Talnora: Though maybe some particular truths of ethanol are best left unspoken...

2025-10-04T19:27:45Z

Though maybe some particular truths of ethanol are best left unspoken...

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*'''Log: In Vino Veritas'''
*'''Cast:''' [[Remi Ryuuja]], [[Myunghon Yeo]]
*'''Where:''' Remi's Apartment, Aoba Ward, Sumaru
*'''OOC Date:''' October 02, 2025
*'''IC Date:''' Friday, July 20, 2012 (Evening)
*'''Summary:''' ''Remi's invited Myunghon over to her apartment, offering to share wine and companionship. The two talk, and both gradually come to learn more about the other, including some surprising ways in which they are more alike than they realized.''

----

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
A coupl of days ago, Remi had discovered Myunghon struggling some issues amidst some turmoil within the Cardboard Dragon crew. She had... a lot of suspicions about what was going on, but no concrete ''proof'', and she had been a bit flummoxed about how to provide support for her friend. But she had made an offer, to come to her apartment, specifically to drink wine and watch a movie, but Remi was honestly willing to anything they would both find enjoyable.

She hadn't yet taken the leap into trding card games but she had purchased a couple of board games that lookd interseting (and relatively simple.) Along with some movies, of course.

The invitation had come with a carefully worded offer of dinner-since it wasn't desireable to eat on an empty stomach, of course. She had cooked a stew (French onion, naturally) and some sourdough bread for herself, but Myunghon had elected to bring their own food.

Remi is all bundled up, with the temperature lower than she normally kept it for Myunghon's comfort. The apartment is small but tastefully decorated, thanks to Yua's efforts. Her personal mark on it was a bookshelf filled with a variety of classic novels, CDs, and DVDs, and three succulents sitting on a kitchen windowsill.

She's tending to thoe succulents now, in fact, humming a french ballad to herself as she waits for Myunghon to arrive.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
Myunghon is arriving late at Remi's place, having had quite the time running around dealing with the fallout of the safehouse being breached by the police and trying to get in touch with at least Officer Suou or Reiko to try to see what's going on -- not to mention the dissatisfaction from some of the Baengnyong, who've taken police presence to indicate that they hadn't done their due diligence and have led the fuzz right to their doorstep.

It's kind of a giant mess at present, but Myunghon did promise, and they don't like breaking promises. By the time they ring the doorbell, they've changed into a black turtleneck with a white A-line skirt, still with black leggings, and the white coat draped ontop. There's a beautiful Koala Pin fastened onto the buttonhole of the coat, silver with sodalite as its gemstone, with a silver chain fastened onto a branch so that it looks like the Koala is clinging to the branch.

"I am late, my apologies..." Myunghon looks pretty exhausted.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
Remi is, per usual, wearing all (or mostly) black, with a cardigan thrown on top for extra warmth. (It's long and drapy, because she likes the flowy profile that creates.)

But when she answers the door she only has a smile for Myunghon, "Myunghon, it's so good to see you." She pauses as she looks the outfit over-- "What a darling little pin!", but then looks over Myunghon.

"Not at all, dear," she says of being late. She steps aside to admit her friend. "Pleae, come in, come in. Then, in a softer voice she adds, "... are you feeling well, dear?"
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
Myunghon glances down towards the pin. "Do you like it? I commissioned it from Yanagi from the Peacock Silk. I absolutely adore her work," she does sound rather proud, as they slip their shoes off and tiredly ambles towards the couch, not bothering to slip the coat off because the coat is power for them anyway. They don't seem to have smelled dinner, but they are rummaging gently through their messenger bag and has a plastic container with their dinner in it.

Is that... ice cubes inside. Some kind of pale ice cube. And chicken...?

"Today is a bit much... I need to keep trying to contact Suou-san," Myunghon murmurs, planting their fingers to the bridge of their nose. "Nothing is particularly stable at present..." There's a faint and stressed exhale, but then they shake their head.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
"Yajnagi from the Peacock Silk... I see." Remi files that name away for later, too. "Well the little branch it sits on is a delightful touch," she enthuses, mostly happy for her friend's enjoyment, even if she is masking some worry.

Peacock Silk, again.

She pauses as Myunghon pulls out dinner. And it's... ice cubes. And chicken. She gives them a long, appraising look. "Shall I..." She clears her throat. "Ahem. Shall I get a plate for your... I'm sorry, dear, but are those ice cubes? I do not mean to judge, mind, I simply wish to know the right terminology."

