Mar 27, 2025 2:57 am
Persephone nods to Emma and hurries toward the door. As she nears the front door, she shouts back, "Help yourself to whatever you want in the kitchen! I’ll be right back, hopefully with Circe."
Winter our discontent (RP)
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Mar 27, 2025 11:53 am
- Emma -
The food you ordered arrives promptly. If you think about it, you may notice that you were not prompted to pay for the order, or you may notice this discrepancy later, when you deal with credit cards statements (or not at all). Somehow it was just 'taken care of'.
Your concern for Bev and spicy food proves unwarranted, it turns out what she ordered would melt the top of your mouth off. "I'm North African!" She says, by way of explanation. "Most of my food, growing up, was more than 30% pepper by weight." She is probably exaggerating about this, but, then again, maybe not. Even being near her parcel makes your eyes water.
Benji (I am assuming) did not order anything.
Persephone's purse lies on the table where Zhiyu left it. It looks fancy.
What do you do?
The food you ordered arrives promptly. If you think about it, you may notice that you were not prompted to pay for the order, or you may notice this discrepancy later, when you deal with credit cards statements (or not at all). Somehow it was just 'taken care of'.
Your concern for Bev and spicy food proves unwarranted, it turns out what she ordered would melt the top of your mouth off. "I'm North African!" She says, by way of explanation. "Most of my food, growing up, was more than 30% pepper by weight." She is probably exaggerating about this, but, then again, maybe not. Even being near her parcel makes your eyes water.
Benji (I am assuming) did not order anything.
Persephone's purse lies on the table where Zhiyu left it. It looks fancy.
What do you do?
Mar 27, 2025 12:57 pm
Emma fights the urge to open the purse sitting on the counter. Maybe if Bev and Benji weren’t around, she might have risked a quick peek. Maybe.
"Hold on. You’re from North Africa?!"
Turns out she didn’t know as much about Bev as she thought. She never would have guessed it from her name. She leaned in toward her, her interest piqued "Where exactly are you from?"
She always dreamed of traveling the world. Africa, Asia. Anywhere exotic where she could get a taste of something completely different. But she could never afford it, so all her adventures had to be contained to London. Living vicariously through Bev was the next best thing. "How long have you been in England?" she pressed her, questioning her the way she would any supernatural creature she had been chasing down lately "What’s it like back home?"
"Hold on. You’re from North Africa?!"
Turns out she didn’t know as much about Bev as she thought. She never would have guessed it from her name. She leaned in toward her, her interest piqued "Where exactly are you from?"
She always dreamed of traveling the world. Africa, Asia. Anywhere exotic where she could get a taste of something completely different. But she could never afford it, so all her adventures had to be contained to London. Living vicariously through Bev was the next best thing. "How long have you been in England?" she pressed her, questioning her the way she would any supernatural creature she had been chasing down lately "What’s it like back home?"
Mar 27, 2025 1:07 pm
- Emma -
"Well, not me personally." Bev admits. "I was born here. But my parents are from Sierra Leone. So that how I grew up, eating like it we are still cook like 'back home'. You English chicks are too skinny!" She grins.
"I have only been back a few times, for cousins' weddings and such, but it beautiful, and very friendly."
What do you do?
"Well, not me personally." Bev admits. "I was born here. But my parents are from Sierra Leone. So that how I grew up, eating like it we are still cook like 'back home'. You English chicks are too skinny!" She grins.
"I have only been back a few times, for cousins' weddings and such, but it beautiful, and very friendly."
What do you do?
Mar 27, 2025 1:29 pm
"I've got it where it counts" she says with a wink when Bev calls her out for being 'skinny'. She takes a bite out of her own meal - chicken satay with peanut sauce with just a hint of heat. "Sierra Leone....I wish I could travel there, but it doesn't look like it is in the cards right now" or anytime soon, considering hers and David financial situation "You have to teach me how to make something sometime. We should cook together, like a little cooking class. I’d love to try some authentic food." she paused, and added "Just go easy on me. I'm not sure I can handle that level of spicy!"
Mar 27, 2025 1:47 pm
Benji eyes Bev’s food curiously. He’s never tried spicy food before. He wonders what it tastes like. Bad, probably, as human food always does, but what does spicy taste like exactly? "May I try a little?" he asks Bev, succumbing to his curiosity.
Then, suddenly: "Oh, Emma, I just remembered — I’ve been meaning to ask if I could have a signed copy of your book. I met a fan of yours who had his copy stolen and destroyed so I offered to get him a new one. I thought it might be nice if I could get it signed for him, as a surprise."
Then, suddenly: "Oh, Emma, I just remembered — I’ve been meaning to ask if I could have a signed copy of your book. I met a fan of yours who had his copy stolen and destroyed so I offered to get him a new one. I thought it might be nice if I could get it signed for him, as a surprise."
Mar 27, 2025 3:30 pm
Bev blushes and does not know where to look when Emma teases her with a wink. She is relieved when Benji changes the subject.
"Uh? If you can? Sure." Bev says, offering her plate to anyone who is brave enough to try. She is intrigued by what food, especially hot food, will do to a vampire.
