songerein | And the World, In Its Cold Way, Started Coming Alive || OPEN!

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And the World, In Its Cold Way, Started Coming Alive || OPEN!

Who: Soldier: 76 & Anyone
Which: Open Log for December
Where: Edge of town/Residential district and slightly in the forest
What: With snow on the ground, an old soldier had found ways to occupy himself while still keeping his end of a compromise. Can't fault him for building a bonfire, cooking up meat from hunts, and making hot chocolate.

Some of it spiked.

Does have a few odd 'guests' encountered from a 'drink' run, but it is what it is.

Note: Enjoy the sweater
Warnings: Will add as necessary. if any come up.

Build It Up
[There was no real need to cut trees down with how well he knew the forest by now, not delving too deep in to the Wildlands, to instead gather fallen limbs and downed trees. All of them good enough to burn, no other real use to them. Had picked a clearing that he had further cleaned up, digging a bit of a large pit and lining a ring of stones in and around it.

Was good work, halving logs and limbs, building up a pile where he'd cleared away snow to try and keep it from getting too wet. Gave him something to do, kept him from getting antsy with the amount of quiet there was despite the bit of nonsense going on.

Couldn't really help it, wasn't made for sitting still.]

Just need a few more.

Light It Up
[Eventually? There was a carefully built stack of wood, enough that it could be fed by the rest of the wood he had collected to keep it going for some hours. Good.]

Of course the dragon is off hunting when I could use her for something. [It was a half-hearted grumble, 76 looking over the wood pile for burning, glancing over gloved hands briefly. Sure, he had ice, shadow, and electricity but- well. A strike could possibly catch it, but could also catch a few other things. Straight up fire?

There was a chill in the air of course. Considering how the rest of it worked, what he'd experienced and felt wit Kazuma's Noctaere- he was taking a deep breath, but it wasn't as if he ad to dig or pull from very deep. Snow was melting around his feet, flames flickering around forearms and hands, lifting one as fingers curled. Eyes narrowed behind his visor. Shadows curling a bit at the edges—

More than a spark ignited the bonfire pile, shaking his hand with a low hiss, but despite holding on to it after he wasn't removing the glove.]

Of-fucking-course. At least it actually worked for something. [Running on anger alone for a lot of things? Packed a punch, apparently. Christ.]

Roasting On An Open Fire
[The smell of cooking meat on the fire, spit-roasted even, had eventually drawn back his dragon companion- but of course she was curled up near the heat in a dried patch where snow was no longer there. Sleeping and soaking in the heat.]

Yeah yeah, enjoy how easy you can fall asleep as long as you can. Show off.

[Tending to what had once been a boar, the skin of it crisping up wonderfully, and a sort of tray he'd managed having potatoes and greens in a pan cooking under it, sizzling in what was essentially pork fat underneath. Be taken off soon enough, but the boar itself had a bit longer to cook.

That scent was drifting through the air, the warmth as well being carried by the passing breeze.]

Hot Choc-o-lat
[He'd broken out the kettle for this, some milk flavored by one of the cows he'd made friends with at a nearby farm, and- well, the candy shops at least had some normal damn chocolate that could be used for this. Some little nostalgic treat, stirring it in the pot, having used the kettle to cheat just a little with the milk and getting it warmed up. Raspberry flavored milk better than no milk to help it get to a nice and balanced drinking creaminess.

Did pour a bit in to his mug for tasting, humming softly to himself; tactical visor still on, even if the face guard was rested on his thigh. That white beard and mustache not catching any of the hot chocolate.]

Huh, not bad. Not bad at all.

(OOC: closed threads may also get tossed in here I do what I want. PM, catch me in the game Discord, or

Leicon for something like that, otherwise enjoy the offered prompts.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It was the lingering smell of meat and campfire that had drawn Tifa over at first. It had long since faded for the most part, the breeze carrying only small hints of what there was once, but the smell of something else is what keeps her going. Something sweet and always so nostalgic—a smell that promises to be warm and welcoming against the cold that had settled over the town of Reverein.

And when Tifa wanders up from beside him, her footsteps loud enough to make herself known even over the crackling of the fire, a scarf wrapped around her neck and draped over her own new sweater for the day, she pulls it down past her nose and lips to take in the smell of...]

