Curious Coeurlian RP Repository

[Langston]

Langston strolled through a familiar scene in the Mist, whistling a wistful tune with a smile. Tucked beneath his right arm was a small sealed crate that clearly didn't weigh that much. A climb above an eternal series of stairs finally led him to the door of the lovely Hearth & Home. Of course, it had been a while since he had paid the place a visit; things had become a little too busy to be sharing casual drinks with friends so often. Once he had made it to the door, his free hand clenched, ready to knock upon the door.

However, he hesitated for a moment. Just who was going to answer? He hoped for one of the residents over the other, but, there was no guarantee on what was going to happen, so… he tossed caution into the wind and landed a solid three knocks upon the door.

[Luna]

There is a few moments of silence before the door pulls open, revealing the tall and muscled knightess, dressed down in her tank and trousers and hair actually down for once. A sword hangs at her hip, tied on to her belt. She looks a bit confused for a second before her eyes catch on to the Lalafell's face. “Oh. Sir Langston, I was not expecting you. *Or anyone, to be honest.* Is there aught I may do for you?”

[Langston]

“Good day, Luna.” he said, looking her up and down. It was rather rare for him to see her in casual attire, but something else certainly stood out to him. “Do you sleep with your sword…?” He shook his head. “You don't have to answer that. Anyway!” Langston's left hand tapped his crate twice. “I've got some fresh produce here. Dzemael Tomatoes. I was able to buy them at a fairly economic price here… apparently they are able to grow naturally around these parts. I figured since I was around here, and you happen to be an expert on both culinary matters and all things Ishgard, you'd might be able to give these things a solid seal of approval.”

[Luna]

The woman glances down at her sword for a moment, about to answer when Langston cuts her off. Her eyebrow raises curiously as the tale of tomatoes is told, her head now trained on the crate. “Tomatoes? I had heard tellings that House Dzemael had been working on something botanical, but I had not wagered tomatoes. I am afraid I never worked for House Dzemael, but I suppose I might have some insights that are of use. Do come in, I shall prepare some tea - you prefer it southern I suppose? Perhaps I had best ask Lucatiel to make that…” She gestures for the man to enter her home.

[Langston]

“Ah, that sounds splendid. Indeed, I'm not one for that milk tea you like to serve Vinalo.” He makes his way inside, setting himself up on the closest table and opens the crate. Inside was a dazzling array of red fruit, each one topped neatly with a green pedicel. Langston took one out and held it before his faces, seeing his faint red reflection. “I figured you would've known about these, what with them being an Ishgardian innovation, so to speak. I guess you don't cook with them very often?”

[Luna]

There is a slight frown at the idea of serving southern tea, but she nevertheless goes to the stairs and gently calls above, “Mon cher Lucatiel, would you mind coming down and preparing some southern tea for Sir Langston?” There is a slight sound of disgust at the mention of the tea once more, but it's not overwhelming. There is a return call of the ever-cheerful voice of her ward, “Okaaaay!”

Luna returns to the table that Langston has selected, sitting across from the man with a curious look. “I work with them quite often, I simply suppose I had grown so accustomed to them that I had not questioned their origin. To me, they are simply tomatoes. I had not thought to wonder how or why it was notable that House Dzemael had their names upon it.” She takes a moment to look at the pre-pizza sauce object, considering it with a hand to her chin.

[Langston]

“It could be that they're just full of it.” he said, looking at Luna from behind the tomato. “I could imagine a situation where a bunch of stuffy botanists were growing tomatoes and decided to slap their name on something that is special to no one in particular. However, there is something to said about how plump and rich the tomatoes that bare the name Dzemael are.” He dug into a pouch on his side and pulled out a fruit knife. The blade touched the red skin and punctured it gently with just a modicum of force. Slowly, he cut it into two, showing off the cross-section to Luna.

