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Other Mother (INCOMPLETE)
It had been a long, long time since she had done anything with just her mother. Forays to hunt and gather food like this she usually did with Lavanda--they were a good team, perfectly balancing each other out for whenever the odd monster or wildlife attacked them
But Lavanda had gone, where exactly he hadn't said but the look in his eyes told her that he wouldn't be back for a long, long time. If that's what he wanted to do, however, then who was she to stop him? A part of her had wished he had asked her along for the thought of traveling was an exciting one, but that was his decision to make.
Which meant she was now with her mother. Miel was seventeen summers now making it nearly a decade since her brother had first found her and brought her back to the Kha clan and there was still a degree of awkwardness with which she regarded her mother.
Miel loved Namuunaa, of course. And she knew Namuunaa loved her in turn but...
Well. She wasn't really sure what it was. She knew she had once had a problem with a mother figure in life but that was a long time ago and she was well over it.
Completely over it.
"Got another one!" She exclaimed when the end of her spear struck true. She pulled it back to reveal a pierced fish still struggling in its death throes.
She had never gotten the hang of a bow and arrow---hitting something from a long distance was not in her skillset--but like this? She could help bring something in.
Buttons — 09/19/2023 6:38 PM
Namuunaa was in the shallows of the river, working through the wash that required a firmer touch than the younger of the tribe was able to handle. In truth, it probably could have been handled by one of the older members, but she liked having the work to do. Busy hands keep idle thoughts at bay, or so they say.
Idle thoughts that turn to her son, worried about where he'd gone. Worried if he was eating well, and sleeping safe.
She sighs, fighting one particular stain with practiced hand and deft fingers, scrubbing away at the mud. Sometimes she wonders if the children do it deliberately with the way such stains are set.
She looks up from where she had been working at Miel’s exclamation, smiling as she absently raised a hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. "Well done, dear." She looks over to the basket Miel had been depositing the fish, spotting that while there were many they were all of various sizes - hardly a problem when feeding a whole clan, but it never hurt to have a few extra large ones. "Retrieve a few more, and then we shall head back to the camp."
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 6:49 PM
Miel looks over to her mother, tail swaying happily and nodded. Her head turned towards the basket, quietly counting how many there were before nodding and deciding on an appropriate number more. She remained quite still---her previous catch had disrupted the waters so now she had to wait and see if anymore would return. As she waited she'd cast a glance towards her more, not envying her her task. The kids really did get into quite the messes...though from what she can recall she has no room to judge on that front. She'd been worse when she was their age.
And the sobering thought came that she was glad they still had messy clothes to deal with...they'd lost quite a lot. Truth be told she still doesn't know the details of what happened. Lavanda had been so distraught that she hadn't wanted to push.
"Mom. Um. What exactly happened the other day?"
Buttons — 09/21/2023 7:01 PM
Namuunaa looks up to Miel, resting the garment in the water as she watches the girl. She has half a mind to play dumb and see if Miel means anything other than the obvious, but...
She knows her children, and how close they were. If she's asking, Lavanda was more distraught than she thought.
"Bataar and his friends took the opportunity of a lost lamb to sneak away from the herd they were watching. They encountered a small contingent of the Chaghan and were slain."
She sighs, putting the finished garment in her basket after wringing the excess water out. It could be hung back at camp to dry. "Your brother blames himself. As the overseer, he has taken the guilt of what happened personally."
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 7:34 PM
That made Miel still.
The Chaghan weren't exactly known for being amicable given how they openly welcome the Will of Karash but attacking children? That's shocking even to her. She hadn't realized a lot of the details, thought that it had been some wildlife but. But if the Karash were involved that put things in a very different light.
Children were children. Scampering off, getting into trouble and dumb situations...that's what they did. They were all taught how to deal with wildlife. The ones to watch out for, how to avoid provoking them. The human element was wholly different.
Her unintentional smile and cheery voice was at odds with what she said, more reflective of the disgust she felt. "Why kill children? What pride is there in that? What gain?" Yet even as she said the words Miel already knew good and well the wrong adults could do to children for no good reason. She knew that intimately well.
