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abraxaslogs2022-04-08 10:24 am
subhuman) wrote in abraxaslogs2022-04-08 10:24 am
[OPEN] pizza in the morning, pizza in the evening...
Who: Dante & YOU
When: Throughout the month of April
Where: Castle Thorne
What: Dante has learned "Summon Pizza" and everyone benefits (or do they?)
Warnings: None, will update if needed.
[ Dante has never been a man big on magic. Truth be told, most of his experiences with it have revolved around demons doing shit to make things harder for everyone else and humans getting their hands on things they ought to leave alone. Not good memories, to say the least. So he has been watching most of the goings on in Thorne from a distance.
Until now.
Now, he is finally seeing the benefit. No one has to open the gates of hell or sacrifice virgin blood. No, this comes only from the hole it's left in Dante's stomach, or maybe the pure corners of his heart. It's given him energy and a sense of purpose in a world that seemed so disconnected from what he knew. Finally, finally Dante has something true he can hold onto...
He has pizza.
And it would really be cruel to keep it to himself, wouldn't it? Which is why periodically throughout the month of April, anyone venturing into the banquet hall for the buffet will see a piece of old parchment tacked to the wall near the entrance. ]
[ Interest piqued? Of course it is! The arrow doesn't lie and points to a man in red sitting at one of the banquet tables. He's leaning forward on his elbows, looking quite pleased with himself with several plates stacked up and ready at his left. Though there is a suspicious lack of "pizza" in front of him, there are telltale bread crumbs and a few grease stains on the wooden table.
When approached, Dante will raise his chin and spread his arms wide in welcome. ]
Ah! I see you're also a person of discerning tastes...or did curiosity get the bitter of you? Either way, you've come to the right place. Since this is something of a budding business venture, all items are currently on the house.
[ He's building a loyal customer base as he perfects his...methods. For the wider market.
As he lists each ingredient, he holds up a finger on his left. ]
All pies come with regular crust, decently shredded mozzarella, and marinara. No substitutions. But you do get one topping of your choice. How about that for a deal?
When: Throughout the month of April
Where: Castle Thorne
What: Dante has learned "Summon Pizza" and everyone benefits (or do they?)
Warnings: None, will update if needed.
[ Dante has never been a man big on magic. Truth be told, most of his experiences with it have revolved around demons doing shit to make things harder for everyone else and humans getting their hands on things they ought to leave alone. Not good memories, to say the least. So he has been watching most of the goings on in Thorne from a distance.
Until now.
Now, he is finally seeing the benefit. No one has to open the gates of hell or sacrifice virgin blood. No, this comes only from the hole it's left in Dante's stomach, or maybe the pure corners of his heart. It's given him energy and a sense of purpose in a world that seemed so disconnected from what he knew. Finally, finally Dante has something true he can hold onto...
He has pizza.
And it would really be cruel to keep it to himself, wouldn't it? Which is why periodically throughout the month of April, anyone venturing into the banquet hall for the buffet will see a piece of old parchment tacked to the wall near the entrance. ]
Translation: Tired of the same old medieval fair?
Want all the important food groups in a single bite? (Wow!)
A plate you can eat? (Yes!)
Try Pizza!
This way -->
(Talk to the handsome man in red.)
Want all the important food groups in a single bite? (Wow!)
A plate you can eat? (Yes!)
Try Pizza!
This way -->
(Talk to the handsome man in red.)
[ Interest piqued? Of course it is! The arrow doesn't lie and points to a man in red sitting at one of the banquet tables. He's leaning forward on his elbows, looking quite pleased with himself with several plates stacked up and ready at his left. Though there is a suspicious lack of "pizza" in front of him, there are telltale bread crumbs and a few grease stains on the wooden table.
When approached, Dante will raise his chin and spread his arms wide in welcome. ]
Ah! I see you're also a person of discerning tastes...or did curiosity get the bitter of you? Either way, you've come to the right place. Since this is something of a budding business venture, all items are currently on the house.
[ He's building a loyal customer base as he perfects his...methods. For the wider market.
