|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:04 pm
Who: Vivi, Shepard, and Leah
Where: Vermillion Bakery, Isle de Gambino
When: Late afternoon, around 4
Weather: Bright clear skies, sunny, with a crisp cool breeze. "Bloody 'ell, today's just good and rooted, isn't it," said a rather glum-looking Shepard Ryan, looking out the window to view the particularly gorgeous spring day with doleful grey eyes.
Vermillion Bakery was headed into the doldrum hours, when the lunchtime snackers fell off and the 'quick-bite-before-dinners' hadn't yet arrived. The bakery was quiet, save a few stragglers still enjoying pastries, or trying unsuccessfully to pet the grumpy cat. Vivi LaCelle wiped down tables with a flourish, humming a soft tune under her breath as she wove deftly between chairs, straightening things as she went. The sunny skies, the blossoming trees, the warm delicious air flowing through the bakery's open door -- none of that seemed "rooted" in the least to her.
"Ah, the grumpy Shepard." Vivi smiled as she wandered over to the tall Australian's post behind the cash register. "He is sad to be inside instead of outside by the waves! He thinks that nothing interesting is happening in this bakery to make up for it."
"Yes." Shepard snorted, eyes still locked on the shapes the sunlight and shadow were creating on the outside sidewalks. "That is exactly what the grumpy Shep feels."
"Ahh, so predictable, the angry Shepard. But do not worry! The still hours, they pass." Vivi laughed, hopping atop the counter and combing through her long dark hair with her fingers. She fixed her appearance as she waited for a reply, smoothing the white and red patterned fabric of her sundress and straightening the long, chunky necklace that hung halfway to her waist. But Shepard was in no mood to be cheered, and made no sound until she heaved a loud fake sigh and swatted him with her wiping rag. "Go." She said, chuckling under her breath. "I will watch here during the stillness -- but!" She held up a warning finger. "After the sun goes down---"
"Yeah, yeah, I come back." Shepard lifted himself with admirable speed, his tone belying his obvious pleasure at being let off the hook. He darted a quick peck on the Frenchwoman's cheek, checked his pockets for a wallet -- and then he all but bounded out of the store.
"Ah," said Vivi to herself with some amusement, watching Shepard's retreating form."So quickly I have been left alone!"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 8:31 am
Apart from the usual neighing of the horses and hooves against the cement floor, the stable was basking in a serene silence, one that Leah appreciated immensely. At this hour, everyone had gone home to get ready for diner, there were only a few riders left along the extended hallway lined by stalls and curious heads. Leah herself was rewarding her stallion with little treats and kisses all over his velvety nose. The praising only stopped once Leah noticed someone coming towards her.
"How's you're mare miss Roy?" With one last gentle pat, Leah moved away from the stallion towards the older lady.
"Oh she's okay, just needs a bit more exercise. Though I'm here to ask you if you've managed all the goods for the reunion?"
Leah cringed, she'd completely forgotten about the reunion. Running a hand through her unkepted rusty hair, she bit her bottom lip. "I'll get to it right away, I promise."
The older lady shook her head, disappointment clearly written all over her face. As if she'd predicted the events, the woman produced a small folded paper and extended it towards Leah. "You're lucky I know a bakery, good stuff. It's called Vermillion Bakery, if you leave now I'm sure you'll make it in time."
Leah quickly snatched the paper and took a jump back. "Thank you miss Roy! You saved my butt again!" And then she was turning around and making a quick exit through the front of the barn, if she'd taken a look behind her, she would have noticed the woman standing and shaking her head at her.
With her window down, the light breeze, and the sun shinning down, Leah drove moderately towards the address she'd been given. Today would have been a perfect day to go riding, granted she hadn't been doing anything for the past two hours, but now she regretted and had to go pick up some things. The trip was short, and soon she was turning into the parking lot and taking up one of the spaces. A customer just coming out of the bakery gave her one look over, she gave him a toothless smile and made her way to the front.
