(GM-Led) Memaw's Kitchen
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Rev takes a second to squint at the delivery man, letting the flavor of him roll over his tongue. The taste of black licorice blossoms across his palette bitter and sweet, but it's the anise that lingers like a layer of velvet coating his mouth.
Rev does his best to make it look like he isn't cleaning his tongue on his teeth as he motion signs his name on the self-inking clipboard.
"Jimmys on vacation, eh? The first-time delivering to MeeMaws can be pretty intimidating for some. But surely not for a man like you, what with your imposing stature and ruggedly pallid charm. You're practically a fortress friend. How about a spritzer to ease your troubles and quench your thirst?"
Rev purposely dives below the counter before the behemoth lurch has a chance to reply and returns with a bubbling green concoction. Mint, lime, and the unmistakable aroma of herbal chartreuse settle over the bar. In a flourish of hands, Rev tops the slim glass with a garnish of lime peel and slides it across to the would-be delivery man.
"So friend, whats your name?"
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@mianngu
Without moving an inch, the statue of a corpse of a man stares at you with an eternal sour. After a beat, his perturbed eyes cut to the drink, back to you, back to the drink, and back to you once more. His massive "adam's apple" betrays his demure, as it bobs up and back down again with ravenous intent. He still doesn't flinch, but tiny beads of clammy snot begin to pool on his forehead in tandem with the perspiring glass, still sizzling with tiny whispers of zest.A smirk in the corner of your mouth becomes a full-blown grin. You know you got him right where you want him.
His dry pale lips unglue:
"MY NAME...CAN NOT BE SPOKEN...IN COMMON TONGUE... THEY CALL ME...... (a real plank of wood this guy)
... (you lean an ear forward as to meet the word sooner)
... (OMG did he just die mid-sentence?)NOOOOMANNN...DAR...FFGSSH"
"Numan it is." You pat his shoulder and trade the clipboard for the drink with a quick sleight of hand.
"WE'RE REALLY... NOT SUPPOSED TO...DRINK ON THE JOB... BUT I SUPPOSE... IT WOULD BE RUDE... TO ROB YOU...
...
...
...
OF YOUR GENEROSITY."Your artisan skills are wasted here as Numan cocks his head back and inhales the drink in one crude motion, lime and all. His resets to position 1, but after a moment his eyebrows raise slightly and his ears lower. Quite the compliment.
"I SEE YOU'VE ONLY MOTIONED TO SIGN... THIS IS NOT THE NEWER SELF-INKING MODEL THAT JIMMY WAS USING. I HAVE A STYLUS IF YOU NEED...NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE FINE PRINT... STANDARD PROCEDURE... TO DECLARE YOU RECEIVED THE DELIVERY."
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@TableTopProphet
Character Name: Maxwell SterlingFantasy Race: Vishkanya (PF2e)
Appearance: Maxwell is 6'1" with a lean build. His facial scars from his past contrast with his clean appearance. He has short, dark hair that he slicks back, and his light brown eyes are watchful. He always wears a neat suit with a matching tie (which is always some shade of blue) and polished black shoes.
Personality: Maxwell is introverted, detail-oriented, and highly disciplined. He values structure and order in his life and tends to be reserved and serious. While he can be stubborn and overly critical at times, he is also deeply loyal and committed to his work and goals.
Gender/Pronouns: Male, He/Him
Kitchen Role/Job/Responsibilities: As a coffee maker at the restaurant, Maxwell crafts the perfect cup of coffee for each guest. He finds the best beans, grinds them carefully, and keeps track of brewing times and temperatures. (Hope this is alright)
Favorite Hobby: In his free time, Maxwell enjoys playing the piano, seeking perfection in his music as he does in his coffee making. He has a small collection of classical sheet music and often practices, always trying to improve his technique and emotion.
Major Fear: Maxwell's greatest fear is losing control over his life and going back to his past criminal activities. This thought scares him and pushes him to maintain order and discipline.
Major Flaw: His search for perfection often makes Maxwell unable to see the worth in the imperfect or the beauty in chaos. He can be critical of himself and others and may find it hard to make close friends because of his high expectations.
