PSL with apestalmenos

[beshackled]

The way into Abyssos barred by warding sigil, there is yet no present way forward for them to continue into the depths of Pandæmonium, to find that which is the source of the facility's troubles, and by extension their own. Yet, as surely as they had encouraged their ally to take a reprieve and attend to the matters of reporting to others, so, too, do similar thoughts come to mind as he turns his thoughts to his present company.

Quiet though he can be, Erichthonios makes the effort to broach the subject himself, hand stretching out in gesture as he seeks to offer his other new acquaintance reassurance that all will be well, that the world will not fall to ruin if Themis takes a moment to pursue his own desires.

"You... wished to pass a message to your friend, did you not? I know you are concerned about the protective wards, but all seems... calm, for the moment. If you would like to try, I do not think a short amount of time away will invite much trouble."

Comments

[apestalmenos]

Themis has nothing but faith that Erichthonios can only improve his magic skills with practice, and he couldn't ever imagine berating his current level. Everyone must start from somewhere, even himself. And, as he's offered, he would do his best to be there to help, with magic or simply moral support, which comes with the added benefit of being able to spend more time with Erichthonios. Everyone wins!

"'Twould seem we have a great interest in common. I would join you any time you would have me. Schedule permitting, of course." Yes. He'd almost forgotten about that. It wouldn't do to make promises he couldn't keep, but for just a moment all thoughts of anything but being able to be around Erichthonios had flitted out of his mind. How unlike him. He blinks then, as if confused by his own actions, but the sudden announcement of their approach brings a more pleasant look back to his face.
It does seem to have come quickly even to he who had never been there before. The walk had simply seemed too short to have gone anywhere at all.

"Already here? I thought it would be further. Hm, they do say 'time flies when one is enjoying oneself', don't they?" Something like that, anyway. "Let us head inside, then," he agrees with a nod.

[beshackled]

Ah. There is his heart again, hammering away in his chest. At a loss for words, Erichthonios shuffles his weight lightly from one foot to the other in that brief pause between sentences, the heat beginning to rise in his face.

How grateful he is when Themis breaks the silence, for it seems to break the spell inadvertently cast over his senses, reminding him of their purpose for being there in the first place. Returning his nod with one of his own, Erichthonios turns to open the door with outstretched arm.

Though his heart still races, it now does so with purpose.

Giddy with anticipation, Erichthonios' thoughts turn to what he might make with as few ingredients and time as possible. In short time, he arrives at an acceptable solution: pancakes. Pancakes made with giant popotoes. Most of the ingredients for the recipe were grown in or otherwise from Elpis, and so they typically had them in abundance, while the rest were staples of cooking in general.

"...How do you feel about giant popoto pancakes?" he asks, looking through their supplies. They appear to have plenty of giant popotoes, at least.

[apestalmenos]

Giant popoto pancakes. Themis knows how to make those, but he only knows how to make them. Putting them together from individual parts? His eyes positively sparkle at the very idea. Yes, it had been the plan from the start, but now that they're actually there, and Erichthonios seems to be as excited as he is about the project, his enthusiasm rises ever higher.

"I think that sounds wonderful! How do we proceed?"

He starts looking around, though he's not entirely sure what he's looking for, and he keeps getting distracted by completely unrelated things anyway. It also doesn't help that he can't refrain from taking small glances toward Erichthonios for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with cooking. It is so nice to see him so cheered.

"I am so very excited to watch you," he says quite happily as he continues looking. Since this is Erichthonios' area of expertise, however, he doesn't bother to try pulling anything out. He figures he'll be more helpful following instructions than attempting to discern what's supposed to be going on on his own and charging ahead.

[beshackled]

Plucking up a handful of the giant popotoes, Erichthonios turns to collect the implements with which to prepare them; a small knife for peeling, and a tool with which to mash them.

"We shall need a bit of salt, some wheat flour, and eggs. First we must peel the popotoes... while the skins are rich in nutrients, their texture is a detriment to this particular meal." Pancakes are meant to be light and fluffy, whilst popoto skins are... decidedly not. "Once peeled, they must be mashed, then mixed with the flour and egg, which serves to bind the two together."

Setting up next to a counter, Erichthonios begins peeling a popoto over a bowl he uses to catch the skins. "A little bit of salt is added into the mix... and then the cooking process can begin."

[apestalmenos]

Themis is absolutely ready to get to work, attention turned to Erichthonios as he begins giving instruction. With a nod, he immediately swivels to locate the requested ingredients, which thankfully isn't too difficult. He doesn't want to miss a thing!

"How much should I bring?" He asks, but is already filling his arms, figuring if he brings too much it can always just be stored away again once they're done. By the time he's close enough to deposit the items nearby, Erichthonios has already begun peeling, and Themis doesn't want any more of the process to pass him by.

Watching, then, he's clearly enthralled by it all, mostly by how easily Erichthonios handles it. He may also be spending more time with his eyes on the preparer than the preparations, though this doesn't stop him from asking questions.

"So, what happens to the skins? Surely they aren't simply discarded?" That just seems wasteful.

