let's demeleier

[eyesforward]

[Sadie's been in this miserable hole for only a couple of days. All things considered, she thinks, it could be a lot worse—she has a croft all to herself, which is certainly better than nothing. Makes things a lot easier. And people are really helpful. A lot of people have already reached out to her a bit, making sure she's got what she needs. She's familiar enough with how to use her mirror, which she's left back in her bed, under her pillow. She even has a ball of iron in her pants pocket.

That's not to say that she isn't carrying around an idle sense of dread in the back of her mind, of course. There's lots of violent attacks by monsters, which, you know, even if Sadie is a pretty capable and independent person, is still a frightening and stressful prospect. That besides, Sadie's learned that the time spent in this place, while it at least isn't forever, is indeterminate; she doesn't know when next she'll see her friends, or her mom.

She knows it's useless to dwell on that too much, though—so she's trying to focus on something more productive. So right now, she's just focusing on splitting logs on top a tree stump—she doesn't need a ton of firewood for herself personally, but extra doesn't hurt. She'd like to have some resources to share in return for the kindness that these fellow captive inhabitants have shown her...

She's been at it a while. Splitting another small log in half cleanly with a well-centered, heavy chop, Sadie deflates with a heavy exhale, wiping sweat off her brow. She was a little chilly earlier, but now she's honestly a little over-warm, and a little winded. Maybe she'd gone a little too hard. She decides it's time for a break. She rests the hatchet atop the splintered stump.]

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[life_partners]

[Eniko, meanwhile, hasn't done anything today that you could call hard work. In fact, she's spent most of it at the library, and is emerging for a snack now that the sun is past its highest point in the sky—even though it's more cloudy than sunny anyway.]

[she's got a somewhat worse-for-wear woven wicker basket looped over one arm, with a couple apples and a borrowed book in it, and is strolling across the grass in the vague direction of the Truffula grove: one of the safest places outside of her own croft to sit and read for a bit, thanks to the Queen's deal with the Once-ler. She's got another apple in her free hand, and tosses it into the air, feeling good—and promptly misses it as it falls back down.]

Haha, woops!

[she picks it up off the ground and starts rubbing it against her front to clean it. As she straightens, though, she hears something nearby: the sound of a brave oyster cracker chopping logs.]

...Hello? Hey!

[she rounds the nearest cottage and lo and behold, there is a Sadie—or, at least, from Eniko's perspective, the shape of a short blonde person leaning against an axe on a tree stump, with a bunch of chopped wood nearby. She grins and waves her apple.]

What's up?

[eyesforward]

[Sadie's hands lift a little with surprise, curling near her chest, and she turns to catch glance of Eniko.

Oh, good. Sadie was afraid she might have to be alone with her brain now that she was reaching momentary physical exhaustion.

Sadie's expression brightens with friendliness, though it's a little shy—it reflects somewhat in her voice.]

O-oh, hello!

Just, um—chopping wood, [she laughs out, then rests the axe's head in the dirt, the handle against the side of the stump. Sadie lifts herself to sit on the split stump, the denim of her jeans protecting her butt well.] Trying to keep busy.

My name's Sadie, by the way. I'm new around here. Probably obvious.

[life_partners]

[oh no, she's cute. Eniko can't help but grin as she listens to Sadie, and she nods understandingly, trying to slip into the role of the Wise Mentor. She takes a big bite out of her apple and wipes some juice off her cheek with the back of her hand, not bothering to finish chewing before replying:]

Oohh, yeah! I don't think we've met. I'm Eniko!

[she holds out her hand for a shake, remembers that there's an apple in it, and salutes Sadie with the apple instead.]

My best friend and I got nabbed almost a couple years ago, so I'm pretty solid on how things go around here. You got your iron, right?

[she lifts her apple hand and wiggles it, showing off the wrought-iron bracelet around her skinny wrist.]

[eyesforward]

A couple years ago?!

[Sadie can't help but balk, her fingers curling near her chin. That's a little... super... rattling...]

Oh—um, yeah, I do, [She answers distractedly, kind of turning as if to check her butt pocket. She looks back at Eniko.] It was pretty much the first piece of advice I got, and that...demon guy, Ezekiel, was nice enough to take me to the forge.

It's nice to meet you, Eniko.

[life_partners]

[Eniko's face brightens like the sun, and she beams at Sadie.]

Ooh, you met Ezekiel! That's awesome! Isn't he cute? Whew, man, it's way better that you met him first, rather than some of our other fellow villagers I could name, I'll tell you what...

[she chuckles, but then Sadie's whole nervous demeanor finally registers, and Eniko's smile fades into an expression of wide-eyed concern. She steps up closer, leaning down a bit to squint at Sadie's face. Gently: ]

Hey... hey, are you doing okay? It's a... pretty big shock, and stuff, isn't it...

[eyesforward]

Yeah, [Sadie laughs vaguely, her cheeks pinkening a little as she glances away. She'll just say she's confirming she met Ezekiel, if pressed.

She suddenly leans back a bit when Eniko comes in to inspect her, her eyes widening. This lady is really forward. Of course, it doesn't occur to Sadie that Eniko might be hard of sight.]