Life Goals: Maxwell wants to open his own high-end coffee shop where he can share his love for the perfect cup of coffee with more people. He also hopes to leave his past behind and find inner peace and self-acceptance.
Secrets: Maxwell has an estranged daughter from a previous relationship during his time in the criminal world. He hasn't seen her in years, and she doesn't know about his life as a coffee maker. He secretly sends her money and checks on her well-being without her knowing, hoping to reconnect and make up for his absence one day.
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@KaeZero
4/10/23 recap@Faye : Xan the spice maker has just made some tea using trolls blood for an empowering morning brew, but dreams of her old job have gotten into the mix.
@Hanzilla : Boof just arrived and is prepping optimal seating arrangements for the evening. Being kindred spirits with Memaw, she is going to take some Tea and perhaps a charcuterie to Memaw for a chatty brunch and get the deets on tonight's guests.
@Kismet : Irenah the station chef is confronted by Gus regarding the inconsistency in last night's dessert topping. The truth is she clumsily spilled it while distracted with her food sculptures, but she'll need a good whimsical fib to calm Gus' OCD down.
@mianngu : Rev is talking to and unpacking the flavor of a strange delivery man.
@KaeZero :Maxwell is holding his hand out the basement hopper window allowing the cigarette smoke to dance in a curvy line toward the sun, which is especially warm today. Sweat has already begun to bead along the scar on your forehead, as well as soak the neckline of your collar and tie. The pomade that slicks your hair back is getting soggy. The hand you have out the window tingles hot on the window seal where it rests, tho you don't seem to care. The dancing smoke is met by your stern gaze, but your eyes are transfixed, daydreaming of another life as a pianist; each wisp of vertical smoke is like notes dancing on the horizontal staff of some jazzy sheet music, which you hum along to in your mind. One more drag of cool menthol which sits in the back of your throat, as you check over your shoulders to make sure you are still alone in the basement, and exhale with pursed lips in a concentrated gust towards the window. Memaw hates smoking but down here it is masked by the smell of the roaster, and she doesn't seem to notice.
Breaks over, you roll up your sleeves and take in the beautiful site: Several burlap sacks of raw coffee beans for roasting, freshly delivered, which you just finished bringing downstairs. (For tonight's guests, you can only pick one. Coffee is served with dessert after the meal and is the final touch before the Guests go to sleep.)
You're almost certain the guest list for tonight has been posted somewhere in the kitchen by now, but this heat has gotten you feeling quite unpresentable. Will you get cleaned up and go searching topside, or will you let fate guide you? Which bean will you be roasting for tonight's guests? What is your process?
:::
Starlight Beans - Originating from the highest peaks of the mystical Starfall Mountains, these beans are infused with the magical energy of the stars. When brewed into coffee, they are said to induce feelings of calm and tranquility, as well as improve the dreamer's ability to lucid dream. These beans have a smooth and mellow flavor with notes of caramel and chocolate.
Moonshadow Beans - Grown in the dark forests of the Shadowlands, these beans have a subtle but powerful effect on the dreamer's subconscious mind. When consumed, they are said to enhance creativity and imagination, making dreams more vivid and memorable. These beans have a rich and earthy flavor with notes of dark chocolate and nutmeg.
Sunfire Beans - Harvested from the sun-drenched fields of the Fire Kingdom, these beans are infused with the fiery energy of the sun. When brewed into coffee, they are said to boost energy levels and stimulate the mind, making it easier to focus on lucid dreaming techniques. These beans have a bold and spicy flavor with notes of cinnamon and clove.
Ocean Mist Beans - Grown on the misty shores of the Mermaid Isles, these beans have a soothing effect on the mind and body. When brewed into coffee, they are said to induce feelings of relaxation and peace, helping dreamers to enter a calm and restful state. These beans have a light and refreshing flavor with notes of citrus and jasmine.
Shadowblade Beans - Grown in the shadowy forests of the Dark Kingdom, these beans have a potent effect on the dreamer's emotions. When consumed, they are said to amplify feelings of passion and desire, making dreams more intense and thrilling. These beans have a bold and smoky flavor with notes of dark chocolate and black pepper.
