video; un: quibbler

[creidim]

Hello, everyone. [ Luna Lovegood coming live from her kitchen. Unfortunately the Omnis don't have smell-o-vision, but it's clear from around her she's been hard at work cooking and baking. She's... in a bit of a frenzy the last few days. But she's fine, genuinely fine. This is actually kind of nice. She's actually looking rather calm, content — although there's certainly a kind of gleeful excitement she seems to be hiding a little. First things first: some observations. ]

I've been noticing some things over the past few days, and I believe it to be something blood-related — specifically to Palebloods. Given the bountiful amount of fruit about the city, I've been feeling a strong pull to collect them. I would usually go foraging, but there's something.... more insistent about it.

[ Which might seem ominous in itself, but Luna doesn't sound too worried about it? She's... mostly quite intrigued. A little excited about that, even — considering the idea she's having. Which she will finally get onto the point in hand. ]

Which then lends itself into a desire to bake. But when I've used the fruits in cooking, there's... something special about the food made. We— [ Both she and Peter. ] have noticed we feel.... better? Lighter? Upon eating it? Like it's... healing...? Has anyone else noticed that...?

[ Certainly after the absolute mess that was her Omni dumping her worst memory ever onto people at the tail-end of May, she's definitely been feeling a lot better now. And while cake does have the power of healing, she suspects it's actually more literal this month. ]

I suspect there's something about Palebloods making things this month, like an ability of sorts for the month. That the things we cook and bake are doing some good. And if that is the case—

[ She clears her throat, smiles broadly. ]

I should like to propose a baking competition for all Palebloods. There's this Muggle show I like to watch called The Great British Bake Off? And well, I believe it would be a great deal of fun if we did something like that here in Trench. [ Given how well people like a nice friendly competition, why not? Luna continues: ]

Palebloods working together to create delicious dishes using the fruits around the city which could then be shared out amongst Sleepers as a whole. And making it a bit of a competition is just a little bit of a bonus, letting everyone work together on it. I plan on speaking with Remina to come up with some prompts for the baking, given it's her month after all. But I think it should be a personal theme.

[ She will be going to speak with Remina soon. She's sure to catch her, considering this month's Patron is making quite a few appearances around Trench already. ]

So, I'm asking if anyone would like to sign up to the competition to do something good for the benefit for all of us — Palebloods to bake, and well — if anyone else of the other blood types wouldn't mind donating some of their time to help set things up. I realise we'll need somewhere to host, along with people who can help build sets and work stations, people to help collect ingredients for the bakers, judges too. We could even have presenters, too!

[ She's grinning widely at this point. She's very eager at all of this. ]

Holding the competition at the end of the month would be a good idea, so everyone has time to prepare. I'll share the prompts Remina and I come up with together as soon as I have them! Nobody has to sign up, but I just thought it would be quite nice, you know—?

[ Is she also still trying very hard to make up for her actions in April, even with her book writing? Yes, just a little bit. ]

ooc: this is the IC announcement for the great paleblood bake off player plot! information + sign-ups can be found here.
contact heolstor or heolstor#5725 for info/questions

Comments

(text) | un: wrench

[wwrench]

I've been gathering what I can, too. Not even sure why, since I don't have a kitchen. I hadn't considered it's a blood type thing but that would explain the compulsion.

I had a friend in Deerington teaching me to cook. We never made it very far, but foraging and preserving are right up my alley. And if making something could help, I'm happy to try out. Glad to do any set construction you might need, too.

text;

[creidim]

If you're a Paleblood then yes, that definitely explains that. I feel like I've barely left my kitchen at all in the past few days.

Maybe you could practice at my house if you want? I don't mind. Or there's John's cabin, you could use that if you'd like to get started on using what you've already collected if you'd prefer a better space to work there?

And thank you! :) I'd be glad to take any help you'd like with set up, too!

text | un: ratatouille

[terriblepurpose]

[Considering certain events, Paul knows that he should keep a distance from Luna, no matter how much everything turned out to be rooted in a series of misunderstandings and escalations. But there's no harm, he rationalizes, driven by the inexorable call of the stove, of participating in a contest in disguise. It's practically traditional, or at least not unorthodox. With the assistance of some consultants, he's created a new username, one he's assured will be impossible to trace back to him. The rest of the disguise will come later.]

