sunfloras | OPEN POST IV

[Gale accepts the offered fork an napkin with a nod of gratitude, letting out a quiet chuckle as he spears a fry along with a good amount of cheese and onion for himself.]

You know, it wasn't quite so long ago that I would have wanted nothing more than for that very name to spread! Fortunately for us both, I find myself inclined towards a much more humble existence these days.

[He pauses to take his first bite, eyelids lowering as he savors it— her query about his thoughts on the town will have to wait just a moment.]

Oh, that is marvelous.

[Instead of being irate at her question going unanswered, she smiles warmly at his reaction to the fries instead.]

I'll count that as a like. [Even though technically the In-N-Out is just a mile outside of the town's perimeter, but whatever, it counts.]

It's good isn't it? [Amelia will help herself because yum yum, Animal Fries are quite the treat even for her.]

The sauce is what pulls it together.

[He lets out a hum of approval, spearing another bite on the end of his fork.]

Oh, yes, that certainly counts. One of my very favorite things about your world is what people have managed to do with food.

[It didn't all have to be fine dining— for someone who loves good food as much as he always has, the modern era had a seemingly endless wealth of offerings.]

As for the town, I've been quite enjoying becoming more acquainted with it. I'm very fond of the library, of course— that one went without saying, I'm almost certain— and the scenery at the lake is picturesque, indeed. Perfect for a picnic, I might add.

Having the equipment and technology to further the field helps. I think you'd find the potato cutting machine they have from the restaurant rather novel.

[But that aside, Amelia's brows raise when Gale tells her about the spots he's visited.]

I hope Quentin wasn't too prickly towards you. He's a fine librarian, but his temperament can be fickle.

Did you happen across Gregoire by any chance?

[The Consumer of Words is always around, but isn't always seen by the library patrons. Amelia is still assuming he'd at least find Gale intriguing, not only for being her companion, but a wizard of great ability from another world.]

Quentin seems a bit reserved, perhaps, but I've charmed conversation out of far more difficult subjects.

[There's a playful glint in his eye; he may well consider her to be one of them, among others. They had gotten along quite well from the start, but she had been rather severe when they'd first met.]

I'm certain my respect for his work and inevitably frequent patronage will help him to warm eventually. Gregoire, on the other hand— I can't say that I was fortunate enough to meet him just yet, but I suppose that doesn't mean he didn't see me.

[Through a mouthful of fries, Amelia rolls her eyes since she understands the under-the-surface implication.]

I suppose Gregoire is taking his time and will make himself known when he feels like it. As I've warned you before, when he does, don't look at him directly.

[He may be amicable, but his presence is heavy, even for her.]

... I think I want to take you to the lake so you can meet the Blue Moon Belly.

[She had spoken of it before back in Hotel Caelum, the creature of the lake that needed to be fed constantly.]

If we do it sooner than later, it won't find the need to raid my cupboards.

Right— avert mine eyes! One of many mental notes I've made from what you've told me about some of Blackgale's residents. Physical notes, as well, if I'm being honest.

[Hardly surprising, he's sure, given that he's a scholar at heart and always will be, but for all there is to take in and remember, for as new as so much of this world is, he doesn't feel as overwhelmed as one might have expected. His time at Caelum had certainly helped prepare him other such adjustments, but truly, being reunited with Amelia made everything else feel somehow inconsequential.

She piques his interest as he helps himself to another forkful, lips curling into a knowing smile.]

I believe I recall your saying it has a particular liking for potato chips?

[He can take all the notes on paper as she's concerned and have access to all the stationary in her home. His remark makes her smile again. She shouldn't have been worried about how he was able to pass the time in the modern world. It may not have the dangers and arcane excitement of Faerun, but for an academic such as himself, the downtime was probably a breath of fresh air.

At his question, Amelia sighs and nods.]

Unfortunately. But better my potato chips than having the locals faint in shock at a fish man in their kitchens.

I will say, the picture you've painted is terribly intriguing. I look forward to meeting him. A very particular image comes to mind when I hear the words 'fish man;' I'm curious to see how the reality may differ.

[How close is it to a sahaguin, he has to wonder?]

What sort of— offerings should we bring to sate its appetite?

The anthropomorphic form is just a formality. We'd have a headache on our hands if he wandered the land in his true size.

[And that's why, the majority of the time, Blue Moon Belly lives in the lake with its namesake.]

Offerings... As a rule of thumb, anything we can eat, it will eat, even if it's considered old and rotten. I have another person pick up the leftovers and supplies of the markets and restaurants in our area.

But to make it special occasionally and if I need proper disposal... I tend to offer it the odd monster corpse, here and there.

[grim but what is she supposed to do after studying them? keep them in her house?? like a psycho???]

That's rather ingenious; there's always so much food that goes to waste, even in the less selective parts of Baldur's Gate. Glad to see it gets put to good use— though I can see how the creature's varied tastes would be, ah, convenient.

[Being a man of both magic and science himself, he knows full well there are sometimes remains that need taking care of. It's far more civilized than the bodies he and the others often left out by the road out of necessity.]

I have to ask, are there any such treats it seems to like in particular? Call it morbid curiosity, I suppose.

Aside from my potato chips? Well, it just appreciates novelty and variety. For better or for worse, we get plenty of those within this world and from beyond the stars.

Additionally, it did like the animal style fries that it stole from me that one evening, so perhaps a craving for deep fried spuds is consistent.

[the belly longs for potat]

In any case, I do want to introduce you to it. Over the years, I guess you could call the Belly one of the closest things I have to a family member.

[Or a pet that steals her chips.]

Oh, and there's the Praying Man and Simone... I think the latter would especially like to meet you.

[Gale can certainly understand that particular preference— truly, there are few things as good as the simple comfort of good potat.]

Of course— after hearing so many of your stories before coming here, I'm curious about all sorts of things, but especially eager to meet those who are important to you, regardless of how many legs they may have.

[Humans, witches, talking cats, Blue Moon Bellies; he wants to meet the whole lot of them.]

Simone... should I be concerned? Worried about making a good impression?

[He's largely teasing; he does aim to make a good impression wherever he goes, but there is some truth to it. There are many people, he's sure, who will want to make sure that he's worthy of their Emerald Witch.]

[She's finished her last bite of fries, sighing with satisfaction and leaning back in her seat before responding.]

Simone is... I think the closest approximation to a succubus we have here in this world. She doesn't call herself one, but she feeds off desires— Er, or rather, she brings dreams to the surface?

[It's a tad bit difficult to explain.]

Not of the sexual nature, though it may include that. We'll just have to visit her when it's her night to sing at the Red Divine.

Interesting— she sounds almost akin to a muse of sorts.

[He can think of a few different figures in various texts, historical and otherwise, that might have had comparable abilities; his interest is certainly piqued, but he is concerned about far more than Simone's powers.]

This town is full of people who mean a great deal to you.

[He smiles warmly, all affection and earnestness.]

I can't wait for you to show me more of your world, my heart.

OPEN POST IV

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