dreamcrystals | I'm sure you'll want seconds!

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I'm sure you'll want seconds!

Sender: Madhuri Qalli
To: Everyone
Subject: Sweeties. Pie?

Well hello, beautiful dreamers! I saw a lot of new faces, which can only mean I have to roll up my sleeves and get to kneading dough. Newcomers get pie, because I say so. It can be fruit pie, chocolate pie, or pizza. Pizza counts as pie, again, because I say so. Should this interest you, and I promise you will not regret it, please write in which sort of pie you would like in your tummy by the end of the day. I will be sure I've fed all the greenhorns! Nobody should dreamwalk on an empty stomach, you see. I will also be getting together some form of barbecue on the beach now that the weather is decidedly hot and sticky, and ask that you keep your nose to the air and your eyes peeled if you're feeling a little peckish after a swim or some very rigorous volleyball. I haven't got the exact dates in mind yet, though, but maybe once I've finished tossing pies everywhere I'll have something more solid.

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do you know how to prepare squid?

Squid's one of my favorites, actually, right next to crab, duck and lamb. What are you thinking?

sun-dried, though I've yet to find another land that prepares it in quite the way it was prepared in Kugane...

[ He pauses in his writing, thinking for a moment ]

I also enjoy seared.

Oh are you KIDDING? Kugane's dried squid is heavenly. I've been trying to replicate it, but they definitely add a little secret to the sea salt they use. I'd have to somehow eat another portion of it to do some further brainstorming. I can give you my closest attempt so far, but if you'd prefer some grilled, I can have that ready for you in lieu of pie.

Would that I could get some for the both of us. I'll be glad to try whatever you prepare, 'tis been quite some time since I've been able to enjoy one of my favorite foods.

[ With the Final Days upon him, Estinien has had little time for much else. Sadly, enjoying squid in Kugane or sitting down to partake in some of the more flavorful dishes in Thavnair has not been an option of late. ]

You would be my knight in shining armor if you somehow plucked Kugane dried squid from the aether. In the meantime, let's see here.

[Have a scribbled map of the general direction of the shopping district with one building circled.]

I'm not a map maker by any means, but I hope this helps.

'Tis fine.

[ He's had worse directions given to him, but this map will have to do... And the city isn't so large that he expects to find himself lost.

Some time passes before he arrives at the circled building. ]

You did warn that your mapmaking skills were poor, however I found my way here with few issues.

[She smiled when he arrived, and brushed flour dusting her apron.]

Well, I appreciate your honesty! Welcome. I have your welcome snack right here.

[She set up a tray with the sliced dried squid, paired with three sauces, toasted nuts, and a little grilled fish. As a treat.]

Well. "Snack". It's a little early for a beer to go with everything, too. Perhaps later.

[ Truthfully, Estinien was expecting a handful of squid snacks to stick in one of his pockets as he did when he left Kugane with the squid Orn Khai seared for him... ]

This is an entire meal. You did not have to go to such trouble.

[ But he takes a seat in front of the tray, picking up a slice of dried squid and dipping it into one of the sauces prepared for him. ]

You do this for all new arrivals?

[She nodded. Then she turned to remove and hang up her apron.]

...'tis rough business, waking up in an unfamiliar world. I figure there isn't a soul who would mind a spot of comfort, especially after seeing the depths of so many of the dreamers' nightmares in my time here.

Edited (double negatives, good job me) 2023-07-31 03:24 (UTC)

Aye, waking up believing you're in a nightmare you've already walked through was not the most pleasant of experiences.

[ He pauses, taking another bite of the squid, this time dipped in a different sauce. Despite being in another realm, it's a small source of comfort for Estinien to see those familiar with Etheirys, with his home and everything their star has to offer, here alongside him.

Giving Madhuri a small smile, he picks up another piece, dipping it in the third sauce. ]

'Tis good. Reminds me of the squid a dragonet would sear for me while we were in Kugane.

