[open] stories sown along the way

[funbreaker]

Who: Thancred Waters & YOU
When: Throughout July
Where: Thorne; the Horizon
What: Reacting to goings-on in the castle, hanging out in the Horizon, chocobo rides
Warnings: Will edit in as they come up!

[ Starters below in the comments! If you've got questions or want to plot out something not covered here, feel free to contact me on Plurk (demonology) or Discord (demonology#1725)! ]

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[funbreaker]

[ While Thancred makes a point of checking in on Himeka regularly with the messages that they're able to send, there is no true replacement for a face-to-face meeting. Even if it is in the Horizon. It's close enough to the real thing that he suspects it takes away some of the sting of them being in different factions.

Even if that is something they both agreed on.

Having a means of locating Himeka no matter where her domain might go is also quite helpful, and shortly after he arrives in the Horizon Thancred makes use of the aether shard to be instantly transported to her space.

In a stroke of luck, she's also here.

Thancred takes a moment to orient himself. He hasn't spent much time in Kugane but he still recognizes it instantly, the distinct architecture making it impossible to mistake for any other location in Etheirys. It does feel rather empty, but the same could be said for his recreation of the Crystarium. Creating people simply doesn't feel right, though Himeka has made an exception for dragonets.

There's a gaggle of them surrounding her, and Thancred raises an eyebrow, half curious and half (already) exasperated. What is he about to get dragged into?

He walks over to meet them all the same. ]

Is that so? Shall I take on the role of a customer, then?

[aquaveiled]

[ He's about to get dragged into fun, clearly. What's there to be afraid of? The fact that the dragonets all start to chant "A customer! A customer!" and one nearly flips over the grill in excitement?

Yeah probably that. ]

You'll be our first! And good practice for them, I think.

[ Once Thancred is over, one of the dragonets will try to emulate the bow that Himeka taught them to do. ]

"Welcome, Child of Man! Browse our wears and be amazed..."

[ There is a sign above them, listing three different menu options.

In Hingan, of course.

Luckily for Thancred, there are little poorly drawn pictures next to them. Unluckily for Thancred Himeka is a terrible artist and apparently the dragonets aren't much better. There are two indiscernible blobs and something that almost looks like a squid. Take your pick! ]

[funbreaker]

[ Thancred's hands twitch forward when he suspects that the entire grill might be knocked over, but all seems to be well in the end. This still strikes him as a disaster waiting to happen in every sense, which means it's likely for the best that he's here.

Granted, if a mess does happen it will take little more than a few thoughts to clean it up, so perhaps he shouldn't be so worked up. It's simply dad instinct kicking in, a need to carry out damage control always at the back of his mind.

All that said, he is still greeted politely and the dragonets are eager to help. Thancred peers up at the signage above, his expression become slowly more distressed as he realizes he cannot make sense of any of it.

He glances back down at the dragonet, the one who first addressed him, as he places a hand at his hip. ]

Would you mind describing the three offerings? I must admit that I am not all that familiar with Hingan cuisine...

[ It's a good lesson in customer service and it ensures that Thancred doesn't eat anything truly horrendous. ]

[aquaveiled]

[ What is innovation without risk? Discovery without risk? Playing with dragons without...yeah even more risk? It's well-worth it in her eyes, and considering she's taught Ehll Tou a thing or two, she can surely coach a few more dragonets on how to grill some meat and engage in commerce?

Said dragonets are waiting eagerly for their very first order. Himeka stands beside them with her hands folded neatly in front of her, looking back and forth between her students and Thancred. ]

Oh yes!

[ What a great question! Almost like he planned it rather than the fact the menu doesn't make any sense. She turns to the dragonets, using this as a teaching moment. ]

Customers may ask for your thoughts and recommendations beyond simple menu items.

[ The dragonets all do a little shimmy in the air. Each takes a turn describing one item: ]

The grilled dodo is...grilled! And very tasty.

The grilled squid is also grilled. Everything is grilled! But I like the squid because it's whole and the beak will crunch when you bite into it.

The grilled yak is grilled. But it has sauce on it! Himeka made that, though.

[ Okay not quite the sell she was hoping for, but it is their first time. ]

[funbreaker]

[ The way that Himeka hovers nearby, it does seem as if she wants her dragonet creations to succeed at this new task. Thancred can't help but find that she's a bit like a proud mother, eager for her children to impress. Given that these creatures were made by her mind, it does fit.

For all that this entire situation is ridiculous, Thancred views it as par for the course for Himeka, and so he's willing to play along. He listens to each of the descriptions and while they leave something to be desired, he won't be too critical as their very first customer. ]

Himeka's cooking is always tempting, though I think I would be better served to try something new. Let's try the grilled squid.

[ He nods to the dragonet who explained the squid, wanting to reward the one who put the most effort into their sales pitch. ]

[aquaveiled]

[ They are, indeed, much like her children. She's been drawn to the dragonets since the onset, in no small part due to the comparisons her appearance garnered when she first arrived in Ishgard. But more than scales, it's their curious and incorrigible personalities that she just finds all too endearing. What's not to love?

It's not quite the same as the real thing...but conjuring up such life-like creatures from one's own mind does offer a new sense of pride and ownership, doesn't it? Like it's her responsibility to care for them now. (Another reason why every now and then a stray karakul may wander into any scene. She could not leave them alone as Estinien's domain disappeared.)

The dragonet who introduced the squid does a little flip in the air as if it's won this contest of sales. Which, in some ways, it did. ]

An excellent choice! Now make sure you package it up for our customer.

The stick! Get the stick!

[ All three immediately go for the pile of skewers. It takes a small bout of bickering before one manages to grasp one appropriately in its little claws, then a little more maneuvering in actually staking a few pieces of squid onto it. They're not quite at the dexterous nature of Ehll Tou...yet.

Himeka nudges Thancred's arm. ]

This is the best part...

[ Because while she is a chef, dragons? They have all sorts of fun abilities.

The smallest takes a big breath and lets out a surprisingly big flame for it's little body. The squid is cooked instantly. Because that's how it works. Himeka claps proudly. ]

Well done!

[ A beat as the dragonet flaps over to Thancred and offers the skewer. ]

You did want it well done, right?