What kind of hot chocolate is that?

[Is her nose picking up a certain tartness that can only come from a fruity infusion, or is she dreaming?]

Edited 2021-12-07 19:44 (UTC)

Raspberry. Got some raspberry milk when I dropped by one of the farms.

[Figured why not, he had it, and had enough to experiment with a little. Hot chocolate was good on it's own, but certain things certainly enhanced it.

76 tipped his head, even if his eyes were hidden by the visor his expression was not as hidden without the lower faceguard on.]

Came all the way out here- want a mug?

[Fire was warm and inviting at least- and there was probably still plenty of meat left.]

[Tifa isn't going to say no to a mug, or the warmth of a fire, or some meat in her belly.]

If you've got extra, I wouldn't mind.

[She crosses to him, stepping carefully over the melting snow and broken twigs scattered across the ground, her boots crunching happily until she finally finds a spot next to him, the smell of the raspberry hot chocolate all too strong now.]

Been out here looking for some spare wood I could use for the gardens, but was starting to get a little cold. Thought about making a fire myself, and that's when I smelled something...!

I do.

[Might not exactly be a mug but- a jar that held around the same, if not a little more, was just as good. Had plenty of jars. Was getting one out, looking it over; clean, lid still on it-] Hope you don't min something only vaguely mug-shaped.

Could help you with wood in a bit, been out here and I might've something from collecting for this. [Waste not, want not.] Figured it was a good time to build something like this.

Pit can be reused, stones in it will last a while.

I've had my fair share of drinks in strange containers. As long as it can hold it, I can drink it.

[Not so strange, but more... less fitting for the occasion. Sometimes, a bartender has to improvise when she doesn't have enough glasses to serve the customers when she's just starting out! Anything vaguely mug-shaped like a jar wouldn't be the first one she's had to drink out of, most likely.]

Find any good wood out here? Been looking for a while, but most of the stuff I've found has already been broken too small for me to use.

[...]

Have you been to the communal gardens?

Keep better supplied on jars than anything else here.

[Mostly because he used them both for moonshine and collecting honey he used to make said moonshine- the honey also went in to some of the cooking he did over the fire, but beside the point.

A low hum.] Plenty. Find it to make temporary shelters while I'm out here, or build fires with.

[Always scattered it all back out, like he was never there. Still, he was removing the lid as he spoke, making sure it'd do well for holding hot chocolate.]

No. How's that going anyway? Heard about it.

It's going.

[Her head bobs in a nod, although there's an air of doubt surrounding her.]

... But with the weather getting colder, I'm trying to find a way to cover them up. There're still a few things left in there that aren't quite ready yet, and...

[There's a small, nervous laugh.]

I'm not much of an expert to know what to do with them, so... figured I'd try and put together covers for the beds until I could.

Too bad tarps aren't easy to come by her. Mulch'd help some things, but then you'd have to worry about the plant itself. You got anything that might insulate? Even making a make-shift floating row cover could help.

[... That was the tone of someone who grew up on a farm and knew what they were talking about. Even as he poured the hot chocolate in to the jar, a long creature crawling up to perch on his shoulder, tail curling around his neck loosely, talons digging for purchase in that sweater he was wearing.

Wasn't paying it much mind until it trilled once the jar was filled, bringing it up as the noodle of a dragon moved down along his arm and, well. Topped it off with some whipped cream.

Once it moved back to his shoulder, 76 was holding the jar of hot chocolate in offer.]

You've got your head on track in the right direction, the issue is making what you need that will actually work.

[He holds all of her interest, all of this information helpful and inciting more questions about it, until that creature curls itself around his neck. It feels like it had come out of nowhere, and she wonders if she'd—somehow—missed it earlier when she came by, but her widened red eyes move from him to the small dragon that makes a small noise from next to his head.

But when he addresses her again, with the jar of hot chocolate, it snaps her out of her bewilderment long enough for Tifa to take it with a nod of gratitude, before she's back to staring at it again, her initial shock softening into awe.]

I'm sorry, is that... [A dragon of some kind? Cuter than any of the ones she's ever seen before, so she doesn't want to presume and offend it, of all things.] What is that?

[He tipped his head, gesturing vaguely toward the little dragon-like creature.]

