themorbidsocialite | A Marsh Guest

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A Marsh Guest

Bugsby's Marshes were home to a wide and varied array of micro- and macroorganisms, the biodiversity one of its most notable features. Yes, a great many of the creatures were incredibly dangerous, but wasn't every environment filled with such risk? Surely, all one had to do to avoid assault was avoid bothering the various animals. Surely.

This was how the Morbid Socialite- Mori- found himself in the depths of the marshes, gathering samples of water, plant life, lichen, and insects to start his research. He was too busy marking notes on a variety of mushroom to notice the eyes on him. The thoughtful hum to themselves and the squeaking of tall boots, worn to avoid staining the hems of their trousers, were enough to hide the sound of something treading through the muck. They only noticed the disturbance when the bugs they'd been surrounded by had scattered. He turned and his eyes widened, finding a second pair staring into his.

"Oh, bloody 'ell."

Screaming echoed across the marsh, likely reaching at least someone's ears.

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Maven smiled thankfully at that. She had been so worried earlier, when Mori seemed so ready and willing to cut ties. She hoped she could show herself to be a trustworthy friend and confidante.

She took the slice from them, "Thank you for cutting the pie, I hope you enjoy it!"

A mutual emotion, a deeply unsettling fear of having to lose a friend for something he couldn't afford to give up. And Mori did think of the Maven as a friend, one he didn't want to give up, even if he had needed to. Luckily, with food and a kick in the trousers, the bloodless delirium faded and settled into simply a bone deep exhaustion.

"I'm certain, if it's anything like your stew, it'll be delightful. Cheers."

Maven took a bite of the pie. While fresh apples would probably have been better, the pie still tasted really good to her. She was glad she managed to get some cinnamon from the market too. She remembered the last time she tried this recipe, there had been no cinnamon on market for so long so she tried it without it. It wasn't bad, but definitely not as good. She briefly thought about the two friends who gave her this recipe, hoping they were happy wherever they were... She looked at Mori as they took a bite, hoping they were enjoying it.

Mori's bite started tentatively, until something lit behind the eyes. The crisp crust, the tender apples, the cinnamon and saccharine syrup-like filling. "Goodness..." It took all in them to fight the urge to gorge themselves on it. It was sweet and delightful and it was very obvious in his expression that he was enjoying it immensely. "And you made this yourself? It's remarkable!"

"Thank you! I'm glad it tastes alright!" Maven smiled happily, "I admit, I was a little unsure because I used a bit less cinnamon than the recipe called for. I love the taste of cinnamon, but sometimes I find too much to be overwhelming. I like it this way, but I'm always worried someone else will find it bland."

There was still a good, even amount of cinnamon all throughout the pie even with the reduction, so it definitely wasn't lacking in cinnamon taste.

Mori snickered slightly behind a hand. "Have you met our fellows of London, dear Maven? If you can taste the cinnamon, it's too much cinnamon for them. They would down a carafe of water with one bite. I find the amount of cinnamon just fine, not too much, not too little. You've done a wonderful job."

They savored each bite with a beaming delight, happy with both the dessert and the idea of a friend with good taste.

"Thank you, I am genuinely happy to hear that!" Maven said, and then laughed, "And that is fair! I remember what an adjustment it was to get used to my Father's family's food. I used to think I was bad with spices because my Mother would always have hers so much spicier than mine, my sister, and Father's, but then when I went to live with my Father's family the food was just... it was like nothing! I suppose it's like they say, you can't buy taste, in any sense of the word." Maven finished with an eye roll and a sarcastic smirk. Hearing her talk of her Father's family was probably the most disparaging Mori had seen her be of anyone.

Edited 2025-07-14 06:52 (UTC)

Caught somewhat by surprise, Mori laughed. "Cheers to that!" As he drank a few more sips of wine with the comedic toast, Mori began to wonder if the lack of blood for the time being was making him into a lightweight, the ratio of alcohol to blood far greater.

That would be a problem for later, however.

