video, un:charon

[notimeforfailure]

Good evening, all. I think this is what is termed a 'bandwagon.' However, as I imagine we will all be busy dead, dying, or in the process of resurrecting soon, I thought I had better commit before October.

I'm opening a bakery and sweets shop.

[Lysithea pans the camera to a table that is covered with pans filled with dozens of buns, cakes, and confections of different colors. It really looks extremely well done. One would imagine that Lysithea applies herself with the same intensity to any task she undertakes.]

Everything will be sourced from traditional Fódlan desserts, passed down through family histories and collected by hand in this book. I've realized that if I'm not the one who makes these treats, I'm... never going to taste them again. So I thought I should share.

[The view changes to an enormous tome currently open to a page titled Saghert and Cream in script prominently displaying a luscious picture of some kind of fruit and cream concoction. It really looks like this was drawn by hand.]

I'm baking from my room for now. If you want anything here, you can drop by or I'll bring it over. If you want delivery, you've got to get at least a dozen, because frankly, I'm not running all over town to give you one sweet bun. I'll open a proper location when it's not Death Month.

...Thanks.

[She signs off after a moment's awkward hesitation, as if she's not sure what to do next.]

[video pt 2, ten minutes later]

It's -- me again. Upon further reflection, I have no idea how to run a business, at all, apart from the portion where you confidently declare it in public.

I would... appreciate advice.

And help. If you are willing to be paid in cake.

Comments

[notimeforfailure]

Not just better rocks. The best rocks.

[how is that quantified
who knows]

Things I want: magical artifacts, crystals, gems, home decor, clothes, accessories, upgrades to my weapons, books (preferably about magic, folklore and demons), ink, high quality paper and journals.

And thank you.

If you keep flattering me, I might trade compliments for cake.

[notimeforfailure]

[stop smiling so much it makes her nervous]

That's all very sensible, thank you.

I realized while I was trying to think of pricing that they don't use coins here, which perpetually confuses me. I think accounting won't be an issue in that regards. I just have to... ask for desirable goods and favors to trade.

Or rocks. Someone has offered me rocks.

It took basically all day. Thankfully, I had two ovens available or it would have taken twice the time. You do have to be clever about the right amount of heat.

[imaglyphwitch]

Yes, it did look really nice. Boy, it would take some trading to get those kind of clothes, huh?

[Here Luz was thinking about Lysithea's clothes and her own: she was in need of an upgrade herself, after all].

Oh, thanks! I want to try and get some stuff for myself, as long as it keeps with my appreciation of color!

[royalfling]

Pumpkins and candy don't sounds so scary...

Mako told me about it, too. It sounded awful. I'm, I'm very glad that I missed it, I hope that it isn't so bad here! But if it is, well. We'll get through it. Together. Like we got through everything else.

[ Like big worms and the dream breaking and stuff like that. They got this. ]

I know! I feel like I've been here, or here and Deerington, for forever. I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

[vibing]

it might have to be compliments. the best i have is i could trade you food for desserts, or crab meat or something.
you know those big crabs? taste great

or the best rock

hell that cake might be worth the best rock

[ you see what he did there ]

[thunderingcourage]

Yeah, sort of a two-for-one stop. People would be able to come in for flowers or to pick up special baked goods like cookies, brownies, cakes, or anything else.

With whatever you need really. We could partner up, or I could show you some of the places around here to get what you need pretty easily. Or even just talk about making displays and prepping for a day.

[notimeforfailure]

I'm confident I'll be able to generate enough goodwill to trade for fabrics and dyes at some point. Don't worry - I'll get more clothes.

[She shrugs it off with a feigned lack of concern.]

And you should!

We should go browsing sometime. I can give you my thoughts about what might work well. Your build isn't too dissimilar from mine at your age - you're a bit taller, but it would work.

[notimeforfailure]

Yes - somehow in my memories, you're there even when I know you hadn't yet appeared in Deerington. It's one of those mental errors... it feels like you've been here with me from the start.

[Lysithea gives a faint shrug.]

October was especially dangerous. Particularly mentally. I believe that's what we'll need to be most concerned with.

Have you heard much about this 'corruption' business?

[notimeforfailure]

Crab... meat?

[Does she want to take (probably monster) crab flesh? This seems like it will set a bad precedent.]

You're sure they're edible? And they won't turn you into something awful if you eat too much?

[She knows how Deerington logic works by now.]

If you bring me the Best Rock, you can have a mini-cake.

[swellter]

[ Her confusion is met with understanding. In his time here, he's come to realize a few key points. One, things aren't always what they appear. Two, there's always danger lurking around the corner. And three, everyone is different. Not just where they come from, but the fundamentals of their world. As far as he can tell, Quirks aren't a thing in most places.

He thinks he'll have to explain it all from the beginning, but she surprises him by catching on quickly. His head tilts slightly at her assessment, nodding when she hits the nail on the head. Her rebuttal]

Manual labor is something we help with too.

