Jamming in the Afternoon

[ginger_firebird]

Cooking did not happen too often in Mantis’s home. It was messy. It was hot. It took time. He was going to be all day with this latest project. Wandering into the industrial area of the Nexus will allow people to see an unusual sight. Rather than wearing his usual mask, Mantis had a scarf wrapped around his face vaguely similar to how one might imagine a ninja might look. He was seated in front of a portable stove with a pot cooking away over the flame. Next to him were several packages of fruits, empty mason jars, bags of sugar, and massive jugs of water. He sat in a folding chair situated beneath the shade of a large umbrella with a pile of long grass on his lap. Every so often, he’d pick up a piece and add it to a growing weaving project in his hands.

One might recognize the simple operation as a jam making jamboree. It’s an old, but fun way to make the most of a day and a harvest of fruit. Perhaps those who know him might be able to recognize his somewhat gaunt frame as he lounges back in the shade. Some who do not might be curious in general. Pale grey eyes dart up every so often to the cooking pot, but he’s not about to get up and rush for anyone or anything. He gets the jam stirring every so often with a flick of his wrist and a well-used wooden spoon.

There are a lot of jars, in spite of himself. With how time-consuming this was, that jam was going to last him a while. He wouldn’t have to buy any, wouldn’t have to borrow any, and that left him with visions of a personal hoard of sugar-sweet goodness. He sighs as he keeps with making his grass-woven project and sniffs the air. The question was half asked to the air around him, but it does deserve to be answered: “What should I do with these first?”

Comments

[ginger_firebird]

"Did he? Count me in. I want a chance to drag her around and see how she enjoys being at someone's mercy. The worst thing is, I met another man who is almost as bad as she is when checking in on Hiroki. We realized she was using Hiroki as a means to talk to both of us and the bastard suggested it would be easier for Hiroki to kill himself or allow himself to be killed rather than being an easy target. The witch draws in people just like herself."

Mantis's tone grows increasingly bitter and he crosses over to the pot of stewing fruits. He stirs it slowly and floats up a few jars next to him. Once the heat is cut, he makes easy work using his powers to move the pot contents to the jars.

"I say we call in people like The Doctor and Lucifer. If we can't kill her, the focus should be on creating a way for her to be permanently trapped or barred from this place. My specialty is not in such things, but I like to think there's a way in a place like this. I've trapped people in mental horrors. The least we can do is make some for her."

[chiaro_oscuro]

"He suggested killing Hiroki?" There's a note of anger that Mantis might pick up. "Hiroki's the victim in this situation. He's being manipulated by the witch. Honerva's the one to blame. If anybody needs to be taken out here, it's her - though I wouldn't mind teaching this man you're talking about a lesson. The nerve of some people - they make the same mistakes in every universe. Attacking the victim, not the target, just makes things worse."

Ben breathes in to calm himself down. Between his history with Emperor Palpatine and the incident with Luke Skywalker, it's impossible for him to be a neutral party here. A lot of this is something he can relate to on a very personal level. He's older and far less innocent, but he was once a lot like Hiroki.

"You're welcome to join me there. If Lucifer knows the extent of what she's been up to - that she's experimented on and enslaved people and won't stop - he might be willing to help. He's strong enough to show her what it's like to be on the receiving end of that kind of power. I'm in contact with him, but not with the Doctor, unfortunately. We may not see eye to eye with the Doctor, but this seems like the kind of thing he wouldn't tolerate."

[ginger_firebird]

"You can imagine how far my opinion of him fell," He raises a hand up and drops it quickly. "When I heard that coming out of his mouth. As different my experiences were growing up, I thought I at least tried to pick up some good morals. Hiroki needs protection, same as anyone who can't defend themselves against a greater threat."

And he's very grateful that Ben has such an immediate, and dare he say, visceral reaction. Only very particular kinds of people could look at this situation for what it was and have what he considered to be the only appropriate reaction.

"I will bring over some jam for a gift. The least a war meeting needs is sustenance so everyone thinks clearly." He makes a thoughtful noise. "I can try and find the Doctor and see if he's still in the Nexus. If he's not, then there's a few things I can think of to catch the attention of the Light Bringer."