⚔ // stress in solitude

[discutio]

[Once Saturn had left, Ignis took a slow breath to steady himself before standing and speaking again.]

I think we have a fair amount of things to discuss, after that. But we'll also need to rest and recover here; We may be able to take it at Saturn's word that he won't alert Cyrus to us, but overstaying our welcome by more than a couple of days is unwise--that means we need to take advantage of this as much as we can.

[Strategy was easier. The words came naturally, and he was able to hold focus.]

If anyone needs me or wishes to assist, I'll be in the kitchen. I'm aware we just ate, but I presume we'll all be more comfortable if one of our own makes breakfast in the morning.

Comments

[discutio]

[Ignis had turned on his heel and left to find the kitchen immediately after speaking up, Hemera and Sonantis a step ahead of their trainer as usual. And true to his word that's exactly where he'd be; either carefully working out where everything was, or perhaps cutting vegetables a little harder than necessary.]

[ventulus]

[ He peeks into the kitchen. ]

You said you wouldn't mind some help?

[ Regardless of whether he will be of actual help or not, he does know the basics at least. ]

[anythingforyou]

[It takes a bit for Camilla to properly follow, really--this entire situation was dreadful, utterly dreadful, and the kitchen...it honestly does sound like a far better way to work out the stress than anything she might have in mind.

So, here, have a knock on the door, Ignis.]

Ignis, would you be opposed if I assisted you?

[discutio]

I...no, I'd not mind at all.

[In a sharp contrast, he sounded distracted now, focused largely on what he was doing--right now, running his hand along cabinet shelves to determine what ingredients he was working with.]

[discutio]

Of course not, Camilla--I'd appreciate it, getting used to an unfamiliar kitchen takes time.

[perfectselfie]

I'll leave the kitchen things to you, but I'm going to work on getting some decorations ready. I'll feel better if I'm fiddling with those, honestly.

[discutio]

That...actually sounds charming. I suppose we may as well, I imagine the place could use a bit more life to it.

[anythingforyou]

Well, I'll do what I can, then.

[Camilla's steps are definitely a little harder than she'd like, but the tone she keeps is kind enough; her anger isn't directed at Ignis, at the very least.]

Where shall I begin? ...I don't suppose you need anything else cut, do you?

[she. she might be asking for a reason]

[hyruglyphics]

[ So Zelda has three major things she's doing here over the course of the night and the next day. She did kinda... you know, be herself all over that dinner meeting there, so you can confront her if you want at any of these points! First things first though,

1) Going to the kitchen to help out Ignis and whoever else shows up... probably.
2) Inquiring to the hotel staff about how much a room costs and how much the various dishes they ate cost and then aggressively tallying these numbers in her little notepad, perhaps frowning to herself as she does and muttering about the total. People who saw her in the Department Store in Veilstone will note she did the same there.
3) Sitting by the edge of the pool. It's a small pool, but it's pretty, and it reflects a large moon in the sky. It's not quite full, but perhaps fittingly, to her it feels like a bright night You might hear her muttering to herself, ]

The moon rises once again...

[ And then laughing to herself, as if at some private joke.

... Not that she's in the water, though the Lickitung beside her as its tongue in there, as if fishing.

... Or you just just wherever else? Girl's got to go back to a room to sleep eventually too. ]

[discutio]

Well, it certainly couldn't hurt. I think I'll have to make a fair variety of dishes anyway; this is the first I've cooked for so many before.

[anythingforyou]

[Quite frankly, the sooner Camilla got out of that hideous place, the better. She couldn't stand the idea of just...sympathizing with that man's plight. He's an enemy. He's an enemy, he needs to be taken care of, and Camilla's just frustrated that it's not as black and white as she wants to think it is.

Whatever.

She'll be spending a good portion of her time assisting Ignis in the kitchen; Nohrian dishes have always had a preference for meat, berries, wheat and the like, and it's relatively simple to make things here that she's familiar with, she's found. It's familiar, in a way that most of this place hasn't been. She'll likely be making tarts, but she'll take any sort of request if asked.

Once she's done assisting Ignis in the kitchen, Camilla's spot of choice to be a moody brat in is the pool; she's got both of her partners out this time, and seems to have rolled a pair of pants she had up to her knees so she could dip her feet in. Glameow seems content to simply sit on her trainer's lap, but Deino rests on the little blanket Camilla made for him nearby. The cold water is nice, honestly, and she finds herself starting to lay down and look at the sky. It's...nice.]

The sky really is so beautiful, when there aren't all those dreadful clouds obscuring it...

[...She will, of course, likely pick out a room for herself once it starts getting really late, so if she needs to be bothered there, she can be.]

[ventulus]

[ It does sound pretty obvious to him, but he peers over at him and then he comes on over. ]

So, let me know what you'll need and I can help you with that.