What do you do?
"Uh? If you can? Sure." Bev says, offering her plate to anyone who is brave enough to try. She is intrigued by what food, especially hot food, will do to a vampire.
What do you do?
Mar 27, 2025 4:13 pm
Was Bev...blushing? She quickly dismissed the idea. She hadn't said anything out of the ordinary, so it was probably just the spicy food. She let it go, and turned her attention to Benji when he asked if she could sign a copy of her book for his friend.
"I’d be happy to!" It was near impossible to her to deny anyone who expressed interest in her work "Do you have a copy with you? If not, we can swing by my apartment later. I keep plenty of extras"
Not to be outdone by the vampire, she decided to show some courage and try the food Bev had offered, picking up a tiny morsel. Almost immediately, her face flushed from the intense heat, and she reached for her water "Okay. Wow" She coughed "That’s... definitely spicy" She took a quick sip, but it didn't do much for the burn in her mouth "I think it’ll take some getting used to..."
"I’d be happy to!" It was near impossible to her to deny anyone who expressed interest in her work "Do you have a copy with you? If not, we can swing by my apartment later. I keep plenty of extras"
Not to be outdone by the vampire, she decided to show some courage and try the food Bev had offered, picking up a tiny morsel. Almost immediately, her face flushed from the intense heat, and she reached for her water "Okay. Wow" She coughed "That’s... definitely spicy" She took a quick sip, but it didn't do much for the burn in her mouth "I think it’ll take some getting used to..."
Mar 28, 2025 4:10 am
"That would be great!" Benji responds to Emma’s offer to pick up an extra copy of her book from her apartment later. "I tried to get a copy from Jacob’s bookshop earlier today, but there was some sort of fungus growing on most of them. He seems to have installed a pond in the middle of his shop just before he left and it’s not agreeing with the books at all…"
As he talks, he picks up a spare fork and dips the tines in Bev’s food, picking up a tiny bit of sauce. He licks the fork and is motionless for half a second before his eyes widen in alarm. He drops the fork with a clatter, panicked and confused by the burning inside his mouth. It feels like he tried to eat sunlight. He coughs, eyes watering. "It hurt me!" he exclaims, shocked and indignant.
As he talks, he picks up a spare fork and dips the tines in Bev’s food, picking up a tiny bit of sauce. He licks the fork and is motionless for half a second before his eyes widen in alarm. He drops the fork with a clatter, panicked and confused by the burning inside his mouth. It feels like he tried to eat sunlight. He coughs, eyes watering. "It hurt me!" he exclaims, shocked and indignant.
Mar 28, 2025 4:45 am
"Jacob" Emma repeated the name, unable to hide the distaste from her voice.
"You know, the Administrator blames both you and Jacob for what happened in Arundel" she paused as she studied his reaction "Turns out, Lady Halifax threw both of you under the bus. She claimed she was kidnapped and forced to join you when you entered the chapel. And, of course, the Administrator believed her" she shook her head and sighed "He’s been kind of... extorting me into working for him, and that’s after he concluded my part in it was smaller than yours. Since he sees you as the main culprit behind what went down, I’m sure he’s got something nasty planned for you too." She let that hang for a moment, wanting to make sure Benji was paying attention "Watch your back, alright?"
Her eyes widened as he dropped the fork. She hadn’t expected the spice to hit him that hard, but then again, his senses were hyper-sensitive, way more than a human’s. Or maybe there was garlic in the sauce? Who knows?
"You’ve never tried spicy food before? In all those centuries?"
"You know, the Administrator blames both you and Jacob for what happened in Arundel" she paused as she studied his reaction "Turns out, Lady Halifax threw both of you under the bus. She claimed she was kidnapped and forced to join you when you entered the chapel. And, of course, the Administrator believed her" she shook her head and sighed "He’s been kind of... extorting me into working for him, and that’s after he concluded my part in it was smaller than yours. Since he sees you as the main culprit behind what went down, I’m sure he’s got something nasty planned for you too." She let that hang for a moment, wanting to make sure Benji was paying attention "Watch your back, alright?"
Her eyes widened as he dropped the fork. She hadn’t expected the spice to hit him that hard, but then again, his senses were hyper-sensitive, way more than a human’s. Or maybe there was garlic in the sauce? Who knows?
"You’ve never tried spicy food before? In all those centuries?"
Last edited March 28, 2025 4:45 am
Mar 28, 2025 5:20 am
Bev giggles at Benji's reaction. "I thought Chicken Tikka Masala was like Britan's national dish." She says taking a large mouthful and munching happily, showing no sign of discomfort.
Mar 28, 2025 1:10 pm
"It’s only been two," Benji objects, when Emma talks about ‘all those centuries’. He’s not that old. "And I don’t normally eat! I’ve only tried a few different foods… They usually taste bad, but I’ve never tasted anything that hurt before."