I've noticed that as well. I've been experimenting with it in my ministry, and even if it's only a perceived effect, that's hardly a distinction worth making when it comes to corruption.

As a Paleblood, I'd like to bake. My name is Remy.

text;

[creidim]

[ She did wrong, she knows that. And Paimon's actions have been... unfortunate; she's clearly unimpressed with Johnny taking it out on Peter. But she's no mood nor interest in getting involved, she's not going to start a fresh cycle of violence. It'd never end. So there's that, at least. But Luna.. definitely hasn't forgotten.

... He's lucky her knowledge of Disney films is... almost zero. ]

Really if there's a new way of trying to help stave off Corruption, it's always worth taking it.

How wonderful! I'm very glad you're joining, Remy! I'm Luna!

I should wish you luck, despite the fact we're technically going to be competing against one another, aren't we?

text; un: v

[mehanizovati]

That does explain the sudden interest in baking as a whole. I suppose this is a step up from hallucinations.

I will sign up then, though I don't have much experience. I'd be happy to check over the ovens to make sure they are all in working order as well, wherever this takes place.

text;

[creidim]

I've made notes about how my blood is affected in this place, and well — this is likely the most kindest change yet. In my time here, I've noted brain-fog, excruciating headaches, impatience and emotional instability, people being compelled to be honest around me, a desperate need to improve my friendships, and... plenty of disturbing visual hallucinations in more than one month.

[ Being a Paleblood is exhausting. ]

Not to worry if you don't have experience, I'm sure there'll be others very much in the same boat. And you'll have the month to practice, too!

Checking ovens would be appreciated, I would very much like no unfortunate baking accidents.

video | un: graham crackers

[possessum]

( Peter could obviously tell Luna this a bit later in person, or with their literal telepathic link, but every once in awhile, it's nice to get little videos from one another, isn't it? So he's just going to send something short and sweet. Maybe it's nothing she doesn't already know, but it's a little message of support all the same. )

It's a really, really good idea. It's going to be great, Luna.

( His smile warms, and he lifts his hand to give a thumbs up. He's proud she's orchestrating something like this, something that could help a great deal of people. It's... really nice, to have softer things like this to look forward to in a place that can routinely be so brutal. Plus, Palebloods actually being given a bit of a break from their usual horrors... )

I'm heading back from the city soon, so I can bring home some more fruit on the way, too. Is there any kind you need more of, or just anything?

( Might as well grab some more off the trees for his little baker...! )

video;

[creidim]

[ It's always very nice to get little videos every now and then, especially when they're ones like this. She's just going to be perching on the counter with her chin in her hands, smiling away to herself. Peter, you're so darling sometimes. And a thumbs up, too!!! ]

I'm glad you think so. I've got a very good feeling about all of this.

[ It's really something that'll do a lot of good for everyone, especially considering how hard it is for them all. The odds are so very often stacked against them. ]

Some pears would be lovely, if you spot them. I'm thinking of using them to make a pear and blackberry crumble. [ Their home is literally coming down with desserts. Good job she's a dessert fiend and Peter is perpetually a hungry teenage boy. ] Peaches, too! Maybe I could make peach jam....

[ Oh, that sounds really nice, actually. ]

Video; UN: Filledwithsunshine

[onebadapple]

I'd be happy to help judge the competition if there aren't already enough of them!

video;

[creidim]

Oh, that would be wonderful! Yes, please.

[ She is more than welcome to become one! ]

Do you have much experience with baking?

Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

It sucks when you only know how to make three things though.

video;

[creidim]

There's no shame in only knowing three things, Usagi! You could think of this as an opportunity to learn some new recipes. Wouldn't that be nice?

[ Of course the Ravenclaw is going to support learning new things. ]

What can you make so far?

forward-dated to tuesday for lemon reasons; video, un: lady

[dohaeris]

[sansa seems to have more or less recovered from her weekend of lemon debauchery. she looks a tiny bit paler than usual, her hair is gathered into a loose braid, and she wears a light grey wrap dress over a white cotton shift. nevertheless she looks happy. lady has her head in sansa's lap.]

