songerein | [Open Mingle] Entry 003

Entry tags:

[Open Mingle] Entry 003

Who: Kazuma Asogi, Soldier: 76, Susato Mikotoba and anyone else.
Which: Open mingle
Where: The Wild Harvest, located on the ground floor of Kazuma's home.
What: Soft opening for a small pub called the Wild Harvest.

A new pub has opened in Reverein, though the news is only being spread through word of mouth, or if people just happen by the place this month. Kazuma isn't exactly new to managing a pub, but he wanted to be sure he does it right this time. So he's keeping things small and simple, while the crew work out any issues that may come up during the month.

The place already has a much more welcoming feel to it compared to the Hydeout, like a quaint little neighborhood pub. Right next to the pub was a garden, part of it growing into the pub itself. There's a herb station setup if people want grab something else to add to their dishes, though at the moment, the selection is limited until they can grow more plants. There are garnish and spice noodle dragons also roaming about, and they will occasionally add a little extra to a customer's food or drink.

The menu itself is moderately simple, listing various eastern and western style street food dishes. There is also a note that reads: Can request something to be cooked off menu, as long as there are ingredients.

A sign has been put up near the entrance, listing the seasonal specials for the month.

Hot Chocolate (Alchoholic and Non)
Eggnog (Alchoholic and Non)
Cinnamon Apple Spice Tea
Meat Stew.
Roast Fowl.

Note: Meat will vary depending on what's available for the day.

Another can be found at the bar, this one being a "help wanted" sign. While Kazuma is satisfied having a crew he can trust, he could probably do with a full time bartender and bouncer. There are only three staffed at this pub right now. Kazuma is handling the front the best he can. He's not as conversive as his Hyde counterpart, but he'll try since he'll be the one most people will see. Occasionally 76 can be seen at the bar handling drinks, otherwise he'll be preparing the food along with Susato in the kitchen. A few times she'll peek out from the back to help clear tables, talking to the others during down time as she adjust to working a restaurant.

[This is basically an open mingle log for people to use the pub setting for whatever they like! Kazuma, Susato and/or 76 may also tag in, unless specified. Pub and garden area are open to the public.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Susato, with no actual experience working in a restaurant (unlike her two counterparts), does what she does best and channels all her nervous energy into keeping busy around the pub. Her main duties will be in the kitchen, of course, but since 76 seemed to have that handled to start, she starts from the outside, cleaning the main public area where they expect to serve the people.

Once she is satisfied, wiping down all the tables and sweeping the floor, she busies herself with the decorations. Namely, she can be seen placing a decorative replica of a Japanese sword on a small counter that's set off to the side, with the only addition being the red ribbon she has specifically tied near its hilt.

Because she already showed her hand by gifting Kazuma a ring for his return from the forest, she obviously had to find something else for Christmas; something for his new place of business instead. And she has to smile, seeing it in its rightful place.

She can't admire it for too long though. Once she is happy with that, she'll have to will herself to get back to her work, and she can be seen going in and out of the kitchen, multitasking her cooking and waitressing, which includes occasionally clearing off tables.

Whew! She's got this, right? Right. ]

[ A Japanese restaurant! Finally! Ignore the fact that Ferris doesn't really know what that entails, nor does she know that technically her favourite food is Japanese either-- what brings her the most relief is that this is somewhere run by people who appeared here much the same as she did.

The chances are the food won't screw her around here, no matter what it happens to be...

But with all that said, she's not completely sure what to think when she enters, though she catches sight of Susato almost immediately as she rushes around. But then... Ferris sees the sword and is drawn to it almost immediately... ]

[ The food will most definitely not screw her around, even if they haven't quite added dango to their menu. She has been working on perfecting the roast fowl, and by "working on" she means she made it for Christmas dinner last week and it seems to have been a smash hit, so she resolves to repeat the process.

...

When she turns, she catches sight of the blonde hair immediately. Susato does recall seeing her skill with a sword not long ago. ]

Hello, Ferris. Do you like it? [ Susato glances briefly at the Karuma look alike. ] It is only a replica, but I hoped it would bring a bit of Japanese spirit to the place.

That's where you're from, correct? Are swords such as these commonplace there?

[ An odd blade, slightly curved. Ferris hasn't seen one quite like it. In Roland, they have the standard straight sword, whether it be one or two handed. Something like this might be a hero relic, perhaps, if it existed there. ]

[ Susato will of course nod. She still remembers, however brief the moment, when she thought Ferris was Japanese herself. ]

They are called katana, swords wielded by mighty samurai warriors. This particular one was fashioned after the Karuma, which has been a part of the Asogi family for generations.

[ Not that that should mean anything to Ferris. Oops. ]

He owns the place, you see. This is actually part of his home.

[ While a sword passing through a family does not feel familiar to her, the idea of a family doing so is not particularly outlandish. After all, is she herself not part of a family of swordsmen? A tradition passed down from parents to child? (Though the manner in which this was done with the Erises was not particularly... good.)

