Chapter 3.1: The party begins

[yhlee]

EDIT: The base is sited in the year 951, in a very odd timeline that has NO h*archate. Supplies have to be brought in via rift from other timelines. Thread here.

Ashari's new base features variable layout, which has been put to use in creating an extravagant ballroom. Tables to one side boast a variety of foods, drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and the occasional euphoric drugs. Candlevines glow blue and violet, and flower arrangements interspersed with fantastic sculptures of lace-woven wire adorn the tables. The arrangements mean various sarcastic things, if you're familiar with the Andan petal language.

Music plays softly enough not to overwhelm conversation, loudly enough to set a mood complementing the low-key lighting.

Remi is one of the first arrivals from the Cantata, shepherding the mothlings. Because he's a Nirai, he has a slate and is taking notes, although he is happy enough to talk to anyone who approaches him.

The kitchen is currently adjacent to the ballroom. Ashari's voice can be heard, raised in some kind of argument with...a caterer?

Comments

Re: Sulen, scrying

[chomiji]

Dar comes out of the kitchen with a platter of something that smells delicious: starchy stuff fried in hot, fresh oil. She maneuvers the large dish into one of the few remaining clear spots on the main buffet table, then makes some adjustments to the layout of the bowls of snacks that were already there. After that, she moves to inspect the drinks. Hmm, could probably use some fruit garnishes.

She looks over the room as though thinking of doing some rearranging there as well. Actually, she's just taking a good look at her new coworkers and the patterns of their interactions. The boss had mentioned non-human creatures, and a good deal of the attention in the room is centered on several floating or flying oddities. She'll have to find out what the beasties eat and make sure the ship is stocked with those supplies as well.

[For lack of any better fit, I suppose she shows as an Andan, Kniferose Verdant in this mode. Cooking is an art, and so is running a restaurant. I'm not sure what's the best signifier for when she's in the "Mama Bear defending the cubs" mode.]

Dar's signifiers

[zuhrovet]

[I don't know how you feel about Kel signifiers for Dar, but I did invent "Ashhawk Feeding Young" for a Kel fond of children and making pastry!]

Re: Dar's signifiers

[chomiji]

[Well, since you think it's OK! As you likely know, I do have a fondness for characters like Catlin and Florian in Cyteen ... ]

Re: Dar's signifiers

[zuhrovet]

[It is a shared fondness--if I have matched the identities right you wrote me a lovely Yuletide fic a couple of years ago! Thank you again :) ]

Re: Dar's signifiers

[chomiji]

[Yup, when I'm writing fic, I'm opalmatrix! I'm so glad you liked it!

And that's a wrap for me for the night. Tomorrow will be a bit odd - we will be playing D&D in the afternoon/evening, but i bring my laptop along.]

Re: Dar's signifiers

[zuhrovet]

[I think it was my first ever Yuletide present, which makes it extra special!

Have a good evening! The first move of a new chapter always explodes, but we'll slow down a bit soon...]

Re: Dar's signifiers

[venndaai]

[oh, hey, I've seen you around exchanges! *waves*]

Re: Dar's signifiers

[chomiji]

[Hey back - yes, Cherryh and Leckie fics, writing and commenting. :) ]

Re: Sulen, scrying

[venndaai]

"Thank you for your work tonight," Sulen says to Dar. They're still a little put off by her lack of formality, but their biases are steering them towards Andan signifiers and away from all the foxes in the room. "It is very beautiful."

Re: Sulen, scrying

[chomiji]

[Eek,after a conversation upthread with Zuhrovet, it turns out that Dar has Kel signifiers, usually Ashhawk Feeding Young. But at least she's not a fox, right?]

Well, that's gratifying. And as long as this person is consistent, Dar can deal with some formality. She executes a pretty good bow to a superior, once she's sure everything is stable. "Thank you, sir. Beginnings are so important - a good meal may help."

Re: Sulen, scrying

[venndaai]

[Oh yeah, Sulen definitely prefers ashhawks to foxes!]

"I've been considering implementing group meals onboard," Sulen says. "The lack of cooking expertise among our group led me to believe it wouldn't be a good idea. But perhaps it's worth revisiting."

Re: Sulen, scrying

[chomiji]

Dar's eyebrows go up, and her slightly cynical half-smile relaxes into a thoughtful frown. "Could work, sir. You know the crew a lot better than I do, but they don't strike me as a by-the-rules bunch. But if it's just put out that Dar's gonna cook, like, fried noodles, with shrimp or with tofu, and it'll be on the table at 19:00, cleared by 20:00, and oh, yeah, berry pie for afters. Then they either come or they don't. Anything left over gets portioned and put into stable storage for lunches or whatever. Might be a lot of leftovers the first few times. But they'll get used to it. I think most of 'em would go for it, sir."

Re: Sulen, scrying

[venndaai]

Being called 'sir' makes Sulen feel like a Kel, but it's not a bad feeling. Dar seems both straightforward and helpful, two qualities Sulen had given up on finding together in anyone again. "It sounds like you have very useful knowledge and experience. Is there anything you need? Any assistance I can provide?"

Sulen themself has not had a lot of success with cooking in the past, but at this point they'd do anything to feel like they're having a positive effect.

[EDIT: pls ignore the first version of this comment I got confused and didn't realize Dar was officially the cook]

Re: Sulen, scrying

[chomiji]

[No worries - yeah, official cook. I said I'd play whatever the party needed, a cook was suggested, I was like, hell, yeah, I can do that!]

She smiles, a real smile this time, her eyes much warmer. "Thanks, sir. If I'm gong to be setting up food and stuff for the trip, it'd be good to get a first-hand look at where it all goes. Looked at the plans on the grid, but haven't set foot on the ship yet."

[I'll be mostly out of pocket tomorrow - family obligations.]