Open Complete Lake Horatio Tides and Tales

[Zera Leigh]

Zera took another long draft of his drink as they talked, savoring the taste. It had been a while since he had a good mead. There were a few taverns that he'd stumbled upon while traveling that provided mead and he'd developed a taste for it. Most of what he drank in university was cheap beer at parties. This was worlds better than that mess. He set the mug down and grinned, maybe he should take up beekeping. Mead was made from honey, right?

He glanced over at Lord Trevor who was giving his blessings to Magnolia to go traveling when he had finished his business. Magnolia, in turn, extended the offer from just Yume to himself. He blinked a few times, surprised at the offer to be quite honest. It was kind of her, but what would that accomplish besides having some good company on the road. He wasn't opposed, of course, but he wasn't important enough to demand a skilled ally like Magnolia. She could do a lot of good for the world.

He harumphed when Magnolia turned the subject back to the books and rubbed his nose to hide the blush on his face.

"W-well it's certainly got it's high points, yes! Ha ha ha! Oh don't be so bashful Mary! Nothing wrong with enjoying such warm things!"

He cleared his throat and glanced at Yume when she started to stutter and nearly burst into laughter but thought better of it. It felt wrong to tease her about breaking her stoic composure in front of others. He looked back down at the mug and took another long drink, letting the alchohol warm his muscles. He was a bit too... big... to get drunk or even buzzed on this much, but the warmth was welcome. It fascinated him that the body made large by the character creation glitch had an alchohol tolerance to match it.

He paused when something struck him that he hadn't immediately grabbed on to in the conversation. He planted a hand on the table and leaned towards the reserved Lord, raising an eyebrow.

"Magnolia said you owned those books, didn't she just now? Hoho? Do you happen to have a favorite romance story, my Lord?"

He grinned, eager to see if he'd finally found a soft spot in the rigid man's armor.

@Magnolia @Midnight Dreams

 

[Magnolia]

Seeming that their future adventure was settled, Magnolia nodded at Yume, with Trevor returning with a simple handwave that mentioned that was 'no big deal', while the maid turned to look at Yume, curious about what sort of adventure she had planned in her mind, but not helping but to notice the sheepishness the woman showed regarding romance books... The same sentiment seemed to follow to Zera, albeit he seemed to mask it by pushing it at Mary.

"Huh?! O-Oh, no, Zera. You are misunderstanding, I'm not feeling embarrassed or anything! Boss just likes to say things in the most inappropriate times, that is all that it is."

Glancing at both of the starcalled, Magnolia added: "Madam Yume, sir Zera, I do think there is nothing better than a nice story, regardless of the genre... But romances are one of my favorites, probably because they work really well with other genres... Such as comedy, drama, or even adventure." Magnolia gave her opinion openly, in an attempt to calm them down, even if at the cost of her own sheepishness, that she strongly fought against in the depths of her mind.

Along with her words, Trevor soon answered Zera's question.

"I personally am fond of romance books with bitter or bittersweet endings. Romance drama, one would say... I find them thrilling, the intensity of emotions of the protagonists as their feelings face the inorexable and harsh reality... While some fall in despair for it, yet others are strong enough to make the best out of the worst situation."

@MayoYume @Zera Leigh

 

[MayoYume]

100 / 100

Astramancy

Yume remained silent as the group discussed the genre, not having much to input herself. She'd rarely read anything as risqué as romance based novellas, let alone full fledged romance books themselves. Instead, she kept her eyes downcast on her food, minding her own business as the others engaged. She listened, with careful consideration, to each other their points. It wasn't that she was against the genre by any means - in fact, she assumed that it was an enjoyable read, considering the engagement and enthusiasm of each of those involved in the conversation - so much as she'd never had the desire to truly sit down and read through one of the pieces.

It's funny...that each of you shares such a distinct love of the same genre.

She giggled at the thought, before realising how it may have sounded. She'd meant it all in good humour, in a kind way - and yet to her ears it had sounded almost condescending.

It is always so nice to be able to come together and enjoy something as one...Kyōyū suru...to share one thing, that you all enjoy equally - and yet differently. It is wonderful, truly.

She glanced around the table, hoping that she hadn't offended anyone by her misspoken words originally. She had tried to clear it up, at least slightly, but knew that sometimes the first impression was the one that lasted - a reminder from her father, which had lasted well into her adult years.

@Zera Leigh | @Magnolia​

 

[Zera Leigh]

Zera leaned on the table and listened, his smile growing wider and his shoulders relaxing even more. How long had it been since he'd had good company? He couldn't enjoy anything like this back on earth. The thought took him by surprise. He had been forced to come to this place and had been trapped by the faulty technology that brought him here. But now a small kernel in his heart made him wonder if he ever wanted to leave in the first place. He surreptitiously called up his menu with a thought and the glitched text and broken buttons came into view.

