IC Inbox: cerealia

[shacklebreaker]

"You've reached Simon Blackquill. Leave a message if you are so inclined -- but be brief."

[ AUDIO | VIDEO | TEXT ]

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[psycholawgy]

Yeah! Today's... [ she hesitates saying it, but she does, anyway. ] Today's Valentine's day! And we should be celebrating.

[ she tip-toes to give him a peck on the cheek. why so tall, simon? ]

[shacklebreaker]

[He'll at least try to crane his neck down to accommodate her. Why so short, Athena? After that he'll let go of her hand, moving to finish setting up the table before the food gets cold.]

I must admit, I care little for the commercialism of this holiday back on our world, but the original legend behind it is rather interesting. Have you heard it?

[Tell him to shut up, Athena. He's talking about it in the same tone of voice as he would a Tale from the Clink, which means it can only be depressing.]

[psycholawgy]

[ yes... she definitely knows what's coming. ]

You don't have to say it. I'm not curious.

[shacklebreaker]

But it's quite the riveting tale. There are multiple versions, but in all of them, Valentinus was a martyr who was executed for his unwavering dedication to love.

[this is the worst story ever???]

[psycholawgy]

[ is valentinus your idol, simon? is that why you're such a wannabe martyr? ]

I said I wasn't curious! [ but whatever!!! he's told a part of the story anyway!! she heads to the sink to finally wash her hands and stomps to the dinner table to take a seat. ]

But who was he in love with?

[ may as well humour the old man now that he's begun his dumb story. ]

[shacklebreaker]

[He fetches a bottle of wine he'd been keeping aside for a special occasion, pouring a glass for Athena and himself. Then he joins her at the table.]

Well, phrasing it like that might be simplifying things. He was a Roman priest who performed marriages in secret, for couples who were being persecuted by the Emperor. When he was discovered, he was imprisoned and summarily executed.

Another story says that during his time in prison, he performed a miracle that restored the sight of the judge's blind daughter. Sadly, this act did not spare him from his fate... Yet before his execution, he left her a note that simply read, "from your Valentine", thus inspiring the tradition of love letters still followed today.

[psycholawgy]

[ her eyes light up when she sees simon pouring some wine. fancy!!! she's still listening to the story, of course. ]

I like the second one better.

[ and she looks away mischievously, humming in thought. ]

I wonder if my Valentine has a note for me.

[shacklebreaker]

That can be arranged.

[Because Simon hadn't gotten time to prepare anything before Athena burst in, he didn't have a note in advance, so he disappears into his room to write something. Then he returns to the table, handing her the note before the ink is even dry -- he'd written it by, surprise surprise, quill pen. (...Hopefully he didn't plan to put that quill in his mouth later.)

The note reads as follows:
Roses are red,
Violets are, in fact, violet;
I rather detest colours,
But I hate yellow slightly less.

- Your Valentine
He'll try not to look too smug about it as she reads it, making a start on the food as if nothing is amiss. It's totally what she asked for, right?]

[psycholawgy]

[ she reads it aloud cheerily as simon eats, and carefully and neatly places the note next to her plate once she's done reading. as unusual of a love note as it is, athena loves it a whole lot. ]

I've never gotten something like this before! Thank you so much!

[ if simon could her emotions, there's an overwhelmin amount of joy eminating from athena right now. ]

[shacklebreaker]

[Her reaction makes him half-choke on his pasta. Well, that was entirely different from the reaction he'd expected.]

--You mean you like it?

[Certainly the sentiment behind it was sincere, but it was still meant to poke fun at the whole idea. It's probably too late to tell her that, though.]

[psycholawgy]

Of course, I do. [ she bangs her fists on the table. ] This is from you!

I'm never going to throw this away!

[shacklebreaker]

Athena... [She really is serious. Give him a second to pause and surreptitiously drink some wine; he'll need it.]

I suppose I'll never rival the mountain of notes you've given me, but it's a start.

[psycholawgy]

You don't have to write me a note every day.

Or make me a personalised planner like what I did. [ or do you. ] This one's just fine!

[shacklebreaker]

Good, because you make your days busy enough without my planning them for you.

[The entries would probably just be dumb things like 'feed Taka at 6', anyway.]

[psycholawgy]

Not my fault I've got lots of work to do.

[ overachiever extraordinaire right here. And as she digs in, she asks- ]

Do you like the food, by the way?

[shacklebreaker]

How much you choose to burden yourself with is your own call.

[JUST SAYING. To her question, though, he nods.]

Certainly. Ryuko's fears about your culinary ability appear to be unfounded.

[psycholawgy]

Well, I learned how to cook here. We both did.

[ she's so proud of herself, she thinks she can down an entire glass of wine. so she does that. ick, it's so bitter, and her face shows it. but what's done is done. ]

[shacklebreaker]

Athena, you should really pace y-- [When he notices she's going to finish the whole glass in one go, he reaches as if to stop her-- but no, too late. He sits back with an exasperated expression.]

... I hope you realise that wasn't mere grape juice.

[psycholawgy]

[ she's definitely starting to feel dizzy, and but at least it doesn't seem like she's going to hurl any time soon. ]

Water...

[shacklebreaker]

[He sighs and gets up to fetch her a large glass of water. ...And hide the rest of the wine bottle, while he's at it.]

You're supposed to drink wine slowly, you dolt.

[psycholawgy]

[ YEAH LET'S DRINK THIS GLASS OF WATER STRAIGHT, TOO. ]

But I was in the moment!

[shacklebreaker]

[He sits back down, not even bothering to ask what about the moment suggested downing a glass of wine was a good idea.]

I've met few people so high maintenance as you.

[psycholawgy]

[ to celebrate that she's gotten better at cooking, obviously!! ]

I'm not high— [ no... no, she knows she can be spoiled, so she immediately deflates and just pokes at her spaghetti. ] I'm glad you like the food.

I didn't know how to cook when I got here, but Ryuko and I learned together.

[shacklebreaker]

[Nice subject change, there.]

Has Archer been teaching you a thing or two, or does he guard his trade secrets jealously?

[psycholawgy]

I know how to read a cookbook!

[ gosh simon gosh!!!! ]