MURKY DEPTHS.

"I knew it." She is satisfied with his answer. Although Clorinde doesn't know when exactly their relationship with each other took a turn for romantic, it was still nice to see that the both of them have found happiness with each other.

But of course, even paradise has it's share of troubles.

"Rumours are aplenty regardless of what you do or don't do anyways, why should that matter? It's not like the both of you are the type to endure blackmailing attempts or tabloids." Unless it makes either of them uncomfortable? "How about going on honeymoon vacations then? That way the both of you can have some semblance of anonymity."

the   warden,   in   turn,   had   conflicting   feelings   on   the   matter.   neuvillette   was,   as   expected,   far   less   willing   to   humour   public   affection,   or   even   the   public's   knowledge   of   the   such.   he   could   understand   such   hesitance   in   the   face   of   the   oratrice's   discontinued   service,   with   only   the   iudex'   judgement   to   rely   on,   but   he   would   be   lying   if   he   claimed   it   didn't   bother   him   in   absolutely   any   way.

❛    come,   now.   you   know   him,   ❜   he   mused,   though   a   little   bittersweet.   ❛    we   can't   have   anyone   spreading   talk   of   the   chief   justice   supplying   me   with   additional   manpower   or,   gods   forbid,   getting   a   discount   on   our   productions.   ❜

It had taken Freminet a considerable amount of courage to approach the Duke about his request. Given his awareness of their previous interactions, his own affiliation with the Fatui and the reactions of his siblings if they were to ever find out, the young diver understood there is a large amount of risk he is undertaking.

He hesitates upon being faced upon the question as though still trying to fight down the instinct to backpedal or question himself. Finally though, he takes another breath and produces the little clockwork penguin from the folds of his diver's jacket.

"I...the Gardemeks..."

"I wanted to see how their parts work...if I can maybe re-replicate it...then maybe I can help Pers learn how to fly."

That sounded silly to say out loud now, didn't it?

that  said,  when  freminet  produced  that  little  clockwork  penguin,  he  did  feel  his  lips  tug  into  a  small  smile.  truthfully,  he  ought  to  be  firm  about  the  matter  and  refuse  his  request  outright,  but  he  wasn't  a  cruel  man,  and  didn't  see  any  harm  in  the  ordeal  under  certain  circumstances.

"It's a general recipe, you measure with personal taste. So if I were to write a recipe for you it'll do little good without a demonstration. So any exact recipe you find is not going to be as good as a real family recipe, But," The scholar could see the other's point as well. One not familiar with the culture of Chai needed some kind of starting point. Alhaitham took a piece of paper and started to write down a list.

Black tea, Cinnamon sticks, Cardamom, Ginger, Cloves, Peppercorns, Star Anise, Vanilla, Brown or Cane Sugar.

that    seemed...    like    a    lot    of    spices    he    would    not    typically    mix    with    tea,    but    he    was    definitely    not    opposed    to    getting    a    little    adventurous    with    things.    after    all,    he    was    usually    the    last    line    of    defense    when    something    went    awry    in    the    kitchen—    if    by    'going    awry'    one    meant    'potentially    blowing    up',    that    is.

Noticing the building agitation coming from the duke, Hu Tao brought her hands back to herself for the time being. Though this didn't mean she took her gaze off the mechanical creature. The blossom shaped iris made sure to study over each of the intricate details. This was clearly a project that he held dear to him.

"Ah..my dear warden, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to find an excuse for me to take my leave," the funeral directed remarked with a small grin. "But you do have me intrigued with this so called 'research institute'.

Was her presence truly not desired around the Fortress of Meropide? A shame considering there was so much to explore there. And the potential for more clients. Carefully she scooped up the sub-detection unit. She knelt down adjacent to where Wriothesley sat at his desk. Carefully lifting the device as if it was peace-offering gift to the duke

❛    what    kind    of    warden    would    i    be,    sending    people    out    of    my    prison    ?    ❜    he    remarked    loosely,    though    very    much    a    tease;    hu    tao    was,    after    all,    not    yet    an    inmate,    otherwise    he    would    have    far    simpler    means    of    dealing    with    her    teasing    pestering.

☄. *. ⋆ "Ah, perhaps. It would be quite interesting to have a conversation about all of that. It's been some time since i've discussed building history with anyone." Kaveh admitted. The flower language was something he knew well, he was very fond of the use. Though the questioning did make him nervous.

