hantale | Ryslig | IC Network Contact

[ He talked like everything was obvious and made sense, but of course, not everyone sees the world through the same lense, especially the kelpie beside him.

Fran busies about the kitchen for a bit, preparing some spices and herbs and then pouring some stock into the pot and setting it to simmer for a bit. ]

Mmmh- I don't quite get it yet. Wasn't it the other people that stopped you from going? Why is that your fault?

[ Logically, sure... But they were aware things didn't always work that way with most people. Eventually, Fran shakes their head, eager to move on to a likely less sore point. ]

So you worked for them for a while, doing all manner of things?

[ Quite honestly, even people from Majima's world wouldn't really understand his thought process at times. ]

That ain't an excuse. [ NO EXCUSES, IN FACT. ] I still shoulda been there.

I don't know how much he's heard about what went down -- probably not a lot. Dudes on death row ain't exactly get to sit down with an evenin' drink to watch the nightly news.

But yeah, I worked for the Omi for a while. Hated it. Took about two years of that, and then the whole damn mess got turned upside down over some real estate deal. Long story, but the short version is that just before I ended up in Ryslig, I was a free man.

You're pretty handy with that stock.

[ Fran's beginning to expect he'd say the same had he been half-dead and unable to move. No excuses indeed. ]

Mm- I think I get it. Would you consider yourself free, living here? I know it's not what most people consider ideal, but...

[ Soft lips curl, nodding once to the statement. ]

I like making soups and stews... They're tasty, and make the house smell nice! It's been fun learning about cooking since I've been here~

[ Because you know, they pretty much didn't before. With everything settled and ready to stew, they set the lid over it and walk back over to sit beside Majima again. ]

Not particularly. We ain't free to leave, are we? And havin' to feed off people ain't so hot, either.

[ Although what he'd really hated was finding people without their eyes, without their arms and kidneys and horns, bleeding pitifully out in cramped, dirty alleys. The Fog God could suck it, tbh. ]

Ya didn't cook before you came here? At all?

Mhm... A cage is still a cage, no matter how big?

[ Fran could at least relate to the poacher incident. It had left them a bit more scared than usual. How much that had to do with the fog was anyone's guess. As per usual, it seemed people were the real monsters. ]

Not really... I've eaten cooked food before, but I mostly just had fruits and loose vegetables. Food comes plentifully when you work with nature, after all.

[ Something something, Magic. ]

Something like that. Although in this case, it ain't even that big. Water on all sides, 'cept for the mountains. And I hear no one's been able to get over those.

[ It seemed Majima was looking once more for something to do; maybe he could find some dishes in the sink and start doing them. ]

What'd you do in wintertime? Move to someplace warmer?

I'll take a few hundred miles over a couple, at least.

[ It was better than being cramped in the city, as far as Fran was concerned. If he was looking for things to do, the chopping boards and knives needed cleaning, at least. Fran ran a surprisingly clean ship, for a wild-child. That and most scraps could be fed to Magcat. ]

The cold didn't really bother me that much... and I ate more for pleasure than for necessity, much like we do now. So, whatever winter fruits I could grow.

That and traveling towards warmer areas!

Japan's about 3,000 km, and it's a small country. But ya could fly anywhere in it, or sail. The food was great, too -- no disrespect to Korra-han or anythin', but it was worlds apart.

[ Frankly, he missed it. He listened to Fran, however, as he cleaned. ]

Sounds like a blast.

Mhm- Not the same, by any means. I wouldn't mind trying some again, but it seems getting the food here is difficult.

[ It's been... Some time since that little foodie event, hasn't it? With the food slowly simmering away, Fran can pull out a small stool and get comfy on it. It seems most of their furniture has shifted to backless stuff. The couch is still there, of course, but an assortment of pillows have been added. ]

It was alright. I was almost always traveling, anyway, so it worked out. Did you get to explore much, in Japan?

