[SE] it's a souprise

Dantalion

but you can't be free

Danta doesn't know if you know this, but Deepfrost fucking sucks. He's made the most of the season, of course, and with the everlasting bonfire burning merrily away, it's a lot less frequent that they find half frozen Ancients hurrying into the Temple. (And even less so that they find fully frozen statues out on the pathways in need of rescue).

But that's not to say that he's feeling particularly chipper, and from the huddled up people he passes by, he's not the only one. Which is where his idea hits, because as Theocrat of this fine region, he feels he has something of a responsibility to them to make things less dreary. So with help from the kitchens in the Dusklight and their contacts, and a few other volunteers, a pop-up soup kitchen appears among the hustle and bustle of the Inner Quarter.

Standing quite happily before the stove keeping the soup warm and dressed in his usual red coat with the collar turned up and a scarf wrapped around his nose and mouth, the Maverick himself is content to hand out free food to anyone who needs it. (He's also steadily working his way through a bottle of mulled wine too, which helps).

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

Deepfrost, as it stands, does suck immensely. Not only was it cold and snowy and the risk of them turning to stone a very possible option – it was also the season that harbored birthdays he’d long since stopped celebrating (until in the future, which he of course doesn’t know about yet). He’d since devoted his time to the softer edges of himself – the one that would prefer he huddled and slept the season away.

He's already taken part of his own version of community service – having ensured the Ancients of the Grounds were equipped with waterproof jackets and clothing, fire starters to keep themselves warm if they’d not harbored the ability to do it themselves just yet, and weaponry to ensure hunting went smoothly. That’s not to say he isn’t letting his interest pique when he sees the pop up soup kitchen, and especially as he takes note of who’s running it.

The sling is gone, now, but he still is cautious as he stealthily slips up out of the immediate line of sight to slide in beside the Maverick, brushing his hip by the Theocrat’s playfully. “Soup is the agenda today, hmm?” He asks, already having figured out what they were doing, he snags a bowl for Danta to fill for the next person in line. He, himself, is bundled as well – with a warm wool scarf covering his neck and down his chest, hiding the warm waistcoat beneath it, wearing a dark trench coat that’s buttoned up as much as it could feasibly go, along with dark gloves to keep his hands warm.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Nah, I've filled this big vat with wine," Danta informs Asta smoothly, his surprise showing in the brief flare of delight in his eyes as the other man sidles up beside him. Murmuring his thanks and filling the bowl with soup for him to hand out, the realisation that he might have actually started a mulled wine or hot chocolate stand hits right at that moment. Huffing, Danta considers packing up then and there, but ultimately resolves to do something like that next year instead.

"What brings you out here on this miserable day?" he asks, tugging his scarf down from his mouth so he can speak more freely. The sky is overcast and snow is already starting to fall, leading most of their visitors to go and huddle under an awning nearby to eat. "Oh - here. For your trouble," he adds, tipping the other man a wink and offering him out his flask of warm, spiced wine to take a sip.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

“Ah, I do love drinking wine from bowls.” He counters back, taking in the delight and surprise at his presence and flashes a too sharp yet tender smile back toward the blond. The bowl is lifted, and once Danta has filled it, he twists his attention to hand it to the person patiently awaiting their food and brushes off their thanks with the ease and kindness of a gentle smile.

Twisting his attention back toward Danta as the question airs, he does glance down the street to see a few people that have already started to huddle up under awnings to eat, before his attention flits back to his lover with a glimmer of amusement. “My typical rounds. However, I noticed there had been a line forming in a space no one usually lines up at. So, me, being me, I had to investigate.” He touts almost a touch proudly, before his grin sharpens brighter at the sight of the flask – easily snagging it to take a sip of it and humming at the warmth and flavor of the spiced wine. “If this is how you pay me for my kindness, remind me to be nicer to you more often.” He teases in a low hum, handing the flask back as someone else approaches and Asta snags a bowl for Danta to fill.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones, bones.

---

You've encountered the OG random event! This allows you to skip one levelling requirement with the character in this thread. (Unfortunately does not count for characters over level 10, how sad.)

