Solo Sunshine and Potatoes [The Herald's Arms]

[Cosette Merryweather]

1st of Winter of 513 A.V.

Certainly there were other establishments that she could find employ in but the Herald's Arm seemed perfect for her purposes. It encouraged privacy and at the same time she could practice the craft that she loved but did not seem to have as much talent in as she would have wanted.

Still, she had heard a story or two, that Mister and Missus Louger where approachable and she hoped to take advantage of their demeanor... finding work was not an easy thing, if pity or their naturally bright disposition could be a boon to her then she would take any blessing she could get.

She would wait for the right time - hardly a challenge for any Nuit - and attempt to converse with any member of the staff who was not terribly busy with the most friendly smile and the most tender voice she could manage.

"Good afternoon... I hope I am not troubling you but I have heard that there is a vacancy in this establishment and that you are looking for an assistant cook?" Cosette's voice was a little stiff and the nervous shifting of her feet betrayed her anxiety. She'd never handled herself well in interviews and introducing herself to one who could very well be her senior in this establishment if ever the gods determined that she should be hired was a little taxing on her composure. "If I am mistaken I humbly apologize and I shall be quickly on my way..." her bow was low, very low and she did not dare look up at the person she was addressing until she was spoken to.

[Cosette Merryweather]

"Its not everyday that rumors are correct, but yes... we are looking for someone that can help in the kitchen." the person who attended to her looked like a strict man. He wore a tight fitting tunic that did little to hide his surprisingly impressive physique, an apron over the said tunic and he sported a thick brown mustache and severely cropped hair. If he had been wearing plate armor instead of an apron and a rose-colored shirt she may have mistaken him for a knight... but no, she doubted any self respecting knight would wear an apron with that kind of frilly, flowery design upon it's front.

"Forgive the manner of dress," he said, hands sweeping over his chest downwards. "I've only just woken up, we have more customers after daylight."

"..." somehow, the girl couldn't bring herself to speak just yet. She was simply too caught up by the man's strong presence that she felt reluctant to interrupt his speech.

"The silent type are you? Well... you'll be in the kitchen so it wouldn't matter, but the question stands... will you pass the test?" he leaned forward, his pectorals frighteningly close to the face of a girl who suddenly seemed nervous. "But before that I do have an important question, well, not so important but my curiosity is stoked. Which do you prefer, over easy or sunny side up?"

That wasn't a question she expected to hear, but perhaps it was more a personal inquiry... she only hoped it wouldn't affect her chances of being employed. It was hard to read people, but this man was even harder to see through. He was more than queer, he was just downright strange. "Sunny side up...?" she answered, hesitating to say more than she thought she should. Opinions were dangerous things after all and Cosette was not one to invite danger.

[Cosette Merryweather]

Because the man merely smiled and nodded at her answer Cosette couldn't sincerely determine whether he was satisfied with her answer or was only pretending to, but he allowed her to follow him into the kitchen - his kitchen she realized when everyone casually followed the orders he barked upon entering the large stone room. A small cottage hearth was nothing like a big city stove, that was the first coherent thought that the rattled girl conceived after being shocked by the flurry of activity within. She had never seen so many pans, pots, knives and that many meat and potatoes. That almost nothing was being left unattended only lent a greater impression of activity to the young girl's impressionable mind.

With little warning the man who had brought her here practically dragged the girl by her wrist towards the only vacant table in the entire room and he haphazardly plopped down a whole chicken right before her on a wooden plate. "Can you prepare this within the hour? Any meal you want, the faster you finish the better your chances of being hired."

Cosette swallowed softly. She'd have to remove the innards, wash it, the works. Already time was running and anymore hesitation might very well cost her the chance to secure this job. She bobbed her head and with newfound confidence driven by a touch of desperation she spoke loudly and firmly. "I'll finish it in half the time!"

The man laughed and so did the others watching. "Alright, you have your chance. Try not to waste the meat or you'll be paying for that from your own pockets."

[Cosette Merryweather]

Perfect. A chance, that was all she really needed. She had to be cautious, speed was one thing but what she needed here was precision. The chicken was clean enough, the moisture and droplets hinted at the possibility that it had only been recently washed. Fortunately for her removing the feathers was no longer an issue either, someone had done her the favor of doing that and she wasn't. But a cursory inspection of its innards confirmed her doubts. The innards, heart, liver, gizzard and all were still present.