A sword passed down from generation to generation sounds far more pleasant. ]

I see.

[ So borrowing the sword is probably not a great idea, even if it is a replica; no matter, Ferris has her own, after all. ]

A generous man to share his home like this, all for the sake of a restaurant.

[ ...She is quiet and thoughtful, as if considering how Ferris's perceptions matched up to the real thing. "It's something to do," he had said. "...There isn't exactly a high demand for lawyers."

...... ]

It was convenient... I think. [ Not to knock Kazuma's efforts, just speaking truth. ] It took a lot of cleaning to open around the new year like he wanted, but it's all worked out rather perfectly. There is even a garden where we grow our ingredients.

[Having already spoken with Kazuma about the more pressing reason she was here, it was time to sit back and enjoy some of the food they have to offer. This feels like the kind of place Tifa would come to enjoy a quiet afternoon in, with a cup of coffee or tea and a snack, maybe a nice book while she's at it. It's calm, serene in its own unique way... except for one thing.

Seeing the girl rushing this way and that, coming in and out of the kitchen and multitasking as if her life depended on it, she waits for her to wander over when it's her turn to do rounds about the place, and when she does, Tifa sets her menu down with a smile.]

You should try taking a breath or two.

[ Hahahaha, Susato is... trying very hard, but truth be told, if it were so easily noticed, perhaps she could still learn a thing or two about the whole process. She is very much picking things up as she goes--in more ways than one, as Tifa has stopped her with her hands full from clearing yet another table, but she sheepishly takes her point. ]

O, Of course.

[ Kazuma is counting on her though--as much as she feels like he probably doesn't need her at all, she fully believes that, so at the very least, she owes it to him (and Tifa too) to take a deep breath and maybe slow down just a tad. ]

You... You were speaking to Kazuma-sama earlier, correct? Did he already take your order?

[ Nosy as she is, she has kept herself busy enough that at least no one can say she's eavesdropping, at least! ]

No. Hadn't decided earlier if I wanted something to eat, but I got a little hungry.

[Tifa motions to her table, for Susato to at least set whatever is in her hands down for a moment. She has a few questions about Kazuma—well, more or less how he runs the place, but she'll get to those in a moment. First, the poor girl needs to breathe!]

76 brought up that he was looking for a bartender, and I just happened to know someone. [She points to herself with a laugh.] Figured I'd pop by and see things for myself, but now I'm at a loss of what to order.

[ It's just a couple of dirty glasses. When Tifa motions her over, Susato obliges without thinking, but she'd still rather not put any used dishes at her table if she can help it, so she finds herself hovering, but very interested. ]

Oh! Well, today I have roast duck, freshly made if you'd be interested. Or you may also ask 76 for his stew...

[ It takes her a moment to kick herself out of customer service mode, because not only is Tifa a customer, she is a potential employee, meaning they'd be coworkers. ]

...Were you hoping to sample our skills before you decided whether you should join us? [ There's a bit of a chuckle, but Susato wouldn't blame her if that were the case. Either way, she certainly wasn't expecting to find someone so quickly when she wrote up those Help Wanted fliers. ]

You know, I don't think I've ever had roast duck before, so let's go with that.

[She trusts her recommendation, and it's always fun to try something new, but her next question draws a laugh right out of Tifa, so much that she lifts a hand to her lips to stifle some of it.]

I sure am. Gotta make sure I know what I'm working with before I make any decisions......

[Her arms fold over her chest, and she examines Susato, like she's sizing her up.]

I'm kidding. I love the place already, but it's up to Kazuma whether or not he'd like to find someone else to tend the bar.

[ Gosh, not the arm folding! She is glad Tifa clarified a few seconds later, because she wouldn't have known how to respond to that. She laughs too, giving her a polite bow to indicate that she's received her order. ]

If you have the experience, I'm sure he would say yes--if that's what you want. [ Hell, Susato has none and she's still working here. ] Let me go get that order for you in the mean time.

[ And clear her hands of these dirty dishes. Just before she disappears into the kitchen though-- ]

Ah, and who do I have the pleasure of serving today?

Tifa Lockhart.

[She perches her chin on her hands, smiling up at her.]

And who do I have the pleasure of being served by today?

[ Susato wants to bow so badly. Habit dictates it, and it may be obvious, but with her hands full, she just manages to lower her head a little. ]

I am Susato Mikotoba. I grew up with Kazuma-sama, as his little sister. It is very nice to meet you, Miss Lockhart.

[ Should she have said that? Maybe she shouldn't be embarrasing him-- ]

I, I will be back as soon as I can!

[Oh, there will be plenty of chances to embarrass him when she returns. Tifa has some questions about her new boss and fellow garden enthusiast, but there is one thing before she rushes off—]

Just Tifa's fine. [No Miss! They are all friends here.] And you better be! I wanna hear some stories over some lunch, if you've got the time.

