Kitchen in Reserve

Study. Reading. Research. A profession and/or past-time familiar to many, perhaps excessively to some. Verna would fall into the latter. A rather wise co-member of that group has suggested and encouraged respite at times, and for the better. A break for tea, for example. Heeding that wisdom, and in the spirit of reciprocation, she has invited Auranar to a meal at the TarRaCe. It is outside of the establishment that she awaits her guest.

Auranar shows up promptly on time. She carries a small bag with her which has a heft and weight to it which is familiar. It's likely a book of some kind. The elvish woman smiles widely at the sight of Verna and offers a wave even before she is close enough to verbally greet the other woman. Then as she draws closer she drops the hand in favor of a more verbal greeting. "Hello! Thanks for the invitation, I haven't been to the TarRaCe before, but I've heard... about it." She glances toward the establishment her expression showing a range of feelings on the place in question.

Verna lifts a hand to return the greeting, and doffs her hood with the same as it lowers. This proves to reveal a smile in return, as well; a slender, uncertain thing, but it may due to her lack of practice.

"Greetings. You are most welcome. I did not have the opportunity to dine here, myself, before the recent ...incidents. I am rather confident that there is no reason to be concerned, and am quite certain that the food will be to your liking."

She makes a welcoming and directing gesture for the door. Before the gesturing hand completely lowers, it pause and then moves to grasp and open the door in question for Auranar's use.

Auranar smiles again, this time in agreement with Verna's words. "I'm sure it'll be perfectly lovely." She moves to head inside herself, but Verna opens the door for her and she laughs lightly instead. "Oh thank you!" With that said, she moves through the doorway and into the establishment beyond. She's never been to the TarRaCe before, so she steps to the side immediately so that she can look around and get her bearings without blocking the doorway. Then, she waits for Verna as she looks around with interest.

The temporary closure and various happenings, to say nothing of rumors, may or may not have impacted the establishment's business, though it is likely occupied enough to suggest no danger of permanent closure. Verna steps in promptly after her, pausing as she takes in the interior.

After allowing her that opportunity, Verna gestures once more, acting as a hostess of sorts. "You are, still, most welcome. This way, please, at your leisure." The effort is there, though it is possible that her directional skills are lacking; she directs her guest away from the dining area tables and to a doorway adjacent to the counter. One that leads into the ...kitchens?

Glad to be directed, Auranar follows close on Verna's heels. Though she doesn't expect to be led back to the kitchens, she says nothing. Assuming (rightly) that Verna knows more about this place than she does. She doesn't seem to mind following along at all, simply allowing her eyes to roam over the strange location, which is more welcoming than she might have expected it to be.

The kitchen is occupied, active, possibly even busy depending on the quantity and needs of the current clientele. There are several cooks and assistants moving about. One section, however, near the doorway they pass (as there is more than one path to the kitchen), is not presently in use.

It is prepared for use, still, and not vacant. Utensils, bowls, cookware, and so forth are neatly arranged and ready. A stove is fired, but not occupied. A cooler holds several cuts of meat. Of the preparation counter, a sizable portion of space is covered in a variety of dry ingredients; herbs, spices, vegetables and the like. A fair portion of them are not native or not widely used in Alexandria and are decidedly more Llyranosti to those familiar. All are organized alphabetically, even if that may well make little sense from a cook's perspective.

Verna comes to a stop and gestures again, now to the area about them. "All is reserved for your use, if you still wished to enjoy, or share, tastes from your home. I would be pleased to assist you, if desired..." a pause before she adds, "though you would need to be very specific in your instruction."

The kitchen is warm and welcoming, and Auranar is amazed by the light bustle inside as the cooks move about to get things done. Usually this area is reserved for staff and... Verna waves to a little unused portion of the kitchen and announces that it's for Auranar's use and the elvish woman is for a moment utterly stimied. "You..." She almost whispers the word and then she looks at Verna and to everyone's surprise throws herself at Verna. She hugs Verna tightly and looks at the kitchen again.

"You went through all this trouble for me? I... I don't know what to say!" She blinks her eyes and pulls away a bit embarrassed by her emotional response and she looks at Verna. "You... Thank you so much."

Verna had posited a number of possible reactions to her little... surprise. If the sudden embrace was one of them, it was possibly rated low on the probability index. She startles and tense with shock at the outset, though softens immediately after. That or it was just the hug squishing through her various layers of robes?

She may likewise be lacking words, as she clears her throat, a hint of new hue to gray cheeks. Ones that apparently also hold dimples from the broad smile that squeezes them. "As I mentioned... you are very welcome." She has mentioned that an inordinate number of times in the past minutes. "It was no great trouble; more than worth the effort."