☄. *. ⋆ "Wriothesly,

I'm really glad you've enjoyed it. There's a few different merchants that sell that tea, but there's one that always has the best. I did some work for him awhile back, and that is how I came to know how fantastic his brew is. There's many merchants in Port Ormos, but make sure if you like this one, to purchase the package with the red flowers on it. Not all of them are as good as that one.

I'm honestly glad to hear that things are actually a lot easier than I assumed. It's better to be able to get sunlight whenever you can, or you need to take vitamins. Nothing beats the way the sun hits the skin. I completely understand what you mean, though. Even with larger projects, if I have to go to others, I don't particularly enjoy leaving my work to others.

I've attached a sketch to this letter. The desert foxes are very sweet, but they get easily confused if they're exposed to ley lines. This one followed me to Port Ormos, so I drew him. He's very sweet looking, though I'm in no place to have a pet. I walked him back to the desert and walked back home after I was sure he was set.

Do you often take part in boxing? I think I wouldn't mind watching a round. As to answer your question, I have. I try to visit more and more when I visit. When my mother was married some time ago at the Fountain of Lucine, I fell in love with the place. It's truly a beautiful spot.

How did the boxing competition go?

thanks  you  for  the  tip,  I'll  make  sure  to  keep  an  eye  out  should  I  find  myself  visiting  Port  Ormos.  Perhaps  you  could  compile  a  list  of  place  to  see,  so  I  can  make  the  most  of  a  trip,  should  I  find  myself  with  time  to  spare  for  one.  I  have  been  curious  about  some  matters  regarding  other  nations,  not  to  mention  the  kinds  of  teas  one  could  find  in  different  regions,  so  a  visit  to  Sumeru  remains  very  much  plausible.

I  wholeheartedly  agree.  With  time  to  spare,  I'll  admit  that  the  occasional  nap  in  the  grass  while  the  sun  is  shining  does  wanders  for  me,  though  I  like  to  stay  somewhat  close  to  the  Fortress  to  make  sure  everything  continues  to  work  as  it  should.  There's  plenty  of  capable  staff  to  support  me  in  my  duties,  but  as  you  said,  sometimes  one  prefers  to  do  certain  work  oneself.

It's  unsurprising  that  an  architect  of  all  people  has  artistic  talent,  but  the  sketch  is  quite  charming  nonetheless.  They  look  quite  endearing,  probably  about  as  adorable  as  the  otters  across  Fontaine,  though  they're  not  particularly  wont  to  follow  travellers  outside  of  the  water.  What  stops  you  from  keeping  a  pet?  That  sort  of  companionship  might  help  brighten  your  days,  after  all.

Boxing  is  something  of  a  necessity  for  me,  it  helps  soothe  any  built-up  stress  and  to  solve  more  dire  issues  at  the  Fortress.  Though,  the  odd  challenge  in  the  ring  does  end  up  mostly  just  being  good  fun,  for  me.  The  competition  I  told  you  about  was  quite  interesting,  too,  though  I  emerged  as  the  victor.  It  might  be  better  to  leave  the  inmates  to  these  things,  which  is  why  I  don't  usually  sign  up.  Most  people  don't  want  to  compete  against  their  boss,  do  they?

If  you  haven't  seen  a  trial  yet,  or  a  play,  I  highly  suggest  you  visit  either.  The  former  may  be  a  touch  more  compelling,  as  most  find  seeing  the  Chief  Justice  in  action  to  be  rather  fascinating. 

"Why would you let them hit you like that?" "I've got you right where I want you." "Did you seriously just impale yourself?" "You'll regret that move!" "Looks like I've underestimated you." "You're insane! That's not a smart move!" "I knew you'd fall for it." "I'll make you pay for that mistake." "You're bleeding pretty badly. Are you okay?" "That's it, I've got you now!" "You're not getting away from me this time." "Why would you sacrifice yourself like that?" "You're playing a dangerous game." "That was a risky move, but it paid off." "Take the hit! We can use it to our advantage!" "I've seen this tactic before. It just might work." "You're not seriously considering letting them hit you, are you?" "It's risky, but it's our best shot." "We'll both end up injured, but it's our only chance." "I'll create an opening. You know what to do." "Let them underestimate us. It's our advantage." "I'll take the hit. Be ready to strike when the moment comes."