• PM To Join • Foot in mouth is not just for cattle

[Winston]

50th of Zi'da 722

The gift is giving

The fencing had been finished a while ago now. He had enriched the fence with a few small reflective chimes. They dangled in the wind, tinkled and caught the light to ward off birds from whatever crops Woe planned to grow.

Since then, Winston had been on a fair few travels and had also been working on his Alchemy. Transferring the preservative properties of salt into flour to allow him to bake all sorts of treats, bread and cakes that lasted as long as you needed them to. He'd used melted sugar as the binding agent, which as a cook and a budding chemist, made for a tasty and practical solution. Using the methods taught to him by Kisaik and two glyphs drawn with chalk, he prepared, sang and then baked the preservative flour into some delicious biscuits. It had taken some trial and error, but fortunately, he had been in no rush and where food was concerned, he was confident he knew when it was good to eat.

Right now Winston was just approaching The Egg of Egilrun’s front door to drop off a gift. He approached the front door and knocked as Chest settled down beside him.

The Devil on My Shoulder
Curiosity: What if he’s insulted by it?
Winston: Me don’t tink ‘im will be.
Curiosity: Yu-hu? And that’s based on how well you’ve gotten to know him since you had tea once?
Winston: Me tink dat ‘im will eidda use ar nat use et.
Curiosity: Seriously, I still think it’s a mirical you got the job at all.
Winston: Me done a gud job!
Curiosity:Yeah, sure, but his face and its past in NONE of your business!
Winston: Nope. Mabey nobady Eva given ‘im de choice? Ar mabey ‘im neva knew it was passible?
Curiosity: YOU didn’t know it was possible until recently.
Winston: True, but anyting es passible ef yuh put yuh mind tuh et.[/skill]
Curiosity: Just, don’t stand around and WATCH him open it, OK? Give it to him and leave. Oh my immortals can you imagine having to watching him explain to you how utterly inappropriate and invasive this is.
Winston: Yuh worry tuh much, mun.

Winston was holding a box, wrapped in simple but delicately tied brown paper with a bow. It was clearly a gift. Inside said box was a

present for Woe

.

He waited patiently for someone to come to the door before greeting them with a wide grin. "'ello! 'ow es yuh?" He had been travelling ontop of and inside Chest, but even so, snow was matted to his exposed fur, which he attempted to hide under an ample scarf.

[Woe]

Blodwen

was the first to hear the knock on the door. Woe was currently occupied with some sort of set up in the wine cellar, so even his well honed hearing wasn’t sharp enough to hear all the way up to the surface floor. In spite of the wealth of its occupant and size of the orchard outside, the cabin itself was fairly spartan and humble on the surface. Just a few rooms were reserved for the children, there was a study, and of course hallways connecting the various chambers. There was also a kitchen, from which wafted the scents of lemon drops and cakes as someone was making something yummy.

Blodwen got to the door, and opened it to look incredulously across shoveled pathway of snow. When she didn’t immediately see something, she rolled her eyes and was almost ready to shut the door, when Winston’s voice piped up from the ground. Then she looked down, and saw the cadouri bearing gifts and treats. “Oh… The groundskeeper.” She remarked, and then waved a hand impatiently for him to enter. “Fine.” She responded to his inquiry to her health.

As they walked into the house, and Blodwen made sure to give Chest a wide berth if he entered, eying the construct suspiciously. Woe’s son,

Iago

arrived from an adjoining chamber to the kitchen, entering the foyer and seeing that Winston was balancing the parcels all on his own, stooped down to him, kneeling in front of the Ferret. “Can I take your packages for you?” He offered, holding out his arms to receive them. “Father is in the wine cellar.”

Whether he granted him the parcels or not, Iago would show him toward the entrance to the cellar, which stood at the end of a hallway that broke off from the foyer. At the end, was a door, with steps to walk down. “He’s right down there, probably inspecting the stills.”

Blodwen had long since excused herself from the situation, putting a good distance between herself and the Chest (which while Winston had been working on the fence, had always creeped her out).

At the bottom of the stairs, Woe was indeed inspecting the wooden stills that would soon carry all manner of fruits and brews, to make specialty alcohol. Brewing had become something of a passtime for the Egg of recent years, and he was slowly gaining in skill as he practiced first at teas, and then proceeded to experiment with harder drinks.

Woe turned his head when Winston entered, and nodded to him. “What a surprise, Winston. I didn’t expect to see you visiting so soon.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have any work for you at the moment, although I surely will when growing season begins, and we work on expanding the orchard.” It was then that Woe noticed the parcels that Winston was carrying, “Anyway, you are welcome to visit whenever you like, obviously. What do you have there?”

