randomizing | action/video → open, all things encouraged, come eat

[ It’s only a few hours after sunrise when Lucina fetches up her communicator. She’s a seasoned hand at going without long stretches of sleep and has already made herself useful. There’s a steady, crackling fire going on the beach and above it, a fair amount of speared fish roasting calmly. (They’re dead. That’s why they’re calm.) There’s also a small selection of forest fruit – calabaza, naseberries and soursop – resting on her strewn cape, less than a foot away from the fire pit.

She’s noticeably sunburnt. Her boots are off and her trousers are rolled up to her knees, leaving her with bright red patches on her lower legs to match the one on her nose. She also doesn’t seem particularly bothered by the affliction, her tone even and her face halfway to a smile. ]

I have managed to get some food for us. Should anyone wish to break their fast, there is a serviceable selection at the beach. Come quick, for I’m afraid it will be first come, first serve.

[ The communicator feed clicks off, and then clicks back on. ]

And, um – good morning, friends.

[ She smiles! ~~Inigo would be so proud of her.~~ The call closes once again. You can call her back, either to yell at her for waking you up or yell at her for not grabbing the fruit you like, or just come down and eat. Threadjacking and mingling are encouraged. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Lucina! [he was just following the smell of the food, and he's a bit relieved to find it's her. partially because it's easier to get food out of someone you've already met. drawing near, the red on his own super-white face and arms -- well, one of his arms -- also obvious, and also being ignored. he starts to settle down across from her]

You look like an old hand at this. You've gathered quite a bit [just a quick polite detour to survey smalltalkville before he begs...]

[ Politely, she does not comment on his similar sunburns, the same way she's yet to comment on his arm, his scar, or his hair. ] My garrison were often forced to camp outdoors for weeks at a time. The only difference here is the heat.

Are you hungry, Allen?

I am. [gratefully] I don't suppose I could ask for one of those fish if they're ready?

[ That icon... ]

Take whatever you like. [ She's laid some cooked fish out on her cape, next to the fruit, and gestures to them now. ]

[all the adorable food icons!] [okay, then -- one of those fish. and maybe a fruit. or two fruits. but that's it! he has to make sure there's enough for everyone]

I didn't realize you were with a garrison, Lucina. You were in the military?

Of a sort. We were rather ragtag, admittedly. [ Fighting a losing war surpassing fifteen years will do that. She's not quick to reveal her title or any of the other little details surrounding it, but she'll admit it if pushed.

Right now, this is as close to no responsibilities as she may ever get. ]

Edited 2013-06-24 15:46 (UTC)

More of a militia, then. [he isn't pressing so much as being conversational, and if she seems uncomfortable, he'll stop. but he's a little more focused on the food right now. that fish is so going into his mouth] Did you have to fight often?

I've seen my share of battles, [ she confirms. ] There was a foul creature known as Risen, which took the form of the dead. They attacked in droves, sacking villages and burning the capital city to the ground.

[ Her home, her castle. ]

It's not rare in my nation for those who can take up arms to do so at a young age.

Oh... [that bums him out a little. he chews his first bite quietly for a moment, and says] I'm so sorry to hear that. It sounds like it must have been very difficult for you.

They-- took the form of the dead? [uncomfortably familiar]

[ She sees the way his expression loses some of its cheer, but she isn't about to change the subject because of it. To ignore his question would be impolite, and she's never been the best at coddling to begin with. ]

Yes, in a sense. They were the dead risen, hence their name. However, it was unlikely you could look at one and see a loved one or comrade. They were all eerily similar.

Ah, I see... [he pauses a beat, before mustering a small smile] At least that presents some small mercy.

[ It's hard to not feel a little awkward in the wake of his words. Lucina's lips press together awkwardly but she's steady, not slinking away or dropping her gaze. ]

My apologies, Allen. I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable.

It's all right. It's the truth, after all. [he assumes it's the truth. why would you lie?] There is something rather similar where I come from, both... better and worse, I suppose.

You don't have to discuss if you do not wish to, [ she's quick to say, and just that. ]

[chuckling] I suppose we're of similar minds on the matter... [he would have said the same to you, after all] I don't mind talking about it. Fighting akuma is my life. [simply]

They are -- the souls of the recently dead, chained to the bodies they once inhabited. They can look human, but they are suffering, controlled by an evil power to seek only destruction.

[ That is certainly alarming. She's never heard this word before, "akuma," but they do not sound like any creature she would wish to meet. ]

Is this a part of how people pass on in your world?

No. Someone does it to them -- he's called the Millennium Earl, and he uses the akuma as his own personal army.

That's why people like me exist, Exorcists, who can put the suffering souls to rest and stop him from tormenting them and harming the still-living. [he feels a wistful pang as he says it. it was nice when it was that simple]

(no subject)

emends - 2013-07-16 20:27 (UTC) - Expand

everwalking - 2013-07-17 01:48 (UTC) - Expand

emends - 2013-07-25 15:11 (UTC) - Expand

[ When the roasted rodents are done, she offers him one. ]

Think you have room for more? [ She might have noticed him looking hungry. ]

For more? [he straightens up a little, giving her a curious look, and brightens immediately when he sees what she's got on her]

[ Laughs at the look on his face. ]

I can't promise I know what it is. But I don't think it's secretly poisonous.

I will take whatever it is. In fact, I prefer not to know what it is. [what if it was cute? nope, better to have it already cooked and just put it in his mouth] I mean, as long as you're offering...

Far be it for me to hoard fire roasted maybe-rat when others are hungry. [ Hands him the skewer. ] Compliments of the chef. [ Grabs one for herself. ]

The chef is an angel. [he will bite right into it. blisssss]

Itsh Ahllen, bah the why.

[ Chews on hers experimentally, not finding it too bad. ]

The fact that you're enjoying it this much makes mine that much more palatable. [ Doesn't think she's ever enjoyed food as much as he appears to. ]

I'm Hawke. Nice to meet you Ahllen. [ Winks. ]

[he flashes her a quick smile before he takes another bite]

How did you catch them? I mean, did you hunt them, or trap them? Maybe if you had a trap, we could try making more of them... [hopeful]