Enchanted Forest Beans - Grown in the heart of the Enchanted Forest, these beans are infused with the magical energy of nature itself. When brewed into coffee, they are said to enhance the dreamer's connection to the natural world, making dreams more mystical and otherworldly. These beans have a delicate and floral flavor with notes of lavender and honeysuckle.
:::
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@TableTopProphet
“Oh, Gus! Hi hello! I didn’t see you there, yes yes uh last night… I do believe there was a little mishap with some ˢᵖᶦˡˡᵉᵈ ᵗᵒᵖᵖᶦⁿᵍˢ but the important thing here is that I’ve got a new batch coming in and I’ve made some excellent progress on my latest little sculpture!”I reveal a small sculpture from behind my back and jiggle it expectantly at Gus. It’s a small bust of Gus himself, it's been crafted from some kind of green goop.
LiveTale Art Director
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goo gus has entered the chat
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The revulsion of watching his craft be inhaled by the goliath rolls across Rev's face. He manages to school his features into a raised eyebrow and slight pursing of his lips. But the shock tinges his voice as he grabs another glass...
"No, no, no friend! You have to savor it! This is s symphony. A magnum opus of tangy fruity delight!"
Rev takes his time placing another slim glass upon the counter. His anger permeates into exaggerated movements as he fills it with ice and begins to crush the mint with mortar and pestal.
"First, ice to cool the glass and refresh, then mint to sing and zing into your very toes. Yea those things way down there. Heavens to betsie, those boots are made for stomping.?
Rev glances up briefly, noting the agitated quiver in Numan's brow, the tremor in his hands.
"I know you are new, but Jimmy would always sit with me for a couple of drinks. Now, we add the lime for that pucker and a little of this and that, until finally..."
Rev squeezes half a lime into the perspiring glass, followed by a flurry of half pours, until he unveils a green bottle label yellowed with age.
"Mon amour."
Uncorking it, he inhales deeply, eyes fluttering in euphoric pleasure as he pours generously into the glass, topping it with another sprig of lime peel. Numan white knuckles the drink and makes to slosh it to the back of his throat, but he is quickly distracted by Rev dangling from his wrist.
"NNNNNoooooo, you have to smell it first mon bête noire!"
Settling back behind the bar, Rev takes a second to yank down his vest and run a hand through his hair.
"Now, first a sniff then a sip! By the way - " Rev stops to motion to the packages on the hand cart, "Is this the jugs of vinegar Opal ordered? We ran out yesterday, and there's no way those pickles are gonna brine themselves!"
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@TableTopProphet
Maxwell touched his hair with a finger to check the damage the heat had caused. "Will it do?" he thought. No, he knew better; there was no need to hurry, as haste led to doubt, and too much could harm his work. He washed his hair in the sink and dried it with a hand towel and the sun's help. As he did so, he got lost in thought.The basement offered benefits: he could concentrate on his work, gather himself, and dodge curious glances at his scars. But on a hot day like this, maintaining a balanced mood was challenging. Nevertheless, he inhaled the aroma of the beans slowly, finding the basement captured the scent well, and it helped Maxwell regain focus. He couldn't let his emotions affect the feeling he wanted the coffee to evoke.
"Focus, take it in, let the beans tell you how they wish to be prepared."
Each burlap sack emitted a unique rhythm, and he listened. One carried a tune of reminiscence, another a song of loss and acceptance, and yet another a joyous, uplifting hum. Regardless of the guest, Maxwell would be ready to offer the right atmosphere. A gentle smile crossed his face, knowing he would be prepared to create a perfect end to their night.
He snapped out of his reverie, realizing he needed the list. Maxwell applied pomade once more, adjusted his tie, and donned his suit jacket. After a final glance in the mirror, he nodded to himself and headed upstairs to find the guest list.
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A flicker of movement draws Revs attention from the trap he has laid, the lubricious coiffure of Maxwell bobbing into view from the basement stairs. His movements measured and sure as he reaches the summit of the landing, and Rev calls to him,
"Maxwell! I have something you must taste, I'm sure it will be so good you'll finish every last drop!"
Numans head jerks to toward the back room, eyes bulging as Maxwells lithe form crosses the threshold.
"Come meet my new friend, Numan. "
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@mianngu
The moment Maxwell stepped onto the main floor, Rev called him over. A cold drink did sound tempting after the heat he'd endured.Maxwell paused, seeing an unfamiliar, tall frame. BY reflex mind started a threat assessment, but he quickly dismissed it. The man was clearly just making a delivery.