Er... Oh, yeah... [Her gaze falls a little, and she looks back up at Eniko.] I mean, it is a lot to take in, and I'm trying not to get overwhelmed... But, you know, freaking out just won't really solve anything, or even make me feel better.

Thanks for checking on me, though. That's really nice of you.

[life_partners]

No prob! I like helping people.

[Eniko smiles again and straightens up, now a little less far inside Sadie's personal bubble.]

I guess you're right—hey, that's a really sensible way of thinking about stuff! Freaking out doesn't help make anything better. [she pauses, contemplating this wise statement, then shrugs a bit sheepishly.] Heh, I still freak out all the time, though. I guess it's just in me. You're doing way better than I was, when I first got here.

[eyesforward]

[Sadie feels like she gets that sort of compliment a lot.]

Well, I'm sure I can't keep it up forever, [Sadie sheepishly concedes, biting her lip.] I wouldn't blame anyone for flipping out when they got here, or just... periodically, in general. It's a pretty understandable reaction to have.

[life_partners]

[Eniko nods, and takes another bite out of her apple.]

Mm-hmm. Definitely... it's not something that's normal for most people, this whole kidnapped-to-another-world thing. Wasn't for me.

But hey—if you ever want to talk about how you're feeling, and let it out and stuff, I'm here for you. I'm really good at talking about feelings.

[hotbleets]

[Ezekiel was already out of the kitchen with a platter covered in sandwiches. They were stacked in a neat little pyramid. He looked a little nervous, his big blue eyes scanning constantly for fae. This wouldn't be the first time something he had spent hours on was knocked from his hands.]

Lunch is ready! [he bellowed out with a hand cupped beside his mouth. His apron was stuffed with roughly cut pieces of fabric.]

First come, first serve! Today they're sausage and cheese with pickled.. something! It's good, I promise. [he said this loudly and kind of generally to the people around.]

[eyesforward]

[Sadie feels guilty at the idea of just immediately getting up and running to get some free food from someone she barely knows... She winces at herself when her stomach growls. She's been expending a lot of energy. And Ezekiel is less a stranger than everyone else, so far... Ezekiel was one of the first people she met when she arrived, and she had a lot of. Uh. Feelings...about him...

For one thing, the fact that he was a demon was pretty freaky—but he was also really nice... And... charming, generally?

Sadie bit her lip apprehensively, and wearily—remembering to bring her hatchet just in case something bad happened from the stump to Ezekiel's croft, even if the distance wasn't incredible—she heads towards Ezekiel's croft, wearing a sheepish smile.]

Hey, Ezekiel. [She rolls one of her shoulders, finding that it feels like she maybe pulled it a little.] Mind if I come in? I actually didn't realize how hungry I was.

[hotbleets]

[He looked up, smiling and surprised.]

Yeah, of course. [he pulls a cloth from his apron, then wraps the sandwich with one hand. It's a very dextrous looking move.]

[He honestly hasn't given her much thought, definitely not as much as Sadie had given him. Humans had lost a lot of their novelty for him by this point. In fact, he was having trouble with her name, even. She might have even told him more than once already... Oh well.]

... Sandy? [so close]

[eyesforward]

Sadie, [She corrects him with a little laugh, eyeing him in a way that's both friendly and chastising as she raises an eyebrow. To be fair, they only gave names once. Sadie was just... you know, thoughtful, and had a good memory.

She takes the sandwich from Ezekiel, then gazes up at him, holding the foodstuff with both hands.]

Hey, so—do you make food for everyone every day? Is this normal for you?

[hotbleets]

Oh! Sorry, Sadie. [he says her name with emphasis, as if he's trying to really put it in his head this time.]

Well... Everyone has to eat everyday, right? And, well, the bread's not gonna bake itself...

[He plays it with a very genuine modesty.] If you're asking if you can expect me to make lunch, the answer's yes. Um, unless something bad happens. But, most of the time, bad stuff doesn't happen. Every morning I get up, make bread, milk the animals, make butter, and start making lunch. I like to get my work finished early.

[he says all of this with a brightness. They're chores, but he doesn't seem weighted by them.]

[eyesforward]

Oh! N-no! No, I wasn't looking to expect anything. I was just curious.

It's just really nice of you to do all that stuff. It sounds like hard work.

[Speaking of Ezekiel's self imposed job, Sadie has a bite of the sandwich he gave her.]

[hotbleets]

Well, it's okay. It's not like there's a grocery store here, so it's important to know where food's coming from.

And anyway, I don't know what I would be doing if I weren't cooking. And, you know, we're such a small community... [He spoke as if any of this was by choice, like they all just moved in together.]

Speaking of that, do you have any skills? What did you do back home?

[eyesforward]

Oh—[Embarrassed, Sadie looks away, her cheeks turning a little pink as she covers her mouth, swallowing her bite of food. She glances sheepishly back up at Ezekiel.] Nothing much, really. I'm just a cashier, back home.

But uh—I'm pretty tough, and that's come in handy. I can fight.

No real skills though, I think...

Huh. Guess I hadn't thought about it. That's kinda depressing.