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Do you, now? Noted," Danta drawls, grinning beneath his scarf and replacing the lid on the pot of soup after giving it a stir so it stays warm. Not for the first time, the Maverick is struck by the sheer unlikelihood of the situation they find themselves in. Two creatures of Dygra, of the old world of The Climb, one a weapon and a slave, the other an enforcer of swift torment, standing side by side to give out free food. And that's without even considering who they had been to each other.

Danta's smile turns softer beneath his scarf, especially as he watches how Asta treats the Ancient who had hurried up to collect a bowl of soup, and he lets out a laugh. "You being you," he repeats. "So nosy, then?" Raising his eyebrows - because they both know it's fucking true - Danta reaches for the pot again to fill another bowl once he's accepted back his flask of wine.

"I certainly will remind you," he purrs. "You can also have some soup once the line has disappeared, if it suits you. I didn't make it, so you know it's good."

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

Sarcasm is one of the better things Asta does these days, but while Danta is struck with who they had once been and what they are up to now – the butcher has thought about that a lot this season, from the first time he’d handed out everything to ensure the Ancients of the Grounds were as prepared as they could be. He’d contemplated it because Thal had asked the question of whether or not it was better to let them figure it out on their own and he had simply told her that while they could suffer alone in silence, they didn’t have to. Just as they didn’t have to suffer anymore either.

And like, with the faction Asta had been a part of, they were stronger together than they were apart.

“Nosy?” He mock scoffs as his attention returns to the Theocrat while the bowl is filled, but the glint in the dark of his gaze and the smile glued to his face proves that the Maverick is completely right in his assumption. “Never, darling.” He purrs as his tail flicks when he turns back toward the Ancient, handing off the soup with a bright smile and gentle words of encouragement to bolster them. Deepfrost was nearly over, the cold would return back to its shitty depths, and life would go on with as little statues to find come Flowerbirth as possible.

“What kind of soup is it?” He hums as he straightens, turning enough to brush his shoulder against Danta’s gently, so much more relaxed with showing the brief touches of affection in public these days. “It smells quite good.” He leans over a little to inspect it from above, trying to pick it out.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Nosy." Danta beams in response, his own eyes glittering with amusement as he takes another pull from his flask of wine, uncapping it briefly to refill it from the bottle he's left to keep warm beside the stove. He straightens up in time to hear the gentle words of encouragement Asta gives to the person as they head away under the awning, the Maverick unashamedly stepping closer to the other man as the snow falls more heavily and a brisk, chill wind sails through the Inner Quarter.

"Mm? The cook tells me it's chicken and wild rice soup, whatever that means," he says, lifting the lid on the pot so they can both peer into it, the steam warming Danta's cheeks and filling his nose with the scent of chicken and cream and rosemary. "It does smell pretty good, huh," he agrees, giving the butcher a gentle nudge. "I'll make sure there's some left for us. I don't think many more people are going to come in this fucking blizzard that's appeared."

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

It’s an affectionate eye roll that leaves him as he schools his face into that easy day to day one, ensuring that the Ancient that receives the soup is as comfortable as can be in spite of the weathery circumstances. As he bids them a quiet farewell and straightens out to his full height, he inspects the soup when the lid is lifted – humming a note of appreciation as the scent and steam hits his face, too. “It means it is more nutritious and shall keep everyone full longer.” With the amount of protein added, that is. And as he hums a note of agreement that it does smell good, he accepts the nudge with a slight twist of getting a bit closer, taking note of just how empty the stall had become.

“I am fairly certain the temperature has dropped in half since I arrived.” Which had been not that long before, honestly. But – it’s fine, because as he glances back toward the non-existent line and the large amount of soup left, the butcher snags two bowls for the both of them, holding them up to be filled – only the hand with the arm that’s still working on healing fully shakes a little, tough Asta pretends not to notice. “Would you like to learn a secret, darling?” He asks playfully, ignoring the trembling of his hand to focus on his lover’s face with that same playful smile.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Oh? You learn something new every day." Danta; Theocrat of the Hollowed Grounds, owner of the Dusklight, soup connosieur. "And you know, I think you're right. I'd blame you for the weather if I thought you in any way enjoyed the snow." Scrunching his nose and spending a moment to serve one last bowl of soup to someone hurrying out from the bonfire - hopefully it keeps them warm enough to make it home - Danta steps back to give his full attention to the butcher once more.

