[ voice ] halloween fun times

[herbarium]

I wish it was Halloween already. Don’t you?

[ she had a costume ready, but there was some anticipation. she doesn’t really feel like having any sort of ‘welcome back’ committee. not yet. ]

I really want those themed macaroons they sold at home. I bet there’s a recipe somewhere! [ a laugh. ] I wonder if anyone has thought of that yet here?

I wouldn’t be too surprised!

Comments

[02crusnikabel]

Hello~ Halloween is upon us already? Yes, very soon.

Did you say macaroons? I know a lot of a shops that sells really good ones. I tried making a batch myself, but they came out all wrong. Do you have a particular flavor you like?

[herbarium]

Apricot is really good! Hazelnut... oh! And chocolate!

[ The sheer thought of them had Shiemi drooling. ]

I need to know of these shops! Oh... wait. What's your favorite kinds?

voice;

[sizedoesntmatter]

You must like Halloween, huh?

[He had to wonder why exactly.]

[herbarium]

I mostly like the sweets. [ a breathy laugh. ]

Although I do… like that everyone dresses up. It’s really cool to see the costumes!

[Audio]

[zenoh]

[ Ayame was on top of a building when she heard the cute audio post on the network. The topic had interested her enough to respond, especially when she's actually craving some macaroons ]

Halloween is interesting... I've never managed to celebrate it until this month's costume party.

Though I didn't know macaroons are a crucial part of the holiday... Is it?

[herbarium]

Oh? What did you dress up as?

I usually don’t celebrate — well, my mom didn’t. But I think it was because she was always too busy.

But, haha, no, I don’t think so! I just saw this cool picture of macaroons that were black and orange! Very festive for the holiday, right?

[zenoh]

Indeed. I might have to find some macaroons now that you put them on my mind.

[ There was a faint chuckle afterwards ]

Though unfortunately, I haven't much time to explore the cities to see where the best ones are sold. I spent a large amount of my time working on my costume for the party... Were you there? I went dressed as some obscure type of ghost from Japanese folklore.

[02crusnikabel]

I like those too! My particular favorite is chestnut, honey lavender, and matcha green tea.

[Macarons~. The only desert capable of having so many flavors.]

There is one in Genessia City, not so far from my tea cafe. Ah, if you like deserts, there's a store that sells egg custards with the crispy crusts.

[herbarium]

Me too! But I think I just have a really big sweet tooth right now.

[ it’ll pass. hopefully. ]

I wasn’t there… but a Japanese ghost? There are so many! So many scary ones. I’m not very good at costume ideas, but I bet you looked very nice.

I know my way around, sort of! I can definitely show you some nice places. Though I don’t know exactly where anyone sells macaroons. [ she sounds crestfallen, but only for a moment. ] Oh, w-wait! What’s your name? I’m Shiemi!

[herbarium]

Honey lavender? I gotta say I haven’t tried that flavor yet! Maybe I could look up a recipe…

[ she hums thoughtfully before continuing. ]

You own a tea shop, Nightroad-san? That sounds so cool! [ it reminded her she needed to get a job very soon, and rekindled her love for herbal tea. ] How is that going for you?

Oh thank you so much! I’m really craving a lot of sweet stuff. I might just visit sometime ~

[zenoh]

Ayame, and maybe you'll see me in that costume again sometime. I'm not exactly the type to wear the same thing twice, though.

[ Ayame is a little amused by Shiemi's personality oozing out of the device. She normally would encourage others to lay off on the sweets, but being one with a sweet tooth herself, Ayame can't really blame Shiemi ]

Let's see, there are some at Pan's Grocery that come in packages, but I wasn't so impressed with them...

[ They're good, but she's had better. So her standards are pretty high ]

Where are these locations you know of? Maybe we can share some names of places we've tried.

[sizedoesntmatter]

[He couldn't help but laugh slightly.]

It is interesting to see what others do dress up as. Though admitedly I do basic.

