[Open] The Mapo Tofu affair

[showsnopiety]

Who: Everyone! If you can smell it, you can find it!
When: 6/8-610
Where: Hall of Glory Parlour in Caissa
What: Caren found out she can make mapo tofu and is sharing with everyone. Heaven help us all.
Rating: So far none but will change when things happen.





THe Halls of Glory smell a little different today. Instead of the usual fare that the others might know from the weekly menu, there's a different scent. Something that may remind heroes of Airy, Ma Jiang dishes, or maybe, more simply, of home.

This was the result of Caren's cooking and some hunting on her part. And the results may be quite appealing. There are pots of rice, still steaming, and various bowls filled with the result known as mapo tofu. Some of them are spicer then others, and she hasn't seen fit to label which are very spicy, and which are quite mild. The only thing she has labelled, with a rim of green around the bowls, are the vegan variations, for those who can't, or do not, eat meat or meat by products.

Consider it a game of spice roulette. Because there are other bowls as well, with crushed cucumber-hot pepper salad, spicy tofu, and something that has spewed spinach and garlicy noodles within. But hey! You may be able to cool off with one of the pots of tea around the place-or with one of the rare tubs of ice cream of various flavors, kept chilled with an icy spell.

The cutlery and bowls are disposable, and there are trashbags to clean up after yourself. She's not going to do it for you!

But hey. Who can say no to free food?

Comments

Caren Ortensia |OTA

[showsnopiety]

[Kitchen]

[She must have bribed the kitchen staff somehow. (And did. But with what, she may never say). Because in her part of the kitchen that has been given to the heroes to play in, she is the master of it. Caren is in her element: washing dishes and the counter, chopping and prepping food to make, as well as going back and forth to the stove to see that everything is in order. Woe betide anyone who gets in her way. But the best or worst part of it all is when she brings up a fork or spoon with a little something on it, and offers it for some person to taste. It could be like tasting fire.]

[Parlour]

[It looked as if she was in a great mood. Whether she was walking, or standing, she seemed as if she was...happy, for some reason. Even if there were people who were dying from the heat-or maybe especially if they were. The only thing that seemed to make her perkier was when she was eating or drinking a small cup of tea.

And considering how she was usually calm and dour with her expressions...that was saying something.]

[Wildcard]

Mix and match or come up with something different it's up to you!

parlour hooo boy

[soulshift]

[ There was something deeply horrifying and wrong about this bowl of food. One could almost see the sweat drop falling down her face as she could feel the sizzle of the chili emanating from it.

It looked... terrifying.

Irisviel turns her head left and right, looking to see whether Caren was around or not. And sure she was a little bit traumatised by the whole encounter that they had in the hot springs - she thought she'd make it up to her by coming here and complimenting her food.

At least that was the plan.

She took one spoonful of curry, put it in her mouth and chewed.

Silently, Irisviel started crying. This was so hot that the tears just started flowing involuntarily. It was almost enough to make her go off human food all together. ]

oh my god Irisviel why

[showsnopiety]

[Is it terrifying? She had no idea. But she was still going around, making sure everything was in place-including warming spells on the various pans so that the food wouldn't get cold. Nothing worse then having a cold dish when you were expecting a warm one.

That was how Caren came upon the mother of holy grails-Irisviel, crying, as she ate. This was...really hard not to snicker at. Really hard.]

Von Einzbern? I wasn't aware that you found spicy food so moving.

[She is staying out of easy grabbing range though. She does not want a spiders embrace again, in case she's...still weird.]

parlor

[powerdriven]

[ Look, he's shown up late enough to see that not everybody is taking well to Caren's food. That's for sure. But despite all of that, despite the attempts to label the spicier dishes in warning, Levi still can't manage to find himself intimidated by what looks like a... well, a red bowl of tofu. Tofu itself is newer to him, and not particularly appealing—but it's unappealing qualities come down almost entirely to it being bland. The things one had to eat for survival in a civilization on the cusp of total famine couldn't compare. Not to mention he's tried enough Ma Jiang cuisine by now to become acquainted with the use of their various spices and sauces.

It's just food. That's why he finds himself a couple of bowls and then finds Caren herself in the parlor. He'll eat, unflappable as always—but because of their last encounter, it comes at a compromise. Thus he offers a bowl her way.