[ ...he doesn't know if he sounds distracted because of what happened or food, so. He'll ask. ]

...And are you thinking about something?

[anythingforyou]

Good! I'll grab a few things to work on, then.

[Aaaaand she does! It's mostly vegetables, really, but that's what she's used to. She's just gonna be joining him in cutting with gusto there, don't mind her--]

I believe I understand; I'm so used to being the one cooked for. But it's such a nice way to relieve one's stress, wouldn't you agree? Especially when your efforts are appreciated.

[discutio]

I suppose what I need is an idea of where to even start--I usually cook for four, not twenty-four.

[A sigh.]

...I'm just a bit preoccupied.

[discutio]

I've always believed the true accomplishment in this particular endeavor is the joy of those for whom I cook.

[That actually pulled a small smile from him, tired as it was.]

And...yes, one could do worse for an outlet.

edge of the pool;

[ventulus]

[ There's a bit of silence, but then there's the sound of ... hurried footsteps?

There's Ventus who ran out over to the section where there's a pool, when he got the chance and he puts a quick stop, almost falling in during his excitement. He'll soak his feet in a moment, but...

Then he turns to face her, looking at Zelda with a inquisitive expression. ]

The moon rises again?

[ventulus]

We can make a lot of stew, with a lot of vegetables and stuff.

[ There's a start! ]

With what happened?

[enjoymyatelier]

[well, that was a day and a half.

Kayneth knows he’ll be totally useless in the kitchen, and after that, he just... kinda wants to go outside for a while. He thought he’d had enough fresh air for two whole decades, but... well, it’s different if you know that you can head right back indoors to a bath and a soft bed if you want to. He’s not far from the restaurant, anyway. He’s brought one of the chairs outside and has basically resigned himself to hand-feeding his Pokémon, as he doesn’t particularly feel comfortable with doing that indoors yet. Like, someday, maybe. Maybe in his room. But not quite a restaurant.

Once they’re finished, he begins contemplating something. It’s something he’s wanted to try for the past few days, but... well. All that business with Saturn’s Pokemon brought it back to mind, so you know what? Why not. He sets a piece of paper on the ground, takes out some ink... and looks at his Frillish a bit skeptically.]

Do your tentacles count as feet, even? Would this even work with you?

[...The Frillish just kind of shrugs blankly.]

Hm. And I was curious if I could figure it out, since you seem to have more life to you right now...

[discutio]

Hm--yes, I know at least one of us is a vegetarian, so we should be cautious about what we use.

...it's nothing. I'm fine.

[perfectselfie]

[True to her word, Aya has gotten down to work decorating in the dining area. Who knows where she found food coloring, but she has put it to good use with rainbow flower decorations, and kept the rest simple.]

...I wish I could post this online...

[divinedescendant]

[well emmeryn sure has a lot of concerns to do. better run down the list. GOTTA GO DO A CONCERN OVER IGNIS

this time her steps aren't carefully navigating over unfamiliar terrain but the confident clacking of her heels down the hall as she approaches. hell yes she is going to remain this fancy all evening THERE'S NO SAND TO RUIN HER NICE DRESS... SHE'S TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE CHANCE]

Ignis? You had asked for assistance. I cannot say I am much good at cooking, but I can find things and follow directions well enough if I would not get in the way.

[semistableman]

[Well, that sure was a lot of things that happened.

Bucky can be found, well... off by himself for the most part, staying away from people. It's not that he wants to be left alone-- well, actually. That's exactly it. He can be found in a corner, looking like he's had enough of everything. He has his head up against Flora, who is laying on the floor, as blank as always.]

What would you have done, Flor?

[The skiddo makes a noise that betrays no emotion, and the starly next to them doesn't make any noise at all.

Later on, he can be found in the room he's picked out for himself. The door is locked, but the light can be seen clearly under the door, and to anyone passing by, they will notice it never turns off.]

[discutio]

Oh--Emmeryn, that would be spectacular. Would you look through these cabinets and see if you can find...let's see, pepper, ginger, and turmeric? Having someone that can read labels would save me a bit of time.

[discutio]

[It was a little while before Ignis showed up; obviously the light wasn't an indication to him, but he was willing to guess Bucky wasn't sleeping anytime soon.]

[Knock knock.]

It's just me. Could I come in?

[eudaimonikos]

[Well, that was all...a thing. Yep.

After the food prep is done, Michael spends most of the evening out by the pool. He seems entirely uninterested in the pool, but he's gone so far as to loosen his tie and drape his suit jacket over the back of the lounge chair he's sitting in. Cat Janet's laying by his feet, and Quaver's perched on the arm. For now he's focused on writing something in one of those little pads of hotel stationery. Looks like he's already gone through quite a few pages.

Eventually he'll go to claim a room, but he wanders the halls a bit first. Just to see where everyone else is bunking. It wouldn't do to spread the group out too far, of course.]