RP:Cats and Quiche

Synopsis: Rani and Roahin visit the Ginger Snapped Bakery/Restaurant for dinner. While checking in on Atakan and Nirali, they have a run-in with a strange half-felyne named Karasu. The 3 sit at a booth and enjoy an evening of good food and good conversation.

Ginger Snapped Bakery and Sweetshop, Cenril

Zahrani walks into the establishment, her panther's nose flaring in curiosity with the scent of warm bread and various savory aromas. The feline woman wears a simple set of sleeveless plate armor, showing off her conditioned arms - which are covered by fitted arm bands and bracers. Her dreads are tied back into a ponytail. Cyan eyes survey the establishment before she takes a few more steps in, her armored boots making slight clicking noises on the floor. In her company is an elder feline woman, with black and silver fur and shrewd amber eyes. She wears a shawl over her ears, her aged-but-spry form garbed in simple unassuming dress that helps her blend into crowds. "Good to see you two!" says one of the bakery's employees. A male hairless Sphinx feline steps out behind the counter, showing them to a table. A cherry-blossom tattoo can be seen on his neck, but beyond that, he merely sports white kitchen wear and a gray bandana over his head. The elder cat lady speaks, "Glad to see you and Nirali are thriving here, Atakan." The cat-man offers a grin, before saying, "I should get back to my sourdough." He offers a smile and a nod to Rani, who smiles in return, before he heads into the kitchen and lets his cousin know that their kin are here.

Karasu for some reason has always been nervous about being around others of her own kind. Her memories as a kitten with her mother's clan are far and few between, and she was the only feline in her class at the Mage's Tower. Clad in her maroon student robes, with well-used brass armor beneath, and twin daggers at each side of her hip, the half-felyne woman enters the establishment. Mulberry-brown cat ears and golden-brown eyes flicker every which way as she surveys the scene, an unconscious response to her training. An elderly feline with leopard spots gives Karasu a polite nod in greeting when their eyes meet, to which she hesitantly returns. A few steps forward and she nearly collides into the back of a taller panther-feline. "S-sorry!" Karasu quickly steps back, putting her clawed cross between paws and hands up defensively.

Scandal was in the back of the Sweetshop working on of his famous desserts, the unique honey cinnamon Crisp Cone which floated and inch off the plate. The Dragon, was not in his dragon form, sporting the appearance of human with short spiked hair that was red, with tips highlighted in orange like a bonfire, and a pair of Dark red brown eyes, which occassionaly flashed into a glowing red. He was lean but musclular and had sunkissed skin, and stood about 6 1/2 feet tall. With his apron around his waist and wearing a pair of black pants, with a white shirt on the Dragon or Scandal as he was known, even if his name was Ashiouz, Kept pace before leaving the back to bring up a tray of cones. "More Crisps Cones, Atakan."

Zahrani feels someone run into her back in the crowded foyer. She and her elder turn to face the half-felyne woman, and with a warm smile, the paladin says, "No harm done..." The older woman peers at Karasu, taking in the spell-blade's telltale garb. With a polite smile, the feline Matriarch speaks in an aged, accented voice, "Would you like to join us? I've not seen your face here..." Rani looks to her adopted Grand-Mother, before turning back to Karasu and shrugging, "It's up to you..." The two cat-women turn to take a seat at the booth Atakan has set up for them; the male Sphinx is back at the counter helping Scandal, "Sure thing...these are almost as popular as Nirali's sesame bagels." It was a playful verbal jab between coworkers. A female Sphinx feline weaves between the two of them, setting a pre-sliced quiche with pork belly and greens baked into a display case. She offers a wave to Rani and Roahin - the Matriarch - before striding back into the kitchen to continue the orders she was receiving. Victoria the waitress arrives at the booth, slightly fatigued from how busy it is, but keeping a polite demeanor as she greets them, "Always a pleasure Matriarch. You as well, Zahrani. What'll you be having?"

Karasu blinks a few times at the politeness of the paladin, having expected a hostile response like the rather reserved felines of Frostmaw. Her head turns a bit to the right, then to the left, confirming how few seats are left before she gives a nod. "If that's alright, ma'am." She immediately jumps to attention when the Sphinx passes through them, "Sorry, go ahead." She mumbles reflexively before stepping forward to join the stranger at the booth. It is then that the smell of pork reaches her. Turning her head towards Zahrani, her pupils are almost completely dilated with a newfound excitement. "Was that the legendary spinach and pork belly quiche? Do you know if it's good?!" There is a familiarity in how she gets excited for food, but it is a trait seen in many, and too vague for anyone in the establishment to recognize.

Zahrani grins at Karasu as she joins them at their table, handing her a dinner menu. Her smile widens at the stranger's question about the quiche, the panther turning to Roahin and asking, "You want to tell her, Grand-Mother?" The Matriarch's amber gaze levels upon the spell-blade, a grin on her face as she carefully pulls back her shawl like a hood, "Oh, my dear. I can vouch for that quiche personally. It's only made by one of the best cooks in the Isran Collective." Turning to Victoria, the paladin looks up with a warm smile and says, "Let's have a pot of twig tea, and if my instincts are correct, you're probably looking at 3 servings of the 'legendary spinach and pork belly quiche'." After taking orders for anything else their new half-feline acquaintance might like, Victoria takes their menus with a cheerful, "Easily my favorite dish we have this summer. It comes with a side of fresh greens as well. I'll go get your tea." After the waitress leaves, the elder cat lady takes a sip of her water, her yellow eyes glancing back to Karasu before she says, "I suppose we should introduce ourselves. My name is Roahin, but the cats of the Isran Collective call me Grand-Mother, or Matriarch." She playfully taps on the panther's bracer before adding, "This strapping young lady is Zahrani." The paladin offers a smile and says, "Rani, for short. I'm a paladin of Cyris."