[Luna/Luca]

There's a bit of a scowl at Langston's insinuation. “Pardon? Do not be so quick to cast cloudy judgment upon the good House Dzemael, Sir Langston.” Her frustration eases however and she gently grabs one half of the Tomat, looking at it closely. “What a fruit…”

Footsteps on the staircase indicate Lucatiel's descent, looking a bit more 'together' than her guardian - while her hair was down and free flowing it was clearly brushed and she was wearing her usual dress and makeup. As she moves to the kitchen and hears the pair, she giggles to herself. “Luuuuna!” She teases, stifling her laughter. “Hiiii Langston!” She sends a wave towards the man as she begins to prepare some tea.

[Langston]

“No, I suppose Dzemael has never done anything wrong… to me.” He turned around to acknowledge Lucatiel, giving her a gentle wave. “Say, Luca, where do you stand? Suppose I grew lemons and called them Langston Lemons. Would you cast some reasonable doubt over their quality, or would buy them just for the name alone?”

[Luca/Luna]

The girl stops where she is, turning to look at the Lalafell once more. “Umm, Langston's Lemons? Of course I'd buy them, they have your name on them! I bet they'd be extra sweet!” She smiles and quickly busies herself with the tea, bouncing in place as she does.

Luna puts a hand to her temple, rubbing with a slight groan. “My word. Were that I was surprised by such a statement. I suppose, speaking realistically, I too would be predisposed to purchasing groceries with a recognizable name upon it.”

[Langston]

Langston let out a small laugh. “Thanks, Luca.” he said before turning around to face Luna once more with a smirk. “See? I'm sure you live with plenty of loyalties in your heart, but it never hurts to put some things under the knife, so to speak!” He observed his half of the tomato and nodded. “It looks good to me, but what do you think?”

[Luna/Luca]

There is a small scoff from the woman. “I do try to hold myself to a higher standard, Sir Langston. Loyalties or nay, I would sooner allow the quality of such fruit to determine if I use it. Considering I have done so for quite some time, they are of exceptional quality, I would wager. While I am hardly a botanist, this,” she lifts the tomato in question for emphasis as her tone rises spiritedly, “Is surely possessed of what makes such produce desired. A crisp bite when one cuts in, a pleasing taste fit for sandwich and meal alike, as well as a lovely freshness that shines through any use.”

Lucatiel walks over, gently setting down a saucer and cup of fresh southern tea for the two of them, stifling a laugh at the woman's enthusiasm. “It's really pretty too! Nice and red! I like when she puts them in my sandwiches!”

“Merci cher Lucatiel.” A gentle nod from Luna is given to her ward, who smiles and happily goes back upstairs after a moment.

[Langston]

Langston caught a whiff of the tea and smiled softly, offering a nod to Luca. “Thank you.” he said before bringing the cup to his lips and taking a small sip. It was piping hot. He let it rest and returned his attention to the produce. “Some of these will be worth saving, certainly. The rest, well… they must be crushed into the dirt!”

[Luna]

Luna looks down at her cup with disgust and disdain, setting it aside for now before looking at the man. Shock soon crosses on to her face, however. “Pardon? You plan to… crush them into the dirt? Is this some form of soil enhancement? I do not understand - why purchase a surplus of this lovely produce and then proceed to bring destruction upon it?” She sets down the half of the tomato she had been holding, now peering at the crate curiously.

[Langston]

“Indeed! I'll be trying to use it as part of a compost.” he said with a smile. “I've reason to believe some good popotes can be grown from it… And, in my pursuit for culinary knowledge, I'm determined to make a small financial investment to see if my belief is true. Such was the way of my ancestral uncle.” He held the tomato up and nodded. “From this bright red life will life be born anew. Isn't life just wonderful?”

[Luna]

A hand rises to the woman's chin once more, her attention focusing now on the tomato halves in front of her. “Interesting. Surely there are readily prepared mixes for enhancing soil that would be cheaper than a partial crate of tomatoes? I suppose they would not be as potent, else-wise you would have selected such a method.” She looks at the produce a bit longer, thinking on the man's words. “Wonderful is a suited word indeed, queer might be as well. I suppose should your venture prove bountiful and you are possessed of extraneous remainder, I might consider purchasing some from you.”

[Langston]

“Queer?” he says with a stifled laugh. “Why queer?”

