victory_road | ANOMALY DETECTED

((It's fine! I expect tags to get erratic around the holidays even when there's NOT a new pokemon game release...))

"Unless you've got potch in there, it might not make much difference."

Especially if it's the Pokémon world's currency. That would definitely have no value here. Assuming that 'here' is really in Geddoe's world which, well, let's just say he has some doubts about.

In any case, rather than just stand around talking about it, he's going to start heading over to the main 'castle', if it can be called such, and towards the side building that contains the tavern. And the kitchen, but you have to pass through the tavern to get there.

"Besides, something's... off about this. Could be that this is just some kind of illusion."

It really is exactly how he remembers it, except without any people. Which is odd for a whole number of reasons.

[As Lucius follows behind Geddoe he considers what he's saying.]

An... illusion? Is that kind of thing really possible here? Would that mean that any food or lodgings we make use of could just up and... vanish on us?

Geddoe just shrugs at that.

"No idea. People call these 'weird weekends' for a reason though, since you can never be sure what's going to happen." He honestly doesn't sound too bothered by it though. Well, no more than his general exasperation with the whole weekend as a whole. At least this time he isn't being mobbed by electric types? "But if this is really Budehuc... Everything's just like I last saw it. Even things that probably shouldn't be."

After all, a lot of people had been staying here, and while he was definitely familiar with the layout and all that, it's not like he went and poked his head in each and every room right before he left.

Still, that doesn't stop him from opening the door to the small tavern along the side of the main castle building and striding right up to the bar.

"What kind of drink do you like?"

[This land seems to have a never-ending stream of frustrating realities in it, and the fact that its residents just seem completely unbothered by the revolving door of insanity that they're subjected to only serves to drive to Lucius to distraction.]

Weird weekends... what a bizarre and exasperating concept...

[He shakes head slowly in frustration.]

Living in this land seems like it would be a nonstop series of bizarre events. I rue the future that lies in store for me here. But I digress, a red wine if they have it please.

It's less that Geddoe's unbothered, and more that he's just naturally of a very stoic disposition. That he's remarked on it being strange at all is quite telling, really.

"Most everything here's weird, but I'd bet the locals would say the same thing about the worlds we're from."

And that's the other reason Geddoe takes it in stride; the concept of other worlds operating on different rules isn't entirely unknown to him.

In any case though, he clearly is well-acquainted with this place, as after walking into the small tavern it takes him only a moment to locate a bottle of wine, open it, and plop it down along with a glass on the counter. For himself, he's grabbed a beer... and isn't bothering with a glass himself as he continues on to the kitchen tucked in the back corner.

The locals seem rather... bland... in their views on things in my experience. I talked to some of the people in New Bark town upon my arrival and they all seemed to be reciting off a script. It was frustrating but, then again, so is everything in this place.

[Lucius follows him into the kitchen.]

I feel like there's a lot of things in this place that anyone from far enough into the past would be constantly alarmed by. It would be quite nice to build a place more removed from the crazier aspects of this land, but that still takes advantage of the conveniences they have. I'd imagine that would require considerable capitol though...

The kitchen isn't fancy, but it's still decently large and nice. It's clearly from a pre-industrial world, though, to judge by the old-fashioned brick ovens and utter lack of appliances and so on.

It's also, conveniently, still stocked, precisely as Geddoe last remembers it. Fresh vegetables, bread, all the basics, really.

"You mean like all those fancy gadgets and stuff?"

Yes indeed. Many of the advancements I've seen in this land have been quite convenient, but plenty of the things I've seen since coming here are certainly more burden than boon. Being able to pick-and-choose what advancements I implement into my living space and which I leave to the side would be very nice.

[Lucius watches as Geddoe looks through the kitchen.]

Seems like there's a good amount of choice. Would you like assistance in preparing anything?

"Even if something's there, that doesn't mean you have to use it."

Ask him how long he's gone failing to really comprehend and thus use microwaves. Or maybe not.

That that offer though, Geddoe pauses and glances back with a raised eyebrow.

"If you're offering to cook, you can. I was just looking for something that wouldn't take much work."

Over a hundred years old and he's still no good at cooking...

