Matthew hadn’t been here in a long time, not since the faire, and he’s not really one for overly pretentious holidays…Or at least that’s what he thought this was. He stayed around the storytellers for a bit and listened in. He took Different lessons than the others did. Scarier lessons.

A winter that strung out so far that it disrupted the natural cycle? Is it still going on outside the cave? That thought is bad enough. Even worse… that’s a scary amount of magic to do that to all the mycenians. All of them, turned to stone? Some could remember the before and some couldn’t. and if she really spent that much time gathering up who she could…Well. He’s not going to tell anyone what a normal lifespan is. Even an augmented one wouldn’t last this long.

He doubts the woman is still alive even with that kind of magic. If she is though…Well. If there’s any truth to the old stories then a chunk of people owe her big time. Even the non-natives.  He was pretty hungry and down on his luck when he found the faire and the kindly folk running the stalls gave him enough time to recuperate that he was able to ace the next few jobs he took on.

With a shudder Matthew continues carefully slinking down one of the cave tunnels he chose. He didn’t feel like trying to blend in as a native so he’s chosen one of the tunnels far and away from everyone. There’s no evidence anyone has been down this way, if ever,  in a long time and he’s had to leave a trail of lanterns and scratched arrows to ensure that A) he could get back himself and B) his offering would have some use rather than being symbolic.

Speaking of. He drives the last piton into the wall and starts hanging up his lantern.  It’s nothing that was made special for the occasion, just a standard mining lantern. He chose this kind specifically as they’re built to direct and focus the light. Rather than spreading the light all throughout the cave tunnel it’ll focus it close. If he’s done this right it’ll make an efficient pathway back and not diffuse the light so much it’s impossible to tell which tunnel to go down.

The special parts are the light inside the lantern and the glow on top. It’s one of his few non-battle spells and one he’s quite proud of.  He’s focused the light into two orbs. The one inside the lantern glows a pale red, red light travels farther than blue light after all. The orb on top of the lantern is a pale soothing blue-white. It’s a specialized spell that heals anyone that sits in it’s glow.

He’s stored a chunk of power in each and made them so they’ll glow low but for a long time. He wouldn’t be surprised if he came back in a few years and they were still going. What’s the point in leaving a trail if it dies out as soon as he leaves?

If this sorceress comes this way after so long away she’s probably going to be in a bad way. Matthew hopes that A) if she is hurt the lamps can get her to town where threre’s real healers..and B)..He thinks she’d find it soothing that there are other magic users out there with non-violent uses for their magics.

With some last few fussy adjustments Matthew nods at his last lantern then starts carefully wandering back. If he hurries he can find some more free food and enjoy the rest of the festivities.

Let this flying lantern look old, but it will become a faithful companion on a journey. Your paws will always be free, and the path is sanctified. Even if it goes out or gets lost among other lights, you will always find it by the ringing of its bell.

Minny made a mushroom lantern! :)

Zucker carrying the lantern she made for The Sorceress :)

step 1: SQUISHY DA TOFU

step 2: make a marinade of chili crisp*, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. Ratios are really to taste but I like using 3-4 tablespoons of chili crisp, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1/2 tablespoon vinegar. Cut the tofu up however you like, though note triangles taste best, and then marinate in the sauce for about 30 minutes. (advice: do not use a plastic bowl for this unless you’re okay with it staining pink)

step 3: cut up some green beans and mushrooms, preheat the oven.

step 4: Put the tofu in a baking dish (all on one layer), then put the beans and mushies in, and pour the marinade over everything. Bake it all at 400F (200C) for about 20 minutes, until the green beans blister and the tofu gets a few brown crunchy bits.

Serve with fresh sliced chilis, sesame seeds, and more chili crisp if you want.

* aka Lao Gan Ma - I like the kind with peanuts.

In the center of a large pan, place a little bowl. Put pieces of croissant pastry dough, with thicker ends creating a rim around the bowl and skinny ends resting over the edge, in the bottom of the pan. The pieces should overlap on the bottom of the pan to create full coverage.

Slather nacho cheese salsa dip over the dough.

Put chips in, if you’d like, but they’ll disintegrate.

Add pre-cooked ground beef, flavored to your preference. Add any other ingredients that you’d like as well (e.g., refried beans, jalapenos, onion, green olives)!

Drizzle ranch dressing overtop.

Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese on top, then carefully remove the bowl. Clean up the center of the pan so it’s nicely hollow, and fold the pastry in so it touches the bottom of the pan.

Give the pastry an egg wash.

Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes.

If you’re aiming to please the Bone Monster or perhaps some party guests, place the small bowl from earlier back into the middle of the cooked pastry, filled with salsa or sour cream.

However, I wasn’t drinking most of it, so went with bb’s prefs instead. Fresh strawberries are sliced and soaked in strawberry brandy, then dusted with brown coconut sugar. I served mine with frozen dragonfruit cubes and watermelon seltzer water. Strawberry mochi on the side as a sweeter contrast.