[ Hero work isn't always about fighting villains or stopping criminals. Most of the time, it's the smaller acts that matter the most. The ones people remember. ]

I'll head out now then. [ The Gaze district. ] I'll be there soon.

[ And with that, Todoroki closes his device to look for his lamp friend still tucked away in his bag. ]

[cuddlery]

[Thankfully, it's only a temptation to consume everything edible within the vicinity! In any case, the tall scorpion woman looks around curiously, as if she's in a hall of wonders, as she follows that very small girl towards the kitchen. Her smile only fades at the correction of her new friend's name.]

Oh, sorry! Was that not what I said? Well, um, I'll make sure to get it right from now on! [She hopes.] You did get my name right though! No mistakes there. Good job, new friend of mine!

[imaglyphwitch]

Oh sure, of course! I have absolute faith that you'll be able to make treats that people will love! If anyone knows about sweets it's you!

[Now what could she do to get the clothes back? What did she have to trade]?

I don't know, did we? You always seemed more...robust? I'm kinda gangly.

[entreats]

What--

[ It's a bit of a surprised word, cut off by that very same surprise and the need to think about where that question is coming from. It's not quite what Ange was going for, so it takes her some effort to go through this conversation backwards in her mind, trying to think of what she just said or did that made Lysithea say that..

But after a moment she seems to realise how she could've come across. ]

No, no, I meant-- in general! In general! [ Please, Ange, don't protest too much, or you'll give her the wrong idea all over again.. ] Do I even look like the kind of person you'd find in a bakery?

[royalfling]

Somehow, I feel the same way!

[ He laughs weakly. It's impossible. Right? ]

Right, okay. Mental fortitude! I can do that. I can be mentally strong! It's, supposedly it's part of my whole blood thing. That I can help other people, so I can do that!

Um... no? Not very much. What is it?

[notimeforfailure]

[When encountering the unknown, Lysithea prefers to take a stab at figuring it out herself. Gratified that she seems to be in the right ballpark, she gives a faint nod, even if she still doesn't fully understand the details.]

It's not every day you can get a hero's help.

I'll be waiting for you, then. Let me know when you've arrived.

[And whenever Todoroki makes his way over, he will find himself in front of a comfortable looking, squashy house with too many odd little conical towers sticking up. The door leading to Lysithea's suite is clearly marked, and opening it reveals a staircase leading towards the upper floor of the house.]

[notimeforfailure]

Er, thanks.

[Lysithea is not the kind of person who feels comfortable calling people she's known for five minutes a friend. But she has at least developed into the kind of person who doesn't awkwardly correct people if they choose to do so.]

Let's see now... That tray is just baked, and over here are... ingredients for trifle. Here we are.

[She pulls out a container and hands it to Scorpia.]

The rejects. Too ugly to sell, but still delicious. Try some and see what you like.

[notimeforfailure]

It is?

[Not that she doesn't think Wu is mentally strong, it's just... she hadn't thought it was his particular forte or anything.]

I haven't the slightest idea what my blood is supposed to do for me. ...It just made me very paranoid all this month.

But... yes, corruption appears to be their word for describing a kind of insanity. People here seem to lose their mental fortitude much more frequently - it can manifest in many different ways, but basically... any strong mental blow can push people over the edge easily.

[notimeforfailure]

[As a general rule, Lysithea believes it wise not to become too closely entangled with strangers - or even with people you don't know very, very well. She proceeds carefully.]

I should be eager to share ideas and strategies with you. Have you run a business like this in the past?

And your idea certainly sounds unique - you mean for special occasions and the like? I was thinking of finding a free place in the Willful Machine district eventually.

[notimeforfailure]

Are you casting aspersions on my weight?

[Lysithea frowns severely before she shakes her head.]

I jest. You're taller and slimmer, so we'll want to find flattering items for your figure - nothing that cleaves too closely. But I don't think you're thin enough that you wouldn't be able to wear, for instance, my old school uniform with only minor adjustments.

[notimeforfailure]

Well. Yes, actually.

Most bakeries are run by young women of any description.

[just saying]

If you change your mind, the offer is open. But you see? I asked somebody and was immediately rejected. It can't be that easy.

[arclightning]

Yeah, I don't get the coins thing either. No idea how you're supposed to know what anything's worth. They seem to like really shiny rocks, but I paid for fruit with a feather once, so who knows. You think that makes accounting easier, or harder?

[ Mako's a little put-out about it, honestly. He likes numbers. They're clear and round and make sense and leave very little room for misinterpretation. ]

This is a really good idea. A good step for you, I mean. How'd you figure it out?

1/

[vibing]

i ate it
havent turned into anything yet

[vibing]

oh shit
maybe i did
goddess im a monster now

[vibing]

kljhadjfkbafjsakdfn
ljhasdfasf
AKLJSBADJAKBSD

[vibing]

[ several minutes later ]

shit sorry false alarm