He shakes his head, trying to focus on what Emma said before that. "Kidnapped!?" As far as Benji knew, their business with the Administrator had ended at Arundel, so he’s very surprised (and very concerned) to learn that that hasn’t actually been the case and, moreover, that Lady Halifax has apparently been accusing him of kidnapping her. "Why would she say something like that? And what do you mean he’s been extorting you?" This is all very worrying indeed…
He shakes his head, trying to focus on what Emma said before that. "Kidnapped!?" As far as Benji knew, their business with the Administrator had ended at Arundel, so he’s very surprised (and very concerned) to learn that that hasn’t actually been the case and, moreover, that Lady Halifax has apparently been accusing him of kidnapping her. "Why would she say something like that? And what do you mean he’s been extorting you?" This is all very worrying indeed…
Mar 28, 2025 1:56 pm
"I don't get why she would lie about it either, except to protect herself" That whole situation unsettled her, and she wouldn't have brought it up if she hadn't been so concerned about Benji. She had to tell him. "I told the Administrator she was lying, but he still believed her over me. He insisted that you were the one who led Jacob into Arundel in the first place. He also thinks you’re involved in Eliot’s disappearance" she knew how absurd that sounded, and she did try to convince the Administrator it was patently ridiculous, but he didn't see things the way she did
"So, yes, he came after my husband. Almost had him fired. He only backed down when I promised to report anything of interest happening in the city"
"So, yes, he came after my husband. Almost had him fired. He only backed down when I promised to report anything of interest happening in the city"
Mar 29, 2025 4:53 pm
- Persephone -
You find Circe coming out of the elevator, though she can't have gone much further than the lobby. She looks pensive and maybe a bit disappointed, but she does brighten up when she sees you.
Apparently Zhiyu promised her that he would be able to acquire a delicacy that both of you remember from your childhood and have not been able to get for nearly two decades.
• What is this 'delicacy' that you miss? Something your parents or grandparents used to make, maybe? How hard is it to find? Do you actually care?
What do you do?
You find Circe coming out of the elevator, though she can't have gone much further than the lobby. She looks pensive and maybe a bit disappointed, but she does brighten up when she sees you.
Apparently Zhiyu promised her that he would be able to acquire a delicacy that both of you remember from your childhood and have not been able to get for nearly two decades.
• What is this 'delicacy' that you miss? Something your parents or grandparents used to make, maybe? How hard is it to find? Do you actually care?
What do you do?
Mar 29, 2025 5:44 pm
Hearing what Circe shares, Persephone perks up and replies, "He can get us Cai Tuan Zi?? Is from Shenyang too?? Wow, I haven't had those since I was a kid, at nǎi nai’s house..."
She looks more closely at Circe and asks, "Why do you look disappointed?"
She looks more closely at Circe and asks, "Why do you look disappointed?"
OOC:
I've just decided their grandparents came from NE China. Apparently those buns are exceptionally difficult to get outside of NE China. And yeah, she wants to eat them again! Though this may also increase her suspicion of this man.Last edited March 30, 2025 6:05 am
Mar 29, 2025 11:28 pm
"Well, I did let Jacob into Arundel – he didn't have an invitation, so I let him copy mine," Benji admits. "But that doesn't have anything to do with anything. I just wanted to bring a friend to the party…" He sighs miserably, and sinks a little lower in his chair. "I’m really sorry about all this, Emma. I was supposed to be watching out for you at the party. I should have known to be more careful. I just never imagined it would get so out of hand…"
Mar 30, 2025 6:04 am
"I should've left the party as soon as I noticed Eliot wasn't there to greet me" she attempted to take some of the blame on herself "You know; he offered me a ride to Arundel. Can you imagine what could've happened if I had gone with him?"
"Anyway," she continued "maybe you should call him before he moves against you. You might get off easy that way"
"Anyway," she continued "maybe you should call him before he moves against you. You might get off easy that way"
Mar 30, 2025 8:47 am
- Persephone -
"I don't know what you mean." Circe says, possibly slightly defensively, when you presumptively interrogate her feelings.
What do you do?
"I don't know what you mean." Circe says, possibly slightly defensively, when you presumptively interrogate her feelings.
What do you do?
OOC:
If you want to roll Figure Someone Out against Circe, maybe you can glean a bit more, but remember that the answers you get need to be based in the fiction of what you are doing to learn them, so you will need to dig deeper to get answers. These answers could come from the conversation so far as well as the rest of the scene as it plays out.Mar 30, 2025 8:48 am
- Benji -
You probably know that the correct way to deal with any transgressions you may have committed on someone else's property would be to go through your superiors, let them discipline you and take the cost out of your hide. But, with Elliot missing it is unclear who your 'superior' is, so who knows what The Administrator might consider appropriate in this case.
What do you do?
You probably know that the correct way to deal with any transgressions you may have committed on someone else's property would be to go through your superiors, let them discipline you and take the cost out of your hide. But, with Elliot missing it is unclear who your 'superior' is, so who knows what The Administrator might consider appropriate in this case.
What do you do?
Mar 30, 2025 10:32 am
"Yes, I think I should probably talk to him before he starts accusing me of who-knows-what-else," Benji agrees. "Thank you for warning me about this, by the way. I really appreciate it."
OOC:
Should we say Benji owes Emma a Debt for warning him about the Administrator?load next