As he lists each ingredient, he holds up a finger on his left. ]
All pies come with regular crust, decently shredded mozzarella, and marinara. No substitutions. But you do get one topping of your choice. How about that for a deal?
no subject
He notes the banner posted, puzzling over it a bit. What nonsense is this? As much as he has weighing on him, he's curious. And as he is excellent at hiding his feelings and appearing as though all is well, he decides to investigate. The 'man in red' isn't hard to find....]
That's not a pie, friend.
[It wasn't what Mat intended, but it's the first thing out of his mouth. He knows pies. He knows what pies look like. This? Is not a pie. It's like a pie's sloppy, naked, disinherited cousin.]
no subject
Something like that.
Dante can only smile. ]
She'd a bold pie who bares it all, knowing what she's got to flaunt.
[ Should he have added "Hot Topless Pies" to his advert? Hmm... ]
I get the feeling this is your first time. Why do you give it a shot and then decide for yourself?
no subject
[Mat is highly skeptical. Yes, some concepts are vastly different across worlds. But not, in his experience, pies. Now if this fellow is having a bit of fun with everyone...well, he can respect that.
He likes to have fun, too.]
But sure, alright, let's have at this supposed pie that is not a pie.
no subject
Since this is your first time, we should ease you into it. Start you off with something, simple--a classic, eh?
[ Dante wiggles his fingers on each hand before placing both at his temple. ]
Now, let me work my magic...
[ In a very literally sense. Mr. This-Place-Is-For-Nerd-Wizards has officially joined the ranks with a superior discipline, if he were asked. Closing his eyes, Dante concentrates. His brow furrows and he sucks his lips in, but it doesn't take too long before...
Pop! A cheese pizza assembles itself on one of the plates in front of them. This guy won't know it's the same quality as generic frozen pizza, but even so...pizza is like sex: even when it's bad it's still pizza. ]
Ha!
[ He crosses his arms and leans back, looking satisfied. ]
There you have it, a simple but insanely popular cheese pizza.
no subject
Which are only confirmed.]
No.
[With a shake of his head he folds his arms.]
Not a pie. That is...blood and ashes, it looks like a pie died a violent death mid-baking. A very sad and sick pie at that! Why is it bleeding through the cheese? Why is there cheese involved at all?
[It doesn't even smell like a pie! Pies are full of apples or peaches or nuts and honey...this is simply a monstrosity.
Though...it does smell good.]
no subject
[ That's one hell of a description. This poor young man is farther gone than Dante would have realized. He really does need help, huh? ]
I don't know what you've been through kid, but I promise you that with just one bite it'll change your life. The cheese is like a warm blanket...creamy and hot.
no subject
[But apparently blood and ashes is not a common curse anywhere but Mat's world. He hasn't heard a single other person utter it. Just another of those little things that hammers home how unique a world he comes from.
Back to the matter at hand...]
And your pitch leaves a great deal to be desired. A creamy and hot cheese blanket sounds terrible. But I will try your abomination anyhow, because admittedly it smells good.
[Besides, he's nothing against the things used to make it. Just generally not all together in this particular format.]
How do you eat it?
no subject
[ Not quite the thing he would say, but Vergil on the other hand...his brother does like that kind of drama. ]
The best way to enjoy a slice of pizza is by picking it right up and shoving it down your gullet! Which means...
[ Thorne, woefully, does not have pizza cutters. Yet. But that will be for his next venture. Instead he's got a regular old chef's knife that he borrowed from the kitchens and has to cut the pizza like one would in ancient times past. (You know, like ancient pizza chefs.)
At least he cuts a sizeable triangular slice for this young man...and one for himself. Got to lead by example, right? Dante picks up his slice by the crust and holds it up above his mouth as he leans back. ]
Like so...
[ And he takes a hearty munch. ]
no subject
[Mat laughs as he shakes his head. What culinary madness is happening in this man's world? He knows he ought not judge, but he can't help it.
This better taste good.]
Alright, alright.
[He takes his own slice, eyeing it skeptically. Yes, this is going to be messy. His poor beard...but nothing for it now. Gingerly, experimentally, he takes a small bite from the narrow end.
Oh. Oh that is good.]
no subject
Dante takes another bite of his slice as he watches Mat, openly curious but discerning in the way that only a veteran "messy hand food" eater can be.
