deercountry | patisserie lysitherie: preparations

[a. video, un: charon, ota]

Good evening, Trench. The grand opening of... [she frowns as she says the next part] the Patisserie Lysitherie is currently scheduled for November 15th, pending any horrible Trenchian incidents. So most likely, November 30th.

As we prepare for transition into our new space, I'm seeking a few things.

First, Architects or anyone good with woodworking and metalworking to remodel the existing building and to install a few necessary appliances. I need more ovens. Anyone interested in helping with the business is welcome, too, of course.

Second, if any recreational businesses are interested in a steady supply of pastries - for instance, a café or a bookstore - I'm open to partnerships.

Third, if you've got a cake or a sweet from home you're just dying to experience, I'd like to start collecting recipes from all of you Sleepers. I began this business to revive my beloved nostalgic sweets, but I realize... I'd like to be able to bring that experience to others, too.

[b. Willful Machine, early November, ota]

Augh!

[There comes a loud explosion from a rather derelict building in the middle of the Willful Machine district. A half-dozen thumps and clangs follow. ...Then the upper story of the building drops about three feet, releasing an enormous plume of smoke that settles over wary shoppers and merchants. A girl covered in a thick layer of dust stumbles out ten seconds later and falls backwards on the ground.]

I suppose... that takes care of the rodent issue.

[The building belches out a gout of flame behind her.]

[c. Lysithea's home (Gaze), early November, for new and old customers, employees, or other general CR]

[With the bakery operations in full swing and the storefront not yet ready, Lysithea's home is in perpetual activity. Whether she's fulfilling orders, experimenting with new pastries, or bullying her employees, Lysithea works tirelessly to make her dream a reality. For the time being, her work as an Arcane Scholar in the School of Mutter is suspended as she focuses on her craft.]

Look out - hot pan behind you!

Yes, yes, of course - I can do a dozen mini-cakes for you by tomorrow; that won't be a problem.

Here to collect? If you would sign this form here and fill out what you plan to trade...

You've procured the cinnamon? Wonderful! How much did it cost us? Did you have to give up the hematite?

[Regardless of why you're here, she'll open the door with smudges of honey and chocolate all over her face and an exhausted, though satisfied expression.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She glances at him in surprise.]

He didn't mention that part. ...Being Commandant, I mean. This was... when we were on the river together.

[The river of regrets. And blood. And corpses.]

He gives you credit for saving the world by choosing your own path.

[ Yuri lets out a tired laugh ]

Of course he did. It was Rita's idea, how to stop everything. Bet you'd like her.

[ They're both smart and judgey. That means they'll be best friends, right? ]

Yeah, he's the Commandant, real important in the Empire. Last Commandant was a piece of shit, so I'd say Flynn is a big step up.

[When you're talking to Yuri there's a lot to judge.]

Hm.

[She hums thoughtfully, putting the finishing touches on the last of the gift basket she was currently compiling.]

I wonder why he didn't think to mention it. He spoke only of his regrets in not rebelling against his superiors earlier. Perhaps he's still struggling with the weight of what almost was.

[A ribbon is attached.]

But now he has the power to ensure the same mistakes will never be made.

That's Flynn for you. Nothing's ever good enough for him.

[ A very nice box. Yuri adds it to the pile, then claps his hands to get the powdered sugar off. ]

Never celebrates a win, he just keeps thinking about the stuff he did wrong. He was there too, y'know? When we stopped Duke and everything. He helped, a lot of people did.

[ He can't bring himself to say "when we saved the world" ]

So, what's next, boss?

Now?

[It takes her a moment to disengage autopilot and remember they are supposed to working.]

Oh! Right. I had a surprise for you. Hold on.

[Lysithea rummages around in the pantry briefly before coming out with a jar of some sort of nondescript powder.]

You know those medicine jellies [gels] you were telling me about? I was curious - and I was getting some of this for another client, anyway.

[She uncaps it.]

It's gelatin. Why don't you see if you can whip up some of those apple jellies?

Oh.

[ Yuri looks down at the jar, feeling-- something. Surprise, yeah, warmth, sure, that too. He didn't expect anything, much less for Lysithea to remember some throw away comment about apple gels.

After a second, he collects himself and grins, taking the jar from her. ]

They're not dessert, y'know? They're medicine. Even if kids love to eat 'em.

Oh, it's apple flavored gelatin. What's not to love about them? Unless you start adding bitter medicinal herbs.

[Lysithea does not stock bitter herbs in her kitchen and will refuse to accommodate this request if made.]

If they happen to be healthy, all the better.

What else do you think you need?

Well, yeah. They're medicine, they're expensive--

[ Except this isn't expensive. Probably? It's a gift. He lets out a breath ]

Alright, I'll see what I can do. Apple gels are pretty potent, so maybe I can talk to one of the alchemists here, see if they have something that can mimic what the gels did.

[ He wrinkles his nose. This sounds hard. Thanks, Lysithea, for giving him a really hard project ]

Don't look so grouchy.

[Lysithea says, suppressing any inner satisfaction at having found something that would require hard work from Yuri.]

And while I appreciate the initiative, it's perfectly satisfactory if you just replicate the popular taste and texture of these treats, you know. The medicinal properties would be a bonus on top.

Though truth be told, I would like to introduce a line of magical treats eventually.

[ If he knew that's what she was thinking, he would be furious that he let someone else figure out his weakness: actual hard work that involves planning and forethought ]

...sure. Yeah. Always thought it was weird that medicine tasted like candy.

[ He lets out a breath, still staring down at the packet. Well, maybe finding the flavor will be fun? ]

You sure you don't need cakes baked or something?

[ Because then he wouldn't have to do this ]

I always need cakes baked.

[Lysithea responds with an arched eyebrow.]

...Are you saying you don't actually want to do this? I thought since you liked sweets so much, you'd appreciate reviving something familiar.

I could just make some sort of gelatin dessert myself if you're not interested.

[ She learned too quickly how to push his buttons. Yuri looks down at the packet and grimaces ]

No, I'll do it.

[ He does want to make them, partially for the familiarity, and partially so he doesn't have to rely on Flynn healing him whenever he gets into shit. He doesn't need Flynn to know every time he gets hurt, anyway. ]

But, later. Cakes first.

[She will have to reflect on this conversation later to puzzle out what exactly has happened. To tell the truth, she hadn't expected this sort of reaction at all - in her mind, either he would have been pleased or he would have been too lazy.

It was almost as if he felt a certain kind of obligation and resented it...

But for now, she slides him a recipe.]

Sponge cake today.

Straightforward enough for you?

[ Perhaps it's that, perhaps it's that he doesn't quite feel up to it, up to the faith she has that he can just... do it. Like it's easy.

He takes the recipe, skimming it and nodding. ]

Sure. For your cakes from Fodlan, right?

[ He's gotten the hang of most of the recipes from her home that she's handed him. He doesn't exactly have finesse in decorating, but actually baking, he's good at. The flavors and textures are great, but the first time she asked him to decorate may have been the last ]

Our cakes to delight the senses of the Trenchian masses.

[Lysithea responds loftily as she begins to gather the necessary ingredients. Through some wizardry on the part of her dock barterers, she had somehow managed to come into far too many eggs than she actually needed for the next week. (Or perhaps it had been an accident - she had ended up pretty short on chocolate.]

And I'll do some egg tarts and custard and advertise some sort of sale. Now put some eggstra backbone into it; I want those whipped so lightly you can use it as a pillow.

[And perhaps we can fade out on this domestic scene as Lysithea resumes her role of taskmaster...]

patisserie lysitherie: preparations

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