Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Sept 29, 2014 4:59:27 GMT
Open to Stephen Leland
Danny took a deep breath. Her hair was fine. Her face was scrubbed. She was dressed in a white shirt, black vest, and black slacks with simple leather shoes. She had a satchel slung across her shoulder and tucked under her right arm. Here she was... at the Leland place. It was just like she remembered it, which didn't help any. The girl self consciously adjusted her hair once more before she advanced to the front door. The building was less friendly... more intimidating than when the Jubilee was happening. Danny took a deep breath and knocked on the door to wait...
Post by Stephen Leland on Sept 29, 2014 5:14:08 GMT
A faint noise floated up the stairs into the Library where Stephen was. Portia, one of his six cats, raised her head curiously. Her master was fast asleep in his chair, a open book in his hand and surrounded by his other cats. The head butler of the Leland residents opened the door with a pompous look on his face. Giving her the once over he eyed her with suspicious interest. "Good Day, Madam, we were not expecting guests this afternoon. How might I assist you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Sept 29, 2014 5:15:49 GMT
"Hey Slick. Stephen told me I could stop by whenever I wanted. Name's Danielle, and I need to talk to him." Danny rolled her shoulders as she looked at the butler. "It's about his eye." Hopefully that'd work...
Post by Stephen Leland on Sept 29, 2014 5:29:38 GMT
The butler narrowed his eyes. Frankly, he did not care it the information of that mongrel's mixed blood got out but it would leave him without a job if the Leland family was outcast. From last he could recall, the boy was in his Library with those annoying cats. Hopefully he was doing something embarrassing; He always enjoyed seeing the half-blood in discomfort. The boy deserved it for being of unclean blood. The butler smiled and opened the door. "My apologies Madam, right this way."
The man lead her up stairs to the Library and pushed the doors open. Wonderful, the boy was asleep in the chair like a lazy cat. It looked like he was slightly drooling as well. The butler relished in succeeding to find Stephen in an awkward position. "You have a guest Mr. Leland" he said evenly with a wicked smile. Puck, who had been asleep on top of the cushioned chair, popped up with excitement when he heard someone enter. Stephen was groggily waking up when the cat jumped down onto his lap, unfortunately landing on a spot that should never be landed on. Stephen jerked awake and hunched over in unspeakable pain as Puck pranced over to greet Danny, unaware of the discomfort he had caused his master. The butler was so happy he could have danced. "Who the fraking hell is -" his wheezy, angry retort was stopped short when he glanced up and saw who was at the door. "Danielle...." he murmured out quietly, eyes only on her now.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Sept 29, 2014 5:33:30 GMT
Danny looked up at the butler. "Thanks Slick. I think I got it from here." She grinned at Stephen and wiggled her fingers cockily. "Afternoon Twinkletoes. Looks like you've been busy." She scooped up Puck as she walked into the library and set the cat on one of the nearby tables. "Figured you and me should have a talk... But since you're just waking up, how about over breakfast? Or... well... whatever it is you fancy pants eat in the afternoon when waking up from a nap. I did say I'd cook next time I dropped by, didn't I?" She grinned at the noble and pat her satchel as she spoke. "How do you feel about curry?"
Post by Stephen Leland on Sept 29, 2014 5:41:10 GMT
Stephen was still trying to process what was happening. Danielle was in his house. Did he invite her over. He was so confused. "Ah, um... Curry would be wonderful. You are going to cook it for me?" This peeked his interest as he straightened, reaching over and picking up the book that had dropped from his hands when Puck had moved. Although he was embarrassed at having being found in his present state, he was just happy to see Danny again. A small smile started to work it's way on his lips. "What might the reason be for allowing me the pleasure of your visit?" he asked, wondering if she really came her just to cook for him. The memory of Ikuze and his marriage slammed into his head, interrupting his pleasant thoughts. The smile ran away from his face. Did she know about that? Was that why she was here? Guilt hit him like a sledgehammer to the chest as he stood awkwardly in front of the girl he liked.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Sept 29, 2014 5:55:38 GMT
Danny smiled at Stephen. "Oh, I told you I'd stop by sometime, didn't I? And I said I'd cook when I did, so there's that." Danny turned and started walking towards the door. "Which way to the kitchen?" She asked before proceeding the way she was directed. It was a good thing she had her back to him... this was going to be harder than she thought. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about as well... but that can wait. Dinner first!" She opened her bag and began pulling out the supplies she'd brought with her. Fresh cream that was still cold, a small bag of rice, and an extremely small bag of yellow curry powder. She began rummaging through the kitchen as she spoke. "I've been kinda busy lately, so I apologize for showing up so long after the fact. Where do you keep your spices?" Danny continued rummaging through the kitchen. "Oh! I'll need pans and skillets too. I've already got the knife..." She quickly put a pot of water on to boil and started prepping the vegetables she'd snatched from Stephen's larder. She set out a skillet with butter melting in it and tossed the vegetables in. Onion, mushrooms, some red pepper went into the skillet. She set another skillet to the side and began blanching some spinach in it. She set out another pot and began poaching two eggs, with two more eggs being cooked sunny side up in yet another dish. The water was boiling for the rice pot, so Danny quickly added the rice to it to have that begin cooking. She looked through the larder once more and returned with a small collection of shrimp and two chicken breasts. She started the shrimp cooking up in a saucepan with the cream and curry powder. Some salt, pepper, and cumin also went into the skillet. She also began cooking up the chicken breast with some garlic and salt.