"If you don't mind me asking, where is your mother from? I don't wish to presume anything by guessing." But presuming that she wouldn't wish to talk of her father was likely a safe bet.

Maven finished her sip before answering, "She was born in England, but my Nanaji was from India. She and Papa died when I was too young to really remember them. Though... sometimes I think I remember her singing, but I might just be mixing that up with memories of my Mother singing, she would sing the same songs Nanaji sung to her." She looked down at her wine glass, looking contemplative, "I had always thought I might travel there someday. I guess... that isn't possible anymore."

Mori hummed sadly. "I'm sure we'll find some way. We can't possibly be trapped here forever, can we? India will await you, I'm sure of it."

He swirled his last sip of wine. "It's rather strange, both our mothers come from England and grandmothers from elsewhere. Odd, how that works but not unwelcome."

Maven hummed back noncommittally. She finished the last bit of her wine glass and then pushed the glass away, bringing her tea cup closer instead, "I shouldn't have any more. I'm afraid I tend to be a bit... weepy if I drink too much."

She tilted her head at that, "Oh really? Where is your grandmother from?"

"Fortunate, then, that I'm a joyous drinker. I'll drink for both of us," Mori said, snorting at his own joke and taking another sip and refilling his glass. He considered the drink as he thought about the answer to the question. "Transylvania? Romania, somewhere around Bistritz. Married my grandfather and moved to Shincliffe with him. I can't imagine how it must be, going from the Carpathians to little old Shincliffe. From India to England. To land in a place so unfamiliar, with very little to your name, with languages you can't speak, people who look like no one you've ever known."

Mori sat up a tad straighter. "Actually, that does sound a touch familiar."

Maven laughed at Mori's realization, "You're right! The parallels are kind of funny to think about and compare when you look at it that way." She looked down at the tea in her hands, "The Neath is such a fascinating place. I think my mother and father would have loved to see it. They always loved learning all about the world around them and exploring new places." She looked up, "What about you, do you think your family would enjoy the Neath?"

Edited 2025-07-15 05:12 (UTC)

"Ach, no, not really." Mori watched the wine tilt in the glass, or rather the glass tilt around the wine as the latter stayed level. "Well, I never really knew the rest of my family. Just my mother. Horrid woman, she was. And rather a terrible cook when it came to anything but the seasonings. But didn't know my father or foremothers or uncles. Couldn't tell you if any of them would like it."

Mori leaned back against the back of the chair, not lifting the legs. "And mother wouldn't have a lick of it. Devilish, she might've thought, neighboring close to Hell and with squid face people and all. Never did like the safety of darkness, her."

"Ah, but you know what you're parents are like! I'm curious to hear of them!"

Sounds a lot like Grandmother, Maven couldn't help but think. A shame she never got to know her Nanaji but her Grandmother was such a presence.

She didn't dwell on that thought as she answered, "Oh, they were both wonderful! I was closest with my Mother, I always admired how she was able to become a doctor up on the surface even with things being the way they were. But she was determined to do it, wanted to help others in any way she could. She would always tell me that the only way humans have kept going this long is by being here for each other and we need to do all we can to help those that need it. I thought she was very inspiring, and so did Father. It was what drew him to her in the first place, what made him wish to court her despite... his family not approving," she tried to finish the thought delicately.

"The, erm... The upper crust are rather like that, aren't they? Has to be the same country, the same culture, the same skin tone. Bah! Poppycock! Go on that path and you end up with the Habsburgs." Mori sniffled, leaning just enough to get the front chair legs off the ground. "Helping people, sharing love an' care an' human compassion, that's where the real worth lies. You're a good person, Jane. I want you to know that, truthfully, you're one of the kindest, most caring and generous people I know. I just hope you save some of that care for yourse-!"

He'd leaned too far and nearly fell all the way backwards, if it weren't for the sudden, startled shift in weight rocking him back forwards and clapping the legs of the chair on the floor. If one were to ever look like a cat immediately after being doused with freezing water, it was the Socialite. Braced, frazzled, startled, frozen in shock.