She was probably quite the odd one when she entered, the store was relatively empty, and Leah wished she could return outside and just spend the day in a field. She was just a bit socially awkward within the city, and her riding attire did nothing to blend her in. However, giving one look around, the rider found herself enjoying the light smell of baked goods and the overall circus feel of the room. Finally her eyes stopped moving and landed on what Leah thought was the owner of the bakery, she moved towards her.
"Hi." She offered the woman a smile and her extended hand, both from usual habits of dealing with new customers at the ranch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 6:29 pm
Vivi looked up from where she was straightening a batch of fresh baguettes for the evening crowd, the wheat-gold loaves perfectly matching the woven basket in which they lay. As Leah approached, she brushed off her hands swiftly on her black ruffled apron and took the rider's hand, her face softening in a soft, professional smile -- normal 'give-me-a-cookie-and-a-cuppa-tea' customers didn't generally begin with a handshake, so she assumed that this particular customer was interested in something more substantial than a late afternoon snack.
"'allo, bonjour," Vivi said, her low voice taking a warm, welcoming tone. "What can I do for you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:08 pm
Leah relaxed as she took the womans hand and gave it a soft hand shake, she was self conscious for a brief moment at how clean her hands were after having horse slobber all over them. For now it was no use to fret over such a thing, she'd already grabbed the womans hand.
"'allo, bonjour," The French accent that woman displayed came at a surprise for the rider, and her eyes grew big for an instant. She found she particularly liked it, though she had to confess it was the first she'd heard.
"What can I do for you?"
"Well, someone recommended this bakery, see we're having this reunion and I completely forgot about it, and I kind of need cake, and pastries and maybe candy if you make any? Or anything sweet the horses would eat, or sugary works too. Maybe peppermint or carrot or mint or... I'm sorry I am rambling, I have no idea on what to get. Just that my guest are both human and equines. " So her social bee side had gotten the better of her, Leah tended to spill quite the amount of words within one sentence when a tad nervous.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 7:55 pm
Vivi's smile only grew wider as Leah spoke; if the other had displayed any nervousness, the Frenchwoman certainly hadn't noticed any. On the contrary, she was rather charmed by the taller woman and her riding uniform, and upon hearing her request, she drifted swiftly to one of the bakery's glass cases.
"Ah-hah! The party, it is for the equine and the equestrienne! Let us see what we can do." The baker kneeled down in front of the case, her gaze moving from treat to treat as she tried to remember what might be suitable (and unsuitable) for such parameters. "The oatmeal cookies, they have molasses in them. Perhaps these for the horses? I also have le gateau, the carrot cake, and the mint. Perhaps they may like an apple torte?" She gestured to the various confections as she mentioned them, and then looked up at Leah with an impish sort of grin. "As for the equestriennes, you may have your pick! Des bonbons, they are in the next display."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:43 pm
Leah followed behind the woman as bets as she could, not as swiftly as the baker, but she made it in time to hear the beginning of the woman's ideas. She also copied the other as she bent her knee's and she gazed into the glass.
"The oatmeal cookies, they have molasses in them. Perhaps these for the horses? I also have le gateau, the carrot cake, and the mint. Perhaps they may like an apple torte?"
Dear lord, Leah was already feeling hungry just by the thought of any of these savory delights melting away in her mouth. "What's an apple torte?" Her tone was highly curious, anything involving apples as a sure win, but she'd be damned if the cookies didn't interest her just as much.
"As for the equestriennes, you may have your pick! Des bonbons, they are in the next display."
