Poisoned Apples (9) - Did you think it would be safe to get a sweet treat? Wrong. A nearby orchard, popular for their sweet and crispy apples, had no idea they were sending contaminated fruit into the city. Organic, healthy, and delicious, no one could have anticipated the issues that were going to arise this year. It wasn't caught quickly enough, and now many apple based fall treats are having surprising side effects. You'll know something is wrong by the first bite, the first sip; the apple tastes almost like a lemon and no matter what you do, the flavor won't leave. It lingers for a few minutes or a few hours. People are walking around town with watery eyes and puckered lips. Some have described symptoms like an allergic reaction, but most people compare it to eating sour candy. There doesn't appear to be any long term health issues, and Destiny City has come up with several online challenges and dares trying to make the best of the very sour apples. Many local establishments are using them in contests and promotions, so it seems like people are determined to have fun with it. But...should you really be eating an apple with juice so sour it can brown the grass it spills on?
She had, perhaps, overestimated both her strength and her need for this many apples. But there was a distinct sense of limited time only for these particular apples. They were special...and extreme! In fact, with the growing popularity of the Poison Apple Cooking Challenge taking the city by storm, sellers were getting rather stingy with them. Enough so that she'd had to use her new abilities to...well, procure an adequate amount. For the Negaverse.
As was her duty.
Clenching her teeth, Hestia carefully walked forward toward the barracks, the tall stack of bushel baskets in her arms tilting ever more precariously with each step. Near the top, a fuzzy black balloon with tiny red wings slowly circled the baskets like an ominous little zeppelin.
kolina
yum_applepopemotion_skullyum_applepop
Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 7:18 pm
Aelius had time to spare. There was no rush to head back to his apartment and all the want to just waste time away not enclosed within those four walls. So, after stopping by his shoe-box of an office, he opted to waste some of his ever antsy energy by walking. Walking and exploring and just...existing outside the boundaries of his mind and home.
For some reason he'd headed close to the barracks. They weren't a location he visited often since he lacked any need to go there, but there he was. It was nice to be in a different location. See things that normally weren't part of hi normal day-to-day.
Someone walking towards the barracks, towards him, caught his attention for the struggle that appeared to be ensuing. The bushels of fruit appeared ready to tip over and dump their contents every which way. Not to mention the bushel's looked like they could be heavier than the girl carrying them. While human interaction was not on his 'want to do' list, he wasn't about to let her continue to struggle. He'd feel bad if everything did topple, and if he saw it, would feel obligated to help clean it up. Thus, more work.
Helio hurried to her, long legs eating up the distance. "Let me help you with that." He offered her a tentative smile as his hands reached forward to grab a basket that threatened a full tippage as a few apples hit the ground.
"What are you possibly going to do with so many apples?" He questioned, curiously.
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Kolina
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Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2023 7:47 pm
Suddenly able to see ahead and stabilize the rest of her load, Hestia let out a sigh of relief and beamed up at the now visible corrupt. "Thank you so much!" Shifting the remaining weight around more comfortably she gave him a small nod and began walking toward the building's kitchen entrance.
"I want to defeat General King Axinite!" Hestia declared, determination filling every syllable. "Well, I'd like to show him up a little. He leaves baked goods everywhere and they're very often delicious." There was both respect and disgust in this assessment. "This is a new variety of apple, so I'm taking advantage of their novelty."
The kitchen was large and empty as she'd hoped it would be at this time. She would be absolutely free to experiment! Hefting her baskets onto the counter, Hestia gave her apron a habitual little brush before giving the other corrupt a small bow. "Thank you," she repeated as she straightened. "I'm Hestia, of Housekeeping."
Seeing him fully now, all made up of bold, bright colors so unlike herself, Hestia was pleasantly reminded of a bird of paradise flower.
xKolina
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 6:12 pm
The girl was definitely an energetic one, and Helio smiled despite himself as the corrupt carrier one of her prize bushel of apples. While he wasn't a sweets conisseur himself, he knew. the tastiness of Axinite's treats and they were, as she described, quite delectable. "That's quite a challenge you're taking on there." He shifted his own bushel of apples in his arms as he followed her.
"I suppose you consider yourself quite the baker then?" He questioned as he followed her into a quiet kitchen. Vaguely, he wondered how many were utilizing the rooms available here if the place was so vacant. He'd always felt that kitchens were where most tended to migrate, but he'd never lived in a communal space quite so large before. Perhaps it was different than small groups.
