Anima, Ch.23: Their Story

[Anima, Ch.23: Their Story]
----------------------------
--01-- [Scene: Dunbarton] <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
I set my freshly-made potions in the kiosk, then put price tags on the flasks.
Kiandra had explained how to set these up, but not how they keep people
from taking something without paying for it...


--02-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
It's one more thing about this world that makes absolutely no sense to me.
It just works. Best not to worry about these things...
Satisfied that everything was in order, I walked back to the square.


--03-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
Across the street, Price stood by a portable folding table covered in a leather sheet,
laden with his usual...novelty wares.
I wonder if he sells many of those numbered signs...


--04-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
I've been keeping an eye on him the last few days.
If he follows his routine, today he'll pack up and go to Dugald Aisle.
Tomorrow, I'll speak to him there. I'd rather not have prying ears around.


--05-- <BGM: Close to Nostalgia>
While waiting for Vivian to show up, I walked about the square looking through shops.
I wasn't looking to buy anything; just taking note of the current prices on potions.



--06-- <BGM: Wake Up In The Morning Sun>
It was well past noon by the time Vivian finally showed up.
She yawned and stretched as she walked up to me.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I always sleep in on my days off," she mumbled drowsily.


--07-- <BGM: Wake Up In The Morning Sun>
"Your brother too?"
"Yeah, they work him even harder. On off days, sometimes he won't even get up."
I nearly had to bite my tongue to keep myself from venting a scathing tirade over their...choices.


--08-- <BGM: Wake Up In The Morning Sun>
Instead, I just ask, "So, what do you want to do today?"
"Just about anything's better than swinging a pickaxe for twelve hours.
Hmm... I kind of want to practice cooking today. Okay with you?"


--09-- <BGM: Wake Up In The Morning Sun>
"Sure, why not?"
Vivian smiled. "It'll take care of lunch too."
"Provided that at least one of doesn't end up with a pile of ashes."
"...you had to say it. That's why I want to practice."

--10-- <BGM: As the Old Days Flutter Past in the Wind>
After buying some cooking implements from Walter, ingredients from Glenis,
and two cookbooks from Aeira's bookstore, we set up at the cookstove near the church.



--11-- <BGM: As the Old Days Flutter Past in the Wind>
How does this cookstove stay hot, day after day?
I never see anyone adding fuel to it. It never burns out.
It's one of these maddening mysteries that I've learned, after much effort, not to question.


--12-- <BGM: As the Old Days Flutter Past in the Wind>
Vivian thought out loud while thumbing through the cookbook. "Let's see, what can I do with these...?"
I do the same thing, though I keep my thoughts quieter.
Hm, maybe this one? No, too complex...


--13-- <BGM: As the Old Days Flutter Past in the Wind>
I settled on a recipe that looked straightforward.
Vivian was already sloppily mixing together something.
She seemed to have some trouble getting the amounts right...


--14-- <BGM: As the Old Days Flutter Past in the Wind>
Carefully, I measured out the listed ingredients and added them to my pot.
A bit of meat, some bread, some cheese... Is this right?
I...don't think I really have a good eye for this...


--15-- <BGM: As the Old Days Flutter Past in the Wind> {SFX: explosion}
We carefully set our cooking pots over the fire to bake.
Not too surprisingly, the contents of Vivian's pot erupt into a pillar of flame!
She screams in shock, pulling the pot off the fire.


--16-- <BGM: As the Old Days Flutter Past in the Wind>
"No! No no no no no! Ugh, why does this always happen?!"
Too late. At least mine hasn't spontaneously combusted yet.
I poke at the pot's contents with a ladle to keep it from sticking to the sides.


--17-- <BGM: As the Old Days Flutter Past in the Wind>
Vivian dumps out the scorched remnants. "Ooh. I am *not* ruining this again."
She measures out more ingredients with much more careful movements, small increments at a time.



--18-- <BGM: As the Old Days Flutter Past in the Wind>
After furiously stirring the contents for her second attempt, she places it on the fire.
"So far, so good. Dad always made this look so easy. How did he manage it?"



--19-- <BGM: As the Old Days Flutter Past in the Wind>
"Your father?" I asked.
"Yeah. He always did all the cooking around the house, at least until..." She sighed.
"Eh, it's a...long story..."


--20-- <BGM: Father Left Alone>
"I could tell it if you want," came Devin's voice from behind us.
We turned to face him, with some surprise.
"Churning out more toxic waste? Like mother, like daughter." He laughed.