But he knows that look and his mouth quirks at the edges. ]
One bite and you're hooked, huh?
no subject
[Mat is not above admitting he was wrong. His initial judgement had been in error, this odd dish is not the horror he imagined it to be. It is, however, about as messy as he anticipated, and he continues to eat at it cautiously.]
Still think it ought have a proper top crust, though.
[What with it supposedly being a pie. But that's the only flaw he can see, having sampled it for himself.]
Your world have a lot of food like this?
no subject
[ So he's into calzones. Well, Dante can't really blame the guy for that. They're good too even if he still thinks pizza itself is the peak experience. ]
Try folding the slice in half.
[ He demonstrates, creating a little envelope with his own slice and takes a new bite. Then he nods. ]
Oh yeah, though this is definitely the best. When you're a busy guy and just need something to fill your belly and heal your soul at the same time.
[ Dante cocks his head to the side. ]
I take it where you're from is more like...
[ He waves his free hand to the castle in general. ]
no subject
[They aren't even considered anything particular special here, just...tools. Like shovels and hoes and slop buckets. Things everyone has and uses day to day. It's still something Mat's getting used to, despite by now owning angreals of his own. Or whatever the fuck they call their magic items here.]
But there's not enough differences that I've bumbled about in a state of shock for weeks or anything.
[Just a few days.]
no subject
But here they are, both in a weird world far from home. This is why pizza is so important: even a bad pizza is still pizza, and pizza is good.
Dante nods with a thoughtful hum as he takes another bite of the slice. At least he has the manners to finish chewing before he speaks. ]
Is it safe to assume you were one of those people?
[ Or more of a regular Joe type? ]
no subject
[Mat doesn't really know how to answer that question. There isn't an easy answer. Yes and no? Maybe? And anyway, he's just met this guy. He's not about to get into the whole confusing mess with a near-stranger.]
I'm just a kid from a farming village that got caught up in things far over his head. And now I'm here.
[A perfectly honest answer that offers no details. It is all over his head, and he's here in this world now. Where he can get training, unlike back home where he'd be locked away like a rabid animal. Which really is probably best for everyone.]
And still caught in things far over my head.
no subject
He follows the sign, listens to the spiel, fascinated. He's seen the man around the castle, but they haven't had the chance to be acquainted. So he starts with that. ]
Ah. An entrepreneur -- and a handsome one at that. As promised.
I'm Rhy. Rhy Maresh. You must be...?
[ He must have heard the name around, but he'll politely wait for a confirmation, just in case. ]
no subject
The name's Dante, Mr. Maresh. Or do you prefer Rhy?
[ He will extend his hand in greeting to a polite young man like this. Manners and all that. ]
You are clearly someone with an eye for quality. I'm sure my product can live up to those standards.
no subject
Rhy will do just fine.
[ He does... blink at the hand a little uncertainly, though. Handshakes aren't a thing where he's from. And he's not about to kiss this man's hand, even if titles mean little here. After a moment, Rhy raises his own hand in a brief wave and a gracious nod. Good enough, hopefully. He hates not knowing the etiquette, but it feels even more awkward to ask at this point, so he simply moves past it as if it's exactly what he meant to do. ]
Is that so? I'm very curious to try. A savory hand pie, is it?
Called... Pih-zah?
no subject
You heard it right--and once you try this pie you'll never forget it. "Pizza" is the ultimate pie experience.
[ He waves his hands once like he's highlighting a title in the air. There is nothing. The real magic is in the pie. ]
All pies come with the classic marinara sauce, traditional pie crust, and mozzarella cheese. But you get to pick your extra topping. What are you craving today, Rhy?
no subject
The ultimate pie... experience. [ Rhy echoes, eyebrows raised. ]
I'm not sure what most of those things are, but I'm always curious to try cuisine from other cultures. I've also never heard of a 'topping' for a savory pie. Other than the crust, if it's a closed one.
[ Listen. He understands crust, cheese and sauce, as concepts. And he is absolutely imagining something very different than what he's about to get. Maybe something like this, or even this. Rhy considers the theoretical options, then decides: ]
Can you add meat to it?
no subject
[ Might as well lay on the full pizza educational experience, right? Maybe Dante will branch out onto that someday, but it's good to start with the basics.