[Luna]

“Find you not it strange that in order to engender a boon of greater life amongst the seed that you must first rend it from another? Surely many a scholar or philosopher has pondered that very notion and found it to be quite odd. Or perhaps I am but a fool in this regard, who is to say.” She seems as if she has vexed herself, defeating her own thought as quickly as it had risen.

[Langston]

“It's often the way of the world. Not every woman survives childbirth, for example…” He began to sigh, taking one half of the tomato into his hand and then promptly biting into it. “Acknowledge that you walk hand in hand with death at times, but keep the contact brief. That's what Grandfather always told me.”

[Luna]

Luna pauses, leaning back in her chair and keeping her gaze trained on Langston. “Your grandfather had sound advice, I would say. Every moment spent in closeness threatens to pull you in kicking.” She shakes her head, refusing to even allow herself to get pulled into her own thoughts. “So, do share - how much of the stock must be used for such a purpose?”

[Langston]

“We'll say about.. half.” he said, looking down at the crate. “The rest will be for various sauces and perhaps to slap on a sandwich, as Luca suggested. I can only hope this experiment will be a success. With your seal of approval, I do have high hopes!”

[Luna]

There is the start of a smile and even a dry chuckle from the woman. “*My* seal of approval? Whatever for? You are the master of your own kitchen, not I. But I suppose I have already given it, so it matters naught. Do let me know how it all turns out, while I do not grow mine own produce it is still worth-while information.” She comes to a stand, picking up her still full teacup and saucer and bringing it over to the kitchen.

[Langston]

“It's true, I'm the master of my own kitchen.” he said before downing the rest of his tea. “And I suppose I can do my job and make my coin just fine if I kept to my own talents. However, learning from the past has taught me much about collaborative efforts. If I am to truly succeed in my heart, I need to seek advice from others, be they masters themselves or merely patrons.” He closed the crate and nodded.

[Luna]

“Once more with sage advice, Sir Langston. I would put myself squarely with the 'patrons'. If you need a recipe or perhaps other crates of produce examined, you know where to find me.” She places her untouched tea on a counter for now near the sink, thinking in her head of just pawning it off on Lucatiel.

[Langston]

“Yes, for sure. Thank you.” He put the crate beneath his arm once more and rose from his seat. “So, uhm… How have things been with you, anyway? It feels like it's been quite some time since I've seen you.”

[Luna]

Luna looks from across the counter, regarding the man curiously. “Pardon? Well… I suppose all has been relatively quiet, save for perhaps an ill-fated field lesson for Lucatiel. Work is the same as ever, though I suppose it should be mentioned that i have been considering changing careers to something a bit… safer. The Hearth's business is… on the lower end, but so are expenses so it evens out.”

[Langston]

“How much danger do they put knights in these days, anyway? I hardly know the profession.”

[Luna]

“Perhaps your stuffy House Knight may live in relative safety, facing off against the occasional ill-minded criminal. But we Temple Knights fight for Ishgard itself, and while much of our tasking involves simply keeping the peace in town, there is aught more involving deploying to the field and striking down a threat or exterminating dangerous wildlife that may harm our citizens. Many is the night I return with wounds that Lucatiel must needs treat further, even after the Hospitaliers.” She almost sounded offended, but it was soon replaced with swelling pride.

[Langston]

Langston scoffed. “With the way you're selling it, I'm willing to wager you don't really want to quit.” he said. “But, I suppose age and perspective may influence you, otherwise.” He looked up to the staircase and smiled. “If only I could be so convincing for my stubborn mother.” Finally, he turns to the door and prepares to leave. “Whatever decision you make, I wish you luck!”

[Luna]

The woman nods, offering a wave. “The Twelve only know, perhaps one day you will be found to be convincing. And you speak true, I am not sure if i truly wish to be rid of such work, but for the sake of Lucatiel it is question on my mind. Do take care, Sir Langston. I appreciate your words of luck-giving.”

---

Home –> Roleplay Scene Index –> Discord Roleplays

Home –> Character Index –> Langston — Luna