Auranar ducks her head and then shakes it. "It means a lot to me." She laughs lightly and then straightens herself, pushing up the sleeves of her dress and looking about for an apron. Thankfully there is one nearby and she snags it to put on over her dress. "You can hold this for me if you like."

She offers her bag to Verna, once it has been relinquished she turns toward the oven and hums. The bag indeed holds a book. A rather old one in fact. Though Verna would have to take it out of the bag to tell much more about it. "Ah this is so wonderful, they even stocked the right herbs!" Auranar flashes a smile at Verna and waves the other woman to the side a little bit so that she can begin to take stock of where everything is.

Verna accepts the bag to free up Auranar, then steps aside to make way. She is suddenly grateful that the staff were thoughtful enough to have an apron (and a clean one, at that), convenient; a detail she had completely overlooked.

"I was uncertain what you might wish to prepare, and am not knowledgeable in Llyranosti cuisine," she explains, "thus I acquired what appeared the more commonly-used items..." When in doubt, she attempted to be thorough. Some may be needed, others not. Still others may be present in such quantity as to last for a lifetime of meals, for all Verna is aware.

Yes, there is a book in the bag. Possibly even a most intriguing one. Research is not the focus of the moment, however, and is far less of interest to Verna than the laughing, energized chef.

"It's hard to choose isn't it! I will absolutely have to make some bread, because I have been craving it for ages. I should start with it as well, so that it has time to bake properly." Auranar explains as she begins to carefully gather her ingredients. Nothing drastically important seems to be missing, and so it's easy enough to get started. She isn't making the sort of brown bread that humans prefer, or even their fluffy white loaves that are used for sandwiches and other such items. No, this is elvish bread.

In moments she's up to her elbows in dust, explaining how the ingredients go together so that they make the right thing. She talks eloquently about her distant relitives in Llyranost who had taught her how to make it once she'd been old enough to leave Alexandria and seek them out. In short, she enjoys talking while she cooks, and while the bread does its thing she makes a mixture of rice and various vegetables to go with it. A few assorted vegetables that are less common here in Alexandria and hearten her heart to see, and that's it.

The whole kitchen smells of herbal bread by the time she's done, and she pulls out the surprisingly flat bread with a warm smile on her features, encouraging Verna to take a seat in the dinning room near the kitchen so that she can serve everything up. It's a perfect meal for the winter really, something warm and heartening to eat, and Auranar serves them both with a light rose tea that goes perfectly with everything. It might not be _perfect_, but if so, Auranar is probably the only one that can tell.

Verna does her best to remain out of Chef Auranar's way while also observing: the ingredients, the process, the Auranar, and her sharing details of both. She is an adept observer, though is not utterly silent in the process and makes an encouraging inquiry here and there.

She feels somewhat ...lacking? selfish? as she is shooed from the kitchen, even if just to acquire a table. This is none too difficult as one was reserved in addition to the kitchen (next time an apron will also be pre-arranged rather than left to chance). Verna also feels distinctly hungry with the bombardment of new and pleasant spells. If anything is somehow not _perfect_, she has not found such yet; not in relation to Auranar's work or presence.

"That was... this is... you are.." As all is laid out and they are served, Verna is torn between referencing the meal, its preparation, or the chef. "Rather amazing. Thank you."

Not for the first time Auranar is glad of her dark complexion to hide her flush, but her embarrassment shows anyways. She nods once in acknowledgement of the gratitude. "Consider it my thanks for reserving the kitchen. Here, you get started and I'll be right back." Auranar disappears into the kitchen long enough to make sure that the appliances are off and put her apron away before returning. She pulls her sleeves down and joins Verna at the table.

Quite some time has passed since they first came into the TarRaCe, but Auranar doesn't seem to notice until she sits down and notices that the pace of things has certainly changed in the restaurant. "What do you think of the food? Do you like it?" She tries a little of her own portion and hums in approval of the taste.

Verna watches Auranar dash off, though her attention has returned to her plate in the interim. Uncertain whether there might be some specific etiquette or sequence to the various portions of the meal, she defaults to a bite and bit of this and that.

Different. Intriguing. The first adjectives that come to mind are also defaults. Realizing this, she takes a moment for more consideration. 'Different' and even 'edible' may be true, but she has learned enough to realize that they could be considered quite unflattering. Also, that was only part of the question.

She nods to her, first, as she finishes chewing. "I enjoy it. The bread is not what I expected, and pleasantly so... though, in hindsight, I do not know why I am surprised after smelled it bake. I do not believe I have had this vegetable before, or prepared in this manner..."

One more bite, perhaps to fill her mouth rather then continue a potentially unflattering comment. Perhaps she rather enjoys it. Or both?

