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Post by Admin on Feb 25, 2024 5:13:35 GMT
The kitchen isn't filthy, and the staff know what they're about. This place has become the latest choice for the young, free lords of the city. They come in a wild bunch, order wine with wild abandon, toss dinner rolls at each other with amusement and order prodigious amounts of food, any food. The rains have left the city with a bumper crop of snails and small coastal fish, but butter and garlic are hard to find. A general lack of lemons and limes has removed Ceviche from the menu.
As the innkeeper said, the cooks are competent but lack the artistic touch. Some dishes have the right amount of spice, not the artistic extra pinch to kick the flavour up a notch. Others are overspiced, losing the delicate, subtle flavours; the vegetables are cut with military precision when a bit of inconsistency would give the salad a more rustic, artisanal look.
The people complain about the long hours, difficulties in getting most of the necessary produce and meats, and the innkepper always draging in the latest master chef he found on the streets of the city.
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Feb 25, 2024 8:03:14 GMT
Having assessed the kitchen crew Jessup applauds them, "Very good, people! But Station wasn't built in a day. Unfortunately the Innkeep is looking for something with a little more pizazz and a little less tech-ni-que."
"Think 'Rustic'. Put down your knives once in a while and tear some of the things up with your bare hands. Don't just go by rote. Stop and taste what you are making and adjust your ingredients accordingly. Have some fun with what you are doing. And..."
"Considering the current issues with the supply chain, we have to get creative with the ingredients at hand. So, let's think about pickling and fermentation. And, a little magic..."
Jessup gives the kitchen crew a smile and scans the shelves for any cook books. Hoping to find any with appendices that include seasoning substitutions. Any good cook book will have something akin to that. Or else, she'll have to arrange a trip to the library.
"I sympathize about the long hours. That's something I'll address with the boss. See if we can get some extra hands on deck." Jessup concludes.
Cody really wishes that he could open a rift to reach some of the needed ingredients. "Hey, does anyone know a conjurer? That could be the magic we need for the supply chain issues."
Jessup gives Cody some side-eye on his comment. "Mr. D'Avalon, let's go talk to the Innkeep about my plans for the kitchen and get you going about your business."
"The rest of you, carry on; keeping in mind the things we've discussed and I'll be back shortly."
Cody follows Jessup out of the kitchen in search of the Inkeeper to discuss Jessup's assessment and her plans.
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Post by Admin on Feb 26, 2024 6:01:47 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/QDfqNZy/portlyinnkeeper~png The innkeeper is back at the front desk. Looking forlorn as usual, but with a gleam in his eye that can only come from customers racking up a hefty bill. "Excellent job tonight! A few lords have told me that the food is better than ever." A feeling of sadness washes across his face. "This means one of them will hire you as his family chef. They offer far more money than what I can afford to pay. All I ask is that once they get in a bidding war for your services, you can convince them to hand me a finder's fee."
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Feb 26, 2024 7:40:31 GMT
Jessup beams a smile of satisfaction.
"This was all Christina's work. I was just following orders." Cody says as he bows to her.
Jessup blushes a bit, "Well sir, I guess this is a bit of good news and bad news then."
"The bad news is that Mr. D'Avalon has already been hired away by an agent of the Regent."
Cody gives a bit of a snort. Thinking it's as good of a story as any and close enough to the truth.
Jessup smiles and quickly adds, "Not as a chef. He has certain other skills that they require."
"The good news is that I don't have any intentions of leaving here anytime soon. Several of those lordlings are nothing more than man-babies. The way they behave. Throwing food and spilling drinks. Rather irresponsible in this age of scarcity. Not to mention their groping hands on the servers. I wouldn't want to be captive on an estate with any of them. But we can certainly take their money here."
"Any extra money should go towards giving the staff some relief. Hire a couple more servers that could also help out in the kitchen from time to time. The crew are being run ragged."
"Extra staff could also mean longer opening hours. Maybe add some entertainment after dinner."
"I did mention that I'm also a musician."
