2014-06-25 - Bake Sale
| Title: Bake Sale | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Infinity's got a bake sale, put on by the cooking club. Come get sweets and food and possibly be glowered at by a rabbit (not Usagi). | |
| Who: Gordon, Kuniko Saito, Hayato Nishi, Ruma Hino, Ikiko Hisakata, Fuu Hououji | |
| Where: Infinity Institute | |
| OOC - IC Date: 3 February 2014 - 6/25/2014 | |
<Pose Tracker> Gordon [Infinity Institute (S)] has posed.
The Cooking Club is running a bake sale today!
A table has been set-up at the main entrance of the school, just by the stairs leading up to the tower. Baked goodies cover it: cookies, brownies, cakes, and sweets of all sorts are on sale for just a few yen. Students are manning the booth, but there is oversight. Gordon stands on a table behind the sales tables, with more of the goodies there.
The tiny minilop rabbit has his arms crossed, while he looks at the crowds. Then, he calls out; his British accented voice carries surprisingly far despite his size.
"Cookies! Brownies! Cakes!" he yells. "All for low prices! Come support your school's Cooking Club!"
<Pose Tracker> Hayato Nishi [None] has posed.
Hayato Nishi, perfectly ordinary human who is almost certainly from Earth, is wandering around Tokyo. He's staying away from the perfectly normal mansion hidden in the middle of the woods, because one of his perfectly normal fellow denizens is a little angry with him.
So, exploring the city! He's clearly out of place, though - tall, broad, blonde, almost certainly a foreigner of some sort. His fashion sense is a bit dated - who wears puffy orange vests, seriously? - but he's taking this chance to take in the sights and sounds.
The talking rabbit catches his attention though, and he wanders over. Myriad things he's never seen before - are they some sort of food? They certainly smell like they could be, but he doesn't want to presume. They could be scented soap, possibly. Hmm. How best to find out, without looking foolish?
...ask the rabbit. "Excuse me!" He calls out in deliberately stilted Japanese, sounding for all the world like some Scandinavian who's picked up the language from a book. "Could you, ah, explain what these items are?"
<Pose Tracker> Ruma Hino [None] has posed.
A Tuner at Magic Association Central? Inconceivable!
Ruma Hino didn't like it here, but Infinity was near enough to her territory that she could make an exception for a little slice of HEAVEN
As actual students man the booths, Ruma mills about, counting her pocket change over and over to try and make certain that she has enough for at least a couple baked treats. Attired in drab and grey winter clothing except for one adornment of a scarlet scarf with yellow dots, she spies an Infinity teacher who is a little distinct for reasons she couldn't place.
Could it be because he's a rabbit!? No certainly not, it's because he's a cooking teacher.
Grasping inwardly for the lies she might have told him and his students, she eventually approaches, just behind Hayato when she hears his question as she's counting out her pocket change again, "What, you mean the flavors and varieties right? How could you not know what cookies, brownies, and cakes a.." Which is when she looks up, and sees that he's.. a drop dead hunk. Looking back down quickly at her hand to hide the sudden heat in her cheeks, she mumbles, "Didn't know all foreigners were so built."
<Pose Tracker> Ikiko Hisakata [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.
Word gets around quickly among the Sister Schools. Whether it's from corresponding clubs on other campuses, friends of friends bringing the news, or even just a word overheard, even students at Juuban and Ohtori know of the bake sale, and some might even come over.
Of course, while the previously mentioned methods are the most common, they're by no means the only way knowledge gets spread. Case in point: Ikiko is here thanks to a tip from one of the local strays. "'Yummy-smelling human-treats,' indeed!" she grins as she comes within sight of the table. She pats the dog that had told her about the bake sale. "Thank you for telling me about this! I'll get you a treat as a thank-you," Ikiko smiles.
...okay, so cookies aren't healthy food for dogs. Technically, they're not exactly nutritious for humans, either, but a rare treat won't hurt.
She notices Ruma standing near the table, talking with... well, whoever that guy is, he's certainly not bad looking. Ikiko walks over to the table, looking over the baked goods and thinking about what to get.
<Pose Tracker> Kuniko Saito [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Kuniko is slouching behind the counter in neat enough cooks' whites, sipping from a cup of coffee and looking delinquent. She has no immediate response to anyone. She probably made at least some of this stuff.
Her eyes trail, in silence, towards Hayato.
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (8)] has posed.
