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pumpkinhollow) wrote2000-02-08 08:52 pm
TDM #4 - Aurora Borealis Bust? [REPRINT]
[Find our plain text version here!]
Pumpkin Hollow Gazette
2/8/24 | TDM #4 - AURORA BOREALIS BLITZ BUST?
Content Warnings: "Further Details" section has independent CW labels.
Forecast: SEVERE BLIZZARD WARNING
REBUILDING HELP REQUESTED
By Cecil Gershwin Palmer
A photo taken of the damage.
ACROSS PUMPKIN HOLLOW - City government is requesting aid with repairs to public buildings and local fixtures after the recent earthquakes on Tuesday, January 8th. While there was minimal damage to Town Hall itself, several important buildings sustained damage, including the Magpie National Bank, the South Train Station and the Clock Tower, which is now stuck with hands at 8pm.
Regarding the cause of the earthquake, local biologist Dr. Elias Coldwood was heard to say “There's never been seismic activity here.” And he’s a scientist, so he would know! But clearly this is no longer the case. Perhaps Pumpkin Hollow has a mysterious tiny civilization underground worshiping a destroyer god, planning to attack through the bowling alley, the moment we create a bowling alley. Perhaps not. More on this story as it unfolds, faithful readers.
In the meantime, volunteers to help with the damage to city buildings are invited to meet with Mayor Hellen Poe for assignments.
AURORA TURNS VIOLENT - MYSTERIOUS BLIZZARD INTERRUPTS CHAOS
By Yorick Aberdeen
An artist's rendition of last year's view.
ABOVE MARROW ISLE - Despite our earlier report, it turns out that this year's annual aurora borealis season did not turn out to be a pleasant or romantic viewing experience. Instead, starry monsters based off of classic constellations have been attacking the town each time the aurora is in the sky! However, due to some extreme blizzards that have been occurring most nights each month since late January, the aurora has been interrupted more nights than not and the monsters intercepted. Still, the Pumpkin Hollow Safety Board would like to remind everyone to take appropriate precautions during inclement weather, and to tread carefully on clear nights as monsters may still be attacking until late February!
HOROSCOPES
By Cecil Gershwin Palmer
What do the stars say about you today?
Capricorn: Do you feel as if you’ve lost something? If not, it’s wise to double-check. Perhaps it’s not something like a button or a key, but your sense of wonder or your self-confidence. Remember, things tend to be in the last place you look.
Aquarius: Something about the year ending made you feel lighter, like taking off a heavy wool coat. Ride this burst of energy as far as it will take you, because the shiny of a fresh beginning tends to wear off quickly.
Pisces: Don’t worry, I don’t believe what everyone says behind your back. You’re not too sensitive or too naive. They’re just jealous. Really, most of the time when they’re whispering, it’s not even about you.
Aries: You’re the sort of warm individual that babies and animals are drawn to. Unfortunately, this may include hungry wolves and swarms of insects. But don’t let that bring you down! We need that sort of personality around here.
Taurus: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be the best, until you work to stop others from also being the best. That’s called cheating and may lead to you being disqualified from competitions. If you get caught, that is.
Gemini: You know those riddles about the two guards, one who always tells the truth and one who always lies? Well, everyone hates those riddles with a passion. You’ll see for yourself, soon.
Cancer: Wouldn’t you like to know?
Leo: Your incandescent personality often makes you the center of attention. However, that’s not the only thing about you that glows. Moths may flock to you in the dark this week, and so might children afraid to sleep with the lights out.
Virgo: Be careful with your words–they aren’t just the precursors to your deeds, but the manifestation of your will. This is not a week for idioms and metaphors, not for you. Even something like bemoaning a lack of spoons may make eating cereal harder.
Libra: You are, inevitably, the first one heard to say a situation isn’t fair. And it’s not, nor will it ever be. Instead of getting upset, have you ever considered getting revenge? That’s usually more satisfying in the long run.
Scorpio: Ugh, Scorpios. The position of Venus means your usually volatile emotions will be in the doldrums instead. Enjoy this while it lasts I guess. Who knows if you’ll ever experience such peace again, given, well. You’re kind of an emotional mess and no one likes you.