Right, can't just go down to the corner store and get some mirin. I get by makin' substitutes, but it ain't quite the same.

[ Alas. ]

And sure, I knew Kamurocho like the back of my hand. Usually took the rail if I wanted to get somewhere, but it was easy to hop in a taxi if I wanted to go see the ocean or somethin'. I was thinkin' if I ever went back, maybe I'd make it all the way out to the ends, ya know?

Up north to Hokkaido, maybe. Or down to Okinawa and see some cats.

Yeah-!

[ Whatever Mirin is, yes. A lot of names whiz by, Fran simply nodding and clueing in based on context. The last part catches their attention the most, though. ]

There's a place known for... Cats? Is there a lot there?

[ What a... peculiar thing to travel for. ]

Mountain cats, yeah. There's a special kind you can only see out on Iriomote Island. That area's tropical, so it's got different kindsa animals and scenery than you'd find on the main islands. Like pit vipers.

The dialects're different, too. Could be fun.

[ Hey cats were pretty cool. He'd learned to appreciate them, anyway, after Tim had given him a tour out at that cat cafe, and the minotaur would probably love a chance to catch a glimpse of a leopard cat it was

fine ]

Oh! Like Mountain Lions?!

[ Fran leeeans forward, smile growing and eyes a bit wider now. They haven't hung out with a mountain cat in a long time, but it was very enjoyable! A lot of fluff. ]

It sounds like it'd be a fun trip... I've actually been meaning to go check out Rysligs tropical island at some point. When it gets a bit warmer, of course. It seems like a popular destination if you're up for a little holiday.

Tim could come along too! Or could visit separately!

But smaller, about the size of a housecat.

[ Tiny mountain lions! ]

I can ask. We've been to Brasa and Tunn -- always nice to get away for a few days, y'know? Wonder if it'd be nice to go in winter, too...

[ After all, volcanoes and volcanic islands, well... they tended to be a bit warmer, even when the rest of the place was experiencing a snowfall or two. ]

Maybe when February's over with.

Ah-... I want to see them now-

[Tiny. Mountain. Lions.

There's a tiny sigh for the little wish that'll likely never happen. Unless someone brings them into Ryslig. Ah well. ]

Probably best to wait until after, yeah. Do you have any plans for the next month, then?

January? No real plans, unless of course some new bullshit happens.

[ Which... it often did, really. ]

You know me, now that I got a holding company, I set my own schedule. Er, even more than before. It's kinda nice. Get to meet people, give 'em money for things, but without most of the management stuff.

February, but yes! I imagine the middle to end of the month will be a mess, as per usual.

[ It's been surprisingly consistent lately.

Well timed for the lull in conversation, the soup seems to be about ready. Rich, hearty scents fill the kitchen air from the evaporating stock, making Fran's stomach grumble. ]

Mmh- Can you grab the bowls? They're just in that shelf~

[ And then Fran can get the pot off the stove. ]

No can do. I gotta be in Bavan the whole month. Secret mission.

[ He did grab the bowls, however, and set them out for Fran. ]

Here ya go. It's smellin' pretty good.

Edited 2020-02-01 00:10 (UTC)

How exciting! I do enjoy a good secret. Though I might not find out what it is until after~

[ Both bowls end up neatly filled with a good ladling of soup, some country loaves broken up and sitting atop to soak some of the broth up and go with the dinner.

Fran finds a spot at the dining table, not bothering too much with setting it up beyond optional napkins and spoons. ]

I've made this a few times! Hope you like it~

[ He tipped the bowl towards Fran in a soup-approximation of a toast. Time to see if this kelpie's culinary skills were up to snuff! ]

I'm sure I will. Cheers.

[ Fran mimics the motion! They're by no means the best cook, or even a particularly good one.

But stew is also really hard to mess up. No meat to under or overcook, either! ]

Cheers~

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good place to wrap?

Good wrap!

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