[Northern Wilds] Hot Soup! (Lusa & Kreig - OPEN to CE)

[Andalusia]

Sunberth - Northern Wilds 15th of Spring, 512 AV Andalusia stared blankly at the campfire that stood in front of her tent, dry and cold since last night's lighting. She sighed, plopping down onto a small, hollow piece of log that she'd dragged in somewhere from the forest. Dante stepped out of the tent yawning, stretching his paws forward with a whimper. "Hungry?" she turned to the Luvanor, who simply took to one side of the bonfire and lay there lazily. "Looks like you're not in the mood to hunt today," she mused, giving the sleepy dog a smirk. He'd eaten quite a lot this morning, and he was more compelled to sleep the entire day away rather than to hunt for lunch. It was another beautiful, sunny day, fortunately. The air a crisp sweet smell, the forest more vibrant and filled with delightful, chirping sounds than usual. It was a perfect day to hunt, but Andalusia wasn't feeling up to going into the woods alone. She rubbed her flat belly and licked her chapped lips; the only thing she truly wanted as much as to go out and hunt, was a nice, hot bowl of soup. She turned to Howlite, who was too busy tending to his delicious meal to notice the desperate expression on her face. "I haven't had soup in a long, long time. We haven't had soup in a long time, haven't we?" she turned to both of her companions, but neither were interested in the information. She sighed and relaxed her muscles, allowing herself to fall off the log and onto the soft, earthy ground. Blades of grass tickled her skin, the cool wind blowing lightly underneath her torsolette, brushing her hair away from her face. The earth felt cool, soft, and relaxing, almost like a plush bed of roses. Rays of sunlight peeked down at her from the thick branches and leaves that towered up along with the trees they clung on to. It was a sweet, almost believable illusion of paradise, and she let herself drift into sleep. No pangs of hunger, no aches or pains, but simply the immersion of oneself into the beauty of the natural environment. The bushes rustled from the sweet-smelling breeze, and dried leaves twisted into little circles as they traveled along the forest floor. Birds chirped little conversations at a far off distance, and the well-hidden insects replied. She could even feel the ripples from the lake not too far off from where she was, and the way the stray wild flowers might've been floating around it. And then, the sound of a snapping twig. Her eyes shot open, wide and alarming. She scanned the sky, but found nothing different from before she had drifted into her little world. Dante sat up and stopped panting, his ears perked up at the sound, and his eyes alert and darting from bush to bush, tree to tree. Howlite remained composed, still busy with his food. Andalusia searched her mind - where did she keep her bow and quiver? She shifted her head to look at their tent, her beige manteau hung in front of it. She'd kept it safe inside, but it wasn't out here to keep her safe. She brushed her fingers subtly along the hilt of her assassin's dagger as it was kept strapped against her thigh, her hand making its way to the handle, gripping it loosely. Gingerly, she sat up, her hair falling around her face, a beautiful frame of jet-black curls for her pale complexion. "Who's there," she called out as she turned her head to the side slowly, legs preparing to get up and take action if need be.

[Kreig Messer]

The woods, oh how Kreig disliked the woods, not because of the trees or wild animals, nor the bugs or dirt. But because he was absolutely and utterly lost 'What in the world possessed me to come here? ' He thought to himself, suddenly he tripped over a branch, raising his head as he looked at the dusty ground "Ugh, last time I wander into the woods without proper preparation " He said to none in particular as he slowly stood up. After wandering for a bit , he noted what look to be campfire smoke in the sky 'ZOUNDS , its seem there is people afoot, which means a way out" He smiled widely and felt like gigling "Finally, out of the confounded forest" He said as he made a mad dash, stepping on a twig and causing a loud crack, then Accidentally tripped on an overgrown tree root.


As he struggled to regain balance after his wild run, he bumped his head into a tree. With a daze he fell on his back' I hate the woods, I should have stayed in the city he thought' grasping his head with his right, he slowly got up, still in a daze as he stepped into the small clearing "Ugh, hello..." His eyesight still blurry as after his little accident, once it cleared he saw an angry looking wolf " Oh dear" then hear a voice that was somewhat familiar and unmistakenly femal, as he changed his attention from the wolf to the woman "Ahhh.....your that young woman...Andalusia?" He said, struggling as he tried to remember her name "I'm sorry if I'm mistaken"

[Andalusia]

