Lofi/Meria - Cooking

I'llofii Tsunhe jolts up immediately, causing the carbuncle to stop her pestering for a moment herself as she glances over. "Oh -   Gods, you spooked me.." She takes a moment to surveil the woman, sighing. She starts back up with a small smile playing on her lips, tucking her current tome under her arm for safekeeping, "Hello there, miss, I don't believe we've yet had the pleasure to meet! My research keeps me out and busy quite often so I haven't much haad the chance to be present here, despite the few-
I'llofii Tsunhe: "weeks I've technically been a member. I had some free time so I figured it waas about time for me to visit - and peruse your libraary, I suppose. I'll clean all of this up once I finish, please don't fret about that."
Meria Boucher offers her another curtsey. "I find that is a common reaction to my presence, but there's no need to be alarmed. I simply am here to force you to eat dinner. Also do not be concerned about the current arrangement of books; this is hardly any mess at all comparitively speaking." What Meria is comparing it to is unclear, but she does look at the pile to see what her preferred genre of book-nest seemed to be.
I'llofii Tsunhe waves off the demand, quite sure it was a request, replying with a shake of her head "No, no! I appreciate the offer, but you needn't go through the trouble; I'm perfectly fine feeding myself and I would hate to impose upon you." she takes a moment to glance down at the excitable third to the group beginning to regain her steam "Cara - I swear to ther gods, please do not jump on this woman." she glances back up "I apologize if she's been troubling you, she's a bit.. Unique, so to speak." -
I'llofii Tsunhe as meria glaances about the various scatterings of books she'd find a large quantity of their texts pertaining to magic and alchemy, as well aas a small smaattering of history and.. Is that a romance novel?
Meria Boucher stoops down to offer her hand to the carbuncle to sniff, treating the creature the same way one might treat a cat. "It is alright. I do not mind," she says, offering the construct a pat on her neck if she seems ammenable. "Regardless, it is no trouble. The opposite, in fact. I was running a few different trials to determine what manner of glaze I wish to use for a roast. Similarly, I was performing similar experiments regarding roast vegetables and pie-crusts."
Meria Boucher: You will be doing me a favor.
I'llofii Tsunhe Cara eagerly jumps up into her hand, rubbing and nuzzling with a flood of excited and agressive love. I'llofii's smile widens as she watches the two; whether it's at Cara's excitement or obedience remains up in the air. "Well.. I suppose if you put it like that I could take a break once I reach a stopping point." she motions with the book, place still saved. "Though, I suppose I should warn you that I am hypogeusic. I'd be happy to try but I can't say how helpful my mouth would be to you."
I'llofii Tsunhe: "everything certainly sounds like it could be quite tasty, nevertheless!"
Meria Boucher is quite happy to bestow affection on the chipper carbuncle. "Hypogeusic... you have difficulties with tasting things properly?"
I'llofii Tsunhe nod nods as cara eagerly sucks up every ounce of affection she can get her greedy paws on "Exactly! I was, er.. Dropped on my head as a child. It seems to have stunted my sense of taste. Admittedly unfortunate but our brains sure are incredible, aren;t they? In my specific taste I can really only taste incredibly strong flavors, especially bitterness and sourness."
Meria Boucher: Do you like sour things, then?
I'llofii Tsunhe: "Absolutely! My favourite food is those.. Little sour gummies -" she motions with her hand, indicating size with her fingers "coated with crystalized citric acid.  But alas, I don't agree much with bitter."
Meria Boucher gives this a nod, and treats Cara to a final pat before standing. "Well, once you've finished your chapter, please come up to the kitchen and I will have some food ready for you." A pause. "You have half-a-bell before I will become absorbed in reading and come back down."
I'llofii Tsunhe nods her head "I'll be up once I finish this book, it's important to keep your stream of thoughts as uninterrupted as possible, it helps you to make connections you otherwise wouldn't after all. I'll make sure to hurry myself for you, at the very least! Thnk you for the conversation, Miss." she finishes, sitting back down and opening the book baack up
Meria Boucher shakes her head slightly. "Exactly like Isaudorel," she murmurs, before she turns to ascend the steps once more.
I'llofii Tsunhe Cara quickly follows her up the stairs, being sure to stay juuust aabout under her feet in her excitement
Meria Boucher accepts this. Cara is perfectly welcome to join her in setting up dinner.
I'llofii Tsunhe is now curled up in her chair, neaaring halfway through her book but dutifuly hurring along, true to her word. There may or may not be a few new books strewn about, though.
Meria Boucher has allotted a bit of extra time for l'llofii to finish up, but still, a bell later she's descending the steps again - this time with Cara on her shoulders (if the carbuncle would enjoy such an arrangement.) She stops in front of the woman, then clears her throat lightly.
I'llofii Tsunhe (She would aabsolutely aadore that and attempt to climb onto her head) It appears to be much of a repeat of their previous meeting. I'llofii offers a nod in reaction, completely engrossed in her literature.
Meria Boucher - now with a carbuncle drapped across her head with her tail draped around her neck like a scarf - reaches out to tap the spine of the book again. "Hello."
