Lord Schmultzfeather's page

"My Lords and Ladies, I present to you, the finest chefs in the land, and the artisans behind our most comforting feast today!"

After public introductions and much applause, you return to the Kitchen, where Lord Schmultzfeather soon meets you in what seems to be becoming a Thursday-night tradition. He nods at Chef Sali, then addresses your group.

"Most lovely. Well done all around. I felt right at home, in the best possible way.
As for the best meal, I am awarding the bonus prize this week to Chefs Tessara, Vincent, Bahram, and Mimi. Delicious meal. Especially that cheesy bread bowl. Most tasty, I must say!"

He nods in appreciation at the winning team, then sweeps his gaze around the entire group.

"I hope you will continue to keep up the good work! I look forward to your exotic delights next week. Impress me!"

And, with a grin, he leaves the Kitchen.

"Now, as for the meal..."

A grin breaks out on Lord Schmultzfeather's face as he turns to address the group of you.

"...it was delightful! Just the flair and flavor I was hoping for."

He shoots one more quick, pointed glance at Chef Sali before continuing to address your group.

"All of you did well, and you can be proud. It was an excellent Shelyn's Day feast. Very romantic indeed. Now, that being said, I wanted to let you know ..."

His eyes scan the lot of you, seeking out two individuals in particular.

"Chef Ashley and Chef Dinte, your final course took the cake, so to speak. You went above and beyond. Creative, innovative, artistic, romantic, and just plain delicious! You two can look forward to a nice bonus in your payment this week, presuming the remainder of the week's work is satisfactory. Nicely done."

He nods at Ashley and Dinte.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to let our guests know all is well and attempt to regain the romantic mood upstairs."

He looks at Tessara.

"But, don't you worry, my dear. Nothing like a little excitement to get the blood pumping. Cheerio!"

With that, Lord Schmultzfeather quickly heads out of the Kitchen.

Lord Schmultzfeather breathes a sigh of relief.

"Ah, good. Good good."

He looks over at Tessara.

"I know your people have a reputation for frailty, my dear, but I did not think that would apply to you. I'm glad you're alright."

He looks back at Chef Sali.

"You'll have to let me know if they can handle public appearances on upcoming nights. We can't have just some of them appearing. It should be all or none. And, we don't want anyone fainting again."

There is a hint of rebuke in his voice, as if this is somehow Chef Sali's fault.

Just as Bahram steps toward the Kitchen's exit, Lord Schmultzfeather himself opens the door, looking concerned.

"What, what, now. Is the young lady alright?"

The moment arrives for your public appearance after dinner, and the eight of you, cleaned-up and ready, step out into the restaurant. The now-dark windows only add more emphasis to the interior finery of the guests and furnishings surrounding you. Everything glows in the light of at least a hundred candles. A musician with a lute standing over to the side still strums softly. Lord Schmultzfeather, dressed even more opulently than when you first met him, is standing on the little corner stage, speaking to the assembled guests, and he grins broadly when you appear.

"And here they are now, the Fixers of the Feast, the Cultivators of the Culinary, the finest chefs to be found anywhere!"

The guests applaud sincerely. Lord Schmultzfeather gestures for each of you to step forward in front of the stage as he mentions your name to the guests.

"Your roasted chicken & wild rice soup and musethrush-shaped honey bun was courtesy of Chef Vincent and Chef Tessara."

"Your cheesy stuffed shell with tomato sauce and tomato & herb salad was courtesy of Chef Bahram and Chef Mimi."

"Your spicy steak & crisp vegetable marinade mixture and chalice of steamed oysters in honey brandy butter sauce was courtesy of Chef Phillip and Chef Kehlysch."

"Finally, your mild dark ale with cream foam and swan-shaped ice cream in crested pastry bowl drizzled with fudge and topped with chocolate-dipped strawberry pair was courtesy of Chef Ashley and Chef Dinte."

The applause, which has continued softly throughout Lord Schmultzfeather's introductions, rises to a crescendo after the description of the final course. One particularly well-dressed patron springs to his feet to give a standing ovation, and the rest of the guests quickly follow suite.

The nervous excitement, the heady sensation, the enthusiastic applause, the two dozen grinning faces ... It's just too much for Tessara, who suddenly collapses into a faint. A collective gasp arises from the small crowd, but fortunately Mimi and Bahram are quick to catch the falling elven woman. Bahram quickly addresses the room, improvising a line about Tessara having absorbed the love and emotion in the air and thanking the guests for their patronage. Meanwhile, Mimi slaps Tessara's face, and her eyes snap open into a sudden, terrified consciousness. Lord Schmultzfeather leans down over Tessara from his position on the low stage behind her.

"My goodness, my dear, are you quite alright?"