The chicken is at least a bit more substantial.

But nothing is stable. "I'm so sorry, dear, that must be difficult. As ever, if there is aught that I might do... And suou... he was that other officer from the station, wasn't he? Still, soon, we shall have our dinner, and our wine, and you can tell me about what it is that has you so distressed."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
"I find her very charming. She has an honesty about her that's... nice, and we talked a lot about the different kinds of minerals she likes, and how difficult it is to work chains for jewelcrafting..." Myunghon does seem rather taken, speaking about the experience as if it's a particularly pleasant one, a little wistful. What is with them and people from the Peacock Silk?? Do they have some kind of Marin Karin Machine there?

"Oh... this is unflavoured protein powder, frozen," Myunghon exclaims as they pluck one out to just place into their mouth and crunch on for a bit, fish-eyeing for a bit in their quizzical and yet scientific observation of how it tastes. A longer pause, as they murmur, "I, ah."

They do accept a plate and a fork from Remi, for their... is that just overcooked, unseasoned chicken breast, out of the fridge. Myunghon takes little strips of it to gnaw on like it's silly string. "... mm. It's still kind of ash-y. Tolerable." They frown gently to say, "I didn't tell you before... but I have issues with my sense of taste and smell. That is-- they don't exist... and most foods taste something like ash to me."

Myunghon perks up a moment later to say, "But! But, the unflavoured protein is somewhat working, and having it frozen means it's a bit more fun to eat. The chicken is an experiment still, but it's not a total failure. I'm trying my best to eat, so I'm not worrying all of you."

They might still need to be reminded to eat, though.

"... I'm not certain, and I think this would cross into... conflicts of interest for you," Myunghon does note for Remi, not wishing to sour the mood, but also cognisant of what it is. "Umm. Tell me about wine."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
Remi might just wonder that. It would be one thing if it was only this 'Yanagi' Myunghon had found enthralling, but to find Tsumugi enthralling to the point of... well...

Remi wouldn't be concerned except for the effect it had afterwards.

"Well, it is certainly good for a crafter to be enthusiastic about their tools, oui?" she says, pleasantly.

"Unflavored protein..." It takes Remi a moment to process this but she slowly nods. "I see." And that chicken... Remi is not an ''expert'' cook, but... she does fetch that plate and fork, at least. For herself she dishes up her French onion soup from a large pot into a steep bowl, carrying it carefully back to the couch to sit wit Myunghon.

But then Myunghon explains, and Remi draws in a sharp little breath. "Oh, Myunghon, dear... I am... so sorry to hear that." She won't ask how. That much seems evident, at this point. "... well now I feel the fool for forcing you to eat at the Benny's. Je suis sincèrement désolée."

But she offers Myunghon a wan smile. "But I am glad that you are finding ways to adapt. Please, do tell me if there is anything I can do to help with your efforts?"

"Ah, I see. Say no more." Remi wishes to be supportive, but she can't afford to be blind to the situation she's in.

Instead, "Gladly, dear." She takes a few sponfuls of her soup, savoring the warmth. "There is a great deal I could tell you, naturally, but unless you are interested in the history and intricacies of wine making, I shall cut to the chase. There are several varieties of wine, that depend on the grapes used to produce them. Typically we would pair a wine to a dish, but since I was not sure what you would bring, I selected a nice red wine ahead of time."

She continues, "There are ways true connoisseurs prefer to drink it, to take in the bouquet and the flavor profile... ahh..." She offers an apologetic smile. "I can show you, but... I will understand if you do not get as much from the process. To be honest, I am simply glad that you are willing to try this experience with me."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
"Oh, yes! She was telling me so much about the kinds of tools she has to use. Can you imagine bending metal to make chains, Remi, but then doing it on the small, small scale this chain is?" Myunghon seems enamored by their new Koala Pin still, glimmering slightly in the light of the apartment's warm glows. Myunghon does spectate as Remi dishes herself up soup. They can't smell it, but they do say, "The food looks appetising, at least... you're a very good cook, aren't you, Remi?"

But Remi expresses some foolishness, but Myunghon shakes their head. "That is on me, for not explaining to you. I found it very difficult to explain, since it was always filled with much shame. ... this chicken is an experiment. Cold foods trigger it less. Fat triggers it overmuch, so lean meats help more... but I think I cannot completely avoid it with meat. Some bland raw vegetables are often fine, but... well, you know that there aren't enough calories in vegetables alone."

