victory_road | ANOMALY DETECTED

While it may perhaps be a bit rude, Dimitri cannot help but chuckle a slight bit at that expression. At least it's not outright disgust and hatred just yet!

"Indeed. Youth especially seem to take some delight in the sensation." And, you know, the sweet taste and sugar high which comes with it. "Certainly that is one way to clear one's palate, if nothing else."

Probably.

Frankly, Shrike is a little too preoccupied at the moment to be concerned about whether it's rude or not. And he would have to admit that he's the one who chose to try the beverage after having it described to him, anyway.

That said, he gets over his surprise fairly quickly, only for it to be replaced with...

"How peculiar. How is it achieved?"

And now the inquisitive nerdy side is showing itself.

Ah. It's almost possible to see the mechanisms in Dimitri's skull stuttering for a brief moment. Hold on, he... he believes he knows the answer to this question. It came up a very long time ago, granted, but he knows he knows it. Grant explained it to him once. He's pretty sure.

"I believe it has to do with a certain gas that is infused with the drink," he says slowly, very clearly digging around his brainspace for what he can. "It requires a lot of pressure to maintain such an effect - that is why when they are sold to the individual, they are closed very tightly in bottles, or cans." What else, what else- "When cold, as you can taste for yourself, the effect is also much better, I believe."

That's why no one drinks soda warm. He thinks. That sounds right.

Shrike seems to follow the explanation well enough, but something about it gives him pause. Not, perhaps, what might be the more obvious points, but rather...

"So it's entirely a temporary effect? And yet, so commonplace that it appears to be a rather standard and inexpensive offering at places such as this...?"

He's worked for a powerful king, he's seen the kind of stuff that sort of affluence can have on a regular basis. This is still something of a whole other level.

"Isn't it incredible?" Dimitri beams, glad to get into the nitty gritty about such matters. "It never ceases to amaze me at how welcoming and plentiful this land is." Back in Faerghus, it's the sort of thing that would have nobles squabbling over it, and the threat of invasion something on many people's minds. At least, that's how it was with Faerghus, which struggled to get even a little bit at times.

If there's one thing that Dimitri wishes he could bring back to Faerghus, it's the understanding of having fresh food more readily on demand...

"Fresh vegetables and fruits are available during all seasons as well, although favor is given to those naturally in season. I imagine a part of this land's success, of course, is for their companions, who work together with them for such prosperity." Dimitri takes a moment to scratch behind Gremlin's head, who beams up at him.

It's clear that Shrike is giving this information some good thought. He has personal experience at both ends of the extreme, after all, as well as having visited at least a few other lands within his own world. And yet, this place seems to be entirely different altogether.

"Even in a center of trade, only those with means truly have access to all being exchanged there..." he muses, half to himself. "From what you describe, even the poorest here must live nearly like minor nobility."

"You would not be wrong - I have visited a ranch in the western part of the country, and even they had little issue with living comfortably," Dimitri explains. "They still work hard, and care for many of their companions which provide milk and labor, things of that nature, but they can go to a home with a much greater variety and wealth of food than anyone from my kingdom."

Although speaking of food - there's his cheese sticks coming over, and Dimitri gestures to them. "You can partake, if you'd like. I would feel guilty if I were eating on my own." Meanwhile, he at least is going to take one to dip in some of the ranch.

"Is this nation simply exceptional, then?"

The idea of the entire world being like this is a bit more mind-blowing than he can fully wrap his head around yet. The idea that maybe there's a few countries that happen to be especially well off makes much more sense.

That said, the arrival of the cheese sticks is certainly a good distraction.

"Those are the... cheese sticks?" He sounds a little dubious, those sure don't look like any cheese he's ever seen!

"I suppose so, although of course it is not perfect. It still has to deal with bandits, cur that seek riches and profit over kindness to their fellow people." And that's not even talking about the negative opinions he has about the Jennys...

But that's a discussion for a different time. Maybe.

For now, Dimitri is more than happy to pick up a cheese stick, although he chuckles at Shrike's incredulous tone. "Indeed. Many actually like to dip them into these sauces-" He gestures to the marinara and ranch cups. "But I find them to be quite good on their own."

Mostly because he can't taste the sauces anyway, but hey.

"Please, give one a try, if you are interested."

"I doubt it would be possible for any sufficiently large group of people to avoid having a few problemsome ones turn up. But it's a far cry from living with the threat of being raided or worse at any time."

