video; un: gonta; failed private??

[smellslikemountains]

[ It's summer, and here's an awkward torso shot of one very boofy jinba man in just a simple navy blue yukata with a white patterned obi. You can just barely see the bottom of his chin as he's speaking-- seems like he's speaking down to the communicator?? Clearly this dude hasn't really gotten used to handling this device despite being here for a full year.

He clears his throat. Maybe a little nervous. ]

If anyone of you know my wife, Konoha, don't tell her what I have to ask of you.

[ Clearing his throat again. ]

I'm in search of things for her. Gifts. Uh. Specifically jewelry. Jade. Something precious. Something... to... uh... let her know that she's important to me.

I don't do well in the realm of humans. Not even in this whole year I have been here. So, I would like to ask you for you help.

[ And he bows deeply to the communicator-- awkward, but very sincere. ]

Comments

[smellslikemountains]

[ That's something interesting... ]

Is that possible? To have the jewelers come to the customer?

[vassalize]

For a nominal fee naturally. However, I will take care of it. Konoha should be gifted something worthy of her esteem.

[ And he knows a few jewelers who wouldn't mind the journey if there is a good enough sale to be made out of it. ]

[smellslikemountains]

Konoha... she's been a good friend to you, hasn't she?

[ If it spurs him to go out of his way to get her a gift worth of her... it must be so. But it also humbles Gonta somehow, that while Konoha has made all these friends who could do so much, she still preferred his company. ]

[vassalize]

Something like that. Let's say I would consider her to be a worthy vassal if she were inclined, but she is more content to remain as she is. Now, what other plans have you prepared for this occasion?

[ He's not planning on just giving her jewelry and calling it a day, is he? ]

[smellslikemountains]

[ He doesn't like the sound of her being called a "worthy vassal", but he takes the rest of this man's words as... friendly? ]

I don't really have anything else planned. There isn't any particular occasion.

[vassalize]

[ Oh, the lack of romance hurts him. Must he do everything in this world? ]

You can't simply present it to her without preamble. What is her favorite meal? Surely, you can prepare something of substance for her.

[smellslikemountains]

...

[ Gonta... feels pretty clueless now. He and Konoha are in very fixed roles as husband and wife. In other words, she does all the cooking. But, he does remember something she really likes. ]

Rice balls. She cried when I gave her the rice balls her mother made when I first arrived. Maybe I can make them for her.

[vassalize]

That should be a reasonable start. Even I know how to prepare those in spite of hailing far from the native culture.

[ Not well, but he knows. ]

You can surprise her with a good meal, a bit of flavored wine, and music to set the mood. Then you can present your gift during dessert. What's her favorite sweet food?

[smellslikemountains]

Mm... rice cakes.

[ They're very simple people!! But also, Gonta is guessing. Going by what he remembers of Konoha's mother. ]

[vassalize]

[ Really now? ]

What of her favorite fruit? She has to eat something else other than rice-based foods.

[ Not that he knows a whole lot about centaur/jinba anatomy, but he assumes their diet is more diversified than that. ]

[smellslikemountains]

There were a lot of fruits we ate on the lumberyard... it's been warm recently, so watermelons?

[vassalize]

That's a start. You can create a watermelon parfait. The recipe is simple enough, and it is ideal for the summer temperatures.

[ Surely, even this jinba can manage it... ]

[smellslikemountains]

... what is a parfait?

[vassalize]

[ He really is hopeless. Percival sighs. ]

It's an easy dessert that consists of layers of custard or yogurt, syrup, fruit, and whipped cream, all of which you can purchase already made.
You can also top it with nuts or seeds.

[smellslikemountains]

[ He... is already lost about all this. Yogurt? Whipped cream? A warring states jinba knows nothing of the sort!

He decides not to reply. ]

[vassalize]

Are you still there?
Don't tell me that was too complicated?
Have you ever entered inside a grocery store?

[ They are built large enough to accommodate some of the more oversized creatures that arrive here. ]

a few days later... filtered from gonta bc konoha learned how to do that

[lumberlady]

i think is only easy because PERCIVAL is so good with cooking...

but thank you, for meaning well to make recommendation for i.

(also please send direction for PARFAIT place to buy, is sounding interesting.)

[vassalize]

It's nothing that can't be acquired through practice.
However, I will prepare my special strawberry parfait dessert and send that to you to try along with the recipe to illustrate my point.

I hope he managed to at least pull together something edible for you.

[ Percival just couldn't bear to see the poor jinba fumbling about any longer. Konoha deserves nice things. ]

[lumberlady]

GONTA is not so good with new world and new thing. i no mean in body i mean in head. but is fine, i am not minding it.

PERCIVAL always is sending anyway... is like food husband! (is joke)

GONTA make much delicious dinner for i, of hot pot food from home! and give much too nice gift.

[vassalize]

[ He does get a little flustered at that, though thankfully she's not privy to the expression he's making at the moment. ]

I meant nothing by it!
It is only a fair exchange for providing me and Vane with so much food.
Naturally, you should be allowed to sample the products of it.

And at least your husband was capable of that much.
Though he may be stubborn, it might benefit him to expand his palate and skill set while he's in a world where he can
meet with others from far beyond your homeland's borders.

[lumberlady]

if you say like this...
then i accept!

but no "AT LEAST"!
GONTA is capable of many thing, and does much good work.
he learn many new thing here and create home.
i have no complaints of husband, so no bully!

[vassalize]

It wasn't bullying.
It was merely a suggestion.
But if you are content, then who am I to say otherwise?

Was the gift for some anniversary or your birthday?

[lumberlady]

i is most content.
is fact.

no! that is why is full surprise!
just for is showing appreciation... shock!
i no need such fancy thing...
but happy to be thought of.

[vassalize]

You are more fortunate than most.
Not everyone receives the same appreciation from their spouse.

Naturally, I'm not speaking of myself.

[ He's definitely speaking of himself. He should learn more from Gonta. ]

But if someone were to surprise you with a token of affection,
what else would you be amenable to receiving?

1/2

[lumberlady]

if receive as affection, is no important what item is.

affection is.