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

[arclightning]

[ And that's the problem, isn't it? That last bit: for his own sake.

Mako doesn't know how to prioritize himself or his wants. He tried, back when they were pro-benders, following an impulse that originated with Bolin, and that led him down catastrophic pathways. He thought he should want Asami. He thought he wanted Korra, and then those things imploded and all he had was work he was good at but hadn't really chosen, and then Wu yanked him into something else and then the world was ending and then, finally, when he'd gotten his feet under him and was starting to set up something like a life with maybe a little too much work—then the dream.

Lysithea, he thinks, gets it. He remembers mountains and her calm certainty that her life had a defined endpoint. She was just smarter than him, maybe, because she enjoyed the life she had. ]

So... try stuff until I see if I like it, basically.

[ Way to sum up all those lovely words with that, Mako. ]

[notimeforfailure]

...Yes.

[Lysithea nods in assent after a pause. She understands the idea of sacrificing all else in service of your goals - but she couldn't contemplate the idea of a life without feeling any personal gratification whatsoever. Even as she drove herself to the limits of magical research in Fodlan, there had still been time enough at least for a lemon drop.

Perhaps Mako had never allowed himself to even consider the idea of pleasure. Or perhaps he was expecting too much and he was waiting to be awed by some undiscovered source of elation when the little mundane pleasures of life had been there for him the whole time.

Either way, she feels a strong need to fix this.]

And if you can't think of things to try... I'll help you brainstorm and we can try things together.

You wouldn't happen to want to start with baking, would you?

[This is probably a joke. ...Probably.]

[arclightning]

[ It is probably a joke, but Mako's brows do lift for a moment as he considers that. ]

I... do like making steamed buns. And I think I owe you mochi, if I can get my hands on some rice flour.

[notimeforfailure]

Mochi...?

[It takes her a solid ten seconds or so to understand.]

Oh. Yes -- you did say that, didn't you? Quite some time ago. I had completely forgotten.

Well, that's right then! Reneging on your promise for four years. Awful, Mako.

[arclightning]

Hey, as far as I know it was only about six months. Not my fault you lived a quarter of a lifetime while you were gone.

But, no, I know. I'll make it up to you. D'you really think you'll need help baking?

[notimeforfailure]

I'm perfectly capable of handling the operations.

[Lysithea sniffs, never one to admit weakness.]

But I would be a fool to refuse any offers of assistance while the business is still in its infancy.

[yes, the answer is yes she needs any help she can get]

[arclightning]

...let's start there. I can help out with the numbers, see if I'm any good at it without Zolt breathing down my neck.

[ Mako hadn't even really meant to say that much—he doesn't like talking about his time in the Triple Threats, and he isn't sure Lysithea even knows how long he used to run with a gang—but the point stands. He coughs and hurries to continue, ]

Could be a nice way to see if I like it and then you don't have to worry about it. So. Win-win. For both of us.

Yeah.

[notimeforfailure]

Well. As I just observed, I won't say no.

[Lysithea smiles.]

We'll find something you're passionate about yet, Mako. Even if it's... keeping track of numbers.

[...]

Actually, I wouldn't mind having someone sort through the bags of... payment and miscellaneous junk. I've just been storing them in my closet, but they're beginning to take up space.

1 / 2

[arclightning]

[ ... ]

...yeah, give me a couple days and I'll deal with that. You're as bad as Wu.

2 / 2

[arclightning]

...thanks, Lysithea.

[notimeforfailure]

[Lysithea just flashes a satisfied smile, an expression growing more familiar on this matured version of her face.]

I'll expect you soon, then.

[And she bids him adieu.]