Is there anything Remi can do for their efforts?

"... actually... do you..." A pause. "Even if I cannot eat... I still want to treat others. You, too. I made cookies the other day -- Officer Suou helped me. I was wondering if you had some baking implements I could borrow. He said something about a whisk and a mixing spoon."

Myunghon was trying to bake at the Cardboard Dragon? So that's what that new toaster oven is. It's very small, though, hardly proper for baking, but... a long journey must start somewhere.

Myunghon isn't a *stranger* to the history of wine, of course -- it's impossible to have read up on so many French authors and such and how much they love wine, but they've never tried it themself. "Why is one red and the other white?" they ask, innocently.

But Remi expressing that she's just glad to share this experience has them nodding, as they accept a glass when they get to it and starts to -- sniff. ... ...

"I don't smell anything, of course, but... should I just drink?"

They ask, but they gulp -- a bit too fast -- and ends up coughing and hacking!
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
"I can't say I've ever tried it, dear, but I can certainly imagine where the difficulty might lie, yes." Remi smiles at the compliment and shakes her head. "Mmm. I am passable, dear, though I ''do'' rather hope my skill is improving. I think I had better luck getting the onions to caramelize just right this time... Still, it is kind of you to say."

Remi looks more subdued for a moment as Myunghon takes the blame. "Mmm... Well. I cannot fault you for that, dear." She looks down at her soup for a moment. "... I understand that feeling of shame, I think. I feel it is something I also struggle against."

But she listens, keenly. Cold foods, fats, vegetables, lean meats... "I have heard of people who manage, but it certainly ''is'' more difficult, yes..." Remi considers. "How was the chicken prepared?"

Remi blinks, and then smiles warmly as Myunghon asks for cooking implements. "So you have started this journey as well? Magnifique! I have been learning from Yua-chan, though I have pursued some recipes on my own." She holds up the bowl to indicate, and then after a moment remembers. "It is French onion soup, by the way."

"I think I have those things, and I should be glad to lend them to you. And if you would ever like to use my stove, I would be more than happy."

"Well, dear," Remi says, happy to answer the question. "At its most basic level, it comes down to the type of grape. Red wines are made with red grapes, and white wines are made with white grapes. Of course, it is ''far'' more complex than that, and in fact it may even be possible all wines were once derived from the same grape, Vitis vinifera, which was actually called a black grape. But for now..."

Remi sets her bowl down, and fetches a bucket with ice, two wine glasses, and a bottle from the fridge. "It is customary to keep it chilled, so perhaps that may help?" She pours the two glasses. "One typically takes a whiff, we call the aroma the bouquet..." Which Myunghon can't smell. "... but yes, why not try a small sip. Be careful, the alcohol may take some getting used to ."

"Oh dear, Myunghon, are you alriht?" Remi moves, ready to take the glass or plate if Myunghon shold need it.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
Myunghon coughs a few more times, before letting Remi take the glass from them. "I'm not sure *what* I tasted, but it was certainly something," they whimper, blinking a few times as they place their hand on their chest. "Um-- something does feel warm-- my head's a little cloudy...?" Remi might have the terror or delight (depending) of finding out just how much of a lightweight Myunghon is. They did take some big gulps, though, so it's probably all rushing to their head.

"The chicken... um, we boiled it, since boiling tends to remove fats..." So it's overcooked, unseasoned, boiled chicken.... that Myunghon is kinda dragging into strips to chew on slowly. "It's not unworkable, but... it isn't massively pleasureable either. Still, that's one thing to but it is more palatable than beef. Maybe fish...?"

But Remi congratulates Myunghon on also pursuing cooking! They look rather shy, hiding behind the sleeve of their coat for a moment. "Oh, um... well, I made cookies with Suou-san, and I would share, but I ran out. But I do not have any experience with the stove, and I am definitely ruling myself out as being able to be safe with knives, given--"

Well, one, the arm in a sling and splint, and two, their general upper-arm disabilities. "I could not even mix butter and sugar together properly, it took too much effort. But a whisk would help, Suou-san said. ... I want to try again. But having both hands would make it significantly easier... I had to brace the bowl against my legs, even."