"Morning, Rev," Maxwell said. "Care to introduce your new friend?"
As he spoke, Maxwell reached out to shake Numan's hand. "Pleasure to meet you," he added, staying polite and composed
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@Kismet
"Who is that supposed to be?!" barks Gus as he has a bad eye for art, especially art of the gelatinous medium.He sighs and surrenders to whatever it is you're up to.
"Fine! You know what? doesn't matter. (He turns to the kitchen) EVERYONE! CHANGE ON TONIGHT'S MENU, WE'RE SERVING FANTASY JELLO WITH SOME SORT OF... ORANGE? TOPPING? IRENAH WILL GET YOU THE DETAILS. LET'S MAKE A COHESIVE DINING EXPERIENCE TONIGHT, PEOPLE, WE DON'T WANT A REPEAT OF THE FANTASY EASTER FESTIVAL. LET'S GET TO WORK! DON'T LET YOUR DREAMS BE MEMES!"
(Gus catches Irenah's shoulder before she can slip away. You look at his hand with concern, and Gus let's go only realizing his error of grabbing you after he had already done it. he tilts his head and rolls his eyes with an informal "sorry" and continues his boss-splaining. )
"You're lucky the pastry chef called in sick today."
You smile knowing what this means, and Gus grins because he knows you've been waiting for this moment.
"Get it over to the spice station and work out your dream flavor profile with Xan ( @Faye ). Then make sure Max ( @KaeZero ) and Rev ( @mianngu ) know how to pair it with a good coffee and night cap. The Presentation is great, station chef... and I see no Satyr hairs in it this time. It's an improvement, and oddly.... handsome. But don't shirk your other responsibilities. I need you focused. Some of these guest have been booked for years, and (he repeats himself) we don't need another fantasy Easter festival on our hands. understood?"
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Numan's head is spinning between drinks, handshakes, and questions. He's probably never had so much attention all at once in his life. The vein pulsing in his forehead says so (or is that a worm?). If his cheeks could blush, they would.
This author doesn't know what a panicking sloth looks like, but I'd imagine it to be something like what Numan is doing at this moment.
In a tizzy, Numan sniffs Maxwell's hand and shakes the drink, sloshing most of it about on the floor and everyone in proximity. Then he corrects himself, shaking Maxwell's hands and sniffing what few drops remain of Rev's drink.
SORRY...I
...
...
NOOOOMANNN...DAR...FFGSSH
...
THE PLEASURE IS ALL
...
...
...
THE BOXES ARE....
...
...
...
DID YOU JUST CALL ME...
...
...
...
FRIEND?"His cataract-ridden eyes would water if they could. His tear ducts sigh with tiny comedic squeals like squeezing the air out of tiny balloons. He grins from ear to ear. All he ever wanted was a friend. Numan lifts a pinkie from the glass as he awkwardly attempts to savor the last few drops that remain unspilled.
As he raises the glass to his lips, from this angle Rev notices a tiny ladybug tattoo on his wrist, turning knots in his stomach.
Numan readjusts. He drops the glass clumsily and then "quickly" grabs the Signing Tablet.
"NO NEED TO SIGN...
... I WILL VOUCH... FOR
...
...
...
HAVE A GOOD DAY."he "rushes" out the door in a scramble. Both Max and Rev's faces read "WTF" as the door chimes again on the swing back.
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Boof is wrenched awake at the sound of Gus's bellowing. Yes, she fell asleep inside the host podium while reaching for a little ginger candy. Boof giggles obnoxiously at herself, immediately wincing at the sudden pain in her dome piece.
She tidies her things just slightly at the host station (it's good enough bah), then pulls out a special tea mixture she'd been meaning to share with Memaw, but kept forgetting to bring to work. Boof procured this smelly tea from some wizard lookin' fellow at a shindig the other night. The dude seemed well meaning, and Boof does NOT turn down free stuff.
