Desert Homecoming [Open]

[LuckyBlackCat]

While Nex busied himself serving his flock of customers one by one, Micah nodded to the Gerudo in priestly garb, although he inwardly winced at the words "proper preparation" which stuck in his mind as if emphasised. "And food is a great way to bring people together," he added. "It's why I'm learning to cook as many different kinds as possible. Got to provide good hospitality, with people from all over the kingdom mingling more than ever."

Her mention of a great - albeit messy - chef residing in town, among other culinary experts, piqued his interest. "Oh?" His eyes grew wide. "That explains the palm fruit shells I noticed in the water earlier. What's her name?"

Before she could answer, Nex spoke up, addressing both of them.

"For you, my young friend, if you give me some of your spices I would be grateful. Ever since departing from your company my meals have been most bland."

A flattered yet bewildered chuckle left Micah's lips at the notion that Nex had particularly enjoyed his cooking. "You're in luck. I still have plenty of Goron Spice." He plucked a few bottles of pungent crimson powder from a hip pouch. He'd need to save some for the dish Nellie had requested, but could part with this much. "How many would you like? Also... If you like spicy meals, does that include Fragrant Mushroom Sauté? Do you know which types of mushrooms work best for it?" He glanced at a nearby stall, which displayed fungi of various shapes and colours. In hindsight, he really should have asked Nellie which kind she preferred.

Something about the white-clad woman's cryptic response to Nex's request for desert lore seemed to be the last straw for the decaying Gerudo, who instead of continuing to grimace and glare at the crowd, shambled away. Micah cringed - even if there were various factors at play, his unnerved response to her arrival couldn't have helped her mood.

The brightly-clothed Gerudo, by contrast, bubbled with enthusiasm as she gushed about the significance of her relics, her eagerness to travel and learn about the wider world. Micah found himself smiling, the youth's joy infectious. "Travelling is pretty fascinating, huh?" he chimed in. "Even if it doesn't always go as you plan, it's still a valuable experience."