[Open] Scarred Lands

[nightmareofdivinity]

Who: Fou-Lu and OPEN.
What: A bunch of stuff. He's bored.
Where: Various, see prompts.
When: Days 12-14 (Pre-event)
Warnings: Sad dragons, possibly omnicidal rants.


Hack and Slash

Fou-Lu doesn't like to sit idly. It's against his purpose, and while he's less active than his counterpart - he can tell, somehow - he's not exactly good at doing nothing. All of those years in court just sitting and listening to advisors when he would rather be doing things himself... hmph.

But now all of the advisors are dead, and the new ones will be.

He starts on deck 8, starting up and slashing at foliage with a sword made out of pure white energy. He seems fairly frustrated by what he's doing, but he really has nothing better to do so why not? Hopefully no one else is in the way, because he's not really paying too much attention to where he's slashing.


Open Air

Once he's had his fill of that, Fou-Lu sits on the railing of the catwalk on the top level of the ship, looking out at the area around them. It's barren and empty, and he can't sense any sort of life from it. No life streams, nothing. Just... emptiness.

It's enough to shake his soul - what soul he has, at least.

Did mortals do this? They had to have - no one else could or would. No Endless would do anything like this, not unless they were commanded to by mortals. In which case it would be the fault of the mortals anyway, not the Endless.

He tilts his head in the direction of - yes, he can hear someone approaching. He doesn't look their way.

"... Thou mayest speak."


Con-Food-sion

Fou-Lu isn't known to be greatly experienced food in general - he'll eat what and when he likes, as he likes it. But some of these ingredients... he's confused. Things like miso and dumplings he understands, and he's familiar with salads. Toast is a bit less familiar, but things like pies? Cinnamon rolls?

No, those just get stares.

Coffee is also looked at with some suspicion - he tries a cup and immediately recoils from the taste. It's horribly strong and bitter. He vaguely remembers the smell, but he's never tasted it before. No thank you.

... He probably looks pretty funny to whoever's watching him, though.


Wildcard

[Got another idea? Grab me on Discord!]

Comments

con-food-sion - time for tea? time for tea.

[chainedcerberus]

Wriothesley happens to be in the cafeteria area at the same time as one of the other new arrivals and it's hard to miss his reaction to the coffee. He adds some extra water to the tea kettle before he gets it started. "Not a coffee guy, huh? You want some tea? I was just going to make myself a cup, I can do one for you too."

All right, it did look pretty funny, but laughing out loud would be rude. Better to offer a helping hand.

[nightmareofdivinity]

It takes a moment to realize that yes, someone saw that rather undignified reaction and that he's being addressed. He sets the coffee to the side - despite his urge to throw it - and takes a deep breath. Okay. He's fine. The taste lingers, but he tries to ignore it. Tea is being offered, and he nods slowly.

"I wouldst... appreciate that." He hates asking or accepting help, but he can't really refuse and be rude. And he would appreciate a good cup of tea to get this rancid bean water out of his mouth. "I am unfamiliar with some of these... provisions."

[chainedcerberus]

"Happy to help out. Getting hit by coffee when you're not expecting it to taste like that can be a lot." Of course, Wriothesley's first taste of coffee was a lot younger, but it had been a fairly formative experience. These days he only drinks it when he needs the stimulants.

"Oh? What do you like to eat, normally? I can point out some things you might like to try. I mean, I'm not familiar with some of this either but I'll do what I can." He really likes to be helpful, honestly. Some of this looks like like it's from Liyue and Inazuma, but Fontaine's pastry game is strong.

[nightmareofdivinity]

He sets the cup down, unsure as to where to put it. Hopefully someone will take care of it. "... Millet, rice... mutton and pork wert common in dishes. Noodle soups and vinegar-based sauces with vegetables, along with beer and wine. Fish and fowl made their way to mine table... though given mine station that wert to be expected."

So no breads, no pastries, no beef. "I... do not truly mind most food. There art not many things that doth be favored, and those that are do not seemeth to be amongst this selection. Which I art not bothered overmuch by."

