View source for Switchin' in the Kitchen

<div style="padding:5px; background-color:#e7eaea;">
== Log Info ==
*Title: Switching in the Kitchen
*Emitter: Sabina
*Characters: Sabina, Irshya, Aya, Ashes
*Place: A03: The TarRaCe 
*Time: Wednesday, September 16, 2020, 9:26 PM
*Summary: The TarRaCe is busy with a specialty item, hydra heads. Unfortunately the master chefs are arguing again, no matter how many times they get gonged on the head with a tray. Sabina enlists Ash and Aya to put the fear of god, or at least death, into the chefs and remind them their main job is preparing food. Not arguing. The arvek and mul'niessa agree, sneak in, and scare the chefs. Sabina apologizes, Irshya threatens to bite, and there are drinks all round. Ash finishes out her drink while standing behind Aya and staring.</div>

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-<* A03: The TarRaCe *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

Inside, this two-story structure has been almost completely opened up. Generous windows on both stories allow daytime sunlight and cooling night breezes to flow in as needed, while the brick walls have been whitewashed - contrasting with the dark-stained beams and supports, and the rich polish on the wooden floor. A broad strip of stone runs from the entrance to a framed doorway set into the opposite wall, with a sign above the lintel declaring that the baths are to be found that way.

The ground floor is sprinkled with tables and chairs of assorted sizes, offering welcome to guests both large and small. One whole corner of the building - into which guests are not permitted entry - has been given over to the kitchen, which serves as the domain of the famed monster chef Ligum Serforus. Mundane meals are available, but the chef delights in offering up obscure dishes made from the freshest of monster ingredients.

Opposite the kitchen a small bar runs in front of an array of shelves, displaying a broad selection of beverages (most of them alcoholic). The bar-top has been fashioned from what looks to have been old pieces of armor, fused and welded together before being polished to provide a near-smooth finish. Set above it, three human-sized statues have been built into an alcove in the wall: Tarien, Rada and Ceinara jointly keep benevolent watch over the room and its occupants.

To the right of the entrance, a small stage offers a platform for a handful of performers at a time. To the left of the door, a spiral staircase of wrought iron winds its way up to a balcony dining area, that is chiefly reserved for special events and parties. 
                 
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

<pre>-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=   Appearing, in Order  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Sabina       5'4"     130 Lb     Human             Female    Tsuran woman of dark hair and green eyes
Irshya       3'0"     35 Lb      Goblin            Female    A small, blue-skinned Goblin in sea-green robes.
Aya          4'7"     105 Lb     Shadow Elf        Female    Mul'niessa. Braided hair. Simple clothing.
Ashes        5'11"    177 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=</pre>

Another night in the new spot to see and be seen for the sdventurous folk of the city. Tonights special of roast hydra has brought in more the a few currious folk as well as the adventurers that brought down the beast. (free cooked meal for them may have had something to do with it) Bina is at the kitchen doorway and hissing at one og the Lucht cooks. "Damn it! Stop fighting! I don't care that it's the way you all cook! I drag you all out here to duke it out for folks to bet if this continues..do you hear me?!" She sighs and turns putting a froced smile on her face.

Roaming back and forth between the kitchen, the bar and the variety of tables throughout the Tarrace, the wee Gobbo conveys people's drinks and food. Irshya chatters away the whole time, talking with patrons and also arguing with the kitchen staff. Which occasionally rises to the level of yelling. And maybe some thrown items.

Does that prove that two heads (or even seven, nine, or eleven) are not better than one? Aya is not present for the roast hydra, though a glass of wine and possibly other fare could interest her. For the moment, however, it is just the wine, that she enjoys from a spot at the counter.

Ash intends to be present for the hydra. She didn't help bring it down, but it sounds like something interesting to eat and the ashen Arvec is curious. She slips in through the door and looks around. Damn, there's a dark elf in her spot. She stares. Oh, she knows that one. Stepping up to a glare might not be warranted. Instead she lingers at the door, looking for another out of the way spot to end up in.

Bina dodges a scurrying Irsha with a grin and moves to the bar, recognizing Aya. "Hello! I hope the wine is to your liking tonight?" , the Tarienite asks her. The appearance of Ashes is also noticed and a hand is raised up to the Mourner. A wave to come in and over as well. 

From the kitchen a shout is given and something that looks like a hydra tooth goes sailing out to skitter across the floor. Bina watches this and sighs..

Aya nods to Sabina and lifts her glass lightly in salute as well sa further acknowledgement. "It seems better than several others I've encountered in the city."

The Gobbo waves to Aya, grinning at the shadow elf as she goes by. Sabina gets a laugh and a hug, before the wee woman moves to Ashes. "Hello! Please feel free to seat yourself. We have hydra as the special of the day." Her ears perk up slightly at the yell, and Irshya goes to investigate. She grabs the tooth eagerly, and hides it somewhere behind the bar.

