Sampling new creations

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"It's so wonderful to be able to trust when you say that," I told her, grinning. "There are so many people who just tell me everything is wonderful. I know I'm good, but not good enough that everything is perfect."

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"We learn that very precept in Dahlia- self-confidence can only be good for you, but arrogance can only be bad," I said as I raised the glass of juice to my lips and sipped. "You are very good- I shouldn't wonder if you become the best-known cook in the City. The Night Court is already abuzz from the stories of those who have managed to come here."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"I wish more adepts came, it does seem like there are fewer and fewer," I said, thinking. "Maybe I should open for a lunch in the middle of the week, something just for adepts and those who can't usually make it. I know a lot of adepts don't want to spend too much on a meal and take away from their marques, so I could cut the prices to the bare minimum, let them have a place to meet away from the Night Court with friends and such. Do you think that would work? That they would like that?"

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

Eyes smiling warmly I said, "That is a wonderful idea, and the adepts would love it- all of the ones I know are always looking for places to mingle and speak. Plus, they would be sure to mention the place to their patrons, who would come in on regular hours."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

I smiled, happy with the plan.

"I think this is will work out well, I shall work it all out and then send notices around to the Houses," I told her. I reached across and squeezed her hand. "Thank you for the inspiration, this is going to be marvelous fun."

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

Smiling, I nodded. "I agree completely- I'll have to come down every time you offer those days because I am officially hooked on your w0nderful dishes. If the other adepts have the same good taste as I do where this is concerned then you'll have to build bigger facilities just for those gatherings." I chuckled lightly at the mental picture of so many adepts in one place- it would be like Midwinter without the masks.

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

I was absolutely beaming with the idea of these lunches.

"Speaking of getting you hooked, time for dessert," I said, rising and going to the cool room.

Brought back two dishes and set them in front of her, pushing the duck to the other side of the table.

"This is a lime and sweet cheese cake with crystallized lime peel on top, and this is a chocolate raspberry trifle," I told her.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

Smiling, I shook my head slightly. "Oh yes, I see extra hours in the salle today in my future," I said with a chuckle as I picked up the fork and held it delicately. "Which one first this time?"

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"The lime first," I said as I gathered up the other dishes and cleared them away. "The chocolate is going to be much richer and will linger longer."

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

Nodding in understanding I took a bite, considering the pie as I rolled it around my mouth. "It's refreshing, like lemonade in summer, but more exotic. Even while it's creamy it sits lightly- I love it. THe crystalized limes on top were a little hard to chew, though."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Noted," I said, stacking the used dishes. "They are mostly for decoration, and that should never interfere with the taste. I shall leave them off."

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

Smiling at having my advice taken- it was nice to know one was able to help another so- I moved on to the trifle, taking a bite. It was rich rapture.

"Absolutely marvelous- but I don't know if I could eat more than a very small portion of it. Then again, I have a girlish figure to keep up," I said with a chuckle. "Everyone will love this if they have a brain in their head."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

I laughed, bringing her a small glass of wine.

"This will help with the richness, this particular vintage is made especially for drinking when eating chocolate," I said, setting the glass down. "And I think you have no worries about your figure."

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"Thank you," I said graciously but with a warm smile and meaning it to encompass the compliment as well as the wine, which I picked up and sipped. It really did cut the richness of the chocolate and even tasted wonderful with the flavors left in my mouth. "One of the perils of being an adept is having to work hard to stay within the canon's framework, and for Dahlia that means a certain figure."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Another reason I couldn't have been an adept," I said, smiling.

"I am so glad I happened to pick just that moment to go in search of someone to do the sampling, it would have been a tragedy if I had needed up with someone else," I told her, truly pleased that I had found her. She was a lovely, bright woman with just the type of honesty I looked for.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"I'm very happy that I was in the area," I said with a grin. "You can be sure that I'd be willing to play cullinary critic whenever you wish."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"I am so happy to hear that, even though I may be forcing you into untold extra hours of exercise," I said with a grin and a wink. "I will try and make it worth it."

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"I have no doubt it will be worth every extra minute," I said with a smile. "If anyone asks why I'm doing so much sparring I'll be sure to let them know why and that it was a wonderful experience."

This man was very sweet and calm- maybe he could be a good friend. Friends were something that I was lacking in, as I tended to be a little off-putting at times. I would certainly have to stop by and visit to chat from time to time.

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"I will make sure and come to Dahlia first when I deliver the notices about the adept lunches. It seems fair that you find out the details first, and you shall always have a table available for your use," I told her.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"That is wonderful of you- thank you again," I said with a smile and a respectful nod. "You may be sure that I will be taking advantage of said table when the opportunity arises. I only hope I do the establishment justice."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Have no worries there, I am sure we will both do the other justice," I told her. She really was a lovely woman, I was sure she was quite the star at Dahlia, such grace and bearing.

"Would like any more of anything? Can I get you more wine?" I asked her.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"I'm fine, thank you," I said with a grin, taking another sip. "This seems the sort of place that does justice to whoever enters it, as long as they respect the atmosphere and those who they share the space with." My mind alighted on a piece of gossip I'd overheard involving Desir and the Duc de Morhban, but I wasn't going to bring that up; it was rude to gossip about a person's business, whatever that business may be.

"What sort of renovations are you having done?"

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Mostly just replacing some beams with stronger ones. I harbor this fear that one night the roof will come crashing down, literally. Some beams became available in this wood that supposed to be the strongest anywhere, so up they are going," I said grinning sheepishly. I knew it was a silly fear, but it was there none the less.

"There are new windows going in the front later though, they have this beautiful etching around the edges, they will look marvelous."

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

Smiling in sympathy, I said, "I understand that- I've always been afraid of deep water- lakes, rivers and such- so I guess it's best that I have never had to leave the City, much less Terre d'Ange. I have no idea why, but the idea of getting into a body of water I can't see the bottom- who knows what may be down there?"

Shaking my head slightly I thrust the thought away. "Etched glass is always lovely- I'm sure the shop will look as beautiful as the food or more so once it is all finished."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Hopefully not more so, since the food is really the point," I said, chuckling. "I am always wary of establishments that spend more time on atmosphere than on recipes, I think they are trying to hide something."

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"I can understand that as well- fine, then may the place end up JUST AS pretty as the food," I amended with a chuckle as I grinned widely. "I doubt anything less than gold-plated walls could distract from your recipies though, they overshadow everything else about the place while making it seem to somehow glow."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Now you're going to make me blush," I said, smiling with pleasure. I soak up compliments as much as any other, though I am not vain about it. "Either that or my head will swell too much to ever leave the kitchen."

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

cocking my head and raising a brow I said wittily yet dryly, "Would you never leaving the kitchen be a problem then? I'm sure your customers wouldn't complain, though you would have to entertain all of your friends from there."

[Plaisir Durante (R)]

"Plus, I'd never get to be self indulgent," I said with a laugh. "I could always have bigger doors cut."

I stood up and cleared away the other dishes.

"Are you sure you don't want any more of anything?" I asked her.

[Allisande nó Dahlia]

"I'm sure," I said with a smile. "Anyway, I should be going and letting you get back to your creating."

Standing smoothly I dropped into a respectful curtsey and then stood, smiling wider. "It's been wonderful, I hope I get the opportunity to come by and visit again soon."