"That's not Van's fault. Any other clan at worst would have scared them." Even the arrogant Oronir wouldn't harm a child.
Buttons — 09/21/2023 7:42 PM
"You and I may feel that way, my dear, but Lavanda is taking this loss hard. Hard enough to feel like he's lost his place in the tribe." It did not help the situation that some of the parents, trapped in the throes of grief, agreed with him. "He ... needs space."
Namuunaa feels an immense sorrow at losing her son in such a way - it's almost worse that he isn't dead. Her mind traces to the worst thoughts, that Lavanda could wind up injured and dead somewhere and she would never know. Always be wondering if the next moon cycle would bring him back home.
It does not help that he's the last she has of Odtsetseg.
It does not help that she knows he would have done the same.
Shoving the thoughts away she grabs the basket of clothes and stands, looking to her daughter. "The Chaghan are monsters who surrendered their will to a beast. They are a lesson, dear, to never, ever fall so far, because the lines between conscionable and not become blurred and, sometimes ... like this time, they disappear."
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 8:08 PM
Her brother was an incredibly loving person which made him strong but that same trait made him hurt all the more. She wasn't remotely surprised that he would still take on that guilt and while she couldn't blame others for harsh words they might say from grief she was a touch overprotective of him and couldn't help but wish they'd realize this truth.
It's then that something clicks in her head of what her mother says.
"He needs his space"
Quickly she snaps an arm forward, spearing another fish and deposits it in the basket.
"That's not why he left, is it?" She had assumed this trip was something that he had planned for a long time and that it was just a genuine desire to see the rest of the world that had spurred it. Not. Not anything like this.
Buttons — 09/21/2023 8:10 PM
Namuunaa sighs. "I wish that wasn't the reason, dear, but ... he feels like he failed utterly, and needs to redeem himself." She walks along the edge of the river towards Miel's basket.
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 8:46 PM
She should have guessed. She should have figured out that was the reason and said something.
Not that she thinks she could have stopped him, and not that she thinks she should have. Lavanda has to come to understand his innocence on his own terms or he would never truly believed it but if she had known she. She would have said something more.
If that was his reason she would have insisted she come. To be by his side. To encourage him. To not just let that guilt compound more and more. Doubtless he will make friends and perhaps he would open up to them, but his telling of the story would always been skewed due to his guilt.
She sharply stabbed the spear again, catching another fish.
"He said he was going to Aldenard. Did he tell you where?"
Buttons — 09/21/2023 8:51 PM
She shakes her head. "No. Admittedly, he was quite distraught, and it took some effort to get him to even tell me he had a destination."
Her gaze travels over Miel, before she speaks again. "You cannot blame yourself for your brother's actions, dear."
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 9:41 PM
With one more stab she caught another and examined it. Hm. Big. She thinks that will do for now. She drops the last fish in to the basket and straps the spear to her back, picking the basket up with ease.
Aldenard, huh. She knew little of it other than the Calamity that had befallen it and even then that information was sparing. She also knew that Sharlayan was not too far from it but that was a place she preferred not to think of.
At the comment she look towards her mother curiosuly, wonder what had given that impression. Miel doesn't blame herself for her brother's decision. She just wishes she had said something more than some typical farewells and I'll miss yous.
Her mind was turning, calculating how many hours he had ahead of her, what would have been the clearest passage to the far off continent. Kugane, certainly.
"Well. I'm sure I can find him anyway."
Buttons — 09/21/2023 9:51 PM
Namuunaa sighs, a forlorn and exhausted sound. "Must you also leave here, dear?"
She toes the edge of the river, the hem of her robes already wet from the laundry work. "It is not your duty to find him, Honeybee." She shifts the basket on to her hip.
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 9:59 PM
Guilt gnawed at her when her mother spoke like that but she gave a small nod.
"I don't want him to be alone through all this. It's not because of any sense of obligation, just that I want to."
She loved him. It was as simple as that.
