[ Ming Yi agrees simply enough before lifting his chopsticks again to refill his plate with pieces of crispy, roasted duck. He himself isn't enough of a tea connoisseur to be certain what the blend may be comprised of, if it's anything familiar to him at all. It wouldn't be the least bit surprising if it wasn't. ]
The wine is brewed by the owner, but the tea could have come from anywhere.
A server comes out of the kitchen, not the chef herself, but the food is undoubtedly still cooked by her, and the plate of dumplings he'd ordered is set down. The portions are large, the plate almost heaped with dumplings. They smell divine but he doubts he can eat them all.]
[ Ming Yi nods gratefully before taking two and adding them to his own plate. ]
Thank you.
[ Despite his initial assessment, Neuvillette isn't bad at all. Ming Yi stuffs his face like he hasn't eaten all week, and his attention seems almost entirely devoted to the task. If neither he nor Neuvillette drink the alcohol, it isn't as though Ming Yi will struggle to carry it out with him and give it to someone who will be more than happy to drink it.
He's only here for the food himselfโand any information. ]
Have you been here very long?
[ They already knew each other's name. This was a fair place as any to start. ]
[He watches Ming Yi for a long moment, focused on his hand and the chopsticks, which is also the utensil he's been provided with. He's never used them before though he's seen some visitors to Fontaine use them once or twice. He eyes the dumplings, wondering how much of an impropriety it would be to eat them with his fingers.
After a moment, he does pick the chopsticks up, but struggles to copy how Ming Yi is holding them.]
Might I implore you for some help? I'm afraid I'm unused to using a utensil like this. How does one-? [He tries to prop them in his hand like Ming Yi has but isn't quite managing.]
Not long at all. A few hours? It seems many of us have very recently arrived. In fact, they seem ill-prepared for so many of us.
[ Oh. Ming Yi looks up, watching Neuvillette's hand struggle to properly hold the chopsticks almost like a small child that's only now moving on from being fed by their parent.
Somehow, it hadn't yet occurred to Ming Yi that beings from other realms wouldn't be familiar with common utensilsโthe idea is so ridiculous, that it makes the entire situation somehow more believable for it.
With a silent sigh, Ming Yi slips off his chair and circles around to stand beside Neuvillette and carefully take his hand in his own cold, slender hands to adjust his grip. At least, unlike a small child, the length of the chopsticks shouldn't be a problemโand unlike a small, needy sibling, Ming Yi feels assured that this isn't a ploy for attentionโbut regardless, the task feels not much different from once again helping a little sibling.
And he doesn't like to imagine the feeling of being at a loss of how to feed oneself and resorting to just using one's own hands instead.
While shifting Neuvillette's fingers into place, he responds: ]
That's true. Half the people I've spoken have said the same.
[ Does he have it now? Ming Yi wonders, then pulls his hands back. ]
The rest don't remember how long it's been. We may be the first new guests in a long time.
[and then i got covid >_< it's been a week, i tell you. sorry for the delay!
Ming Yi seemed to use these with such ease, Neuvillette had thought he'd simply be able to pick them up and mimic what he was doing well enough. That had obviously failed miserably. Neuvillette doesn't seem at all bothered or flustered as Ming Yi steps into his space and helps maneuver the chopsticks in his hand to be held correctly. Both of them have long, elegant fingers, his own slender hands not so different from Ming Yi's. His focus is intense as he watches and then attempts to move the two sticks. It's still slightly clumsy but passable and with more practice he shouldn't struggle too much.]
I assume these have a name? What are they called where you're from?
I'm only familiar with knives, forks and spoons - of varying sizes, of course, depending on what one is eating.
[He tilts his head, neutral expression bordering on concern as what Ming Yi has said soaks in.] They don't remember? That is... odd. As is our sudden arrival to this place. Wherever we are.
[He reaches forward, struggling to pick up a dumpling. It practically looks like he's going to glare it between the chopsticks his gaze is so intense, but he eventually does manage to get a decent hold of one dumpling and then two more, transferring them to his plate.]