Andalusia's eyes softened a little at the sight of a familiar face. Quickly, before he could catch them do so, she turned around and willed her sharp glare to return. "H-Hello," she stuttered, releasing her grip on her assassin's dagger as she heaved herself up. "What brings you here?" she turned to Kreig, wondering when she'd ever tell him his name, although she did remember his. During he storm, perhaps, might've been when they'd met. "... Kreig, isn't it," she hid her smirk beneath a curtain of curls, and then turned to look at him once more, her hair flipping backwards to reveal yet again, an expressionless face. Her eyes were sharp, gleaming underneath the light of the sun as its rays filtered through the thick canopies. "You're out of luck," she says, fighting back another smirk, only to look fidgety by the quirk of her lips, "I've got nothing to feed you." She turned to the bonfire, dry, yet still smelling of smoke. She felt a little proud of herself, having been able to speak more fluidly. It's been quite the accomplishment, although she could not finish her sentences without pausing, and they're usually better short and brief. She suddenly felt a little chilly and uncomfortable, possibly because of the sudden, unexpected company. She sauntered over to the front of her tent and slipped on her manteau with a casual sigh. "I'm craving soup," she muttered randomly, and instantly regretted it. She took a brisk turn and faced him with a heated blush on her face, surprised at herself. "S-Sorry," she grumbled, suddenly finding difficulty in looking into his eyes.

[Kreig Messer]

"No worries" He said, massaging his head as he looked at her, noting that despite whatever facade she was trying to put on, it was failing miserably "In all honestly, I'm quite lost" He noted how her voice was somewhat shaky and shy, heck, he noted her trying to fight back a smirk 'Doesn't need a novice such as myself to notice' He thought as he lowered his hand "Its quite alright, I intruded upon your home" He said raising his hand again gently, gesturing it wasn't much trouble at all.

When she suddenly turned around, he smirked ' She is obviously a shy one' He noted, again, it did not take a genius to figure such a thing. When she suddenly muttered she was interested in soup, he chuckled " Its quite alright, If you'd like, how about we prepare some fish stew? I know a good place in town that has a passable selection of fish" He said giving a gentle smile, then looked at her wolf companion " We could even fetch some meat for your friend here " He lowered himself as he observed the wolf, it was quite the interesting creature, although he'd never let it near Kit, nor the reverse.

[Lusa]

Castle Commons

Lusa was, as usual, perusing the marketplace stalls. She simply loved being here, watching people buy and sell foodstuffs, examining produce and spices, and once in a while buying herself a treat. She could spend hours here! She breathed in deeply, trying and failing to identify all the smells. Perhaps today she would get ingredients to make a hotpot, or maybe something sweet! She was particularly fond of sweets.

She patted her trusty little pot affectionately. It had served her well since she'd found it. Perhaps she should name it, like some people she had seen named their weapons. She dismissed the notion as silly. Her pot was a pot, and was probably quite content to be referred to as 'Pot.' Why did humans have such a preoccupation with names anyways? Everyone was already so different, who needed names to identify them?

She ended her musings as she approached a stall selling vegetables, and picked up a lovely carrot to examine.

[Andalusia]

Castle Commons Andalusia kept a firm hold of the assassin's dagger that she kept strapped around her thigh, her eyes scanning the crowd carefully with each and every step. The Castle Commons was quite crowded, bustling with chattering folks, coupled with the occasional shout-out on the price of a certain good. She patted her free hand around her back to inspect her bow and quiver of arrows. Thankfully, they were strapped in tight. She had no coin pouch for any thief, not any other valuables inside her little backpack. Her beige manteau provided her a shroud of comfort and security; nobody was going to be able to lift that thing without her noticing. The little shops in the Castle Commons were not organized. A myriad of stalls selling completely different things, mostly food, all placed together in one area. She licked her lips as the smell of pungent spices filled the air, and later on, delicious sweet cakes and pastries. "I'd kill for some," she murmured to Kreig, who strolled along beside her casually. She blushed at her little outburst, but stayed silent. No more apologizing. She eyed the baked goods in one particular stall, how some of them were carefully decorated with brightly-colored sugar and icing. Her stomach grumbled. "That'd make for a delicious dessert," she added, pointing out a little red pastry. It stood out the most out of the rest of the cakes and breads, decorated with a large dollop of white cream. She felt more and more embarrassed, the more she spoke to Kreig, but only because she feared he may judge her wrongly. "Oh, shut up," she scolded herself silently, glancing up to Kreig and them immediately shifting her eyes over to stare at a stall filled with magnificent necklaces. One specific piece caught her eye. A simple, round stone, colored a beautiful bright green, reminiscent to the emerald hue of her eyes. The rustic-looking pattern adorning it glittered with bits of blue and silver, and it reminded her quite a lot of the leaves of a tree, or perhaps even an entire, beautiful forest after a drizzle of rain. It had attached on its top a thin wooden ring, and hung around it was a simple brown strap. She was compelled to ask what the gemstone was, but the woman's stall was too far away, and she wasn't about to pass up on the possibility of being treated a meal. She decided to ask about the necklace later on. She turned away with a sickeningly disappointed look on her face a minute later, when she realized that she had not even a single miza for the beautiful thing. She sighed, scanning the stalls for the fish stands. "The fishes are over there," she stated, a hand creeping out of her lengthy cape to point it out, "but we haven't a pot, do we?" she pouted, looking to Kreig.

