Forums » General Roleplay » Inside the Amanogawa (Private, Read Carefully)

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This is the area inside of the Amanogawa Cafe and Roadhouse. If you just hoped in for the first time, be advised that you should have been waved in by a Guard, or you'll be asked to wait outside... If we're currently closed and you came in without a Guard's approval, your post will sadly be invalid and we won't be able to serve you... so, please, check the outside area first!

Visually speaking, you can get a better grasp of the cafe, the outer-lying town to some small extent, and the area outside... all by clicking on this here profile! In fact, definitely do that, because you won't see the MENUS otherwise!

Take note, most of this is a repeat of the outside message, as some people may think they can just pop in here first. Sorry for the trouble. I'll put the new stuff right here, though:

You make your order by taking a seat (assume there's room because you wouldn't be waved in otherwise) and waiting for a Server to come and take your order in whatever fashion they choose to do so. The Server will commune with the Cook(s), and if they can make the order, they will. You can read what it's all about via the Cook(s) post, and if its to your liking... dig in! Or take it to go! If there are others with you, mingle and what not. But do try and be considerate that – hopefully – there are others waiting outside, and if you love what we're doing, don't be afraid to head back out with your meal and eat it in public! I'm sure that will make Bellarue Vermil very happy... And me as well. All of us, really!

If you're seeking an Enchantment on your order, the Server will have to escort you downstairs to our mage(s) library, where someone will see to it your meal is properly set before you eat. If anything goes wrong, you'll be well taken care of. That's our promise.

All right, stuff you'll find on the outside page, but still relevant:

Firstly, we're only open one day out of every week. Once we've got a proper cast of employees (All listed in the We're Hiring Page and About Us page, respectively), we'll be able to reveal which day that is. Either way, when the shop is CLOSED, you are welcome to gather outside and enjoy each other's company. There may even be free treats and snacks out, so if so, help yourselves! Mingle, party, entertain and be entertained!

When the cafe is OPEN, please wait to be waved in by a Guard and take your posting solely to the “Inside” thread, to ease confusion and keep the flow right. Go in, make your order, enjoy your food – either inside or out. You might have a guest or two with you when you come in. That's okay. For more than four people, please make arrangements with our mascot or PM me personally. And hey, don't forget to leave a tip (or post something in the guest book of any of our fine staff)!

If you aren't familiar with the advertisements made by our dearest Bellarue Vermil, you should go and check out the main ones in Looking For (either adult or otherwise, they should be the same). That might help you get the feel of what's going on if this doesn't. While it's okay to ask a few direct questions there, it's advised that you try your luck actually asking most inquiries IC, right out here! If our mascot can't answer them or is otherwise occupied with her duties, you might find help from fellow customers or the guard(s).

The city of Mikan uses what's known as a Transworld Gate, so most styles of character are acceptable to use here. We are NOT seeking a traditional rp world storyline here!!! This is just a place to semi-adapt your characters, meet people IC, and of course... EAT!!! And pay. Also, pay. But we do ask that you at least give it an effort to sink into some of the aesthetics, and certainly do your best to keep the flow going nicely. Wait your turn and don't be afraid to offer a critique in an orderly fashion.

At the bottom of this note is the info you should need to know what's generally going down. Eat well and fill those bellies with something warm and delicious! We're happy to oblige, and the Amanogawa Cafe and Roadhouse thanks you for your patronage!!!

All interviews for job positions will take place in the downstairs backroom lounge. Please let the Guard know so he can see you inside.

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Our usual work day is: Thursday

We are currently: CLOSED BUT HIRING

Hiring Chances: High

You are: Welcome to try the milk!

DATE/TIME OF DAY: y.1370, month of the Jackrabbit, 6th day/Daytime

He'd made it in with little commotion along the way. Dawn was gentle against his horns, keeping the shadows dancing long against the ground with each step against the stone road. Shirito pushed the broom aside, unlocked the door, and entered the cafe.

