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

[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.

[souris_keteer]

Thanks a bunch, Marcille!

[But first the gloves come off. Don't want to burn those again.]

[manasponge]

[ Juuust in case, though, she'd scootch a bit further away. The better to help coach! ]

Alright, ready when you are!

[souris_keteer]

[Thanks for the vote of confidence, buddy.

After kneeling down, he tries to remember the exact lesson - concentration, the flow of power, the special words. He gives a big push - and a small flame pops out!]

Hey, so far, so good!

[manasponge]

[ Marcille clapped her hands together. ]

Great job! You'll be burn -- uh, I mean, you're really coming along there. And you really listened to everything I said; a lot of people just want to rush through it all.

[souris_keteer]

Well shoot, if I rush through it, how am I supposed to learn anythin'? Besides, ain't like we're in a hurry.

[manasponge]

That's very true!

[ What a good student, gosh. Marcille fanned at the fire, encouraging it to grow for a bit before resuming her efforts to skewer another bird. ]

Slow-cooked, tender bird. Mm, I can taste it now...

[souris_keteer]

[He gets back to carving duty.]

Say, Marcille... Were you ever a professional chef or somethin'? Cause it seems like you know just as much about cookin' as you do magic.

[manasponge]

W-well, I... er, I did help my parents cook and clean back home. And since I'm an adventurer, I'm used to living rough.

[ Just going to tell the truth while caaaarefully skirting the shocking and scandalous bits. ]

But as it turns out, my party kind of ran out of funds, so for a while there, we had to find and cook our own food. And I ended up learning more about foraging and making do from Senshi. He's a dwarf, and he's a really odd duck, but...

I guess I have to admit he's very capable. In fact, I'm sure he'd be even better at this survival stuff than me.

[souris_keteer]

[he nods a little, listening. He and his pals never had funds, yet his knowledge on cooking was nil. Had they merely never worked as hard or thought as cleverly as Marcille and her group? It's something to think about.]

Hmmm... I think if he saw where you were and what you were doing, he'd be mighty proud.