I'm still up for it! Ready when you are. :)
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Tessara gives Vincent a big, smooshy Tessara-hug. "I'll miss you, Mr. Del Sol. It was wonderful working with you."
Tessara returns to her and Mimi's dorm to begin getting her notes and recipes in order to begin copying them down for this new project. "I can't wait to get started on this new recipe book! It's going to be oodles of fuuun!" she sings to no one in particular.
"That's a wonderful idea!"
Tessara lets out a delighted squeak and claps a bit at Chef Sali's approving compliment, and it agrees happily to hand out samples. When Lord Schmultzfeather announces her and her teammates as winners she smiles and curtsies, tears coming to her eyes, but this time of joy. When they're all done, she gives Vincent, Bahram and Mimi each a joyful hug. "Thank you so much everyone! That was absolutely WONDERFUL!" When done, she practically dances into the dormitories, still euphoric from a job well done.
NOW TELL PHILLIP TO STOP CHASING ME! *runs and hides*
I AM VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS STORY ARC!
Her practice and work over her time off has reinvigorated Tessara greatly. She bustles about the kitchen, kneading the sourdough and rolling the dough sheets for the puffs. She maintains a warm and friendly presence throughout the kitchen, beaming at everyone and humming cheerily. And when they display the food, she smiles and waves to the crowd when they applaud. No fainting this week!
"Wait, did you say dragon milk? Aren't dragons reptilian?" Tessara replies with a stunned expression.
"That sounds especially tasty! Tessara replies, trying not to drool. "As for exotic breads, I had a vegan naan bread in Vudra once that was to DIE for! That'd go with pretty much anything!"
"Hmm...a lighter appetizer course...Mimi, you think something like a spinach and mushroom roll or puff would complement the rest of it? I'll admit I'm not the best when it comes to making sure things go together well." Tessara strokes her round chin.
Ooooh! We could put that in a bread bowl too!" Tessara coos.
During The Days Off Tessara spends her days off shuffling between the kitchen and her room to tinker with her attempts at concocting a potion-bread. Her attempts aren't successful, resulting in a number of breads that are palatable, but some of the potion additions make the flavors a little off. She offers some of these "rejects" to the others, but when there are a few loaves left, she takes them to her room and through much of the evening the sounds of munching can be heard within as she tinkers with her alchemical set some more.
----------------------------------------------------------------------- In The Kitchen Tessara smiles a bit as Chef Sali announces the new challenges. They catered to her interests really well. "I like your ideas, Mr. Del Sol. I know that for a lot of lower-class families who provided me shelter on my journeys would greatly enjoy a stew, whether with biscuits to dunk in it or dumplings already in it...or maybe! Maybe we could put the stew IN the bread, a bread bowl! Like a trencher, but for stews!
Tessara breathes a sigh of relief as the group receives their wages. She'd made it through the remaining public appearances gracefully, without a repeat of the first night's antics. "Ma'am? Would it be acceptable for me to utilize the ovens here on my days off? I'd like to test a few new recipes I've been studying."
"No, nothing like that. I just...don't like being around so many people, especially people I don't know. I feel...I feel judged. Like I'm on trial for a crime I didn't commit. I don't like that feeling. I prefer when it's just me and the dough." Tessara frowns again. "That probably sounds really silly to you.
When Tessara comes back to the room, Mimi, mid-odd pose, asks "What happened?" Tessara frowns, and sits on the bed, it creaking under her. "I...I really get anxious with large groups of people. My childhood friends sometimes said I was the reason humans thought all elves are shy, and sometimes I wonder if they're right. Normally I try to stay away from the center of attention, or find a small group, like you guys, and hide among them. When I got up on that stage, with all those people staring at me, focusing on me, it was overwhelming. I...I just sort of shut down. I couldn't handle it. And then when I came to I was just so embarrassed that I fell apart completely."
I'm surprised no one's commented on the fact that Tessara does her best baking when she's on drugs...
Tessara gives Dinte a quizzical look, unsure what to make of what he's just said. "That's awful! Why would anyone do that?" When they depart, she turns to Chef Sali and, in a moment of impulsiveness, gives her a big, smooshy hug before accepting Vincent's arm and returning to the living quarters. "You think there are ways we could improve our course over the next few days? I don't like competition that much, but I want my bread to be the best bread it can be."
Tessara thinks for a moment, biting her lip. Then she straightens herself up and looks Chef Sali in the eye. "You won't need to do that. I'll prepare myself better next time so it won't happen again. I promise."
As Lord Schmultzfeather leaves, Tessara turns to Chef Sali. "I'm sorry he chastised you like that, ma'am. What happened wasn't your fault."
"It won't happen again, Lord Schmultzfeather, sir. I'm sorry to have made such a scene." She frowns, a bit put out by his comment about frailty and how he seemed to be criticizing Chef Sali for something that wasn't her fault. "Did the guests enjoy what we made for them?" she asks, trying to smile a bit weakly, clearly attempting to change the subject.
Chef Sali's examination shows that Tessara should be fine. Mostly just an anxiety attack. Following Mimi's instructions her breathing steadies and she wipes her eyes with her sleeve. "Thank you. I'm...I'm sorry I let it get the better of me." She smiles a little weakly. "We...still did well, right?"
Tessara tries as Mimi demands. "Feel a little dizzy..."
I'm not being too hammy, am I?
Tessara tries to stop crying long enough to answer Chef Sali and Dinte. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. There were so many people. They were all staring at me and I...I fainted. Our opening day and I went and made a fool of myself! I'M SO SORRY!" She resumes blubbering.
