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."

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.

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."

[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.

[theriflespiral]

"... I have been roped into calculating minimum yields, translating the hellish language that passes for Old English here, hunted a giant kraken..." She gripped the cup tightly now. "... And I keep looking for the trick. I keep thinking, 'a place like this can't possibly exist'."

"Not that I think the Corsairs are perfect. On the contrary, there's so much room for everyone to have better lives, unhunted and unharmed, but..."

[tisfinished]

“You’re not used to a place working out.”

He’d seen the type before.

Sips his coffee.

“…there was a time,” he says, very softly, “when I would make sure to stuff all of my pockets with spare leavings from tables, nuts or sweetmeats, breads, because I couldn’t imagine the table being just as full tomorrow,” Senshi says.

He is afraid she can relate.

[theriflespiral]

"... There were times like that, yes. When you don't know your meal tomorrow, because today took up all your time, and you curl up and gnaw as purely at your hunger as your food." She sips her coffee. "... If I could make sure of it, I would keep it from happening to anyone else. To pile that blood and uncertainty and starvation on myself."

She's almost certain he can relate, now.

[tisfinished]

"No," he says, sharp, angrier than he means to be. "Not on myself. Hunger saps strength, and depriving myself would only just keep me too weak to help others. When drowning, get to shore before rescuing others."

He sighs, and seeing his drink empty, puts the cup in the dirty rack and gets himself apple wassail. "But there's a reason that no one goes hungry where I can see them starve."

[theriflespiral]

She sits up straight at that. But... Less guarded. Less closed off. A little more resolute. "I-- I see, now."

She sipped the last of the coffee, and then got ready to start washing, rolling up her sleeves. "Something like that, which I can do-- I think I have an idea.

"Can you tell me about how we get supplies? Including from hunting and growing our own."

[tisfinished]

“Vault has great greenhouses with ether-powered sunlamps for most of our staples,” Senshi says, “with almost everyone who can tend to ‘em having little gardens and a chicken or pig or two.”

He indicates the sugar lumps, and his coffee. “For delicacies like these we buy em, openly or on the black market - which is what the Milk Run is for - or else the Flotsam fleet does a bit of privateer work against Imp freighters bound for a count’s feasthall. We grow and buy much more than we steal, but some things we can only get through piracy - almost always stuff no commoner of the Empire will ever see, much less taste.”

[theriflespiral]

"... Hm. About what I expected. I sailed on the Mad Archer for a few months after I landed on her. Long story. I just wasn't certain how much was piracy, and how much was more normal logistical means." Well, that certainly explains her ability to buy delicacies like refined sugar.

"But as for normal purchasing channels-- I know that some of us pose as delivery servants." Natalia paused. "I think we could potentially get a lot of information about the Empire's movements if we went from posing as couriers to being couriers. I... Might need a proper airship, under proper Imperial flags, but... The ability to literally fly with Imperial blessing and send things where they are needed-- that could be invaluable.

"And otherwise, run packages and shipments, and keep track of what the Houses are doing. It's... Ambitious, I will admit, but..."

[tisfinished]

“But it’s a good plan if it works,” Senshi says, stroking his beard. “Once you make a name for yourself, I’ll talk to the folks that got me the Milk Run, see what I can do.”

[theriflespiral]

Natalia nodded, setting the cleaned cups in the drying rack. "Thank you. ... Though."

She pauses. ... She has time. "Brooding over Solstice?"

She can relate.

[tisfinished]

"Hrm," he says.

Then, "One of my missions is, basically, trying to save folks from what happened to me. Mines are a dangerous place, even more so when your employers don't care about you."

[theriflespiral]

"... I see." What would someone like her even look like in this world? She paused to consider what might have been done to them to forge such a weapon.

... She did not like the idea of what stared back. "I-- am too cold, I think, for such work. I speak in... Tactical considerations. Careful assessments. Not talk to stir a heart.

"But I can tell you that you can. You have." The other steel cup rises to join its sister on the drying rack. "And you're right. Someone has to."

[tisfinished]

"...Any time you're in the area and need a hot drink, or a cool one, stop by," Senshi says. "Didn't set out to be a talker, but in this case, they'll know I know what it's like below in the dark when the canary you keep with you keels over."

[theriflespiral]

Natalia scoffed. "Only hot, I think, for a good while. Thank you, for the talk. May my gift bring joy. To many, but you especially."

She bowed, politely, and was careful to keep the hatch as shut as possible against the freezing rain that had started up outside.

Now... Where to next...? ... The Bloody Bun? ... Fine. She would go.