[Lucius draws closer and begins looking through the cupboards. After a moment he nods to himself and turns back towars Gedooe.]

I should be able to cook us up some acceptable dishes. It will take some time though, so it might be a good idea to sate your hunger with some bread or other quick food until the dishes are completed. I don't see meats or cheeses here, so that would restrict what I can make, but if they're located elsewhere I can prepare a proper feast if we wanted.

[He looks around the kitchen satisiedly.]

I'm nowhere near as good as my mother was but I still know my way around a kitchen like this, and it would honestly be nice to use a range of the sort i'm familiar with. I've seen some genuinely lovely kitchens in this land, don't get me wrong, but it's just not what I know to cook with.

That last bit earns an amused sound out of Geddoe. Boy does he know about not being familiar with all this fancy tech!

"The fridges are nice for keeping stuff from spoiling, but I got no idea what some stuff they have even does."

Seriously, what even is an 'air fryer'? But all that aside, the mention of being limited in the available ingredients catches his attention.

"There's a storeroom down in the basement."

Well, there's a couple, but one in particular the food supplies are kept in. He's pretty sure he remembers it having some cured meats and the like.

[[Sorry about the spelling errors in the previous post. I'm using a pocket keyboard at work, so a lot more can slip through than when I'm on my old faithful at home. Means a lot better turnaround for tags though!]]

Oh!

[Lucius claps his hands in exclamation.]

That would be excellent. That would be likely to have the meats then. Let's dig-in to what they have and I can prepare some dishes based on whatever we find. Provided there's the usual suspects in terms of selection, though, what are you in the mood for?

"Hmm..."

Geddoe gives that some thought as he heads out of the kitchen. Rather than taking the door they used to come in to the tavern, though, he heads through the one that leads into the main building of the castle.

"Maybe something spicy."

It's not that spicy food doesn't exist in Johto, but it's just not the same as the Karayan fare he's had on occasion back in his world. That, and seeing Budehuc again might be making him a bit nostalgic.

As he heads through the castle though, he doesn't even spare a glance around. Not even at the couple of clear gaping holes where parts of the wall have collapsed. The building's still sound enough, and he knows where he's headed, anyway.

Spicy eh?

[Lucius rubs his chin.]

I'll have to see what they've got in regards to spices and herbs then but, provided they've got a good supply, that shouldn't be an issue. If they've got cheese and honey as well, I could cook up some Globi for dessert.

[He smilesa, licking his lips at the thought of the tasting an old favorite again.]

Nothing like some warm and sweet treats to see us off to a restful sleep eh?

"There should be some Karayan stuff left."

Their route takes them through the large entrance hall and to a small staircase tucked away in the corner. Geddoe heads down to the basement, then promptly heads around the corner to another staircase to a second basement level. A glance around passing through the first would make it clear there are some things on that floor, just not the particular storeroom Geddoe's after.

Down in the second basement is their destination, a goodly-sized room piled with crates and boxes and barrels of supplies, shelves of even more, and indeed even some racks of meat. It's not the best organized though, even if it looks like someone may have made an effort at some point.

"Globi?"

Geddoe's never heard of that.

[Dutifully following after Geddoe, Lucius enjoys seeing more of the structure as they proceed into the basement and sub-basement. As they reach the meat locker he gets a satisfied expression on his face.]

Looks to be some fine cuts of meat here. I should be able to prepare a feast and a half should we want it. If there are good selections of spices and cheese available, too, I think I may have the perfect dish to match your hunger for spices. As for Globi, they're a sort of fried cheesecake ball glazed in honey that's just delectable. Perfect little sweet treat to send you off to a restful slumber.

Edited 2022-12-21 15:24 (UTC)

"Just grab whatever you need. There's probably more than can be used since the army disbanded anyway."

There's definitely a variety of stuff here, from a variety of places and cultures, to boot. It might not be quite the same as what Lucius is used to working with, but hopefully close enough to improvise.

Though really as long as it tastes decent Geddoe's not complaining.

