Songtao, for the nonce, decided not stay in town. All the investigating seemed to require language skills she did not possess (unless it was a coven of Chinese wiccans, and then she would be down; but knowing her luck, they wouldn't speak any Mandarin, just Cantonese.) So, reluctantly, Songtao volunteered to return to camp, to keep an eye out for any more Chosen-as-animals and whatnot. However, she did visit town long enough to get more food supplies and her foraging produced a book on Greek mythology. (She ended up going into the store twice for a kid's book of Greek mythology. She hoped once she learned the vocabulary, she could grasp the adult text a little more quickly.)
Even though she didn't entirely understand what was going on, and that often seemed to be the case, because everyone else seemed as lost as she was, she felt a little less apprehensive, almost comfortable. Only a couple more chosen had changed, the leaders had an idea of who was responsible. It would be just a matter of time.
Once she was back at camp, it almost felt like a night at work. They offered a single night camping in the "wild" for the tourists, mostly so they'd appreciate the sparsely furnished hotels they booked for the rest of the trip.
Someone mentioned there would be more people coming back with her later, so Songtao decided she was going to make American-style fried rice. She actually quite liked the dish, especially when loaded with beef and eggs. It was also easier to make in batches, so she could adjust to whomever showed up and when.
While the rice cooled, she dug around in her pack and found the fine wine she had discovered after Izzy and her's battle with the cougar. Songtao had cut her teeth on beer and baijiu, wine held little appeal to her. She shrugged and put the bottle out next to the plates and silverware. Maybe someone would want to drink it. In the meantime, she started on a batch of fried rice big enough for herself an maybe a couple others.
Word Count: 357
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2016 9:21 pm
Briiva was finally making her way back to camp, doing her best to ignore how dirty she and her clothes were. As it turned out, spending all day grilling angsty teens and tracking down terrified newly transformed animals was actually pretty hard work. She let out a loud sigh and stretched her arms up into the air, being careful not to knock Arthur from his perch atop her head.
Briiva had to admit, she was quite taken by the endearing, cute raccoon, and was going to be a little disappointed when it was time to change him back into his Hermes-chosen self. She supposed she would have to get to know him better after that, after all he had been by her side rather dutifully throughout everything so far.
Getting closer to the campfire, Briiva, and more importantly her stomach, couldn't help but notice the smell of cooking rice. As if by instinct, she made her way to the source of the smell, following her nose as usual. She found herself in front of a young Chinese girl, just about her own age actually. Briiva found herself a little shy about approaching her though; the glasses and pulled back hair was actually a little intimidating. Rather meekly, she introduced herself. "Um, hello! I'm Briiva, and I couldn't help but notice how wonderful that rice your cooking is. I don't suppose I could offer some companionship in exchange of a small portion of it? I've had nothing but trail food all way, and I am sick and tired of granola." She did her best to smile at the girl in a way that wasn't overbearing or awkward.
Fighting mad animals and fumbling through conversations with teenagers was wearing Davor down more than he would have liked. Loath as he was to take a break, he was a man who liked to nap, sad but true. Years of playing lookout had him waking easily and always at a consistent intervals, so just a quick one wouldn't be too bad, right? It was for the good of remaining productive. He'd headed back to the camp to recharge, the muzzy heat of the swamplands lulling him into an easy, comfortable doze once he felt secure enough.
It was a familiar voice that had him blinking awake, and the smell of food that had him sitting up in his perch. Unable to help himself, Davor shifted to peer through the leaves and branches of the tree he'd climbed up. Sure enough, he spotted Briiva speaking to another woman who'd been in the forest with them. Had he gotten her name...? He couldn't very well remember.
The more pressing matter at the moment was that Davor felt like an immense creeper. He needed to make his presence known, something he didn't usually like at all, but if they spotted him first and thought he was spying... he was awkward enough as it was. Without much thought, Davor descended with startling agility for a one-armed man -- not that anyone yet knew -- off the branches and onto the trunk he half-slid, half-jumped off. He landed heavily before straightening up, trying to act as casual as a man who'd just been up napping in a tree could.
