[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

[hoasen]

[Cute!! Yes see, that helps! It even shines while Hakuno is resting. It's the kind of personality that will get her far here.]

They are nice, Setsuna might be a little...I suppose, cold, but he's warm inside. Jae-ha...[Actually...] Jae-ha is very charming, he'll take care of you. But sometimes, he's a little inappropriate.

[Yeah she doesn't even have a clue how Gilgamesh happened. Only she does.]

[sealeted]

Setsuna sounds like a dear friend of mine.

[Cold and warm... Her heart gives a painful lurch as that last glimpse of Julius skitters across her mind's eye. She takes a long sip of tea to compose herself.]

And, I've known some pretty wild characters in my time. I think I'll be able to handle myself.

[Again, consider Gilgamesh.]

[hoasen]

Oh? Then I think you'll like him a lot. He doesn't talk a lot, but actions can speak louder than words.

[Although sometimes socially, he's a little out of it. Like word choices. God.]

Ah, yes, with one being here. Jae-ha is a lot more humble than Gilgamesh. You'll definitely be fine.

[She laughs softly. WHAT A STANDARD.]

[sealeted]

It sounds like we'll get on just fine then.

[Sounds like a real space cadet.]

Ah, that much I can definitely handle, yeah.

[Yep. More expensive than gold and twice as shiny.]

[hoasen]

[Considering he thinks he's Gundam? Yes.]

Aha, so those are my roommates. You can spend as much time in our room as you like, no one seems to worry much about who goes where. Late night snacks seem to happen frequently.

[Oh my god what if someone is feeling cheap.

And! Now she pours out the second pot of tea, the nice green before holding it out.]

[sealeted]

Snacks?

[You have perked the interest of a proven glutton. This was your plan all along, wasn't it?]

What kind of snacks does this place have?

[She accepts the second cup with another murmured thanks, savoring the first sip and washing out the mint flavor.]

[hoasen]

[MAYBE...yes.]

Let's see...they have some of the more common ones. Potato chips, crackers, cookies, other delicious baked goods. But also variations of all your common snacks and confectionery that is a little more magical. I am unsure if you are used to it, because I certainly was not. Cupcakes with flowers that sparkle, for example!

[sealeted]

--!!

[Her eyes light up with obvious, glimmering interest.]

They sparkle? That's... so weird! I want to try! ...um, can you learn how to make foods that do things like that here, or are those trade secrets?

[hoasen]

[A FIRM NOD!]

You can! You just need to find the right ingredients. The flowers themselves already sparkle. But! You can also use alchemy to enhance your food as well. I need to look into it myself, but I heard it involves a bit of trial and error. You should find some bishops to help you, they're very good at alchemy. Kaito is one!

[sealeted]

Alchemy...

[So many things to learn... So much free time to learn it in. Is it possible to fall in love with a universe, in the non-Kiara way? Because Hakuno might be on the brink.]

I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mind introducing me to someone like that! Oh, but if you'd rather I go through that matchmaking agency...

[hoasen]

Yes! There should be some books in the library about it too.

[You bet, and she knows that there's much to research. In fact, considering the type of trouble Kaito gets up to, it might be a good idea for him to have a friend to do it with.] Of course! I can contact him, or I can direct you to his carrier details. I think it's safer for me to just introduce you to the bishops I know.

N-not that I'm saying it's bad! I just don't want you paying for the matchmaking agency's services when you do not need it. [Who knows what the boss will say though.]

[sealeted]

Then, I'll trouble you for an introduction. Thank you very much, Vietnam.

[Because God only knows what might happen if she gives Gilgamesh that kind of power over her. Her mind literally refuses to come up with a scenario.]

Ah, that reminds me! My Carrier ID is 'Hakunon' for future reference.

[hoasen]

Of course! I will do it as soon as I can. I hope your adventures with alchemy and food will be exciting.

[And...yeah actually don't even think about it. DON'T EVEN THINK!!!]

Oh! Thank you, mine is "vietnam", so just my name.

[sealeted]

I'm sure they will definitely be eventful from the outset.

[Hakuno is a realist. Things might not go cataclysmic, but she knows better than to assume she'll be some natural.]

Easy to remember. I hope we can find another time to hang out some day soon.

[hoasen]

Aha, well, Kaito has had a few things burn down before, but I'm sure those are just his more extreme concoctions.

[AND THEY SURE WERE A TIME.]

Of course! I can show you around some of the cities here. Caissa, ah, let's see...Gresser and Gisela looks nice. I just acquired an inn there, I'm still setting it up.

[sealeted]

I... I see.

[...it might be a while before she feels confident enough to mix alchemy and cooking. But, there shouldn't be any problem learning two skills at once and keeping them separate, right?]

You have your own inn? Wow.

[hoasen]

[THAT'S A GOOD PLAN. Either way, later she managed to contact Kaito, and he's being his usual cute self. ALL WILL BE WELL.]

I do, I managed to get a permit this month. Gilgamesh sponsored it as well, so you might see him there from time to time.

[sealeted]

Um, speaking of your friends, do you know Sens—Adrasteius' Carrier details? I sort of... fell asleep before I could ask.

[She rubs the back of her neck, uncertain.]

Is it... hard to get a permit? I don't know what I might want to do, but later on...

[hoasen]

Ah yes! His carrier ID is "Magister". Do not worry about it, you can find out many in time! Is there anyone else? I might know.

[The process of getting a permit now...hmmmMMM.] It is rather straightforward, thankfully. The idea is to get the funds for it first, but there are plenty of jobs for you to get the money for it. Also, you can always ask someone to help sponsor you, if need be.

[sealeted]

Um... well, the only other person I really know here for sure is Gilgamesh.

[She's... she's not sure she wants to know his contact information, but she can more or less guess what he would register as.]

I see. I think I'll save up on my own, but maybe if I have some more absolute idea later on I'll look for sponsors.

[hoasen]

[She probably should get it for safe keeping anyway. So she'll just give it to Hakuno.]

Just Gilgamesh...his Carrier ID is [And suddenly she's yelling and saying really fast--] "KINGOFHEROES" [COUGHS] It's in uppercase, I believe. I'm never sure how to call out.

[Pretty sure their carriers would've jumped.]

That would be nice, either way! It is how I saved up for some property. [Vietnam is always busy.] What ideas do you have now?

[sealeted]

Yeah, that... that sounds like him, alright.

[She sighs.]

Right now, I need to actually learn how to use a bow first and foremost. Then I'll try and... pick up some hobbies, I guess. You know about the healing and cooking. I'm not sure what else I might be interested in, yet.

[hoasen]

So I've heard. [Headshake of exasperation.] It certainly takes a man with that much confidence.

And oh? So that is your weapon, a bow? Hmmm, there are many hobby rooms here in the hall, so perhaps you will find something. I personally like cooking and sewing.

[sealeted]

Among other things.

[But enough about him!]

Sewing... that should come in handy, too.

[That's right, clothes can wear out here...]

[hoasen]

[EXACTLY, BACK TO AWESOME THINGS.]

Sewing certainly does. You can alter your uniforms, so if you want something more comfortable for your fighting style, it should help. [She's in casual now, but hers consist of shorts and boots instead of the skirt. Easier to move around in.] But should that not matter, then you can always make something for yourself! I can show you how, we can start off with something simple.