[ ooc: Nooo! ;o; I hope the rest of the year goes up from there!! No more sickness... ;; ]
[ Satisfied that Neuvillette seems to be maneuvering the chopsticks decently enough, Ming Yi steps out of his space and returns to his own seat (and his own plate). ]
Chopsticks. [ He answers simply, then looks up at Neuvillette's explanation, and, with a somewhat despondent look in his eyes, thinks that it's rather fortunate to be eating food that only requires one, two utensils at most. ] The ones that you eat with only come in a single size; the larger ones are for cooking.
If we ever meet at a restaurant with the cutlery you're familiar with, you'll need to teach me the same.
[ And perhaps that will be quite the feast, to accommodate so many pieces of cutlery.
The other subject, however, is more concerning. ]
It is odd. [ Though his eyes fall to Neuvillette's hand and watch as he transfers the dumplings to his plate, and watching him succeed, he feels mildly glad for his companion. It turns out that one doesn't forget being an older brother. It would be embarrassing to praise a grown man, however. ] I'm not sure where this is myself. That itself may still be outside of our understanding...
A very pragmatic name. [He approves. And, as he slowly gets the hang of maneuvering them, he can appreciate how easy they are to maneuver, like an extension of one's fingers.] Only one size? Although saying so may earn me the ire of those who are fond of ceremony, I would much prefer one size of utensil rather than the complicated system of what one can use with which course.
[Neuvillette glances over at his new acquaintance before giving him a nod.] It would be my pleasure. I hope there is an opportunity to do so.
[Which brings them back to just how long they'll be stuck here. It's quite the predicament.] I have been to other realms before, places outside of... of existence? Or perhaps outside of the normal plane of existence. This does strike me as something similar. But knowing that isn't at all helpful in solving how to leave, I'm afraid.
As far as problems that can be solved... I am curious. I enjoy soup... but surely you don't use chopsticks for liquids.
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no subject
Date: 24 Dec 2023 09:38 pm (UTC)[ Ming Yi agrees simply enough before lifting his chopsticks again to refill his plate with pieces of crispy, roasted duck. He himself isn't enough of a tea connoisseur to be certain what the blend may be comprised of, if it's anything familiar to him at all. It wouldn't be the least bit surprising if it wasn't. ]
The wine is brewed by the owner, but the tea could have come from anywhere.
no subject
Date: 26 Dec 2023 06:34 am (UTC)[It seemed rude not to try it at all though.
A server comes out of the kitchen, not the chef herself, but the food is undoubtedly still cooked by her, and the plate of dumplings he'd ordered is set down. The portions are large, the plate almost heaped with dumplings. They smell divine but he doubts he can eat them all.]
Please, feel free to help yourself to these.
no subject
Date: 28 Dec 2023 01:00 am (UTC)Thank you.
[ Despite his initial assessment, Neuvillette isn't bad at all. Ming Yi stuffs his face like he hasn't eaten all week, and his attention seems almost entirely devoted to the task. If neither he nor Neuvillette drink the alcohol, it isn't as though Ming Yi will struggle to carry it out with him and give it to someone who will be more than happy to drink it.
He's only here for the food himselfโand any information. ]
Have you been here very long?
[ They already knew each other's name. This was a fair place as any to start. ]
no subject
Date: 30 Dec 2023 04:57 am (UTC)After a moment, he does pick the chopsticks up, but struggles to copy how Ming Yi is holding them.]
Might I implore you for some help? I'm afraid I'm unused to using a utensil like this. How does one-? [He tries to prop them in his hand like Ming Yi has but isn't quite managing.]
Not long at all. A few hours? It seems many of us have very recently arrived. In fact, they seem ill-prepared for so many of us.
no subject
Date: 1 Jan 2024 09:34 pm (UTC)Somehow, it hadn't yet occurred to Ming Yi that beings from other realms wouldn't be familiar with common utensilsโthe idea is so ridiculous, that it makes the entire situation somehow more believable for it.
