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]

[If he keeps talking, she's going to turn bright red. As it is, Lysithea coughs to clear her throat, then turns away to... pick up and put down objects in the kitchen.]

Thanks - the specifics are helpful.

[Her voice is kept carefully neutral.]

Well, the one thing is... sugar is much more valuable than it was in Deerington - they used to just pile bags and bags of it on the shelf. And they never ran out. Imagine! It's more like my world here. A somewhat higher tier commodity.

So -- I'm not used to desserts being so sweet. It's like an art. If you overindulge in it, it detracts from the taste.

[Pontificating aside, Lysithea's face has cooled to its normal temperature enough that she feels comfortable turning back around.]

I was just guessing about Japan, though.

I've met a few people from a place called Japan at this point - and the sounds of their names are similar. But each world is different, of course. Like I said, I've never heard of... professional heroes.

You must tell me more about what that means.

[swellter]

[ The cough has him looking away from the lemon bar to regard her with a contemplative look. Was she sick or clearing her throat? Likely the latter. Either way, he does go quiet while he tracks her progress around the kitchen waiting for her to turn around with little idea of what's going on behind the facade of courtly indifference. It, like many subtleties of the human condition, goes over his head. ]

It's common where I come from. Most desserts are too sweet for me, but I like them anyway.

[ Growing up, he wasn't allowed anything too indulgent. With his meals carefully controlled to aid his physical training, he now likes to try what he missed out on, appreciating every new experience, even if it doesn't always suit his palette. It's why he was so curious about her shop. As for heroics, that's a different matter altogether. In the end, he did choose to become a hero despite the way it ruined his family. ]

It means we're public servants. We're trained in combat and emergency response and have to get certified in order to serve as heroes.

[notimeforfailure]

It's a very lofty title.

[Lysithea remarks, an expression of curiosity on her face.]

It sounds vaguely like you share the responsibilities of knights in my realm. Although knights belong to a specific lord or organization, of course - and they are generally wielded for the aims of that lord.

[This... wasn't always in the public interest.]

Perhaps closer to what I've heard in regards to 'police'?

[swellter]

[ It's so commonplace in his world, it's what most people aspire towards when they're young and full of hopes and dreams. Not everyone makes it so he can see how it can be lofty. It's always been so entrenched in his life, he forgot that it's only a dream to some.

As for knights... well... It's not a comparison he'd ever make. Probably because they didn't have knights and lords and ladies. They were regulated to stories of the fantastical, not real life. Still, he knows what she means by it if only a little. ]

Police are public servants. Heroes work with private agencies. If I had to put it into words... we collaborate together in the pursuit of the public good.

[notimeforfailure]

Are there -- [and she smiles despite herself, finding the question faintly absurd] -- excuse me; I'm sure it's silly. There aren't professional villains where you come from, either?

[Perhaps the heroes solved crises and the villains created crises and they were all paid by the government to keep things entertaining for everyone.]

It just feels as if that's the appropriate counterbalance.

But it must be a very rewarding line of work. You must be close to my age though, right? You're already employed as a hero?