[herbarium]

It doesn’t have to be anything too out there! Just whatever you’re comfy in and makes you feel good and happy to enjoy the festivities. That’s a proper costume.

[herbarium]

Hello Ayame-san!

Well I won’t force you to wear something you’ve already worn. But I would really like seeing it! I love creative Halloween costumes!

[ there’s a bit of excitement in her voice. shiemi was very sad that she missed this costume party. there was always next year… that is, if she was still here around that time. ]

Actually a friend told me there’s a pastry shop nearby his tea shop! I’m sure with the right directions I can find it. Or I can just find a recipe of my own! I like to think I’m a decent chef. [ she laughs, relieved ayame couldn’t see her sheepish expression. ] What do you think? Hopefully you won’t hear in the Tribune a-about a kitchen being blown up by a clumsy girl.

[zenoh]

[ Ayame wants to reassure Shiemi that Halloween is still around the corner, so there is still a chance to dress up in something. Party or not.

Ayame personally didn't find the party to be anything too special anyway, but that is just Ayame's personal opinion on social gatherings in general. ]

Oh, I have my doubts that you're capable of such a catastrophe. Perhaps you only need someone to assist you.

[ Ayame learned to bake as part of her way to recover from a lifetime in service. While she has still a lot to learn herself, she is always willing to teach and help others. ]

What do you say, we meet in this pastry shop your friend recommended you? I might have seen this place if it is by a tea shop...

[02crusnikabel]

Yes, I do and I doubled it as thrift store, so people can drop off and donate their used stuff. Sometimes, I get interesting antiques which I sell off. I just need to rearranged some inventory. It's going to take me a while as I only manage it alone all by myself.

[In other words, he'll be hiring soon.]

Drop by sometime in the afternoon. I specialized in afternoon teas and lunches.

[And he's the only cook. Oh! And he send her the address of his store to her CPU for reference.]

[herbarium]

Sounds like a lot of work for one person, Nightroad-san. If I do come over then expect me to help you. It’s the least I can do!

[ ping! address received. shiemi smiles to herself and figures it wouldn’t hurt having two jobs in the future. this time she wanted to make some semblance of a difference with her stay in genessia. ]

I’ll be there, I promise. We can share lunch and catch up!

[herbarium]

Probably. Ehehe…

[ the masquerade ball was the last party she is attended, and shiemi had so much fun. little did she know it, but she really loved to socialize. ]

That would be nice. It would be a lot better than me blowing up anything. Besides, I do want to meet you, Ayame-san.

[zenoh]

[ Ayame feels flattered that someone wants to meet her enough in person, even though meeting outside the network was her idea. It was the way Shiemi said it that made her almost chuckle ]

Ah. Then, where is this shop? I can be there in twenty minutes, or is that too soon?

[ Aside from Nova City, there are also a couple of subarchways that Shiemi might like if she's on a quest for baked goods: Dubai and Tokyo. The former only re-opened when Ayame arrived, since it was her friend that opened that gate, while the latter has always been there as far as she knows. Ayame would pick her home prefecture of Kansai over The Capital any day, but it's still Japan. Even though it's not as advanced as her futuristic homeworld ]

video;

[gastronomics]

Hmm... Something like this~?

[ She holds up a platter of macarons. ]

video;

[herbarium]

[ SCREAMS. VERY GIRLY SCREAMS OF EXCITEMENT. ]

Yeah! Yeah! Those are exactly what I saw, those are even better actually!

video;

[gastronomics]

Of course there better, I made them. They're part of our dessert next week at Nakiba.

[02crusnikabel]

Wha-what? If you want to help out an old man like me, sure you can! Thank you, oh um...I have a menu here. I can make good sandwiches mostly.

[herbarium]

Now now, don’t be modest Nightroad-san! There’s no reason for me not to help you. If anything, I could work there too!

And I bet your sandwiches are great!

[02crusnikabel]

[Long moments later before he can reply because he's in the kitchen preparing for lunch.]

Hmm, are you looking for a job? I mean, I was looking for people. What kind of job you're looking for?