Tales of Symphonia RP

"I see. Thank you, Mildred, I can take it from here."

Janus stared down at what he was being shown.
Coffee beans, yet to be ground. This could take a little while.

"I'm going to need a Mortar and Pestle, hot water, and a strainer. And perhaps some cream and sugar if you have any."

Mildred: *glare at Janus and chuckle* Of course. I am surprised you're not letting "woman" do "her job". *smile* Positively, of course. *look around* Right. *hurry to get cream and sugar, grab mortar, pestle and strainer* Aaaan, hot water... *think a bit and grab teapot* This will do. *stand by Janus watching* Show me the magic then, mercenary. *hesitate and then glare at him with charming puppy eyes and her ears dropped down a bit* Um...is it much of a trouble for you to...to make me some coffee too? Please. *make ridiculously wide grin*

Janus only chuckled. "Your job? Nonsense. Both genders are perfectly capable of doing almost anything the other can. I say almost, because, well... There's that one thing... With the... Er, you know..."

The sell-sword loudly cleared his throat, a slight tinge of red creeping onto his face as he struggled with words.
"Right, then!" He said, changing the subject by grabbing a handful of coffee beans, crushing them with the mortar and pestle. "First, you grind the beans into a powder, either coarse or fine. That much is obvious."

"Oh, and while I'm at it... Could you grab a large measuring cup? A heat-proof bowl or pitcher will work, too."

Mildred: *think for a second* That one...thing... *jerk realising* OH! That thing... *scratch her head awkwardly and blush harder than Janus* Right! Hehe...understandable and...stuff... *sigh getting grip on herself* What was it that you needed again? *interrupt before Janus answered* Don't tell me. Gotta practice my memory. Hm... *remember* Measuring! Right. *open the counter just above her head and drag out a measuring cup and another bowl* Here, we have these two...among all that stuff...I don't even know why she holds so many things... *stretch fast in a second all other dishes leaned out of the counter, pushing it back in and closing the door with a sigh of relief* O...k then! We are NOT opening that one again. *chuckle*

"That cannot be healthy." Janus remarked upon seeing Mildred nearly having a large amount of dishes crash on top of her. Or at least fall out.
"Even if you survived the assault, I'm quite sure Eldrid would kill you if those broke."

Setting down the mortar and pestle, he then snatched a spoon, and used that to put a few spoonfuls of the now ground-up beans into the measuring cup.
Afterward, he took the tea kettle and poured a healthy amount of hot water on top of the grinds.

"Now we just have to let it steep for a few minutes, stir, then wait a few more minutes. You'll have to wait even longer if you want it stronger."

"While we're waiting, though... I thought I understood that Elves and Dwarves had a sort of enmity towards each other. Did I miss something? Why would two of them go within ten feet of Eldrid? Or is the Elves versus Dwarves thing I've hear of just a myth?"

Mildred: *laugh at Janus referring to stacked dishes* Yeap, you're probably right. Gotta stay away from kitchen as much as I can. *stick the tongue out playfully* That will be my new excuse. "Life endangering stack of dishes". It might just work. *think about how skilful that coffee making Janus did, turned out, trying to memorise everything, until he asked her a question* Oh? *think about an answer* How should I put this... *think and nod* Alright I think I got it. *explain* As far as I know, Elves and Dwarves never were in an actual war, so they probably don't hate each other that much. However, Yes they don't really appreciate living on the same land. Since Elves prefer nature, agriculture and art as you might now, they're pretty much disgusted by Dwarves. They're not much of a "beauty queen" material. *chuckle*. More because Dwarves mine and make their settlements wherever they manage to, not really giving a damn about trees and soil. *shrug* So it's a more or less cultural intolerance. *nod* And as for Eldrid, she's not their fan either. I remember first days when I got here that she told me it was a "Dwarf free" zone, and that her plants might succeed in growth for a change. But, considering all that humans do now, and her own village that she thought she could trust, and adding up her sense of justice... You get what you see. She helps those two because if they get back their belongings they will stop bothering the nearby Elf village. Plus considering their brute nature and stup... *cough* Sorry it's "lack of common sense", they're pretty much expendable with no consequences. By infiltrating Desian's camp, they will do mutual good to them and to us. *smile* She even allowed you into the cottage. And she would NEVER do that if you haven't agreed on helping her get Shin out. *nod* So, this mutual enemy got all of us together for now and there is no point in ruining the alliance when none of us is any good against the enemy on it's own. *clap hands happily* Man I am smart. *laugh* Oh! Uh... By the way. As for the way I treated you. Well... I was rude and all. And you're Eldrid's guest. I just have a bad experience, that's all. But Eldrid's judgement is always precise so... *bow down in a bit of a clumsy manner and scratch head* I am no good at this so...yeah...sorry bout that. *punch his shoulder playfully* You're pretty awesome.

