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[demonicbeauty]

[The time away from Deerington has definitely not improved Ariadne's skill with a camera. The feed immediately pops on too close to her face, more or less framing nothing but her gray eye. She quickly realizes her error and pulls it back, the feed shaking and rattling until she manages to steady it.

And there she is. The face of an idol. Or possibly someone familiar.]

Just to be clear, I'm not Padmé Amidala and I'm not Jane Foster.

[Her voice is light and airy, like a little, trilling bird. She offers the feed a sympathetic look, as if apologetic that she's neither of these women. She's heard so much about them. They seem pretty great.

Ariadne is...not as great.

But she clears her throat and continues.]

It's me, Ariadne. I...well. I'm sure everyone is confused. I know I am. And if you need to talk about it, I'm happy to listen.

But, uh, what I really wanted to say is that somehow, my orchard is here. All of my trees. And some of them even have fruit. So if you need something fresh to eat or...just something familiar, you're welcome to come spend some time with my trees.

I think I might start a garden. One that everyone could use. Someplace to think. I don't know...

[And she's lost in thought for a moment. Ariadne knows nothing about starting a business or anything. But how hard could it be?

After a moment, she shakes her head.]

I hope everyone is all right.

Comments

[onerthes]

It's a style of cooking. You fry in a very light bit of oil. It's quite good. Have you never had something sauteed?

[demonicbeauty]

Oh, I may have.

[Small, nervous laugh.]

I just don't know anything about cooking. I was banished from the castle kitchen when I was eleven.

[onerthes]

mmm, I'm not really that good myself, but I've had to learn my way around the kitchen here. Give a girl a few years and "TV Dinners" just aren't good enough. Who does most of your cooking?

[demonicbeauty]

Uh...no one. I don't eat a lot of cooked food, I guess.

[She looks a little embarrassed.]

Alastrians aren't known for their culinary skills.

[onerthes]

Oh, that's fine. there's quite a few good cold foods out there. [She chuckled.] And there's no time like the present, should you ever wish to pick up the skill. Most people of Gidramas aren't exactly known for their variety.

A lot of stewing.
And I do mean a LOT of stewing.

[demonicbeauty]

[Ariadne laughs softly.]

Believe me, I've tried to learn. It usually ends in a small fire.

[onerthes]

mmm, perhaps we should start with things that don't involve aa burner. I wonder if they have working microwaves here? Those are fairly simple.

[demonicbeauty]

Micro...waves?

[For all of the new technology Ariadne picked up in Deerington, those related to the kitchen were left untouched.

She used her actual microwave as a breadbox.]

[onerthes]

It's aa small metal box that is connected to the wall with a chord. It has a glass window and you cook things inside.

[She chuckled softly.]

I should introduce you to one if we have them. They are deceptively simple.

[Especially if you got one that had a 'soup,' 'dinner' and 'reheat' option.]

[demonicbeauty]

Oh...I think I remember seeing boxes like that.

[Her precious breadbox. It took her hours just to figure out how to open it. And she's been picking locks since she was twelve!]

[onerthes]

Yes, you use the buttons on its front face to turn it on as long as it's plugged in. It can heat things up inside. I could show you how to work it if we have one.

[She would find that priceless, honestly.]

[demonicbeauty]

I would appreciate it...

[A pause.]

Although you might want to keep a means of putting out fires nearby. I'm a menace, really.

[onerthes]

heh. I will... just... never put anything metal inside one.

Ever.

[demonicbeauty]

No metal.

I'll remember that!

[onerthes]

Yes, it has a bad habit of exploding with metal inside. Always good to avoid that sort of thing. I'll show you the sorts of things you can cook it in when you do that.

[demonicbeauty]

Thank you...Vira-Lorr.