#GHSnowswept2025 ー Snow Plains
@silentintuition asked:
[STEW] Alhaitham looked grimly at the pot of everything that sat in front of him and shot a quick look at the woman beside him. Somehow, this campsite had managed to hit on the one food that he refused to let enter his system—soup. Or, to be more specific, soup-like foods, which stew most definitely fell under. On the bright side, he only needed to add something to it if he wanted to eat it. No use feeling disgusted over a dish you won't even need to eat. He brushed off his pants, using the friction to warm his hands up. Looking at the woman, he only said, "Well then, I'll be leaving. Please don't attempt to find me." before simply turning his back on the boiling pot of stew, and leaving.
It would seem that the rather distant, aloof attitude the scholar had displayed back in the forest camp still remained. Sara watched, blinking once, as Alhaitham quickly retreated as soon as he had said his piece. Without so much as a hi, he’d appeared right beside her, and without so much as a goodbye, he was off, figure easily blending into the ever-shifting festival crowds. She could only breathe out a sigh, half a laugh, half out of exasperation, before her gaze drifted from the space where he once stood to the pot.
The stew bubbled away. A thick, gloopy thing with a colour that certainly did not seem too inviting to those who had never once seen it before. Bits and pieces of unidentifiable ingredients broke the surface briefly, some of such vibrant colours it was difficult to believe they were edible, only to be pulled under again by the viscous, rolling boil. And yet despite its lack of visual appeal, there was this savoury steam that wafted from it. Undeniably rich, awfully complex.
Sara supposed she understood why there would be those curious enough to partake in such an odd tradition. Locals did not appear to be concerned about the stew. There was certainly no news of food poisoning yet, as far as the general could tell, and if this had been here for months, then, well… Though it may not appear so appealing, perhaps it truly was something edible. Something palatable, at the very least.
A small frown settled on her lips, not of disgust, but of deep consideration.
She had hoped to partake in everything Belobog had to offer during the festival, that she might learn more of its traditions and culture, but… But this stew… This odd, bubbling thing with items she could not even begin to decipher what, was a madness she had no wish to join. And Alhaitham’s swift exit only further cemented that decision.
A solemn nod in agreement, though he was long gone and couldn’t see it. “Right. I believe it would be best if we pretend we hadn’t come across this."
What a shame, though. The thought surfaced unbidden as her eyes, against her better judgment, swept the crowd. He was long gone, of course. They weren’t friends. They were barely acquaintances, in fact, but after their shared ordeal in the woods, a simple greeting, a nod to the shared experience, wouldn’t have gone amiss… Still, and at this, she let out a soft breath; it was good to see that he was faring well.