[Kreig Messer]

Kreig couldn't help but chuckle at Andalusia's Comments and the embarrassed emotions she so miserably tried to hide. After passing by a pastry stall, which Anda so obviously eyed and gave a particular sweet an intense stare, all the while commenting how she'd be delighted to have some, and mentioned the particular pastry she eyed would be good for dessert " I must admit, it is quite tempting" He eyed it himself, although he wasn't in a particular mood for such a delight.

He then noted as he walked beside her that she was observing a beautiful necklace on a distant stall. Although it was quite possibly a forgery, like many other expensive-looking jewelry, but he assumed that she soon gained a look of disappointment as she turned away suddenly from the stall's direction 'Can't afford it, huh?' He asked in complete silence, not wanting to bother her with the question as they walked through the market place, as Andalusia noted that they had arrive Kreig nodded at her mentioning that the pair did not have a pot "I suppose we could...." Then out of the corner of his he noted a familiar figure ' Lusa...?" He struggled to remember the name, but he certainly remembered the person who carried a pot near constantly "It seems our troubles have been solved" He smiled gently as he slowly approached the unaware Lusa and greeted with a simple calling of her name "Lusa?"

[Lusa]

Lusa startled a bit. She had been so focused on the delicious looking carrot that she hadn't noticed Kreig's approach. Placing a hand over her fluttering heart, she nodded up at him. She had seen this man around with Crimson Edge members, an organization she was quickly becoming more and more involved with. She had seen him with a skunk as well, an animal she found rather adorable. As she was about to respond to Kreig's greeting, she noticed a familiar smell, and glanced behind him. It was that hunter-girl! The fact that she had run into both of them brought a smile to her face. She could sometimes be quite shy towards strangers, but she had seen both of these people before.

"Your name is...Kris? No, Kreig! Are the two of you here together? Are you looking for something to eat? There is a lot of good produce here today!" She babbled happily, waving her carrot in greeting at Kreig and hunter-girl.

[Andalusia]

"Y-Yes - well, no, w-we're not... Yeah," Andalusia couldn't find the words to explain herself, "Lusa, so that's... Your name? I'm Andalusia." She recognized the girl, deep in the woods on that particular Spring morning. She didn't really want to remember that chanced meeting - it was quite embarrassing. "Th-That's... A nice pot you have there," she said, gesturing to the iron piece of crockery as it hung along Lusa's side, and managed a genuine smile. The smell of fresh fish filled the air and enveloped them in a heavy mustiness that made their eyes water and noses run. Andalusia sneezed lightly, sniffling as she turned to the nearest fish stall, wincing. "Welcome, welcome! I've got fresh, smoked, pickled, an' salted fish! If yeh want me to, lass, I'll even stuff one wi' some 'erbs, spices... 'ickory nuts! If that's what yeh lookin' fer!" A chubby, voluptuous woman with thick, rich chestnut curls and bright blue eyes, wearing an oil-stained white apron and a simple, faded dress in lilac. It looked to have been a rich, dark purple some long time ago, but age has stolen away much of its life and coloring. She spoke with a charming slang and a thick, unidentifiable accent. "U-Uh..." Andalusia scanned the array of fishes. Mounds of large-finned ones with seaweed-green scales, salmon-colored ones twice as long as all the others, and many others in different shapes, sizes, and shades of gray. "For... For stew? Fish stew?" she nodded politely at the woman. She smiled graciously in return. "Timid little one, aren't yeh? How abou' some of 'ese then?" she picked up a couple of small silver ones and plopped them on the wooden board in front of her with a triumphant grin. A cold splatter of juice hit all their cheeks. "Do yeh wan' 'em smoked, pickled? Stuffed ferst? Though I must say, fresh wou' do best. Name it lass, an' I can do it!" she exclaimed, and then turned to Kreig and Lusa eagerly, "'Ow 'bout you two then? Are yeh with this demure little one? Wha' do you say?" OOCFeel free to choose different fishes or more than one, make up more, or decide how the fishes should be made before purchase. Control the fish vendor if you'd like, as well.

[Kreig Messer]

"Er, well ,excuse us Ma'am but could we have three salmon fishes cut into very small pieces?" He said scratching the back of his head, not sure how to react to the overwhelming smell of fish nor the women's interesting accent as "Small enough to be used for making soup?' He asked, in all honesty though he didn't really know which to buy. Suddenly, he turned his attention to Lusa "Hey Lusa, since you got a pot and all, can you help us with this?" He asked.Sadly Kreig never had the experience to cook his own meals, being reliant on the taverns to feed him