"Yes, indeed. We are both very grateful to you for taking us in and giving us this opportunity. My work for the Regent will involve a lot of traveling." Cody adds.
"Take good care of Christina and I will endeavor to collect what I can of herbs, spices and confections to enhance your larder while I am abroad."
Cody shakes the Innkeeper's hand and embraces Jessup. "It's been a very long day for all of us and an early morning is lurking just around the corner."
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Jessup and Cody take their leave of the Innkeep and go up to their assigned room for the night.
"Thank you for being on point today and I'm sorry about what happened at the Cathedral." Cody says to Jessup as they climb into bed. "I should have hit the Bishop with the hypnosis and telepathy sooner. I thought she would have been more reasonable. I wasn't thinking that there would be a days-long indoctrination. For me, it was academic interest but I'm sure it was horrifying for you. I'm sorry."
Jessup puts a finger on Cody's lips, "With any luck, the proclamation you forced out of her will have made some impact. Maybe even made her a Martyr for the less militant factions."
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Rising at dawn, Cody decides to make a different impression at the castle. He dresses in full highland regalia and presents himself at the main gate. Announcing to the guards, "Lord Cody D'Avalon, reporting to the Regent at the behest of Princess Fiona."
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Post by Admin on Feb 28, 2024 2:14:00 GMT
OOC: Now you are a day ahead of everyone. Maybe we can play it out.
"You were supposed to report to the Regent yesterday," the guard tells him.
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Feb 28, 2024 2:47:40 GMT
<OOC> Yea, I know. I do funny things with RPGs. Like having my character eat, sleep and even deficate from time to time.
It didn't make sense that Jessup and Cody would do an entire dinner service and clean up and only have a short time pass outside of the restaurant.
If we were off in a different Shadow with a time differential it would make sense, but not in Amber real-time.
Plus, I can make Flora sweat a little if I drag my feet a bit.
However, if it messes up Xu and Z'ra, I can ret-con.
Or sit out a round or two while the time line catches up.
I've been thinking about something that I will message you about. </OOC>
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Post by Admin on Feb 28, 2024 5:04:20 GMT
OOC: Hopefully, Xu and Z'Ra can finish up quickly so we can move to the next day. Normally I wouldn't care, but with Lor and Ovid also in the area, who knows what state things will be in by sunrise?
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Mar 12, 2024 8:47:48 GMT
The climate in DaggerWays tends to be temperate for the most part so Cody's usual attire consisted of Loincloth, either barefoot or in soft moccasins. Practical attire for a Pit-Diver whose livelihood necessitates frequently ShapeShifting. As a devotee and Seminarian, the addition of a Habit while serving in the Sheltering Coils Temple and Mission House and while attending Seminary.
During the long journey from Chaos to Amber it made sense to wear the Flightsuit made from Arachniform Silk, like his Creche-mates, Spacers some may call them. The crew that helped Cody wrangle an insanely large fish through the Flux and Abyss to the outer precincts influenced by the Pattern.
Cody was saving this outfit for his homecoming. But he decided that it would be better to wear it now and make an impression somewhat counter to what anyone here in Amber may expect if they were expecting anything at all...
Cody is resplendent from the high laced Ghillie Brogues, woolen stockings with tartan flashes and the sgian-dubh tucked into the right one. Up to the tartan Tam with its silk ribbins blowing in the wind.
A loose fitting white linen tunic under a fitted black doublet trimmed with silk ribbons and many silver buttons and broachs.
The great kilt half covers Cody's knees and is sinched around his waist with a wide black leather belt. From the belt hangs an ornate Dirk and a well worn sporran. The upper part of the great kilt is pulled up to form a hooded cloak.
What really makes the outfit catch one's eye is the Tartan itself. It is the not-so-plaid tartan of DaggerWays. The fabric is prismatic colour-shifting that hints at a 'magic-eye' pattern. Stare long enough and you may see a 3D image of the Serpent of Chaos winding itself around a Dagger, then vanish to reappear in flight, chasing and fighting a Unicorn.
Or is that all just a trompe l'oeil?
What's that thing tucked under Cody's arm? Surely not bagpipes?