He knelt in front of Winston if he’d approach closer, and nodded at him to hand the parcels over (or Iago if Winston had given them over to the boy). “I’m afraid I neglected to arrange a gift for you, Winston. But perhaps…”

Woe looked up at Iago, “Iago, can you have Gloom fix some extra food and drink for Winston?” He turned his gaze downward to the cadouri, “You should stay and warm yourself by the hearth, and have food with us. Gloom is a fair cook himself.”

“Now what have you brought to my cabin?”

[Winston]

50th of Zi'da 722

The gift is giving

The woman that answered the door seemed a little reluctant to chat, but that was fine, Winston was aware that not everyone liked chatting. He smiled pleasantly as he was invited in and

Chest

, as always, followed in after. "Tanks, de name es Winstaaan an' don't worry. 'im es 'armless... Ef nat legless." He said gesturing toward the chest in an attempt to reasure her.

He caught the scent of cooking in the air and embraced it, closing his eyes for a moment. "MMMMmmmmmm.... Leamon."

He could not help but have a good look around at the decor as he entered, it would be obvious he was trying to take it all in at once. As Iago offered to take the parcel, the little Cadouri nodded in gratitude. His face lit up at the news that he had just met Woe's son. "Uh tank yuh suh much. Dat wud be great. Et's a little gift far Woe Sir. I 'ave come tuh conclude me business an' say 'ello." He gave the box over, it was not heavy, but for someone the size of a ferret, very cumbersome.

As Iago lead the way Winston gave Blodwen a little wave goodbye and made some conversation. This was not something that came with any difficulty for him, in fact it took more self-control than he usually had NOT to talk. "Es dat cake me cun smell? Et smells very gud. Me LOVE baking. Duh yuh bake?"

As they reached the wine cellar he let out a little wonder. "OOOooooo. An entire cellar far wine. Me 'ave 'eard af such tings." There was no hint of sarcasm in his tone, just appreciation for seeing something new as they made their way down the stairs. His head swivelled around the cellar and just as he noticed that he had bought Woe's eye, he let out a furious little wave. Small distances always seemed large to someone his size.

He chuckled, there was something a little stifled about the way he was behaving, but the ferret continued anyway. "Tis gud tuh see yuh, Woe Si... Woe. Me wus just lookin' tuh officially conclude our business. An make sure yuh were 'appy wid de fence." Whatever the cause of his mild discomfort, that this was the case seemed quite important.

If Woe were to respond in the affirmative the ferret would almost collapse with relief. "Oh, tank gudness far dat. Now me cun deal wid da business af visitin' to say 'ello." He smiled, without pausing for more then a tril. "Helllloooo. What are you brewing?" His curiosity was palpable and the stifled nature completely dispelled.

As Woe spotted the pecels, he replied with a deminor of humble dismissiveness. "Oh dat's OK, me only came tuh visit an' give you dis gift. Et was just quit important dat et was a gift an nat part af a business arrangement." He said with a smile. "Per'aps yuh cun open et later." He suggested.

As Woe suggested he had nothing with which to reciprocate, Winston gave out a little gasp. Not offended, more like mortified, but clearly of a strong opinion on something as he began to explain. "Oh no, please, Woe, giving es nat far de receiving. You are under no abligashan." He insisted with a smile and a shake of his head. "Giftin' es someting tuh be done far de joy af et. But, af carse et wud be e delight tuh share a meal wid yuh."

Winston looked at the box. Then at Woe. That SOMETHING was bothering him would be obviouse. "Me don't know ef yuh will like et, ar ef yuh even need et, but dere es a letter inside to explain an'... well. Me feel a little like et's an appalagy aswell... but... Um..." He cleared his throat, rather leaving it up to Woe as to whether he opened it now or put it aside to open later.

Should he open it now or later, he would find a small vial of clear liquid and a note, which read.

Hello Woe,

Please find enclosed a bottle of something called Ether Rain. Me thought you might like this, but me apologise if it is not to your liking.

If it is something you want, you can use it to remove a scare from your person.

I fills me with joy to offer you this choice.

Your Faithful Friend,

Winston Miller.

P.S. If you don’t want it, please feel free to pass it on to someone that might. The gift is choice, not the bottle.

P.P.S. If you have already had and made this choice, please forgive my presumption and accept the ginger biscuit. under the bottle’s padding in apology. Dems will stay fresh for a lang time.