[chainedcerberus]

Wriothesley surveys the offerings available to see what his new friend might be unfamiliar but interested in trying, then. "Well, these pasta dishes are noodle-based. The sauce is thicker, though, and they have beef instead of fish or poultry. They're usually pretty good. I always recommend garlic toast, and the potatoes are a pretty neutral starch. Probably somewhat comparative to rice, though obviously the texture would be different..."

Looking over the desserts, he points out the cinnamon rolls. "If you're looking for something sweet, I had one of the cinnamon rolls for breakfast and it was great. Do you prefer green or black tea?"

[nightmareofdivinity]

"Potatoes? Not something I doth be familiar with, but if thou says it compares to rice, I shall see. Garlic also doth be familiar, though 'toast'..." Not so much. He understands the idea of 'toasting' something, but this does not look like anything he's seen before. "'Pasta', you called this? I shalt try some."

He takes a little bit of it onto his plate, pausing when Wriothesley asks him his question. He turns and stares at the other man. "... I doth not know what 'black' tea wouldst be?" Maybe it's around now, but it definitely wasn't when he was Emperor.

[chainedcerberus]

"Obviously potatoes are a root vegetable, not a grain, but they serve a bit of the same purpose as rice does for our meals in Fontaine, and Mondstadt too, I think. Adding some bulk and providing a neutral background for stronger flavours." Wriothesley isn't a master of international cuisine, but there are enough people from other countries in the fortress that he's familiar with the basics.

He will prepare the green tea, then. "Black tea is just a more processed version of green tea - it's steamed for longer, though I believe some kinds are even smoked. It has a, uh, more bracing flavour, so some people think it's too bitter. The stimulant effects are stronger as well."

Open Air

[mamamias]

"Oh! Uh..." Mario chuckles nervously, and walks a little closer. For a moment he doesn't say anything at all, he just sits down next to Fou-Lu, and he sits, and he takes in the same sights. Mario's seen a lot of things, and he's seen a lot of deserts, but honestly, this is more like...

- the world is nothing just emptiness there's barely even RUBBLE it's just a BLANK SHEET -

...Sammer's Kingdom, after the Void got too close. Mario shivers.

"It's-a... it's-a pretty bleak, yeah."

[nightmareofdivinity]

What a small creature. ... Ah, well. It's not as if he's unfamiliar with smaller mortals, even ones that are not children. Fou-Lu's seen barren places as well, and yet...

"'Tis indeed. As if we wert the only living things in the world. But that... canst not, must not be true. And yet I sense nothing out there, not even water. There art no gods that I can sense in this place." Other than the other dragon on board, but he'll keep that to himself.

[mamamias]

Mario sits and listens, fiddling with his fingers - less like he's nervous, more like he just needs to be moving.

"I know... I think... Sometimes you do show up, and, the... the world has already ended..." he swallows around a knot in his throat. "So I think... maybe we are the only people here..."

[nightmareofdivinity]

"... If we art the only people here, who hath summoned us? The 'Ship' doth be a machine, even if it mayest speak. So there must be some sort of intelligence behind it..."

The sight out there unnerves him, but... he has to keep himself steady. A world without people... that's what his own world deserves.

[mamamias]

"Ship said it didn't do it - or at least, it seemed as surprised as we were that we were here," Mario says, with a laugh. He feels bleak, but he's always good for making light of things. "When we got here - heh, it didn't even have places for us to sleep! The cafeteria was in shambles! It got to work pretty-a quick, but..."

Not the point. "Well - maybe someone else brought us here, though. Maybe someone who wants us to fix this? Even - even if you show up after it's already over. Sometimes you can still make it better again." He's seen... a lot of things.

[nightmareofdivinity]

"... I am not sure how this may be made better save for divine intervention, and I do not possess enough power to do so." Just. Casually mention he's a god, it's Fine. "And I must save some strength for mine own world's situation."

