deercountry | patisserie lysitherie: preparations

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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.]

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Slightly burnt?!

[This is a a crime of untold proportions. Lysithea gasps.]

You must report such things to me immediately, Luz! The cookies were burnt? That's completely unacceptable! I won't allow my goods to be anything less than perfect quality.

More importantly, it's an affront to nature to spoil such treats by burning them1 I can't imagine what could have happened. I'll need to check everyone's work more carefully - individually!

Slightly burnt, Lysithea! That's not the same as being actually burnt! It just means one batch happened to get a little crispy! Just find out which one it was and see if you can adjust things so that won't happen again.

Um. You really want to do that? I think that might be taking things a little far.

Slightly burnt is burnt, Luz. It's right there in the phraseology.

[obviously]

I take these things very seriously, you know. Just think if you went to a clothing store and it was slightly overcooked and the sleeve was an inch too long.

[Are these things really comparable?]

I'll have to write an apology letter...

Slightly means it could have been all burnt, but it wasn't, Lysithea. If it was burnt, that trust me, you'd have gotten an earful.

That's different. Clothing is way more uniform, and it would be only more egregious if it was done by a tailor. Sometimes baking takes some fine tuning. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it soon enough. You've already made some amazing products so far!

If you really think you have to?

[She knew how seriously her friend too these matters].

Nothing is more important than customer satisfaction.

[Lysithea's cheeks puff out slightly.]

Many were the times when I sampled a product and thought - why, the dough is too crumbly! Or - the sugar is still granular! Inferior offerings, presented as if they were acceptable for consumption.

[is she even still talking to anyone or is she just talking to herself now]

Not on my watch! The patisserie will be associated with quality only.

[..........]

Who was this customer, anyway?

Well, you're the boss! Can't argue with that!

[Seriously, she won't. It was Lysithea's business and dream, and Luz wasn't about to treat it casually].

Ah, so you're a stickler about the deliciousness of the product! I can't argue with that!

[No, no, as someone who partook in sweets and cared just as much, Luz is actually with you on a spiritual level].

Oh, I don't know. I just thought they were some complainer. I'll make sure to get their name and contact information next time!

Oh, please do. If you run into them again, please let them know we'll be happy to replace any goods they find unsatisfactory.

[And with that, her fervor seems to have exhausted itself as Lysithea gives a sigh and allows herself to take a sip of tea for the first time in a few minutes.]

This can be stressful, but...

I like this kind of stress. It's... more fulfilling than the stress of battle. Much lower-stakes, of course.

I'll be sure to do that. Besides, anyone can make a batch they're not super happy about every once and awhile, right? I'll make sure from now on to get the name of every customer I serve and what they think of the product!

[Luz chuckled].

You know, I'm not surprised. I did think you were going to try for Arcane arts when you for here though: I never dreamed you'd open up a bakery!

Well, I'm still going to do that.

[Lysithea smiles a bit ruefully.]

Magic will always be the primary passion of my life. But since I've focused on nothing else for some... sixteen years, I think there's time to pursue other interests. My work at the School is on temporary hold right now.

Actually... I'd like to combine the two passions eventually.

[Luz had a feeling she'd say that. Well the first part anyway].

You'll have to show me how much better you've gotten at it later, ok? I'm incredibly jealous and am still in need of a teacher.

[Sometimes it was hard to get ahold of Willow].

Really? How do you think you'll be able to do that?

Magical cake.

[Lysithea says matter-of-factly, as if that were obvious.]

Or perhaps it would be enchanted cake? Cake infused with different kinds of magic for different effects. There could be combat cakes, of course - for use against monsters as bait or as weapons. Or perhaps cakes that could be used supportively. To bolster natural healing or strength.

Given the varied powers of blood here, it should be simple to imbue objects with blood effects.

The, er, issue is... that I don't know if I want to make blood cake. I'd have to try a different approach.

[Lysithea sips thoughtfully.]

Magic...cake?

[The idea initially sounded absurd, but she listened on, fascinated].

I mean, that definitely sounds like that could work, though I guess I'd be a little concerned about who was buying those kinds of cake and for what purpose. You don't want a great money making business to suddenly turn into an arms manufacturing place by mistake, right?

