Cryogenic Crisis (1) : A strange phenomenon has overtaken the flora of Destiny City. Most prevalent in large trees, but occurring also in saplings, bushes, and any wooded plant, the color seems to be completely draining and the plants are becoming oddly crystalline. Leaves and bark especially almost seem to be turning to ice, and observant passersby might notice that the trees seem to be crystalizing. They are cold to the touch and even seem to melt under heat. The increased weight has made it dangerous to walk beneath any of these trees; branches also snap and fall, and even leaves and small twigs can become dangerous projectiles. Scientists have said there is a pollutant in the water causing a strange chemical reaction, but there’s still something suspicious about it. Destiny City has employed some specialists to treat the afflicted trees, and some already seem to be in various stages of recovery–but if you’re out and about, chances are that you’ll still find a few of these arborous anomalies.
“Good Evening Ms. DeCoure, It doesn’t look like I have a reservation.” The hostess scrolled through the list of evening guests in case she missed something.
“Ah, no.” Phedre gently placed a hand on the counter. “I didn’t make reservations this time. I’ve been in back-to-back meetings and am here by myself today.” Her tone was weary and the soft smile gave a hit to the exhaustion she felt from forced pleasantries.
“No problem at all. We have open seating at the bar, or would you prefer a table?” She gestured towards the row of available stools where the bartender skillfully worked away at mixing a drink for one of their other patrons.
“A table would be preferred, please.” She did not particularly feel inclined to converse with strangers right now. Moreso Phedre knew she hadn’t the energy to lure them out to some nice hotel and complete her quote for the month. The best idea would be to keep things easy this evening.
“Let me see what’s available, one moment.” After receiving an acknowledging nod, the hostess disappeared around the wall into the dining area where she looked for a table near the window. She returned not more than two minutes later with an pleasantly cheerful expression. “Right this way, Ms. DeCoure.”
“Thank you.” When they passed the kitchen area she then asked, “Is Chef Arledge working today?”
“I believe so, would you like me to let him know you’re here?” The polite offer was made despite knowing that even though the evening rush was slowly tapering off he was no doubt incredibly busy still.
"Yes please, if it's not too much trouble." Phedre took a seat at her table and watched as she retreated into the kitchen area before turning her attention to some arbitrary area outside the restaurant window.
indigo_plateau
Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2024 7:45 pm
Shanyume
It was hardly even worth looking up when the kitchen doors opened. There was enough coming and going and noise and movement that no individual could be expected to be keyed into all of it. Calder certainly wasn’t. He had enough on his plate, even for a relatively innocuous Tuesday evening. He wasn’t the lead in the kitchen today, but that only barely mattered for all the plates that went out and the level of quality and artistry that needed to be maintained.
It wasn’t until a blonde head, with long hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, and genuinely the most dazzling smoky eyeshadow Calder had ever seen, appeared over the low shelving in his station that Calder chanced a quick glance up just to ascertain what he was dealing with, before promptly dropping back to his work.
“A girl out on the floor is asking for you,” Lexi hummed without preamble, batting long lashes in a faux-sweetly-seductive sort of entreaty.
They were friends in only the loosest sense of the word, only what this sort of proximity and near-daily interaction entailed, so while Calder could sense some sort of deception… he couldn’t know the specifics from one statement alone. “A girl?” He parroted incredulously, nose scrunching slightly and brow furrowed because the only girl that came to mind who would ask for him at work would be his sister, and he doubted she’d have made her way out here unless there was trouble. Which Lexi would not be so blasé about.
With a quick glance around to make sure he and the rest of the cooks were on the same page about him stepping off for a moment, Calder stepped toward the windowed door and peered out- sure enough, no sister. “Who are you-?”
“The DeCoure girl,” Lexi answered briskly, slotting her hands against either side of his head to direct his gaze to where the red-headed woman sat at her table.
Ah. Probably nothing serious, then. And she looked to be alone, which wasn’t odd, necessarily. But uncommon. It was more likely to see her with- well, any number of randos, honestly. If she thought no one noticed, she was sorely mistaken. Still peering out of the window, Calder snapped his towel out of his apron and notched his shoulder to the door. “The least I can do is say hello, hm? And see if she’s interested in anything special tonight?” That’s what he said.
What he meant and what Lexi heard (what everyone in earshot heard): ’what sweet gossip can I bring from the table tonight?’
With that thought in mind, Calder pushed out onto the floor and made his way over to her, fixing the most dazzling smile he could in place.
Indigo_Plateau Crew
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Shanyume
Anxious Friend
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Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2024 2:36 am
Phedre caught a glimpse of movement in the window’s reflection and knew Calder was approaching. She recognized his stride immediately; efficient, purposeful, and utterly professional as though he was balancing an invisible tray of responsibilities that required his full attention.
She straightened in her seat, resisting the urge to adjust her silverware or fuss with her napkin. It was hard to tell if he was happy to see her or irritated that she’d interrupted his carefully managed evening. His reflection gave no clues, his expression darkened by the evening backdrop.
When Calder finally stopped at her table, Phedre glanced up, catching the polite smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. It was the practiced friendliness of someone who dealt with people all day and knew how to handle them, a skill she could respect. She felt the faintest sting of self-consciousness but pushed it aside. She wasn’t here to make his night harder, just to exchange a few words.
“I hope I’m not pulling you away from anything critical,” she said, keeping her tone light and casual. “I just thought it might be nice to catch up, even briefly. It’s been a while.” She tried to keep her expression neutral, as though this were no different than running into him at a coffee shop.
Indigo_Plateau
Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2025 3:45 pm
Shanyume
The restaurant was always busy, but even more so than usual at this time of year. The sort of high-end clientele they served could certainly afford vacations during the holidays, and Calder didn't blame them for their interest in his fine cuisine.
He breezed through the dining room, setting a quick, fluid pace through the tables filled with patrons, but keeping an open ear in case anything interesting came from another table (he did so love hearing praise for his work- though he'd happily settle for the drama of Mr. Bigshot's mistress). Still, Calder's focus was all on Phedre.
He smiled as he neared, setting a hand on the back of her chair to prop himself up. Unprofessional? Probably. But no one should call for him if they didn't want him acting like their friend. "Nothing critical," he agreed with a dismissive little flick of fingers from his free hand. "We'd be in serious trouble if the kitchen couldn't hold down the fort without me for a few minutes, hm?" It was busy... But this wasn't some s**t Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares episode. The people he worked with were good at their job and intentionally selected for skills.
Everything was fine.
"I am honored you thought of me Miss DeCoure, and it would be dreadfully rude to turn down the request of such a polite and generous patron." He clucked his tongue, aqua glaze tipping to the marbly-tiled floor beneath his feet, as if in deference. But his tone was all light and teasing, lilting with good humor.
"If you let your server, Lexi, know when you've finished your meal, I can meet you at the bar. Take all the time you need. I promise I'm not going anywhere."