Sagittarius: There will never be another day like today. You must strive to make the day everything you want it to be. No mistakes, now! Consider your choices very carefully. Consider your choice to consider, very carefully.
SUNFIRE'S HEARTH
By Yorick Aberdeen
A photo of Mayor Poe's cats, Toffee and Butter, enjoying the view.
ASSORTED LOCATIONS - As the coldest part of the year settles over our fair isle, it is time for Sunfire’s Hearth--- an informal celebration of bonfires and hearth flames, for those unfamiliar! For the months of January and February, a raised platform for bonfires will be lit on weekends, and restaurants and taverns across town will keep their fireplaces lit. Unlike many of our other festivities, there is no structured celebration--- simply make some time during this time to bask in the warmth of a fire! You can even celebrate at home.
An additional benefit of this time of year is that Merrymeet is well on its way. So take this time and get snuggly in front of a fire with your special person to get in the mood for romance! (Or they could be platonic snuggles. Whatever suits you best.)
LOCAL ALCHEMIST REPORTS MISSING POTION
By Yorick Aberdeen
Some of Mx. Sallek's usual stock. Could stand to have better labels./p>
LOCATION UNCERTAIN - Early Monday morning, local alchemist Aeryn Sallek reported that a large container of magical potion has been swapped with another, and it would seem that the mistaken jug has been sent out for delivery. According to Mx. Sallek, they sent a number of jugs out for delivery in a case with our local delivery extraordinaire, Sam Porter Bridges. The jugs were meant to contain a harmless, potable freeze-resistance potion for our town’s various water sources, in the interest of keeping water reserves drinkable in sub-freezing winter weather. However, when they returned to the shop, one of these potions remained on their counter while a love potion they’d been working on went missing.
“‘Love potion’ is kind of a misnomer, honestly,” Mx. Sallek is quoted to have said on the matter. “But ‘emotional acuity’ potion doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. Basically what it actually does is enhance existing romantic desire and embolden the user to be emotionally open. But Yorick should already know all this, since he’s the one who ordered it.” [Editing note: don’t forget to cut the last part of that comment before publishing. Cecil, you don’t need to include personal statements directed at reporters from these interviews!]
It’s unclear which area of town this particular potion ended up being injected into the water source, but according to Mx. Sallek, the potion was not particularly intense to begin with. It should be significantly diluted as to be harmless. Still, if you notice any strange symptoms such as butterflies in your stomach, a desire to burst into song, or inexplicable yearning, please file a report with the Safety Board at your earliest convenience.
FOOD SHORTAGES PUT STRAIN ON ISLAND ECONOMY
By Yorick Aberdeen
MARKET DISTRICT - While there are many things to celebrate this time of year, Marrow Isle is not without its adversity. Over these past months, many new members of our community have arrived by ferry after our numbers remained small and stagnant for many years. And the presence of our newfound neighbors has been a boon to all of us. Many artisans have opened useful businesses, medical professionals have expanded our access to healthcare, and a new fishing vessel has taken to the seas. However, despite a few additions, our farming community remains quite modest and planting was not planned with such incredible new growth in mind.
The unfortunate result of this is that food reserves on the island this year are uncharacteristically low. As such, Town Council has made the difficult decision to allow for the temporary inflation of food prices and the rationing of food staples.
“We understand the hardship this will place on the residents of Pumpkin Hollow,” said Mayor Poe in a statement after this decision was made. “But please know that we are all in this together. We hope to be able to offer a better incentive package for those interested in farming in the coming springtime.”
Page 1
Aurora
The dead of winter sheds all colors of the trees and flowers across Marrow Isle, but tonight, there are no stark whites and grays and browns.
Tonight, in the sky sprawling with stars above the dreary town, there are lights.
Sprawling trails of violet and green twist and wave through the sky, brightening the earth below and the sea beyond Jack's Marina in magical colors. The return of the borealis is something many Pumpkin Hollowites look forward to, and their reactions are very clear: people scurry down to the shores to watch with wide eyes, many retrieve telescopes, and some even borrow the decks of ships, abandoned for the night at the docks, to watch the sights.
