victory_road | ANOMALY DETECTED

"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.

You can say that again. With all the learning that goes into being able to safely ride a horse the idea that hopping aboard a creature who calls the sky its home requires nothing in the way of certification or training is rather bracing. Add in the freezing temperatures of the season and the winds that come with travelling that speed and I feel safe in saying that it's an undertaking best enjoyed in the Spring and Summer months.

[The prep work done, Lucius pops the chicken into the oven and sits down across the table from Geddoe.]

This place is more my style than most of the places I've seen since coming in here despite, both for it's more-familiar means of construction and the stepped layout. There's been a marked lack of anything built in stone since coming here, and that's quite troubling to see. Concrete and wood can only take you so far before you need a good solid bedrock, so it's nice to see the familiar forms of stone foundations and stone ramparts again.

"Have you been to one of the big cities yet? Some of the buildings are too tall and narrow for stone to work anyway."

Well, unless one uses magic, maybe, but the Pokemon aside this world doesn't seem to have that. Heck, Geddoe's world does have magic, but there's still a notable lack of skyscrapers anyway.

I haven't. The only places I've been to so far are the little town I entered this place in, a town called Cherrygrove, and that colossal castle the party was at last month. Considering the size of the buildings I've both seen and helped to construct, though, I can't see stone ever being off the table. The idea that someone has built places of sufficient height but insufficient width for it to be a fitting construction material seems on-brand for what I've seen of this place though. The people here seem to thrive on doing incredible things in the least efficient ways possible.

[Gathering up a handful of nuts, Lucius jiggles them in his hand for a moment before popping them into his mouth.]

The construction of this place seems more logical all things considered. I hope to find more places that use their topography intelligently like this place does, but I'm not holding my breath considering decent roads are a rare commodity here.

"You should see Goldenrod city. Some buildings there have twenty, maybe thirty floors, and don't even take up an entire 'block', as they call them."

It's pretty impressive, really, but definitely not feasible to build out of stone. That said, Geddoe raises an eyebrow at that last remark.

"... Like I said before, Budehuc Castle is from my world, not Johto. And it definitely wasn't here before."

No doubt why its construction makes sense. Even the castles of the other land don't make sense. They're needlessly meandering and rife with tunnels beneath them that leave vulnerability to sappers.

[He takes another handful of nuts.]

If these weird weekends you mentioned are responsible for places from other lands appearing here, then perhaps I'll have to look forward to those times to see intelligent construction. Given what I saw in Cherrygrove it seems the people here have much better bathing traditions then they have urban planning. The majority of buildings I've seen seem built of layered woods and either plaster or sheetrock, all of which leave much to be desired in terms of endurance and longevity. Would that I could, I would start up my Architectura firm again and be the change I wish to see.

"Dunno if it's normal. Usually people warned about getting teleported to random places, not other places ending up here."

But Geddoe hasn't been in this world all that long, so he can't really say definitively. That's something one would have to ask of someone who's been here a couple years at least.

[A savory smell begins to eminate from the saucepan and Lucius pops to his feet and goes to tend to the cooking line. Stirring the mixture of oils and spices with a stubby wooden ladel, he tends to the poultry on the side with a smile on his face.]

So if this place is from your home, I suppose that makes me wonder how you've adapted in finding a home here yourself. I've only been here a couple of months, but lodgings and any semblance of stability have been entirely elusive. You seem a sturdy sort, though, and you're familiar with a world of relatively the same means as my own so I'm curious how you've landed on your feet.

That earns a slight, amused sound from Geddoe.

"Don't think I could call this place home in particular, we just stayed here because it was being used as the army's headquarters." And he left as soon as said war was over.

"Mercenary work has a lot of travel sometimes, anyway." Did he mention he was a mercenary before? If not, well, there it is. "It's not hard to find inns if you know what to look for and what questions to ask, and money's not a problem if you're not picky about work."

[The mention of Geddoe's occupation causes Lucius to raise an eyebrow.]

You're a sellsword then? That's a dangerous occupation. I lived alongside some sellswords during my time travelling with Emperor Hadrian, and they were a truly mixed bag. Some were the height of professionalism, some exotic and dangerous, and others were little more than violent barbarians. It wasn't a life I would pick for myself, but there were certainly those among them who seemed to thrive in that calling.

[He looks back in Geddoe's direction with an expression of curiousity.]

If I may ask, what led you to pursue that life rather than joining the regular army?

Geddoe doesn't appear particularly surprised by that reaction, but then again that may just be his usual stoic demeanor at play. In any case he just shrugs at the question.