With a silent sigh, Ming Yi slips off his chair and circles around to stand beside Neuvillette and carefully take his hand in his own cold, slender hands to adjust his grip. At least, unlike a small child, the length of the chopsticks shouldn't be a problemโand unlike a small, needy sibling, Ming Yi feels assured that this isn't a ploy for attentionโbut regardless, the task feels not much different from once again helping a little sibling.
And he doesn't like to imagine the feeling of being at a loss of how to feed oneself and resorting to just using one's own hands instead.
While shifting Neuvillette's fingers into place, he responds: ]
That's true. Half the people I've spoken have said the same.
[ Does he have it now? Ming Yi wonders, then pulls his hands back. ]
The rest don't remember how long it's been. We may be the first new guests in a long time.
no subject
Date: 10 Jan 2024 02:28 am (UTC)Ming Yi seemed to use these with such ease, Neuvillette had thought he'd simply be able to pick them up and mimic what he was doing well enough. That had obviously failed miserably. Neuvillette doesn't seem at all bothered or flustered as Ming Yi steps into his space and helps maneuver the chopsticks in his hand to be held correctly. Both of them have long, elegant fingers, his own slender hands not so different from Ming Yi's. His focus is intense as he watches and then attempts to move the two sticks. It's still slightly clumsy but passable and with more practice he shouldn't struggle too much.]
I assume these have a name? What are they called where you're from?
I'm only familiar with knives, forks and spoons - of varying sizes, of course, depending on what one is eating.
[He tilts his head, neutral expression bordering on concern as what Ming Yi has said soaks in.] They don't remember? That is... odd. As is our sudden arrival to this place. Wherever we are.
[He reaches forward, struggling to pick up a dumpling. It practically looks like he's going to glare it between the chopsticks his gaze is so intense, but he eventually does manage to get a decent hold of one dumpling and then two more, transferring them to his plate.]
no subject
Date: 22 Jan 2024 01:00 am (UTC)[ Satisfied that Neuvillette seems to be maneuvering the chopsticks decently enough, Ming Yi steps out of his space and returns to his own seat (and his own plate). ]
Chopsticks. [ He answers simply, then looks up at Neuvillette's explanation, and, with a somewhat despondent look in his eyes, thinks that it's rather fortunate to be eating food that only requires one, two utensils at most. ] The ones that you eat with only come in a single size; the larger ones are for cooking.
If we ever meet at a restaurant with the cutlery you're familiar with, you'll need to teach me the same.
[ And perhaps that will be quite the feast, to accommodate so many pieces of cutlery.
The other subject, however, is more concerning. ]
It is odd. [ Though his eyes fall to Neuvillette's hand and watch as he transfers the dumplings to his plate, and watching him succeed, he feels mildly glad for his companion. It turns out that one doesn't forget being an older brother. It would be embarrassing to praise a grown man, however. ] I'm not sure where this is myself. That itself may still be outside of our understanding...
no subject
Date: 25 Jan 2024 02:48 am (UTC)A very pragmatic name. [He approves. And, as he slowly gets the hang of maneuvering them, he can appreciate how easy they are to maneuver, like an extension of one's fingers.] Only one size? Although saying so may earn me the ire of those who are fond of ceremony, I would much prefer one size of utensil rather than the complicated system of what one can use with which course.
[Neuvillette glances over at his new acquaintance before giving him a nod.] It would be my pleasure. I hope there is an opportunity to do so.
[Which brings them back to just how long they'll be stuck here. It's quite the predicament.] I have been to other realms before, places outside of... of existence? Or perhaps outside of the normal plane of existence. This does strike me as something similar. But knowing that isn't at all helpful in solving how to leave, I'm afraid.
As far as problems that can be solved... I am curious. I enjoy soup... but surely you don't use chopsticks for liquids.