It doesn't take long for this to change, however; the sea nor land are safe from the curse, and it's made quickly apparent that the sky is no exception.
At first, the sight seems like none more than an illusion, perhaps someone blinking and missing a strange shift of the lights. A glimmering outline forms around a cluster of stars, only slightly harder than any of the lines that define the aurora's rays. Several of these shapes form, each array of stars different from the last, some larger, some smaller.
And then, the stars begin to fall.
Seeming to peel off the painted sky, the ebbing colors surrounding the starlight drop, crashing to the world below. Some fall to the streets and beaches, while others fall into the forest, leaving view, or drop into the sea, leaving splashes and waves in their wake that ensure any watching knows full and well that this is not a trick of the light. At first, these shapes are unmoving, glowing masses of aurora-light with stars shining brightly within them. Most townsfolk are uneasy, but this seems to pale in severity to the other disasters, even if they lack any idea of what it could mean for them.
That is, of course, until the masses begin to move.
Each one is as varied as the constellation it stole from the sky: stars form suggestions of skeletal structures, and their "flesh", only consisting of swimming lights and liquid sky that steals any lights around them. Two identical glowing shapes rise to a face finally taking form, and slowly, moving more like gel than animal as it rises to freshly-formed legs, it settles on the closest living thing it can find.
There is no calculation in it, nor what seems to be a glimmer of thought.
It simply lunges with intent to kill.
Cecil’s disconcerting horoscopes have the following effects for the next few days:Horoscopes
[CW: Altered emotional states ]
(Don’t know your character’s sign? Feel free to just decide on one!)
The effects are not particularly intense. However, anyone who drinks any of the tavern’s housemade ale or cider, drinks the coffee, or eats any food that might require water to cook will experience symptoms of “emotional acuity”. This involves feeling more emotionally open, more receptive to positive feelings about others, a strong desire for physical or verbal affection, and the intensification of romantic or sexual attraction that you might already be experiencing. It will last about half a day. Just in time to help potentially land you a date for Merrymeet, a flower and fertility festival in early spring!Love Potion
[CW: Altered Emotional States ]
Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, the “love” potion ended up in the water supply of the Oak & Iron. As promised by Aeryn, it is thoroughly diluted, as its recipients believed it to be a normal freeze-resistance potion to be mixed with their water.
Food rationing and inflation will have the following impact: Grocery budgets for apped-in characters will be reduced in their efficacy. Bonuses and Discounts associated with the Farmer and Fisherman jobs are also reduced. Oak & Iron Residents will only be able to receive bland, repetitive meals with their food vouchers consisting of simple broth, plain bread, bland potato dishes, and the like. It is enough to be fed and comfortable but it is incredibly unsatisfying. (This includes all new characters that are not apped-in.) Drinks, however, are still plentiful. Characters who do not eat will find that their respective sources of fuel will be reduced to just barely enough to keep them functional, provided that they ration carefully. (Ex. Transformers may want to be less active. Vampires will find that victims cannot handle excessive blood loss without fainting and generally prefer to stay home.) Characters who were present to fight the Mother Crab back in late summer and chose to can some of their crab can use it now! Hunting, foraging, and fishing can help reduce the impact of these reductions, and people can share their food. You can absolutely die of starvation. After Merrymeet in February, food will return to normal.Famine
[CW: Starvation and food scarcity ]
Basic groceries will be only the most minimal of staples. You will likely go hungry if you do not find a way to supplement this.
Bountiful groceries will be reduced to the amount of food normally contained in basic.
Lavish groceries will not be available at all.
Your grocery choices from Activity Check are not able to be modified for this month unless otherwise stated.
Level 1 bonuses will be reduced to standard, which is to say how they would function for a non-Farmer/Fisherman character during a normal, pre-famine month. (ex. Whereas normally a Level 1 Farmer would get free Basic groceries, they will now have to pay the 50 Brass, but do not have the efficacy of Basic groceries reduced as described above.)
