Journal the Eighth (open!)

[theabjectauthor]

Good afternoon, everyone, and to those of you with the inclination, a happy St. Patrick's Day.

[Lemony's voice drifts over the journals over the sounds of chopping, rustling, and bubbling, a pretty clear indication that he's in the kitchen. every now and then there's a dusting of something powdery over the page - spices, to be exact]

I suppose I could regale you with the curious details of the holiday, and how it has evolved from the celebration of a man who dedicated his life to crushing the pagan beliefs of a country and converting them to Catholicism, or how that slowly evolved into an Irish-American celebration of culture, yeasty beverages, and the color green in various combinations. But that sort of information is readily available.

Instead, I am here at the request of my dear friend Sunny Baudelaire: as she does not quite have an extensive enough vocabulary, herself, I would like to invite you all to partake of a traditional St. Patrick's Day repast. Sunny is doing most of the preparation, and I am mainly acting as sous-chef, a phrase which here means "one who lifts the heavier things and handles the more dangerous bits of the cooking process".

Incidentally, corned beef - or salt beef, if you're more prone to British slang - became more popular with the Irish upon their immigration to New York, where the salted cuts of beef made available largely through the Jewish butchers of the city were more affordable than the pork they had favored back home on the Emerald Isle. So, if you're worried about the meal being kosher, there's no need for concern.

[at which point, the master chef herself sees fit to pipe up] Oleracea!

OH! Yes, thank you for reminding me. [ahem] Sunny would like me to remind you that it's also delicious when paired with cabbage, carrots and potatoes.

We're looking forward to meeting anyone who would care to come ... and I'll be more than happy to translate for Sunny, as she's eager to meet people.

Comments

action

[pinwield]

[ Did a piece of potato just disappear? Yes, yes it did. A piece of carrot too. Sorry, Sunny, your vegetable cutting is being undermined.

What? Borrowers borrow food too, you know! ]

[quadro_dent]

[Waitwhat. She was SURE she'd just put a slice of potato right there.

She frowns, confused, looking around for the wayward potato. Did it fall on the floor? She looks around for it.]

[theabjectauthor]

[meanwhile Lemony is busy setting the table, so - he's completely not seeing this.

way to be a guardian dude]

[pinwield]

[ Normally, Arrietty wouldn't do this, but Sunny did say she came in peace... maybe. She thought that's what she heard.

Anyway, this time a stray shred of lettuce slips away, while Sunny looks for the slice of potato. Thankfully that grownup bean is too busy at the table to see her. ]

[quadro_dent]

[Sunny notices the movement out of the corner of her eye and turns to look. Are her vegetables walking away?]

[waterproofed]

You've got me hungry. I'm heading down.

[theabjectauthor]

Oh, good. Have you and Sunny met yet, Percy?

[waterproofed]

Yeah, we did. I couldn't understand her too well but I told her I was a volunteer.

[theabjectauthor]

There is, most assuredly, a learning curve to deciphering her vocabulary. As I had been researching their circumstances for some time before arriving, I am lucky enough to have a firm handle on it.

[waterproofed]

Good, now I can ask you to translate, too.

Action;

[gottaknockhard]

[If there's anything that can get Spike out of avoiding social situations like the plague, it's the promise of free food. He'll be making his way into the kitchen, where he's hoping it's either too crowded or they're too distracted to notice if he walks off with a plate.

In other words, just ignore the guy with the fuzzy hair casually rounding the kitchen and eying the food like he never heard the announcement. Not even worth talking to.]

[theabjectauthor]

[unfortunately, the kitchen's occupants are few at this point! and ... well, there's a baby standing on a stool at the counter. the only adult present is busy folding napkins at the table.

is this at least in the running for the oddest dinner you've been to, Spike?]

[gottaknockhard]

[Odd enough to make him skeptical. He'll tentatively approach Lemony, rather than the food that he's getting less sure of.]

Throwing a party? [Napkin folding... Already outclassing Spike.]

[quadro_dent]

[Sunny smiles and waves at the newcomer.]

Nuacherpel. [which roughly translates to "Not a party. We're celebrating St. Patty's Day."]

[theabjectauthor]

Not quite, sir. Sunny's right - it is merely a humble celebration. [he smiles] We're glad to have you, though, if you'll join us.

Dictated forever

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

The Leprechaun would love you to tell that story, probably. If he stayed sober long enough to hear it, anyway.

[Still]

I'll pass. I don't meddle in other people's holidays and I've still got a lot of work to do. Enjoy yourselves, though.

uh-uh. We demand ACTION!

[quadro_dent]

[there's no reply, Bunny. Instead, a short while later there is a pair walking towards your burrow. He may have a lot of work to do but that doesn't mean he doesn't need to eat, too.

Thus Lemony and Sunny have decided to pay him a visit with a rather large plate of carrots.]

GOSH FINE DEMANDING

[thatrabbitsdynamite]

[Bunny is still sitting outside his burrow, still painting his eggs. Has he actually slept at this point? He doesn't look like he has. A couple of googies toddle out of Lemony and Sunny's way as they arrive.

Bunny glances up from his work, a smile crossing his face. Wow when had he eaten last? Was three days ago? Four?]

Well, this is a surprise. G'day.

[theabjectauthor]

Good afternoon, Sir! [Lemony holds out the carrots] When Sunny heard that you would be unable to join us, she thought it might be fair for us to bring the feast to you.

[quadro_dent]

[Sunny's curiously watching those googies. What ARE they?

She gives Bunny a smile and a wave.]

Action

[littlesoul]

[She's been free running through the castle all day, racing up and down and up again, through rooms and stairs and anywhere she can get into.

It feels good to run, maybe not perfect but when you spend a lot of your time curled up sometimes doing things like this just feel like a necessity.

She runs into the kitchen her eyes wide at the sight of people cooing. She likes watching, likes the artistry in food preparation and she's curious too.

So here, guys. Have River settling herself on an unoccupied counter, eyes bouncing between the two of you and fingers twitching,, itching to help but holding back.]

[quadro_dent]

[Sunny smiles broadly at the newcomer, showing off her four very sharp teeth. New friends are always welcome!

She waves a wooden spoon at her]

Tatsulionas! [Which clearly means "Hello! Dinner is almost ready. Would you like some?]

[littlesoul]

[River nods, looking over at the various dishes that are being prepared. She's hungry, moreso than she realized after running all day and she's eager to eat. She's patient though, knowing that you have to wait.

However, that doesn't mean she won't smile or hum softly as they work, songs from back hoe, songs that remind her of cooking, of family]

[theabjectauthor]

Good evening. [Lemony smiles at her] Will you be joining us for dinner? [it's a little repetitive, yes, but he figures that not everyone can understand Sunny]

[littlesoul]

[She laughs a little, nodding her head.] Mockingbird. [It's sing-songed. but not unkindly.]

I can hear her.