Who knows which bowl is what degree of spicy... Levi can't tell the difference. ]

Sit and eat with me, will you.

[showsnopiety]

[She doesn't mind that. Not one bit. Even if no one else can eat it, she can-and she can also make a contest with the rest. It was easy to do that, considering that there was a competitive nature among some of the heroes.

Who knew. It might become a bit of an urban legend.

She's only mildly surprised that when Levi does arrive, he's offering her a bowl. This, she can take, and to show that she isn't just taking the bowl to be polite, she scoops up a portion and takes a bite.

Her expression doesn't change a wit as she chews and swallows.]

Of course. Wherever you wish.

Kitchen

[moreasleep]

[There was no worry of getting in Caren's way here. Rory knew his way around the kitchen, and regardless, he only took up a small section as he prepared a variety of fruits and vegetables for drying. While he did not intend to interact with her, the spoon offered his way caught his attention. He frowned, as if he were displeased with it. If she needed to taste it, why did she not do it herself? He leaned down to give it a smell. It seemed, for the most part, adequate. Nothing smelled spoilt and it looked cooked to temperature, however…]

Too spicy. Dilute it.

[He did not need to taste it to know that. He could practically smell the heat coming from it.]

[showsnopiety]

[She wasn't entirely certain what he was making; salads perhaps, or some raw foods to nibble on? But a taste tester was a taste tester. And he seemed to be...aware of the dangers.

Or at least he knew his own limits. But...she was curious at his own cooking skills.]

I plan on serving this over rice, which will neutralize some of the spice.

[She eyes him, even as she put the very spicy sample back with the est of the food.]

However...I could go with a nut butter, honey, or even ketchup if I don't want to simply divide or add vegetables. What do you think?

Parlour

[querella]

[ The click of One's heels was masked just slightly by the click of her carrier's claws. The white dragon had whined, and whined, and whined some more for want of food. And it wasn't as if One was going to do anything beyond reading for the day. She had hardly eaten more than bread and water since she had awoken. But, most importantly, the holy dragon was hungry.

So One had complied, considering that she did need to do the friendly thing and say hello to her fellows. Upon entering the area, One took quick note of the many, many dishes on display. She settled on a cup of tea for now, and made her way to Caren. ]

And I am to believe you had no help in this?

[ The Intoner almost managed to tease. Her carrier flopped to the floor rather gracelessly, curling in on itself as best it could without harming its wings. If the dragon could, it would cry. How dare One not feed it. ]

[showsnopiety]

[Ah, there she was. She was wondering when the woman was going to come by. But, well, the little dragon was whining for food. Clearly he wanted something that was offered here.

And she did not blame it, not one bit.]

A taste tester here, a taster there.

[She offered an elegant little shrug, her gaze going to the sulking dragon on the floor. Pitiful little thing.]

It's not as difficult as it seems, to cook in batches. One of the best things about this is its simplicity.

kitchens

[babbylon]

[Gilgamesh had arrived mostly on business; per their last exchange, he was to assign Caren her very first task towards earning those prized marks and thus starting her on the proper path of becoming his Master. Imagine his surprise, then, that his search led him to the kitchens. Something smells familiar, and it has him more than a little distracted as he leans over the pot she's currently overseeing.]

What is in this?

[And why do I feel so nostalgic all of a sudden? Gilgamesh reaches for a ladle to scoop some out and taste it.]

Oh! How spicy. Wait, could this be...?!

[He knows it, it's on the tip of his tongue! Literally.]

[showsnopiety]

She knew that he would track her down, especially after the messages they sent each other. Seriously, he sent her a swan? And it was fuzzy. If there was some sort of compliment in there, she didn't see it.

But now he was here, in the kitchen and there was...something odd about this. Nostalgic, yes, but something else.

Didn't stop her from swatting him for using the ladle though.]

You're washing that. And that's mapo tofu.

kitchen

[quaria]

[ Minding his own business as always, Setsuna walks peacefully past the busy Caren. He makes sure not to bump her as he does, only stopping once he's in front of one of the large steampunk fridges. He takes out a chilled bottle of milk (is this even surprising anymore), closing it right after before beginning to drink from it quietly.