Boof moseys on over behind the bar to get something piping hot to pop this tea into. The long tall ones were nowhere to be seen, so she had to climb up onto the counter to properly do what needs doing. "Should I let them know that my dirty peets have been on the counter?" she asked herself. Over little to no though, Boof guffaws and shakes her head while grabbing a nearby kettle. Humming a strange toon she heard at the rave last night, she heated the water, plopped the tea bags into her and Memaw's cups, and starting to rooting around for something to munch on with the funky smelling tea. She settled on some cheese crackers hiding below the bar counter and some sort of jerky-meat stuff that just happened to be chilling next to the cheese crackers. How convenient!
By the time Boof had a haphazard presentation of cheese crackers and mystery meat on a large cutting board, the tea was sufficiently steeped and ready for sippin'. Boof put the two cups onto the board and started padding her way over where she would surely find Memaw waiting patiently.
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And there she is, right where you left her last time: on the rocking chair, back porch patio. Except for this time she has a faded stamp on her hand of a cartoon kitten, the same one you have on your hand from last night's rave.
Memaw grins at the patter of your feet as she slowly sits up, and mumbles some incoherent greeting.
As she sips the tea with a shaky hand, one eyebrow rises over her sunglasses, her lips purse over her toothless gums and the hairs on her lip stand straight.
"Timothy?" She says with absolutely no context. A faded memory? A dream? Probably the name of the wizard who gave you the tea-drops. Doesn't matter.
She savors a cracker, biting it in half, as crumbs fly out with each word. "Shuffle the deck fo me, T-bebe. Memaw done lef dem in her purse somewheres."
You take the deck from her purse, ignoring the otherworldly horrors down there in that infinite abyss. After you wrestle it loose from a few grasping vines and close the purse, you shuffle, then spread them out on the table just like she taught you.
:::
Lily The Dancer: For Lily, the Tarot cards suggest that she is feeling lost and unsure about her identity without dancing. The Five of Cups suggests that she is mourning the loss of something she held dear, while the Four of Pentacles suggests that she is holding onto her past and not embracing change. The advice for Lily is to open herself up to new experiences and explore other passions in life.
Max The Inventor: The Tarot cards suggest that Max is feeling overwhelmed by his financial situation and doubting his ability to achieve his goals. The Seven of Pentacles suggests that he is feeling a sense of stagnation and impatience, while the Five of Swords suggests that he may be sabotaging himself by taking on too much or not asking for help. The advice for Max is to take a step back and reassess his priorities, and perhaps seek guidance from a mentor or trusted friend.
Jake The Superhero: The Tarot cards suggest that Jake is struggling with grief and is looking for a way to channel his emotions. The Five of Cups suggests that he is mourning a loss, while the Eight of Swords suggests that he may be feeling trapped by his emotions. The advice for Jake is to acknowledge his feelings and allow himself to process his grief, perhaps by seeking support from loved ones or a therapist.
Maya The Explorer: The Tarot cards suggest that Maya is feeling limited by her physical condition and struggling to accept her limitations. The Five of Pentacles suggests that she may be feeling left out or excluded, while the Wheel of Fortune suggests that she is going through a period of change and transition. The advice for Maya is to focus on what she can do, rather than what she cannot, and to seek out new experiences that can bring her joy and fulfillment.
Alex The Musician: The Tarot cards suggest that Alex is feeling heartbroken and struggling to find his creative inspiration. The Three of Swords suggests that he is going through a painful breakup, while the Page of Swords suggests that he may be feeling blocked creatively. The advice for Alex is to take time to heal from his heartbreak and to seek inspiration from new sources, perhaps by collaborating with other musicians or trying out new genres of music.
Sophie The Writer: The Tarot cards suggest that Sophie is putting too much pressure on herself to be perfect, which is blocking her creativity. The Four of Cups suggests that she may be feeling unfulfilled or dissatisfied, while the Ace of Swords suggests that she needs to clear her mind and cut through the mental clutter. The advice for Sophie is to let go of her perfectionism and embrace the creative process, even if it means making mistakes along the way.
Marco The Chef: The Tarot cards suggest that Marco is feeling insecure about his abilities as a chef, which is hindering his creativity. The Seven of Cups suggests that he may be feeling overwhelmed by choices, while the Nine of Swords suggests that he is plagued by self-doubt and anxiety. The advice for Marco is to trust in his instincts and to focus on creating dishes that bring him joy and satisfaction, rather than worrying about pleasing critics.