I'llofii Tsunhe jolts up with a gasp, yet again "Oh - Hello again! I should be finishing this book just baout right on time." she takes a moment to process "I see you and Cara seem to be getting along well. I'm glad, she can be a bit of a handfull so some people tend to find her bothersome. Er, anyway, did you need a hand with something?" she inquires eaarnestly, not yet bothering to sit herself back up
Meria Boucher: No, one hand is plenty. But, do you know how long you have been reading for?
I'llofii Tsunhe scrunches up her face, bringing a afinger to her lips "It's tough to tell without a clock, but ten minutes perhaps? Wht do you ask?
Meria Boucher - in her complete monotone - lies. It is perhaps her idea of a joke. "Three bells."
I'llofii Tsunhe squints further, contemplating. She trusts the woman, but.. "There's no way! I'm not nearly that slow of a reader, I'm on the same book!"
I'llofii Tsunhe: ((sorry, fiance needs a few more hugs, I'll be back and forth a lil. I am gonna run out of time soon though, mb 20 more minutes))
Meria Boucher: Ah, you caught me.
Meria Boucher: You are correct. It was not that long. It was simply a bell.
I'llofii Tsunhe shakes her head insistently "A quarter bell, surely."
Meria Boucher shows her the chronometer in her pocket. "I had the time to prepare a gooseberry sauce especially designed for your particular palette. I promise, I am correct."
I'llofii Tsunhe purses her lips :Hm.. If you insist, I suppose! I
I'llofii Tsunhe: "I must say, I'm very curious about the dish. I don't believe I've had aanything like that, let alone something made specifically for me.. I'm flattered, I appreciate your efforts." she finishes, standing aand offering a sincere smile
Meria Boucher curtsies again - quite carefully in consideration of Cara. "I am interested to hear your opinions. I am very committed towards everyone who enters my -- " Pause. "...The company's kitchen, being able to have a meal that fits their tastes and dietary needs." She gestures to the stairs. "Shall we? I do not even mind if you wish to bring your book and read while you eat, so long as you eat something."
I'llofii Tsunhe places the book down on the chair after checking the page one final time "No, no. I've maade a commitment to you now and I would prefer not risking the distruction of part of your collection. It doesn't sit well with me!" she turns back about, brushing the a few collections of old dust and wrinkles out from her clothes "I suppose we'll be on our way? I would appreciate an escort, I haven't exactly taken time to familiarize myself.."
Meria Boucher: Of course. I am happy to show you around. Ah -- I am Meria Boucher, by the way. Formerly of the Ishgardian military, currently under the employ of Miss Batachikan as an astrologian. It is a pleasure.
I'llofii Tsunhe speaks as they make their way up "Well then, it's a plwasure Miss Boucher! You seem to have an interesting history, I hope you'd be comfortable enough to regale me with some tales at some time or another. I suppose I forgot to introduce myself as well, though.. I'm I'llofii Tsunhe, you're more than welcome to call me Lofi. I've been hired on recently as a aresearcher, my specialty is a arather unique combination of basic magiks, aetherology, and alchemy. I do like to dablle with history, -
I'llofii Tsunhe: "though. the topics correlate much more than you'd expect! Oh, and this looks simply incredible, thank you again Meria. The smell is hevenly, you're absolutely incredible."
Meria Boucher leads Lofi to the bar, where a meal has already been set out for her. It seems to be a roasted dodo breast, smelling thickly of citrus and herbs with a purple sauce artfully drizzled over the cooked flesh. It's arranged on a bed of plump, wrinkly fruit - which Meria gestures to and says, "Umeboshi. They're of this land, and due to the pickling process the  fruit undergoes, they are extraordinarily sour. I also used very little sugar for the sauce, and this is the meat I prepared with my  -
Meria Boucher: lemon-herb marinate. But... ah, it is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lofi. It sounds like you do quite interesting work as well, and since you have an interest in alchemy... you ought to speak with my..." Pause. Light cough. Is she embarrassed? It's hard to tell. "Fiancee, Isaudorel. He's an alchemist by trade."
I'llofii Tsunhe smiles eagerly, glancing back at Meria "Ooh, fiancee! Congratulations to the both of you, then. I'll be sure to greet him if we happen to meet, I've never really spoken with many others of my trade in quite some time, a collaboration could be interesting." she turns back to the food, pausing aa moment to drunk up the sight and smell; it's about all she's ever enjoyed before. She takes one tentative bite, clearly excited, but anxious to tell meria that - "Oh gods, this is amazing." -
I'llofii Tsunhe takes another bite, saviouring it more than the previous, her eyes shining. She looks excited, but are those hints of tears as well? "I've never tasted anything like this, it's all so.."
Meria Boucher watches, reaching up to give Cara an absentminded pat. "I am glad that the taste is to your liking. It's... important, experiencing a new thing for the first time."
I'llofii Tsunhe nods quietly, taking another bite "Thank you, Meria.. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. I don't think I'd have ever experienced it if it weren't for you.."
Meria Boucher: I... think I have some idea of what it means. But yes, please enjoy. I will be happy to cook for you in the future.