[beshackled]

Themis is correct. To simply discard them would be a waste. His serious expression -- for he often looks so when focusing on a task -- softens, a smile returning to his lips. Themis is so thoughtful...

"The skins, I save with other vegetable scraps to make a vegetable broth with. 'Tis a good base for many soups."

But a thing that takes far more time to prepare well; a thing best saved for later. Round and round he twists the popoto, angling the blade so that the peel remains thin, and the 'meat' of the vegetable as intact as possible.

When the first is done, he picks up another, and does the same.

[apestalmenos]

Oh, he's supposed to be helping, isn't he? But Themis somehow ends up leaning against the counter instead, elbow on the surface with his cheek resting on his hand, just watching. He's quickly found that he rather enjoys that serious expression Erichthonios has for the brief time, though his smile is just as nice, even better...

"That is fascinating, Erichthonios. I really am learning a lot from you today. Thank you for allowing me to accompany you here."

Speaking of which! "Oh! Right!" He abruptly straightens up away from the counter, feeling a little silly at the realization that he'd been there in the first place. "Is there anything else I can do at the moment?"

[beshackled]

Oblivious to Themis' line of sight -- his own being fixated on the vegetable in the process of being peeled -- Erichthonios remains confidently in his element, though the compliments once again stir a strange and pleasing feeling in his chest. He pauses, however, as Themis' exclamation reaches his ears, head lifting and eyes wide with unspoken confusion.

"...Oh." Erichthonios, having been caught up in what he was doing, had neglected to give further instructions. How embarrassing... "If you'd like, you could grab a large bowl and see to the mashing? I can drop the popotoes in once they are ready..."

[apestalmenos]

Perhaps it is that confidence that really makes Erichthonios shine at the moment. It keeps a smile on Themis' face every time he glances over to see the man so firmly and comfortably in charge of his environment.

Though he does feel a little bad at having clearly startled Erichthonios, he's taken aback by how... cute the resultant expression is. That is really the only word he can think of to describe it, and noting that brings a hint of color to his face as he quickly looks away to begin following the new instructions. A bowl... Didn't he just move something like that?

"I do believe I can handle that. I think I saw a bowl earlier..."

Locating what he assumes to be an appropriately sized bowl, he sets the dish on the counter, a subsequent search for something to do the mashing with artificially extended to give his face time to return to a proper shade.

"Ah, that you can remember all of this without writing it down!" The whole process just promises to amaze him from beginning to end. He can't help it.

[beshackled]

"'Tis not difficult to remember, once one has done it a time or two. The recipe is a simple one."

Popoto peeled, Erichthonios holds it over the bowl, cutting it into smaller pieces as he drops it in, to aid in the process of the mashing. He crosses back to his previous position shortly after, reaching at first for the first popoto he had peeled, when he catches sight of the very implement Themis must be looking for -- the one he'd grabbed earlier.

Collecting it up, he offers it to his companion.

"This is what I use for mashing."

[apestalmenos]

"Thank you," Themis accepts the popoto smasher, actually far too excited to get started with his task. He even attempts to push his sleeves up, though they don't really go far, and simply slide right back down a second later. Well, he'll just have to be careful.

"Is this one of your favorites? Or is it simply the easiest?" he asks as he begins the mashing. It doesn't seem too difficult, but he feels rather accomplished when the popoto indeed begins to mush together in the bowl.

"I apologize if I ask too many questions."

[beshackled]

"You need not be worried about asking a question. I only regret that I may not have all the answers you might seek."

Even then, he would not resent Themis for asking the question. Resuming the task of peeling as he talks, Erichthonios soon drops sections of the second popoto in the bowl, followed quickly by a third.

"But to answer what you asked, I like it well, but find more delight in more complex flavors than in simple sweets."

[apestalmenos]

"Be assured I don't expect you to have the answer to everything. I simply like talking to you, so I believe I may be getting carried away," he explains rather cheerfully.
Should he be having so much fun with this? He finds it almost as enlightening as a day in the archives; every time he turns around he's learning or doing something new. How could he not be having a great time?

And yet, it is also an important activity, considering the plan was to eat so that they could continue with their business outside sooner than later. Working hard on his popoto smushing, Themis grows silent then, due to the concentration the task really shouldn't require.

[beshackled]

Once they are done with the popotoes, Erichthonios brings along the flour, adding it to the bowl. This is followed by a small measure of finely ground sea salt and elder nutmeg, and finally the yolks and whites of several bird of Elpis eggs, which he takes care to break over a separate cup as to avoid the risk of any bits of shell accidentally making their way into the mix.

"...and now all we have to do is mix it together well. Once it is without lumps, we can begin cooking." He pauses, a smile once again edging at his lips. "You did well at mashing the popotoes. Would you like to do the mixing?"

[apestalmenos]

Themis feels quite accomplished with his success in smashing popotoes, though the thought of actually telling anyone about that fills him with amusement. How would they react? Really, they would likely wonder why he'd even do such a thing in the first place. And then also find amusement in his pride regarding it.