Level 2 bonuses will be reduced to that of a Level 1 Farmer/Fisherman. (ex. Whereas a Level 2 Fisherman would normally be able to have Bountiful groceries discounted to 50 Brass, they now must pay full price for Bountiful groceries. However, they can still get Basic groceries for free and don’t suffer from the famine induced efficacy reduction for either budget.)
Hehehehe, and then she murdered him in her Merrymeet TOPLEVEL
He's still holds her hand loosely as she talks, nodding along in full agreement her assessment. Magne's hand just brings his eyes back down again. César would talk about the versatility of the layering options for that corset or how he noticed the pants have nice sized pockets or even that he has a present upstairs that would look good with this. César really would, but then she pops him with the little addition about a second corset. Oh. Oh, fuck, yes.
He makes a strangled sound akin to the one where she showed him her muscles, just with less of a wine. Man's utterly forgotten he's in his coat and socks.
César lets go of her hand and uses all of his remaining brain cells to request with a determined and clear voice, lifting both forearms just slightly: "Ma'am, if you would be so kind: pretty please shove me up against the empty wall behind me and place my hands where they can be."
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César has forgotten that he's still wearing his coat apparently, and upon making that request, he'll find himself with her hands sliding under it to push it from his shoulders to fall as he sees fit. At the same time she steps forward, using those hands to ease him up against that bare wall and, rather than simply trapping him there, bends and hooks her hands around the backs of his legs and lifts him with his weight back resting against the wall behind him. And then as soon as she's got him balanced there with her knee under him and his legs around her waist, she arranges his arms over the top of her shoulders.
"How's that?"
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Magne reaches under César's coat and starts to yank it up. His sputter transitions into laughter, and he starts struggling out of the sleeves just in time to be picked up. César lets out a surprised gasp and his legs cling around her waist automatically. She's so strong, and the movement helps César get back to himself. God, her arms, her knee.
With great effort, he manages to throw his coat off to the side so Magne can arrange his arms. César laughs, delighted, eyes full of admiration. But he's also looking at her.
"It's amazing." César only has to lean forward slightly to kiss her, although not for as long as he'd like, but Magne needs to be able to breathe. "You're amazing."
The reason why he's kept his wits about him is because he's been thinking through that kiss. He wraps his arms around the other. Again, he leans forward, but to kiss her forehead, then leans back to gently regard her.
"So I for now, I should keep my hands to your arms, back, and above and around your shoulders, then?" César asks seriously with only love in his face, not minding at all if the answer is yes: it's why he's asking in the first place.
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Meeting his eyes, the smile on her face over his excitement at being lifted up softens, the question getting real consideration there's a measure of trepidation as she debates how to explain the actual why of her reticence to let him touch any lower than her sides. While she's sure that he would probably take the ticklish excuse, she doesn't want to lie to him. So she shrugs his arms a little more securely up on her shoulders and rests her forehead against his.
"I like this, with your hands there over my shoulders. I can explain better later when I'm not starving though."
Easier to put it off for a little bit longer.
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He closes his eyes when their foreheads touch. Magne's words are to delay her answer. It's a little white lie, and César almost points out it isn't necessary, that she can tell him she needs time to answer it. But it's an obvious enough one that's what she's saying. No need to put her on the spot. The fact he asked the question right after they got inside because it came up kinda already did.
"I like this, too. I feel safe in your arms." César hmms, then lets the subject switch entirely for her sake. "So I'm hearing food first and then a tour of the place?"
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"Dinner, the tour, and then a talk, if you feel like it." Because he deserves to hear what was happening in her mind when he was so close to it. She doesn't necessarily want to put it off for too long, but this isn't quite the time. Later, when they're not literally on a date.
Reluctantly, she does let him down, though she keeps him caged against the wall, one hand running up his side while the other curls under his chin. "Ready to show me a good time?"
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César laughs, warmly startled by how her hands trail up the back of his thighs, and he nods. "Sounds like a plan. And I do want to talk."