If he tried the biscuit,

it would not matter how long the present had been left, it would seem as fresh as the moment it was first baked

.

Winston would gladly follow them should they move on.

[Woe]

Blodwen was mostly ignorant of the waving ferret left behind, as she went off on her own business. Iago meanwhile accompanied Winston along to the cellar, taking his burden off of him and eventually to hand off to Woe. When asked what was baking or cooking, Iago answered politely, "Yes, Gloom loves to bake lemon into his cakes. Gloom is our father's best friend, and has appointed himself his personal cook. I'm sure you'll meet him soon enough if you stick around."

But then, eventually Iago made the hand-off of the gift of the parcel to Woe, along with Winston's note. Iago stood at attention as Woe and Winston talked. "Yes, the fence works very well for what I need it to do. Unfortunately seasons being what they are, I won't have a chance to try planting until well after Ashan comes."

Woe held the parcel for a few more moments, curious as to not only why the ferret cadouri was giving him a gift but then he wasn't one to look at freely made offers too closely, unless he had some mistrust of the person delivering them. Winston certainly didn't occupy that category at the moment. He seemed a straight-forward enough cadouri.

When asked what he might be brewing, Woe looked at the stills on display at the side of the corridor and nodded toward them, "I'm trying my hand at a brew that I knew of when I lived in Treth. That's a town in the Western Continent." Woe waved a hand at the still, "Onyx Oblectation, it was a very good wine, very strong, and with a unique bittersweet taste. I haven't found anything like it since, and hope to replicate it here. I have even ordered some Tus trees for spring planting, hopinig to have them here before I start the gardening efforts in earnest."

When the cadouri explained his philosophy on gift-giving, Woe gave a thoughtful nod. "I understand entirely." And he had understood, afterall, being one to give a gigantic mansion to a woman who was once his slave, who he'd subsequently freed after transporting her to Scalvoris. And he'd participated in Saoire's gifting as well, he actually quite enjoyed the act of giving himself. He only wondered momentarily why he held others to a different standard, but didn't dwell on it.

Woe was quite pleased with the company he was presently keeping, Iago included with Winston. The cadouri had a way of bringing out the aspects of his nature that were less stern or severe. Then he opened the gift, and read the note. His smile which had been faint, disappeared for a moment. He felt a twinge of sorrow for a moment, to which his diri of Sorrow, Breen felt and arrived behind him. He took the form of a black-furred shepherd dog with a limp, and loped into their midst, looking at Winston and then at Woe. What is it master? Why are you sad?

Woe shook his head, and then stuffed his feelings down where they belonged, hidden. "This is a touching gift, Winston, but I would not use it for myself. In truth, I don't need it for myself. But then, there are those whom I have scarred in the past. I would save it for their sake, if that is alright?"

The mortalborn was thinking of one particular person that he'd scarred, but then there were many. His eyes only misted a bit, showing slight emotion, before returning to his ordinary self. "Shall we go see what Gloom has cooking up?" He waved for Winston to follow, and placed a hand on Iago's shoulder as he led the way to ttheir dining room.

[Winston]

A gift received and a ferret not evicted

"Oh me duh 'ope soh. Gloom sounds like my kinda peepal." He replied to Iago genuinely interested in meeting anyone, but invested in meeting people that liked cooking.

Winston nodded in agreement with Woe's assessment of the season. "Yup, me 'ave a little stash af things me want tuh grow wen de season comes around again. For now, dem's en Chest." He gestured toward his traveling companion.

As Woe described his brew, Winston listened intently. "OOooooo... Dat sound very interestin'." There was no hint of sarcasm in his tone, as there never was. "Me 'ave served dat tea yuh taught me, back-a-ways. Et went down very well." He said with a grateful smile. "Wine es made af grapes, right? Me want tuh try tuh make someting like dis one day. Ol' Patsy 'as lats af 'oney an de far, an' dat wud make a lovely wine... Doh, me 'ave been told dis makes et mead."

Winston was a little surprised when Sorrow turned up, he tried to avoid looking forlorn when Sorrow announced that the gift had made him sad. This was not an unexpected response, but still, it had been the reason he had rather wanted Woe to open it privately.

He gave an unreserved gesture with his whole body, as if to echo the words he said fully. "Af cars dat's alright. Et was very presumptuous af me really. Bot et wud make me 'appy tuh know et went to someone dat wud benefit fram et. An' me appalagise ef me caused yuh any upset." He was not regretting the gift, not at all, but certainly hoped that he had not overstepped so soon in a relationship that might not even really be more than an acquaintance... He was not great at telling the difference, being so happy to make friends at the drop of a hat.