Eldrid: *chuckle insecurely and blush almost to faintly to be noticed as Shin clasped her hands* Yes well, I am glad to hear that. I was hoping I can do at least that since you have been through so much. *nod smiling* And yes, I slept pretty well too. *remember* Oh my, I almost forgot. *gently pull hands back not in a refusing matter but to reach for something in her pocket* I made something for you and Janus. *take out two simple necklaces with round wooden pendants* It's not much, but it will do you good on the road. *put them in Shins hand and close it grinning* It's like a charm. I made it so you two are able to cope with any problem you encounter. *think* I am not really sure what any of them do since they all act differently depending on person wearing them and situation they're in. Feeling that are in charge, to be precise. But they act like some kinds of boosts. Sometimes they can even become a mediator that transfer feelings into powers. All depends on you. *nod and smile* And only few Elves knows how to make these so please, do not tell where you get these from. It is just for special people and I can't tell you how I made them. *chuckle* Sorry.

"Question. Why don't the dwarves make their settlements in the mountains, or even underground? That would cause far less trouble, and they'd probably feel right at home, with their reputation of being miners and craftsmen. It's entirely possible, as long as they don't go too far down and unleash some eldritch abomination, anyway. I'll have to ask that the next time a see one."

Janus lightly stirred the water in the measuring cup, the water turning into what was obviously, well, coffee.
The mercenary politely asked no more questions after his first, only speaking when punched in the shoulder and being called awesome.

"I am, aren't I?" He said jokingly, smiling pleasantly.

He then took a quick look at the coffee he was brewing.
"Grab a couple mugs. It's done. Oh, and try not to let the dishes kill you, that would be embarrassing."

Mildred: *think about question* Yes that would work I assume. But with all this mutual enemy thing...their tiny brains might realised they need help no matter how weird that sounded. *shrug* Aye, to be honest, real deal about this cooperation and their side of the story is quite unfamiliar to me. Or maybe they're just too stubborn to give up their land and move. *she then raised eyebrow jokingly referring to his answer* Wow, and modest as well. What a guy. *about the dishes* Pfft, please. I learn on my mistakes. Besides, it takes more than a bunch of dishes to get rid of this girl. *reach towards another counter* Alright. One, Two...Three! *open counter with the incredible speed and grab mugs shutting it again and sigh in relief* Yep, see? No harm done. *chuckle almost dropping one of the cups but manage to grab it again and put it in front of Janus* Yes, you take these, they hate me. *smell the coffee twitching her nose* Mhm, wow it never smelled this good.

Eldrid: *chuckle* Well, if this madness continues...we might meet again. *smile* Nowhere is too far away if needed to be reached. *think a bit and frown lightly* I hope I'll get some informations from my work colleague today. She was at General's party yesterday. Maybe he was too foolish to brag about things he shouldn't have. *nod* I might figure out what is he planning next and do something to prevent it or force him to delay. That way you'll be safe as well.

Without any more words, Janus took one of the mugs, placed the strainer over it, and poured the coffee.
"Always remember the strainer when you do this. You don't want the grinds in your drink."
The purpose of the strainer was made instantly apparent, preventing coffee grinds from getting into the cup.

"Now add cream and sugar as you see fit."
He pushed the mug towards Mildred, and soon began pouring his own cup.

"You were writing this all down, weren't you?"
The swordsman asked.

Mildred: *smell the coffee and nod* Yes, this is amazing. And no, I like it bitter. *shrug* I have no idea why. I usually like sweet things, but coffee is exception. *drink a bit hissing and moving it away quickly* Ouch. Hot! *stick tongue out and cool it with her hand in her funny manner* Owh... *look up at Janus talking with her tongue partially sticking out* Wrofe if dofn? Pfese, my memofy if fine.

Eldrid: *nod smiling and look back at Shin* Hey, no big deal. I just...I'm glad I was able to help. That's all. *shrug and chuckle insecurely* Hope I could have done more but...glad it wasn't necessary.

Eldrid: *proceed to reply, but get confused by Shin's action* I...I...uh... It was...nothing... *breathe in blushing hard* I...I would do it again...if...if needed... *proceed to get up and hopefully run away when her thoughts went bonkers* HOLD IT MISSY! ...What? ...Are you serious? You do realise he will be long gone when you get back. ...Exactly. I don't want to... ...What is there to loose? *smile insecurely and sit back down* Y-you know uh... this was completely against my policy but... *hesitate* Funny thin is... I don't... I don't even care any more. *turn fast and press lips against Shin's before changing mind. Pull away blushing like a giant tomato* S-sorry. *scratch head realising that it might not be what he wanted* You confused me so... I didn't know how else to respond but to... sorry.

Eldrid: *smile still confused but somehow glad* But...how can I? I have Mildred to take care of and a job...I... *sigh* I would love to, Shin. But...as if it is even possible. *lower down ears feeling a bit sad*

"Careful, it's hot." Janus said in a monotone way as he added sugar to his coffee, far too late to be a real warning for the unfortunate elf.
"Then why did you burn your tongue?" He asked when Mildred claimed her memory was fine, taking a careful sip from his own mug.