Emily The Romantic: The Tarot cards suggest that Emily is feeling disillusioned about love and struggling to trust again. The Three of Cups suggests that she may be feeling isolated or disconnected from others, while the Two of Swords suggests that she may be avoiding facing her emotions. The advice for Emily is to allow herself to feel vulnerable and to take small steps towards opening herself up to love again, perhaps by going on dates or seeking out social events where she can meet new people.
:::
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Xan.
I glance my eyes discretely at each of my coworkers that are drinking the tea I lovingly made them - each queuing up their respective inner strengths, insights, and hallucinations. I wonder what each of them feels and sees. I ponder Gus's list, he always puts such care into the composition of the dining experience, handing out roles to the patrons as readily as he hands them out to us. At least... I think it is him making the list. I never really asked where the lists come from.
My thoughts drift to my sisterhood. If we were to to have eaten here back in our heyday, as a treat, would he have accommodated us? What roles would each of us been given to play in our dining experience? Questions I fear I may never have the answer to, as I have no idea where anyone is. I make a note to make the rounds during my free time tomorrow, and see who I can find and touch base with from the old crew.
Focus. FOCUS. The guest list is what's important right this moment. Obviously dreams are important, but today I am making a multitude of spice mixes, most of which are to chef spec as per my peers in the kitchen, but there is one where I have a little more... creative liberty:
A mix to infuse in a mead to be served at the start of the meal. I naturally lean to inspiring the inspirers: The Musician, the Inventor, maybe the Dancer and Superhero too? I think about what they have in common and it hits me, tonight may be about playing the patrons off each other. Resonating them against each other. The Dancer and the Inventor can help heal each other with purpose. The Musician and Superhero can help heal each other with empathy. Purpose and empathy... That's royal queen possumbee jelly, which is great because I have some from the harvest I used to ferment the trolls blood. With this, we'll nudge the patrons to feel each others' hurts with a compulsion to contemplate how their unique talents can help the immediate "hive", in this case our venue. I pour all of the royal jelly I have into a cloth sack along with the rest of the spice infusion mix I already prepped, and tie it off before dunking it into the barrel of basic mead and covering it to soak until it is time to serve.
With that out of the way, I look towards Irenah @Kismet, "Since this is for the finisher, I think we should focus on enhancing the guests who can best close out the experience. What do you think?"
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Shapes and colors danced in front of Boof's eyes. For a moment she thought for sure she was going to hurl, but, just in time, the speed with which things were racing around started to slow down and come together.
So many different people here, with such complicated backgrounds and feelings. This might be an interesting table setting to be sure. Boy oh boy does Boof love the TEA, though.
Jake and Emily HAVE to sit next to each other, Boof determined as she observed the visions in front of her. Meanwhile, back in the real world, she was jotting down haphazard drawings of the people as a way of keeping track. She could just write their names, but what fun is that? Now who else to sit with the romantic and the superhero, hmmm... how about Max.
Next table! Let's put Alex, Lily and Maya together. Boof tries to remember if she checked to see if the pen she's using works well. She always forgets to do that! This process is pretty crucial since upon coming out of the vision, Boof doesn't really remember faces to names and whatnot. Though her drawings are abysmal, she can decipher them quite well for this application. Don't want another situation like last time happening... She's pretty sure it's fine.
Annnd the last table, one for two as it were. Looks like the writer and the chef are gonna cozy up together. Perhaps they can create the worlds next best cookbook. Boof makes a mental note to remember their names so she can collect once they make it big. She did pair them up after all, sooooo...
As Boof finishes the arrangements, she feels herself being gently pulled back, flashing and racing colors slowly fading out to reveal Memaw, smiling with her hands clasped in her lap. Once Boof has fully regained her normal vision, she looks down at her pad of paper to see... nothing.
Boof is taken aback for a second... then starts giggling like the mad little gnome she is. This is fine, it's fine!
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( Hi all! Going thru a personal medical emergency IRL with my spouse. I'll get back to this once things settle down. Life has a way of throwing curveballs. I'll be back soon enough. cheers. )
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Omg! Take your time, I hope your partner feels better soon!
