[Open] The Mapo Tofu affair

[showsnopiety]

Who: Everyone! If you can smell it, you can find it!
When: 6/8-610
Where: Hall of Glory Parlour in Caissa
What: Caren found out she can make mapo tofu and is sharing with everyone. Heaven help us all.
Rating: So far none but will change when things happen.





THe Halls of Glory smell a little different today. Instead of the usual fare that the others might know from the weekly menu, there's a different scent. Something that may remind heroes of Airy, Ma Jiang dishes, or maybe, more simply, of home.

This was the result of Caren's cooking and some hunting on her part. And the results may be quite appealing. There are pots of rice, still steaming, and various bowls filled with the result known as mapo tofu. Some of them are spicer then others, and she hasn't seen fit to label which are very spicy, and which are quite mild. The only thing she has labelled, with a rim of green around the bowls, are the vegan variations, for those who can't, or do not, eat meat or meat by products.

Consider it a game of spice roulette. Because there are other bowls as well, with crushed cucumber-hot pepper salad, spicy tofu, and something that has spewed spinach and garlicy noodles within. But hey! You may be able to cool off with one of the pots of tea around the place-or with one of the rare tubs of ice cream of various flavors, kept chilled with an icy spell.

The cutlery and bowls are disposable, and there are trashbags to clean up after yourself. She's not going to do it for you!

But hey. Who can say no to free food?

Comments

[soulshift]

[ Irisviel nods. Saber was her Knight, her brilliant shining knight in a world of dark. It makes her smile, despite everything. ]

Perhaps. But I am not familiar with you as a Servant, sadly... I apologise. Have you fought with Saber in another war?

[hiryugaeshi]

It would be odder if you were. I'm but a lone swordsman from some Far East nation after all. [ Sasaki Kojirou was most well-known as Musashi's rival, but the Servant here is not even that. He's just some guy who ended up being able to replicate the legendary, and entirely non-existent, Kojirou's technique. How could anyone possibly know about him? ]

I did. I fought against her, and she killed me. It seems my technique couldn't overcome her holy sword.

[ He doesn't bear Saber any animosity for his loss, of course. In fact, he looks back on their encounter fondly. Saber was the only one of his opponents to engage him fairly, and met him head-on with the proper pride and respect on both sides. ]

[soulshift]

Kiritsugu taught me some of Japan's customs. Though not a lot, I suppose.

[ She vaguely knows of samurai and swordsmen, of the kinds of techniques they practised. Plus she had a vague familiarity with some of the legends of the Heroic Spirits in the Throne of Heroes, but her knowledge is mostly European. ]

But you must have been a skilled swordsman to fight against Saber in a duel. She must have enjoyed it as much as you did.

[ Saber was just that kind of person, judging from her and Diarmuid. She enjoyed battles of honour and skill and from the way this Assassin talked, it seemed like he was the same. ]

[hiryugaeshi]

I suppose I was skilled, but skill was about the only thing I possessed. In strength and spirit, Saber far eclipsed me. I found that most attractive.

[ There is no questioning Assassin's skill, but a nameless spirit like himself can afford to give judge himself impartially. He could hold off Saber, but he could not beat her. Not in the time he had. ]

As for whether she enjoyed it, you'll have to ask her. I was slain before I got the chance for any confirmation after all. But I hope she did.

[soulshift]

When I knew her, Saber wished to fight honourably against a man who valued honour, pride and a warrior's spirit. The circumstances of the Holy Grail War meant that it was not meant to pass that way, but in the brief moment they clashed, she enjoyed herself.

[ says Irisviel, relaying this story with a fair bit of pride. It's very clear that she holds deep affections for Saber and that this man would have shown her the same honour. ]

I am sure it is the same with you. I can say that with certainty.

[hiryugaeshi]

"Honour, pride, and a warrior's spirit" huh? [ Kojirou chuckles inwardly. It would seem like that from the outside, and he certainly took advantage of Saber's knightly pride. ]

I just want to swing this sword around. A fair contest just happens to be the best way to test my own limits.