"I guess I just like having a bit more of a chance to pick what I wanna do and how to do it."

That, and his homeland is long gone, any army he might join would inherently be as a foreign mercenary soldier anyway.

It's a pity there isn't something as versatile as the Legion for you to enlist in then. With existing training or special skills soldiers are able to enter into a variety of specialist "Principales" that let them receive additional pay and avoid tedious duties such as standing watch or digging fortifications. Seems that could have been a good fit for you.

[Lucius nods in agreement with his statement as he finishes.]

Still. I suppose if the sellsword's life is one that agrees with you then that's all one can ask for. I certainly don't miss my time on the warfront, so I wish you the best the next time you find yourself on one.

"Maybe."

Geddoe's response is pretty noncommittal. He rather doubts he'd get along well with any standard army, but who knows, maybe there's one out there that'd work out. Or maybe he'd change his mind on the matter.

Well, he probably won't change his stance on his aversion to being put in charge of things, being an officer or the like just simply does not suit him, but that's another matter entirely.

"You were a soldier before, or just got caught up in a war?"

[Lucius raises his hand in modest protestation.]

Nono. I'm afraid I'm not half the man the Legion takes. I was only along as an architect to assist Emperor Hadrian. I constructed fortifications, helped with some siege weapons, and eventually constructed a bathhouse for the troops to recuperate within.

[He shakes his head dismissively of these accomplishments though.]

These pale compared to the works the brave soldiers themselves though. While they fought and died on the frontlines I went to sleep in the comfort of the camp every night and never truly had to fear for my safety. I was, in essence, a witness to war rather than a participant.

"Soldiers can't fight for long without food, shelter, or supplies," Geddoe points out. He's well aware of the necessity for logistics, and the non-combatants that keep those things running, and how devastating striking at that can be. He did once get involved in what was a guerilla war at least once, after all.

Well, it started out a guerilla war, even if it didn't exactly end that way.

That said, there's a part of that explanation that does amuse him a bit.

"And having a bath to relax in seems popular enough."

[Lucius nods in reluctant agreement with Geddoe's approval. While the man is spot-on in his appraisal, Lucius is resistant-to-a-fault when it comes to giving himself credit for things. The idea of including himself in something important, even if by association, is still something that he's quite averse to.]

We Romans certainly love our lists, so I can hardly disagree with you when it comes to the importance of such things. Sadly, the importance of supply lines often brings out the darkest thoughts when soldiers have their backs against the wall...

[He looks solemnly into the saucepan.]

While the battles I saw began as the kinds of open field engagements you would expect of war, as the tides turned against our enemies they quickly resorted to insurgency and terrorism. Attacks on merchant caravans and kidnapping of foragers became everyday occurrences. It didn't stop there though. There were multiple incidents where our foodstores were poisoned, which inevitably led to many injuries and casualties,

[He shakes his head sadly as he mixes more ingredients into the sauce.]

Interestingly enough, that's actually one of the reasons for the bathhouse. We had the good fortune of discovering some natural hot springs near one of our encampments, and the waters there were rich with minerals that greatly helped with things like indigestion and the aftereffects of poisoning. Combined with the therapeutic aspects of the hot stone, the baths themselves were able to make quite a difference in getting the injured back on their feet.

[He pauses for a moment, realizing the oddity of a bathhouse on a battlefield.]

Looking back on it and describing it like I am now it really is odd to think that a Thermae would help to win a war, even in such a small capacity. It's certainly not the usual way of things, but that's life eh?

[Lucius laughs, shaking his head, and continues to cook.]

Edited (grammatical errors) 2023-02-04 04:47 (UTC)

"Those kind of tactics are usually used by desperate people against a stronger enemy."

There's absolutely no judgment in his tone as he says that, against either side. It's simply a fact of the matter. Either side could be justified, or both, or neither. And Geddoe sees no point in making that call, especially regarding people he doesn't know.

Then again, it probably comes as little to no surprise that a self-described mercenary would be familiar with the reasons and motives behind such things.

"Don't think I've heard of one hinging on a bath in particular, but plenty of wars are won or lost over little things." He shrugs. "Baths seem to be popular with some armies, though, there's even one out back."

Re: with this I am caught up on tags for... 2 out of 3 characters lol

lectus_thermae_et_ultra - 2023-02-24 17:34 (UTC) - Expand

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lightningbearer - 2023-02-24 20:23 (UTC) - Expand

ANOMALY DETECTED

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Was travelling over last week. My apologies for delays.

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with this I am caught up on tags for... 2 out of 3 characters lol

Re: with this I am caught up on tags for... 2 out of 3 characters lol

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