Stephen nodded and sat down, not wanting to get in her way as she worked. He watched her move expertly around the kitchen as if she owned the place. "Wow, you are quite the cook" he commented, impressed.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 9, 2014 4:37:34 GMT
"That's because I've been cooking since I could walk. I wanted to be a chef when I grew up... but Momma told me most folks wouldn't want an Ander cooking for them. That, and it's easy to do this when you stick in one spot at the stove for too long." As she spoke, Danny flipped the eggs and drained the rice. She added a pad of butter and some salt to the rice to flavor it before she tossed it into the vegetable skillet. When she said the part about it being easy to do this, she stopped her actions and waited for a moment. The stove quickly began spitting sparks like an angry cat. She moved away from the stove and it calmed down. Her display done, Danny got back to cooking quickly. The poached eggs were done, so she set them aside. To the curry she added the chicken chunks, and to the frying rice she quickly cut up the fried eggs and added those. She finished cooking everything quickly and started plating. the rice and vegetables went on the bottom, the the blanched spinach on top of the rice, the chicken and shrimp curry was placed on the blanched spinach leaves, and a poached egg was resting atop the entire ensemble. She cut the poached eggs in half, letting their yolky goodness flow over the dish, and grinned at Stephen. "Foods ready."
Post by Stephen Leland on Oct 14, 2014 4:19:24 GMT
Stephen raised his eyebrows, understanding the reasons for her not professionally cooking. "Why should you care what others think? Do what makes you happy. If you wish to cook, so be it. If someone tries to stop you it is because they are too bias to see past their clouded gaze." Who was he to tell Danielle this. If anyone was afraid of what other people's opinions it was him. Though it seemed that he did not care to please most people but the fact was he cared enough to never step out of line. It was always following his fathers orders. The biggest thing he had ever do to go against him was join CAEsAL and he hid that information like the plague from him.
The terrible string of thoughts stopped instantly when Danny placed food right under his nose. Fumes of indescribable goodness wafted up to him, clearing his head completely. Even with all his dinning manners, he was unable to stop himself from drooling a little. Picking up his fork, Stephen forced himself to take his time in getting the first bite then diving head first into the food. Just one bite and Stephen was sold. This was by far the best curry he had in all his life, and that was saying a lot. Many nobles tried to impress others with their cooking. This curry topped them all. Stephen just turned to stared at Danny in shock. Words were lost on him for a moment. Why was this woman not a professional cook yet? Screw the Ander excuse, the Queen would hire this her for her cooking.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 14, 2014 4:43:32 GMT
"Yeah, but good luck getting someone to hire you. People don't like folks like me, remember? That whole bit about me not being human? Kind of a big deal with employers." Danny stabbed into her food and started eating her own plate of curry. She watched Stephen for a minute before she set her fork down. "So, how are you and Ikuze doing? I hear the wedding is on the thirty-first. You know, that's actually my birthday." Danny picked up her fork and kept eating. She watched Stephen with a smile as she waited for his reply.
Post by Stephen Leland on Oct 14, 2014 5:31:38 GMT
Suddenly, the taste in Stephens mouth went sour. No matter how much he wanted to he could not bring himself to take another bite. Deep down, he knew she was here to talk about this, the one subject he had been running from as much as he could. When Danielle talked about the wedding reality crashed down on him. A look of sorrow crept into the nobles eyes as he hastily looked away to stare at his food. It took a while before he could work up the courage to raise his eyes once more and answer her. "Danielle... why are you smiling about this?" he asked quietly, his face blank but with conflicted eyes.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 14, 2014 5:36:34 GMT
"Because I'm happy for you. You're getting married, and that's something to celebrate." She continued eating while she spoke. "Oh come on, I'm not that scary, am I? Where's the angry little boy I met at the Festival of Hearts?" Well... at least this time she was the one in charge. She was in control... Not like when Ikuze told her. "So, looking forward to it? You're going to get to start a family... raise some kids... the whole shebang."
Post by Stephen Leland on Oct 14, 2014 6:00:14 GMT
"Angry little boy she says" he scoffed, a flicker of annoyance showing on his features once more. Stephen ran a hand through his hair, unaware that he was messing it up. When the subject of children came up a look of horror crossed his features. "You want the truth? I am utterly terrified. I know not the first thing about being married or with... women. I never planned this, this was not what I wanted. I can not change my fate though, I am far to much of a coward to try that. This is not a subject I wish to be talking about with you." He quickly went back to his food, busying himself with eating.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 14, 2014 6:07:37 GMT
Danny shrugged and went back to eating in silence. She quickly finished her meal and set the plate to the side. "Then I suppose we're about done here..." Danny moved her plate to what looked like the place for dirty dishes and grabbed her satchel. She made her way over to the door and paused to look over her shoulder. "This'll be the last time we talk... so goodbye Stephen." She opened the door and stepped right through. She quickly closed it behind herself and took a deep breath... that didn't go the way she wanted. The girl rested her back on the door and gathered her thoughts.
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