Whenever they're done picking up supplies, it's just a simple matter of heading back up the way they came. Though of not ise that down a further hall from the storeroom, in the opposite direction from the stairs, are a few cells. They don't seem to have been used recently though, except for one where the bars are all bent out of place. That one someone's apparently set up an office in.

[After a bit of digging around and popping back and forth from different bags of ingredients and cuts of meats Lucius has assembled a small stack of supplies to take back up to the kitchen.]

There. That should be everything we need to get things made. If it sounds good to you, I'll be making a dish called "Parthian Chicken" which consists of a roasted chicken with a savory spiced glaze. I've gathered up some nuts, herbs, and cheeses as well so we can have that with bread or crackers, and some roasted and seasoned vegetables with toasted cheese slices for a side.

[He makes a satisfied face as he describes the food, clearly envisioning the dishes as they would be upon completion.]

Then, of course, would be the Globi for dessert. I figure we could snack on the nuts and cheeses while it cooks though, provided that all sounds good.

[Upon completing his little dissertation on the various dishes he begins packing the various foodstuffs onto himself. Satchels of nuts tuck into his belt, the chickens hang over his shoulder, and a variety of spice pouches and cheese wheels lay tucked under his arms.]

Ready to head back up then?

"Heh. Definitely sounds better than a cold sandwich."

Geddoe's neither a cook nor a picky eater, so frankly it all sounds great to him. That said, the way Lucius manages to pack all that stuff on his person is downright impressive.

"Need a hand?"

Geddoe can certainly help carry things, after all.

[It had completely slipped his mind to ask for help in carrying the foodstuffs, so having help offered to him leaves Lucius momentarily dumbfounded.]

Ah... yes. I hadn't thought to ask that.

[He looks at all the things he's carrying for a moment before extending the two chickens out to Geddoe.]

Could you carry these then? That would leave a hand free for getting back upstairs more easily.

It doesn't really show in his expression, but Geddoe's pretty amused. After all, he'd been standing right there the entire time, yet apparently completely overlooked in that regard. In any case, he does take the chickens he's handed; he could take more, of course, but given the complicated way Lucius is holding it all, it might well be more difficult to offer more than to just take it himself at this point.

"All right."

Time to head back upstairs, then! Which is exactly the same way as it was on the way down. There's not much more to see, though; while another passage or room or two in the basement certainly exists, one would have to go past the stairs to get a proper look. And Geddoe, at least, is heading straight back for the kitchen.

[[Sorry for delays again. Got sick on Christmas Eve and I've been low-key dying ever since.]

[Following Geddoe back to the kitchen Lucius sets about lighting the stove and prepping the dishes. Though he starts slowly, the more he sets the prep in-place for each dish the smoother his movements throughout the kitchen become. By the time the snacks have been set out Lucius is virtually gliding across the kitchen, humming to himself as the various dishes begin to take shape.]

This is so much better than I thought it was going to be. I was fully prepared for the reality that I'd be camping-out in some abandoned homestead in the cold, but here we are with a hot meal coming together and actual shelter all around. Excellent!

Seeing as he knows very little about cooking, Geddoe's just staying back out of Lucius's way. He'd probably lend a hand if asked, but he knows better than to try to meddle without knowing what he's doing.

"Just hope it stays that way."

Geddoe's going to remain prepared for the possibility that either or both of them could be randomly teleported elsewhere at any moment.

That's certainly something I can agree with. My first foray into travelling in this place was rather effectively sabatoged by those little bird's with the invitations for the October party, so I ended up roaming all over the woods following what I believed was the trail to the castle it had intended for me to follow.

[Shaking his head in frustration as he continues tending to the various dishes, Lucius rolls his eyes and continues.]

Thankfully that ended with me being able to take a hot bath and clean my clothes afterwards, but the experience of terrifyingly clinging to a giant bird for a round-trip flight was not something I would readily volunteer for. Thankfull, though this place seems another detour, it's one that's infinitely more my speed.

That earns an amused snort from Geddoe.

"Flying's an acquired taste, yeah."

He can't deny its usefulness, but that doesn't mean he has to like it.

"The castle's not bad if you like a place that's a bit rustic."

His team usually favors the bustling port of Vinay del Zexay or the trade outpost town of Caleria.

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