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 Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 8:12 pm
Quote: Taste of Memory (17) : A small pop-up food stall has appeared among the usual winter vendors. The menu offers simple, traditional dishes that seem to rotate daily. They're not always common dishes either--sometimes they're incredibly niche, and smell unmistakably like home--no matter where “home” is for you. The moment you take a bite, warmth floods through you, followed by an overwhelming wave of nostalgia so vivid it’s almost disorienting. For some, it’s the comfort of a childhood meal; for others, it’s the precise memory of sitting in a familiar kitchen, the echo of a loved one’s voice, or the feeling of being safe and held. The sensation is powerful but harmless, fading after a little while and leaving only a lingering warmth.
Tonight, he'd wandered for a while, and then gotten thoroughly distracted by a familiar smell.
It seemed impossible, to find anything like what he knew from home here on Earth. And yet, he'd powered down, put on his glamor choker, and followed the smell to a little stand where they were serving a familiar looking dumpling with an equally familiar sauce. The seller had a different name for them, but Pyrrhus recognized them as quothlyn, thin dough wrapped around a filling of well-spiced minced mushrooms and white cheese, shaped into little packets and deep fried, then paired with a creamy dipping sauce.
He'd immediately bought two containers, and had twelve little dumplings to snack on while he sat on a park bench, back in his powered form for the protection it gave against the chill.
Though perhaps he didn't need it.
Pyrrhus wouldn't say he had many fond memories of the people on his homeworld. But he had liked having his family together to eat--the one he'd chosen, not the one he'd been born into (not counting Imnolu, who was both.) All of thme, discussing plans over a meal, Imnolu occasionally covering Seiche's ears when his uncles got a little too drunk and a little too loud.
Once, that had been home. And he'd loved making these for them, then.
Maybe he ought to try again.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 8:40 pm
Tyndareus was grateful that being dressed like a loon in his senshi outfit protected him from the cold. Of course, he had plenty of warm coats as Evren, but the power that came with being Tyndareus instead of Evren kept him even warmer than all the bundling up he could do when he had to be outside. And he could still mildly entertain himself by watching his breath mist in front of him. Truly, the simple things in life were the greatest joys. Though scouting for people that he could steal energy (or even starseeds) from was increasingly disappointing throughout the early winter evening. More people stayed inside. Curling his lip in disgust with his utter failure to seize anything tonight, he turned to walk through a park, intending to find a quiet place to power down, but... His attention caught on a man he had seen before. Purple skin, sharp ears, and white hair. Pyrrhus. Hm. Well, he had nothing better to do. He sauntered over and sat next to him on the bench, tensed for a fight, but attempting to appear relaxed. "Hello."
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 8:51 pm
It was strange, to be thinking about the past and have someone from it turn up, like a figure out of a memory.
Except that the Tyndareus that sat down next to him was all wrong, and it was almost enoguh to break the little bubble of nostalgia he was wrapped in.
"Still Chaos, I see," he deadpanned. As if that was going to change. pensively, he dunked one of his dumplings into the sauce and took a bite, then paused. Wordlessly, he held up the container--filled to the brim, since he'd decided to combine both rather than carrying two--and offered it towards Tyndareus.
It wouldn't matter, probably. he doubted this Tyndareus had any particular affection for mushroom dumplings. But it felt right to share, when there had been so little he hadn't shared with another version of the man beside him. Besides, everyone liked fried dumplings, probably. Universal constants and whatever.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 9:27 pm
"I don't plan on participating in one of those so-called purification rituals, no," Tyndareus said dryly. "But talking to you is entertaining, and I believe you owe me a space visit." He blinked at the container thrust into his face and automatically licked his lips. The smell wafting from it was amazing, and, well... he doubted there was poison in these things. Internally shrugging, he took one of the dumplings, dipped it in the sauce, and took a bite. Almost instantly, he was overwhelmed with the sensation that he'd had these before, but he never had, except...it was familiar regardless, somehow. Making him feel...warm. Happy. Safe, of all inane things. What on Earth were these things? "Where did you get these?" he asked, curiosity too great. "They taste...." Like a home he was sure he had never known. Or had he? Just... not one on Earth.
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2025 9:47 pm
"Unfortunate," Pyrrhus said, flatly. "But yes, I do owe you a trip to space." Honestly, maybe that would put some doubt in Tyndareus's head. Surely the evidence of what had been done to Pyrrhus the world would have to shake something in him, if any of the man he'd known still remained.
So he waited, as Tyndareus took the dumpling. Finished the second bite of his own. And felt....he wasn't sure what--a twist in his chest, maybe--seeing Tyndareus react to it.
"I..." Pyrrhus sighed. "There's a little food cart, not too far from here. I smelled these, and....they remind me of something I used to make. Back home, on my world. Before Chaos destroyed everything." Before he'd destroyed everything, but eliding details was probably for the best for the moment. "I hadn't had them in a thousand years. Until tonight."
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Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2025 11:54 pm
As much as Tyndareus hated to admit it, he couldn't imagine the pain of losing your entire planet, and not having access to one of your favorite foods. It couldn't have been easy... But that didn't mean these aliens were allowed to do whatever they wanted on Earth. He doubted that Chaos was truly the root of what had destroyed all of these planets, especially since Chaos was what was keeping Earth intact. If Chaos had truly been on all these other planets, they wouldn't have been festering and dying. Earth was thriving with Chaos on it, therefore, Chaos was a simple necessity to keep life... well, alive. Less than eloquent phrasing, but it was fairly late at night and he was in his own head; nobody could make fun of him for it. "They're quite good," he finally said, popping the other half of the dumpling into his mouth. "I can see why one would miss them." Ugh, if only he had a napkin. He refused to look undignified by licking his fingers, so he just let his hand rest at his side, feeling a little gross. Perhaps... he discreetly pinched the thigh of his pants and rubbed the greasy feeling off his fingers. At least his outfit would be clean the next time he powered up. Thank you, magic. "Shall we, then?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2025 12:06 am
There was something satisfying, for Pyrrhus, about sharing in this way. Not that he was going to get cuddly with Chaos, but...well, it was an attempt. He devoured another dumpling himself, a bit quicker about eating them just because a thousand years of instinct couldn't be overcome by a year of good access to food, and looked thoroughly pleased as he did.
"They're not exactly the same," he said, "but the varieties of mushroom that grew on my homeworld don't grow here, so that makes sense. Still, it's....closer than I ever thought to have again."
Still. There was business. He'd promised to show Tyndareus what a world ravaged by Chaos looked like.
He closed up the dumpling container and tucked the last few into his subspace to be finished once they were back, and also pulled out a parasol, opening it up and slinging it over his shoulder.
"You'll see why I need this when we get there," he said, simply, and then he pulled out his Senshi phone and extended his arm. "You'll have to touch me for both of us to go."
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