A warm smile spreads across Auranar's features. "Not everyone appreciates sildanyar cuisine. It's very different than the human norm. More vegetables and herbs, different flavors. People don't always know what to expect, and then there's a bombardment of unusual things that make the palette confused." She lets out a light chuckle. "When I stayed with my relatives it took me a few months to adjust and really appreciate the more subtle nuances of what they were trying to accomplish. But it's a good thing to try new things in my opinion, and I'm glad that you're enjoying the experience."

Verna considers all of that for a long moment: the mention of flavors while they are still on her tastebuds; the sharing amongst family; Auranar's smile (last but not likely least).

"I do not believe that I hold anything familiar to which to compare this. My parents did not prepare meals, nor did I visit extended relatives with any frequency and not outside formal events. It did not occur that meals, or their preparation, could be a manner of ...sharing."

Auranar blinks at this and seems surprised. "That's... Surprising to me. Even at the orphanage, we shared meals together. I thought it was a human custom that was shared with elves. Perhaps I was wrong and it was simply a convenience for the orphanage and a custom among the elves alone." She seems thoughtful now.

Verna shakes her head and holds up a hand to lightly halt or wave away concerns. "I would consider my childhood atypical, at least in the context of Alexandria or Alexandros in general. My parents were Charneth merchants. Their focus was ever upon the business, wealth, and social standing."

"Ah!" Auarnar blinks again and it is her turn to look at Verna with interest. "I did not know that your parents were Charneth merchants. Does that mean that you traveled a lot as a child?" She seems genuinely interested in learning more about Verna, perhaps even more so than she is interested in her meal though she continues to make her way through it politely while they talk.

Verna continues to dine: in no great rush given that bites or sips are between bits of conversation, though no hesitation nor concern with the quality. "They did so, rather extensively. I did not, aside from a few formal gatherings or events. With the amount of time available, I expect that is when my interest in reading fully took hold. I learned far more of the world beyond from books, though enough from them that I declined to join the family business. Much to their disappointment." A pause for breath and she notes, "Your upbringing seems far more intriguing and exciting in my opinion.

"I doubt you would find it that exciting in truth." Auranar says with some amusement. "After all, the life of an orphan is a rather dreary one. I suppose that my own interest in books began for much the same reason as yours. A desire to know the outside world. I knew I wasn't like the other children... they constantly teased me for my ears."

Here she pauses ducking her head and smiling. "So really, it wasn't very exciting. Just... books and the adventures that any young child surrounded by other small children might have."

"I suppose that our similar interests began for similar reasons," Verna offers, a curl of a smile pulling at the edges of her lips; perhaps reflected from Auranar's, which is somewhat infectious. She lifts up slightly in her seat to look down at the ducked head. "Further, there is nothing amiss with your ears," she assures, with the caveat, "though I am obviously biased."

Auranar laughs lightly and shakes her head. "I know that now, but you must imagine what it is like for a small child to have pointed ears when no-one else does. Children are... curious by nature, and when influenced by the outside world, often cruel." She shrugs and then laughs again. "Perhaps my experience there soured my opinion on children as I've no interest in them now much to the chagrin of my relatives."

Verna ahs softly and nods, though more an acknowledgement than understanding. "I had very little experience with children, even as a child." Her lips purse. Or relatives, for that matter, though this is thought rather than spoken. "I do not encounter many in my duties or studies, not directly..." Which is not a terrible issue considering her duties.

Some belatedly curiosity is sparked by the last comment and she inquires, "Do you seek to avoid interaction with children? Or do you refer to interest in bearing your own?" After a pause her lips purse again and she adds, "If that was inappropriate, you need not clarify."

The question is enough to startle a laugh from Auranar and she shakes her head. "I don't mind! It's a fair enough question given that I didn't really clarify. I don't mind children in general, but have no interest in having my own." She wrinkles her nose at the idea and shakes her head. "I'm simply not the mother-type."

Verna's head tilts as she now considers. "The idea had not occured enough to give it thought, yet... If maternal abilities are hereditary or learned by example, I am supremely confident that I would be a most inept parent."

Following a sip, she gestures to Auranar with her glass. "While I expect you would fare far better, aptitude does not make you required to. If your family wishes to expand their numbers, they can provide their own children."

There's a low chuckle from Auranar. "That's how I feel about the matter. Regardless of if I have the skills, I lack the _desire_, which I have always felt is something of a prerequisite for having children." She shakes her head. "My family will simply have to be satisfied with that."

Verna nods in her continued agreement, and perhaps a bit after, in thought. "If I may ask, what is it you do desire? Aside from cuisine, and research? If they are any example, you are quite talented with anything that holds your interest."

