39.01 Rare Good Ballast for an Empty Stomach
“Rare Good Ballast for an Empty Stomach” It seems that at least one of the gobos doesn’t get ASMR from the sounds of food being consumed. I, myself, can relate. A number of food programs, especially mukbang videos, have really turned me off due to wet, mouth sounds.
While the sound effects seem to be overpowering, I assure you that their boldness is purely for comedic value. Anyone listening in will hear normal folk eating in a normal way. Meanwhile, the half dozen and Puccini’s discussions will remain private.
Be careful out there.
↓ Transcript
Panel 1
From inside a guest room at the White Bear tavern, Puccini walks to the corner closest to the entrance. The wizard looks back skeptically towards Wak (offscreen)...
Puccini: "Right. Well, it has been a very long day."
Panel 2
... before the angle changes to a view from that portion of the wall as the wizard reaches up with his left hand to apply some fluff and a waxy material to it. With his other hand, Puccini lifts up a scroll. He glances at it thoughtfully...
Puccini: "Let's table this discussion for later..."
Panel 3
...and as the scene flips, he unfurls it. A swirl of the concoction that the wizard had applied to the wall can be seen above and to the right of his head. Puccini gives a mischievous wink, raising a finger to his mouth to indicate secrecy...
Puccini: "...relax..."
Panel 4
...before he changes the hand gesture to something more arcane. He lifts up the scroll for reading but focuses his attention on his free hand, lifted in the air and glowing with magical potential that is reflected in the smear on the wall.
Puccini: "...and enjoy this meal. (magic words)"
Panel 5
In a wider shot, the gobos prepare to enjoy their food and beverages in earnest. Wak has slipped down to reach the tankard on the floor and has a good grip of the vessel's rim and the bed's footboard as the gobo shifts back up to get on the seat of the chair. Near the footboard on the bed is a tray with two bowls. Nak, sitting on the floor next to the bed with eyes closed, raises a spoon to sip while up on the bed Pōk opens wide to accept a spoonful. Fip's spoon has already made it to its final destination. The gobo looks please, set on the floor in front of the bedside dresser, which on its surface has a tray a few tankards on or beside it. Next to the dresser, Nik holds a bowl in one hand and prepares to join the others with a raised spoon. Only Hob, sitting on the floor between Wak and Nak, has not committed to consumption. The gobo seems to be waiting with contained excitement, watching the wizard cast his spell...
Puccini, offscreen: "(magic words)"
Panel 6
...and then turns to look back at Pōk. A gastronomical cacophony fills the room, much to the surprise of the rest of the gobos... with the possible exception of Wak, who steadies the tankard on a knee. While Nak and Fip only pause in their actions, the sudden sounds startle Nik. The gobo's spoon goes flying and the bowl teeters with a jerk, launching stewy liquid up in the air. The same almost happens to Pōk.
Panel 7
The view zooms in on Pōk; the gobo's face filled with disgust, barely keeping food in the bowl as it tips forward. With a questioning look, the patch-eyed gobo is about to vocally inquire...
Pōk: "..."
Panel 8
...but Hob quickly shoots up an arm and waves quickly to get the attention of Pōk (offscreen). Nak is also drawn to Hob's actions.
Panel 9
Hob's arm lowers but the gobo's other hand comes up and, with a finger, makes a silencing gesture. Nak looks back sternly at Pōk (offscreen)...
Panel 10
...who obeys, giving understanding nods and raising a hand of assurance. The gobo's resolve is emboldened, but the distress still remains.
Panel 11
Back in the corner by the door, Puccini keeps the arcane gesture in place while he turns his attention to his scroll. While his fingers and the spot on the wall no longer radiate, the scroll does as he finishes casting its spell. As the final word is uttered, the cafeteria noises fade away.
Puccini: "(magic words) We can now talk freely."
Nak, offscreen: "<What is going on?>"
Panel 12
In a close up, Puccini begins to happily launch into an explanation of events, gesturing in the direction of the gobos (offscreen). He has lowered the scroll and, from what can be seen of it, the words have disappeared.
Puccini: "Illusory noises and a barrier to fool and block listeners from..."
Nak, interrupting offscreen: "<Not that...>"
Panel 13
The scene shifts to a rather serious Nak, who is looking up towards Puccini (offscreen). Hob is barely seen to the gobo's left...