Some gifts and perhaps dance practice will happen in there, too, but she'll find that out later.
He finds himself breathless as she touches him like a work of art before he slides his arms open enough to give her easier access to his face. "... I'm ready. Let me show you my kitchen and what we have to work with. Last door in the back."
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Another brief kiss with her hand under his chin, then she draws away again and follows his lead toward the kitchen to see what all he has. He's explained his plan for the day, and she's looking forward to it if only because she really does miss the food she was used to at home.
"Eventually you're going to have to show me some of the things that you know how to make. I've never had access to any real Spanish before and I know that the things that end up in restaurants elsewhere might not necessarily be quite right because of ingredients being less available." She lets herself into the kitchen and heads for the cupboards to inspect what César has to work with. They won't have a lot of space to move in, but she's sure they'll make do.
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He brightens enormously at such a simple declaration. "That's right! You've never had proper Mexican or Argentine cuisine. Absolutely no Latin American food whatsoever. I've been trying to source ingredients, and once I have enough of the right ones, I can teach you my mother's recipes. Hope you like spicy food! Also hold on, let me tell you what I've on ice."
The cupboards have two packs of dried packs of seaweed, maybe 10 cups of white rice, various simple spices, and some sweet potatoes.
César pulls out two wrapped packages from the ice box or fridge or whatever, each held in a different ceramic dish so he can move them without contaminating his hands. "I've got both venison and salmon. The packages in the cupboard are dried seaweed. Sadly, no soy sauce until next month."
He puts the wrapped packages down onto the counter and goes back into the fridge, his tone turning joyful. "The seaweed and salmon are from Jean. Cecil gave me the sweat potatoes. Ylva got the venison. Annnnd she also showed me how to forage all of this, some of which she coaxed to grow with her druid magic, and anything we don't use can go back home with you for work."
Two more ceramic dishes come out and onto the counter, both well-loaded. One dish has a bunch of different vegetables: various spring herbs, wild carrot, dandelions, and cattail root. The other has Lion's Mane mushrooms. All of which he identifies by pointing to them one at a time. It's not just one meal, but several.
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Part of her wants to keep a hand on César, or at least stick close by him, but she's distracted by the assortment of ingredients that he presents to her. She brightens up and reaches for the most familiar things first, delicately picking the seaweed up to break a strip off of and sample. Seasoned and kept in some sesame oil, it would make a delicious snack all on its own.
"I've met Ylva, she's a darling. The first time she saw me she asked me point blank about my, ah...presentation. I think it was the first time she'd actually seen someone like...well, me." A moment of hesitation, so that she doesn't actually out Ylva, trying to make it sound as natural as possible.
Listening to César listing off each of the other ingredients, Magne feels an incredible sense of peace; it's the first time since she was very young that she hasn't had to worry about food insecurity.
"So, show me what you wanted to do and I'll follow along as best I can."
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Learning that about Ylva makes César laugh a little; he assumes she's hesitating to figure out a nice way to frame it once she speaks. "She is, and quite the supportive one, considering she knew I was doing this for you."
The peace on Magne's face drives César to drape his arms over her shoulders in a loose hug from behind. If he can help it, this would be the last season she would ever need to worry. He kisses her cheek and then rests his cheek against it, for a moment remembering a similar scene between his parents. César looks down at the food and sees their future.
"... Paella, specifically. Everything together in one pan. It's the wrong rice, and we're missing some spices, but it'll work, and it's fairly quick." He can talk quieter now with how close they are, the warmth floating in his voice. "And it'll make a ton of leftovers."
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"I'm looking forward to having something to take to work with me later then," she quips. A look over her shoulder is accompanied by a small smile, and she butts her head up against his before returning to the task at hand. "So show me how to put it all together."
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A return butt of the head, another kiss on the cheek, and he lets go to give her room to work (washing the rice, of course!), grabbing a paper he's left out in a corner. "I've got the recipe over here, but... cut up the meat into pieces, add in the vegetables and spices, add in some of the broth, then the rice to absorb the liquid. And slowly add in more until it's done. Some times you move things around, some times you don't. The rice gets cooked with the rest of the dish."
