à toutes les sauces (open)

[taiwan]

Mingxia blinked. "Ah! My business is going well! Thank you for asking," she said, smiling. She looked over to the kitchen window and giggled. "Francis sings when he cooks, it seems..." she sighed. "O-oh, I forgot to ask how your internship is doing! How rude of me!" she stammered again, fingers moving to play with her flower again.

"I'm going to have a few booths at the Spring Festival as well..." she started, but didn't know where to go with it. She wasn't implying anything at all- she would have no time for socializing at the festival, so even suggesting spending any time together was out of the question, besides, he probably had better people to be with...

[Kiku Honda]

His lemonade arrived. Kiku took a sip. '...Delicious.' He thought to himself. His eyes widened a bit at the sour yet sweet taste. The lemons were extremely fresh and were used at the perfect ripeness. 'My compliments already.' He thought, nodding at the perfection of the lemonade.

Kiku smiled softly. "I'm quite happy with my internship. My boss seems very kind. I'm still new so I'm still learning the ropes." He said. Kiku noticed Mingxia fidgeting with her flower again. He always found that rather cute.

Kiku looked to the kitchen window and saw Francis, still singing. "Yes. Such a thing is common when doing certain activities. I, too, tend to hum a little when behind the stove." Kiku said, wondering if it might be fun cooking with Francis. 'He seems like a good person. I believe anyone who enjoys cooking can't be all bad.' Kiku started thinking to himself. 'I believe I can trust this man with Mingxia.' He calmly thought to himself.

Kiku definitely cared about Mingxia. They've been friends for quite a long time. He wasn't going to pretend he'd never noticed Mingxia before but the idea of dating never crossed his mind. He wasn't so sure why. In fact, he isn't even so sure now.

"I'm going to have a few booths at the Spring Festival as well..." Mingxia said, looking a bit distant. 'That's right. The Spring Festival is very near.' He thought. 'She'd definitely be very busy if that were the case.' Then a sudden thought popped into his head.

"Mingxia, would you perhaps need an extra hand? Setting up and tending the booths? I would love to assist you in this matter."

[taiwan]

"That's good to hear! I've never really had a boss to answer to, so I don't know very much about dynamics, but I'm glad you two get along," she cheered cordially, smiling. As he admitted to humming behind the stove, Mingxia giggled again. "You hum? I had no idea, Kiku," she laughed.

Mingxia simply shook her head. "I have enough hands to man the booths, and help in setting up would be nice, but... it's in the Marketplace, at the Gardens at the Hall. Y-you don't like the Gardens, so... I'm sorry..." She was fidgeting again. Having known Kiku for a while, she knew about his not-so-slight aversion to socially-neutral areas, though she didn't know why.

[Kiku Honda]

Kiku frowned. 'The Gardens...' He thought. He'd never actually given much thought about Mingxia spending that much time in neutral areas. It was true. He did not like the neutral areas. He made that point very clear to Mingxia in the past but he never explained why.

His expression changed. Kiku looked troubled. He looked at Mingxia, still fidgeting, and said, "My apologies, Mingxia. I believe I never told you my reasons for avoiding such places." He said blankly. After a moments hesitation he continued. "When I was young my father was killed in a neutral area. Right in front of me. While I bear no ill-will to the Lowlands, I avoid the neutral areas... because it tends to remind me." He finished, as a matter-of-factly. It seemed wrong that Mingxia didn't know this about Kiku despite they've known each other for a while.

Kiku's eyes looked distant. Just talking about it was unpleasant. But that's exactly why he had to do this now. He looked at Mingxia again. "This is a good opportunity." He said, taking a deep breath. "I-i would be happy to help set up your shop. I n-need to grow up and move past this. Please allow me to do this for you and for myself." Kiku said, trembling slightly.

[taiwan]

Mingxia could only watch as he told his story. What a heartbreaking childhood... She had no idea he had shouldered this burden all this time.

"Kiku, are you sure...?" she asked, reaching for his shaking hand, then pulling it away as soon as they touched. H-how forward of her! This wasn't a time for that at all!

[france]

Francis choose that exact moment to swoop out of the kitchen, complementary basket in hand. Spotting at least the end of the exchange he smiled widely, knowingly and bustled over to the table. He set down the basket of bread and placed another Lemonade in front of Mingxia. He was tempted to sit down, tempted to chatter with the two but he knew that that would be intrusive. So instead he assured them that he would be back in only a few minutes with their meal and turned. He shot a wink in Kikus direction and he began to sing, a soft low song that his mother used to sing.