This was the first day after their start of the Grand Opening, and so he took a moment to absorb the sight of things. The tables still had their blue cushioned chairs upturned over the tops, and fireplace was unlit. With a wave of his hand, the sorcerously-powered light bulbs flickered. Shirito sighed, tried again, and they came to fruition more fully.

The owner took his broom in hand, dragged in from outside, and set about getting to work, sweeping his way along the edges and working inward until he had established a pile right in the center of the cafe's main dining room. It wasn't much of a pile, truth be told, and this made his job very easy; he snapped his fingers at it, and the pile evaporated into tiny rising trails of white fluff... gone before they even reached his nose.

Next came the chairs, removed from their docking over cherrywood and oak mountings; the tables were then polished, the menu boxes placed on each in just the right way, alongside salts, sweeteners, and the like; he patted the cushions with the broom end, removing all traces of cloying debris, wiping each down with a large grey cloth in his back pocket.

There wasn't much of a workload behind the counters or in the kitchen, as most of the baking he left to Bellarue - who would likely arrive and do so when he wasn't looking, making loud noises if only to disturb him. The idea of it made his right horn twist slightly, but he smiled either way. A few dishes washed and the counters wiped wouldn't do much harm in the way of getting things started for her. Besides, her main role was really that of the roadhouse mascot, and he didn't want to employ her tenacious behavior to imposingly towards the job of chef.

After lighting the fireplace, Shirito Han felt the need to go over estimates of the shop and how much they'd need to make today in order to keep stable. That sort of thing he did in the back office, past the employee lounge, down the stairs besides the enchantment room. It had two luxurious ivory couches, made from the fur of a white buffalo-sheep. While watering the flowers there, he set himself down on one of these said comforts and kicked laid his papers out one by one, going over each...

It was still too early to even really start baking, though likely a hired chef would think differently. But surely someone would come along someday soon, and until then, he reserved himself to private orders and handing out treats to those who likely couldn't afford to eat her regularly anyhow. It was their smiles he enjoyed, if not the small profit, and Bellarue had slept just as soundly as ever since opening.

This could only be a good thing. And so he worked in this manner, the windows blackened with a sorcerous wood which he could wave at until they showed him all areas around and inside the shop.

It wouldn't be long before the sounds of those pots and pans clanking together to come flittering down the stairs. Her excitement for the new day made her flit about in the kitchen left and right. A large bowl was placed on the counter, quickly being filled with a mixture of eggs, the special milk their café would be known for, water and cake mix.

Bellarue looked around for the mixing spoon, opening and closing several cabinets in her search. Digging through the drawers one at a time, she popped back up, a loud "Ah hah!" took even the air by surprise. Skipping back over to the bowl of which she scooped up into the crook if her elbow, she lunged the spoon into the gooey pile and stirred wildly.

Taking her top lip was her tongue. It was a natural occurance during this cooking process. Her eyebrows would furrow up above her nose as this was the only time her face took a serious tone. Humming loudly and singing songs made up randomly by her winding mind seemed to help her concentrate.

With the batter finally being whipped to perfection, she couldn't help shoving the spoon into her face while pouring out the bowl over into a pan. Placing what time it was on the clock, she shoved it into the oven and washed the spoon in the sink.

While that baked, she would go about doing her her own duties. It seemed Shirito had already done a majority of it. She would instead put the kitchen back in order, Shirito would likely catch her about it later if she didn't. That put her into gear quickly, wiping and scrubbing the things she took out or dirtied.

Someone must have left the barn door open, because a mad cow was prancing about the kitchen upstairs. Dust fell on his papers from the ceiling, each new sound providing him some idea as to not only who was there, but what was going on. Shirito waved a stray hand at the sighted windows, allowing him a hazy view of the going-ons in the kitchen. Sure enough, Bellarue was there, tending to her chores. If he were of a mind, he could invoke the sighted windows to do more than give him an overhead view of the area - providing him with the scent of her baking and even the channeling of his voice into the space he was watching. However, distracting her would only lead to more calamity, so the beastman refrained.

