video

[lumberlady]

[Good morning, Lunatia. The video starts with a view of hooves, a too close view of a face... and then finally... a centaur? Who keeps looking off screen while she talks and never seems to actually focus on the lens correctly.]

Hello? Can everyone see me? Connor, am I doing this right? Okay? ... Okay.

[She clears her throat and dips into a bow, the camera bobbing along with her.]

Hello! This is Konoha... some of you maybe think my name is Shizu, but- It's Konoha! I'm from Echigo province, in Japan, if you know it... and I'll be in your care.

If you don't know me, which, I figure is most of you, this city must be even bigger than the capital I'm the... well in my world we say jinba but I'm the "centaur". I haven't seen anyone else like me so I think I can say "the"...

Anyway... what I wanted to ask was... if anyone had an recommendations for... shops? I've never really shopped before, and I haven't seen any locals quite like me, so if you know somewhere that does... I don't know, tailoring? Or a restaurant with really big seats or tall tables? Anything like that!

I'd appreciate it, so... thank you very much!

[Another bow, another bob of the camera... and a blurry flash of android helping her turn the dang thing off. Thanks, Connor.]

Comments

[gluhen]

Regional cuisine from some distant land called 'America.' Though some of the food happens to resemble a few dishes I've seen in the skydom while others are completely foreign to my tongue. What is a 'Grand slam breakfast' even supposed to signify?

[ So many great mysteries of other universes he's left to unravel, but that one is perhaps the most mystifying. ]

[lumberlady]

I've definitely never heard of America... Is it... lots of meat? Or is it vegetables?

"Grand" is in the name, so... is it a very fancy breakfast?

[gluhen]

I've only heard of meat-based dishes so far -made from cow and pig meat.

[ Is it odd for her to eat beef... cows and horses are vaguely in the same family sphere.

His brows knit a bit as he ponders the rest of her words. ]

That's not the part that bothers me. It's the word 'slam.' I wouldn't put anything that aggressive-sounding on a menu item. Food should be appetizing and inviting.

[lumberlady]

Well, I like meat! It's really filling, and it's good for you.

[since Konoha doesn't really think of herself as "half horse", it's fine, it's fine!]

"Slam" is kind of weird, you're right. Does your friend not know why it's called that?

[gluhen]

As do I when it's prepared correctly and well-seasoned. Some of the rarer meats are a delicacy in my homeland.

As for your inquiry, you'd be better off asking him directly. I don't know why any of those dishes have their ridiculous names.

[ Though he wouldn't be surprised if Vane had a hand in naming them. That does sound like something he'd come up with. ]

Are you expecting an introduction now?

[lumberlady]

Rarer meats? Like... fresh fish or something?

[Wait- Why did she have to be the one to ask???]

I mean, I'd appreciate you telling me where it is? I don't need to go now or anything, though.

[gluhen]

Or venison, racks of lamb, even crustaceans. If you're that curious, I suppose I could treat you the next time I happen to make something from my homeland and have the extra portions to share. It won't taste exactly the same as the animals here differ from those in Wales, but I can replicate the recipe with the equivalent.

[ Why is he suddenly reliving his bistro days? At least the food here doesn't require extensive hunting, and he has enough chroma to pick high grade ingredients. ]

[lumberlady]

That sounds... really good...

[Now she's hungry.....................]

If you want to... We could trade! I could make you something from my home in return.

[gluhen]

[ He makes a small noise in the back of his throat, not having expected that. Well then... ]

It is only fair, but what guarantee do I have that it won't kill me? What sort of cuisine does your land usually produce?

[lumberlady]

[kill him? wow what a drama king...]

Hot pot, game meats, rice, vegetables, pickles, salt fish...

[gluhen]

That doesn't sound too unappealing, but only a proper taste test will prove it so. Very well. We will conduct an exchange of cuisine. My Welsh creation for yours. Come to my apartment tomorrow evening, and I will cook you a fine meal from start to finish.

[ At least, if they both don't like it, they can be miserable together. ]

[lumberlady]

A- alright! I’ll bring my ingredients by too then! It’s better fresh after all.

[gluhen]

As expected. Until then. I'll expect you promptly and with an empty stomach.

[ It's only courteous, after all! ]