Welcome to Gaia! ::

Saoirse was a bit late to the festival, but better late than never right? She looked around at all the booths. As she looked around she noticed a warm aroma in the air the tantalizing scent drew her attention and she headed over to booth and looked at the food, the dishes looked amazing. She had never had the dish they where serving before and was a bit curious about it. It looked like the dishes where part of a game that the booth was holding, and according to the board someone had manged to win.

A distinct yet familiar aroma wafted over to the young noble on the tepid breeze as he continued his adventure beyond the wall of the privileged. The pungent scent of the spices played across his memory as he drew nearer and attempted to remember exactly what was at the source of the smell. He had definitely experienced it before, whatever it was, but he couldn’t place it no matter how hard he tried. He soon found himself gazing into the depths of an animated restaurant full of energetic people conversing about the festival or other such subjects, but was pulled away by an unskillfully made sign clinging desperately to a dowel. While his first instinct was to recall his status and the differences in events held by the people outside of wall Sina and those within, he shrugged off the conditioned reactions and drew nearer.

As he came parallel to what he assumed to be a counter he noticed a woman with bronze skin and dark colored hair speaking to what he guessed was a potential client. Taking a moment he read the woman’s expressing, gleaning from it that she was displeased over something. Filing that mental note away he looked at the dishes being conveyed from the kitchen and, cupping his chin with his thumb and forefinger, resumed his guessing game. Not only did it smell familiar, but it also looked familiar as well. He had definitely had it before but, he couldn’t remember when or even what it was called.

Due to the wealth of his family they were able to hire some of the best cooks around to prepare each of their meals, and nearly every time he sat down it was to a new and exotic meal. After a moment he had the urge to simply give up and move on to the next booth but the nagging curiosity would not let him rest.

Hearing a voice directed toward him Nik looked up from his attempt at recollection to acknowledge the young woman from before. Allowing his hand to fall to his side he shook his head and turned his thoughtful expression into a pleasant and welcoming one. "Oh no, nothing is the matter per say," pausing he pointed to one of the dishes of dark gravy and vegetables before continuing, "I am simply trying to remember what that dish is called. "I am sure I have had it before, but I simply can't recall."

Turning back to her he chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "I suppose it is written around here in some obvious place and I have just neglected to look but now that you are here, would you mind telling me what it is called?"

Though he was generally very skilled at reading the atmosphere around him, his thoughts were directed elsewhere and he missed the obvious tension between the two women. He had even forgotten the mental note he had made earlier which just went to show how absorbed he was in remember the name of some food he had a long time ago.

A look of recognition dawned on his face as she spoke and he nodded in a knowing manner. "Ah! Of course! Thank you for putting my mind at ease..."

As he was about to say more he noticed another woman in the booth, one with fire behind her eyes and a look of intent plastered firmly on her face. He noted that she seemed to want to approach him and was about to make a polite escape when the girl stepped between them. Though he kept his peripherals on the woman he followed the young lady over to the table and bent to look at the food. "I remember this! Though, from what I hear, each cook makes it differently."

His head came up at the mention of a game and he turned his attention toward the sign overhead that she was motioning to. Though he had exhibited clear reservations when it came to playing 'peasant' games earlier, all evidence of such hesitation had been wiped away as a result of the events of the day. Never the one to resist a challenge or pass on an opportunity, he stretched his lips into a cocky grin and responded. "Sounds like it could be fun!"

"Ah, okay then," Shakuntala responded with a pinch of surprise in her tone. The family's booth had only been serving those of the middle class capable of affording their curry since the beginning of the festival. Nik was the first of the nobility to agree, let alone approach, and inquire of her mother's cooking. As she ambled to the back of the booth, her opinion of the richer shifted its standard just a smidgen. Though it obviously wasn't in a favorable light (most would probably agree with her), it was pleasant to see one at least partake in the festivities. The ones she had the dishonor of meeting were a little too snobby for her tastes.

She ignored her mother's desire to question her about the male (presently with direct questions of, "Do you know him?" and "Did you find out his name?) as she ladled six spoonfuls of curry atop warm plates of rice and slid them one by one onto a platter. After the final one, she hefted up the tray and returned to the male with the meals set before him. Inwardly sighing, she considered him again.

"W-Would you like me to explain the rules?" she asked. "Or you can just begin... Y-You just have to choose one and take a bite..."

Before she had a chance to answer any questions Nik had to offer, Shakuntala had shifted her attention to the same figure her eyes had connected with before. Her eyes averted for a second (as she always did when it came to meeting new people) and she slid a thumb over her knuckles as she breathed in some confidence. Looking back up to the girl, she mustered up a small, pearly smile.

"H-Hello, we're serving curry rice..." she replied. "Would you... Would you like some?"

Farvardin had wandered around town for the better part of the day. She was trying to get used to the town so she could better find her way around. However it wasn't working so well since she kept wandering to different areas. This time was no exception. She wandered to a different part of town, one she hadn't been to yet.

She paused to rest for a moment and caught the scent of food. It wasn't something she had smelled before so it piqued her interest. She looked around to find the source and finally spotted a booth with several people sitting there. She walked over and read the sign claiming 'Taste Test'. "Is this a game? How do you play?" She asked.

A ridiculously pleased smile stretched across Preacher's dusky face. Free meals for a month? She rolled her shoulders, wondering if she would start to smell like curry by the end of that month. But really, it didn't matter. Even the heavy weight of Kamla's hand could not dim Preacher's delight. She wouldn't have to worry about her next meal for a whole month! Even if Preacher didn't lift anything else today, it was alright; today was a good day.

Preacher looked up and briefly caught Sakuntala's eyeroll. A tissue of unease rolled in her stomach. Why did Shakuntala's mother need PReacher's name and... other things? Regardless, Preacher let herself be led to the back of the booth. It couldn't be anything nefarious.

"Heyla, what can I do for ya, missus?"