Nak: "<What happened in the alley?>"
Panel 14
...but can be fully seen as the view pans left. Hob has a determined grin, drawing Nak's attention.
Hob: "<We found Nob's attacker.>"
From inside a guest room at the White Bear tavern, Puccini walks to the corner closest to the entrance. The wizard looks back skeptically towards Wak (offscreen)...
Puccini: "Right. Well, it has been a very long day."
Panel 2
... before the angle changes to a view from that portion of the wall as the wizard reaches up with his left hand to apply some fluff and a waxy material to it. With his other hand, Puccini lifts up a scroll. He glances at it thoughtfully...
Puccini: "Let's table this discussion for later..."
Panel 3
...and as the scene flips, he unfurls it. A swirl of the concoction that the wizard had applied to the wall can be seen above and to the right of his head. Puccini gives a mischievous wink, raising a finger to his mouth to indicate secrecy...
Puccini: "...relax..."
Panel 4
...before he changes the hand gesture to something more arcane. He lifts up the scroll for reading but focuses his attention on his free hand, lifted in the air and glowing with magical potential that is reflected in the smear on the wall.
Puccini: "...and enjoy this meal. (magic words)"
Panel 5
In a wider shot, the gobos prepare to enjoy their food and beverages in earnest. Wak has slipped down to reach the tankard on the floor and has a good grip of the vessel's rim and the bed's footboard as the gobo shifts back up to get on the seat of the chair. Near the footboard on the bed is a tray with two bowls. Nak, sitting on the floor next to the bed with eyes closed, raises a spoon to sip while up on the bed Pōk opens wide to accept a spoonful. Fip's spoon has already made it to its final destination. The gobo looks please, set on the floor in front of the bedside dresser, which on its surface has a tray a few tankards on or beside it. Next to the dresser, Nik holds a bowl in one hand and prepares to join the others with a raised spoon. Only Hob, sitting on the floor between Wak and Nak, has not committed to consumption. The gobo seems to be waiting with contained excitement, watching the wizard cast his spell...
Puccini, offscreen: "(magic words)"
Panel 6
...and then turns to look back at Pōk. A gastronomical cacophony fills the room, much to the surprise of the rest of the gobos... with the possible exception of Wak, who steadies the tankard on a knee. While Nak and Fip only pause in their actions, the sudden sounds startle Nik. The gobo's spoon goes flying and the bowl teeters with a jerk, launching stewy liquid up in the air. The same almost happens to Pōk.
Panel 7
The view zooms in on Pōk; the gobo's face filled with disgust, barely keeping food in the bowl as it tips forward. With a questioning look, the patch-eyed gobo is about to vocally inquire...
Pōk: "..."
Panel 8
...but Hob quickly shoots up an arm and waves quickly to get the attention of Pōk (offscreen). Nak is also drawn to Hob's actions.
Panel 9
Hob's arm lowers but the gobo's other hand comes up and, with a finger, makes a silencing gesture. Nak looks back sternly at Pōk (offscreen)...
Panel 10
...who obeys, giving understanding nods and raising a hand of assurance. The gobo's resolve is emboldened, but the distress still remains.
Panel 11
Back in the corner by the door, Puccini keeps the arcane gesture in place while he turns his attention to his scroll. While his fingers and the spot on the wall no longer radiate, the scroll does as he finishes casting its spell. As the final word is uttered, the cafeteria noises fade away.
Puccini: "(magic words) We can now talk freely."
Nak, offscreen: "<What is going on?>"
Panel 12
In a close up, Puccini begins to happily launch into an explanation of events, gesturing in the direction of the gobos (offscreen). He has lowered the scroll and, from what can be seen of it, the words have disappeared.
Puccini: "Illusory noises and a barrier to fool and block listeners from..."
Nak, interrupting offscreen: "<Not that...>"
Panel 13
The scene shifts to a rather serious Nak, who is looking up towards Puccini (offscreen). Hob is barely seen to the gobo's left...
Nak: "<What happened in the alley?>"
Panel 14
...but can be fully seen as the view pans left. Hob has a determined grin, drawing Nak's attention.
Hob: "<We found Nob's attacker.>"
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