"I find myself almost believing my arms may just fall off before this is done," he says with a smile, still caught up in the mirth of his own thoughts. Despite the comment, he's quick to start attempting to mash it all together with the same tool he'd been using. It seems like it would work well toward incorporating everything, after all.

[beshackled]

His smile only seems to rest all the more securely at hearing Themis' enthusiasm, the expression turning fond as the other man proceeds to mix everything up with the same instrument he'd used for mashing.

"...I very much doubt that. 'Twould take a far more formidable foe to best your arms, I think."

He does, however, step back to grab a more suitable whisk for the task, returning to Themis' side with the implement shortly after.

"Try this, and use a stirring motion. It will mix much faster this way."

[apestalmenos]

"My arms truly appreciate the faith you have placed in them." Despite having clearly been exaggerating about the toll the activity might take, Themis can nonetheless feel the acute results of his exertion within the muscles. It is, in fact, quite the workout, especially in the way he's apparently erroneously going about the task, as he's soon offered a different utensil.

"Ah, I hadn't realized just how many tools were necessary for this," he remarks as he takes the whisk and swaps it in to begin stirring as recommended. It is definitely easier. "Are you quite certain I'm not slowing down the process?"

[beshackled]

"Aye, I am. Even though learning something for the first time makes for slower individual tasks, you've already saved us time."

Peeling and mashing the popotoes separately would have taken Erichthonios a while longer, even with his experience. Still, in the spirit of saving them time, he draws away, moving on to the next of his tasks. He trusts that Themis will not take long.

"I shall see to warming the stove."

[apestalmenos]

Themis does appreciate the confirmation that he has, indeed, been helpful, despite stumbling through the steps so clumsily. At least with his new whisk, the stirring goes much easier, and even his arms feel a little better, though they'd still be much happier once allowed rest.

"I am, of course, grateful for your guidance. I'm very much looking forward to the finished product. It won't take long, yes?"

The stirring doesn't, at least, thanks to the head-start he'd gotten with the other utensil. There is but a bit more time before he feels he's finished with the popotoes and carries the bowl over to Erichthonios for his assessment.

[beshackled]

Short though the time is, the stove is properly warmed when Themis ventures over. He takes the bowl in hand, taking a quick look at the consistency of the batter mix. All seems well.

"Aye, it will take even less time than the preparations."

Their batch is small enough that the entire cooking process will take a handful of minutes at the most. Taking up a large spoon, he dips it into the thick batter, doling the mixture out into a pan atop the stove three small circles at a time, shaping each neatly.

"How hungry are you?"

[apestalmenos]

"Oh, not very. I shouldn't expect I'll need much at this moment."

Now that his part in the preparation is over, Themis simply stands nearby, watching. Even the cooking promises to be fascinating and he hasn't been able to pull his eyes away since Erichthonios started adding to the pan. With yet another utensil! But of course.

[beshackled]

And there shall even be another utensil when it comes time to flip the pancakes, which he does just a couple of minutes after.

"Usually, one makes fewer pancakes of larger size, but I thought the smaller size would work better for now."

He repeats the process until the mix is used up, ending up with half a dozen pancakes, which he then dishes onto separate plates, drizzling each set with a bit of honey and a small sprinkling of nutmeg.

He's quite pleased with the result.

"'Tis done."

[apestalmenos]

Another utensil! But it does seem necessary. Themis can't see how any of the others used so far could be used in such a way. Yet again, fascinating.

"Is that so? How large would they usually get when you prepare them in this way?" Of course, if one were to just conjure the dish up, one could theoretically choose any size one could imagine, so there's no question regarding that situation.

Once the dishes are set, he smiles brightly with a light nod.

"They do look amazing. You truly have a gift for this."

[beshackled]

Erichthonios cannot help but smile bashfully in response. The compliments are nice... Truthfully, he does not think he has ever heard them in such profusion before. But Themis has yet to even taste the results!

"'Tis not a difficult recipe... and you did as much of the work as I did."

All the matters of texture and proper moisture are firmly a result of Themis' mixing, as far as he is concerned.

"But... to answer your question, typically one makes a single large and thick pancake that takes up much of the surface of the plate... but being larger and thicker they tend to take a little longer to cook... and risk making a bit of a mess if one is fond of drenching their pancakes in honey."

The larger the pancake, the less room left on the plate for the excess honey to pool.

[apestalmenos]

When people display their impressive talents, Themis can't help but be excited about seeing them. He finds it especially easy to express his admiration for the things Erichthonios can accomplish, and he barely even notices just how much he's gushed so far, which means he's likely to continue. That particular smile goes quite far in encouraging him as well; he'd never stop if the things he said always resulted in that smile.

But it is true that he hasn't even yet had a taste, and he is very much looking forward to that.

"I could only perform as I had due to your instruction and direction, of course. I would have been quite lost otherwise," he points out with a small smile of his own. In thinking over the answer to his question, he nods, left with only one more set of questions:

"Is that how you would typically dress this dish? Drenched with honey? I can't say I've ever tried them that way."