He deposited his basket on the table next to hers. "Not a problem, Hestia. I am Heliodor, of Ryuto. But, feel free to just call me Helio. The whole name can be a mouth full sometimes." Hestia was, well she was adorable. Her senshi fuku made her look demure despite the very monochrome palette.
"Do you need any help?" He offered. "I beating Axinite?"
If he was welcomed, spending time away from the apartment could be good. Being engrossed in something like baking would also give him something else to focus on beyond his own self-induced misery. Plus, Hestia seemed as if she'd have the energy and personality to possibly help brighten a, now typical, moody disposition.
"I am not much of a baker myself, but I am sure I can manage measuring or mixing whatever you need."
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Kolina
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Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2023 10:29 pm
The question of if she considered herself a good baker made her pause and actually consider it. "I think I must have been fairly good? At the very least I know what to do and find the results rather satisfying." To be experienced without knowing the attached experiences was still odd, but the edges around those holes were gradually becoming softer. No longer so jarring when encountered.
As she began to clean the sink, Hestia looked up at the offer, "Why that'd be lovely! Having a little company while I'm in the kitchen always feels so much nicer." A little company. The crowds that can occur in the barracks' kitchen were more of a moving series of obstacles and grabbing hands than company.
Putting half of a basket into the sink, she let the cold water begin to fill it and turned fully to the other corrupt, expression curious. "May I ask what Ryuto is, Mr. Helio?"
Kolina
Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 6:55 pm
While Aelius was pleased his company was appreciated, the fact that she called him Mr. Helio visibly had him recoil a bit. "Please. Just, Helio. The Mr. in the front is strange but also makes me feel old." He offered her a tentative smile. Not sure if she'd be ok with the lack of honorifics, but honestly...they felt stifling and, in some bizarre way, reminded him of a life years lost.
"Anyway." He clapped his hands together, trying to ease the tension he felt. "A ryuto is a type of youkai. It's a japanese demon I guess would be the best way to describe youkai. Anyway a Ryuto is a said to be a dragon youkai that manifests as balls of lights over water. I did some research, but there's not a ton of info. It seems like a more obscure creature." He shrugged. "The few art I've seen depicting them makes them look very mysterious and beautiful though. When you get a chance, look them up." He would have been happy to show her if it wasn't for the fact their phones were useless in negaspace. Just heavy bricks tucked away in subspace or pockets.
His eyes slide to the apples that were still nestled within the bushels. He grabbed a few and set them on the counter. "I assume we need these all peeled up? We can get started on that." With an apple in hand he began pulling out drawers to find where the cutlery might be stashed. Aelius could only assume there was community available tools in the kitchen. It took several drawers, some empty, others with random gadgets or small appliances in them until he finally found a drawers with a few knives. It was a sad excuse of choices. All of them looked like they could use with a good sharpening and Aelius frowned at them before pulling out the two best looking ones.
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Kolina
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Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2023 8:50 pm
"Of course, Helio," the maid corrected herself. Honorifics came most naturally to her, firstly as simple manners and secondly as the easiest way to show respect. But it was always worse manners to intentionally discomfort others, and respect where it was due could always be shown in different, more meaningful ways.
Like the sudden and extremely vivid admiration in her eyes as she listened to Helio's explanation. "That is...so cool!" The calm and polite exterior was immediately overwhelmed by deep excitement, "Dragon demons! That's such a powerful and extremely badass sphere of power!" Ahhhh...she wanted to see him fight!
With a small cough, she tried to calm down, moving to start placing the apples on the counter into the filled sink. "I mean...if you don't mind, I'd like to see your attacks some time. In a spar or patrol? They must be very exciting!"
While he searched for decent knives, she dumped baking soda in the sink, giving the apples a thorough wash and rinse. Seeing he'd found something usable, she gave him a sympathetic look. "At first I considered getting a nice knife set for this place, but I just can't trust people who keep knives jumbled about in drawers," she gave her head a sad little shake. "Which is odd, since one would think being able to summon knives and swords would instill more respect for blades."
It was unfortunate that subspace didn't allow for their storage. Sadly it would have to wait until she either found suitable civilian housing or moved into the team housing that the General King had mentioned.
