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 Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 1:40 pm
It came as a great relief when Zharkov accepted his apology so readily, when such a thing was usually difficult for Kozel, and he even felt a bloom of gratefulness for the Okrainan's hope that he should likewise accept. Most likely, Kozel was just over-inflating the statement in his mind, but that Zharkov should care about what he thought...!
However, the mix a compliment for the Katchian servant and an insult to the very sniveling locals employing him did not help to make Kozel as relaxed as his, yes, friend, and his gaze flicked about warily as though he expected anyone should be able to understand, much less hear. He absolutely agreed, of course, but that grumbling would be best left in private and anyway, Zharkov still wasn't supposed to be here. Now that they'd made up, Kozel was eager to get back to business. That cigar certainly wasn't helping to convince him to stick around.
Refraining, for now, from launching into the scolding he so badly wanted to give—if there was anything Kozel had learned tonight, it was that restraint would be key if he wished to remain amiable with Zharkov, and he did—the meeker man began wringing his hands and muttering some vague answer when a much more agreeable topic came about. Sincerely pleased be given the opportunity to brag, Kozel perked up and spoke more confidently. "Of course I was serious. Cooking is my favorite duty, of the very many duties I have here. Although..."
Well, as long as they were venting a bit. "...Hardly anyone wants to try our food. Gallian cuisine is more popular, even, and I cannot understand why," he wrinkled his nose at the thought, but if anyone could appreciate where Kozel's real talents were, it would be his fellow foreigner here, and he continued on enthusiastically. "So I insist, Zharkov, tell me what you would like and you shall have it, whenever you choose. Traditional dishes are my specialty, of course; I have been told my golubtsy is just like how mother used to make, but," But, reminding himself not to be too pushy here, Kozel tried to wind down and regarded the other man more shyly, not so much the uptight servant but the more genuine (though no less uptight) Kozel as he tried to explain what he was getting at. "I accept your apology, as you have accepted mine, but I would feel much better making it up to you somehow."
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:41 pm
As far as Zharkov was concerned, the whole incident was water under the bridge at that point. It was lucky, though, that they shared such similar origins, because there was no chance that he'd treat a native or even someone of another nationality with such patience. He had just enough kinsmanship left to care. As he listened to Kozel boast about his culinary skills, it was hard to keep himself from humming at the thought of freshly prepared food from their homeland. It was surprising enough that the man could cook, but at the risk of insulting him, Zharkov would ask no questions. That Kozel was even offering was exciting enough in itself, though it was mind-boggling that he had offered such a service in public, when such a task was so often the job of a woman.
"Excellent, I am glad. It wouldn't do to be at odds with my own countryman in this strange place." He responded, his grin lingering. "I would love to have some home cooking again. I could help get any ingredients you need, if it will help." He offered, not wanting to seem like an ingrate by heaping such a task onto Kozel for nothing. Always there was the problem of paying for things, and Zharkov was still a little guilty about not having compensated the Katchian for the tea, and his time.
"Feh. The commoners around here have no taste. None of the natives do, they are only obsessed with their tea. Has it rubbed off on you?" Zharkov's smile broadened as he glanced away, seeming ashamed for a moment to have told such a joke. "I kid, of course. With them, it is different." He chuckled softly, exhaling another puff of smoke in the process. "It has been far too long since I have had any familiar food such as that. Don't feel obligated, however."
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Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2013 12:19 pm
Well! Zharkov very well should have felt ashamed of himself for that quip that Kozel immediately narrowed in on, drawing himself up as though ready to launch into a scolding after all—but instead, a self-conscious but good-natured smile appeared as he gave a rare chuckle of his own. "Perhaps I am becoming too steeped in this country's tastes. Or perhaps I will just have to find some tea leaves even you will be asking more for." Actually, it was a tempting challenge, when he figured this man went more for harder drinks.
But perhaps Kozel shouldn't have been assuming so much. His sudden cheerfulness was bolstered by Zharkov's pleasantly surprising modesty once again revealing itself. The servant had been so keen on hating him and avoiding him just moments ago, and now he felt himself endeared by the beastly man who had been, apparently, raised with some manners, when he was usually accustomed to serving beasts with no manners at all. The Okrainan's offer of obtaining any ingredients necessary for his cooking tickled Kozel, but, returning to that matter, he slipped into the usual routine of talking the inn up maybe a little falsely, a habit nearly second nature by now.
"I will have you know, Fox and Hounds keeps a kitchen very well-stocked," as he saw to it, naturally. "All the tea and ingredients I need will be there... but, the offer is appreciated." And it was, genuinely, but what wasn't appreciated was that cigar smoke still irritating Kozel despite his amiable manner, and the thought in the back of his mind that Zharkov still wasn't supposed to be here. Back to serious business mode, his tone became more brusque, more familiar, though he still kept a small, apologetic smile on his face to show he wasn't trying to completely brush the other man off. Really, he would have liked to begin rattling off his ideas for what he was considering serving, buzzing with a restrained, internal excitement himself, but he hadn't forgotten what his original purpose for coming out of hiding was.
"It is rather late, otherwise I would have been glad to serve you now. I should be seeing to the others," a certain other specifically, as it dawned on Kozel who might have told Zharkov where he was. "Maybe tomorrow? Or really, any time that is convenient for you." Somewhat hesitantly, with a pang of fear he tried to dismiss because they were friends now, remember, he gestured down the hall. "It seems you know where to find me, if I am not working around the inn and I usually am. Ah, the door at the end there. Feel free to visit, if you should need anything." So much for non-staff being barred from the servant's quarters, really a rule only the over-achieving servant cared to try to impose. Zharkov might not have known it, but he was inspiring quite the changes.
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Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2013 4:17 pm
Zharkov was surprised by the laugh he managed to get from the man, having expected a more negative response. Just as when they had shared the tea nights before, he thought that smiling suited Kozel, rare as it was to see him doing so. "I would like that very much. Though the drink you brewed the night I arrived was excellent, I would not mind trying others." His eyes shaded as he took another good drag, knowing well by then that Kozel fed on compliments and flattery. It didn't take a genius to observe that, and Zharkov found himself realizing it would be useful to remember such a detail.
Kozel's reassurances got him exhaling another soft laugh, it was always Fox and Hounds this or Fox and Hounds that with him, wasn't it? It didn't help much to quell his worry about expenses, because there was rarely such a thing as a free meal in the city, but he quickly made up his mind to worry about it when the time came, once again not wanting to seem ungrateful for such a generous offer. So generous an offer, that it was almost hard to remember why he'd been mad with Kozel to begin with, and that the Katchian was offering to cook as an apology. "If you're sure, but please, if you need anything special, don't hesitate to ask." He added on quickly, shifting his stance again as he pushed away from the wall.
Kozel's invitation raised the Okrainan's eyebrows slightly as he looked past him to the door he was referring to, and his grin broadened into a smile. "You are too kind, Kozel. Of course, it is too late to be cooking. I should leave you to your work, I only wanted to try to make things right again." He agreed quickly, straightening up and looking as if he were getting ready to go on his way. "Thank you for understanding. I'll be around tomorrow night, I think, perhaps we could talk more, then." He suggested as he turned toward where he'd come from. The Okrainan was much happier than he'd been when he'd come looking for Kozel, if not a bit weary as well.
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