The sight of the tables full of baked goods for sale prompts Fuu to slow down on her way down the stairs, and divert course to see what's available. She has archery practice to go to, but odds are that nothing will be left for sale by the time the team finishes ... and as she thinks about it, she fishes out her cell phone to text Yumiko-san, inquiring whether anyone on the team has particular desires from the bake sale.
While she's waiting for the reply, Fuu starts looking over what's available, as much for her own benefit as anything ... sparing a polite bow for Gordon-sensei, and a friendly smile and a wave for Saito-sempai, never mind that Kuniko looks like she could benefit from a nap; that's no reason for Fuu to be rude to her, is it?
<Pose Tracker> Gordon [Infinity Institute (S)] has posed.
Gordon looks at Hayato, confused -- but then Ruma asks the question on his mind, because he knows Scandinavian cooking does have desserts (and not just those dry cookies in tins that are allegedly Danish). He nods, once, and peers up at him. "The cookies are there, there, and there. We have lemon, chocolate chip, and shortbread. Some mint crisps may be along shortly."
There is a team baking, still. "And the cakes are there. And there, we have..." He motions to the pile of brownies. "Brownies. They are also good and made of chocolate. What country are you from again?"
He nods, politely, at Fuu. He remembers her; she helped him clean the kitchen once.
<Pose Tracker> Hayato Nishi [None] has posed.
The blond foreigner turns at Ruma's incredulity, stepping aside to more easily both address her and the rabbit. Hmm. So these are 'cookies', 'brownies', and 'cakes', and there is a talking animal - perhaps some emissary from the Kingdom of Sweets? This situation has grown grave indeed - there's a risk that his cover could be blown. The rabbit's question is a simple one, but Hayato has forgotten the answer that his fellow exe- fellow mansion-dwellers told him.
Well, when in doubt, brush aside the awkward question and focus on the relevant. "Ah, yes! The flavors, I meant to say." He gives Ruma a nod that has a hint of gratitude. Chocolate is a flavour he's heard about, likewise lemon - though he's yet to taste them. It took him a while to even taste 'coffee', after all - but neither So- Shun nor Setsuna are here!
He digs in a pocket for money, and starts rifling through a handful of coins. "I would like to try the...brownie, and the lemon cookie, I think. What else do you recommend?"
<Pose Tracker> Ruma Hino [None] has posed.
The man in front of her may be hot, but she's obviously beginning to lose patience, glowering as she shifts from one foot to the other. It was like being at the gates to some celestial realm, and not being able to get in due to the people in front asking for the tourist's run down. She mutters, "You probably need to tell him what type of brownie you want too."
Looking away to try to hide the embarrassed flush, she notes Ikiko, and wiggles a mittened finger at her. "Hey, Hisakata-san. How are you doing?"
<Pose Tracker> Kuniko Saito [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Fuu gets an acknowledging nod from Kuniko, who takes another swig from her coffee. She manages to smile after a moment. It must've been a long-ass day.
"If you can wait like five minutes you can get the mint crisps, like Chef said," she tells the foreign boy. To Gordon, she says, "Nijimura said he'd just got them out of the oven."
She waves Ruma over, stepping up to take change (presumably) and dole out baked goods. With two people, you don't have to wait. Even if you do have the disadvantage that Kuniko is not a small fluffy rabbit.
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (8)] has posed.
Fuu wanders over to where the cakes are standing, looking at the available flavors while Gordon-sensei and Kuniko are transacting commerce with the foreign-looking student ant Ruma ... although she does offer a smile and a polite, "Hello!" to Ruma.
<Pose Tracker> Gordon [Infinity Institute (S)] has posed.
"One of the pound cakes," Gordon says. "It is buttery and sweet -- and quite good." He looks at Fuu, then he nods. "Good. Those are also quite good, but theywon't be here quite yet."
He slides over, to grab the brownie and lemon cookie. He is careful to put them on a plate, and then offer them up to Hayato. He looks him over for a moment, and then looks to the rest of the line; especially Ruma, who seems to be getting agitated. "We'll get to all of you soon!"
<Pose Tracker> Ikiko Hisakata [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.
Ikiko gives Ruma a smile. "I'm doing pretty good, Hino-san. Heard about the bake sale, so I came by to see what was available," the Juuban student remarked. "How about yourself?"
<Pose Tracker> Hayato Nishi [None] has posed.
There is a line, and there is a procedure in such situations - even in the foreign place Hayato is from. He carefully takes the place, exchanging coins, and steps to one side to allow those behind him to take their rightful turns. If Hayato needs to purchase additional items, he can simply enter the line again. Patience and diligence are things he is good at, after all!
