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]

[ 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.

[manasponge]

[ Marcille didn't say anything for a moment or two, just continued whittling away at the branch. ]

Thank you, Mickey. Actually, I really hate feeling useless... and sometimes, when I wasn't able to pitch in on our adventure, that's exactly how I felt.

But I guess you're right. I have come a pretty long way...

[souris_keteer]

Shoot, I think everyone hates that feeling. If we can't help out, or at least make a mark on the world, its like... why were we even put on the world in the first place?

[A one-armed shrug.]

So don't you go ever thinkin' you're useless. You've probably got a million and one reasons to be here and anywhere.

[manasponge]

That's true. And of course, Senshi doesn't know a speck of magic.

...He'll never learn, either, with a beard like that.

[souris_keteer]

[Mickey's about to ask why... and then takes a guess.

He covers his hand, but nope, the laughter's coming.]

[manasponge]

...it's absolutely filthy, and he barely ever washes it. I mean, how do you expect any magic to work on you if you never take a bath?!

Honestly!

[ She shoved the last of her birds onto a stick and set it to cook on the campfire. ]

[souris_keteer]

[He laughs harder, holding his stomach.]

What a dwarf! But I guess you think... little of him!

[manasponge]

Mickey!

[ But Marcille was smiling a little as she sat back down to stoke the fire. ]

I guess I sort of miss having them all around, even if I haven't been gone all that long. I wonder what kind of trouble they're getting into without me...

[souris_keteer]

[Listen, bad puns are his life blood.]

... I'm sure they miss you just as much as you miss them.

[manasponge]

And I'm sure your friends miss you, too.

[ She heaved a long sigh. ]

I wonder how long we'll be here, huh? It is pretty peaceful, at least, but don't islands like this have tropical storms?

[souris_keteer]

... Shoot, I never thought of that!

[manasponge]

[ She adjusted one of the skewers. ]

Well, as far as permanent shelters go, I guess there's the ruins and the caves. But the caves might be extra dangerous in a storm...

[souris_keteer]

... Is there any way y'think we can make our own shelters?

[manasponge]

Well, I'm sure there is -- if we had the tools, I mean.

Maybe our best bet would be to stick to the ruins, but plug up any holes. At least we know those have survived the test of time.

[souris_keteer]

[nodnod.]

I can get started on that, after our meal!

[manasponge]

[ Speaking of which... Marcille pulled a little bundle of cloth from her knapsack and sprinkled some salt on the cooking birds. ]

It's sea salt. The ocean's full of it, lucky for us.

[souris_keteer]

Huh? But doesn't drinkin' sea water taste bad?

[... he asks like a boy who maybe tried to drink some.

... who absolutely did drink some.]

[manasponge]

Sure, but if you let it evaporate or boil off, you can use the salt that's left over. Much better than trying to eat unseasoned food, if you ask me.

[ Mickey... ]

[souris_keteer]

[Impressed whistle.]

You really are a genius.

[manasponge]

Why, thank you, Mickey!

[ Of course, it was a just a bit hyperbolic, but hey. Appreciation! ]

And I think our dinner is just about ready. Why don't we dig in?