"Oh je voudrais tant que tu te souviennes" He sang and he moved around the counter and down into the back once more, his voice strong, average but passionate, filled with emotions of longing "Des jours heureux où nous étions amis En ce temps là, la vie était plus belle~"

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLlBOmDpn1s&feature=player_embedded if you want to hear the song)

[Kiku Honda]

Mingxia reached for Kiku's trembling hand. As soon as they touched, however, Mingxia quickly pulled her hand back. Kiku immediately stopped shaking and felt blood rush to his face.

Francis suddenly appeared and put a basket of bread and another glass of lemonade in front of them. "Excusez-moi, your meal shan't be much longer." Francis said, turning around to go back to the kitchen but not before shooting a wink at Kiku. Francis' voice trailed off as he walked away, singing an interesting song.

Kiku blinked. That happened a little too fast. '...Well if anything I've regained most of my composure. And he killed the tense atmosphere.' He thought, still blushing. He turned back to Mingxia who looked a little flustered herself. "I-i'm sure, Mingxia. It would be slicing two vegetables with one stroke of a knife." Kiku said. '...Wait, I think that went differently.'

((OOC: I love the song, Francis. <3 Well the tune anyway. Can't get the lyrics. :>))

[taiwan]

Mingxia smiled up at Francis, thankful for the much-needed distraction. Just how red was her face, anyway? It felt like it was on fire!

She picked a piece of bread and nibbled politely as Kiku talked, giggling a bit as Kiku slipped up on his slang. "T-two birds with one stone...?" she suggested, blushing as she realized she corrected him. "I-if you really think you can do it, Kiku, then... okay," she said quietly, smiling at him affectionately.

[Kiku Honda]

Kiku blushed as Mingxia smiled cutely at him. "Th-thank you, Mingxia. I'll do my best." Kiku said softly, truly grateful for this opportunity.

[france]

Francis quickly plated the orders, plating them with care and artistic flare. A swirl of sauce aand a sprig of parsley, some dried cranberries for texture, colour, and taste. He pulled back, adjusted the parsley, added a bit more sauce to Mingxia's plate and then smiled.

"Perfect. " he said, scooping up the plates and beaming at the help. "you all did wonderfully. Now to work on those deserts!" he fluttered out the door and to the table. he sets the plates before them and then settles down."

[Kiku Honda]

Francis suddenly blasted out the kitchen door, bringing a delectable aroma with him. He walked out the door in an almost dance-like fashion and set the two plates of food in front of them.

Kiku's eyes widened at the look and smell of his meal. The subtle smell of beefy flavor, the steamed white rice looked absolutely perfect. And, 'What's this?' he silently thought. A hint of soy sauce, merely a dash yet it was so expertly cooked the smell could be recognized.

Furthermore, the plating was gorgeous. The beef had been laid on top of the rice. Sauce had been drizzled on the beef and around the edges of the plate. A single stem of parsley sit on top of the whole presentation.

Such a perfect meal. Never before had Kiku been thankful Yoshinoya was closed.

He looked at Francis, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Francis. It looks delicious."

[taiwan]

Mingxia looked at her plate wondrously. It smelled delicious! And Francis wouldn't take her money? No no no, that wouldn't do! "I may have to sneak some money into his register," she joked meekly, "because this is too good to just give it to us!" She immediately began cutting her pork into pieces and eating.

She glanced at Kiku's plate. Beef and steamed rice... "Kiku, you were planning on going to Yoshinoya, weren't you...?" she asked, giggling.

[Kiku Honda]

"Yes. I believe I must drop some 50 sol on the way out." Kiku said, smiling as he beamed at Francis. Kiku picked up his utensils and guided a fork full of rice and beef to his mouth. Needless to say Kiku was freaking out in his mind.

"Kiku, you were planning on going to Yoshinoya, weren't you...?" Mingxia asked, her eyes coming from his plate. Kiku blushed. "Y-yes. That was my intention. B-but I do not regret Yoshinoya being closed today. Had it been open I never would have stumbled upon this restaurant and you." Kiku said, blushing slightly at that last part. 'That was unnecessary.' He thought to himself.

[france]

Francis was preening happily under the praise, drinking his water and smiling. He was thrilled that his first two customers were enjoying themselves to this extent. When the subject of payment came up he waved it away, a noise somewhere between a grunt and a huff coming from his mouth. He would take no payment for today.