And then, Caren offers him a spoonful of hot, steaming mapo tofu. Setsuna lowers the bottle, moving his head to look at the familiar snow-haired girl and then back at the spoon. He recognizes the dish, having previously encountered it before in his own world. It's not common for him to see it, so having to do so again is surprising.

Is Caren feeding him? He's going to assume that's the case since she's holding it towards him. Casually, already aware of its spiciness, Setsuna leans down to consume the spoonful without needing to take said spoon away from her hand. ]

parlour

[theskyenceguy]

[if people couldn't handle the spice, then they needed to stay out of the kitchen]

[that was Ema's philosophy. completely and utterly undeterred by the risk involved in playing "spice roulette," she had served herself a spoonful of mapo tofu from every available bowl. her favorite? the pile of food that had come from the spiciest of the lot]

Oh, Caren!

[she manages to call out between cheerful bites]

You were right. This is some pretty good stuff.

Parlour

[sky_sharkling]

[Akito is not a person who enjoys spicy food normally, but free food? He'll risk it, it's better than whatever the canteen is due to have today no doubt]

Wow... [So much food. He is impressed] You really made all this Caren-san? [He walks by where she currently is, looking in amazement at all the food. He's never seen so much in one place before!]

[kitchen!]

[defenceless]

No way...

[that flat, almost disappointed note of complaint punctuates rin tohsaka's arrival to the kitchen.

she had sniffed a scent too familiar to deny it a short time ago, and instead of abandoning its possible creator or eager consumer (that being kirei), she decided she should do the responsible substitute daughter thing and at least ensure he'd found a nice church to shack up in.

there is also the fact he could be injured.

it wasn't a decision she made without any degree of debating it. kirei is so oppressively insufferable she still doesn't really want to be here, and that's obvious in the frown on her face. a steaming hot mapo tofu cooking session awaits her, exactly as she'd expected after leaving the parlor, but no scary priest guy remains to be seen—just a young woman with white hair who leads much of the cooking, and a few other heroes.

rin stops near the edge of the counter, perching one hand at her hip while she stands in front of a fresh assortment of vegetables and such that surely need to be chopped up soon. by all appearances, she doesn't care that she might be in the way. talking entirely to herself, she murmurs,]

Someone really likes their mapo tofu. Well, maybe I'll feel better if I join in and eat, too. As long as it's good, that is.

Parlour

[sealeted]

[Hakuno herself seems to be in a particularly good mood, her cheeks flushed as much with pleasure as with spice as she works her way through a bowl of mapo tofu. It's not exactly like what Kotomine sold in the Moon Cell, but it's familiar enough that it goes down easy.

The sight of Caren jogs her memory enough for her to finally put down her spoon and head in the other young woman's direction.]

Excuse me, Miss Ortensia?

Irisviel von Einzbern | OTA

[soulshift]

curry eating

[ Irisviel is a markedly changed woman after trying some of Caren's curry. She's managed to find some paper and a pen, so she's decided to start writing helpful notes to leave beside the various bowls at the table. Caren has made a lot of mapo curry and she feels it to at least give people some warning that it may be terrifying experience. The problem of course, is that each bowl was actually prepared differently so in order to ascertain exactly how bad it was, she had to eat it herself. Which means that she's determined to try every bowl, for the sake of everyone's stomachs. Some of the notes she's written include: ]



[ She looks a little worse for wear at the table she's seated at, with a large cup of tea in her hands. Never mind being the vessel for the Holy Grail, she was by this point a vessel for mapo tofu. As she slowly sips her tea, she sighs heavily. How could curry be so deadly? ]

clean up

[ That was a lot of people! And a lot of food was consumed. Irisviel is helping with the subsequent cleanup. She's tied up her hair, rolled her sleeves and made a start at clearing the plates, bowls, cups and cutlery. There's a lot to do and she could definitely use the help if there were people around.

So far, she's managed to put the plates, cups, bowls and cutlery in their own separate piles in the kitchen, but there was the matter of actually scraping off some of the excess food off the plates and disposing the rubbish. It felt nice, to be doing something like this - because she wondered whether if she were a normal wife and mother, she'd be doing things like this with Illya and her friends. (sans mapo tofu of course). These thoughts translated into her humming a melody rather cheerfully, despite the melancholic tones of the song.

