=== Merrin & Bunet ===
--- C ---



[Bunet]
Merrin, your timing could not be more perfect.
Please, take a seat.
[Merrin]
What's this all about?
[Bunet]
I want you to be the first to experience my
newest recipe.
[Merrin]
Oh. Is this for a cookbook?
[Bunet]
For a restaurant, actually. I want to reestablish
my parents' bistro after the war is over.
[Bunet]
I have been crafting new dishes for the menu
in my spare time.
[Merrin]
That's great! What are you serving up today?
[Bunet]
Stewed chicken.
[Merrin]
Whoa! High marks on presentation.
[Bunet]
Thank you. I found a rare breed of hen and
simmered her at low heat for several days.
[Bunet]
There's a variety of spices in the broth,
including some with salubrious warming effects.
[Bunet]
Here. Have a taste.
[Merrin]
All right, let's give it a try. Here goes...
[Merrin]
Mmm!
[Merrin]
Incredible... The meat is so soft, it's practically
melting in my mouth.
[Merrin]
Even as the flavors mingle on my tongue,
each ingredient is still unmistakably itself.
[Merrin]
The spices don't blot out the umami taste of
the chicken. They coexist in perfect harmony.
[Bunet]
I've never heard my cooking described
so beautifully.
[Merrin]
An artful meal deserves an artful description.
[Merrin]
You really know your way around a bird. This
definitely deserves a spot on the menu.
[Bunet]
I am glad to hear you say so. That makes all my
hard work worthwhile.
[Bunet]
Thank you for being my taster, Merrin.
[Merrin]
It was seriously my treat. Thank you for the
delicious meal.
--- B ---



[Merrin]
Hey, Bunet. I heard you're interested in critters.
[Bunet]
Pardon?
[Merrin]
As it happens, I'm a fan myself. I know where to
find some amazing ones in the wild.
[Merrin]
How about I take you? My way of thanking you
for that delicious meal.
[Bunet]
Uh...
[Bunet]
Thank you for the offer, but I'll decline.
[Merrin]
Oh, really? You don't like wildlife watching?
[Bunet]
That's not quite what I meant...
[Merrin]
What did you mean, then?
[Merrin]
Wait a second...
[Merrin]
Oh no. I get it now.
[Bunet]
Huh?
[Merrin]
You prefer wildlife eating. Is that it?
[Bunet]
What?!
[Merrin]
Cooking with regular meat got boring, so you
started sourcing meat from rare critters.
[Merrin]
What was in that stew? Did you trick me into
eating a falcon or something?!
[Bunet]
Of course not! I assure you, it was chicken!
[Merrin]
Liar! And I bet you're only cozying up to me so
I'll show you my favorite wildlife spots.
[Bunet]
Listen─
[Merrin]
No, YOU listen. A crime against the animals is
a crime against me.
[Merrin]
So much as think about hurting another poor
critter and you're done for.
[Bunet]
Merrin, please. You have it all wrong.
[Merrin]
I'll pluck and broil you myself. You hear me?
[Merrin]
[Bunet]
Ugh... I seem to excel at being misunderstood.
--- A ---



[Merrin]
OK, Bunet. I came like you asked. What's this
all about?
[Merrin]
If you try to serve me a flamingo casserole
or something, I swear, I'll─
[Bunet]
You have it all wrong. Please, hear me out.
[Merrin]
Huh?
[Bunet]
I'm not interested in what you call "critters."
[Bunet]
Rather, I am interested in...you.
[Merrin]
...
[Merrin]
Excuse me?
[Bunet]
Though we both serve the royal family, we have
never had a chance to become friends.
[Bunet]
I admit, I was too intimidated to approach you.
You're so confident and outgoing.
[Bunet]
Always talking about critters this, critters that
to anyone who will listen.
[Bunet]
I began to hope that I could one day become
friends with the Critter Keeper.
[Bunet]
That's my nickname for you.
[Merrin]
Ooh...
[Merrin]
The Critter Keeper, huh?
[Bunet]
Yes. Owing to how deeply you care for
creatures of the wild.
[Bunet]
It is a rather silly sobriquet, I know...
[Merrin]
Silly? That's the best nickname I've ever heard!
The Critter Keeper. Makes me sound so...heroic.
[Bunet]
Aha, yes.
[Merrin]
I'm sorry, Bunet. I had no idea you wanted to
be friends.
[Merrin]
Looks like I was all wrong about you.
[Bunet]
There's no need to apologize. I am quite used
to being misunderstood.
[Bunet]
As a lifelong eccentric, it is something of a
chronic condition for me.
[Merrin]
Well, I'm a certified oddball myself, so I know
the feeling.
[Merrin]
Let's be friends from here on out, yeah?
We oddballs have to stick together.
[Bunet]
I would like that. To celebrate, would you like
to try my latest dish?
[Bunet]
You can even name it, if you feel so inclined.
[Merrin]
What? Me? You want to put my words on
your menu?
[Bunet]
Yes. I was quite impressed by your lyrical
review last time. Pick whatever name you like.
[Merrin]
All right. Hm, what should I call it? Maybe I'll
name it after a rare critter.
[Bunet]
Yeah... You may want to avoid that. People
might get the wrong idea...
[Merrin]
Ah! Good point!
[Bunet]
I am in no rush. Take your time with the food
and allow inspiration to strike.
[Merrin]
It would be my pleasure.
--- S ---