Probably... should not tell random people that he's planning on wiping out all mortals. Might not go well.

Con-Food-sion (Offering some coffee advice)

[doomed_gambler]

It does indeed look rather amusing to Aventurine, who'd sat down at a cozy little table in the corner (strategic, back to the wall, doors and exits in easy view, etc.) for his own breakfast and...snack gathering.

The man browsing the food didn't notice him, and that was fine. He carried himself with a poise Aventurine associates with...powerful people. Nobility. And he's not had enough morning coffee to properly interact with someone like that, yet. And it was more entertaining to watch the vague mystification on his face while looking at various foods.

Aventurine can't fully contain an amused snort when the man's face scrunches up at the coffee tasting, watching him recoil like a cat-cake who'd tasted a lemon. Alright, alright, he'll take mercy.

"Coffee not to your liking, sir?" he calls out airily, adapting a casual pose of propping his cheek up on his hand, smiling. "No one really likes it plain. You want some advice on how to make it more palatable?"

[nightmareofdivinity]

The strategic table situation doesn't go unnoticed by him, but it's only when the man speaks up that he is acknowledged. There was no reason to do so otherwise - there was nothing he needed from him before. He turns to face the man and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

"'Twould be good to know how 'tis normally taken. I do not reject food out of hand often, yet the taste here is..."

It's Bad, and he doesn't have a better word for it than that.

[doomed_gambler]

Aventurine contains his surprise at the guy's...dialect? It's an older form of speech his beacon doesn't often pick up, and he wasn't expecting it. He wonders what sort of language this is pulling from. And how the magic boat language is getting that across so well...ugh. Too early to think about that too much.

His grin widens, indulgent. "I agree, it's a shame to waste food. Thing is, coffee can be an...acquired taste," he explains, rising from his seat and sauntering over. He peers at the man's coffee, assessing. "Black is its bitterest state. Usually you'd add some milk or something, but the options on this ship are limited..." Personally, he'd be adding more creams and syrups to his own coffee. It's good to try something new, though. As he talks, Aventurine grabs some almond milk to pour in, then adds some cinnamon sugar from the oatmeal bar. Just a little. Don't want to overwhelm a noble's fragile palette.

He makes sure to be very clear with what he's adding to the drink, and says what it is before adding it. He's not sure if this is a concern, but he wants to avoid looking like he's trying to poison the man or something.

He stirs the drink, then hands the mug back to the other man. "This better?"

[nightmareofdivinity]

Probably best not to worry about it. It's probably Fine. Nothing to worry about. It's probably totally normal!

But he does watch Aventurine extremely carefully as he gets near his drink, making sure that whatever it is he's pouring in he has gathered from the common area of the dining center and hasn't added anything to it. Poisoning is a concern - not that it'll probably stick too well, but he doesn't want to have to deal with it anyway.

He's a little hesitant to accept the cup again but he has no reason to reject such an offering - the man has been trying to help him in good faith as far as he can tell. And his Empire is not here - no one would have reason to have orders to kill him. His fingers wrap around the handle and he eyes the liquid inside suspiciously.

... Well. He should at least try. He takes a careful sip and his eyebrows raise before he lowers the cup again. "'Tis still bitter, but the additions doth make it less so. And this be a common drink? ... Strange. I art used to various teas. This doth not be a taste that be particularly pleasing."

[doomed_gambler]

The thing is, Aventurine probably could slip something into the drink if he really wanted to. Sleight of hand is a skill he’s honed most of his life, it could be possible. But that’s not his way, not in this situation. Not ever, if he can help it. ((Whether he can get it past a dragon or not, though, is unknown…as well as knowing the guy he's talking to is a dragon...))

He does pick up on the man’s caution, and he’s glad to have been clear with this.

Aventurine smiles brightly when the man’s opinion of the coffee improves. “It sure is! Coffee is a staple for many where I work. Thing is, many people drink it for the caffeine, so the taste is secondary to some,” he explains pleasantly, pouring himself a fresh cup since his initial one is probably cold now. Expecting the following question, he adds, “Caffeine is something that boosts your energy levels when you’re tired or sleepy. Wakes you right up!” And with his mess of a sleep schedule, he's just glad the ship has it.

