faderift | The secrets in the snow

When she notices one of the elven workers watching her, she beckons the man over with the knife to demonstrate slowly with the second fish, cutting off the conversation for a while, more gesturing at Korrin's work, then at a pan. All in a low enough voice not to ruin it yet but enough so he knows what she's doing and how he might do it himself if he wants to. Cooking is meant to be shared after all and she can write this one down for him later on anyway but he seems satisfied enough to thank her and slip away again.

"Why would I go to the barracks?" Does anyone they know live in the barracks? Probably they do but Araceli thrives on being busy as well as being damn good at pretending she doesn't know the schedules of as many people as she might need to so there. "I still need to get time to paint more of the door. It's handy enough so people know exactly where to find us but it's very boring. Almost done with the spices? The fish is good to go, I need to let the marinade sit while I do the next bit."

Araceli's instruction provokes a warm smile from Korrin, unsurprised that her kadan as giving in knowledge as she is in meals. Such knowledge can be passed on, increasing the chances that southern Thedas won't have to suffer under their typical cuisine. It's an uphill battle in the south, but still. When Araceli gestures at her own work, Korrin makes sure not to block their audience's view, even slowing her chopping down a bit so it can be seen better.

"...chasing after Lux, maybe? Don't tell me he doesn't get his nose into everything around here." To be fair, Korrin readily encourages this when she isn't wearing him around like a stole. Without a Red Jenny to keep people distracted from doom and gloom, a mischief-making fox is definitely helpful there. "Hm...I think we need an aban-ataashi on the door, to go with the sea theme. The merchant just came in with some new paints, too; on the expensive side, but high-quality stuff."

Dumping the rest of her chopped ingredients into the bowl, she mixes them thoroughly and then reaches for the oil to add a few drops before mixing it further. Once she's satisfied with her work, Korrin nods and begins putting the jars back in their place. "It's all set, kadan. Just the scent is starting to get me hungry; I'm going to be starving by the time we're finished."

"He'd only go if girls live there, girls that would feed him." Better for him to prowl around the library, the kitchens, the gardens or the healing tents since there's usually someone there that'll take pity on him or fall for his 'oh I am so sad and Araceli never feeds me' act. Frowning, she looks up from setting the fish in the bowl with the spices, rubbing the mixture in carefully since she doesn't want to wait as long as she usually would if she was back home doing this. "What's aban? I don't-- I don't think I know that word."

At least it only takes a few minutes to cook, she knows that well and it does give her ideas for if her and Korrin go away somewhere. She'll just need to know how hot magical fire burns first but that's for another time. Washing her hands once she's done, she starts sorting the vegetables to pad out the rest of the meal, halving them neatly between her and Korrin. "The peppers need to be cut into strips, I'll quarter the tomatoes. Once that's done I heat the pan until the oil is near smoking and then I throw everything in, sear on both sides until it flakes easily and we're done. If you have a little oil and spices by a river or the sea? Something you can make without a proper kitchen."

"Aban means 'sea'; aban-ataashi is a sea dragon, attracted to the surface during lightning storms and shooting bursts of it at their prey. I've seen one before, at a distance. It took down a large ship with no problem, snapped it in half just like that." Korrin snaps her fingers, repressing a shudder at the memory. Thank the Maker she was on land at the time, instead. "They're also called 'cetus' by humans, but that just doesn't have the same ring to it."

Okay, so it's not anything that she would ever recommend seeking out, but Korrin can't help but feel an affinity for a creature that uses her favored element. They're majestic in their own way, certainly worthy of an illustration on a sea-themed door. "...we should have a whale, too, shouldn't we? The Outsider would like that."

Nodding at the instructions, she wipes off her knife before starting in on the peppers. There's the temptation to just pop a piece into her mouth as she's cutting, but she decides to restrain her appetite, only wanting to savor it all when they've earned the right. "I can almost taste it already, kadan. And I usually try to keep some spices on me when we head out, but remind me about the oil, too. It's infinitely better than making do with field rations, that's for damn sure."