He dismissed it with another thought and gave the bashful mary a playful smile before immediately being drawn over to Magnolia as she chimed in. He chortled out a laugh and nodded.

"Agreed! I'm partial to an adventure story myself!"

He raised an eyebrow at Trevor's stoic response, grinning at him broadly;

"WA HA HA! Little Brother Trevor is so refined! Of course you'd like those kinds of stories! I should have known!"

His jolly laugh eased a bit as Yume spoke up next and he relaxed, turning to look in her direction. He nodded slowly, agreeing wholeheartedly with her point. It was a true blessing to be able to share a love for something with someone else. No matter how small. He glanced down at his drained mug and played with it with a massive finger, thumbing the handle. A bit of shyness overtaking him before he forced himself to speak. His usual boisterous tone lost to the easing of his chest.

"You couldn't be more right, Miss Yume. A connection is such a precious thing, rare like treasure. In such a big, scary world, to meet people who you can see eye to eye with. Even with such a..."

He hesitated and inclined his head.

"Frightening appearance, thank you for welcoming me to your table, my friends, new and otherwise."

@Magnolia @MayoYume

 

[Magnolia]

Magnolia's eyes turned to Yume, nodding. "You are right, madam Yume. To enjoy the difference and to cheerish it, to embrace it as something positive rather than negative. If we were all the same, how would we be able to enjoy each other, if everyone was the same, we wouldn't be able to... Bond... I think." Perhaps it was a bit presumptious

"Little Brother..? Hah. Well, I suppose you are larger than me, but size doesn't frighten me, Zera. You shouldn't worry about that."

Magnolia peered at the man's expressions, pausing for a moment before giving her own opinion: "Sir Zera, I must tell you that the most abominable and terrifying creatures I've met had the most docile faces..." She admitted, with a hint of bitterness prickling her nearly unmoving expressions. "... You may have a volatile behavior, sir Zera, and even if you think your appearance is frightening, I must let you know that I feel safer having someone as kindhearted as you around... This contrast is just part of your charm, and what it matters, is just how you use it." Magnolia said, genuinely.

"No, I mean, he does looks scary as fu- Mmmph?!"

A fork with food was thrusted into Mary's mouth, and Lala wrapped her free arm around the girl's shoulder, forcing the girl still while she struggled with the food and fork being shoved into her throat.

"Hahahaha, Mary~ Scary as a funny teddy bear, right~? Sure he is!"

Then, she released the girl, who swallowed the food and gasped after nearly choking.

Magnolia shook her head, letting out a brief sigh before turning to Yume again. "I must tell you as well, madam Yume. I expected you to like romantic books a bit more, seeing how poetic you sound, sometimes."

@MayoYume @Zera Leigh

 

[MayoYume]

100 / 100

Astramancy

Yume tilted her head to the left, eyeing the maid for a few seconds as she tried to register the words. It wasn't that she had misunderstood them, by any means, simply that they seemed...out of place. The last thing that she would have classified herself as, was someone who spoke poetically.

I...tend to find myself more engaged in novellas and pieces that...hold a much more applicable tone. Musical pieces, usually, or perhaps something for games - erm...guides, so to speak. Things that explain how one should do something, or how to follow the path of what requires completion and creation...

She stopped herself as she realised that she was slowly beginning to no longer make any sense. She thought back to the books that she had commonly read, over the many years. A lot of them were focused on video games and guitars, learning to properly cord and strum, guides on how to beat certain levels within the most popular of games. Not the common, relaxation pieces that so many seemed to enjoy.

Perhaps it's not what we enjoy...so much as the ability to come together and enjoy it as one? Such as when a neko and a inu enjoy the heat of the sun...perhaps they don't always see eye to eye, on every little thing...but they can, in the moment, agree that it is warm and relaxing.

She smiled at Magnolia, hoping that her point made sense. She wasn't entirely sure how else to describe it, or make her feelings make any more sense to them than they did to her. All she knew, was that in the moment, she was enjoying their time together.

As Zera mentioned his thanks for being included, Yume threw a smile at him and held up her left hand, the first two fingers held up in a typical 'V' symbolism.

How could we exclude anyone of such Shinchō? You are always welcome at a table, with me.

@Zera Leigh | @Magnolia​

 

[Zera Leigh]

Zera's head shrank a little at the kind words, a dopey smile crossing his features. He was so caught up that he didn't catch what Mary said, fortunately. The tips of his ears and his cheeks darkened with warmth as he rubbed his thumbs together in his lap, feeling small, which felt nice in its own way. It was so strange and wonderful being around people who were so honest and open in their own ways. Sure they all had their own burdens to carry and thoughts that they kept to themselves.