"...Hello," was about all he managed as he nodded to Briiva, because at least they knew each other well enough that she'd find it less weird he just sort of came out of a tree.
Lisseful
dirigible plum
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 8:19 pm
Songtao stared at Davor and his dramatic entrance with absolutely no tact whatsoever. After a long moment, she raised one eyebrow. She did not recall any stories of Russians hanging out in trees a lot, so she decided this was quirk distinct to Davor.
She turned back to Briiva. "The food is for everyone," Songtao said carefully, then added, "My name is Songtao." She gave the pan a shake and then scooped rice, beef, and vegetables onto a plate, stabbing a plastic fork into the heap. Handing the plate to Briiva, she began to prepare a second plate, wondering why it was normal for Americans to introduce themselves without a family name.
"Are you hungry?" she asked, not quite pointing but definitely gesturing at Davor with her spatula.
Briiva jumped ever so slightly at the impact of Davor hitting the ground, but as soon as she saw him she smiled ear to ear and threw her arms around him in a big hug. "Davor! I'm glad you're still alright!" her roomiemate was quickly released however with the offer of food. "Thanks you!" Briiva beamed at Songtao as she accepted her plate. "It looks delicious! And I'm not just saying that because I'm starving!"
She already had her mouth full of food when the girl gave her name. Gulping the rest of the food in her mouth as to not be rude, she spoke up again. "It's a pleasure to meet you!"
dirigible plum
Soldier of Song
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2016 6:08 pm
Almost immediately regretting his entrance, Davor did not meet Songtao's gaze. He could only swear he felt that stare burning into him. If there was anyone who could make him feel better, however, it was Briiva -- he pat-patted her back with his good arm as she hugged him, still tense and blank in expression, but internally, eternally grateful for how easily she accepted him. Also, it helped that she could do the talking a lot. He'd just stick close to her.
He dared a quick glance at Songtao, then looked away again. Indeed, the food smelled amazing, and Davor was never one to turn free food down when one could never guess when they might run into their next meal... but he hesitated. It didn't seem like he just dropped in for food, right? Ah, but she did say it was for everyone -- well. He'd just answer the question honestly, simply: "Yes."
dirigible plum
I am SO sorry
Lissesul
I'm making my return soon ; ;
Soldier of Song
Bear
Offline
dirigible plum
Fashionable Gaian
Offline
Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2016 4:12 pm
If Songtao noticed Davor's discomfort, she did nothing to acknowledge it, instead heaping another robust serving of fried rice onto a paper plate, unceremoniously jabbing a fork in and handing the plate to Davor with a napkin.
She then turned to Briiva. "Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you," she nodded to Briiva, though her detached expression did not change much. It seemed that Songtao could out-poker face most statues. Wondering if the lady Chosen was maybe part Chinese, she examined Briiva in brief glances as she sat down and began to serve herself. As she understood things, a lot of Chinese-Americans learned Mandarin Chinese to speak with family. And it would be really nice if she could just talk to someone out here without having to focus so hard.
"What god do you," Songtao twirled a hand as if she could make the right words appear. When she couldn't figure out how to talk around it, she changed tacks, "I am Chosen of Demeter. What are you?"
Word Count: 657/800
Lissesul
Soldier of Song
You're okay! Real life comes first, and I am in no hurry. heart Also I am sorry that Songtao is so cold. :c She warms up, eventually.
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2016 8:22 pm
Briiva wolfed down her food, appetite showing. In between bites however, she managed to find time to answer Songtao's question, speaking for both her and Davor. She hoped her wouldn't mind, but as far as she could tell, he was even more awkward about first meetings than she was.
"Me and Davor are both Hephaestus. We're actually roomies!" She grinned at her friend, giving him a playful elbow gently to the ribs.
Briiva noticed Songtao's trouble with English, and really wished she had spent some more time studying Chinese. She had only dabbled a little with Cantonese and Mandarin, and even that was more to keep up with her father. Growing up with a linguist could be frustrating, especially when the only language she had been able to properly wrap her head around was math.