[ Would that he could speak to Orn Khai again, trouble the young wyrm for some seared squid alongside his company... ]

...When word spread of the end of that horrible war, I could scarcely believe it. It still steals my breath hearing of a little dragon breaking bread with someone far from their kin.

[She shrugged a little.]

It may be some time yet before I decide I'll visit Ishgard, however...

Ishgard isn't the most welcoming land. Despite the end of the War, its people are still adjusting to a new way of life and that includes accepting outsiders. [ A pause ] Had I not been the Azure Dragoon, they would hardly have accepted me.

[ Estinien huffs a laugh. He can hardly blame the woman for not wanting to visit. ]

Meanwhile, I've been to lands where I've been welcomed without question... My travels and experiences have taught me that there are dragons who love their people, who can be stronger than our strongest allies.

[ Though this can be said of the young dragonet, Orn Khai, Estinien's mind immediately goes to Vrtra and how much the Satrap loves the people of Thavnair. ]

[She brightened, and went to fix a little extra tea for herself.]

Exactly! Some days, when I wonder if I should never have left the Steppe, I think of my life as it is now, and come away doubly glad that I decided to depart.

Though... I do wonder about a trip back to the Steppe just to see how everyone is. They'd get a kick out of Raha, for sure; probably want to feed the poor man...

[ The dragoon gives Madhuri a curious look ]

What brought you to leave the Steppe? Were you in search of adventure, mayhap looking for another life outside of your tribe?

[ 'Tis something he is well acquainted with, looking for a life outside of what he once considered home, finding family when he had naught but the man who took him in as a child.

Estinien sits back, this time taking a bite of the grilled fish. He could certainly become used to this... hopefully Madhuri won't mind if he's a frequent visitor. ]

[She joined him at the table and chuckled.]

'Tis my favorite story, actually... I was a very small orphan and feeling rather low one winter, and that was when a group of emissaries from Ishgard dressed in red, in fact, decided to step in and trade not only goods, but stories and good will. They were Saint's Little Helpers. The Garleans had a strangle hold of Doma and surrounding regions, but couldn't touch the Steppe, no matter how hard they tried.

We're just a wee bit too savage to tame.

[A brief and devilish grin.]

Nevertheless, the Steppe was an opportunity for the emissaries to get a break from eluding Garlean patrols, as well as a chance to introduce the idea of the Starlight Celebration to us in thanks for granting them sanctuary in Reunion. The other children and I were lost in wonder at the idea of deep, fluffy snow, magic deer and exchanging gifts, even if the adults found the whole thing a little too fanciful for their liking.

I could never forget them in the years since they'd departed. They'd brought me joy where I had none left to feel, and it got me thinking about what lay beyond the Steppe, beyond the Garlean occupation. I wanted to see deep and fluffy snow, find a magic deer and bring happiness to others. I wanted to perhaps be a Saint's Little Helper myself.

But I knew the Garleans had their eye on the rest of the world, too. I wanted to give them a sound spanking where I could, and that's when I'd heard of the Crystal Braves.

[She gestured vaguely.]

...You know, shortly before everything that happened had happened. What a way to be introduced to Aldenard, right?

[ Listening to Madhuri talking about her life and leaving the Steppe makes Estinien think of his own childhood, of the times spent enjoying the Starlight Celebration with his parents and brother in Ferndale... And he misses that, misses the life that was taken from him at such a young age, but knows that the life he leads now is where he's meant to be, even despite all of the trials and tribulations he has faced since that day.

And this? Sitting here with this Auri woman, eating the best squid he has tasted since his time in Kugane, in a land far from their own star? Just another chapter in his story.

He smiles in response. ]

It certainly seems as if you found your purpose outside of the Steppe, despite the challenges you faced along the way. [ A pause ] Though, I assure you, deep and fluffy snow is not as enjoyable as the tales make one believe. Quite the opposite, in fact.

[ Estinien continues eating the squid, trying another one of the sauces. ]

Yet, despite your travels and work with the Crystal Braves, there is naught that could have prepared you for this realm, it seems. It has been quite the adjustment.

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I'm sure you'll want seconds!

Sender: Estinien Varlineau

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