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Rikki grinned down at the six plates, and was a little upset that he couldn't just eat all of them. But such was the game. He pulled the very first plate towards him and dug in with a heavy spoonful. He took his first bite.

There was a beautiful moment when Rikki's face was pleasantly blank, as if he wasn't even registering the taste. It was a second of zen. The calm before the storm.

Then, ever so slowly, his face began to turn red and his eyes began to water. Before long tears streamed down his cheeks and he had to opening his mouth and pant, because he was a huge wimp. "Oh my god, why is this so hot? Hot hot hot hot hot hot."

Chanting was supposed to make it hurt less or something.

Shakuntala felt as if she needed a lake of water to quench the fires burning in Rikki and Cecilia's mouths. Quickly pouring them both glasses of water, she set them before the two recent contestants and withdrew to give them time to quell the burning. Her eyes slid to her mother who looked prepared to laugh again, but instead, the girl realized she was going to issue the challenge one more time.

"Mum-!" Shakuntala snapped.

Suddenly, her mouth drew to a small O and her eyes widened at her own unadulterated anger issued toward her mother. Even Kamla was taken aback by the girl -- never before had Shakuntala reacted to her in such a manner. As if seeking a way to cover herself, the seventeen year old cocked her chin to the back of the tented awning.

"T-The... The curry's getting cold..."

"Oh!" the woman squawked. "Right, right. I'll get to those right now!"

Kamla retreated to the back of the booth where a makeshift kitchenette was set up. Watching her leave, Shakuntala maneuvered her way to the counter after collecting up both Cecilia and Rikki's payments.

"S-Sorry..." she muttered, barely audible to them.

Shakuntala pursed her lips as she mentally ticked off the total amount of coins in her head. Sweeping them into a lock box located under the counter, she glanced to Cecilia with a reflexive tingle in her own mouth. She knew how bad the sting from her mum's cooking was -- that's why, unless she's feeling particularly suicidal one day -- there was an unlikely chance she would eat any curry the woman made; tame or not. Of course, she wasn't fond of her mother's cooking at all, but that was another matter altogether.

"Are..." she began, "Are you sure... you want to try a t-third time?"

The question was tinged with disbelief, but the girl didn't want to make her surprise too apparent. Kneading the edge of her apron, she continued.

"I-Isn't eating a lot of... a lot of spicy stuff bad for you? C-Couldn't your tongue fall off?"

Shakuntala let that thought simmer in her mind for a moment before she realized the implication behind it. Jumping with a small start in her seat, she flashed Cecilia the underside of her palms.

"I'm not implying it will!" she blurted out next. "I just... B-Be careful that it won't... 'Cause it might... I think."

If it was anything, food would catch his attention. So was it a wonder he was will to be a taste test...and while his luck had been a bit off he was willing to see what was in store for him. Making himself known, the grey-blue eyed teen gave a waving gesture.

"Are you still taking participates?" He questioned a curious look on Alec's face. Even if it was something a bit weird, he was up for it. Although the poor girl seemed to be working hard. He hated to be a bother, but the promise of food was tempting so he would be patient.

Alec blinked at the girl as her speech was a bit hard to understand. He could almost make it out well enough sure, and even minded chatter usually was his specialty as his little sisters babbling was hard to understand. But even that was..really hard to catch. The boy got the fact she was embarrassed however, and followed her movement with his gaze. His brow shot up a bit, looking bewildered. "O..oh alright?" He asked as the woman darted off like the wind, having been a bit startled when she shouted at him. Oh dear..what had he gotten himself into.

Looking at the girl she had been speaking too he looked at her sympathetically. "I have a bad feeling about this now.." He admitted quietly to Cecilia, speaking semi seriously casting a worried glance in the direction the female had departed.

He didn't get a chance to talk with the girl long and soon had a plate of food in front of him. What..was this. While it was rather spicy, and missing salt he looked at it wonderingly. Not quiet right..something was off. "Hm." he commented.

((edited; making one more attempt before bed if you dont mind naomi! ))

(( Sorry for the wait! Got a bit distracted typing another post, aha. ))

Shakuntala bowed her head to the male, but still didn't part with her name. She repeated her action with the same swiftness she expressed before and slid a new number of servings before Alec.

"T-There you go..." she muttered to him.

(( No problem, I figured you were busy! I was trying to hit up the banquet post, as well as do a few games before i got off for the night. I'll likely stop by tomorrow if you are game! It was fun thank you <3 ))

Alec wasn't offended when the shy girl didn't offer her name and just did her task. He thanked her again, adjusting his plate so he could sniff at it curiously. The spices were nice..and while his eyes were still watering from the last batch he'd give his taste buds at least one more shot at it.

When the girl looked at him with her haunted expression the boy smiled at her a bit of a worried expression for her distress and sticking her tongue out at the other woman. It was rather silly..

But the question was what was THIS batch going to be like? He lifted the fork to his lips and took a bite. Oh hell it was hot. His face looked mildly alarmed his eyes going wide. While he swallowed the bite he coughed fanning his tongue breathing in and out. "Its good but ow." he looked apologetic as he tried to breathe past the warm spices. Nope, that wasn't it either. But he thanked his host graciously no less, cleaning up what he could getting ready to go.

He'd have to try his luck again later perhaps.