Buttons — 09/21/2023 10:03 PM
The woman shakes her head with a wry smile. "They do often say your children are want to leave the nest eventually." It doesn't mean she had to be happy about it.
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 10:28 PM
She supposes even here on the Steppes that's true. People married into other tribes. Some left for other lands. Some left for adventure. She supposes one thing at least no one had to worry about was having their children be forcibly drafted into Garlean factions...the Empire had left the Steppes alone.
For now.
"Don't worry. I'll keep in touch. And I'll make Lavanda do so too. And Reunion is never too far away. I'll come back from time to time."
After all, what much could happen? When she eventually finds Lavanda at most they'll just have to do the occasional adventuring to keep themselves sheltered and fed until Lavanda has found whatever insight he needs.
Buttons — 09/21/2023 10:35 PM
Namuunaa resists the urge to shake her head again. "Honeybee, you will be so busy on your adventure. I recognize that. You do not need to ... placate my emotions."
She turns to begin walking back to the camp. "But the thought is appreciated."
Space Coco — 09/23/2023 9:15 AM
Placate her emotions? Miel was about to comment that she's not the sort to do that but then she stops, considering.
Well. She supposes if there is one person she does that with, it is her mother.
She follows after her, deep in thought before asking. "Have you ever been to Aldenard? Or know anyone who has?"
Buttons — 09/23/2023 9:18 AM
"I have not. The Steppe is large enough, there has been no need." She walks up the hill towards the Kha encampment. "Mayhaps, should you go to market, you may find one. However, I believe the Garlean hold over Doma restricts the travel."
Arriving back at camp, she heads to the lines to hang the laundry to dry. Bataar's mother still had not gathered his robe from the line, and Namuunaa does not have the heart to remove it. She merely moves it down the line while she hangs the new garments.
"If you would begin preparing the fish, dear, I will only be a moment."
Space Coco — 09/23/2023 8:56 PM
As is often when with Namuunaa she can't help but feel she's done something wrong. Was going after Lavanda the right things to do? It felt like it to her. She wanted to be there to remind him how important he was, how loved he was, and that some things were just beyond any person's ability to prevent.
She feared that he'd never come back and that she would never see him again and if he wasn't here, she certainly didn't belong.
"Can do." She said brightly, pulling out her knife from her belt and finding a bucket to work over. She sets herself nearby so she can continue to talk.
Buttons — 09/23/2023 9:03 PM
It is not so much that Miel is doing something wrong - Namuunaa had feared when Lavanda left that her Honeybee would be soon to follow. But for a woman who's already lost so much, losing even more makes her ill.
Just because it was expected or anticipated doesn't mean she has to like it.
The last of the clothes is hung to dry, the basket placed by the pole, before she turns to begin helping her youngest prepare the fish for dinner.
Space Coco — 09/23/2023 9:36 PM
Miel was good when it came to deboning and skinning but any actual part of cooking? Everyone in the Kha clan knew to never assign her a task of that sort.
Ever.
"I'll miss your stew." She tried teasingly. It went without saying she'd miss a lot more than that, but another well known thing when it came to Miel and food is that she ate lots of it.
Buttons — 09/23/2023 9:44 PM
Namuunaa gives a small smile at that. "I would send you with the herbs, but I fear that all the time spent here did not improve your culinary skill so much as your deftness with the blade, Honeybee."
Space Coco — 09/23/2023 10:37 PM
Miel's not sure what it is about cooking that annoys her so. One would think that her good hand with alchemy would lend itself well to cooking but. Well. It simply was not so.
"One day." She said, though more in jest than anything. She was quite content to let the others do the cooking--and happy to be the first taste tester for any new concoction made.
When she finished she watched curiously to see how her mother would get continue with the preparations.
Buttons — 09/23/2023 10:40 PM
Namuunaa begins trimming the fillets to all be uniform size, before heading in to the main urt and the fire within. She seasons the fish lightly with various herbs from her ever-present pouch, before placing them on the flat stones about the fire to fry.
Space Coco — 09/23/2023 11:47 PM
Miel's tail began to wag behind her as she watched her mother cook, and as the fish began to fry that delicious scent filled the room and she felt her mouth watering.