[ She called Ryunosuke Mr Naruhodo for well almost a year, and she lived with him, so that would certainly be a tough habit to break! She will try, though. The last thing she would want to do is disrespect her wishes, and her polite smile is the last thing Tifa sees before she pokes her head into the kitchen.

Stories? ...About Kazuma? Oh, boy. ]

[ With that at the back of her mind, Susato doesn't exactly keep track of how long it takes her to slice the duck once she's finally happy with it. She certainly brings her presentation A game, though, thinking back to all the restaurants she's been at over the past year to make it look professional as she can.

When she finally brings it out, it is still steaming, and arranged quite neatly with a healthy side of vegetables that they've started growing right here in their new garden. She carefully takes it from the tray where she was carrying it, setting the dish in front of Tifa. On either side of it, she places the silverware, and an extra set of napkins within arm's reach. ]

Here you are. I do hope you'll tell me what you think.

[ ?! No, staying to actually see her reaction would set off her nerves like crazy. It's not normal for staff to just hang out with the customers while on duty, anyway. Things are pretty slow-going though, at least for the moment, and Tifa specifically requested it...

That is, if she was not just saying that to be polite, or something. ]

[The chair on the other side of the table squeaks when Tifa gently nudges it out from underneath with her foot. It isn't hanging around if Susato is joining her, right? It feels less awkward than her standing around at the table.

She gives herself a moment to take in the food—the smell especially that makes her stomach grumble, and how it's so neatly arranged on the plate. The vegetables look fresh too, and she wonders if it was Kazuma himself who'd grown them in the garden. He'd taught her how to properly plant tomatoes, so it seemed fitting that he'd do the same thing here!

And whenever Susato does join her—or rather, if—then she'll take her first bite at last, and when she does, she has to bring a hand up to her mouth.]

It's like it's melting right on my tongue. This is fantastic!

[And she isn't just saying any of this to be polite!]

[ The chair squeaks, and that is all the gentle push she needed, apparently. On top of there being a lull in business, Susato recalls (vaguely) that breaks are a thing that working people have to take sometimes. So she happily takes a seat after another look around, giggling at her response.

She sees no reason to suspect that it is ingenuine, at least. ]

Excellent! Then, your compliments to the chef-- [ Then she mimics Tifa pointing to herself from earlier. ] Ah, wait. That would be me.

[She's going to try to not be rude and scarf the entire dish down without making some conversation—it was her who asked Susato to join her anyway, and she'll even slide the plate closer to the middle to share in case she's feeling like it—but it's proving to be a difficult feat.]

Have you been cooking long? Professionally, or otherwise?

[Once again, this just proves that food is the one universal thing that can bring any two people together.]

[ Susato doesn't react to the plate being pushed--she wouldn't dare even consider taking any for herself in this context, but there's definitely room in the future for these two to share a meal together.

She shakes her head, reacting mainly to the word 'professional.' ]

Oh, no. This is the closest I've come to cooking in a professional setting, but... I've cooked for family for about as long as I can remember. My grandmother taught me--well, when I wasn't studying.

[ In old-timey Japan, this sort of thing is just what girls did. ~Gender roles.~ ]

Ooh, studying what?

[Forgive her for any and all questions she might be asking.

Tifa is, by nature, a curious social butterfly and whether she's working the bar or not, she had always taken an interest in learning about the people she comes to meet. Never know when she's going to learn something interesting from someone, and there are even more surprises to be had when they all come from different worlds. Those kinds of things—listening to others, especially—came with the territory.]

I never got to finish school myself, but there are so many things out there to learn...

[There's a nostalgic, whimsical sort of air to the way she says it, thinking back to the old days in Nibelheim where she did get to do all those things that came with being a teenager.]

[ Susato also finds peoples' experiences to be endlessly interesting, so she doesn't mind the questions at all. It's actually a bit of a pleasant surprise to be on the receiving end--she's not used to people taking an interest, usually.

Maybe Tifa will change her mind though when she hears the answer. Who knows. ]

The law. [ There is a slight sparkle in her eyes when she answers. Yeah. ] I was always surrounded by textbooks and the like. I was expected to be Kazuma-sama's faithful judicial assistant, to support him as he became a lawyer.

[ Things... did not go to plan, but rather than get into all that, Susato decides to return the question with her own. ]

Um... why were you unable to finish school?

[Oh, Susato! Don't turn this around on her! She wants to know more about the law, and what kinds of things studying it entails—truly! But... to answer the question...

There's a noticeable stretch of silence that follows, but Tifa fills it by taking a bite of her food, enjoying and savouring the flavour as she tries to find the best way to answer. What really happened isn't exactly lunch talk with someone she's just met, but she doesn't want to be dishonest about it either. So, once she swallows her bite—]

I had to move away from home suddenly, and the place I moved to wasn't exactly the best place for a fifteen year old to be. I had to take some time to recover from an injury too, and by then, I guess that's when I stumbled into the bar a few years later.

[And it kind of took over her life then. Not that she minded. She thrived there.]

Sometimes I think about going back... finding something I'm interested in and going from there, you know?

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