He tosses some of his own additions (more almond milk, maybe some fruit juice if there is some) into the drink…the selection is pretty sparse (oh to have some chocolate syrup…), but it could be worse. He chuckles at the last statement. “Like I said, it’s an acquired taste.” He takes a sip of his concoction, then nods approvingly. Not bad. "Anyway," he offers his hand for a handshake. “Name’s Aventurine. Yours? I’m newer here, but I can explain what most of this stuff is here if you want. Anything you’re particularly curious about?”

[nightmareofdivinity]

He holds the cup a little carefully, the heat being one of the less pleasant parts of the drink to him. He can stand teas, but he prefers colder drinks... ah, well. "Caffeine? I hath not heard of such a thing. And mortals drink this willingly?"

Strange. So strange. Acquired taste or no, it's still odd. He sets the cup down and - right. Handshakes. That's mostly an Eastern thing, but he's met a person or two from outside the Empire before. Some sort of gesture, rooted in the idea of showing that you are empty-handed. Never mind that he can summon his own sword of energy, but it's the concept that counts. He reaches out - with the wrong hand at first, before he corrects - and takes the other's, shaking it once in a somewhat awkward movement before letting go. He's not really into touching people in general.

"... Fou-Lu." He's about to add his titles, but... no one here knows them or cares. It's a strange, strange feeling. The lack of reverence here bristles at him, but... part of him really doesn't care. It's good to not be recognized and have to use a pseudonym. "I art also recently arrived. The place doth be somewhat... overwhelming. 'Tis far larger than any sort of vessel for transport in the world I doth come from. I know not how much of this place works. The sleeping quarters be obvious enough, but even the large artificial water spouts took some time to understand." Showers. He's talking about showers.

Wildcard

[luciacorina]

Lucia Corina is sitting on a couch in the lounge this evening, plucking a slightly melancholy tune on her zither, and singing along in an unfamiliar language. She doesn't know how many here are actually interested in listening to her play, but it gives her something to do, and the familiarity is grounding.

[nightmareofdivinity]

When Fou-Lu walks in he's greeted by music. That's not an unfamiliar sound, but the tune itself is unfamiliar to him. He sits nearby quietly and closes his eyes, listening until she's done singing before he opens his eyes again and nods to her.

"... I wert not aware that we had musicians aboard this vessel." He's... trying, okay? Also he's... intrigued by what he's sensing from her. Or rather not sensing.

[luciacorina]

"Most others here tend towards... martial skill, in the main, I believe," she says. "I don't know if there are any other musicians aboard." Since she hasn't met Hatsune Miku. "I was merely a traveling musician before I was... brought here." Taken. Kidnapped, again. The man's clothes are... strange, but then everyone's seem to be, to her, save perhaps miss Aurelia.

[nightmareofdivinity]

In fairness his clothes are strange to most everyone in his world, too. They might suggest royalty, but it's so out of style that no one would really know. And no one outside of the Empire would even be able to recognize it anyway unless they were scholars of the ancient west pre-Empire.

"I see. I hath martial skill, though I wert once sought for decisions and rulings at times as well. I hath been many roles since I hath been summoned..."

[luciacorina]

"Like a magistrate?" She's not making terribly high assumptions straight off, though she isn't sure what he means by 'summoned'. "I don't know why you, or any of us, were brought here... We have yet to learn how or why we were... taken." She shifts, hair falling into her face. She tries not to think too much about how she's been kidnapped again, but it's difficult to avoid.

[nightmareofdivinity]

"Higher than that." But it doesn't matter here. They're all - well, not equal, but there's no status here, really. "I hath learned many skills over mine time - including the appreciation of music. I doth not be a singer, but I hath been taught how to listen for melodies and the recognition of talent. And thy skills art quite impressive."