--21-- <BGM: Father Left Alone> {SFX: explosion}
"Hey! I've only failed once today!"
Almost on cue, the contents of Vivian's cooking pot burst into flames again.
"Why?!" She gave a dejected whine and fell to her knees.


--22-- <BGM: Father Left Alone>
"Twice," Devin quipped. "Anyway, you don't mind if I tell her, sis?"
Vivian scraped the food waste out of the pot. "Whatever," she snapped, muttering to herself, "I swear I had it right..."



--23-- <BGM: Father Left Alone>
Devin continued. "Well, Dad was a gourmet chef who ran a fancy high-class restaurant, while Mom
couldn't even boil water. It was more than that, though. They were perfect complements to each other."



--24-- <BGM: Father Left Alone>
"They stuck together for twenty years like that."
I listened intently, keeping an eye on my pot. Needs a stir.
"Anyway," he went on, "Mom got sick a few years ago. Leukemia. She went downhill fast."


--25-- <BGM: Father Left Alone>
"The treatments did more harm than good, and after a few months...she died."
A lump formed in my throat.
I'm not sure exactly what 'leukemia' is, but I get the idea: some kind of disease.


--26-- <BGM: Father Left Alone>
With some difficulty, Devin went on with his tale. "Dad just sort of...gave up on everything
after Mom died. He sold his restaurant, he lost interest in all the things he loved, and, well..."



--27-- <BGM: Father Left Alone>
Vivian bowed her head in silence, pausing in her food preparation.
Devin sighed. He was struggling with this.
"Right after we turned eighteen, he just...died. He lost the will to live."


--28-- <BGM: Father Left Alone>
"He left everything to us, but...without Mom and Dad around..."
He closed his eyes, bowed his head, and turned away.
I can't blame him for not going on. This had to be difficult to share.


--29--  <BGM: Twilight Memories>
A pang of sorrow struck right at my heart.
I sat the ladle down on the edge of the well, and hugged Devin from behind. I couldn't help myself.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.


--30-- <BGM: Twilight Memories>
Vivian cleared her throat loudly, then went back to measuring out ingredients.
I let go and stepped back. "Uh, um..." My cheeks felt flushed.
Devin straightened his stance. "Thanks, Meara."


--31-- <BGM: Twilight Memories>
"I... I can't relate. You know I don't remember my family. But...you have my sympathy."
I looked at Vivian. "Both of you."
She was once more focused intently on the pot before her.


--32-- <BGM: Twilight Memories>
Oh, wait a minute... I grabbed the ladle and looked at my own cooking.
I think it's done. Looks about right...
I pulled the pot off the fire and quickly set it down before it burned my hands.


--33-- <BGM: Twilight Memories>
"Figures you'd get it right," Vivian scoffed, glaring at me.
I glared right back. "Hey, I've burned my share of dishes. You remember.
I just about set that tree on fire a dozen times."


--34-- <BGM: Twilight Memories>
"Yeah, but at least you got better at it. Oh, well..."
"Third time's the charm, maybe?" Devin asked.
"Here's hoping," she said, putting the pot back on the fire.


--35-- <BGM: Twilight Memories> {SFX: explosion}
It was not to be, as it soon burst into flames.
"Why doesn't this work?!" she screamed.
"At least you're consistent, sis."
"Consistency is only a virtue when you don't always screw it up."


--36-- <BGM: Twilight Memories>
"What are you trying to make, anyway? Show me the recipe," I asked.
"This," Vivian indicated, pointing at the open page in the cookbook.
I looked it over...



--37-- <BGM: Twilight Memories>
"Well, no wonder you keep failing it; this is supposed to be simmered, not baked."
"What?" Vivian facepalmed, shaking her head. "How did I miss that?"



--38-- <BGM: Twilight Memories>
Devin laughed a bit. "Nobody trips over mountains, but the molehills get you every time."
Vivian snapped and threw her ladle at her brother. He sidestepped and it flew down the steps.



--39-- <BGM: Twilight Memories>
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Price walking up the main street, heading north out of town
with his large satchel slung over his shoulder.
Looks like he's right on schedule.


--40--
For now, it's nice to enjoy the day with my friends, while they have the time.
Tomorrow they'll have to go back to toiling in the mines again...and tomorrow
I'll go speak with Price as I planned.


[chapter end]