"What do people usually like?" Leah was already drifting towards the next display in search of the sweets, she bent down again and enjoyed the view. She would definitely have to bring back a bag of candy for both herself and the horses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:27 pm
"The apple torte? It is as you see it -- apples, butter, flour, cinnamon, vanilla, eggs, sugar, the zest of lemon. It is often enjoyed with perhaps a scoop of ice cream? If you have time to warm it, of course. " Vivi rattled off, ticking the ingredients of on her fingers. She lifted herself, her eyes scanning the displays for other possible candidates for the woman's party. "It is a difficult question you ask. Most people decide on what they want before they even enter the store -- some chocolate, some fruit. Lately we have been having many who desire the chocolate dusted beignet, to go." Her finger tapped the glass above the confection in question. "The weather has been so nice, many people want to frolic in the fields while they eat."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:07 pm
Leah continued to quietly listen to the other woman, she really wanted those cookies. They seemed to be the perfect little treat for them, after all what horses doesn't like his oats? Moving once more, Leah returned to the other display again bending down and placing one finger pointed towards the cookies, she was careful not to touch the glass itself so she didn't leave an oily print.
"I'm really liking those cookies, is one hundred okay? I'm thinking of giving them all two cookies." She gave a small glance to see the womans reaction, then as if she suddenly felt like she'd lost all her manners, Leah straightened up.
"I'm Leah by the way, just though you should know since this might be a big order and stuff." She didn't know why, but she liked to know the name of people she liked doing business with. "And for the humans... Err I mean people, do apples and chocolate mix? But strawberries are really good too. Damn, all this is making me really hungry!" Leah chuckled, eyes returning to the display cases again. Maybe she could order something and talk about cakes?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:30 pm
Vivi listened, her features lined only with the faint, pleasant smile of professional interest, until Leah mentioned the words 'one hundred', and then all at once Vivi's eyes fluttered open wide, her mouth popping open in surprise. "I -- ah,--" She stood, one hand on her chest as she let out an impressed laugh and then collected herself with a quick shake of the head. "A pleasure to meet you, Leah! I am called Vivi. I hope our confections will be to your liking. Perhaps mademoiselle would like to try the cookie first before she puts in such an order?" said the Frenchwoman, slowly moving to the other side of the counter. She had faith in her baking talent, but any time a person put in that kind of order, well, she just wanted to be sure! And speaking of sureness... "Tell me, by when do you need this order?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:53 am
By the look of surprise, Leah guessed one hundred was going to be quite the large order. The rider was about to apologize when the other laughed, Leah followed suit with a quick laugh of her own to release her tension.
"A pleasure to meet you, Leah! I am called Vivi. I hope our confections will be to your liking. Perhaps mademoiselle would like to try the cookie first before she puts in such an order?"
Leah patted her stomach just as it made an angry gurgling noise in protest of being starved. "Sure, I'll take a cookie." Moving away from the glass, the rider went to take a seat at a table near the counter.
"Tell me, by when do you need this order?"
Turning slightly towards Vivi, Leah made a face at the thought of when they needed everything. If she remembered correctly, she'd need everything in four days, yes four days from now. "In four days." The rider had to stop herself, she'd been about to ask if she'd need help, a habit taken from teaching the younger riders and always lending a helping hand, but for now she stayed quiet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:29 am
"Ahhh, I see... " Vivi exhaled contemplatively, her head bobbing a few times in a slow nod as she mentally checked her schedule. 100 cookies, that wouldn't be so bad! She certainly could make an extra hundred easy, and they would be nice and fresh. She nodded again, this time with confidence. " Absolument. We can certainly get you that amount in four days -- if mademoiselle likes the cookie, of course?"
Vivi tipped her head curiously as the other tried the chewy golden cookie, the earthy sweetness of the molasses mixing with the soft crunch of oats. Those specific cookies had been Shepard's insistence, just as Granny Maplethorpe had put her foot down about the inclusion of scones in the bakery's menu. Shepard had a particular fondness for what he called 'healthy' cookies -- 'cowboy' cookies, oatmeal cookies, cranberry-walnut, etc, etc. The list would have dragged on forever if Vivi hadn't stopped him to say that any further cookies would have to be his responsibility from thereon out. But how could she argue? The truth was that they did taste good, and the average Gaian seemed more than happy to eat one of the 'healthy' cookies for breakfast than indulge in something truly sinful.
