The Bar At The End of the Universe

[rainbowmods]

Things are shifting. Points in space and time are connecting in ways they’ve never connected before. Bridges are materializing where there once was nothing.

There are cosmic signs appearing across the universes. They’re all pointing to the same place.

OOC: Sorry for the delay! If any questions come up, remember there’s this post where you can ask.

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[emilia_corlioni]

"Chicken, steak, hamburgers--a sort of meat sandwich--salads, fried potatoes, things of that nature." Assuming Emilia remembered correctly. She asked for a menu once they reached the bar. "If our lettering is different, I will help you read it. Do you prefer a certain kind of ale?"

[isana]

Out of the things Emilia listed, the only ones Yuyan could recognize were chicken and salad. "What are...steak, sandwiches and fried...potatoes?" she asked. Maybe the latter was like yams. They had been sold fried in her village during festivals, with a crackly sugar crust.

"Any ale will do," she replied, "so long as it's not very strong." She could hold her drink well enough, but who knew potent these ales and wines were, in this place with small fires that couldn't burn?

[emilia_corlioni]

"Steak is a cut of beef. A sandwich is ground beef, fried and put between two pieces of bread. Beef can be heavy, so if you aren't used to it, it may not be the best choice. Fried potatoes are starchy and crunchy, a bit bland so they're usually salted."

An ale for her. Emilia thought a moment before ordering another glass of wine for herself and a Newcastle Brown Ale for Yuyan. It shouldn't be too strong for her, though it might not taste exactly like ale she was familiar with. "I think that should be all right for you."

[isana]

Beef? That sounded like so much for one person, in both forms Emilia had described. "I think some fried potatoes might be nice," Yuyan replied. So much meat had to be expensive, but if the potatoes were anything like yams, they would be quite affordable for food.

"Thank you," she told Emilia. "I would be so lost if it wasn't for your help."

[emilia_corlioni]

"When I came to America from Italia, my brothers and sisters-in-law helped me very much." It seemed right to help someone who appeared there with no say in the matter. After all, Emilia herself didn't mean to be there.

"A plate of French fries," she said to the bartender, "with ketchup." She didn't know if Yuyan would like it or not, but it was always worth trying.

[isana]

"Did your brothers and sisters speak the same language as you did, too?" Yuyan asked. "I had to learn Common very quickly, since there were only two other people overseas who spoke my language." Well, three, but Iseult's was more pidgin than actual Huayu.

"Ketchup? What's that?"

[emilia_corlioni]

"Oh yes, they did, and I knew some English from our teachers at home. But it is much easier to learn a language when you are surrounded by it, which I'm sure you have learned." Emilia smiled. "It made it much easier to live here once I knew English better."

"Ketchup is a kind of sauce that's slightly sour and slightly sweet. People often use it with potatoes."

[isana]

"You're so lucky," Yuyan replied. "I didn't know a word of Common at all when I left my home."

Slightly sour and slightly sweet. Like fruit. "Do they use plums to make this ketchup?"

[emilia_corlioni]

"Our mamma and papà thought it was important for us to know English for education and communication. We were lucky that Papà had the money for it." Emilia gave Yuyan a sympathetic look. "I can imagine how hard it would be to know none of a new language. It was difficult enough knowing some of it."

"They use tomatoes. They are a fruit that is somewhat savory, but still has sweetness to it. I think you'll like it."

One of Dan's servers brought their drinks and the plate of fries then, and Emilia gestured for Yuyan to eat.

[isana]

Yuyan blushed. "It was hard, yes, but when you need to use it, you learn quickly, I think. I can read Common, now, but not as well as the words from Huaxia."

The fries were cut into long, thin fingers, and they smelled appetizing enough, although at this point anything would have been delicious to Yuyan. She dipped one in the red sauce (the ketchup, probably) and took a dainty bite.

"It's good!" she exclaimed.

[emilia_corlioni]

Emilia gave her a pleased smile. "I hoped you would like it. They will bring more ketchup if you want it. It's free, so have as much as you would like."

[isana]

Yuyan dipped another fry in ketchup. "Free? I couldn't imagine such a thing! I've never had these things before!"

[emilia_corlioni]

"It's a common sauce here," Emilia said, "perhaps like your plum sauces. If you would like more to eat, I will order it for you. I don't mind."

She liked Yuyan; she reminded her of some of her nieces.

[isana]

"Oh, I couldn't," Yuyan replied. "I couldn't burden you any more than I already have. You've been so kind to me."

Emilia reminded her a bit of Grandma and Abbess Sun--Grandma's age, without the strictness, and the gentle patience of Abbess Sun.

[emilia_corlioni]

"It is no burden. I didn't plan to be here any more than you did, and I am enjoying spending time with you." Emilia smiled slightly. "You are interesting, and very sweet."

[isana]

Yuyan lowered her heard demurely. "I...thank you," she said. "You are very kind."