try dunking one in the coffee."

[theriflespiral]

Her teeth chatter something fierce until she shuts her jaw with main force and drinks half the (normally far too hot for such shenanigans) coffee in one pull. The steam that rises from her mouth afterward sparkles faintly.

Only then does she do as Senshi suggests. "... It's bittersweet. Warm. There is... Ginger, and cinnamon. The icing is especially well-done; it doesn't overshadow or clash with the rest, and doesn't impact the taste of the coffee in the slightest."

[newmemorywhodis]

Link nods. Yes, he made it. But the offer of a drink gets a slightly perplexed head tilt, mainly because Link doesn't actually know one of the options.

"...Coffee?" Link asks - and it's clear that this is a question, not a request.

3

[upupatomway]

Atom goes looking for Senshi, hoping to catch him at the Vault before he leaves to return to his ship. Lucky for him, Senshi's horned helmet makes him stand out, even in a crowd.

"Mr. Senshi!" Atom calls after him when he spots him in the halls coming from the sparring area. He tries waving to him, the little box containing the gingerbread monsters he had received in the other.

1

[spacetogrow]

Ilphyl is not a vegetarian, but mushrooms -- even if they aren't the ones Ilphyl grew up eating -- taste like home far more than pork. And while in theory Ilphyl has been at their adult size for decades, they also lead an active life, so can put food away.

"Hi, Senshi." They pause, a bite of food speared on their fork. "Are you all right?"

2

[redprayer]

Rezo has done his own share of assaulting the training dummies both today and in the past, though his focus has been on refining and controlling his magic rather than the usage of martial weaponry.

The clipped tones of Senshi- the ice cream man, as Rezo thinks of him as- catches Rezo's interest. He leans against his staff, making its chimes ring together.

"What sort of opponent are you looking for?" he asks.

[harlequinchimera]

"Ahh, you know your fish - they're fatty and of a good size, so plenty to work with, certainly, also plenty of potential for stock and the like."

She flicked eyebrows and wings alike, chuckling. "Leavened and stretched bread dough, seasoned, not too heavily, add a layer of shredded cheese, a layer of robust red sauce, and top with finely sliced meats and veg, bake in an oven though, for best results, until edges brown and center's liquid. Be sure a good bake, depending on how thick the crust is, around a quarter of an hour."

She chuckled. "The overall shape depends, a rectangle or a circle, just cut evenly - be sure the crust has a crunch, but a fine chew."

She laughed then, genuinely. "The items it is topped with have nearly led to wars. The shape of it, sauce - all are your canvas, in the end."

She sobered and looked sidelong, giving the dwarf a look at her profile.

"It's serious business, those fireworks. Outside of my training besides very specific uses. I wish them success and precision, honestly. A line of work at least as dangerous as my own." She turned her off-colored eyes back to the dwarf. "Is that what's troubling you?"

[tisfinished]

“Well, glad to hear it meets your standards,” he says, mildly, more amused than anything at the detailed review.

“How are ya settling in, lass?” he asks.

[tisfinished]

“Mmph.” Senshi curls up from the cold a bit, thinking how best to answer Oki’s last.

“Used to be a miner for the Empire, a long time ago,” he allows. “Most of the scut work is done by slaves now, of course, but there are still well paid engineers. Going to be hard to get them to see they’re in the same boat as the slaves, and that the Imps put em there.”

His thoughts on pizza can wait until he gets the measure of Oki’s response.

[tisfinished]

“Never had it before? It’s a stimulant, like tea. Dark, bitter, aromatic. Can stand sweetening and a drop of cream - and excellent with cakes and pastries.”

He raises a cup. “Care to see how it pairs with your fine nut-cake?”

Re: 3

[tisfinished]

“Hello there, Atom!” he says with a wave back - trying for a cordial tone, at least, with the mission so heavy on his mind. “I see you’ve gotten my Solstice present.”

I, the Milk Run

[thunderwarden]

Cid's a new arrival in Flotsam, but that just means he's still figuring out the best places to get a bite to eat and this one looks promising. Can't say he's had a decent chowder since he crossed from the Continent, back in his own world, a lifetime or two ago. He doesn't know Senshi, of course, but he knows the look of a man who's in his head and ought to be out of it. He's worn it enough himself to recognize it in another.

"This is some fine chowder. I reckon it's your recipe?"