"Now, for the equestriennes. Apples and chocolate... perhaps less attractive than la framboise?" The Frenchwoman gestured to the line of wide chocolate raspberry tarts, each raspberry capped with the faint snow of confectioner's sugar and wrapped in a small bow. "These can be made much larger, so that you would not have to carry so much! And for the individual, perhaps the macaron?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 4:31 pm
" Absolument. We can certainly get you that amount in four days -- if mademoiselle likes the cookie, of course?"
Leah watched with hungry eyes as Vivi brought the cookie over to her, once it was set down in front of her, Leah slowly reached for it. Out of a random habit, she picked up the cookie and brought it close to her nose just take take a deep inhale. Things that smelled good, tasted just as good and her taste buds watered at the richness of the earthly smell. Licking her bottom lip once, Leah took a bit and took her time to chew. She could definitely taste the molasses and the and those oaks, the crunch gave the chewy cookie just the nudge it needed. The rider began bobbing her head up and down as she took another bit and a few 'Mmm's' slipped between her bits. After the cookie was done, Leah ran her tongue over her teeth before speaking.
"Now, for the equestriennes. Apples and chocolate... perhaps less attractive than la framboise?"
"These can be made much larger, so that you would not have to carry so much! And for the individual, perhaps the macaron?"
"Can I taste those too? I'll pay of course, but I haven't eaten and I wouldn't mind sampling" The rider's eyes followed the backers hand as she mentioned the tarts, and she was so hungry! Darn, coming to a bakery with an empty stomach was never a good thing, she felt like she wanted to try everything in the store!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 5:49 pm
Vivi was pleased to hear the call for more samples, and she tossed back her head with a pleasant laugh as the other confessed to being hungry. That was always a lovely thing, as hungry people are far more inclined to enjoy their food than the stuffed! "Do not worry yourself, we are here to feed!" The Frenchwoman declared, plucking out a beautiful pink specimen out from among the macarons and setting it down on a waiting plate. She then took to the line of chocolate raspberry tarts, sliding one fragile, delicious creation carefully from its place and gently placing it beside the macaron. "May I get you some water, perhaps, or some tea to go with your samples? Pastries, they are delicious but they create quite a thirst, do they not?"
Vivi smiled, setting the plate down in front of Leah, and put her hands on her hips as she awaited a reply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:35 pm
"Do not worry yourself, we are here to feed!"
Leah gave a glance to the other confections in the windows, maybe she'd have a piece of cake? After all, a cookie, a tart and a little macaroon couldn't fill her up, but she'd wait to see if there was anything else to sample before she started ordering something else. She wouldn't want to run out of space!
"May I get you some water, perhaps, or some tea to go with your samples? Pastries, they are delicious but they create quite a thirst, do they not?"
"Oh I'd take water please. Or maybe lemonade if you have any?"
Then the rider was turning her attention to the plate in front of her and having a go at the macaroon first. Taking a bit, a few more 'Mmms' were exclaimed. "Wow these are really good! You're quite talented! I can't bake for the life of me, or cook for that matter." Leah giggled and took another bite, this time finishing the macaroon. She could really taste the raspberry, though she wasn't sure about the jelly. It was good, she'd just never been a fan of jelly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 8:54 pm
"Merci~! I am happy that you are enjoying," said Vivi with a little curtsy. "Just a moment, please."
She swept back from Leah, behind the counter and back toward the kitchen area, disappearing from view. A few soft clinks could be heard in the store proper over the soft hum of the ambient music and the quiet chatter of other patrons, and soon Vivi returned with a tall glass in her hand, ice clicking softly together as she set it down for Leah. The glass was filled with a pale lemonade slightly greenish in tint, and a few bits shredded mint floated leisurely atop the ice. A round slice of lemon was balanced delicately on the rim.
"Our mint-lemonade for mademoiselle," offered the baker with a smile. She then pulled up a seat next to her customer, leaning forward and propping her head up on one hand. "So, tell me -- is it that you do not enjoy to cook, or that you feel you do not know how?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