Edited 2017-02-11 15:52 (UTC)

"So many of your words have 'a' sounds, more than the other vowels." Which...okay she doesn't really know why she feels the need to point that out but she's noticed it, trying to pick up bits and pieces of the language without embarrassing herself. (Thanks Taas.) "We have tales of things like that. Swallowing seven ships whole, or storm hags who ride the lightning but I would give many things to see it for myself. If you haven't told The Outsider, you absolutely must. This is why people need to look beyond the edges of their countries - how many other things out there are there? Where were you when you saw it?" Totally casual Korrin, nothing at all to worry about here she isn't going to suggest that maybe actively looking for one would be a really hot date activity.

But she would also be down for hunting and exploring a ghost ship so you get to pick the nightmare fuel. "I know what it looks like in my head when it's all done. All manner of things dear to the sea on our door with the moon and stars up at the top, and if I can find people willing I'm replacing the handles with something shaped more appropriately. I have seen some places in Orlais with more elegant door knockers and handles so I should be able to find a craftsmen when the rest of the work is done." That's a surprise so guess what you don't get to know what it is.

"I always have oil for my hair. Not the expensive scented kind should we be attacked or forced to leave in a hurry but the same oil can work in a pinch if I'm forced to. Mix it with some salt or sugar too if you can and you scrub your skin with it to clean up without drying yourself out." This is Araceli's mother talking, all the wisdom from the trips she made as a bride before and after Araceli came into her life as she makes short work of the vegetables then retrieves a large heavy frying pan then the fish, carefully pouring in the oil not soaking into the fish into it. "If you can bring all the vegetables over when you're done then grab some plates? We'll be ready. Well that and something to drink unless you've stashed that too."

She raises an eyebrow, smirking. "'Something shaped more appropriately'? I can't wait to see it now. And no, I didn't stash anything ahead of time, but the cellar's just across from the kitchen. Tell me what you're in the mood for and I'll fetch it in a moment." Korrin isn't in a strong mood for any particular vintage, and she naturally trusts her kadan's good taste about wine pairings. Or if it's something other than wine, she can live with that, too. At any rate, those peppers are efficiently chopped after she forces herself to shut up for a few moments, upon which she promptly brings them over before reaching for plates.

"Hm, I might have to try that out while we're here, to see how good a temporary substitute that would be for horn balm. Anything non-drying is worth a try. I never seem to have enough balm left by the time we make it back to the cold mountain air." And then the itching is driving her crazy and she has to be told to stop scratching, like a child. Having horns isn't always glamorous.

"I told him on the way to meet you in Rivain, I think? I'm pretty sure. Anyway, it happened off the coast of the Free Marches, on the island of Estwatch. There are no major landmasses east of it, just open ocean. If the aban-ataashi are plentiful there, then no wonder most people haven't bothered seeing what's beyond. A shame, that. I've always been curious about what's past Thedas." The farthest she's gone has been to the edge of the Sea of Ash, for a job. None of the rest of her company were as interested, so that curiosity didn't have a chance to blossom...and then the explosion sidetracked all thoughts of traveling beyond, for now. Maybe one day.

Unlike almost everyone else, she can never show Korrin her home. Only approximations. Only what things she can fashion that are close enough or that remind her in some way that usually come with an explanation that she wouldn't require and she gets it. Because she's from another world but sometimes she's envious of people who can just see a thing and know it and belong. But if it passes then…No. The thought is pushed aside with a wrinkled nose. "No wine, I only drink it if I have to." Pel knows that better since more of their outings have involved talking about it but if given the choice, she'll pass on the wine. "Watered rum is fine for me, it won't overpower the food."

The pan hisses away, forcing Araceli to raise her voice to be heard above it once she adds everything in. "You know that one day I'll make good on the threats sirena and find someone to stitch mittens to your clothes to stop you doing that. It makes it worse. Oil might be too thin for it but one or two are thicker, especially if you kept them colder." The chefs might know, she'll pester them about it the next time she uses this shortcut, she decides as she prods the vegetables around then carefully flips the fish to sear the other side.

