UN: Lady Maria | Video

[whomthebelltolls]

Name: Lady Maria
Date: Ieneur 20-something
Format: Video

[It is video, but the video is not of Maria. Instead, it is of a flatbed horse-drawn cart. To the front is attached a buckskin colored draft horse, and inside... are what appears to be crates of glass bottles. Curiously, they all appear to currently be empty, from what can be seen, but there's labels, and embossing on them.

Maria speaks from somewhere behind the camera, but her quiet, gentle voice carries enough to be heard just fine.]

Thank you to everyone who gave feedback and tried out the gins I sent out for Modranicht. Your comments were valuable to make a couple adjustments I had been hesitant about to the formula, and I think the results are all the better for it. The first batches for commercial sale are now ready, and I am picking up the bottles for them.

There are two types of gin that will be available... [Her hand reaches down, and picks up one of the bottles. When she lifts it, the sunflower embossing remains on the shoulder of the bottles, but there's a fancy label indicating the alcohol meant to be contained within is Dorchacht Rose Gin, made with specially cultivated Dorchacht roses.] The Dorchacht Rose is made from the wild roses from the region; they are hallucinogenic by nature. The effect is mild, and I infused it with other plants used to make love and happiness potions here: the effect is to allow you to remember pleasant memories, whether they be of home or here. It does have a decent alcohol kick, and a higher ABV.

The other... [She puts the first bottle down, and takes out a second. This label calls it Summer Garden Gin.] Also has a distinct rose note, but has a gentle floral accompaniment to the juniper. It has no magical effects. I also reeled back the ABV on it a little. It should make for a pleasant sipping alcohol, especially with a bit of ice and a lime wedge.

And finally... [Putting away the second bottle, she pulls out a third. This says it's a limited edition mead.] My bees produced far more honey than I was expecting, so I decided to make a small batch of mead.

If any among you wish to purchase of a bottle, I'll set aside some for you; otherwise, they will be available at a few bars and taverns in Aefenglom and Dorchacht. Furthermore, if any of you wish to taste test for future batches, let me know. It's free alcohol, in exchange for some feedback. I don't see much of a downside, if you enjoy a variety. I'd like to perhaps see about wines and brandies sometime in the future.

I'll even deliver it, if any of you wish, whether you buy it commercially, or wish to taste-test future batches. I need to get out of the house more often anyway, and it will be good exercise for the horses.

Comments

text; un: dunscaith

[scatmaam]

Obviously, I volunteered before, and I'll volunteer again. I've a discerning tongue, after all.

[whomthebelltolls]

[Text, excellent. Easier to respond after she's gotten the cart moving. Maria is now texting and driving like a modern driver!]

Ah, I figured you'd be one of the first. You do provide quite valuable feedback; I will be glad for anything you can say about my future endeavors, though I'm afraid you may have to wait a bit for whisky.

It will put that... discerning tongue to good use.

[scatmaam]

Oh I'm sure you could find several uses for it.

[ stop. ]

un: ardbert | text

[notbert]

I'm afraid I do not have time currently for offering feedback. Though I would be interested in obtaining a bottle of the honeyed mead you speak of.

[It sounds rare. Thus a limited opportunity. Elidibus must surely obtain a 'sample' of this beverage to see how his mortal host reacts to it. Be prepared, fellow Ascians.]

[whomthebelltolls]

It's alright if you do not want to test, I will happily sell the finished product to any interested.

Would you like to pick it up, or have it delivered somewhere? [At... at least mead has a bit of a lower ABV?]

[notbert]

[Elidibus often acts like an OCD child with reverse PICA when it comes to sampling food and drink that will (potentially) sustain his body.]

I shall come fetch it. Add a bottle of each of those new gin you mentioned.

[He has no interest in tasting a hallucinogenic, particularly one related to memories happy or not. But it might be useful to have at hand.]

Where shall I come?

un: jaeger

[autotome]

We could celebrate.

[whomthebelltolls]

Celebrate which? [Him cutting off his leg? Or just being alive?]

[autotome]

The Dorchacht Rose

[ nothing goes over my head........ ]

Video

[cryptsleeper]

How much testing are you looking to do in the future?

[whomthebelltolls]

[The cart rumbles along in the background, accompanies by the steady clopping of the big horse's hooves on the cobbles. Maria kind of has the watch sitting at a bit of an upward angle to her face.] I couldn't give you an exact amount, but... every time I work on a new variety or flavor, which would probably include seasonal things and limited edition runs. And then, probably, any time I make any major adjustments to any of the existing formulas. So it will not be an overabundance, I don't think.

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard, meanwhile, is definitely home. He has a blanket cape over his shoulders, all fuzzy wool in a deep, dark blue.]

Then let me ask you this: do you presently have anything in the works that you might need second opinions on?

video | un: wwxwashere

[weiward]

[can a person's mouth water over alcohol? his can. wei wuxian is especially interested in the rose alcohol and its promise to bring back pleasant memories. ...but he might just be even more interested in the promise of free alcohol. he nearly drops his watch in his haste to respond.]

I'll help! I have a very...er...experienced palate where alcohol is concerned. Everyone I know could vouch for it!