"Is there anything else I can do?"
Buttons — 09/23/2023 11:48 PM
The woman looks over with a kind smile, the playful glimmer in her eye. "Are you trying to rob the clan of dinner, Miel?"
Space Coco — 09/24/2023 2:37 AM
Miel looks up at her, eyes shining in turn.
"Do you think they'll notice if I do?" She placed a finger to her lips
Buttons — 09/25/2023 12:03 PM
Namuunaa laughs, a sound so similar to her son's. "I think they'll sense it, my dear." She stands from where she had crouched to set the fish and begun stirring the light soup she had brewed to accompany the fish, before making her way to the storage basket and pulling free loaves from yesterday's baking.
Space Coco — 10/21/2023 7:30 AM
It made her so, so happy to hear that. She had done something right!
She goes to gather up some wooden bowels and spoons to set them near the spot so everyone could easily serve themselves.
She can't help but think of how pleasantly simple things were here and how eating was such a fun time for everyone to get together and enjoy one another's company.
There had been so many rules when she was a kid, so many dos and don'ts, specific ways you were supposed to eat this or that, who got what and when....then again while she learned those rules she almost never got the chance to apply them.
Meal times were always fun not just because of the food itself, bit the company.
Buttons — 10/23/2023 10:59 PM
Namuunaa prepares a few of the bowls ahead of time, setting them on a tray with one of the loaves. Fillets are added to the light soup, before the woman leaves the urt and heads to the one occupied by Bataar's family. Then she returns, and does the same again thrice more for three more families. Only once that is done does she make a bowl for herself, moving to sit off to the side to allow others to make their meal.
Space Coco — 10/26/2023 9:02 PM
Miel grabs a bowl and loaf for herself, moving to join her mother and trying her best not to scarf everything down at once. It was going to be one of the last meals from her mother she had, after all, and she has no doubt she'll be missing it dearly.
It wasn't the same one she had been greeted with when was she first brought to the Kha clan, but it was every bit as delicious, especially with the crunchy bread.
"It’s perfect like always." She said with a blissful sigh.
But Lavanda had gone, where exactly he hadn't said but the look in his eyes told her that he wouldn't be back for a long, long time. If that's what he wanted to do, however, then who was she to stop him? A part of her had wished he had asked her along for the thought of traveling was an exciting one, but that was his decision to make.
Which meant she was now with her mother. Miel was seventeen summers now making it nearly a decade since her brother had first found her and brought her back to the Kha clan and there was still a degree of awkwardness with which she regarded her mother.
Miel loved Namuunaa, of course. And she knew Namuunaa loved her in turn but...
Well. She wasn't really sure what it was. She knew she had once had a problem with a mother figure in life but that was a long time ago and she was well over it.
Completely over it.
"Got another one!" She exclaimed when the end of her spear struck true. She pulled it back to reveal a pierced fish still struggling in its death throes.
She had never gotten the hang of a bow and arrow---hitting something from a long distance was not in her skillset--but like this? She could help bring something in.
Buttons — 09/19/2023 6:38 PM
Namuunaa was in the shallows of the river, working through the wash that required a firmer touch than the younger of the tribe was able to handle. In truth, it probably could have been handled by one of the older members, but she liked having the work to do. Busy hands keep idle thoughts at bay, or so they say.
Idle thoughts that turn to her son, worried about where he'd gone. Worried if he was eating well, and sleeping safe.
She sighs, fighting one particular stain with practiced hand and deft fingers, scrubbing away at the mud. Sometimes she wonders if the children do it deliberately with the way such stains are set.
She looks up from where she had been working at Miel’s exclamation, smiling as she absently raised a hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. "Well done, dear." She looks over to the basket Miel had been depositing the fish, spotting that while there were many they were all of various sizes - hardly a problem when feeding a whole clan, but it never hurt to have a few extra large ones. "Retrieve a few more, and then we shall head back to the camp."