"Then that is where I want to go one day. All the way out there with enough supplies, someone who might draw up a map, those who are unafraid of open water or nothing but the horizon." She has made plans you see, her and Christine, it would be a shame not to follow through on them at some point. It's a good thought to see her through to finishing the meal up and plating it with a grin, holding it out for Korrin. "Do you have somewhere in mind?"

"Hey, I can't be a badass with mittens! That's just unfair. And watered rum, it is." Korrin disappears briefly to fetch it, though leaves the door open because if there's anything she loves as much as Araceli's cooking, it's her voice and stories. She strides back in with a bottle, fetching glasses and a carafe of water. Once everything's set up, she grins back and takes that plate. What a heavenly scent.

"There isn't a lot of information about what's beyond, but I'd like to find out more about my heritage. I've love to see if my race has any members that aren't up their own asses about the Qun. It could be that they're all awesome and got sick of Qunari shit and exiled them. Or maybe they're gone, but at least there might be something left of them." It's a gamble, and she knows it might not end with anything worth being proud about, but the thought of tracking down a heritage that might just have more to it than blind conformity is appealing.

For a few moments, she's actually silent, pure contentment on her face as she samples the fish. Now this is well worth the wait, not that it even took that long. "You spoil me, kadan. I love it."

Korrin, allow Araceli to present to you the blankest of stares as she stands here with a plate in either hand as someone comes to fetch the pan to wipe it out since near every pan in Skyhold is improved with each meal cooked in it, and whatever flavour is left in it won't hurt what gets cooked in it next. Perhaps the mind of a Fereldan will be expanded slightly.

"That's right, there is so little about Qunari in anything written. Likely by design on the part of the Qunari, and much of it is from the Chantry but even so...I would expect--" She sighs quietly, the usual sort of frustration from sessions in the library that go nowhere very far. "I would expect something at least. I would be glad to help if I can be of use. Even if it's getting a better price out of sailors since I know all their tricks and I know they'll always try to overcharge you for some reason or another."

Now that they're elsewhere (and because he can smell food better than a shark does blood in the water) Araceli doesn't get a chance to answer before Lux appears, flopping over at her feet. "Ladrón you will wait your turn. Gracias sirena, I'm glad you're enjoying it." Guess what Lux she's going to enjoy her first bite extra, just for you.

As Lux arrives on cue, Korrin laughs gently. "I can't blame him for the impatience, it'd make anyone with taste have a sudden appetite. C'mere, I've a piece for you." Seeing as how she got in a first bite, Korrin doesn't mind taking a little from hers to distract him from Araceli, holding it open in her palm for him to take before returning to her meal. She has better manners than to eat with her mouth full, but it's a war between large satisfying bites and smaller ones that allow her to talk more.

"Thanks, kadan. There's no 'if'; I'm sure you support would make or break a mission like that. I've sailed, but I'm not of the sea as you are. Just imagine the bragging rights we'd have when we return, eh? To go so far and live to tell about it...it would make us legends." But mostly she's thinking about her family, and what it would mean to tell them about what they experienced. Tama, Mom, Dad...they would have that connection they've been lacking ever since leaving the Qunari.

Making a noise in her throat, Araceli gestures at him with an aggrieved sigh. "You are as bad as Leandra and Rajani. Not so bad as Brunilda." Lux wags his tail so hard his whole body wiggles, taking it carefully since the only person he snatches from is Araceli. She points at him with her fork, narrowing her eyes. He yawns hugely and rolls over on his back, paws in the air.

Guess what, she's still going to let him sleep in the bed tucked up against her.

"Provisioning it would be the most difficult part, and then more for what we would drink than anything else since we might not be able to rely on finding islands to refresh ourselves, to trade with and take on new supplies. There is always something in the sea to eat if you have the patience. And becalmed would be more dangerous than the storms." Her voice drops to a low murmur, making her sound more like her father when he's been planning something and peering out over the map and into the horizon with the compass in his hand but she can live with that.