[mossbuds]

[Lars has been in Demeleier for a little over a month now. AMAZINGLY, the stressful, unhygienic premise has not done wonders for his connection with Sadie, even with all the desperation for familiarity and stuff... But, hey, their friendship at least seems to be strengthening (maybe), even if that's not exactly what Lars has been looking for.

And he's learned how to do some useful things, even if his designated chores are admitably house-wifish; he helps people with their laundry, and helps Ezekiel cook, finding a secret fascination in the rustic cooking methods used and things like that. It's also an interesting challenge trying to make things actually taste good without just—you know, slabs and slabs of lard or butter.

Today, Lars and Ezekiel cooked up some big game that Sadie managed to down and drag home by herself. She was off spending time with Ezekiel, soaking her undoubtedly sore muscles with her intimidatingly handsome and buff incubus friend. The fact that Ezekiel's gay doesn't keep Lars from feeling threatened—because said gay dude definitely had a damn girlfriend before, and Sadie's somewhat androgynous...

So, petulantly trying to mirror the situation in a way that probably won't make Sadie actually jealous (or even make her notice), Lars is spending his evening with Eniko. He doesn't exactly have any immoral intentions; he just wants to get wasted with someone fun. One thing about Demeleier is that Sadie and Lars have definitely both acquired palettes for alcohol.........

Currently, they're seated at the table in her living quarters, Lars slouched dramatically over the surface of Eniko's table. His bony elbows are crossed on top of the wood, his knees seeming to have trouble finding room to exist... so he's kind of sitting side-saddle. It does not look very comfortable.

But hey, there's booze—but Lars hasn't had enough of it yet. Lars brought some rum from the inn, which was actually a gift from Ezekiel to Sadie. BUT, he's presented it as a "thanks for letting me come over, here's some booze I totally got deliberately out of gratitude for your hospitality" kind of gesture. ]

[life_partners]

[Eniko, meanwhile, is digging around in a cabinet for something, and finally emerges with a block of cheese wrapped in cloth—drinking without anything to eat is just sad, in her opinion, at least with a guest. She dusts some crumbs off of an otherwise-clean wooden plate already on her counter, plunks the cheese on top, and grabs a knife, then tuns back to the table and sets everything down. She grins at Lars]

Snacks! Want some?

[she plops down in the chair opposite to him, having no trouble with the height of the small table, and picks up the knife, holding it poised over the cheese. She's careful to keep her other hand at safe distance from the blade, while still holding the block steady.]

[mossbuds]

Yeah, [Lars grouses out, not sounding particularly enthused. It does sound totally tasty, though—and Lars does like to snack. He's just a grumpy shitlord.

He straightens up a little, eyeing his drink—then he decides to look at Eniko, instead. Embarrassing fact is that Lars has to kind of work himself up to drinking straight spirits... he's still working on his gumption for another swig. Cheese might help.]

Thanks. You get this stuff from Ezekiel or what?

[The name comes out like it has an STD on it]

[life_partners]

[she starts to slice the cheese, looking more thrilled to slice cheese than most people probably would. She even sticks her tongue out a little. However, after a few slices, when Lars says Ezekiel's name like that, her face falls a bit, and she pauses with the knife embedded in the cheese to look up at him, confused.]

Yeah! He makes a lot of cheese... I guess it's because the goats and sheep like him the best. ...Are things... okay, between you two?

[mossbuds]

Okay!?

[Lars scoffs, sinking comically in his seat in a sudden slouch, arms crossing tightly.]

Ain't nothin' between us to be okay.

[Suspicious pause. Lars narrows his eyes at Eniko.]

Why you even askin'?

[life_partners]

[she almost laughs at hiw dramatic he's being—far from dispelling her suspicions, his behavior confirms it. She can't keep from grinning a bit, although she tries to keep her voice sympathetic. Well, mostly sympathetic.]

Well—the way you said his name just now! [she makes a face, trying to imitate Lars' tone of voice:] "Ugh, Ezekiel"—like that!

[she finally finishes slicing through the cheese, and puts the knife down. She takes a bite out of one slice, and holds out another to him like a trust offering.]

What's up? You can tell me—I'm a really good listener.

[mossbuds]

[Lars feels his cheeks burn a little bit, scowling at Eniko childishly. He takes the cheese, though.]

Not interested in you listening...

[Except Lars loves attention. He actually loves feeling like people care about his problems, or his emotional well being. It's nice. And kind of rare, actually? Besides Sadie and Steven...

But he can't let as much on. Lars punctuates his eye-roll by taking a bite of the cheese slice given to him by Eniko.]

He just rubs me the wrong way, alright? I don't particularly feel like talkin' about it.

[life_partners]

[of course, Eniko immediately decides that Lars has a crush on Ezekiel, so she grins even wider as he keeps talking. She leans forward and props her chin up on her hand, her elbow on the table. She can see his face pretty well from this distance, and she thinks the expression on it is priceless.]

Well, have you gotten to know him? First impressions aren't everything.

[she pours a shot of rum into one of two clay mugs on the table and slides it towards him, then starts pouring herself some.]

You ever hear about what happened when he got here? This time, I mean. It's the second time he's been in the village.