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 6:49 PM
Miel looks over to her mother, tail swaying happily and nodded. Her head turned towards the basket, quietly counting how many there were before nodding and deciding on an appropriate number more. She remained quite still---her previous catch had disrupted the waters so now she had to wait and see if anymore would return. As she waited she'd cast a glance towards her more, not envying her her task. The kids really did get into quite the messes...though from what she can recall she has no room to judge on that front. She'd been worse when she was their age.
And the sobering thought came that she was glad they still had messy clothes to deal with...they'd lost quite a lot. Truth be told she still doesn't know the details of what happened. Lavanda had been so distraught that she hadn't wanted to push.
"Mom. Um. What exactly happened the other day?"
Buttons — 09/21/2023 7:01 PM
Namuunaa looks up to Miel, resting the garment in the water as she watches the girl. She has half a mind to play dumb and see if Miel means anything other than the obvious, but...
She knows her children, and how close they were. If she's asking, Lavanda was more distraught than she thought.
"Bataar and his friends took the opportunity of a lost lamb to sneak away from the herd they were watching. They encountered a small contingent of the Chaghan and were slain."
She sighs, putting the finished garment in her basket after wringing the excess water out. It could be hung back at camp to dry. "Your brother blames himself. As the overseer, he has taken the guilt of what happened personally."
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 7:34 PM
That made Miel still.
The Chaghan weren't exactly known for being amicable given how they openly welcome the Will of Karash but attacking children? That's shocking even to her. She hadn't realized a lot of the details, thought that it had been some wildlife but. But if the Karash were involved that put things in a very different light.
Children were children. Scampering off, getting into trouble and dumb situations...that's what they did. They were all taught how to deal with wildlife. The ones to watch out for, how to avoid provoking them. The human element was wholly different.
Her unintentional smile and cheery voice was at odds with what she said, more reflective of the disgust she felt. "Why kill children? What pride is there in that? What gain?" Yet even as she said the words Miel already knew good and well the wrong adults could do to children for no good reason. She knew that intimately well.
"That's not Van's fault. Any other clan at worst would have scared them." Even the arrogant Oronir wouldn't harm a child.
Buttons — 09/21/2023 7:42 PM
"You and I may feel that way, my dear, but Lavanda is taking this loss hard. Hard enough to feel like he's lost his place in the tribe." It did not help the situation that some of the parents, trapped in the throes of grief, agreed with him. "He ... needs space."
Namuunaa feels an immense sorrow at losing her son in such a way - it's almost worse that he isn't dead. Her mind traces to the worst thoughts, that Lavanda could wind up injured and dead somewhere and she would never know. Always be wondering if the next moon cycle would bring him back home.
It does not help that he's the last she has of Odtsetseg.
It does not help that she knows he would have done the same.
Shoving the thoughts away she grabs the basket of clothes and stands, looking to her daughter. "The Chaghan are monsters who surrendered their will to a beast. They are a lesson, dear, to never, ever fall so far, because the lines between conscionable and not become blurred and, sometimes ... like this time, they disappear."
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 8:08 PM
Her brother was an incredibly loving person which made him strong but that same trait made him hurt all the more. She wasn't remotely surprised that he would still take on that guilt and while she couldn't blame others for harsh words they might say from grief she was a touch overprotective of him and couldn't help but wish they'd realize this truth.
It's then that something clicks in her head of what her mother says.
"He needs his space"
Quickly she snaps an arm forward, spearing another fish and deposits it in the basket.
"That's not why he left, is it?" She had assumed this trip was something that he had planned for a long time and that it was just a genuine desire to see the rest of the world that had spurred it. Not. Not anything like this.
Buttons — 09/21/2023 8:10 PM
Namuunaa sighs. "I wish that wasn't the reason, dear, but ... he feels like he failed utterly, and needs to redeem himself." She walks along the edge of the river towards Miel's basket.
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 8:46 PM
She should have guessed. She should have figured out that was the reason and said something.
Not that she thinks she could have stopped him, and not that she thinks she should have. Lavanda has to come to understand his innocence on his own terms or he would never truly believed it but if she had known she. She would have said something more.