Big glass windows that not only let you see what's in the store but have the goods prominently and deliberately on display? You don't see things like that in a land that's plagued with frequent crime. Everything Shrike's seen so far in the brief time he's been here speaks to a people for whom such problems are a rare occurrence.

(Is it any wonder, given that, that his younger self was so amazed at simple candies?)

That said, these so-called cheese sticks are a much more interesting topic, especially with all the greasy yet oddly enticing smells.

"If you're certain you don't mind..."

But he does know an invitation when he hears one, so he reaches to delicately pluck one from the plate to try. Plain, first, so that he has a basis to compare with testing out the sauces.

Of course, he may come to regret handling such greasy food--those sure are some carefully manicured and painted fingernails, even if they are somewhat narrower and thicker than they ought to be--but that's a concern for later. Now is the time for tasting the mix of warm, savory flavors and crisp and smooth textures of the cheese stick.

At least they have plenty of napkins on hand, as is the way of any proper diner. Dimitri even makes sure to tug one out from the dispenser so that he has it on hand by his plate, just in case something spills.

But otherwise... Dimitri squints his eye in sweet contentment as he takes a bite of the cheese stick, enjoying the way it stretches out a bit in his teeth. It's nice to simply savor the food for a bit, especially since this is his companion's first time with them.

But when he's cleared his own, Dimitri finally glances across to see what reaction has been earned. "What do you think?"

"It's... interesting. Salty, but not unpleasantly so?"

A pause.

"I suppose I ought to try the sauces for comparison, however."

Shrike may be an inherently shy and somewhat socially awkward man. This does not, however, mean he doesn't know how to get the most out of a situation if he well and truly wants to.

"Ha ha, of course. It only makes sense to experiment fully to get the best aspects of the dish." Dimitri, of course, is more than happy to let Shrike try what he likes, even if that means double dipping. He knows it's in bad manners, technically, but, well...

It should be fine just this once. After all, it isn't as though he plans on really indulging in the sauces too much himself.

More than anything else, as is often the case when it comes to food with him, the enjoyment of other people is what he likes to see more than anything to do with himself. And so he watches the other man's expressions with some interest, even as he nibbles on his own portion.

There are a few ways to avoid double-dipping. One is to use the opposite end from the one you've bitten on. The other, should the dipping options exceed the available ends, is simply to have another. Surely Dimitri won't mind, right? He practically offered as much, after all...

That said, Shrike has never been skilled at deceit, including concealing his emotions. And that's especially true if he doesn't feel an imminent need to attempt to do so anyway. Which is to say, Dimitri can enjoy the variety of various curious, thoughtful, and appreciative expressions crossing the mage's face as he takes his time taste-testing each of the sauces.

Ah, very good. So there is some enjoyment, there.

With the drinks in hand as well, Dimitri takes his time, letting Shrike in turn have plenty to experiment with as he pleases. However, slowgoing such as that means there is time for their main orders to be brought out, and Dimitri perks up a bit. "Ah, here- hopefully you will appreciate these as well."

Doubtless Shrike's drawing stares, assuming the patrons (and the wait staff) haven't gotten tired of the weirdo at the diner yet. But look, at least he knows how to properly savor and appreciate a thing?

Still, the arrival of the rest of the food makes him pause.

"Ah, have I taken too long to finish this?"

He doesn't know customs and etiquette here, is it rude to not be finished with the prior course when the next one is served?

"Oh, no - you have no need to worry," Dimitri says, shaking his head. "From what I have come to understand in establishments such as these, the appetizers are to keep one preoccupied until the main meal itself arrives. As a restaurant, after all, they are ever busy, and so the appetizer provides some amount of time if it takes a little longer to cook the rest."

A small chuckle.

"And, of course, often patrons want to eat such food as well." So it all works out. "It is a rather informal affair, really."

"Then it isn't being served to be eaten in courses, but simply bringing the dishes as they're prepared?"

Not a typical way of dining, in his experience, but there's nothing typical about what he's seen and heard of this world so far.

"That's right." Dimitri clasps his hands together on the table, carefully making sure not to accidentally bump into his own food. "Unless, of course, you make a request to the servers on the matter, in which I'm sure they'd be glad to go along with it. However, a restaurant like this tends to focus more on the speed of such things... for various reasons, I suppose."

Dimitri shrugs. "I have never worked in such a place, so I can only make guesses, truly, based off of my own observations on the culture of this land."

ANOMALY DETECTED

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i just realized how long this thread is what is with these two dummies XD

my excuse is that i just love food and making characters deal with food

and yet for some reason you play Dimitri here of all people....

I've never claimed to be a smart person

and here we are, a full year later XD

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