Kiku's confirmation made him chuckle lightly. "Oui, fate works in mysterious ways. I was afraid Yoshinoya would take all my customers but instead it brings one of my first to my door. I must send them a cake. Do you think they would like German chocolate?" he said this half joking, a twinkle in his eyes.

[taiwan]

And her? Mingxia blushed at his words. So he was thinking the same thing... Gosh, how quickly this had progressed! Her cheeks flushed deeper. "W-well, I'm glad that Yoshinoya was closed too, because now I have a chance to talk to you more..." she stammered quietly, fidgeting with the flower in her hair again.

She looked up at Francis. "Ah, that sounds delicious, Francis!" she cheered, smiling. "It's nice that you're being kind to the competition." She kept eating until she glanced up at Kiku. "K-Kiku... do you want to try some of this? It's very good..." she offered, blushing deeply.

[Kiku Honda]

Kiku closed his eyes in thought, as his face got a little redder. 'I-is she trying to flush my face this red on purpose?' He thought to himself. Kiku really was grateful for coming here, he had gotten so much more done other than eating. He looked up at Mingxia. She was fidgeting with her flower again. Kiku blushed. 'Yes. She definitely is.' He thought.

He looked at Francis, a triumphant gleaming smile on his face. Kiku smiled himself. "I believe Francis' gesture has quite the double meaning. Certainly nice enough to be friendly to the competition, while it would serve as an apology for taking all their customers." Kiku said, smiling. 'Yes. This restaurant, I believe, surpasses a good majority of the other establishments. Francis' will do just admirably.'

As he was eating Mingxia spoke up. "K-Kiku... do you want to try some of this? It's very good."

"Hm? Very well, thank you." Kiku said gratefully, happy at the chance to taste some of Francis' other creations. He reached over to Mingxia's plate and stabbed a small piece of pork. Brought it back and tasted it, oblivious to Mingxia's red face. Unfortunately, for Kiku, when it came to food, the wonders and amazement of different flavors and textures tended to distract him.

'Such flavor! The pork is soft and juicy, yet the flavor isn't overpowering. How does one achieve such a result? Francis must be using some kind of magic...' Kiku thought, entranced by the exquisiteness of the dish.

He then looked at Mingxia, who looked rather red. "Mingxia, are you not feeling well? Your face looks red, as if you have a fever." Kiku said, immediate concern in his tone. Kiku stood up, approached Mingxia and put his hand on her forehead. 'She doesn't seem to have a fever...' He thought.

[taiwan]

Mingxia smiled as he appreciated her food. At least she wasn't the only one who loved Francis' cooking! Perhaps they could come here again sometime. She would be coming here all the time, and she would have to introduce Kiku to Lilli as well!

"A-Ah... Kiku, you don't need to-" and then his hand came to her forehead gently. Kiku was much closer they way they were positioned now, and his face and voice were full of concern. "K-Kiku, I..." she trailed off, her blush too much for her.

[Kiku Honda]

"It does not seem like you have a fever. I guess it was needless worry." Kiku said, pulling his hand away. He sat back down and looked at Mingxia. Her face was bright red. "...I said you did not have a fever yet, Mingxia, your face seems like it's burning." He said, unsure of the cause. Perhaps the elation from Francis' food was causing such obliviousness.

"Francis, perhaps you have an idea?" Kiku asked.

[france]

Francis had watched all this in silence, watching the two awkward youths dance around each other. His triumphant grin had softened into a warm, knowing smile. The two of them seemed quiet smitten he thought as he sipped his rose water. They also seemed equally unaware of the others feelings. Ah love~ It works so strangely.

When he was asked his question he shrugged. "I would not know Kiku, but It is very warm out so perhaps that is it." He smiles. "It nice to see that you worry about her so. She needs someone to do that."

[Kiku Honda]

'I'm worried about her? I suppose that is correct.' Kiku thought to himself. 'Yes I am worried. That's why I tried to see if she had a fever by--' Kiku suddenly realized why Mingxia's face was as cherry red as it was. He felt his face burn up in embarrassment. "O-Oh! I-I Mingxia I-I, um, uhh..." Kiku stammered, his face red with blush. He bowed slightly. "I'm s-sorry." He said.

Kiku picked up his glass of rose water and drank from it. He needed something to cool him down. He sighed internally. 'In retrospect, that certainly was needless worry.' he thought, bringing another fork full of beef and rice to his mouth.

"Oh, M-Mingixa, would you like to taste some of my beef? Y-you can almost taste the care Francis put into the dish." He said, trying to kill the awkwardness.