If that was his reason she would have insisted she come. To be by his side. To encourage him. To not just let that guilt compound more and more. Doubtless he will make friends and perhaps he would open up to them, but his telling of the story would always been skewed due to his guilt.
She sharply stabbed the spear again, catching another fish.
"He said he was going to Aldenard. Did he tell you where?"
Buttons — 09/21/2023 8:51 PM
She shakes her head. "No. Admittedly, he was quite distraught, and it took some effort to get him to even tell me he had a destination."
Her gaze travels over Miel, before she speaks again. "You cannot blame yourself for your brother's actions, dear."
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 9:41 PM
With one more stab she caught another and examined it. Hm. Big. She thinks that will do for now. She drops the last fish in to the basket and straps the spear to her back, picking the basket up with ease.
Aldenard, huh. She knew little of it other than the Calamity that had befallen it and even then that information was sparing. She also knew that Sharlayan was not too far from it but that was a place she preferred not to think of.
At the comment she look towards her mother curiosuly, wonder what had given that impression. Miel doesn't blame herself for her brother's decision. She just wishes she had said something more than some typical farewells and I'll miss yous.
Her mind was turning, calculating how many hours he had ahead of her, what would have been the clearest passage to the far off continent. Kugane, certainly.
"Well. I'm sure I can find him anyway."
Buttons — 09/21/2023 9:51 PM
Namuunaa sighs, a forlorn and exhausted sound. "Must you also leave here, dear?"
She toes the edge of the river, the hem of her robes already wet from the laundry work. "It is not your duty to find him, Honeybee." She shifts the basket on to her hip.
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 9:59 PM
Guilt gnawed at her when her mother spoke like that but she gave a small nod.
"I don't want him to be alone through all this. It's not because of any sense of obligation, just that I want to."
She loved him. It was as simple as that.
Buttons — 09/21/2023 10:03 PM
The woman shakes her head with a wry smile. "They do often say your children are want to leave the nest eventually." It doesn't mean she had to be happy about it.
Space Coco — 09/21/2023 10:28 PM
She supposes even here on the Steppes that's true. People married into other tribes. Some left for other lands. Some left for adventure. She supposes one thing at least no one had to worry about was having their children be forcibly drafted into Garlean factions...the Empire had left the Steppes alone.
For now.
"Don't worry. I'll keep in touch. And I'll make Lavanda do so too. And Reunion is never too far away. I'll come back from time to time."
After all, what much could happen? When she eventually finds Lavanda at most they'll just have to do the occasional adventuring to keep themselves sheltered and fed until Lavanda has found whatever insight he needs.
Buttons — 09/21/2023 10:35 PM
Namuunaa resists the urge to shake her head again. "Honeybee, you will be so busy on your adventure. I recognize that. You do not need to ... placate my emotions."
She turns to begin walking back to the camp. "But the thought is appreciated."
Space Coco — 09/23/2023 9:15 AM
Placate her emotions? Miel was about to comment that she's not the sort to do that but then she stops, considering.
Well. She supposes if there is one person she does that with, it is her mother.
She follows after her, deep in thought before asking. "Have you ever been to Aldenard? Or know anyone who has?"
Buttons — 09/23/2023 9:18 AM
"I have not. The Steppe is large enough, there has been no need." She walks up the hill towards the Kha encampment. "Mayhaps, should you go to market, you may find one. However, I believe the Garlean hold over Doma restricts the travel."
Arriving back at camp, she heads to the lines to hang the laundry to dry. Bataar's mother still had not gathered his robe from the line, and Namuunaa does not have the heart to remove it. She merely moves it down the line while she hangs the new garments.
"If you would begin preparing the fish, dear, I will only be a moment."
Space Coco — 09/23/2023 8:56 PM
As is often when with Namuunaa she can't help but feel she's done something wrong. Was going after Lavanda the right things to do? It felt like it to her. She wanted to be there to remind him how important he was, how loved he was, and that some things were just beyond any person's ability to prevent.
She feared that he'd never come back and that she would never see him again and if he wasn't here, she certainly didn't belong.