Kolina
Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 2:13 am
Hestia's excitement took Helio by surprise as golden eyes blinked at her. "Uh, yes...I suppose it is." He said carefully. "It's a water based magic though. Nothing that terribly impressive." He remarked as he watched her practically bubble with excitement over his own sphere. He'd never experienced anything quite like it before. Once he recovered from his surprise though he offered her a polite, if genuine smile.
"I suppose we could spar at some point. Or patrol." He agreed. Helio didn't see the harm in it. If nothing else it would be a fantastic way to turn all of his pent up emotions and energy towards something that could actually be beneficial. Vaguely he wondered if Albite would push his way into a patrol as well with them? Perhaps a spare would be better....
Thankfully, his new senshi acquaintance turned her attention from him and back to the apples she had gathered up. "Well, I imagine they have a respect for their own blades at least." She had a point though. No use in wasting good knives if they were going to be left to being jostled in a drawer getting knicks, or worse, lost.There was no doubt in his mind that some knives would walk just for the sheer reason that they were good.
As Hestia got some apples cleaned, Helio grabbed them and began carving the skins from the flesh. "How much are you intending to make?" He questioned as he looked at the amount of apples they had. With the bushels she had, she could probably feed everyone in the barracks with her baked goods.
But, he didn't complain. And instead turned his focus to getting the apples cleaned and sliced up per Hestia's instructions. It wasn't until almost a full bushel in that he finally knabbed one of the fruit and sliced it up, unpeeled. "We might as well enjoy one of them for all of the hard work." He held out a slice for her before biting into his own.
His face screwed into the most unpleasant of features as what he thought he was eating and what he actually tasted did not mesh together. At. All.
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Kolina
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Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2023 1:03 pm
"Don't underestimate the power of water!" Hestia declared, raising a fist in a small show of solidarity and determination. Water was very useful and powerful! Sure, it perhaps wasn't as hardcore as say, lightning or volcano based magic, but it was still very respectable.
The maid beamed in delight at the agreement to spar, admitting, "I haven't really sparred since joining. Except for Captain Borax, but he's a little different." Leaning a bit close, she added quietly, "It feels really nice to hit him, you see. Becoming an ally hasn't changed that, somehow."
As they each worked, there were moments of companionable quiet along with the odd suggestion of what to make. She readily explained that these first dishes and treats would be on the more experimental side, to see how to showcase the new apples' best qualities.
Eating them raw, however, was a great way to immerse one's self in their worst qualities. Taking the offered slice, she was about to warn Helio about their rumored intensity, but it was too late. Watching his rather lovely face begin to twist and fully scrunch into a pure physical reaction that overwhelmed his features, Hestia was ready to vehemently apologize but...
That wouldn't be enough.
No. If he had to suffer, then they must suffer together! Giving her slice a brave look, she popped it into her mouth and began to chew like she'd just been given the death penalty.
Oh. Oh goodness. She'd been thinking it was along the lines of lemon sour but this was a new realm of sour now wasn't it? A fifth dimension of sour.
The maid's face started out brave, then stoic, and then her body started shaking a little, tears at the corners of her eyes and she kept chewing. She was going to swallow this! She was determined to swallow in this moment of immense adversity!
Squatting low, she gave a little, "Oh nooo...."
Kolina
Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:43 pm
Helio somehow managed to swallow down the bite he took. How he did it he wasn't even sure. His throat seemed to rebel the action but after several attempts, a few resulting in him banging the counter with his fist, it was on it's way to his stomach. "********." He cursed.
Poor Hestia was apparently struggling just as badly. The poor girl was squatting and obviously not enjoying the fruit either. Taking pity on her, Aelius scanned around and found paper towels tossed over by the sink. He hurried over, grabbed one, and returned to Hestia with it. "No shame if you can't swallow that." He said as he held out the napkin to her.
"Gods damned. I need a drink after that. The after taste is just as bad." He began scanning the kitchen for some glasses but came up empty handed on the first perusal. He could only assume they were all tucked away somewhere in the cupboards.
"I don't know Hestia. I think you might need to toss those apples. There can't be any way to make those remotely good tasting." Nothing, he was certain, would be able to balance out that horrible taste. Not to mention if people had it in their heads it was an apple pie and they bit in and got well...that? The sheer shock to the tastebuds would be enough to put people off.