Oh! I love those videos! I'm afraid I'd never survive Bread Week, though, and I'm not sure Lady Mary Berry would be satisfied with the crust on my tarts.

not the lemons, sansa.... | video;

[creidim]

You watch The Great British Bake Off!? [ She is delighted by this! ] I think I might get away with not doing bread week, so not to worry. I'm not sure if you could make a bread with fruit in it, but I could be wrong.

[ Banana bread, Luna. Banana bread. ]

I've got a young lady who's signed up to be a judge and she seems lovely, so I'm sure you'll be safe!

Video | UN: alcaid

[ghostharasser]

Oh man this is perfect. I thought maybe I was going a little stir crazy lately. I already like to bake? I picked it up back in Deerington and it's actually a lot of fun! Like math!

But lately it's all I can think about. I'm totally in for a competition. There's no age requirement, right?

[creidim]

Compared to other months, this is actually the least crazy thing to be happening, really. [ She will take baking frenzies any day. ]

... How is baking fun like math—? [ She is genuinely curious. ]

No, there's no age requirement. The only thing is you have to be Paleblood to bake. I don't think the other blood types can do the power-thing with the food we make with the fruits.

video; un: an.exorcist

[likethelight]

[ pinged ]

The Great British Bake Off? [ double and triple pinged ]

Do you... still need judges?

[ Is he a Paleblood? Yes. But does he have a greater sense of priorities? Also yes. ]

video;

[creidim]

Yes—! [ He heard that right. ] It's a Muggle tele-vision show in the future where every year twelve contestants bake delicious things—!

[ In the future — well, she's technically from 1998, so— ]

More judges are needed yes, I've just the one so far and we will need more than that. Do you have any experience...?

video | un: K

[obeir]

I think this is a great idea, Luna. [ It's said with an encouraging smile. It's so good seeing Luna still being willing to put herself out there and engage with people in this manner after her last post. ]

I'm willing to help with anything you might need behind the scenes. I can also film and broadcast the competition over the network, if you want — like I did for the karate tournament.

video;

[creidim]

I think so, too. [ It's a bit of fun, a friendly kind of competition. And there'll be a lot of good to come out of it with all the Corruption-healing food that'll be made for everyone to share. ]

Oh, would you? It's going to take quite a bit of set up, I think. Not to mention getting things like ovens and refrigeration to work. Do you think you might be able to help with that? [ He does like making things with metal and such, so maybe it might be his area. ]

That would be amazing! I liked how you were able to broadcast it, it meant people didn't miss out.

video; un: jk21a

[hearuthinking]

That explains some things. I've never done a bake-off before, but I guess since I'm gonna bake anyway, might as well.

video;

[creidim]

Neither have I. But I think it'll be a lot of fun, regardless.

You could try watching some episodes on your Omni, if you'd like. It's a very fun show!

video; un: idoloflove

[loveandduty]

I mean this explains that urge to bake when I've never had that urge before.

[She preferred to eat others food rather than make anything herself. When she tries though it is not great.]

But this does means I get time to practice.

video;

[creidim]

I can imagine it must be all sorts of strange for people who haven't. I very much like to bake and cook, but even I think it's a bit odd to want to do it so strongly.

[ She honestly hasn't left the kitchen the past few days. ]

You do! It's only fair everyone has some time to work on things, so having it the last week of the month means that.

Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

I can't decide if this is a good idea or an absolutely pointless one.

[Not that Maul will be entering, for one he's not a Paleblood and for another he can't cook to save his life beyond getting meat to an edible state. It seems like he's just here as usual to be a grump without adding anything of merit to the conversation when he adds on:]

.....I shall judge.

[Because every good competition like this needs the grumpy judge with a British accent whose never satisfied with anything that is created but also will give high points for the person that manages to go the distance.]

[creidim]

Yes, thank you for that wonderful comment, Maul.

[ Did you miss the part about the food that will combat Corruption—? There's a sigh, thinking this conversation is going to be quite pointless until he adds that Maul would judge. There's a pause and she looks at him seriously for a moment. ]

... You would like to judge?

[ Is this genuine...? ]