Myunghon takes another experimental sip of wine with a frown. "It does have an ashy taste," they scowl and make another face. "No, I'm not certain. Is this the alcohol? It tastes rather different from isopropyl alcohol--"

MYUNGHON PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT COMPARISON
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
"Mmm. Well, perhaps we shall take it slow and let this sit with you for a while, hmm?" But the warmth and cloudiness. Remi sighs, softlyu. "That is most likely the alcohol, dear... I encourage you to keep eating. Having more food in you will help keep the rest of it from hitting you as hard..." She sets the glass down well away from Myunghon's grasp, then sits down again. "Next time dear, I should remind you to take a smaller sip. For one, it is part of the act of savoring it, and for another, it will keep the alcohol from hitting as fast."

Maybe if she waters the wine down just a little...

Remi has her soup, but she also has bread, which she is occasionally dipping in the soup.

"Boiled... so really it is about removing the fats, I see..." She might have to look into that a little bit. "Have you tried making something with eggs or egg whites?"

"Well, if you were to use the stove, I would be here to help, yes...?" Remi suggests, lightly. "But yes, I see the difficulty. And I must confess... I had a few of my own mishaps with a knife." Remi is silent for a moment, looking at her left forearm where it was struck by Ishiba. Her voice falls quiet. "... one of the things they did, was to dull my sense of pain. As long as I am careful it is not an issue, but some days... I lose more than just the sense of pain."

It's a quiet admission, something she has a hard time coping to, but Myunghon shared their difficulty, so she is trying to share hers.

"So it does have that taste...? How unfortunate. I am sorry dear, I am willing to experiment if you would like to keep trying, but I understand if not."

Remi lifts her own glass to take another small, measured sip, and about does a spit-take at that like. "''Myunghon''!" she says sharply in slarm. "Those two are not at ''all'' comparable! ''Please'' tell me--"

She stops, closes her eyes, and forces herself to take a deep breath. Her hands are shaking, and she forces herself to put her bown and glass down as she composes herself.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
"Mm... well, there is not much savouring the flavour, I am afraid, though the reaction it is having is certainly... so this is why they call it a psychoactive depressant," Myunghon's a little fisheyed as they enter into that state of rumination and investigation, taking another smaller sip just so that they're not worrying Remi.

They've pulled their legs up at this point on the couch and have entered their favourite thinking pose in the whole wide world.

"Yolk is no good," Myunghon affirms. "Egg whites are... mmm... it is slightly more palatable, yes, and does still have a quantity of protein. I will have to remind that that is still on the table... I do not quite like the texture. But I think there is something called meringue you whip from egg whites. Perhaps...?"

Remi shares that one of the things the lab has done to her is to dull her sense of pain. Myunghon quietly frowns, their eye half-mast in consternation. "... yes. It is dangerous. That was one of the warnings I had about some of the parts of my body with dead nerves. You might not even notice that you have an infection... you have my sympathies. To think of all they have taken from us..."

Myunghon looks puzzled and more goggle-eyed as Remi protests, though, and takes another sip. "Why are you upset, Remi? This wine has ethanol, correct? You are correct that they are different, but they are still within the classes of alcohols. Why, rubbing alcohol is largely a solution of ethanol, even, making it more comparable to the wine I am drinking!"

... is the wine already kicking in?

"Ethanol has a wide use as an antiseptic and even a sedative since ancient times. You often find it in a suspension in the hand sanitizers that you often see or even carry, its denaturing effect swiftly breaks down proteins... there have been tales about how liquor is a method to avoid contaminated water due to its bactericidal properties. Why, do you know why it often is called a seventy-percent solution? The presence of water is optimal for antimicrobial activity--"

The wine's already kicked in.
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
Psychoactive depressant. "In vino veritas," says Remi with a raise of her glass. Remi might regret giving Myunghon wine very shortly, though.

"Meringue sounds familiar... and if I am not mistaken, you can you can potentially use egg whites as a substitution in some recipes? Perhaps when it is cooked into another dish it may be more appetizing?"

"... yes. It ''is'' quite dangerous," Remi agrees, voice somber. "I try to be fastidious, but it is... draining, to be so." She looks to Myunghon and regards them quietly as they mention dead nerves. There is a glimmer of a smile. "... then you understand."

She nods, at the thought of what has been taken. "... do you know, that they have also taken my fear? I will throw myself at the Grim Reaper at a moment's notice, but even when I do something so simple as walk through the streets of Hirasaka, I have to constantly analyze... everything, assessing all of the risks myself instead of relying on instinct. It is... exhausting."

