I want to see mountains again, Gandalf, mountains! [Open]

[manasponge]

Who: Marcille and OTA
What: Marcille and Chara decide to explore the mountains, find lizardchickens.
When: 8/16 and beyond
Where: Enso F4, the mountains near the beach
Warnings: N/A

The long walk (for Chara)

[ Marcille climbed ever higher, relying on her staff at times to give her that extra boost up. At length, she stopped for a brief swig of water. She shaded her eyes and looked back down at the terrain down below, past the rockiness of the cliff. ]

I liked going down steep paths a lot better.

Combing the area

[ Though little signs of life were about for those who were on the lookout for them, Marcille was more focused on finding landmarks and food than the local wildlife. It therefore came as a complete surprise when a swooping, crow-sized, lizard-tailed creature stole her comb right out of her hand. ]

Why, you...! Give that back!

[ More cries like the one from the pterax that had taken her comb could now be heard in the distance. Goddammit. ]

I need that, you scaly pigeon!

Counting chickens

[ Of course, after the initial ordeal was over, Marcille ended up with a few trussed 'birds' and a number of eggs carefully stowed in her pack for the trip back. ]

Ha! If I had some extra rice, I could make some oyakodon. Oh, well! Let's see... roast bird? Hard-boiled eggs? Both at the same time?

[ She was practically drooling at the thought. Shellfish were well and good, but sometimes you just needed some solid fat and protein in your diet. ]

Maybe I should save the eggs for Muffet and see if they'll do for baking...

Cultivating your strengths

[ Over the past weeks, Marcille had stumbled upon some strange seeds -- and a few root vegetables in foraging. She couldn't do much with the carrots but eat them outright, but potatoes, now -- those she could handle! With her knife, she busily began cutting into a potato that had begun to sprout, separating out the eyes to plant later.

It was honest work, and her recent experiences had made this sort of work easier. Maybe her garden would even rival Senshi's... one day. ]

Let's see, where should I put these...?

Comments

[manasponge]

Sure!

[ She handed him several of the pteraxes. Each was about the size of a crow. ]

Say, have you ever cooked something like this? What do you think would be the best way to prepare it?

[souris_keteer]

[Shuffling them in this arms-]

Aw, I'm not the one to ask. I don't know anythin' about cookin'. Growin' up, we just ate whatever we could find.

[... depressing backstory peeks around the corner]

[manasponge]

You grew up poor, huh? Well, then this must be a pretty good opportunity. It looks like there's plenty of stuff to forage.

[ Whew, having some help was good. ]

Let's get back to my campsite and we can roast 'em over a fire!

[souris_keteer]

You got it, Marcille!

[Loyally following.]

I'm guessin' you grew up pretty well off?

[manasponge]

Well, I wasn't royalty, but my parents are court magicians. So at the very least, we never really had to worry about getting enough to eat or clothes to wear.

[ She lifted her gaze as she spoke, looking thoughtful. What would her parents think about this little foray into another world? Certainly it was an opportunity to learn new things. ]

When I was younger, I was sent to a boarding academy for magic. It was really wonderful. In fact, I met one of my dearest friends there.

[souris_keteer]

[Mickey nods along, listening.]

One of your best friends, huh? What are they like?

[manasponge]

Oh, her name's Farlyn. She was... well, kind of spacey sometimes, but she had an amazing way with spirits and white magic. She was always doing things like wandering around in the forest, picking up bugs and eating wild berries.

Come to think of it, she was a handful. The other students thought she was weird because she always seemed disheveled, but she was actually one of the reasons I got the idea to study dungeons.

[souris_keteer]

[hearing marcielle talk so affectionately about her loved ones gives him a great big smile... even if some of those details make him go ???]

That so? How did she give you the reason?

[manasponge]

Well, she showed me a naturally-formed dungeon she'd discovered -- one that had established a complete balance. It generated mana-rich resources, and had a working ecosystem, with no help from anyone.

It made me realize that... well, dungeons are sort of a unique world in and of themselves. They form even if we do nothing to create them.

[ They came upon the remains of Marcille's old campfire. ]

I think we should find some sticks we can use as stakes. It'll be like chicken kebobs!

[souris_keteer]

[... thank goodness they found the campfire because Mickey has absolutely no idea what any of that meant. He gently puts down his load before saluting.]

I'm on it! How many do ya want?

[manasponge]

Well, we might as well do them all at once! Seven, then!

[ She put her pack down and began to search for more wood. ]

Thanks, Mickey, you're such a good listener!

[souris_keteer]

[Seven it is, and the hunt begins.]

Aw gee, I love to listen when people talk about their friends! Ain't no better feelin' in the world.

[manasponge]

Oh yeah? Well, I could tell you some stories about mine.

[ Marcille picked up a long, thin branch, examined it, and set it aside. ]

But tell me one about yours! It's only fair.

[souris_keteer]

Sure thing!

Out of the three of us, I'd say Goofy's both the genius and the one who kinda needs a few knocks on the head sometimes. See, he doesn't get bright ideas that often - but when he does, they're really amazin'!

[manasponge]

Oh? Like what?

[ Goofy sounded suspiciously like Laios, hopefully he never tried to eat armor or anything. ]

[souris_keteer]

[Not that Mickey knows of...]

Well like when we rescued the princess! We were outnumbered! But Goofy figured out a strategy to kick them all out in one big blow!

[manasponge]

That must have been some strategy!

[ Marcille took out her knife and began to cut away at the bark, making a nice, clean surface for the roast lizardbird. ]

I do hope he was duly recognized for his efforts.

[souris_keteer]

[Mickey catches on to what she's doing, and tries to imitate it with his sword.]

Well... I wound up here just a few minutes after that. But I bet the princess is gunna give him a big medal or somethin', he deserves it!

[manasponge]

It sounds like it, all right.

[ She stuck the first pterax on the skewer, looking pleased with her handiwork. ]

You know, your friend Goofy sort of sounds like our party leader, Laios. He spaces out sometimes and he's completely reckless. But I have to admit, sometimes he comes up with plans all of a sudden that end up getting us out of a tight spot.

[souris_keteer]

[He laughs a little.]

Maybe we could all use a friend like that! Appearances can be deceiving, you know.

[manasponge]

[ Marcille smiled a little, and started on the next stick. ]

I guess that's true. I mean, Chilchack complains about things all the time, but he's pretty reliable under all that.

[ spoilers Marcille also complained all the time ]

[souris_keteer]

[Nonsense, Marcille is perfect always.]

Ha ha, now that one sounds like Donald!

[manasponge]

[ Marcille covered her laugh with her hand. ]

Oh! I almost forgot. Mickey, do you want to practice that fire spell and light the campfire?

[souris_keteer]

[he jolts up, excited.]

Oh boy! Really? Can I?

[manasponge]

Of course! Practice makes perfect and all.