As his host suggested they go see Gloom, Winston perked up again. "Oh yes! Et smells like 'im es a great cook." He proclaimed as he followed them through to the dinning room.

As they walked, he spoke to Gloom pleasantly. "'ello. Me name es Winston." He offered with a smile, letting Sorrow decide if he wanted to converse of not.

He'd find himself somewhere to sit, allowing Woe and Iago to establish where sitting would be happening.

[Woe]

They all settled down to the table, which was an awkward moment. Winston if he had much

social awareness

might've gotten the impression that this was not the usual arrangement in the household. Generally Woe left the children to their own devices, as they seemed to prefer. He didn't need to encourage more strife under his roof than already was present between the variety of personalities.

Speaking of personalities, Gloom shortly joined them with a large frosted lemon cake, topped with some soft gummy beans made of lemon and sugar. He set this at the center, and sliced a piece for everyone at the table. Gloom was a dour tunawa, with a pair of stiff rabbit ears sticking out of his head, which gave him the appearance almost of a wooden/plant-like rabbit. He wore dark clothing and darker cosmetics, and even as he doled out the portions he had a slightly morose look about him.

"I hope you enjoy the cake. I made the lemon drops and the cake myself. The frosting I got from the market." Gloom intoned, monotonously. And then he sat down to eat with the rest of them.

"Thank you Winston, again for the gift. It was very moving."

Thus the group commenced dinner.

The cake, Winston would notice, was very sweet and almost tart in flavor, with much in the way of creamy flavor that had been slathered on every layer of the cake. The lemon drops, the soft gummies on the top of the frosting accentuated the sour tartness of the rest of the cake, giving it an overall interesting aftertaste.

[Winston]

A a fond farewell

The artificial atmosphere of pretence as they sat at the table didn't go unnoticed by the ferret, though he didn't let it appear to bother him, as it didn't. Instead, he filled the air with some casual conversation, asking the children about their pleasures and Woe about his brews and his garden. There was no falsehood to the lines of questioning. Though obviously taken from a stock of good conversation starters, he was genuinely interested in the answers and engaged in the responses with interest.

He looked at the Tunawa with interest, admiring the unique nature of their appearance as they explained the food. "Oh dis es delicious! Me love a gud leamon-drap."

When Woe thanked him again for the gift, he smiled a warm and honest smile. "Et wus nat me place tuh do et..." He replied, a little appologetically. "...but et es me pleasure tuh 'ave done soh."

He enjoyed the food very much and complimented Gloom on his efforts before the time came for the meal and so his visit, to end.

As the meal closed up, Winston would be sure to not overstay his welcome. The meal was clearly something put on for his benefit and so to avoid the family feeling uncomfortable again, he gave a timely excuse for leaving as soon as people seemed to have finished with the meal.

"Well, me most beh goin'. Me can't tank yuh enough far yuh 'aspitality." He said brightly and genuinely as they made their way from the table. "Et wus a pleasure tuh meet yuh all!" He called to everyone present.

"Me wud love tuh cum see yuh garden in the growing seasan an' check an de fence. Ef dats ok?" He said with a smile and a wave, as he and Chest set off, happy in the knowledge that their mission was complete, a job well done and perhaps a friend made.

[Woe]

Rewards Requested

Notes/Warnings: nope

Thread: Foot in mouth is not just for cattle
City/Area: Egilrun

Renown: Yes maybe for Winston
Wealth Points: Nope
Collaboration: Yes

!	Message from: Kasoria
	Done!

[Kasoria]

Winston

Awwwwww he's adorable as he is industrious! Never ceases to surprise me how much depth you give to Winston, mainly through making him so human. The whole "cute cuddly patois-spittin' weasel" thing is just the dressing. His drive and empathetic personality really do sell his stories.

• Renown: 5
• XP: 15
• Knowledges:
  • Hunting: Detering Scavengers
  • Alchemy: Mediums: Power
  • Alchemy: Using Binding Agents
  • Brewing: Wooden stills are used to brew drinks
  • Cooking: Buscuits
  • Brewing: Wine is made of grapes
  • Brewing: Mead is made with honey, not sugar
  • Discipline: Hiding emotions
  • Socialization: Not letting on that a situation is awkward

Woe

I'm so used to seeing Woe as a gloomy, sinister character that it's a revelation to see him so... domesticated. But it suits him well! He's building quite the little life and we'll see if those from his darker past can allow him to keep living it so cleanly... mwahahahaha!

• XP: 15