Honestly? I got swarmed by a few of these some days ago in the Wildlands, and they've been following me since then. Mostly pop-up whenever I... make or pour a drink? One's even tossed some cucumber and mint in to my water. [Half exasperated and half amused.

They were a lot like the spicy noodle dragons, just rather than food they liked drinks as far as he could tell.] I think they're related to the similarly shaped ones that add spice to food that hang around the tea shop in town, or can appear when you're cooking.

This one really likes hot chocolate, I think.

[Oh, so not really a pet then, like she had initially thought. Still, it's an interesting little fellow, and Tifa lifts a hand to give it a gentle wave in greeting.]

Well, at least they're looking out for you.

[A cucumber and mint are an excellent addition to any glass of water!]

You must be doing something right. This hot chocolate smells amazing! [Then, she looks to the dragon, eyes gleaming with a smile.] No wonder you've been following him around.

[If she were one, she might too!

And as she goes to take her first sip, she pauses with her lips on the rim of the jar, realizing that she'd just swooped in to take his hot cocoa and fire without even introducing herself first...! How rude of her.]

I'm Tifa, by the way.

[Only one pet-like around was... the horse-sized blue winged dragon asleep by the fire, and even then she was more of a companion and working animal than he'd consider a pet. Blue still looked after him, too.

Just far too lazy to do anything but soak up the fire light after eating her fill of boar innards and some choice cuts of meat earlier.

His head tipped a bit all the same.]

They're surprising and a little sneaky, but none of them have ben trouble at least. Old recipe I've got memorized, even if flavored milk is a bit out of it.

[76 leaned back a little, pausing then. Ah, right.]

Most just know me by 76, and it works for me. [Not a name per se, but it was still something he'd answer to. Been his number a majority of his life anyway.] Nice to meet you, Tifa.

[Her head tips the same as his at the name. A designation, she wonders? The visor does raise some questions, but none that have been polite enough to ask before introductions have been made, at the very least, and those questions only knock at the back of her mind again, louder this time, but she ignores it for now, taking her first sip of the hot chocolate.

This is... delicious. Tastes better than it smells, and who would have thought that was possible!]

You know, I think the flavoured milk makes it even better. Reminds me of the chocolate chip and raspberry cookies I was making, which... [A pause so she can help herself to a second sip.] Might go real well with this. Set them out on a plate, maybe dunk them in...

[There's a glimmer in her eyes.]

Sorry, I'm getting carried away. It's nice to meet you, too.

You're fine. Sounds like a very good pairing you've got caught in mind.

[Even with that natural growl to his voice? There was that sound of good-natured amusement in his tone that was obvious enough. He was used t it, even if it had been a decade or so since the last time he was around someone who got carried away when something caught their attention.

A hand moved up, gloved fingers catching the faceguard of his mask and unhooking it with a faintly hissed click of the mechanism keeping it attached. The tactical visor remained, but the lower face part was rested on a thigh. Briefly smoothing out his beard before taking a sip from his own mug of it.

A pleased hum.]

Not wrong about the taste. Good thing I've got an in with some of the milk-cows that provide the slightly flavored milk.

[With the amount of time he spent helping on the farms coming back? An old farm boy knew how to make friends with cows.]

Ahh, so you're speaking from experience. Got it.

[She grins over the edges of her jar, through the steam as she goes in for another sip, and then another. If she keeps this up, she'll be finished before she's even had the chance to ask the question that's been sitting in the back of her mind for a while, let alone get through the next sentence.]

Have you ever thought about selling it around here? Don't really know how hard money is to come by, what with us being new and all, but some people might be interested. I know I would be. Even better if you've got connections already.

Comes with old age.

[Dry toned, but the stressed bit of drawl at least helped make it clear it was partially a joke poking at himself.

He did idly move a finger under the little noodle-dragon's chin when it chirped up and leaned in to the corner of his vision. They really weren't so bad, surprising and nosy as they could be- and dive in the way to add something to a drink; at least this one had learned patience.]

Money still doesn't really exist here, but trading is a pretty good barter system I think- helping out of offering something useful benefits everyone for the most part. [Kept people on even footing- save for those asking for hard to get things. Most were more fair.] Might be since someone I know is opening a bar that I offered to help with- mostly with food, and providing some alcohol. No real bartender yet, but while it's cold I might be able to serve this stuff.