Trevor was so stoic and firm, he was sharp with his words but he concealed a lot too. It wasn't hard for Zera to see through it, though he couldn't tell exactly what the burden the man was carrying was. The hostesses were living their lives as well as one could expect. They'd been kind to him when he'd arrived, though they hadn't shied away from accepting his money, he knew they had more heart than simple businesspeople. Magnolia was even more blunt than her master, though she was cold in a lot of ways too that made Zera uneasy. He had at first thought that he was afraid of her, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized that he was afraid for her.

Why did she feel like she was so absent, despite being right there? He glanced up at her and gave her a thoughtful look before glancing over at Yume and grinned at her little victory sign. Yume was genuine and sincere, it really felt like she spoke her mind without any modicum of reservation. Though there were a few times it seemed like she regretted her own honest opinion and wanted to embellish it to cover up some kind of embarassment.

Such a diverse group and all so welcoming. He gave them each a bright smile.

"Thank you."

@MayoYume @Magnolia

 

[Magnolia]

Magnolia's attention slowly turned to Yume, listening and nodding to her elaborating a bit more about her literature taste... And with music too, Magnolia couldn't help but look at the girl with a brief raising eyebrows, in the faintest hint of surprise. "Music sheets. So you are a musician? That sounds lovely, madam Yume." She said, then pondering a bit about the analogy Yume brought up, getting her to think deeply.

"That does make sense, madam." Magnolia said, nodding once. "As long as they ignore how different they are on outside, they will understand how similar they are in the inside." She concluded, adding to Yume's words before turning to look at Zera.

It seemed like the acceptance of the group had warmed the man up and made him put a truthful smile on his face once again, which was almost enough to make the maid show a smile of her own, almost, because that was no longer a possibility.

The lack of it was, however, compensated by the warmth of the smiles of the other three cheerful girls and the dignified man, though, all of them were already done with their foods.

"The conversation has been wonderful, but I'm afraid I must leave to my room." He said.

"A-AH! Right, the rooms... We need to get them ready-"

"You still didn't do it?!"

"Erhm..."

"God, Mary... I'm going to--"

"Do not worry about it. I may take care of my own room." He was firm about it. "I'm in a hurry, tomorrow will be a long day, and a rest will be necessary... I do recommend all of you to have a good rest soon as well." Trevor adviced, standing and casting one last glance at Magnolia before leaving.

Magnolia stood from her seat, bowing to her master before wishing- "Have a good rest, master."

"I am going to get those rooms ready..."

"I will as well, Mary... If any of you are in a hurry, let us know. Otherwise, I will warn you as soon as we are done!"

@MayoYume @Zera Leigh

 

[MayoYume]

100 / 100

Astramancy

Yume stood and gave a short bow as Trevor left the table, following through with a pleasant statement departure. She was just about to offer to assist with the rooms - specifically her own - when she realised that it would be rude to do such a thing towards their hosts. Instead, she settled back at the table, before realising just how long she had been in the game.

I guess I should probably retire for the night shortly as well...it seems that time has slipped away from me a bit, watashi no machigai.

She was about to leave the table, when she stopped herself, realising that she probably had a bit more time before she needed to truly log out for the eve. Besides, if she was being honest with herself - she was enjoying the company, and wasn't quite ready to leave it all behind just yet.

I guess...I'll wait until the rooms are done, at least? It would be rude to leave just yet - right?

She smiled at Zera and Magnolia, before settling herself back into the seat in earnest. If she was being entirely truthful, she just wasn't ready to leave this world, these people, just yet. She'd enjoyed the time spent talking with them, being someone other than who she was...it was invigorating, in its own way, and Yume didn't want it to end if she could help it.

@Zera Leigh | @Magnolia | [Should we end around here? Time skip? What would you guys like to do?]​

 

[Zera Leigh]

Zera laughed as Mary and Lala bickered, feeling the strange sense of exhaustion wash over him as the evening finally wound down. It was time to rest for certain. He'd been camping outside the lodge for several days now and it would be nice to sleep in a proper bed. When the ladies moved to go up and set up the rooms for the other two guests he waved a hand at them and offered an easy smile. He'd already told them before he'd gone camping that he would take responsibility for the room he'd rented.

Instead, he contented himself with remaining while the others began to mill about, glancing over at Yume as she got up and sat back down. He didn't need to say anything anymore, instead he just enjoyed the atmosphere. His mind wandered after that, to the things he needed to do. He still needed to find land for the bandits he'd 'gently encouraged to repent' so that they could do something more productive with their lives.

His thoughts drifted from there to the immediate future. He could stay on with the lodge for another day or two if needed, but it was really about time he moved on. Maybe he could offer to help Trevor's caravan? It didn't seem like a bad idea, though he only hoped that he wasn't dragged into playing guard again. He really hated violence.

He yawned, rubbing the side of his head and sinking deeper into the atmosphere. For now, at least, he would enjoy it while it lasted.

@Magnolia @MayoYume (suppose that's that~)