Tessara's eyes open to see Lord Schmultzfeather himself standing over her. Her cheeks turn redder than sautéed beets and her eyes start getting teary. As the rest of the crew lead her off stage she finally breaks down. "I'm so embarahahahased!" she bawls as they arrive in the kitchen, her sobbing causing her obese frame to jiggle in a unsightly fashion.
Still here, still ready!
It's only been two weeks?
We're all still here, right?
Take as long as you need. It'll build the excitement! ;)
So? How does the crowd react to Tessara's collapse?
I'm unsure whether to describe it before or after your post, actually. Her reaction's basically going to be running off the stage sobbing in embarrassment.
Almost as suddenly as Tessara's confidence rose, it fell again when she was out in front of all those people and Lord Schmultzfeather called her name. Shaking and beginning to hyperventilate, she attempts to bow, wobbling back and forth for a moment, but the stress finally gets to her and she faints. Fortunately, her overstuffed derriere (and overstuffed everything else) prevents her from being seriously hurt.
Pay no attention to that paladin behind the curtain. He is a sad liar.
Tessara psychs herself up for the big night, telling herself the buns turned out perfectly, that Chef Sali loved them, that everyone would love them. It gives her a boost of confidence and soon she's beaming at everyone, the spirit of Shelyn's day radiating from her moon-like face.
Wow. I managed to take a natural one and STILL make it at least passable. I am a bread baking BADASS! XD
Tessara nods at Vincent's approving tone, and gets right to work, making a few quick sketches and downing one of her extracts to get the creative juices flowing. She prepares a sweet dough with just a touch of honey, and gently sculpts each bun into the shape of the musethrush, with wings and a curling tail of feathers. After baking them, they have a slightly crispy exterior that gives the bun form, with a light, airy crumb on the inside to accommodate dipping in Vincent's soup. Beauty within and without, a bun Shelyn herself would be proud of, she thinks. The bun feels and tastes so light that it could almost fly away. Tessara hums an old hymn she once heard about love being in the air as she works.
What do you have in mind?, Vincent replies to Tessara. "Well, mainly an alteration to the shape of the bun. What if, instead of a simple heart, the bread was in the shape of Shelyn's sacred symbol, the Musethrush? I enjoy sculpting with dough, and making bread look as beautiful as it tastes. I worry that people might focus too much on it and ignite your soup." She frowns, apparently thinking this might hurt Vincent's feelings.
Tessara thinks for a minute and turns back to Vincent. "I...um...have another idea, but I'm not sure if it might accidentally overshadow your soup..." She blushes a bit, her previous enthusiasm petering out, it seems.
Tessara blinks in surprise and confusion "Um...ma'am? Who was that?" she ask Chef Sali quietly after he's left.
"Perhaps...a glazed bun might be more difficult to use for dunking in soup, though. I think you're on to something there, though...should we ask the others for input, see how our course complements theirs?"
Well, I could go with a clear broth, keep it light. I agree since we are the appetizer, it shouldn't be too filling. I am thinking of the soup portion be around 12 ounces or so, that way they get a taste, but not be too much. Your thoughts? "No arguments here. 12 seems reasonable. Should I go with a soft bun or something crustier like a baguette? I think softer would be easier to dunk in broth, it'd soak up more. Crustier breads work better with creamier soups. I want to give it a sweet taste to blend with the savoriness of your soup. How would you recommend I achieve it? Honey? Sugar?"
"Ooooh!" Tessara coos at Vincent's suggestion. "I like the chicken and rice soup idea! Would you be using a cream or broth base? Cream might be better for dipping, but it might make the soup too rich. We're sort of the appetizer, aren't we?"
Tuesday Evening:
Satisfied with the sourdough starter, Tessara takes advantage of the opportunity to test the kitchen's ovens while making a batch of mixed berry muffins for the crew's brunch on Wednesday, making sure to save one for Chef Sali as well.
Wednesday Morning Waking bright and early after a restful night, Tessara prepares her extracts for the day, allowing Mimi to watch, if she wishes. Once done, she sets the muffins she made the night before out on the center table of the living room, and brings one wrapped up for Chef Sali after the meeting at 9. Her face lights up when Sali describes the meal-plan. "Oh sweet Shelyn, I absolutely LOVE Shelyn's Day celebrations!" she practically squeals once Sali's done describing the job. She waddles over to Vincent, bursting with excitement. "I can't WAIT to get started, Mr. de Sol! So! Any thoughts on what to prepare? I'm thinking a heart-shaped bun or preztelly kind of thing would be delightful for dunking in a soup! What do you think?"
"Hrmmmm...I think I'll use the dorm. Mimi said she'd be interested in seeing my process, and I'd prefer to be able to let stuff work overnight if need be. Plus I don't want things getting into the food in the kitchen if there's an accident. There shouldn't be, I'm not one of those loony scientist types who leaves things just lying around, but one has to be ready for the worst, right? Besides, despite my girth I don't require much space. Thank you, though. I'm going to go take a look at that sourdough starter." She checks out where the starter is stored and inspects it for its health and quality.
Tessara clears her throat nervously. "Erm...Yes, ma'am. Among my possessions is an alchemy kit. Cooking is merely applied chemistry after all. I like to tinker with ingredients and flavors in my spare time. My ongoing project is to find a way to infuse bread with magic the same way wizards do with liquid when they make potions. Mimi doesn't mind if I set the kit up in our room, but she suggested asking you if there's a more suitable place to set it up, first."
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