Karasu curls her tail this way and that as the elder cat speaks. "It's very nice to meet you, Roahin, Rani. I am Karasu of..." She trails off, her eyes glancing over to the floor as she thought for a moment. Did all felines belong to a collective? Did she belong to a collective? As far as her memory served, Father never spoke much about where her mother's side of the family was from. "Karasu of Xalious. I am a spellblade in training. Cyris is a very good God to take after." She smiles. "I am sure He is grateful to have you as a follower."

Zahrani and Roahin listen keenly to Karasu as she introduces herself. The paladin offers a sheepish smile and nod, before saying, "Teachings that exemplify Freedom suit me. I look to empowering others, especially when they have lived without Freedom." The Matriarch takes another sip of her water and offers a knowing grin, "I had you figured for a spell-blade; your robes are bulkier than most mages." The elder cat adds vaguely, "I picked up a few tricks over there in my youth..." To which the panther responds, "Always modest about yourself while bragging about others." The elder grins, humming a little tune as if she were pretending to not listen. Moments later, Victoria comes by with a pot of twig tea and 3 cups, accompanied by Atakan with their meals balanced deftly on a platter. The Sphinx says, "Enjoy." with a grin, and the two employees are off to service other tables and customers at the counter. As she slices into her quiche, Roahin then adds, "I don't know if they still keep spell-blades and mages in separate classes like when I was there, but you might have noticed a young snow-leopard lad starting as a mage there recently. About 11 years old, goes by Amir. He's one of ours, and he's got a knack for frost magic."

Karasu blows on her tea before trying the quiche, listening intently to the duo. "You have been to the Tower too? Did you visit Xalious' tree? It's a gorgeous view if you look from His highest branches, you could even see clear to Cenril's beaches on a good day." Her tail curls and uncurls happily, feeling more at home in this small bakery than she ever has with her dorm mates. "Spell-blades and mages have to take some of the same classes, like arcane history and rune translation, but we don't get to take the advanced magic courses; Master Oriyan says those equipped to be spell-blades rarely have a need for them..." Karasu's eyes widen at the mention of another feline. "There's a snow-leopard starting? How adorable! Ah, I probably won't see him then, I am about to graduate my final year, but I do want to be part of the Guild afterwards! Hopefully I can tutor him.Why frost magic, though?" She absentmindedly takes a bite of the quiche. "Fire magic is so much more versatil-- Great Amaroth's beard this is good!" Karasu exclaims, her ears quivering in delight.

Zahrani has a taste of her quiche as well, sighing deeply at the hearty meal as she smiles at Karasu. Roahin has a similar reaction, "I've never had a bad meal here since this place has opened." Back on the subject of magic and Xalious, the elder feline responds, "I remember the tree quite well...Frost was merely the magic that Amir has a natural affinity for. It's how he discovered his talent. He will no doubt learn more; he's always been a clever lad." A pause as they continue to enjoy their meal, before she adds, "I had specialized in terramancy in my younger years, but my current position requires more social skills than magical ones." A grin forms on her face, "Although, if you're graduating, I'd be happy to attend the ceremony. It gives me a good reason to see the tower again, and I get to see you take a new step in your life."

Karasu pauses, an unfamiliar feeling swelling inside her. Someone... wanted to be there at graduation? For her? She can feel her cheeks heating up and her whiskers trembling. "I... would like that. I-if it's not out of your way, Master Roahin. I'm sure Amir would like to see you too!" She adds quickly, cursing that of all things they would teach her in school, how to hold a conversation would not be one of those things. Turning her attention to the Sphinx, if only to draw attention away from herself, she asks timidly, "D-do you have Winter Berry juice here? Ah, no? No, it's okay, they usually only serve it in Frostmaw."

Zahrani watches Karasu's body language; it's clear that the spell-blade didn't expect that proposal. Nirali overhears Karasu's question about Winter Berry juice, and responds, "I'm sorry, I think we're out. It's not in season, but with pineapple season, we do have plenty of tepache. It's a fizzy pineapple drink. Great for summer." Should the half-feline say yes, Nirali would bring out a glass; it has foam similar to beer, but it has the consistency of cream soda with a clear pineapple flavor. "This batch is spiced with cloves, but it's subtle." the Sphinx comments. Meanwhile the elder feline woman chuckles, "I am nobody's Master, but I will certainly be there to visit, if you want."

Karasu tilts her head at the concoction before taking a tentative sip. "Wow! This goes great together. Pineapple is hard to get in the mountains, but I wonder if it's properties would be good to mask some of the more bitter healing potions." She tilts her head to the other side. Hearing the elder speak, she nods, smiling a bit shyly. "Yes, I would like that. And you as well, Rani."

The three felines enjoy their meal together as the evening sky darkens, discussing future plans to meet and what they want to do in the future. Surely there were be more opportunities for them to build, grow, and enjoy time together.