Ethanol facts are... not helping Remi cope with her upset. She ahkes her head. "Please, dear..." The fact that Myunghon knows all of this and has thought it through is... gravely concerning.

She puts a hand to her forehead and forces herself to breathe deep. "I am not a chemist, and I... I do not know how to take this information, Myunghon. I have... never researched the matter." Specifically, she never thought it would be worth researching.

"If you are feeling warm already, dear..." Remi looks to Myunghon. "Perhaps we should set the glasses down for a bit. The wine is best savored slowly."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
<poem>
In vino veritas, indeed! Myunghon almost more resembles how they do when Remi just watches them do things like stack koalas in the corner and quizzically writes onto their corkboard or laptop and otherwise just seems immersed in their own world.

You know, before someone turns up and they feel the need to mask.

"I do... but it is a constant battle," Myunghon admits. "I have become as familiar with disinfectants as I am in part because much of the natural antibacterial layers of my skin have gone, Remi. Perhaps embracing disinfectant will also be a boon."

But Remi also adds that they took her fear away. "I... mm--" Myunghon looks a little perplexed. "That was something they removed from you? In what way... psychoactive substances? Cognitive reinforcement... but... I thought that..." A longer pause. "I did not know. I now know someone else who hyperanalyses the smallest shred of risk with every waking moment now," they have a kind of oddly big smile. Which gets bigger, even as Remi works through how upset she is.

"You do do it too, Remi! Do you think about thousands of branching possible scenarios a second from every singular interaction lest you stumble upon unoptimal strategic variables, nine hundred ninety three of which will inevitably be wrong, but then themself birth thousands further of tachyonic variables of possibility, until you fold it all into one in a wave-collapse of solution?"

They rock from one side to another and finishes their wineglass. The way their eye is SO DAMN WIDE is a little distressing, coupled with that smile.

"I've truly become closer to you, Remi. I have ethanol to thank for this! See, disinfectants truly are a miraculous boon for us all."
</poem>

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
<poem>
Remi can't help but notice that shift. She often wondered, if that was the result of what her friend had gone through, or if there had been something, even back then, they had not wanted to disclose. The name 'Myunghon' didn't come out right away, after all...

"Mm. I had not thought about how the body would have natural defenses for that... but it makes sense that they would, and that they could be compromised."

But the how... Remi looks down at her glass. "I do not know the technical terms, but... I fought score upon score of Shadows in that retched place. All while being encouraged to push harder, to push further, past the pain. All while being told that if I did not, that Twent--" Remi's grip tightens on the stem of the wineglass, and she quickly forces herself to set it down. "... that ''Yua''," she forces herself to remember the right name. "Or someone else could be vulnerable, or suffer for my failures, th-that if I couldn't--"

More deep breaths. Rein it in. No need to subject yourself to those 'consequences.'

"... If there is a psychoactive component," she admits, somberly, "... they can ensure that I take it." They could slip it into the Suppressants and who would be the wiser?

Remi looks to Myunghon, blinking as she sees that smile on their face. "Someone else who..." Her eyes widen as she processes that, but they widen further as Myunghon explains just how ''much'' detail they put into analysis. "M-Myunghon, darling... N'est ce pas? Is that truly how the world is for you...?" she asks, her voice hushed. "I-- I must admit, I do not have your... ''rigor'' of thought, but yes, I always try and remain vigilant and aware of my surroundings, even when I do not appear to be so. To be openly vigilant would be to invite attention, so I feign that I am not, but that only makes it harder, you see..."

Oh, so she puts on a facade to hide her intenral state to the world. If only there was a word for that...

Myunghon says they feel close, and Remi smiles, slowly at first and then wider and wider, starting to laugh a little despite herself. "Darlig, I had no idea... in vino veritas, indeed... However," she says, getting up and corking the wine bottle. "... I ''do'' believe we should let this glass well and truly settle. And I will get you some water in a bit."

She does seem more relaxed, though, as she sits down and picks up her soup again. "... but it has truly been a blessing to get to know you better, Myunghon. Thank you, for coming over tonight."
</poem>

[[Category:Logs]]
[[Category:Season 1]]
[[Category:Season 1, Episode 1]]

2025-10-02: In Vino Veritas - Revision history

Talnora: Though maybe some particular truths of ethanol are best left unspoken...