[Certainly she could see that happening in the clutches of less than reputable people].

So you wouldn't want to try it with blood at all? How else could it work?

Oh, certainly not! I mean, I'm not intending to make concussive explosives or anything along those lines. I just mean it would be a possibility to imbue a treat with Coldblood, for instance, and deliver a strong, paralyzing shock to any monster that ingests it.

I suppose I don't know how people would feel about eating blood is more the issue. Bloodstones contain the essence of these special blood types - I wonder if it would be possible to distill out that essence somehow into something more, er, hygienically edible.

Ooh, that is a good idea! Man, you really are a forward thinker there! I've never really sat easy with the idea that a Sleeper monster would be killed in a worst comes to worst situation. If you were able to apply that kind of thing, it would be way easier to subdue them and then get them into custody!

[It would certainly let Luz put her mind at ease].

Maybe. You know, if you did make it just edible blood food, vile bloods would go for it. I happen to know one that takes in the blood themselves, and they might feel less messed up about it.

Er.

[Her imagination dimly conjures up a vision of the future where Lysithea's bakery caters solely to vilebloods guzzling poison, bleach, and her cookies in equal measure.]

Hrm.

I'm sure you're right that there are some folks who don't mind - and some who don't have the luxury of minding.

Perhaps as long as I clearly advertise it for what it is, it will sort itself out. The squeamish will avoid it and those who want to make use of the supernatural properties can imbibe as they please.

[Luz watched Lysithea's face changed and giggled].

Trust me, there will be plenty of people who don't want bloodcakes

That's true. I mean, if you were making those kind of enhanced pastries, they'd probably cost different anyway, right? It wouldn't be the same as your regular treats, because making them would probably need special ingredients.

I'd ask for more valuable trade goods, certainly.

[Given how difficult it would be to get her hands on a steady sources of blood crystals or similar items.]

Well, it's just a possibility for now. No need to count my chickens before they hatch. What do you think, though, Luz? Is it a good idea?

Good idea. That way you can make more things!

[For her part, Luz was sure she could ask around to see if anyone had things they could help Lysithea with, or possibly donate].

Hey, it's a darn good idea! It just needs time to cultivate and breathe. We could make it a reality! Maybe I can even ask Varian to spit out some possible theories he might have about how that would work.

Your house mate? Isn't he the one who disdains magic of any form?

[Lysithea speaks diplomatically, the unspoken question being, 'why would he want anything to do with magic cake'?]

But I appreciate the expression of confidence. We'll call it a project to work on in the future. I've got to get my store up and running first.

He's had to relax his views a little, on account of me living there and him having magical powers himself.

[Luz was pretty sure she could convince Varian that there was a science to baking because, frankly, there WAS in her eyes. He'd have to argue that there was nothing beneficial to a magical cake, which she knew even he would agree to].

Of course, I won't impede on that! You have a lot of work to do. Like I said, just let me know when I can best be of service!

Oh -- well, if he's come around to the superior basis of acquired power...

[Lysithea responds cheerfully, clearly joking. (Probably joking.) (Maybe a little bit not joking.)]

Thanks again, Luz.

...If you don't mind, then, perhaps we can finish the tea and start loading up the broom. This was a nice break, though. Thanks for sitting with me.

Oh, you try telling him that and see how far you get!

[She loved Varian, which meant sometimes it helped to half tease, half butter him up. Going the Eda route might not be the best idea].

Hey, always!

Let's start getting the things ready, and then you can give me the route! I'll update you when all the deliveries are done too, so you can check in on your customers!

Oh yes -- perhaps I ought to start including customer feedback forms...

[Lysithea muses as she finishes her tea and sets it on the table.]

I'll clean this up later. For now, let's get you sorted out. Here we are...

[And with that, Lysithea will stack up the packages that need to go on Luz's broom and send her off through the large oval window from her living room. And perhaps we can end that one here!]

Great!

I'll be back in an hour or two! See ya!

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patisserie lysitherie: preparations

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Had to delete because of all that empty space

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Perfect end! Now onto the pain!