lingeringlegacy | 07 ☆ Returning Returner

The Tree has seen fit to greet my return from the elevator with a flashy getup I cannot change out of and alterations to my personal effects. I suppose it confirms that one thing has not changed since I last wrote.

Youth, 00, Smoke, Mindelan, Gene, Huo & Hawk - My gratitude for your concerns. I am safe and sound. It was difficult to tell apart day and night back there, but from the cycle of eating and getting hungry, I estimate 1-2 days have passed. Yet, the number of journal pages filled suggests a longer period. How long have I been away? I ~~mis~~ would enjoy meeting you over a cup of tea or coffee. Or pie or pasta. Or anything, really. Foodless is fine too.

Dr Valeth and [Housekeeping NPC supervisor] - My apologies for the absence. I shall report for duty on Monday if it is acceptable to you. By acceptable I also refer to the long fringe trims on my jacket. They look awfully easy to get caught in things.

How did post-hurricane cleanup go for everyone? My house got through just fine, but the humidity seemed quite severe, judging from the state of my components rack. (Unlikely but) does anyone have a proper chamber oven for baking PCBAs? Otherwise I'll have to use a toaster oven but... not sure if the heat distribution's even enough.

-Stellaris

[ooc: Mun feels like going local. For the Rockstar event, Stellaris is dressed as Anggun from her 90s 'lady rocker' days [1][2], meaning: red beret & garish fringe jacket, with black top, denim shorts and suede boots. Accessories include xbox hueg digital watch, at least 3 necklaces and enough bangles to compete with an Indian bride.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I have eaten here a few times before. I do not know how to properly work with raw fish and so I do not want to risk it.

[He ordered a couple of rolls from the menu, one he knew and one he hadn't tried before here before before pointing out a few of the ones he found more flavorful.]

They know what they are doing here.

When it comes to food preparation I quite know the basics, so when coming across a dish I like, I usually find a cookbook that has it and try for myself. Sushi seems rather troublesome for home cooking, though, so it's good we have a place that makes it professionally.

[She ordered maguro and salmon nigiri, thinking classic types would serve better for judging ingredient freshness.]

How are you faring these last few weeks, Gai?

I enjoy cooking very much, but my dishes tend to have a lot of spice. And Bell does not like a great deal of spice.

[He nodded in approval at her choices. They weren't shying away form the dishes, and showed that she knew what she was choosing. At the question he hesitated. Few weeks encompassed Lotus' vanishing, and he didn't want to be that down right now.]

I have been better. These weeks have not been easy. But I am recovering. How about you?

We should cook together sometimes.

Recovering? Oh, Youth, were you hurt during the hurricane?

[Other than the surprise causing that name slip, someone had apparently missed news about Lotus' disappearance amidst all the pages that filled while she was away.]

I would like that!

[And maybe he'd get better at cooking food that others enjoyed as opposed to things he enjoyed. And Lotus had enjoyed. Gai blinked at the question. Maybe he should have made an announcement, but it had hurt too much to write the words then, and it seemed too late now.

Gai eyed the menu, as if it would make thing easier.]

No. My son... Lotus is gone.

Oh!

[The look of surprise in her face quickly turned to deeper concern. It was just the way of this place, people coming and going. Birth and death are natural occurrences faced by any living organism, but Edensphere made it all the more transient with logic-defying ways. Yet the feelings left in people... would it hurt less, or the same? Perhaps it was something else she needed to learn. She placed her hand lightly on his, offering comfort, though uncertain what else she could say.]

Forgive me, I didn't know.

Do not worry about it.

[He gently set his other hand over hers, sandwiching it for a moment before releasing.]

It is not your fault. An announcement was not made. It should have been, but I was not thinking, and by now most know.

[With a wan smile Gai redirected the conversation.]

The hurricane went very well for us, actually. I think that we made the right decision, even if some did not understand. I got more time with my son, as well.

Wherever he is now, I do hope that it is the best place for him.

[A waiter came with their order, an assorted offering of rolls and nigirizushi atop a rectangular wooden plate, complemented with shoyu and wasabi. Stellaris' hand left Gai's as she briefly thanked the waiter.]

I have to admit I did not really understand. But it sounded like yours was an informed choice, so as a person I wouldn't meddle.

[Pick up. Dip. Bite.]

Ah— This is fresh.

[Gai frowned at the sushi. It looked perfectly fine; he was just struggling again with selfishly wanting Lotus with him. Wouldn't it be best if they were together? But since he didn't know nearly anything about his world he didn't have an answer to that question.]

I hope so as well. I want him to be happy.

[He nodded. They wouldn't make a choice like that without a bit of thought. Following her example, he started in on what he'd ordered.]

It is one of my favorite places to eat, when I eat out. I do not often. It tends to be healthier to eat at home! But this is good for you.

Neither do I. Cooking my own meals is more fun and costs less. Though there are days when I'm tired so I just pick up something from the bakery or restaurant. Black's curry bread is great for a light lunch.

[Stellaris reached for a salmon skin roll, but a few fringes on her sleeve inadvertently dipped into the soy sauce plate. She pouted.]

This... would be quite troublesome at work later.

Curry bread?

[Gai perked up at that. He's rather fond of curry.]

I think that I now have a reason to go to the bakery! And what do you enjoy cooking? Do you teach other things?

[He dabbed a napkin into his water and offers it to her.]

Perhaps this will help.

Thank you. [She accepted the napkin and wiped the dipped fringes for a while, more out of gratitude to Gai than concern for her outfit. These are weird Sphere-given outfit anyway. It couldn't be changed out of and it seemed to repel dirt. Which was, admittedly, a good thing. A Sphere full of people with rashes didn't sound appealing.]

They mix the spices just right! I'm surprised you never tried it, since you've been here longer. As for myself, I don't think I'm good enough to teach. Still following books for the most part, you see. But I'm pretty confident of my pastries. Pies, tartlets, scones, things of that sort. Do you have any pastry you like in particular?

You are welcome! [Whether or not it changed, it was always nice to look and feel more clean.

Gai shrugged.] I do not eat a lot of pastries. It is just something I have not tried much of. But if you have suggestions I enjoy trying new things!

[He eyed the sushi. There were a couple of pieces left.] Would you like to try either of mine? They are excellent.

I shall look for a recipe you might like, then.

I'll take this one, thank you. [She picked up one with fish roe.] Mm, you're right! It's also delicious. You might just turned me into a returning customer, Gai.

[She was glad to be able to meet Gai, and that they had at least one similar interest. A few days practically alone in an empty yet vast space station could not be compared to losing a son, but she felt it helped her see in perspective what it was like to lose people she had grown to care about. No way of knowing when and if she would see them again.]

Thank you! I will look forward to that!

[He beamed, glad that she enjoyed what he'd chosen, and the shop. It was very nice to have someone familiar back again. And the outing itself had been pleasant too. Gai was glad he'd taken this time.]

07 ☆ Returning Returner

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