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Post by Yu-Baaba on Apr 27, 2007 3:25:22 GMT -5
((NPC = Papo))
There was a clamor of pots and pans banging together and the room was filled with steam. The mixed aromas of a hundred different types of food all being cooked at once filled the air. The cooks darted back and forth, grabbing ingredients and spices. The apprentices arranged the finished dishes in a showy presentation. A constant stream of waiters arrived and departed, bringing orders and taking out the prepared delicacies. Occasionally little frogs would poke their curious heads in and try to sneak a morsel to their watering mouths – only to get whacked on the head by Papo.
This was Papo’s kitchen. Nothing went on here that escaped his ever watchful eyes. He was mostly the overseer now and only got involved with the actual cooking when a particularly challenging recipe was attempted. He stood in his honorary spot and barked out orders. He told so and so to bring this dish up to Mrs. such and such guest. He instinctively advised one of his cooks to add more seasalt to the broth he was boiling without ever needing to taste test. And he growled at the clumsy new guy that dropped a plate and set them back 5 whole minuets in cooking – in the kitchen, time was everything.
How he wished he had someone with a little more drive.
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Apr 27, 2007 3:35:24 GMT -5
That person was just about to arrive,a brown pony-tailed girl came into the kitchen letting so and so pass by her.It was busy in here,taking a sniff she smelled all the food that was being cooked for the guests staying at the bath house.Taking a guess of who was the head of this place,Chihiro could tell it was the one barking orders every which way so making her way over to him avoiding bumping into anyone she waited to speak up.
"Excuse me are you the one i'm suppose to help out,i'm Chihir.....I mean Sen yes Sen".
A frown appeared on her face,she really hated that name so much.But that's what everyone knew her as when she was here before,Sen just didn't fit well.Just suck it up and do this lousy chore,even if it was hard work.
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Apr 27, 2007 4:07:25 GMT -5
Papo looked this odd girl over. She looked pretty scrawny, but luckily the array of kitchen aromas prevented him from smelling the human on her. (as strong as the human scent is, Papo’s food is stronger!)
Besides, he could see determination in her face. He made his decision in a matter of seconds, as he did with all his decisions.
“Alright girl – Sen, was it? I’ll give ya a shot.” He gave a quick nod of approval “Can you make deliveries?” He didn’t even wait for a response. He thrust at her a bowl that was about as wide as chihiro’s outstretched arm length. It was filled to the brim with a steaming golden grain that was baked with a finely crisp crust.
“Deliver this to the Ootori-Sama on the first floor.”
With that he turned away from her and immediately went back to delegating orders. A kind apprentice took pity on Chihro and gestured her to the corner to give her a few more instructions. He handed her an apron and some oven mitts. “put these on. The dishes will burn your hands if you grab them bare. The Ootori are the bird gods. Careful because they’ll bombard you once they see you have their food! Now you must carry the dish over your head – it will be heavy! You must hurry above all else – the biggest mistake you can make – is letting that food get cold . . .”
Suddenly he was jerked by the ear away from Chihrio. Papo gave him one of his notorious whacks and scolded him for neglecting his duties. The kind worker bowed in apology and quickly resumed his work. The kitchen was in an uproar once again. All forgot the human girl standing in their midst.
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Apr 27, 2007 14:38:23 GMT -5
*What did I get myself into this time,this thing sure does look like it weighs a ton*
At least one of the workers was nice,she quickly put the apron on and the oven mitts then put all her effort into lifting the bowl over her head.When she made sure it was stable,Chihiro started walking slow but then remembered she had to be fast.Speeding up as fast as a human girl like her could go,she headed to the first floor making sure to avoid any "obstacles" in her way.
The worker said as soon as they see the food they'll bombard her,so just put the bowl in the room and run.Soon enough Chihiro arrived to the first floor,her arms we're aching from carrying this thing.Putting the bowl down,she could hear the Ootori-Sama chittering and chattering to among themselves.She gave a small knock on the door,then slid it open pushing the food inside quickly and closing it again.
"That's one delivery done,i'm aching all over.How many deliveries do I have to make,Yubaba didn't say".
