"I know what I think," the Collector murmured under his breath. A glance from the Blacksmith, and he shrugged. "What. You know my-"

"I will take... more tea," the Blacksmith interrupted, turning toward Banshy with a bow of his head.

"...They'll just all be in one place, that's all. It's-"

"Algol." Soft reprimand.

"It isn't like I will know them all by sight."

The Blacksmith turned away. "I think it is a... very good idea, and it is... what I had in... mind when I made my offer," he answered, his slow and halting response--as always--thoughtful. He studied the notes, for a moment, scanning them, taking his time in so doing. "This cave is... a hospitable one," he said at last, leaning back. "But if you... wish an easier time... bringing water for... cooking, and so on... You might consider... integrating your dens and... a water system."

"They have no idea what toilets are, did you know that?" Algol murmured, and sipped the last of his tea. He, for one, did not ask for more.

@Forgraves

"I'm sure if you have ideas he wouldnt mind you writing them down." he said, half an actual suggestion and half a jab at Algol, light humor in it. Forgraves didn't seem to catch it though, just nodding enthusiastically.

Banshy looked at the notebook themselves for a moment. some of this they didn't watch him write. how nice, they think, that he's found something he's this passionate about, no matter it's outcome in the future.

He thinks idly as he sips his soup. he's not entirely sure how this is going to work, if he honest. If it didn't work before, why is Forgraves so confident it will now? that people will even want to? they both know that theres plenty of people in the caves that would rather die than rely on anybody else. he doesn't doubt him, per say, but it's... interesting.

He'll talk to him about it later, when theyre both gone. no reason to rain on his parade now.

Banshy;

love, dante

he nodded brightly at banshy's suggestion, totally missing any of its sarcasm. "yes, please, if you have ideas or suggestions i would be more than happy to take them!! you can write it down or we can discuss it later, but I'd love to hear what either of you have to say about it. the whole idea is teamwork, right?" he said, eyes bright and hopeful.

he slid the last piece of meat off of one of his kebabs and paused as he chewed, swallowing before turning to them with mild concern. "oh forgive me, i got so excited i forgot to ask. is the food alright?" he chirped. "tried to keep it simple, but simple can be boring."

he refilled his own cup when banshy offered, muttering a thanks.

"Speech." Thoughts.

Algol glanced sharply at Banshy. What he'd said had been murmured softly, not meant for other ears, and he was fairly certain he knew how loudly to speak.

Still-... This one's attitude removed a little barrier he'd erected in his mind. The Blacksmith had wanted him to be polite, but if it wanted a challenge, he was more than happy to oblige. Already the gears in his head were turning. He'd be back, here. "I may do just that." His voice had dipped to a sinister purr. He sipped his tea.

The Blacksmith, on the other hand, was eyeing the food. "It is... very good, thank you... And if you'd like... ahh. You said that... Astraea had taught... you how to read? Is it... consistent enough... for books? I may be... able to find you... a cookbook or two... if Nedies is willing... to part with it." He paused, and blinked. "That is... Nedies is... the palace chef."

Algol, in a helpful murmur, spoke up. "A 'chef' is what a cook will call themselves," he explained, "when they want to sound more important than they are."

This earned a glance from the Blacksmith, but at least he didn't berate him for it.

@Forgraves

Forgraves looked between banshy and the collector, hm'ing innocently. did he miss something?? oh well.

he looked up at persei brightly, both at the compliment and the mention of the palace chef. "yes! nedies! ah, i thought i told you, i learned how to cook at all from him! well, in exchange for cleaning his oven." he said, chuckling. "he told me to say hi to you for him! once i told him i was planning to invite you he seemed incredibly enthusiastic, i think he almost decided to invite himself. are you two friends?" he asked curiously.

It certainly seemed like they were friendly atleast. nedies immediate reaction and apparent respect to the blacksmith was quite different than what he had expected, atleast according to his tone the rest of the time. though it made sense, certainly, if they lived in caves not that far from eachother.

"I would definitely appreciate the cook book though, if it's possible he'll lend one! though I''ll be honest, part of my problem was not knowing what some of the seasonings were. i haven't yet found a guide by cave, which makes sense, theres too many plants to reasonably count and record them all." he said, thinking it over. maybe thats something HE could work on. he'd have to think about it.

He shrugged.


"Speech." Thoughts.

Banshy smiled, brow raised, as much as a bird can atleast. Algol was either a threat or a chance for good fun, and he was quite interested, in all honesty, to see which one it was, if not both.

They ruffled their wings behind them, Glancing between everyone else and the door. Well, it's not like anyone was actively speaking to them yet, so..

he poked Forgraves on his shoulder, interuppting his thoughts. "I'm going outside, for a moment. fresh air." they chirped, and Forgraves smiled and nodded with a half distracted little 'uh-huh!'

They nodded to the other 2, before pushing up and heading outside, seemingly relaxing just outside the door.

Azrael would never have had guests over like this.. they thought, staring at the dirt. it wasn't a bad thought, infact it was almost giddy, rebellious. The poor man had barely handled just a few months of Forgraves departure without filling half the den with stress-carved bones, never going looking for him specifically, it's a wonder every day how Forgraves manages to be so different.

if he hadn't left, he doesn't know how the fox would be like now. it's a sour thought, but he pushes it away in favor of taking in the breeze. they didn't come out here to mope.

Banshy;

love, dante

The Collector's eyes tracked Banshy's departure closely. The Blacksmith, though, nodded at Forgraves, not noticing this at all. "Yes, in... a sense. We each worked... on the same goals... in a way. He serves... in his way and I... served, in mine." He had eaten at the palace, was his point, as a worker of the Caves. 'Friends' was perhaps a strong term. Colleagues, more like. "As for... seasonings, I think... his are not... found throughout these caves. The things of... the palace are sometimes..." He hesitated.

'Imported' was not quite the correct word. Everything had, in some sense, been imported--or created. "He has his own... supplies. It may be worth... asking for... seeds, from his... spice gardens."

Perhaps a nice pepper plant would do.

@Forgraves

he seemed to bright up, just a little. if they weren't found in the caves, then from where?? outside of them? if not in the caves then theres nowhere else, right?

"Fascinating! i'll def ask next time i pop by the palace, which actually shouldn't be too far away, given all the things i need to read up on after this." he chirped. " speaking of which.. well-" he started, stopped, and glanced to the other room.

"oh, whatever, no better time. I mentioned i made gifts for you both, right?" he started, smiling. "I was going to wait until you left, BUT i'm running out of things to talk about, unless you had some other topic in mind. would you like me to get them now?"

He seemed to be practically buzzing in his seat. "I was completing the finishing touches when you got here, actually! i think, or, well, i HOPE you'll like them." he said, voice a bit more nervous towards the end.

"Speech." Thoughts.