Ashlee watches the tooth go by, this draws her curiosity. Irshya squirreled it away rather effectively but she keeps an eye on the kitchen door in case another comes flying. She nods, seat herself anywhere. Ok. Ash drifts to the side of the room, then edges along it. A hand is raised towards Sabina.

Now she's beside Aya. Oh. She stares. "Hello."

Aya's attention belatedly drifts to the ...early appearance of the hydra, or parts therefrom. "It seemed implied that the hydra would be slain -before- it was cooked. I trust that it isn't putting up a fight?" she remarks and inquires of Sabina.

Afterwards, he eyes pan to the now-adjacent Arvek. A brow arches in mild curiosity. "Good evening." If she is unaccustomed or offended by staring, she hides it remarkably well.

Bina closes her eyes and looks as if she's counting to ten.. ok maybe twenty. Her eyes open and she smiles again, stepping over to give Ashes a hug. "Welcome back. It's good to see you." She stays near the woman and then turns her head to look back at Aya. "Aya.. Would you be willing to do something.. fun? I would of course reward you with another glass of wine." She then grins over at Ashes. "You could join her too if you like. I think it's time to ..prank my kitchen staff." She glances towards Irshya too and winks.

Ash stiffly returns the hug. She enjoys hugs, she is not used to them, and delivers them with the awkward level of contact mourners provide. A light embrace, a slight patting on the back. She stares at Sabina, then nods, "Ok."

The Gobbo's ears shift ever so slightly at Sabina's suggestion, and the conspirators she attempts to rope in. But other than that subtle shift of ear position, Irshya seems oblivious to the plot. On one of her passes, struggling with a tray containing two large pitchers of ale and several glasses, she slows and looks to Sabina. "You're going to try to get two of the most serious looking people in here to do a prank? I think their faces would crack if they attempted smiling." She does, however, wink at the woman before hustling on.

Aya's arched brow turns to Sabina. "What sort of fun did you have in mind? I..." a brief glance asides at the arvek and back "..we could likely terrorize them, if you wish. As a prank," she adds.

Bina's smile brightens considerably. "Yes. That sounds lovely. Nothing to harm them, of course. Or that might cause them to try and harm you. They do have plenty of knives in there. Just a ... reminder that there are people out here looking for a relaxing time rather then hearing them argue all the time?"

"Ok," Ashlee says again, looking between Sabina and Aya. She nods once, accepting the advice, avoiding knives is a good strategy at all times, but take extra care among kitchen experts. She drifts towards the door, glancing back at Sabina.

"Remind them people want to relax, like in the grave, no arguments." Sneaking up behind one of them would possibly be enough.

Irshya disappears into the kitchen, and a short time later voices rise. There's a gong-like sound, and the Gobbo stalks out of the kitchen. To collect another tray from the bar. She sidles up to Sabina and leans against the woman, looking slightly sullen.

Aya makes her way towards the kitchen, as well, following in the lee of the arvek. She could simply dart in, but best to get an idea of the interior, first.

Bina bends down to scoop up Irshya and carries her over towards the area where they both can look into the kitchen through the long window that allows one to view into the cooking area. "They're a handful aren't they? Eventually they'll settle down. Or we'll feed them to the ocean?" She winks again at the gobbo. 

Inside the kitchen three male lucht work at a long island, standing on moveable steps. A large stove and a oven are attached to the outer wall. Currently the trio of cooks are ..busy starting to argue over who will roll out the dough and who will watch the ovens.

Ash waits until there is a gong and a reappearance of Irshya, then carefully opens the kitchen door and holds it for Aya. She leaves herself enough room to squeeze through, her grey clothes fluttering as she slips in. Once in the kitchen, taking in the layout and the current placement of knives, the mourner moves for the closest lucht chef, the one arguing about the ovens.

She slips behind him, looming like she grew out of his shadow. She struggles for something unsettling to say, finally picking a random fact. "We use ovens on Vampire kin, at the Temple."

The Gobbo looks suddenly tired, but is happy to be scooped up. She clings to the woman while eyeing the other two attempting to sneak into the kitchen. "It might not be funny, though, you know? Never know how these things will turn out." Irshya sighs. "Why would you want to pollute the ocean?"

Once she has a view, and Ashes comments on the ovens, Aya tends to the other matter at hand. She winks out of existence as the chefs look towards the commenting, to re-appear on said counter, near the mentioned dough. It is far easier to appear to loom with the perch, even if they are lucht. Or especially as they are lucht. The lighting flickers, and dims.