Chihiro could hear the Ootori-sama quiet then start eating,good thing she wasn't in there right now.One down so now it was time to get back to the kitchen,heading from the first floor went down the stairs that led to the kitchen.She peeked inside and then walked in,Chihiro slinked around the workers who we're running back and forth till she came to Papo.
"I finished that one,is there any other's I have to deliver or was that all".
Doubt it she probably wouldn't get off that easily,this has to go on till she was worked to her breaking point almost.
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Apr 28, 2007 1:23:58 GMT -5
“Heh?” Papu looked up from bowl he was stirring. He had commandeered the s p o o n ((for some reason this word is blocked on the forum!)) from one of his lead chefs who couldn’t seem to get the pattern down right – it was stir right twice, left three times, right four and a half, swish in the center for 3 seconds, tap the s p o o n all along the inside of the bowl, make three big strokes and twelve short fast ones, then one more stir to the right for good measure, then you repeated the whole process sixteen times – see, not difficult at all!
He blinked at Chihiro several times as if he didn’t remember her. “Oh yes. Sen, right?” He looked out at the passing bustle outside the kitchen. He had become an expert at telling time by the movements of the bath house. It was really the only way to keep track as time seemed to stand still within the chaos of the kitchen.
“But . . . that was really fast!” He seemed truly stunned (which was rare for Papo). Then he broke out in a huge grin “Great job! Keep it up!!”
He then pointed to a large bag filled with an array of brightly colored boxes wrapped and tied with ribbons. “These are snack boxes specially ordered by different guests. Find who they belong to and deliver them in a timely manner. You wouldn’t believe the tempers of these spirits when they’re hungry – don’t keep them waiting!”
There seemed to be at least 50 boxes . . . and none of them had labels or names!
The kind apprentice gave a cautious glance in Papo’s direction who was again enthralled in his stirring technique. He leaned over the counter and whispered “There’s a pattern to which guest gets which box. Pay attention to the colors of the wrapping -” Papo shot him a warning glare. The worker jumped and gave a little yelp anticipating the whack he’d get if he didn’t get back to work.
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Apr 28, 2007 1:45:02 GMT -5
Sighing she gave a "thank you" nod to the kind apprentice,grabbing the end of the bag she pulled it.It wouldn't budge she then pulled again,making it move somewhat and slowly made her way out of the kitchen.Looking at each pattern Chihiro guessed that each box,it goes to a spirit with the same color.
Dragging the bag up to the top of the stairs,she took a box out and looked it over.It would help though if they had names on them,grabbing a few in her arms she looked at the color of one then to some of the guests walking about or peeked into some of the rooms.She remembered Papo saying they don't like to be kept waiting,so checking the colors she broke into abit of a run.
Delivering the boxes to hopefully the right guests,all she did was pay attention to the colors of the wrapping.When Chihiro came down to the last one,her mind wandered to what was going on outside.She wasn't keeping track of time,so how would she know it's sunup.Shaking her head she looked at the color,running up and down looking for the last guest but where we're they.
"Pay attention to the color's,oh wait I think I passed this guest back there".
Turning around she headed back,finding the room and delivering the box before heading back to the kitchen.Let this be her last job,she had one last chore to do before sunup and if it wasn't done she was going to be in so much trouble.Tripping down the stairs,she landed with a thud on her butt before standing up and sliding into the kitchen almost knocking a worker over.
"Sorry sorry,um excuse me....was that all for me to do.Am I done here,I just wanted to know".
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Apr 28, 2007 2:33:26 GMT -5
Papo looked up from a giant cake he and several other cooks were fussing over.
“Sen! You finished already? How were all the guests? Were they satisfied? Did all the boxes get to the right spirits? Any complaints?” He looked at her expectantly. For the first time in the entire night the kitchen grew silent. Everyone, even the rumpled waiters paused their tasks and leaned in to hear Chihiro’s answer.
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Apr 28, 2007 2:38:05 GMT -5
Chihiro felt all eyes on her,they we're waiting for her to answer Papo.But asking all the questions made him sound like that little green frog,she didn't want to keep everyone waiting in anticipation so she answered.