Aw, Lux. Korrin grins, unrepentant. "How can I deny him when he's all wiggly? It's impossible." As a child, she was never really denied much of anything, so for better or worse it's not in her encourage discipline. Araceli's welcome to that part. Any future that involves children will most likely have Korrin following in her parents' footsteps.

"Hm...I've heard of a spell to create a spring, but we'd need land for that. Plus, I'm absolute shit at Creation magic. We could always bring along someone who has a knack for it, though." It won't help them at sea, but should they find an island, it could be a lifesaver. "There is a good Primal spell, though; Wind-Weaving. It can make the winds stronger or calm them, if they're too strong. I can work on learning that, see how far it can take us. No idea if it'll affect something like a hurricane, but still...."

"Because," Araceli punctuates the statement by taking another bite then swallowing so she can point at him with her fork once again, "I am the one who must carry him up the walls when I climb them with him on my back or shoulders. Sometimes in addition to my lute." Case closed.

The sound of the spell is a possibility but still one with limitations that have her staring off into the distance thoughtfully. "It would still leave us the problem of storage though, and knowing how magical water would keep, what it might do. The Dalish aren't so fond of sailing though the clan we met in Rivain might have more ideas or knowledge on the subject and they might be more willing to share if we explain it to them. The wind is something that we could try out more easily though even here with the river. It wouldn't be too difficult I don't think. Or maybe heading to the Storm Coast for that would be better..."

That is a more definite possibility in her mind from what she's read about it so far with the prevailing winds blowing in almost constantly. She knows enough from the sailing end that she'd be able to give a rough guide so if they could get hold of even a very small boat? Just the thought has her smiling.

Sorry, Lux. Conceding Araceli's point, she'll hold off sharing the rest of her meal...not that it's easy to part with any morsel of it. Her willpower will hold out until he starts whining, so to counter that she tries to eat more efficiently. He can't beg for or steal what's already in her own stomach.

"As far as I know, once it's summoned it's just normal water. Nothing weird about using it or storing it or whatnot. I wouldn't mind visiting that clan again, though, and I bet some of our Dalish friends would be up for that, too." The visiting part, at least, not the ocean-crossing. Mention of the Storm Coast perks her up, as it's one of her favorite spots to visit (and not just because of the giant and dragon duking it out on a regular basis). "Are you tempting me to steal you away for a little while and spend it there? Because I'm so open to that, whenever you are."

She reaches over to squeeze a free hand, matching that smile.

"I would have thought it would have something different about it, maybe even like a healing potion so it's good to know." Since everyone in Skyhold likely knows Araceli's stance on healing potions as they apply to her good self by now. "Going to Rivain wouldn't be so easy since I studied what I had to study there and unless there's a good reason to go, there's not much justification for people sailing off when either of us might be needed. Not even strengthening the ties between clans would be enough though I can speak to Beleth. Perhaps."

Then again, sometimes she has no idea what's going on in Beleth's head at all with her attitudes to certain things given that not all the people that might want to go would actually be able to get on well enough on a ship. A ship being a finite space without much room to escape only adding to that. "The one person who might want to go most is probably going to be the one who can't," she murmurs softly, letting Lux roll over to rest his head on her thigh as she finishes up her meal. Sina might have left Skyhold for missions but a sea voyage is a different thing entirely and if something went wrong they'd be very much on their own.

"I like to think I stole you over a year ago and that I am being entirely too generous with the Inquisition when it comes to you. But of course, if I am going to the sea? You're coming with me." Not just because it means naked swimming but it's Araceli as close to who she is in her bones, Araceli getting to stretch out and relax to the sound of the waves, maybe even getting to camp right down as close to the shore as they can with the tent a little bit open so she can fall asleep to that sound for the first time in months. She wouldn't go if she didn't get to have Korrin with her for it.

The secrets in the snow

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moving them outta the kitchen for reasons

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