Once he has his plate, and is safely off to one side, he examines his items. The pale 'lemon cookie', and the dark 'brownie'. Which to sample first?...the brownie, perhaps. It was said to be 'good', after all. Cautiously, he picks it up, and takes a bite.
The ensuing shout resounds throughout the area, Hayato's voice audible to everyone. "DELICIOUS!"
Sheer rapturous delight is plain on his face, the cookie kept from falling only by sheer force of will. He actually jumps for a moment, taking a second and third and fourth bite before speaking again. "This is delicious - the best thing I've ever had!" Without a moment's hesitation, he runs to the end of the line, because he needs to get more of those brownies.
Next up: The lemon cookie....
<Pose Tracker> Ruma Hino [None] has posed.
"Oh well, I'm not doing poorly I guess. Just uhm, yeah.. having the back to school blues, still." Ruma lies through her teeth as she shifts to stand in front of Kuniko, waving to Fuu at the same time. "Hey, Hououji-san wasn't it? It's good to see you again."
It's at that point that she looks towards Kuniko, with eyes that have obvious yearning for mint crisps. It takes a supreme effort of will to shake it off, as she simply asks, "What are your cheapest cookies and brownies?" She doubted she could afford cake, much less make it last for l...
- 'DELICIOUS!'
Her head swivels to give the foreigner a startled, slack-jawed look. Even she wasn't that exuberant about trying something new! Well in her spoken reaction at least. ....don't judge.
<Pose Tracker> Kuniko Saito [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Kuniko looks smug.
<Pose Tracker> Gordon [Infinity Institute (S)] has posed.
"Hm," Gordon murmurs, before he looks at Kuniko. He nods once. A point to Gryffindor.
"Good," he says, looking back to Hayato. "I am surprised it's the best thing you have ever had, but we all must start our venture into cuisine somewhere! So if it's here, all the better!"
The bunny looks at Ruma. He considers -- with a disapproving glower, because /cheap/? -- and then he motions at the chocolate chip cookies. "Those are our cheapest," he says. "But still delicious."
Just not DELICIOUS!
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (8)] has posed.
Fuu smiles, looking over at Kuniko. "It's always nice to know your hard work is appreciated, isn't it?" she comments, nodding slightly at Hayato-whom-she-doesn't-actually-know-yet. "I think I'd like a few --"
Her phone vibrates.
"-- hold that thought, please," Fuu says with a sheepish smile as she digs her phone out and checks Yumiko's answer ...
<Pose Tracker> Kuniko Saito [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"I'll spot you for one," Kuniko tells Ruma, not unkindly. "I'm actually real proud of these, because they aren't just sugar. See if you can tell me what I included along with the chocolate and everything." She plucks up two chocolate chip cookies and starts wrapping them in tissue paper for Ruma's delectation.
<Pose Tracker> Hayato Nishi [None] has posed.
Hayato can be patient. Diligence. Working hard. Waiting. Honest he can. But that brownie was absolutely delicious and he needs to get more of them - both for himself, and to introduce to Setsuna and Shun! So, he just has to make it through the line again.
These baked goods are amazing - technically, Labyrinth should do something to ruin the happiness going on here, but Hayato's not doing anything of the sort until he can try more of this - if the brownie is this good, then how could everything else be?
...he does have a lemon cookie left to try. That should tide him over while he waits, right? Picking it up, his teeth bite into it with an audible snap.
His eyes go wide. Sweet and sour and crunchy all at once - the standard rations weren't anything like this! "This is good too!" He turns to a passing bystander, excitement plain on his face. "You need to try their lemon cookies, they're great!"
Of course, Hayato eats the entire cookie. He's not going to be that helpful.
<Pose Tracker> Ruma Hino [None] has posed.
As Gordon gives her a look, she immediately looks more defensive and reacts accordingly, "I don't have much allowance! I work hard for what little I get!"
Fortunately, Kuniko responds in a way which has Ruma look her way in a startled manner, before a smile graces her expression, "S-So kind! Uhm.." She counts out the coins for purchasing one of the two cookies.. and she's left with what looks like a pitiful amount, but she doesn't complain anymore about it. A free cookie is <3
<Pose Tracker> Ikiko Hisakata [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.
Ikiko looks over the available goodies, making a few quick decisions. "I think I'll have two lemon cookies and a chocolate cake, please," she smiles to Gordon and Kuniko. One cookie for herself, one for the dog in a couple of minutes, and as for the cake...
"Say, Hino-san? Want to split the cake?" she offers. "It looks great, but I don't think I'm in the mood for that much chocolate all at once, and it should be enjoyed at its freshest." In all truth, Ikiko would probably enjoy the whole cake, but if she's going to offer Ruma some food, it helps to respect the Tuner's pride and not make it seem like a handout.