"They're fine,they we're satisfied and I made sure they we're delivered to the right spirits.No complaints from any of them,I finished the task I was asked to do properly".
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Apr 28, 2007 2:48:38 GMT -5
“GREAT!” Papo shouted. The rest of the kitchen burst into an uproar. The kitchen staff all cheered simultaneously and several apprentices went over and literally lifted Chihiro up in the air. Cooks came up and tried to shake her hand as the others danced around the kitchen with her on their shoulders, shouting and laughing.
“Hmph” Papo grumbled. “You’d think they’d never seen anyone make a successful delivery before.” Of course, he too was smiling even as he uttered these sarcastic remarks. This sort of thing was tradition around the kitchen – whenever someone was initiated as part of the staff (even as an honorary member). Chihiro had passed.
“Well done Chihiro. You are welcome here anytime if you want to help out . . . or if you want a snack!!” He winked at her and his eyes twinkled. This was a new side of Papo. How he knew her real name was a mystery . . .
“Now the rest of you, BACK TO WORK!” That was more like it.
“Oh Chihiro, could I please ask you to do one more thing before you go? This cake here, it was an extra special order from one of the high class clientele . . . it must be delivered in person to this spirit’s room. This is a big job and all the workers I’d normally trust with such a task are off with other duties at the moment. Can I count on you?”
Several cooks fell to their knees and bowed low to the ground. “Will you do this for us? WE BEG OF YOU!!!!” they said in unison.
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Apr 28, 2007 2:56:11 GMT -5
High class clients she never met one of them,could she really handle this task.When they bowed though and begged her she gave a shy smile,after all that she couldn't deny them this request.Her eyes went to Papo,he had said her real name...but how did he know who she really was.It didn't matter at the momment,this task was importent and she was going to carry it out till the end.
"You can count on me,and thank you everyone for your kind words.I'll be sure to visit the kitchen again,whenever I need a snack or something".
One thing though where did the high class guests stay,Chihiro only ever met the regular guests that came to the bath house.We're there rooms that weren't accessible to other people,that only a select few knew about....guess she would find out.
"Could you tell me where the room is,just so I don't get lost because I want to fulfill this task".
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Post by Yu-Baaba on Apr 28, 2007 3:10:37 GMT -5
“THANK YOU OH KIND AND BEAUTIFUL GODDESS CHIHRIO!!!!” The cooks looked up – all their eyes were welling with tears.
Papo grunted, “Get up off the floor and start working on those new orders”
He turned back to Chihiro. “You have my thanks as well. I don’t know what I would have done without you. I was really in a bind here and I’ve been understaffed in delivery workers all night! This will be the last task I’ll need from you tonight. Rush hours are over and most of the spirits have eaten their full. From now until sunrise it will only be the occasional order from the midnight snackers and guests with never-ceasing appetites!”
He chuckled, then picked up the beautifully adorned cake. The swirling colors seemed to move about the cake as if the flavors were enchanted and constantly switching places with each other. It looked at least seven layers high and had giant frosting blossoms covering the entire top layer. It really was a work of art. He placed it in a jeweled box and shut the lid tightly.
“This guest’s room is in a secret, secluded place. There are many different passages to get there and it can be accessed from almost anywhere in the Bath House. Gakku will show you the quickest way from here.” He gestured at the kindly worker who had helped Chihiro earlier. He instantly came running from behind the counter and stood by Chihiro, his hands and face were smudged with flour and some kind of dough.
“One more thing. You MUST report back to me when you have completed this task.” He was very firm about this last statement.
With that, Papo went over to where Gakku had been kneading dough and took over the task personally. “Come on Miss Chihiro.” Gakku said shyly. “Follow me.”
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Post by ~*~Chihiro~*~ on Apr 28, 2007 3:17:59 GMT -5
Okay the goddess part she can live without,good thing this was her last task here in the kitchen.At least after this it's only one more chore right,Chihiro only hoped there would be no more interupptions or troubles.She grabbed hold of the jeweled box,picking it up the best she could and looked to Gaku.
"Alright lead the way,i'll follow your lead."
She promised to report back,just as soon as she was finished.
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