For someone tasked with clean up, she's being surprisingly good natured about it. ]

[hoasen]

[Vietnam would eat everything, but right now, she's a little wary because of these post-it notes. Why would they actually be here? And then she sees someone nearby, looking like they have had one too many of the "Not Even God Can Save Your Stomach".]

Are you...alright? [She asks as she makes her approach.]

kerry eating

[hiryugaeshi]

[ Those sure are post-it notes on these bowls of mapo tofu. Not that Kojirou's ever seen mapo tofu. Or very many post-its, for that matter. A Servant's book knowledge is both expansive and really quite useless. ]

"Enjoyable (Won't Kill You)?" That seems like a small contradiction, doesn't it?

[ Where's the fun in ultra-spicy curry that's not at least a minor threat to one's health? D'oh. ]

[sky_sharkling]

[He's not going to say no to free food, ever. But first there is someone he recognises, looking a little worse for wear]

Irisviel-san? Are you alright? [Akito hasn't noticed the notes on the plates nearby yet]

Hakuno Kishinami | OTA

[sealeted]

eating

[Hakuno is trying everything.

E v e r y t h i n g.

She has little portions heaped up on her plates, carefully trying each and mixing some here and there, an eager, bright look shining in her eyes even if her face doesn't seem to change. Truth be told, the first glance was a little bit off-putting, but once she got a better look and saw that it wasn't the second coming of the blood-red hellfeast that nearly killed her, Hakuno's curiosity was unstoppable.

The curries, the rice, the salad, the ice cream...

A little bit of everything finds its way into her mouth. She may yet live to regret these choices.]



regret

[She has, in fact, lived to regret those choices.

She's curled up against a wall, hugging her stomach and looking pale. While nothing compared to the aftermath of surviving Lancer's deadly feast, Hakuno has stuffed herself far too much. Her first day as a real human and she's already found one organic limit that the Moon Cell rarely imposed on her.

She's not sure if this is better or worse than the bite of actual real world hunger, and huffs out a weak little sigh at her own thoughtlessness.]

Ah... and there's no Sakura here either. What to do...

[Where would she get stomach medicine, in this place? She mulls that over, still looking haggard and pitiful in her little corner.]

regret

[hymnals]

[ So many people here are suffering. Knowing Caren, Adra can't help but think it was probably at least a little bit by design. He makes his way through the parlor, checking on whomever he can, and it's in the course of these rounds that he spots an unfamiliar girl in a by-now familiar position. Fresh from the shock of arrival and already subjected to madness. How terrible.

He approaches, leaning on a tall, jeweled staff. ]

How are you feeling?

eating

[sky_sharkling]

[By anyone's normal standard, Akito's a bottomless pit to begin with. But even he has his limits, which is why he's sort of amazed, watching the girl trying literally everything. Should he stop her? Probably....]

Uh...miss? [He has his own ice cream that he's balancing with one hand as he attempts to get Hakuno's attention]

regret

[hoasen]

[No Sakura? Well she met a Sakura, and ironically she's a healer too! But Vietnam didn't know about Sakura's healing powers yet.

Maybe soon.]

Do you...need me to help you somewhere?

[She approaches as Hakuno is resting on the wall. It's not actually the best place to rest, and this food is apparently killer.]

I did both sort of, #dealwithit

[babbylon]

[Perhaps it had been Gilgamesh's plan all along to drive her to this state.

She wanted to try everything, so he encouraged everything. Eat this, he said, offering her a spoonful of spicy tofu, and that too. He forced her through several bowls, including some of the more daring ones. He piled on the rice. He stuffed her full of salad. And he'd shared a bowl of ice cream, or two, or three—or, as he'd so claimed, generously allowed her to partake in some of his, and he did it all without regrets.

And so she'd been left in this terrible state because of it. Gilgamesh looks perfectly fine, outside his raised eyebrow and clearly quite sassy expression.]

Girl.

[Gilgamesh pokes her a bit with the tip of his foot, as if trying to roll over an annoying bug. Or an errant squirrel.]

Girl, what are you doing? Get up. You are embarrassing me by proxy; cease this at once.