>>5635975As it turns out, the libation is more of a cool slurry. Its taste is… Inconsistent. There are flecks of what you HOPE are skins, stems, and pits, though some remind you faintly of the cave-bugs which formed a potion of your childhood repast. The alcohol is watered down, at least, and the sweetness of it seems to appeal to Ekaterine, once she learns to fix her eyes firmly forward and not observe the liquid too closely. Neitehr of you drink much, albeit for different reasons.
“So, what sort of FOOD is served at a, um, ‘hot pot restaurant’?” she asks.
You don’t correct her on the business’ name, instead simply shrugging amiably.
“Sssomething hot and in a pot,” you half-joke. “I undersstand they form a sort of flavourful broth from communal offeringsss, into which they dump raw or fried foodsss of variousss typoess—mainly meat and evgetablesss---and then you… Exxxtract it with these implementsss.”
You hold up your own, a little fork-thing made of bent wire, impaled into a rough leather-and-wood grip. Around you, the other diners—many still watching you, while many got up and left as you sat down to scurry away to their dens or hiding places—are partaking in just such a meal.
“Is it… Safe?” Eka asks, her voice a whisper.
You grin. You… Aren’t sure. Paladins have access to healing magic, though, right? And you ARE an amateur fleshweaver, sort of… Perhaps your biological manipulation magics can abate minor food poisoning, with effort?
“Wang,” Ekaterine asks, brow furrowing cutely, eyes squinted in suspicion. “Why did you CHOOSE this place? This isn’t… These people aren’t EXOTIC, they’re just, just, just SAD. Impoverished! This isn’t… I just don’t understand your thinking, I admit it.”
What do you say?
>Joke around, play it coolThis will be fun and memorable, right? That’s what you wanted—a break from palace refinement and the drudgery of a curated routine.
>Challenge herYou were curious how she would react to the TRULY cast-aside and forgotten—the lowest-of-the-low, most reviled and repulsive of the gods’ creatures, who she claims to hold in her heart. So? What does she think?
>Admit your motive (sort of)You honestly didn’t know what to expect… But youa ren’t cultured in the ways of the East’s cities and such, and didn’t want to make a fool of yourself among those who might have more urbane
>Appeal to her sympathyThis... Honestly isn't that different from what you ate growing up. it's maybe BETTER, in fact. You didn't get various fruit-juices or mammal meat, but subsisted on substandard grub--sometimes LITERAL grubs! Is it so bad?
>Offer to leave, and go elsewhereOh Dark Gods Below and Beyond, this was a mistake…
>Write-in 