With Just a Side of Gravy (Mort)

It was midday in Kumogakure, which meant plenty of warmth to go around. Andariel dressed for the occasion, as she did with every season. And despite the seasonal shift her outfit rarely saw any significant changes. Long dresses were still her preferred choice of fashion, however swapping out for a lighter material due to the increase of heat. This would be paired with a pair of sandals as opposed to her usual dress shoes. Andariel's outfit wouldn't be complete without a parasol to ward off the direct sunlight, which she held gingerly in her hands with the shield directly overhead. A woven basket was carried at her elbow as it dangled effortlessly. It was currently unfilled, but today Andariel had a date with some fresh cuts of meat.

Supermarkets weren't her thing and she typically avoided the prepackaged cuts sold abroad. Cheap beef, pork, and chicken just weren't her thing. She fed on the finest water fowl and game using recipes she has prepared for years. She was easily a culinary professional by her own rights, but little to none actually had a chance to appraise her cooking. She studied culinary to keep her mind off other things, and her studying eventually developed into a bit of an obsession.

The Yokai district had plenty of fresh game at the markets daily. Big cuts of prime rib joint, deer, duck, rabbit, lamb, and even prepared sausage. It was enough to make an Oni's mouth water and tingle with joy. Andariel followed the scent of blood down the market street to the one and only "Big Oni Butcher" which was the name of the establishment. She would follow her routine of window shopping at first, nervous to be accused of loitering by standing in the store for too long. She'd observe the variety of cuts and sausages of display, ranging from weisswurst to marbled lamb chops. Her mind wandered and spent more time than what was good for her admiring the displays. More than enough time to draw attention.

'Mmmph, ice cubesss. Shooo guuud~'

The not-quite-a-sage-but-basically-was-one named Mort mentally sighed as he listened to who he assumed was Id as he chewed on some soft yet crunchy ice in his more 'formal' casual wear. Ever since he had revisited the cathedral, a few things had happened. Probably the most important was that of Id returning, at least they would in brief moments. He had no answers as to why they continued to phase in and out of consciousness yet, but just having his old partner in crime was comforting to have. The second was that whatever was suppressing his jashin-hydra regeneration...thing had finally adapted to the new rules of the world, and while he wasn't sure, it seemed to be more on par with the regeneration of his original contract then that of the one he had originally gained. The third thing though was that of why he was making his way to the Yokai district, that of his cousin Nova.

While the meeting was brief inside the cathederal, it had brought up many questions for him and he figured the best way at the time was to go and investigate himself; although he'd've been lying if he said that was the only reason. Getting reacquainted with the districts was one of his goals, and the Yokai district was one he didn't know much about outside of a brief visit to the demon forge in his teens. Unfortunately, his mental map of the version he knew and the one he was making his way through at the moment was off, the small differences having him continuously run into plenty of dead ends. But he had made it to the supermarket at least, and with it midday now it was probably a good time to sample the cultural cuisine.

Finishing off the last ice cube with a solid crunch he'd peruse the market to see if anything would catch his fancy for the day. Meat was always a delight for him, the protein and calories quite helpful during the long battles in the Range when the stasis seal had actually worked and the food didn't lose it's heat. As his eyes went from seller to seller, he tried to recall some of the recipes the clan had taught him, simple dishes, borscht being one of his more favored dishes, when he was snapped back to reality at the sight of a particular Oni, one that looked more like a cross between an angel and demon at the same time.

Andariel Bloodworth, one of the...untitled heads of the Yokai clan. Did she really have not title at the time? Either way, something felt wrong, it couldn't have been her. If his math was correct the future clan head should have been two by now, but here she was, in the flesh. Perhaps this was her mother? Aunt? Parallel clone? Clutching the cracked pendant hanging around his neck, he'd steady his thoughts. While her eyes would be the best way to find out, it probably wasn't the best guarantee, as even if it was her, there was no way to know if the information he used to know about her was usable.

This was nothing compared to Nova and the church though, he could do this. Releasing his grip on his keepsake, he'd approach the left side of this 'maiden of anguish' and look at what he assumes she was, a meat that he probably knew but couldn't recall at the exact moment. "Today's a wonderful day to go shopping for meat and other kinds of treats, wouldn't you say madam Oni?" If she turned to look at him, he'd meet her in kind and make sure to take note of her eyes. He was really hoping that her eyes weren't the same, or similar enough to chalk it up to wisdom queen bullshit.