She had to work fast, but her speed measured. She carefully washed the fowl again, just to be certain that it was clean because it would be irresponsible of her to assume that certain things had been done simply because they appeared that way. Cosette had to be sure, doubt couldn't enter her handiwork. She was quick, brisk in her movements and when it came to removing the giblets Cosette did her best to demonstrate her familiarity of a fowl's anatomy.

Her speed was far from laudable, but at least her knowledge her wasn't lacking. With utmost care she worked, hand and knife working in unison as she rid he chicken of giblets which could later be processed as raw ingredients for other delicacies. Minutes passed but her steady hands and cold precision allowed her to prepare the food in machine-like precision. Her cut was precise, neat, devoid of the mistakes a living chef might make... but she had to work faster now. She had spent too much time on the first step. Now it was time to give the chicken a wet rub since marinating wasn't going to be an option under time pressure.

She only hoped she still remembered how to do this properly. It had been so long since she'd been in a kitchen and she wasn't sure if her rusty skills could cope or if she'd truly forgotten. And so as she washed the chicken for the second time, she tried to raise knowledge that had long been forgotten...

[Cosette Merryweather]

This shouldn't be so difficult. She only needed to create a paste-like substance that would bring out flavor of the chicken.

First she took a small bowl, poured a bit of malt vinegar until the liquid filled the container to a quarter of it's size. Salt and sugar came into the equation, a trace of tamarind... the onion she had to peel to the best of her ability but the garlic she just crushed, using the trick she'd learned from when she was a child to use the force of impact to take care of skin. These two she chopped efficiently, her knife-work was becoming quicker as the memories returned to her and while she rocked the knife over the pieces of garlic and onion she was mindful of the sluggishness her being nuit cost her. Best to turn that into a strength, her still hands at the very least emulate precision that a novice wouldn't have. Less speed, more accuracy, that was the selling point she was trying to market to the chef measuring her performance.

Oregano, pepper, a tablespoon of olive oil and finally honey completed her mix and by the time she was finished the chicken was glazed-over, her concoction covering it from inside to outside. Hastily she introduced it to the stove, hoping that she still had time to spare but before she was finished the cook who was judging her performance pulled her back. "I'll take over from here." he said.

Crestfallen Cosette edged away from the stove.

She hadn't made the cut, that was the thought running through her head, but before she could wallow in misery she was directed to a different table. "You've still the second round to finish, a dessert. Got on it pronto."

Shaken, but her spirit renewed Cosette hurried to the next table and prepared herself for the next challenge. She needed to make something different... something that wouldn't be easy for many applicants to emulate - and something she couldn't screw up.

[Cosette Merryweather]

The girl ground her teeth. No ingredients for flan, it was a mistake thinking she'd have time for that. Something far simpler then. She picked up the nearest fruit, an apple and her mind quickly got to work while her hands also occupied themselves. She peeled the thing with a knife, careful to take into account her dexterity again. She was slower now, but that wasn't all about drawbacks. Breathing softly she sliced the apples into thin cubes. The flour came next, egg and water joined the first ingredient in a bowl and sugar and salt followed. She stirred briskly, introducing sliced mint into the combination until it was ready for her to knead... her intention was simple, easy to see through but her dedication seemed to be enough.

She was stopped by the chef again, but this time his expression was kindly and no longer severe. "You've passed - barely - but you have. You'll have to learn a lot more and I noted that you seem... slow, being cautious is an asset but you must learn to move faster. I won't give you complicated jobs for the moment and you may be asked to serve as a waitress and a courier when you have no obligations but if you are satisfied with these arrangements, we can consider you hired."

Too please Cosette bowed gratefully, almost like a supplicant in her manner and though there was no applause the people manning the kitchen seemed pleased enough. Perhaps it was her humility or that they sympathized with her since they had once been in her position, but for the moment Cosette couldn't be happier about the result of this interview - if it really was one.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" the man picked up a tray bearing a fragrant roasted brown fowl. He set it on to the table and flung a finger towards the apron and clothes hanging near the door leading into the chamber for the guests. "Your chicken is ready to be served, change into that and hurry along now."

Cosette nodded, only too pleased at this small miracle.

[Accolade]

Cosette Merryweather

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+ 2 XP
Cooking	+ 3 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	A test of skills - PASSED
•	Seeking employment at the Herald's Arms
•	Cooking tactic more speed, more accuracy

Notes :

Well done!!

The Sylir has spoken

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.