Truth be told any combination of carbs and cheese is going to be a good one, but he is definitely biased to a nice greasy slice of pizza. Few things cleanse the body and soul like having that sit in your gut for a few days. ]
Meat? You've got it. We've got all sorts of meats: pepperoni, sausages, bacon...hell, you can throw a rib-eye on there if you want. But if you want to go traditional, I'd suggest an old fashion pepperoni or sausage.
no subject
He also doesn't know what a pepperoni is, so Rhy opts for the one he definitely understands. There are many kinds of sausages, but bread, cheese and sausage of all sorts are a good meal in any combination. ]
Sausage, then.
[ He does look around curiously, waiting for the pie to appear. ]
You make it using some kind of spell?
no subject
[ Maybe when he gets a better hang of this he can introduce a good old "Meat Lovers" variant? That will surely be a hit. Students always need to pack on the protein for studying. (Says the man who has only been homeschooled.) ]
Something like that. A demonstration in order!
[ Which is what he was going to do anyway, but a moment of drama is way more fun. Dante rolls his wrists back and forth like he has to prepare to lift up something heavy. But instead he presses his index and middle finger on each hand to his temples in an ridiculously slow motion. Then, closing his eyes tightly, Dante hums. (The humming isn't at all necessary and it may or may not be the tune to a Amon Amarth song.)
Then, out of thin air drops a pizza onto the plate in front of them. Decently, cooked, with cheese and sausage...not quite evenly distributed, but it's a work in progress. It lands a little off center so when Dante opens his eyes, he nudges it forward. ]
Presto!
no subject
He actually claps his hands together in delight when the pizza drops, laughing appreciatively. ]
Oh! It's not a pie at all.
[ Not the sort he's ever seen. He doesn't sound disappointed though, mostly amused, and reaches out for it to pull off a piece to try. (If it's sliced, he'll take a slice; if not, he just rips some off the side, like one would from a hunk of bread; don't worry about it.)
He also doesn't know what Presto means but that's fine. A Presto Pizza. ]
Are the fillings supposed to be on top like that?
I've never had anything quite like this before. It's good!
no subject
She ambles up to the man's table, looking around for the supposed pizza in question. ]
Finally, someone remembers to invent pizza. How many months have we been here before it clicked? Did you manage to enlist some cooks or is your magic food-based?
[ It's a quick barrage of commentary to cover up how actually eager she is to taste something remotely familiar. Better than familiar, probably, because it's been years since she's lived in a city with actively good pizza. ]
no subject
Dante chuckles but he's clearly endeared. He taps his the side of his nose twice. ]
You know, it's a bit of karma. I thought that a castle full of magic college graduates would have nothing to teach me, but it turns out there's use to this after all. The most coveted of dark arts: The Art of Pie!
[ Dramatic? Yes. But also necessary. He places his hand on his heart now. ]
Not knowing what pizza is is one thing, but knowing and being without it is another. Let's not keep you from satisfaction much longer, shall we? Name your topping!
apr 23 (during event)
By this point he's gathered that physical touch needs to be avoided at all costs. He thought that escaping into the Horizon might offer him a reprieve, but if anything, it's worse there. Which means that he's now consigned himself to simply taking care to not touch or be touched by any other Summoned.
It's not as if all the memories are bad. It had been nice, if bittersweet, to see Ryne again. Even if it was only a memory of her. But the chances of it being a less pleasant memory are far too high.
His initial intention is to grab some food and return to his room, sequestering himself as much as is feasible until these odd effects pass. Yet when he spots the flier advertising pizza in the hall outside the dining room, he does have to pause out of curiosity. A handsome man in red? Consider him intrigued.
It does not take much time to find the pizza supplier, and it also turns out to be a familiar face. Thancred lifts a hand as he approaches. ] Dante. It's been some time. [ He's been gone for weeks, after all. ] I assume you're the one who's promising to provide pizza?
[ That doesn't sound bad right about now. Not at all. As Dante confirms and then explains what the pizza will include, Thancred crosses his arms over his chest, deep in thought. ] A topping, you say... and what would you suggest?
no subject
So it is nice to see someone he'd hit it off so well with. ]
Thancred! Long time no see.