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Draining the water off the rice and setting it aside for the moment, she moves on to the rest to cut up and add in as he said.
"I don't exactly have a lot of storage containers just yet," she points out with some amusement at the assertion that she would be able to take more of it for work. "Perhaps I should just drop by here in the mornings before I head in, hm?"
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Magne's suggestion gets César to stop what he's doing for a moment, because that thought is just so damn pleasant. "That... would be really nice." He starts back at his work. "Mmm, I'm not moving in full time until the snow abates and planting season starts. We could walk over together if you'd like."
Just to get a handful of extra minutes together.
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She's scooping some of what she's finished into a dish of its own to be added to the pan when he makes the suggestion to make it a walk together. "I think that would be a nice little routine," she agrees. "For now, staying where you're warm and out of the weather is a good idea while you get everything else squared away. If you need any help in finishing it all up, you'll obviously know where to find me."
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He's still working on the venison and pauses a moment. "I'd be a wonderful little routine to get each other to ourselves for a bit. ... I don't need help getting things done, but if the idea of doing minor renovations and fixing things up is your idea of a good time...?"
It's a bit surprising to even him that he doesn't say no, but only until he realizes it's an excuse to spend more time with her. Then it makes perfect sense.
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"I'd like to avoid collapse myself. ... and the knowledge you'd gain from helping would be incredibly useful for you, too. This is more Victorian Europe in architecture and utility. Japan's housing is all new. I've got enough knowledge of old houses that I can fill in any general knowledge gaps you have. Ever dealt with plaster walls before?"
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"Exactly. I'm coming into all of this with a fairly limited skillset. I'm good at the things that I can do, but not a lot of those things are really helpful for me when I'm trying to settle down and make my way here. I haven't learned anything about the construction of repair of these kinds of buildings because most of my time has been spent helping Comrade Jean or keeping order around the Oak & Iron. Whatever you can show me here will help immensely."
HE ASKED THE QUESTION
"I'll teach you everything I know about old buildings and repair, including safety." César finishes the cutting up of his raw ingredients and goes to wash his hands at the sink. "Even hanging pictures up is different with plaster, and all the utilities are older forms."
César can imagine how cute she'll be with clothes all covered in dust and dirt with an accidental smear of paint on her cheek, and it makes him break the loop of conversation entirely.
He shuts off the water and dries his hands in a towel as he turns to look at her. "... okay, okay, I can't stand waiting to ask anymore. And it's okay if you're not ready. Hikiishi Magne... Will you be my girlfriend?"
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She slows down when he speaks up again, turning back to ask what he's trying to work up to saying, only to end up pausing and just watching him for a beat, then laughing helplessly. And then realizing how that looks and wrapping her arms over his shoulders, standing nose to nose with him.
"Sorry, I think I've been operating under the assumption that that was already what was happening, when you asked me here. So, yes! Officially now, I guess."
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He looks confused when Magne starts laughing, but he realizes it's a good laugh when her arms go over his shoulders. Then, César starts laughing helplessly himself. Remembering what she said, he brings his arms up as high as he can under hers and rests his hands on the back of her shoulders.
"Officially! And apparently, I'm a very transparent man?" César knows he is; he's utterly beaming at her. "I did get you a few things for after dinner, before your bath. ... that's obvious, too, isn't it?"
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She might have joked about him joining her, but she doesn't want him to get the wrong idea when it comes to her own expectations for their evening.
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"It's a big, claw foot tub, and I cleaned it earlier today. And the hot water now lasts for both a short shower and a proper bath." Because she's Japanese. "Good soap and hair products. Also, spoiler: one of your presents is a nicely floral scented bath oil. One of their top sellers among the other ladies here."
Don't worry, Magne. He has the absolute right idea. Which is the only idea now that he knows how long it's been for her. "The downstairs half-bath's plumbing works just fine now, and I've got things to keep me busy, so you can take as long as you'd like without being bothered."
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cw implied but not explicit sexual activity
cw: listening to the implied but not explicit sexual activity
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and wrap!