No, a set of bongo drums.
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Mar 12, 2024 9:02:51 GMT
"I was supposed to report to the Regent yesterday?" Cody scoffs. "Yesterday, none of you had even heard of me and couldn't be arsed to extent the courtesy of shelter to my companion. So we decided to do a little sight seeing in this burg. When we returned later, the place was under lock down orders so we were forced to seek other accommodations for the night. Cody shakes his head.
"Well, now I'm back. So take me to your leader..."
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Post by Admin on Mar 13, 2024 3:39:05 GMT
"That's true. No one knew who you were yesterday when you came around begging to be let in. We still haven't figured out why you'd spurn the offered charity by turning down the invitation to the table."
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Mar 13, 2024 5:23:46 GMT
It's not for you to figure and I'm not repeating myself, Cody bristles at the flat-foot. Owing no further explanations, "Well I'm here now so allons-y." Cody says as he steps forward into the Castle.
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Post by Admin on Mar 20, 2024 2:28:39 GMT
The entrance hall is filled with lords and ladies of the realm and numerous guardsmen. All the nobles glance at Cody, sizing him up and deciding how to categorize him.
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Mar 20, 2024 7:20:32 GMT
Cody shakes off the rain and adjusts his belted plaid from rain cloak to sashing it over his left shoulder and securing it with silver broachs. He doffs his tam and moves through the throngs of dignitaries, nodding and smiling at the assemblage with 'hellos', 'good mornings' and the like as he moves towards the most senior and official of the guards (and/or administrator. Whoever looks like they are handling appointments. I assume they might be seated at a desk.)
<OOC> "Please take a number - Now serving Number 33." "Please state your business." </OOC>
Unless Cody is intercepted by anyone and ushered into the inner sanctum, he will wait his turn with the others.
When Cody makes his way through the line he repeats the line he gave at the gates, "Hello, Lord Cody D'Avalon, reporting to the Regent at the behest of Princess Fiona."
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Post by Admin on Mar 21, 2024 5:04:27 GMT
The steward is a sour-faced, balding, glasses-wearing man.
"Cody. You were supposed to deliver yourself here yesterday; supposed to report to the Regent, not abuse the Church of the Unicorn or take a menial job as a line cook," he says, making a mark in his ledger.
"What realm has given you the title 'lord'?" he continues, still jotting notes into his book.
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Post by Cody D'Avalon on Mar 21, 2024 7:29:32 GMT
Cody is somewhat chagrined that there is a record of his activities in the city.
"Well, if you already know so much of my comings and goings, you should already have the answers to your questions."
Cody swings his hip over to seat himself on the edge of the Steward's desk. The wool of the belted plaid still sodding wet from the rain and the thick pleats squish and sends a small pool of water trickling across the desktop. "But in the name of bureaucratic officialdom I will regale you."
Cody takes a breath and orders his thoughts, "On the other hand... This is the very thing that makes reading the Odyssey such a bore. Every time the hero finds himself in front of a new audience he takes off retelling his story. Over, and over, and over, ad nauseum. It's no wonder that it takes him so, so, so long to get home."
"So I'll save all the gory details for the Regent herself, except to say that I don't hold any official documentation on my lordom from any realm."
"Maybe I should have asked Princess Fiona to sign an affidavit when she conscripted me. Then had Queen Moire, Princess Llewella and Princess Lorelei notarize it. Saint King Brian too."
"I had said 'Prince' but apparently there are protocols about that sort of thing, so I'm demoted to Lord by way of being the son of a Princess of this realm. Amber, that is..."
Cody looks at the lamplight reflected off the man's balding pate, "So anyway my M-unit, whom I only knew as Brighid D'Avalon until Patternfall, is none other than Princess Dierdre."
"So, that answers that question."
Cody hangs his head. As he stands up he sweeps the water off of the desktop with his hand as he apologizes, "Sorry for the snark. It's been a very long double fortnight to journey here from Station. And longer than that from the Courts; where I have been residing. Searching for my M-unit. Dead or alive, within the Abyss, since Patternfall..."
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