[vouch for the fact that he's a high-functioning alcoholic, yes.]

[whomthebelltolls]

[Well that's promising. Though honestly...] You needn't be so hasty. I will take any who wish to volunteer their time. A distinguished palate will certainly help, however. Do you have a preferred method of delivery? Would you like to meet up somewhere, or should I deliver it to you?

[weiward]

I can meet you somewhere if that's okay. [he's out and about a couple of times every day anyway, quicker to the marketplace than anyone else in his house or out to visit the bars once lan wangji is asleep.] I'd like to buy the rose one too - the one that brings back good memories.

But I do have a question. What if they're memories that have been sort of...forgotten?

Un ma - audio

[stopfen]

[She doesn't drink for obvious reasons, but one word gets her dumb bug brains attention. ]

Honey?

... [Then a sigh] I think the mead would get me less drunk.

[She just liked sweet things... ]

[whomthebelltolls]

Yes, honey. Or honey wine, I suppose, some places would say. That is the nature of mead.

[She responds in kind, so while she is half-smiling, it's not immediately visible.]

It does have a lower alcohol content, though. It should be more tolerable.

[stopfen]

[She was referring to the honey itself having more of an effect than the mead. Like how hot cocoa would make her seem like a drunkard.]

I guess I'll try it then... Though I've still not managed the gin... [Because the smell was enough that she still had a full bottle.]

video; un: METTATON

[metalcrusher]

OOOH, HOW ENTREPRENEURIAL OF YOU! BOTTLED AND LABELLED SO FINELY, AND EVERYTHING. I'D LOVE TO BUY DIRECTLY FROM ONE OF MY FELLOW MIRRORBOUND.

[A side note: Mettaton does not appear to have a single orifice for drinking? He's just a metal box with furry rabbit ears...]

I'M MOST INTERESTED IN WHAT CAN PACK THE GREATEST PUNCH. BUT I CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE, THAT YOUR DORCHACHT ROSE SEEMS TAILORED TOWARD SOLO DRINKING... WHAT WITH THE REMINISCING. [He flicks his wrist as an idle gesture. Mettaton doesn't critique it further, but the sepia feed registers that his screen's changed to a darker color in some mild form of disapproval.] SURELY YOU PLAN TO MAKE SOMETHING STRONG, BUT FOR PARTIES! WHICH IS TO SAY, I'D LOVE TO TEST YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

[whomthebelltolls]

[but does he have to yell tho

It's whatever. If he wants to give her business, she's not going to question it; possibly one of the few people that won't.]

I would happily sell you any you wish to purchase. If you're looking for something more suited to social outings, the Summer Garden Gin should suffice. With the slightly lowered alcohol content, it's even easier to sip a few drinks over the course of an evening without becoming as drunk as quickly. If you're looking for something that will knock a dragon out but doesn't include the hallucinations... I believe I'll be looking into that later, when I start into brandies. I may make a special edition of the gin that has a higher content as well, if you are offering your part of a consumer base for it.

... I am a fan of stronger alcohols, but I also know my tolerance is not many other peoples'.

[metalcrusher]

[Of course he has to yell, this is his classic signature charismatic television host voice! (He does not have to yell.) Mettaton distantly appreciates not being grilled over his want for alcohol, if he even considered very far that anyone should protest the exchange of money for goods.]

I SEE. YOU'RE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, DARLING. WHICH COMES WITH EXPERIENCE, AS IT WOULD APPEAR.

[What with her being a fan of the stronger stuff. Mettaton pats the front of his body to shift focus to his desires.]

BUT, YES. YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I WANT! I WANT SOMETHING STRONG ENOUGH TO DO A FAUN IN, FAUN STYLE: SOCIALLY! THUS, THE SOLO DRINKING ISN'T IN THE CARDS. [He clasps his hands together.] WHEN YOU COME UP WITH THIS SPECIAL GIN, DO TELL ME! YOU COULD SAY THAT I HAVE SOMEONE IN NEED OF A DOOZY OF A FIRST TIME DRINKING! SOMEONE WITH A FANCY FOR GOING ALL-OUT, ALL THE TIME!

text; un: geralt

[gynvael]

Gin wasn't bad. Wouldn't mind testing another.

No hallucinogens, though.

[whomthebelltolls]

Alright, I'll put you on the list for future tasting endeavors. Unless you would like a bottle of the mead, this go around? It's, as my usual, on the stronger side.

text | un: lockhart

[somersaulting]

I'm sorry for the message; I saw your video and thought to contact you.

I'm Tifa. I'm fairly new here, but back on my world I was a bartender, and I've been considering trying to start up a business here too.

If you still have any bottles to sell, I'd be interested in making a purchase! I'm sure they would help to make some amazing cocktails.

[whomthebelltolls]

I am perfectly willing to set aside a few extra bottles for fellow Mirrorbound. However, if you would like to discuss business supply opportunities, then that would have to be a bit of a longer talk we could have later if you do decide to open a new tavern.

In the interim: Do you prefer the gin with or without the Dorchacht rose in it? I'm afraid the former works well for more intimate settings, or even alone, but the latter should suffice for social gatherings.