"I... believe I may have had a little too much to drink."

Maven was very touched by Mori's words, and had been about say so as well as ask when she let it slip that her father's family were of the upper crust. (it was likely that comment about not being able to buy class, now that she thought about it) But Mori nearly falling dashed the question completely from her mind. She leapt up, about to vainly try and catch them before they snapped back.

When Mori made their last comment she couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Perhaps so! It's probably for the best you get some sleep after losing all that blood." She held a hand Mori, "I can show you where the guest room is."

Edited 2025-07-17 15:25 (UTC)

The Maven's laughter, bright and joyous, brought a smile to Mori's lips. Her happiness was infectious and he found himself chuckling along as he straightened up, muscles relaxing from the impact and the lack of threat of falling. "I suppose that would be a good idea, yes! My, one becomes blootered much faster when there's less blood in their veins."

He took her hand and moved with some effort into standing, or half therein with one leg out of service. "I thank you again for your help and hospitality."

"It's no problem, it's been great to have your company and being able to share dinner with you," Maven said, the look on her face showing she was sincere in this. Despite how the evening started, she was happy to have Mori over as company.

Speaking of, as they passed through she stopped beside Mori's bag. She had thought to pick it up for them given how heavy it was, but after her indiscretion earlier she kept her hands to herself and let Mori handle it.

"It was a lovely dinner and a lovely evening both, even despite the start. Now, you wouldn't happen to also have bath towels as well? I would hate to stain your guest room bedding, should something happen in the night."

He briefly considered the bag as well, but left it where it was. The thing most damning was already found and he trusted the Maven and the Devil not to take it nor anything inside. It was merely his status as a relatively sane man that they were scared of injuring. Now, the hand was out of the bag, so to speak.

Seeing as Mori was not taking the bag, Maven continued leading them into the hall, "Of course, we can stop at the washroom along the way, there should still be some fresh ones in the cabinet."

As Maven stopped by the bathroom to get the towels, she paused in thought as if to think of how to word her speech before she said, "Also, Mori... if you ever need help, I might be able to assist. I admit, there's a lot I'm still learning, but I have a laboratory at the university that I regularly use to conduct research. Some of which is... questionable, I'll admit." She glanced down at her permanently tinged nails before continuing, "But if there's something I can do to assist you with... with Persephone, I would like to try."

While Maven was not aware of the reality-shattering extent of Mori's goals and designs, it wasn't hard to see the basic desire they had to bring their daughter back. That, at least, was something she could sympathize with and, while she didn't know what all she could do to help, if there was something she would like to try.

Mori faced the Maven, eyes searching her gaze. If she was serious... If she was willing and understood what he aimed to do... In all fairness, however, it was difficult even for Mori to say what he aimed to do. What direction was he going? Had he even started walking yet? Would it get him to his destination?

They cut eye contact and considered. "I... don't know that there's anything you can assist me with just this moment, but, when I have a plan, I shall inform you. Does that sound agreeable?"

Maven nodded, "Of course. It's preferable to have a plan rather than try to go in blindly, after all."

She lead Mori to a guest room. The thing both of them immediately noticed was a little salt weasel sleeping on the pillow of the bed.

"Oh, there's Snowdrop!" Maven giggled, "Should have guessed she'd be in here."

Mori laughed lightly, limping over to the bed. "Hello, friend," he said softly, hoping not to wake her. If he quietly held up his hand to her nose, maybe she could run the sniff check without even stirring. He would wait to sit on the bed until she could confirm he was welcome in the same space. No use invading her personal space and getting woken up to scratches and teeth marks.

Snowdrop didn't react at first, then began to sniff Mori in her sleep. She did lift her head, her red eyes half opened, only to place it on Mori's hand and snuggle into it.

"Snowdrop is very friendly in general," Maven said with a smile, "The first time I met her I was walking through Tyrant's Garden, and she came right up to me. Climbed right up to my shoulder and everything!"

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