<Pose Tracker> Gordon [Infinity Institute (S)] has posed.
"I should hire you as a spokesman," Gordon says, staring up at Hayato. "You could convince people to eat things for us. Now, let's see--ahh, yes, the mint crisps should be here soon. You should stay and try one. They're--
He frowns, and looks at Kuniko. "Saito! What's the time on those mint crisps?"
Then he nods at Ruma. Well, she liked it; that's something. Even if Kuniko is giving things away for free. But that's how they get repeat business. Service is important, too! He looks at Ikiko, then, and he starts to get a cake ready. "One cake, then?"
<Pose Tracker> Kuniko Saito [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"Two minutes, chef," and indeed a curse in the hallway indicates that Nijimura, carrying several trays heaped high with mint crisps, is almost there.
Kuniko puts a coin in the box on behalf of Ruma. She has, at least, pocket money. "I used honey instead of sugar," she tells Ruma, possibly after face-stuffing ensues; "could you tell the difference?"
<Pose Tracker> Ruma Hino [None] has posed.
Another look of surprise is given, this time towards the younger girl, "Oh are you sure Hisakata-san? It won't, put you out?"
By the time the question is asked by Kuniko, she's standing off to the side, and there's naught left of her first opponent but crumbs. Truth be told, she was eating it so quickly with stars sparkling in her eyes that.. she hadn't. She takes a nibble of the second cookie, and this time, forces herself to slow down by supreme force of will. Savoring the bite, she swallows it, before giving her the best answer she can, "It's wonderful! It's sweeter than most cookies I've eaten and has a smoother aftertaste. It doesn't quite taste like the same honey in tea though. Are there different kinds of honey that you can cook with?" She gives Kuniko an inquisitive look.
<Pose Tracker> Ikiko Hisakata [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.
"One cake and two lemon cookies, yes," Ikiko nods to Gordon, sliding the appropriate money over. While he gets her order ready, she smiles at Ruma. "Sharing with a friend is always worth it," she points out. Admittedly, Ruma isn't exactly a /close/ friend of Ikiko, but the younger girl still considers the Tuner to be more of a friend than an acquaintance.
<Pose Tracker> Hayato Nishi [None] has posed.
Hayato's face brightens - and without further provocation, he starts gushing about the brownies and cookies to any passerby who happen to be listening. There is a bit of a line to get through, after all, and it's something he can do to help out!
The line behind him is considerably longer than it was before he started speaking up, but finally he's back at the counter - bright eyes taking in the selection all over again. He digs in his pockets first, to see how much money he has with him...will it be enough? Perhaps not enough to buy everything the bake sale has, but he can at least get enough for the mansion. "My name is Hayato Nishi - and your cooks are great! Could I get..."
The mint crisps are on their way, right? "Four of each cookie, including those mint ones, five brownies, and one of those 'pound cakes' you mentioned?" He looks over the selection, noticing the other kinds of cake. "And, er, one of the other cakes! Any kind is fine, whatever you think would be good!"
He's flat-out beaming, eyes gleaming, nearly salivating at the chance to try the other items on display. Everything looks so good~
<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (8)] has posed.
Fuu finishes answering Yumiko's latest message, and moves to join the line of buyers, fishing out her wallet and double-checking how much money she has on hand. She might have to tell the team captain that other members of the team will have to come and buy their own ... but if the Cooking Club will let Fuu buy snacks to take over to archery club, it'll be more convenient - at least for SOME people - that way.
<Pose Tracker> Gordon [Infinity Institute (S)] has posed.
"Good!" Gordon barks back at Kuniko.
Ikiko gets his attention. He gets the cake and two lemon cookies together, stacking them atop each other. Then he extends them out for Ikiko to take.
And then Hayato takes off. He stares at him, as he goes to get people -- and in short order, their line has magnified. "We're getting a line over here!" he barks at the crew of the Cooking Club. He looks back at Hayato as he gets in, and he nods, before he starts gathering them. "Yes, yes, of course--hold on--"
He goes to collecting them. It will take a moment.
<Pose Tracker> Kuniko Saito [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
Nijimura, who has ridiculous hair, comes in and drops off the mint crisps. They look like thin cookies and, of course, smell wonderful. Kuniko starts bagging stuff while answering Ruma's question: "Yeah," she says. "There's different kinds of bees, and you get a little of the flavor of the flowers they're feeding from, too. I have this jar of five hundred grams of blueberry flower honey from America I oughta use sometime."