"Can do." She said brightly, pulling out her knife from her belt and finding a bucket to work over. She sets herself nearby so she can continue to talk.
Buttons — 09/23/2023 9:03 PM
It is not so much that Miel is doing something wrong - Namuunaa had feared when Lavanda left that her Honeybee would be soon to follow. But for a woman who's already lost so much, losing even more makes her ill.
Just because it was expected or anticipated doesn't mean she has to like it.
The last of the clothes is hung to dry, the basket placed by the pole, before she turns to begin helping her youngest prepare the fish for dinner.
Space Coco — 09/23/2023 9:36 PM
Miel was good when it came to deboning and skinning but any actual part of cooking? Everyone in the Kha clan knew to never assign her a task of that sort.
Ever.
"I'll miss your stew." She tried teasingly. It went without saying she'd miss a lot more than that, but another well known thing when it came to Miel and food is that she ate lots of it.
Buttons — 09/23/2023 9:44 PM
Namuunaa gives a small smile at that. "I would send you with the herbs, but I fear that all the time spent here did not improve your culinary skill so much as your deftness with the blade, Honeybee."
Space Coco — 09/23/2023 10:37 PM
Miel's not sure what it is about cooking that annoys her so. One would think that her good hand with alchemy would lend itself well to cooking but. Well. It simply was not so.
"One day." She said, though more in jest than anything. She was quite content to let the others do the cooking--and happy to be the first taste tester for any new concoction made.
When she finished she watched curiously to see how her mother would get continue with the preparations.
Buttons — 09/23/2023 10:40 PM
Namuunaa begins trimming the fillets to all be uniform size, before heading in to the main urt and the fire within. She seasons the fish lightly with various herbs from her ever-present pouch, before placing them on the flat stones about the fire to fry.
Space Coco — 09/23/2023 11:47 PM
Miel's tail began to wag behind her as she watched her mother cook, and as the fish began to fry that delicious scent filled the room and she felt her mouth watering.
"Is there anything else I can do?"
Buttons — 09/23/2023 11:48 PM
The woman looks over with a kind smile, the playful glimmer in her eye. "Are you trying to rob the clan of dinner, Miel?"
Space Coco — 09/24/2023 2:37 AM
Miel looks up at her, eyes shining in turn.
"Do you think they'll notice if I do?" She placed a finger to her lips
Buttons — 09/25/2023 12:03 PM
Namuunaa laughs, a sound so similar to her son's. "I think they'll sense it, my dear." She stands from where she had crouched to set the fish and begun stirring the light soup she had brewed to accompany the fish, before making her way to the storage basket and pulling free loaves from yesterday's baking.
Space Coco — 10/21/2023 7:30 AM
It made her so, so happy to hear that. She had done something right!
She goes to gather up some wooden bowels and spoons to set them near the spot so everyone could easily serve themselves.
She can't help but think of how pleasantly simple things were here and how eating was such a fun time for everyone to get together and enjoy one another's company.
There had been so many rules when she was a kid, so many dos and don'ts, specific ways you were supposed to eat this or that, who got what and when....then again while she learned those rules she almost never got the chance to apply them.
Meal times were always fun not just because of the food itself, bit the company.
Buttons — 10/23/2023 10:59 PM
Namuunaa prepares a few of the bowls ahead of time, setting them on a tray with one of the loaves. Fillets are added to the light soup, before the woman leaves the urt and heads to the one occupied by Bataar's family. Then she returns, and does the same again thrice more for three more families. Only once that is done does she make a bowl for herself, moving to sit off to the side to allow others to make their meal.
Space Coco — 10/26/2023 9:02 PM
Miel grabs a bowl and loaf for herself, moving to join her mother and trying her best not to scarf everything down at once. It was going to be one of the last meals from her mother she had, after all, and she has no doubt she'll be missing it dearly.
It wasn't the same one she had been greeted with when was she first brought to the Kha clan, but it was every bit as delicious, especially with the crunchy bread.
"It’s perfect like always." She said with a blissful sigh.