"Vampire sounds far less appetizing than lucht... Do you think they would appease the hungry horde gathered?"

The Lucht stop talking. Eye go to Ashes.. and then to Aya's sudden appearance. Lucht eyes grow big..bigger.. and then shouting in their native tounge the trio split into three different directions. One jumping for the server window. The other two fighting to get to the door and nearly tripping each other. 

"Every man for himself?" Bina translates. "tsk tsk tsk.." There are some chuckles from the patrons but Bina doesn't laugh, just smiles. "THings can go wrong with anything, Irshya. Sometimes folk need a shock to the system. To waken to something new."

"And if they walk out on us?", the Gobbo offers in reply to the taller woman. "Perhaps we should put it into the contract that employees must be able to take a joke?"

"If the hydra is not done on time the hungry horde will take any heads they can." Ash intones. Her matter-of-fact, lacking inflection, slow monotones that seem at times like moans from beyond the grave, turned into words.

Although, they're already fleeing as she speaks, so much of the impact is lost. She looks around for something snackable. Tae praised the vegetables a few days ago. >Crunch< Probably after they were cooked.

Aya takes care to avoid any dusting of flour as she hops from the island. "A sense of humor can be important," she agrees to Bina's and Irshya's conversation, "especially when other aspects are lacking: honor, courage, and so forth."

Bina nods slowly. "They could leave if they wish. And yes we could be in a spot if they do. But just because they are specialists doesn't give them free riegn to argue and fight and throw off the rest of the things I want for this place." She hugs the gobbo again and then moves over to the panting and yelling cooks. They shout and point at Aya and Ashes. "Yes.. I know. Yes... .. Yes.. no... I sent them in there." She tells the frantic cooks. They blink and fall silent as she confesses. Bina gives them a warm smile. "Stop fighting. Stop being loud. Or leave. Please and thank you." They gape at her and Irshya and then the others in turn.

The Gobbo huffs at the cooks as they gape at her and Sabina. "It's that or I start biting." Irshya grins then, with many, many teeth visible. "If you thought the tray hurts..." She leaves it there, and squeezes at Sabina, before wiggling free of the woman's grasp, dropping down to the floor spryly. "Next round of drinks are free!", she calls out loudly, to a rousing cheer.

"Sorry," Ash says, as that seems appropriate at this time. She slips the half-eaten turnip slice into her satchel, behind her back. Perhaps Chippen will enjoy it. She glances around for the gong; she keeps hearing one sounding in the kitchen and it's an unusual feature for her. Perhaps it signals order-up? Preparing meals is not her specialty.

Oh, it's a tray. Well that explains something. Ash drifts towards the door and the front of the house. She wants to be out there for the free drink now that it's happening.

"You were right," Aya notes to Sabina, one corner of her mouth lifting. "That was fun. It's been some time since I've seen wide eyes rather than narrowed."

Bina grins to Ashes and Aya. "Thank you, Ladies. And I'm glad you had fun, Aya. Everyone needs fun in their lives. A drink for you both. Step right up to the counter and let them know what you wish for. And..."She looks to the tender of the bar who has wide eyes of her own now as the drink orders roll in. "Start with three shots of whiskey to the kitchen if you please?"

"But only three. We don't need drunk cooks. The stuff they make now is already crazy enough.", Irshya adds to Sabina's order. The Gobbo once more busies herself with collecting empty glasses and dishes, and bringing orders to tables.

Ash shadows Sabina and then returns to Aya's table where she lingers, waiting for the mul'niessa to return, sit, and perhaps invite her to do so. Or maybe she intends to stand behind her chair, and stare out at the crowd. That's sure to be warm and inviting.

Aya nods to Sabina at the offering, requests a fresh glass of wine, and then moves to her prior seat. In that vicinity she finds the verbose and gregarious arvek. "You can sit and still stare at others," she notes.

Sabina takes the three shots from the tender and nods her thanks. "Alright. Time for me to go play nice again. Thank you for the help again. Wish me luck." She chuckles and saunters towards the kitchen and three lucht.

The two proprietors head into the back of the house.

"Good luck," Ash says, offering the wishes in a dead way. She continues to lurk behind Aya's seat. Sit, sit, it will be perfectly fine.

Well, it could be said that the lurker one is aware of is better than the one not. Aya does give one glance (and arched brow) at her shadow before her wine arrives. Remaining aware of Ashes, she then turns her attention to that. Whatever seems to please the arvek... or so she presumes. It is not so easily discerned. In any case, Aya seems nonplussed by the choice, however long Ashes might loiter.

Yes. This is fine. Ashlee does eventually get a glass of wine, but spends the rest of the evening watching from behind Aya's chair. The mul'niessa can deal with people, the Arvec, will stare.

{{LineSkulls|300px}}