She asides quietly to Ruma, meanwhile, "Do you know that foreign guy at all?"
<Pose Tracker> Ruma Hino [None] has posed.
"Different bees." Ruma says that in wonder, at the impromptu lesson on ingredients. "Well either way these cookies are fantastic and..." As she leans in and asks her question, Ruma considers it for a while, putting a mittened hand to her chin. She gives him a good long look, before shaking his head. "Nope, you'd almost swear given his reaction this was his first time trying sweets ever, but.. I don't think that's possible, he looks too..." She blushes just a little, "...well fed?"
It's Ikiko's statement that takes her off guard, as she gives her a sheepish look, putting the remainder of the cookie on the plate, "Uh well. Thank you." She's quiet for a while as she takes a slice of the cake, looking like she's trying to process the idea of anyone thinking of her as a friend. Anyone that isn't Yori Ikuse instead, but this girl's idea of friendship was far different from Yori's... "It's delicious by the way, thank you very much."
<Pose Tracker> Ikiko Hisakata [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.
"Thank you," Ikiko smiles at Gordon as she accepts the cookies and cake. She listens to the part about the honey with a look of interest as she munches on her cookie, then smiles even more when Ruma thanks her. "You're welcome!" she says as she takes a bite of her share.
Oh yeah, this is a *very* good cake! "My compliments to the baker!" she says brightly, a blissful look on her face.
<Pose Tracker> Hayato Nishi [None] has posed.
What? They don't have a standard procedure and packaging? This really is a strange place compared to Hayato's home - but much tastier treats. It's worth the wait!
While waiting, he looks around at the overall atmosphere. The line is disorganized, and those behind the counter equally so - some people are working harder than others, or are hopping from task to task without any apparent rhyme or reason.
But the food is delicious - he takes a step closer to Ruma, Kuniko, and Ikiko. "Everything looks good - how long does it take to learn to make things like this?"
<Pose Tracker> Gordon [Infinity Institute (S)] has posed.
"Years," Gordon asides to Hayato, while he finishes gathering Hayato's order. He slides it over, then he nods at him very seriously. "Here you are! All good."
He doesn't respond to compliment about the baking; he didn't bake this, because that is the job of the students. But, there is a twinkle in his little rabbit eye. It is pride.
<Pose Tracker> Kuniko Saito [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.
"I've been studying over a year and I grew up doing a lot of it too," Kuniko tells Hayato. "I kinda have a knack for it, Nijimura's been doing this since middle school."
Nijimura looks guilty and slinks off, as if wishing to shed a tear.
<Pose Tracker> Ruma Hino [None] has posed.
"Depends on how much effort you're willing to put into it, like anything." Ruma prided herself with being exceptional with Magic. Even if she wasn't really.. good.. at anything else, other than eating. The stars in her eyes continued to shine as brightly as the actual ones at night as she continued to consume the cake. It vanished quickly, and one might wonder if she even chews her food.
However Kuniko's answer gives her a startled look, "J-Just a year? You must be some sort of prodigy!" She replies brightly, the last bits of the other cookie may be vanishing before their eyes.
<Pose Tracker> Ikiko Hisakata [Juuban Public School (5)] has posed.
Ikiko nods in agreement with Gordon and Ruma. "Training and talent -- as long as you have the right mix of both, you can do almost anything," she remarks. "The exact mix depends on the person and the task, of course, but it takes the potential of talent to benefit from training, and it takes training to hone and refine talent."
She smiles slightly at Ruma's reaction to the cake. Sometimes the best happiness is that which you bring unto others.
<Pose Tracker> Hayato Nishi [None] has posed.
This information is definitely interesting - Hayato probably doesn't have talent for cooking, or he would have been working as a chef. Right? But effort is something he can always put in. Maybe he should try learning sometime?
But before that, it looks like his order is ready. He hands over the money, not bothering to take the hundred yen of change, and picks up the lot - two cakes and several of every other treat the bake sale has to offer. "Thanks - I'm looking forward to trying these!" Glee is apparent in his face as he nods to the talking rabbit, the cooks behind the counter, and even some of the people next to him in line. "Good luck with the rest of your sale!"
The line behind him is long, fueled by his enthusiasm, and beginning to grow impatient - so, burdened by his load, he starts to get out of the way. Everyone's found their happiness here - it's great to see! And it's reminding him that there's something he should be doing...
...eh, he'll remember it later. There's other kinds of cookies to try! Giving the girls near the counter one last grin, he trundles off.
