chroma | catchall for vin

[countermeasures]

i haven't had coffee yet so this won't be pretty yet

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[allomantic]

[tilting her head]

What is... tofu? And pigeon?

[countermeasures]

Tofu is made from soybeans... it's usually cut into squares, and then fried or simmered in a variety of flavorful sauces, then mixed with other vegetables. Pigeon is a type of bird, like chicken.

I don't eat it often, but there's a restaurant in the capital that prepares it very well...

[allomantic]

I see.

[glancing towards the zombies to see if that's enough. they shake their heads again.]

So... You lived in the countryside, rather than the capital?

[countermeasures]

I grew up in Suzhou, which is a few days' journey from the capital. But we moved there after my father was promoted at court when I was fifteen.

What about you?

[allomantic]

...I am not from one particular place. But the place I was staying in before this was called Fellise. It is not far from the capital.

[tilting her head slightly.]

You are a noblewoman, then?

[countermeasures]

First and foremost, I'm a doctor.

[she smiles]

My father is a court official, but I've cut ties with him.

[allomantic]

...I see.

[once again, she's curious, but she doesn't ask. there's a small pause before she picks up another card.]

What is your dream job...?

[countermeasures]

Oh, that's easy! It's the job I have now - being a doctor.

[she smiles]

What about yours?

[allomantic]

That is lucky. That they are one and the same, I mean.

[after a moment of thought:]

I haven't really considered it.

[countermeasures]

Hmm... well, what sorts of things do you enjoy doing, then?

[allomantic]

[a small shrug.]

Whatever keeps me safe and fed.

[countermeasures]

[oh.

that is unfortunately relatable.]

...you seem to have managed that pretty well so far. Well done.

[allomantic]

[ah... she looks surprised for a moment, but she's awkward with compliments, so she just shrugs.]

Much of it has been due to others. [...] What does the next card say?

[countermeasures]

Let's see here.

"What is one article of clothing that..." [her brow furrows] "...someone could wear that would... make you walk out on a date with them?"

[allomantic]

[she pauses.]

Are clothes always so important?

[countermeasures]

I never thought so, but this question makes it seems like they are...

[allomantic]

Maybe whoever wrote these is a bit... superficial.

[countermeasures]

They must be. It's not the clothes that matter, it's the person wearing them.

[allomantic]

[nodding in agreement! and picking up another card.]

What would you take with you to a desert island...?

[countermeasures]

...food, water, and a boat to take me back home!

[allomantic]

That does seem like a pretty simple one...

[countermeasures]

What else would people bring, anyway...?

[allomantic]

I can't imagine what else would be necessarily... Maybe supplies to build a fire or make a camp, if you had to stay the night because of weather before setting out again?

[countermeasures]

Oh, that's a good idea! Better to be prepared just in case.

[allomantic]

[nodding]

What's next?