=== Clanne & Etie ===
--- C ---




[Etie]
Phew. That ought to be enough running
for today.
[Clanne]
Looks like you had a good workout there, Etie!
[Etie]
Oh, it's you. What are you doing here?
[Clanne]
I thought you might want these when you
were finished.
[Etie]
What's that you've got in the jar?
[Clanne]
Homemade pickles. They should really help
you recover after a tough workout!
[Clanne]
Here, try one.
[Etie]
Sure, why not? Thank you.
[Etie]
Oh! This isn't bad. It's got just the right
amount of tartness that I like.
[Clanne]
I'm glad I got it right.
[Clanne]
I know you're serious about your body, so I was
careful to keep them delicious but healthy.
[Etie]
Really? You did that just for me?
[Clanne]
Yep! And that's not all.
[Clanne]
I also slept with them under my pillow. Kind of
like how hens take care of their eggs.
[Etie]
No kidding? That's...weirdly charming. You're a
good one, Clanne.
[Clanne]
You can keep the whole jar. If you ever want
more, just let me know!
[Etie]
Oh, I will. Thanks for brightening up my day!
--- B ---




[Etie]
There you are, Clanne.
[Clanne]
Were you looking for me? Are you out of
pickles already?
[Etie]
I'm ashamed to say this, but yes.
[Clanne]
That was pretty fast.
[Clanne]
But I noticed you've been training hard, so I
suspected they might not last that long.
[Etie]
I'm impressed. Not much gets by you, huh?
[Clanne]
Heh heh, it's nothing much. I just like to do
what I can for our hardworking soldiers.
[Etie]
Those pickles were something else. I used to
stay sore for a while after a workout.
[Etie]
But ever since I started eating those pickles of
yours, it hasn't been as much of a problem.
[Etie]
Plus, the taste is amazing. I couldn't keep my
hands out of that jar.
[Clanne]
Really?! You don't know how happy I am to
hear that! I'll gladly make you another batch.
[Etie]
You don't mind, do you? I'd appreciate it!
[Clanne]
Oh, are there any vegetables in particular you
want me to pickle?
[Clanne]
It can be whatever you like─you can make
pickles out of pretty much anything.
[Etie]
Um...I'm drawing a blank right now. Is it OK if
I leave it up to you?
[Etie]
You do seem to have been paying close
attention to my preferences, after all.
[Clanne]
Haha, I suppose I have. Don't worry, I'll pick
out the perfect vegetables for you!
[Etie]
I know you will.
--- A ---



[Clanne]
Hi, Etie. Your new batch of pickles is ready.
[Clanne]
I used a mix of three vegetables this time.
The thing is...
[Etie]
Is something wrong with them?
[Clanne]
They didn't end up tasting very good. I'm really
sorry. I shouldn't give you these.
[Clanne]
I thought the mix would work out, but it didn't.
I'll probably have to start again from scratch.
[Etie]
Hey. Clanne, don't worry about it. The taste
isn't going to be a problem for me.
[Clanne]
Huh? Why not?
[Etie]
I loved the taste of the pickles you made, but I
loved the care you put into them even more.
[Etie]
You didn't make just any old pickles─you knew
they were for me before you even started.
[Etie]
And it's clear that you put a lot of thought into
how I'd like them.
[Etie]
Your pickles do more than ease the strain on
my muscles.
[Etie]
Those good, good pickles soothe my soul too.
[Etie]
So, don't worry about the taste. I'll be happy to
eat them anyway.
[Clanne]
Etie... That's really nice.
[Etie]
...
[Clanne]
Um... Was that your stomach?
[Etie]
You heard that, did you?
[Clanne]
So when you said the taste wasn't a problem
just now, were you speaking from the heart...
[Clanne]
or were you speaking from the gut?
[Etie]
I meant every word! Sheesh. Don't make me
take it all back.
[Clanne]
Oh, isn't it almost time for your workout?
[Etie]
Yeah, it is. Can I have a few pickles before I go?
[Clanne]
Don't say I didn't warn you.
[Etie]
Clanne, come on. I told you that doesn't matter,
and I meant it. Now let me taste the love!
--- S ---