And while Asta pretends not to notice the trembling in his hand and Danta makes no mention of it, the Maverick does reach out to gently support the butcher's arm as he spoons the soup into their bowls, taking the brunt of the weight from him. "A secret? Always," he purrs with a grin, naturally assuming that Asta (nosy as he is) has some bit of gossip to share with him.

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

Oh, and you’re about to learn more Danta. He knows just how much you love random fun facts (read: sarcasm). “After spending half of my existence in the snow, I am quite content leaving it behind. Even if it did not turn me to stone.” He lets his brow bounce playfully with that subject, stepping back only when Danta’s handing the last bowl of soup to their last visitor. Which leaves him able to grab two bowls, silently grateful for the boon of support Danta offers to his still hurt arm.

“Wild rice is not actually rice at all.” He says in a conspirators whisper, his grin broadening because he knows it is absolutely not what Danta’s expecting – but he does find it amusing to lead with the bullshit before he gets into he juicy details that he’s sure the Maverick loves. “It is an aquatic grass.” He murmurs with a smirk, withdrawing once he’s handed Danta his bowl of soup and he cradles his own in both hands.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"I imagine the snow was just as deadly to you back then as it is now, statue or no statue," Danta murmurs, setting down the ladle and replacing the lid on their soup pot before retrieving his bowl from Asta's bad arm to ensure he's comfortable. Dunking his spoon into the bowl and leaning in to hear the juicy gossip the butcher has to share, really, Danta ought to have expected something like this. Alas, as he's regaled with facts about rice-not-rice, he lets out an exasperated groan and resists the urge to smack Asta's soup to the ground at their feet.

"Wow," he drawls with a roll of his eyes, having to bite back the amusement on his face lest Asta think he's won (which he absolutely has, for the record). "I never tire of your extensive knowledge about the world. Now shut up and eat your grass."

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// as long as there's bread and as long as there's an appetite //

“Far more painful, that is true.” The butcher hums as he reaches down to snag a spoon to drop it into his own bowl before he lets his face warm up with the heat of the delicious scented soup. When he’s satisfied by that – and the shit eating grin that sparks to life as he listens to Danta’s tone of voice and sees the roll of his eyes, the butcher’s chuckle is low and content, all things considered, having to try and school himself from not outright barking a laugh at the shut up and eat your grass comment.

Because that was perhaps the funniest thing he’s heard all day. “Actually, while that is a true fact, I do have something you may actually be interested in.” He says, scanning his face as he pauses to take a bite of the soup before letting the spoon sit back into the bowl. “Do you recall that couple we witnessed the one day we spent at the window in our room? The woman was Attuned? And you had mentioned the man got fired for bringing luxere behind the bar?” His tone has dropped to a playful whisper, a smirk growing on his face as he leans in.

“He, at least, did make an appearance at the Dusklight. And the look he gave me, darling, when he saw my horns. I was simply mortified.” His hurt hand drops on his chest, his flare of the dramatics in full swing as he tilts his head up, but peeks an eye open as the smile tugs on his face of pure amusement as he peers back at his lover to see his reaction.

Astaroth

// as long as everyone you need is stepping in line, you are camouflaged //

Dantalion

but you can't be free

They both shut up and eat their grass for a few moments, at least, Danta enjoying the easy silence that falls upon them as they watch the snow fall thick and fast outside their stall, the Inner Quarter fairly empty now but for the usual groups gathered around the bonfire. He glances sidelong at Asta as the other man speaks again, humming a note of intrigue around his spoon that's equal parts interested and suspicious.

Fully expecting some fun facts about snow, or some other such bullshit, as the butcher harks back to their people watching and reminds him of the strange antler-man, Danta's eyes positively light up. "He did? And I missed it?" Laughing but equally seeming disappointed not to have been present, he gestures to Asta's horns with his spoon. "I can't say I blame him, you know. You do have quite a rack."

Tipping him a wink, it's with a smile that Danta turns back to his soup, though at the talk of things of interest, his expression sobers somewhat. "I heard something too, on the grapevine," he says. "Maea seems to be showing her face around here again. Haven't seen her personally, but you know... just in case you cross paths."

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!