video;

[survivra]

—What?

[ It's a question that's both disbelieving and demanding, Katsa's voice just a little more high-pitched than she usually ever speaks. Of course, since this is her first time using the TAB and among her first days in Thisavrou, it's not a detail that too many people should recognize, but still. Squeaky.

It's especially obvious once she continues speaking—lower, but no less demanding, with the look and tone of someone who's accustomed to getting answers when she asks them. ]

Is it a common welcome here, then, to offer some sort of poor beast's heart as a gift? Or does someone imagine they'll disturb others for amusement? A gift from a king, perhaps?

Comments

video;

[sketchycharacter]

Not really, no. Gross, isn't it? Kinda thoughtful, but gross.

video;

[survivra]

How in the Middluns' name would giving a fresh heart be thoughtful? I'm no Nanderan lord, with their delicacies.

[ And it's not as though it was delivered on a plate. ]

video;

[sketchycharacter]

I assumed it was meant as a friendly gesture. Maybe whoever sent them enjoys having hearts and wanted to share them. I mean, it could be an intimidation tactic, but that's a lot of people to intimidate at once.

video;

[survivra]

A gutted heart seems more a threat to me. [ frown ] How many people received one?

audio;

[cockade]

You mean to tell me no one in the Middluns ever offers a heart as a gift? How incredibly unromantic.

[He's teasing, honestly.]

I've heard about it, though. You're not harmed, are you, Katsa?

audio;

[survivra]

Perhaps they might, rather less literally. But I wouldn't wish it anyway. [ She wrinkles her nose. ] As though I'd allow myself to be harmed by someone who doesn't even have the courage to confront me.

audio;

[cockade]

I was hoping it was more metaphorically than anything else. [He pauses.] They remind me of the cases of murders we have in Paris every now and then. Some of them are rather unique, from what I remember.

video;

[nicearsenal]

Common? Nah. I reckon aliens took all those cheesy love songs a little too literally.

video;

[survivra]

[ You'll have to forgive her for only understanding half of that. Katsa squints at her TAB. ]

What?

[ Forgoing why it would even be in front of hers in the first place— ]

Are there love songs telling people to throw some poor animal's hearts on others' doorsteps?

video;

[nicearsenal]

[Put that way it does sound pretty gross and weird.]

Well... no, not animal hearts on doorsteps but you know 'ooh babe I love you so much I'll give you my heart' and other mushy sentiments. Wham at Christmas.

Never heard about kings giving our hearts though. Bit ancient Egyptian isn't it?

video;

[brochtuarach]

I certainly hope not. It seems a waste, at the very least.

video;

[survivra]

Of a heart? Or of a gift? Seems more a shame for the beast that lost it.

video;

[brochtuarach]

Both, I suppose. I wouldna like to think anything died cruelly, but if it's dead, there's little point letting the carcass go to waste.

audio;

[warandpeace]

I've not been here long enough to tell whether it's common or not. But I don't find it particularly appealing.

audio;

[survivra]

[ She snorts, unamused. ]

Yes. Well. Uncleaned animal organs do tend to be rather disgusting. I suppose the question is whether or not it's meant to be appealing, for I'd like a word either way with the man responsible.

[warandpeace]

Did it only happen to us, or to some of the local residents?

[He's wondering if it's a sort of you're unwanted here warning.]

video;

[unkneaded]

Maybe they expect us to cook it.

video;

[survivra]

Well, and they could have had the courtesy to do it themselves. Or at least not leave it lying on the floor, unprepared, with no explanation.

I suppose heart isn't unheard of, but perhaps it's more common here.

video;

[unkneaded]

I've only eaten squirrel hearts. There's not much to them, kinda chewy.

I guess I'm more curious about why they'd just leave them without asking for anything in return.

video;

[otiosity]

No idea.

I wish someone would give me a heart. I'll put it on my mantle. And maybe start a life of organ collecting and showcasing them on my mantle.

video;

[survivra]

[ Katsa takes a very brief moment to stare at her TAB, shocked, before she bursts into laughter. ]

I don't imagine you'll have many visitors.

[otiosity]

Or maybe I'll have the right sort that share my disturbed sense of humor.

audio.

[retrovirion]

The hearts on my world are always metaphorical, and not actually like. Physically-heart shaped. I hope they didn't actually kill a bunch of things to do... whatever this is, though. I guess if there's some kind of, I don't know, feast or something later then we'll know more.

[survivra]

Hm. If this is how they present food to their guests, I'm not sure I'd wish to eat the rest of it.

[ Would it even be cooked?? ]

Something must have died, though, to get these hearts. One way or another. Perhaps only a roost of rather large chickens.

[retrovirion]

Well if fried chicken suddenly gets a lot cheaper I guess we'll know.

[ the idea that it might be food brings a really weird vague mental image of sushi and like. dirty food and baked chicken to mind as he glances at his own heart (not.. his own heart) and he decides to pretty much just leave that one vague and completely not followed up on. ]

I'm just not really sure what we're supposed to do with them.