[Tifa visibly perks up further at the mention of a bar. She'd thought of it herself, but never had the means or the resources to do so. Not yet, anyway. If she were to, she'd need more help than she figured she'd be able to find, so it would come with time. Although, if someone has already thought to start one up—]

No bartender, huh? I might know someone.

[He knew how well it could work, and wasn't the first time he'd gone this venture with Kazuma- of course then it had already been established. Here? Well, he was pitching in to the start-up, and the differences weren't bad at all. Bit of a nicer place.

His head tipped a bit-]

Might you? [Genuine curiosity, even if he had an idea.] Willing to give a name over, then.

[Put in the word as it was, even just to see.]

[Tifa pauses, taking a sip of her cocoa with a smile.]

You're looking right at her.

[She really could have just said as much from the start, she knows, but where's the fun in that? From over the top of the jar, she grins again, her pointed stare fixing on him.]

Ran my own place for a couple years back home, so I know a thing or two about drinks, and business.

[Certainly got a laugh, ragged and faint as it sounded; like the man really did not laugh much these days, if at all. Worn and jagged as his voice sounded, too.]

Got plenty of experience then, sounds like.

[To put it lightly. A hand idly smoothed his beard back down-]

Know a young man named Kazuma to any extent? He's who'd be running this place, and I worked with him in the world we were both in before this one.

[Will be different than that one, and not in a bad way.]

[Ahh, so he came from another world that wasn't his own, just like her. Kazuma too, then? But there is a flicker of recognition when he brings him up.]

I do! He's been helping out around the communal gardens. Showed me a thing or two about growing tomatoes.

[Among other things. He was the guy she'd look to in Reverein if she had any questions about growing... well, just about anything. She had been one of the ones to start to the communal garden, but it was one thing coming up with ideas. A whole other to bring them to fruition. (No pun intended.)]

I was wondering about starting up a bar myself, to be honest, but working with other people sounds nice...

[And less work for her in running the place, too!

But that sounds presumptuous of her, so she gives a humble bow of her head.]

I mean... if he'd have me. I'm probably not the only one around here who knows how to mix a few good drinks.

He's gotten more in to gardening then, good to hear. I know how relaxing it can be- though I grew up on a farm. Ma still had her own gardening.

[He'd heard here and there about the communal garden, but it wasn't something he- well. 76 was still private, and big group projects made him wary still. Going out to the farmlands and helping out the farmers there was as much as he'd push it. Less people, and he could get connections if it was ever needed.

Little nostalgic.

All the same, 76 nodded along.] Can be nice, yeah.

Dropping a line, or stopping by to talk to him wouldn't hurt all the same. Only three of us pitching in so far.

Maybe I will. At least to check it out, maybe try a bite of the food.

[Perhaps challenge Kazuma to make some drinks that'll impress her. No, that's too much pressure to put on any one person, but she does snicker quietly at the idea.]

So what do you do at the place? [... A beat, and she arches her brows.] I mean no offense, but I didn't really picture you as the restaurant or pub kinda guy.

[Zero offense meant to that! He's just got that "soldier" look about him. Not to mention the name, but would it be rude to point that out? It sounded more like a code than anything else, and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't a little curious about it.]

Food should be good, at the very least.

[Spoken with a bit of a hum, head tipping as the light tone of the noise was about to be very apparent-]

I cook, and will be providing some of the alcohol if people want it. I make it as a hobby here. [Basically moonshining as a hobby, yes. His posture was relaxed enough, no offence taken at all.]

Was a career soldier, but things happen in life.

[Putting it very, very lightly.]

They do.

[She understands that all too well. Tifa was no career soldier, and while she knows one ex-soldier, she knows what it's like to have circumstances change, and along with that, unexpected career paths.

Savouring another sip of the cocoa, she hums idly to herself.]

Well, in that case... I think you could make something of this, maybe with a few drops of liqueur. I know I'd go for a hot drink on a cold day. If I stop by the place, maybe we can give it a whirl. I've got a few pointers up my sleeve too, if you ever want them.

[And if he ever wants to make it more of a hobby!]

And the World, In Its Cold Way, Started Coming Alive || OPEN!

hot choc-o-lat!

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sorry for the wait!

all good!

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this feels like a good place to start wrapping 😊

it do /o/

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