[ He doesn't feel like this will be a hard sell, Thancred seems like the kind of man who can appreciate a slice of pizza, though he's really got no clue what the history of it is with people in these parts. Some understand what a gift this is to Thorne, others are completely ignorant. All in due time...
But Thancred is asking his opinion and boy does Dante have a few when it comes to pizza. He settles back, crossing his own arms as he rubs his stubble. ]
Pepperoni is always a classic, can't say you can go wrong with that. Mushrooms aren't bad either, if you're looking for something a little less "meaty".
no subject
[ While these Echo-like symptoms continue on, they've been barred from going anywhere. Thancred doesn't quite understand that choice of action when grouping all the Summoned together is only likely to make it worse, but he also suspects that Ambrose and the others don't have the clearest idea of what is happening or why.
It's a good thing he was allowed to stretch his legs for so long, or he might be going a bit stir crazy by now.
Still, pizza serves as a decent distraction. Thancred lifts a hand to his chin in careful thought. ]
I'm familiar with both of those options, but let's go with mushroom. [ He takes a seat then, taking care to keep his arms at his sides. While he would be curious to see what sort of memories Dante might have to share, he suspects both of them are quite tired of all that by now. ] How've you been holding up, with all that's been going on as of late? [ He doesn't believe he needs to clarify. ]
no subject
They let you out, huh? Who'd you have to bribe for that hall pass?
[ It's a joke but he is genuinely curious. How does one get said hall pass? ]
Mushroom it is!
[ Dante claps is hands together. ]
Oh, same old, same old. Some new faces wandering in and the books only get more dusty. But this little venture here has been keeping me occupied.
[ He needs a moment to concentrate but it's mostly for show. Dante puts his fingers to his temples and closes his eyes, giving the look of someone who is thinking hard. In no more than ten seconds, a...mediocre cheese and mushroom pizza appears a little lopsided onto a plate. Dante just has to push it back to the center. ]
Ta-da!
no subject
Ambrose, though I wasn't the one who did the bribing. [ They're the ones who'd been put to work, after all, even if they'd also earned some freedom and a good deal of knowledge in the process. ] I was just lucky enough to get invited along for the trip.
[ He watches then as Dante concentrates and manages to somehow simply conjure up a small mushroom pizza from thin air. It's not something he's seen often, with creation magicks such as this contained to the likes of Ascians and, now, the Horizon. But this isn't the Horizon, and that makes all the difference. Especially if the pizza is in fact real, something he can consume and gain sustenance from when he does so. ]
That is... quite remarkable. [ He draws the plate toward him to inspect the small pizza. ] Yet you told me you were not skilled in magick, last we spoke. Have you taken up studying in your time here?
[ Even if Dante has grown bored while contained within these walls, Thancred doesn't imagine him the type to attend courses on magical theory and the like. Perhaps he's wrong. ]
no subject
Sounds like you've got friends in high places.
[ Clearly Dante is one of them. With these amazing pizzeria skills.
Of which he will gladly soak up Thancred's praises on it. He smirks, leaning back into his seat as he crosses his arms. ]
This is something of a natural talent.
[ Well...sort of. ]
I woke up one day and was craving pizza and, poof! One appeared right in front of me on my bed.
[ That was messy. But he doesn't need to go into those details. ]
no subject
[ Yennefer and Stephen have accomplished a good deal in their time here, and Thancred does not regret throwing his lot in with them for one moment. Especially now that they have been able to speak openly with each other and have established that their goals are aligned.
The explanation that Dante offers for how he came into this ability is odd, to say the least. Just like that? While the ability to simply bring forth something you want when you want it is quite handy, it doesn't explain how such a thing is possible.
Thancred blinks a few times, glancing between the pizza and Dante before he reaches out to tear off a slice. ]
I have yet to see such a thing outside the Horizon. [ He pitches his voice low, still not eager to advertise that place in public. ] And does this ability only work with pizza?
[ He's heard that the Summoned will at times come into new abilities and powers, some magical in nature and others physical. And yet the ability to summon pizza is so incredibly specific. If convenient. ]