( 03 ) ( video. )

[feigns]

I realise I've been almost unbearably quiet of late, but I'm fairly certain that there's only so much one can say about sand and the desert. [ a beat. ] I had quite enough of sand as a small child — I discovered fairly quickly that it had a terrible habit of getting everywhere one didn't want it to go, and managing to not stay where one did want it to stay. My sandcastles were never quite as impressive as I envisioned them before construction. [ another pause, and will rubs idly at a mark on his trousers, his attention quite clearly not on the device to any great degree. ] It goes terribly with sandwiches, too. And bakestones.

It'd be appreciated if someone were capable of making it so that there was something sand did manage to accompany that wasn't wholly, distastefully gritty. I imagine it'd be a far better way of spending their time than moping about whatever the deities have decided to do this week.

—Although, if anyone's curious, I'd heartily recommend against mixing it with viscous liquids, or imbibing viscous liquids that aren't syrup in general.

[ his gaze flickers up towards the camera for a moment, the corners of his lips quirking upwards briefly. ] Flour, butter, lard, currants, sugar— [ a pause, and his expression flickers for a moment. ] Spices, I think, eggs and milk. Tessa, I seem to recall you insisting that I ought to invent Welsh pancakes, or something equally ridiculous. I'll do it only if you provide me with cakes. The way to a man— [ abrupt pause. ] The way to a man's heart is through his stomach, or so they say, and I dare say I'd be better at cooking if I had something to spur me on.

I don't know the full recipe, but I imagine you'll be able to figure it out. There's a library here — you read enough as it is, you must have read a recipe book somewhere along the way. They'd only be three days late.

—And Rosiel. You are aware that flitting between insults and backhanded compliments is hardly any way to conduct a conversation, aren't you? [ he's aware, of course, of how utterly hypocritical the comment is, but he has a burning desire to point it out. ] Although I can't complain about the fact that you've decided that calling me Narcissus has become fairly dull. I still believe that Galahad is far more preferable, if you're looking for a new name. I believe I mentioned that once before, and it would certainly suit your nonsensical idea that I'm to be noble.

Comments

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[shall_yield_us]

[shall_yield_us]

My dear Narcissus, how I'd forgot!

[feigns]

You forgot how to conduct conversations?

[shall_yield_us]

I'd forgot to name you, but now you've reminded me, of course I must. Of course. Narcissus it is, Narcissus you'll stay!

[feigns]

Until you grow bored of it again, I suppose. Fickleness isn't particularly endearing, I should point out.

[shall_yield_us]

And this, my dear love, is our marriage interview?

[feigns]

If it is, I trust you to wear the dress. White has never been my colour.

[shall_yield_us]

How perfectly medieval. We'll take a step back, and then another, and another, and another, and three more, back to the truly ancient days, and so... your gown can be red. Or gold. Gold should do.

[feigns]

To bring out the colour in my eyes and to show off my figure? Truly, I didn't realise you were the sort to care about progress — or a lack thereof.

[likeboudica]

You want me to bake you a cake? [ A little surprised and perhaps a little wary, but also somewhat pleased. She isn't certain what is going on between them and after the time he spent ignoring her the last time he was here, it is strange, but perhaps a tentative sort of friendship is forming. She wants that, still. (She wants more than that, still, at times, but it has become far easier not to think of him in every free moment.) ]

[feigns]

No, Welsh cakes. They're — like scones, I suppose. If one speaks loosely.

[likeboudica]

And in return you will make me Welsh pancakes. [ a beat. ] There are a number of recipe books in the library.

[feigns]

Yes, in return I'll create Welsh pancakes for you. [ a pause. ] I can only hope the English haven't sought to bastardise them in their translations.

[likeboudica]

I will try. [ Smiling a little. ] Are you quite certain you wish for an American to be making Welsh cakes on the basis of english recipes?

[feigns]

I'll find you a Welsh recipe if the English one ends up offending both my delicate sensibilities and constitution.

—Does nationality play a part in one's ability to cook? Bridget has proven herself quite capable of cooking dishes without potato in them, so I'm tempted to say that it doesn't. You're quite welcome to prove me wrong on that matter if you like, however.

[likeboudica]

I doubt that either your sensibilities or your constitution are delicate. [ In light of what he told her, she doesn't know how much of his tales of drinking and debauchery were truth and how much lies designed to make him look worse, but even so. His sensibilities and constitution are hardly delicate. ]

[feigns]

[ there's a slight pause before he replies — his first thought was to respond telling her that he was being truthful, that she doubts him too much, but after what he had told her about himself, then— it was entirely to be expected that she doubt his every word. serious or otherwise. ]

When it comes to a matter of national pride, I assure you that both are incredibly delicate.

[dropkick]

You could just find the recipe yourself.

[feigns]

Even though I won't be using it?

[dropkick]

Even then.

[ Pause. ]

Why Welsh pancakes?

[feigns]

Why ever not? There are Scottish pancakes, and there are English pancakes.

[hexuality]

It's a shame my mum isn't here. She'd probably have all sorts of advice and recipes for you.

[feigns]

Then it's likely fortunate that she's not, for I doubt whether I'd be inclined to take any of it.

[hexuality]

So you just do the eating, then. Sounds like my brothers. You'd fit right in if it wasn't for the lack of ginger hair.

[feigns]

Primarily. It's not often I find someone willing to trust me in a kitchen, armed with implements not used for eating.