Auranar smiles a little at the question but shrugs. "Aside from the complete annihilation of Eclavdran and all his lackeys?" She makes a rough noise in her throat and settles her fork down. Her food done and only her tea remaining. "Eventually someone to grow old with I suppose. I haven't had much time to think about the future with the demon running about."

Verna frowns at that mention, even if it is wholly unexpected in hindsider. She counters it with effort to make her lips a flat, if taut, line. "Well, yes. That much I presumed. It is a desire we most certainly share, and work towards."

The rough noise sparks a flash of concern, though she cannot fault Auranar for any amount of vehement zeal on that particular endeavor. After a brief silence as she considers her words, she settles upon, "I look forward to the time when we shall be able to consider our futures without his name, or thought of it, involved. With effort and fortune, may it be soon."

"May it." Offers Auranar in agreement and drinks the last of her tea. "Here, I should get this and the kitchen cleaned up. It would be rude to leave such a large mess after they were kind enough to allow us to use their facilities."

Verna had not intended it as an impromptu toast (nor even bringing up the topic, really), yet it is a positive tiding to wish and strive for. She consumes the remained of her glass in kind, sets it down, and promptly rises. "Of course, I would not leave things in disarray... nor will I leave you to clean after the cooking. Allow me."

She may not be a professional busser, but it is something far nearer her capabilities than the culinary arts which Auranar displayed. She collects the dinnerware from the table to take them towards the kitchen.

Relieved of her duties as cleanup, Auranar bemusedly picks up the few things that Verna has not the hands to collect, and follows her into the kitchen. "I can not let you do it all alone, so... if you wash I will dry and put everything away. That seems fair yes?"

Verna could, admittedly, use more hands, at times. As well, she did not, in this instance, utilize magic to carry along what she could not. "That is fair and acceptable," she admits as she puts the dishes down at the sink to prepare to wash them. "You would also know far better than I the proper locations to store them."

Perhaps only now that she shall be shoving her hands into water does the presence of her robes stand out and/or provide an impediment. She steps aside for a moment to pull them off over her head and fold them briskly to place on a clean spot on the counter.

This leaves her in a violet dress; a relatively simple one-shoulder affair, though tailored for her, with a perhaps daring slit up the side opposite the shoulder strap. Bare arms, at the least, suitable for washing. Which she begins to do, though not with great haste. With only two of them there is not so much to clean, even when the cookware is included.

Auaranar dries as Verna washes, huming softly to herself. "That's a lovely dresss on you." She remarks of Verna's hidden attire. "Do you usually wear such nice dresses under your robes?" She asks curiously as she puts a tea cup away.

Verna pauses in part of her scrubbing and the dresses hue reflects a bit more on her cheeks. "Thank you." A pause before she turns towards, hands mostly resuming their task. "No, I do not. I considered this a special occasion, and an acquaintance was generous enough to aid me to find something deemed suitable." A tentative smile forms. "I am pleased that you like it."

The elvish woman grins at Verna. "Well, next time you should wear it out in the open rather than when you're washing the dishes." Auranar is amused. "Now you risk getting suds all over it! The shame!" She chuckles.

Verna's lips purse more certainly than they smiled. "Indeed," she admits, turning her head and eyes back to the dishes. "The intent was to surprise... regrettably I overlooked the reveal in the course of preparation, dining, and conversation. A bit of soap or water will not harm it."

"Well, that might be so." Offers Auranar, but she's clearly still amused. Perhaps even more so now that she knows that she distracted Verna from her reveal of the dress. "You'll absolutely have to wear it the next time that we have a meal though. A dress like that is asking for the world to see it."

Verna may have scrubbed the that pan a bit too sudsy as it drops from her hands, albeit into the water without harm to it or others. Her head turns to Auranar. "If you think it so," she glances down at herself somewhat self-consciously, then back up, "I will wear it in the future. Without the robes," she explicitly adds.

Auranar tilts her head at the response, but shrugs and returns to drying the dishes. "As it should be." Eventually, they'll finish up with the dishes and Auranar will stretch to relieve some of the tension from her muscles. "Well, thank you again for setting this all up." She offers a smile to Verna, and picks up her little bag with the book inside of it.

Verna steals away the towel afterwards briefly, just to dry her hands. "You are very welcome. Thank you, as well. I enjoyed this a great deal.

She has been pleasantly distracted from academic matters as well as attempting to avoid certain topics. The lifting of the bag, its contents, and the prior affirmed shared interest now does prompt her to note,if generally, "If you ever wish aid with further pursuits, please feel welcome to inquire."

"Certainly. Thank you again for everything Verna." Auranar waves to the other woman, and moves to leave. "I will catch you later!" She waves again to Verna, and heads out the door into the waiting room they'd just come out of not so long ago. "Goodevening!"

-End