Artistic Endeavors

[somany_names]

Into that lightless place bled a tiny streak of color, weak and pale. Bit by bit it spread, seeping up into a sky streaked with a few wisps of cloud. Tenuous as it was, the light above began to illuminate the shape of the land below; gradually hills and plains gained definition, gathering color as children gather wildflowers, until the greenery was

Comments

[vicioussweetie]

Ali's first afternoon (not spent asleep) was, for someone in her condition, busy. Over lunch, she'd asked Taramis if he knew anything about this mysterious girlfriend about which Merv had been complaining. He didn't, and was clearly distracted by concerns over what she'd like and how to best prepare the kitchen. The staff was perfectly able to cater to more whims than two ladies and an Endless, but constant vigilance is key to maintaining quality

[vicioussweetie]

"Oh. Well now I just feel silly." She's even blushing now.

"...I wonder who he was talking about?"

[somany_names]

"As do I. Perhaps I should ask him later," he muses. "But for now, would you like to join me for an evening meal?"

[vicioussweetie]

"I would, very much." Ali goes back to smiling now, even if it's a bit strained when she stands. Having remembered Matthew's "weather report" that morning, she's dressed in the Roman style, and collects an appropriate cloak just in case it gets cold.

"And thank you. For everything."

[somany_names]

He offers her a hand and, assuming she takes it or tucks it into the crook of her arm or something, they're soon in the dining room. One of the advantages of traveling with Dream is so often cutting out all that unnecessary middle ground. "You are welcome, Aisling."

[vicioussweetie]

He is certainly direct. And of course she takes his hand! Like she'd pass up the chance. He's one of of the least touchy-feely people she knows; she cherishes each and every time she gets away with touching him.

"You know," she remarks conversationally, after settling into a chair and greeting Taramis, "I think the kitchen staff is a little afraid of me."

[somany_names]

"Oh? What tells you this?" Dream, too, acknowledges Taramis and takes a seat.

"Welcome, welcome, my lord, my lady. What wonders, what marvels, what delights may we offer you this eve?"

[vicioussweetie]

"I'll show you," she offers Dream in an aside before she answers Taramis.

"I'd like some peppermint tea, please, and a meal. I'd love to try something adventurous, but I'll leave the details entirely to your discretion."

[somany_names]

Taramis bows his acknowledgment, takes Dream's order, and departs. Sorry, Ali, the kitchen staff knows you really do want to be adventurous, now. When Taramis returns, Fashion Thing in tow, the meal set before Ali is of spitted squirrel of the world tree, stir-fried nonsense, and a sunset salad (made with actual pieces of a sunset). And, of course, her peppermint tea with her preferred additives.

[vicioussweetie]

"Oh. This looks delightful, thank you!" Yay for interesting food! "I'm glad you're not as timid as this morning," she adds teasingly, while pondering what fork one uses for sunset.

[somany_names]

"It is ever our wish to please, madamme," Taramis replies with another sweeping bow.

[vicioussweetie]

Ali's still clueless on the fork situation, so instead she decides to see what Dream's having. "This morning," she explains, "I told Taramis I was willing to try whatever they felt like making, and I didn't get a single thing I can't get at home."

[somany_names]

"No? That is unfortunate. I can speak to the kitchen staff, if you wish?" Dream appears to be having a bowl of borscht, save that a rime of frost is slowly thickening on the outside of the bowl and on the table around it.

[vicioussweetie]

"Oh, no, I think they got over it." Eventually she decides to start with the squirrel, while it's still nice and hot and full of gossip. Juicy juicy gossip.

"I'm not even sure what that dish is," she points out while pointing to the nonsense, "but it smells wonderful. I don't suppose there's much you haven't tried, but I still have a lot of culinary exploring to do."

[somany_names]

"Ah, good. Taramis and the staff do manage to surprise me, from time to time. Some of the recent experiments with deep-frying, as an example."

[vicioussweetie]

"Oh? I'm sure they're thrilled when they manage it. Deep-fried just about anything is very popular where I'm from, much to people's later regret."