video

[veilstrike]

Who: Leilani Lavellan and you
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: On the Blue Fish
When: Now, after gifts have been opened!

[ The video opens with Leilani fiddling with something in her hands, but she's quick to turn her attention to the camera and focus on the people she's talking to. She's well practiced at the art of focussing her attention on people rather than things; the Inquisition had demanded it from her, and she barely had any time of her own. No time for worries or fears or sadness; only work and fighting for whatever future Thedas had left. ]

In my clan we did not celebrate the winter as the rest of the world did. I didn't recognise that there were different celebrations until I became the Inquisitor, and then it felt as though I was pretending to understand something that was completely alien to me.

[ Frowning, she drops the necklace from her hands. ]

I'd like to know more about your traditions, if you'll appease me. I've never had much time to sit and talk about these sorts of things, so anything that you might be able to tell me would be welcome. There is always time to learn something new.

[ It also distracts her, so it's a welcome relief. ]

Comments

[veilstrike]

How can I say no? [ She grins, moving to push herself up. ] I'd be happy to teach you it. If it means people will remember it then I would be glad.

[bryces_pup]

[Riona beckons to her to follow her to the kitchen. As they start to walk, she smiles sheepishly.]

I'll be glad to learn it, though I'm not the best cook, admittedly. Any attempts I make at it might result in abysmal failure.

[veilstrike]

[ Leilani pads along after her, content to be lead for now - she's still learning her way, after all. ]

It is better to try then not, isn't it? You get nowhere from giving up before you start.

[bryces_pup]

I'll certainly try. I just can't make any promises of how well it'll turn out.

[It was more as a warning than anything.

When they make it to the kitchen, Riona strolls up to the counters before turning around.]

All right. What do you require for this dish?

[veilstrike]

Butter, mushrooms, tomatos, some herbs for flavour...

[ Leilani frowns, turning around to look. ]

Do we have those things?

[bryces_pup]

Something akin to butter, and we definitely have herbs.

[Riona frowns thoughtfully as she turns on her heel and heads for the refrigerator. Their food stores took a bit of a hit, though they were slowly being refilled.]

Hmmmm... there's something similar to tomatoes in here, I think. No luck on the mushrooms, though.

[veilstrike]

Then we'll simply do without them.

[ Simple. She starts moving around, helping to collect things and making a note to buy more as soon as they can. ]

You can barely taste them anyway.

[bryces_pup]

I rather like that idea. As much as it shames me to admit, I've never been fond of mushrooms. No taste or not, they always felt weird to bite into.

[She'll eat them if need be, but they never were her favorite.

Once everything's collected and gathered into one area, Riona steps back to let Leilani have the floor and have at it.]

All right. Teach me your delicious hearty meal ways.

[veilstrike]

They do have an odd texture, but you make do.

[ When you live in clans in forests you make do with all the mushrooms you can get. Moving into Skyhold had been a delight if only because she could eat something different.

She laughs, though, shaking her head as she begins. ]

Heat the butter then put in the... Garlic. Since we're skipping the mushrooms, we can go straight to the elfroot. [ Which she knows they have, because she's seen it, so she grabs that. It's something like it, if not identical, so it'll do. ]

[bryces_pup]

[Riona remembers the days spent during the Blight, foraging whatever food they could find. Honestly, one would think she'd have grown to accept mushrooms during that time, but it never took.]

Right. [She goes to start all that.] Put it in once the butter's already melted or before hand?

[veilstrike]

After it's melted. [ It's been a long time since she cooked anything, and Leilani smiles. It reminds her of her clan, of being home, of making something for everyone to try. ] Hm. Do you have anything like a pumpkin, or eggplant?

[bryces_pup]

[Riona nods, holding off on adding the garlic then until the butter melts.]

Hmmm... not pumpkin, but there's something in there that LOOKS like an eggplant in the refrigerator. Funnier shade of purple though, with spots.

[veilstrike]

That will work.

[ She trusts it, at least as much as you can trust an alien fruit, and she gets to work on it. ]

What do your people eat at this time of year?

[bryces_pup]

[They'll find out if it works, soon enough.]

Hmmm... it differs a bit from area to area. The coastlands will usually have an array of fish and seafood, while the southern areas and Bannorn tend to rely more on local wildlife and whatever can be foraged. In the palace, we'll usually make more warm meals. Plenty of stews. And of course, cheese. For Alistair.

[veilstrike]

I miss cheese.

[ Do you know how hard it is to get really good food imported to somewhere like Skyhold? ]

Whenever we had any kind of celebration we normally left Josie in charge of it. She was very good at finding little cakes for us.

[bryces_pup]

We do need to find something similar to it. [Alistair won't last long without it.]

Josephine, right? Ambassador of the Inquisition? I've only heard of her in passing.

[veilstrike]

Perhaps on the next planet the ground will be made of cheese. [ This one is made of marshmallow, so-!! ] She was the Ambassador, yes. Also one of the most incredible women I've ever met.

[bryces_pup]

Maker, if that happens I'll never be able to drag him away from there. [And her husband would balloon to an unhealthy weight.] Leliana spoke highly of her as well. And with your vouch, I'd be entirely inclined to believe she's as amazing as I hear. I am sorry that I likely won't ever be able to meet her.

[veilstrike]

I would say that she might end up here, but I'm not sure the Atroma want to be on the end of her temper. [ GOD she misses Josephine and her ability to make everything work in impossible levels of speed. ] I think you would get along with most of my fellows.

[bryces_pup]

I've heard about a few of them, and they all do sound wonderful. Let's see, there's Josephine, Leliana, Cullen, Iron Bull, Cole, Varric... there are more but I haven't heard.

[veilstrike]

Who are you missing, hm...

[ Leilani pretends to think, as if it's hard to remember her closest friends. ]

Blackwall, Sera, Madame de Fer, Dorian, Cassandra Pentaghast and Solas.

[ She definitely doesn't hesitate on the last one, nope. ]

[bryces_pup]

Oh did I not say Dorian? Piss on me, I can't believe I didn't.

[SORRY DORIAN.]

Sounds like quite the bunch. Any favorites? [Said teasingly. She heard that pause, but she's not sure what to make of it at the moment. Bad blood, maybe?]

[veilstrike]

I won’t tell him, don’t worry.

[ But, ah. She sighs softly. ]

Bull and I were very close, and Dorian and Cole are family. Solas was my... [ What word even works? ] Partner.

[bryces_pup]

Thank you. I'd never hear the end of it, I'd think.

[And she'd feel bad.

The mention of a partner has her raising her brow a bit. Especially considering it's said in the past tense.]

Was...? Oh no, I'm so sorry.

[veilstrike]

[ Leilani lifts a shoulder in a shrug, shaking her head. ]

He made the choice. It is not something that I can change.