She was working with a bountiful spirit, and by the time she took to cleaning up her mess, Shirito was himself finished with the morning assessments. He tucked the papers into his arms, rolling them up nicely, and made sure to place them in the storage area of the enchantment room. He locked it promptly, checked the seals to make sure the magic therein stayed where it belonged, then made his way upstairs.

"Coming up," he called to his daughter, as he arrived in the cafe main room, the fireplace immediately to his right and still burning strong. He gave it a good stir with the poker, took to mind the smells coming from the oven, and glanced outside the windows without approaching them.

A few customers were outside, most of them youths (as the older citizens were likely working elsewhere) with bright faces. A few mothers also seemed to be involved, guiding their children as best they could so as not to dive into the shop unannounced. Shirito gave one of the young boys a polite wave, then averted his eyes somewhat quickly as he was not fond of most social graces - if it could be avoided. But they were paying customers, and the boy seemed alive with a pleasant energy, nose against the glass. His smile was much like 'Rue's, in fact, when she had been that age.

Shirito inhaled deeply, closed his eyes, and pushed aside memories of the past. The oven lifted his spirits as he wandered closer towards the kitchen, where he found Bellarue at last. Her back was to him, toiling away.

"I'll take care of that for now," he said, seeking to divide and conquer. "Toss me the rag. Go and make good on bringing in customers, yes?"

He held out his hand, waiting.

"Oh! Yes! I can do that!" Thankful for a task so quickly and seemingly without consequence to her arrival time, she hurried inside to find the pots and pans. Her hands pulled the cloth back up and over the pile and pulled. It's weight was going to make carrying it rough, so instead she drug it across the floor and into the kitchen.

When she had successfully managed to pull the mass into a acceptable corner, she began shuffling through it. Doing so stirred up a loud clanking and banging sound that she had tried to stop. Even going as far as absentmindingly shushing them as if they were a child wailing after being hit by their sibling.

She peered over the counter to see if the customers were disturbed by the irritating scraps of moving cookware. Diving in again, she began sorting and placing each of them in a group of their own. Before too long, Bellarue had herself surrounded by an assortment of pots and pans. "Lets see....big pot should go here..." she lifted said pot and placed it off to the side and then picked up another.

"Small pot...hmmm." she tapped her chin and looked around the kitchen. Spotting a cabinet just right for it, she stepped forward and tumbled over her own series of landmines of pots and pans she had forgotten about in that little placing moment. A loud clatter took the café as she tried to reform herself quickly after falling so noisily already. Her hands splayed out to stop the continuing 'ting' of several items.

"Syaaaannggscreeeeeeee! Byaaa! Sscreeeee!"

Devilish flames licked out from one of the larger pots, springing the oven door as it burst open, sparks flying every which way! A bird was stuffed inside, only... its feathers were cast in a wash of black ash and soot, flicking flames around as they clashed against the grooves of the oven itself! Her beak was silver and short, curved at the very tip, with eyes the exact same color, a single long plume atop her head. She was a rare black-winged phoenix (named so for her feathers were more ash than flame, giving her wings a dark hue). It squawked and cried, seemingly distraught. It was seated inside of a very elegant looking brown pan, of which there was a single hole carved into the base. On the tray further beneath was a pan of a different sort - designed for what looked like holding muffins or cupcakes of some kind, but was housing eggs instead.

Each egg was glowing, so brightly it was enough to illuminate the whole kitchen, even if the bulbs above weren't sorcerously lit; their mother was dropping them one at a time, the pan curved in such a way that when one landed, it rolled down a center groove and into a hole suited around the bottom ring. In this way, the pan seemed more like that of a large metal donut, with the middle raised like a giant hill, a valley of holes ringing the outer base.

Those that fell where the catchers were already filled cracked and covered the egg they landed on in some kind of steaming glaze of peach-colored cream, tiny golden flakes bristling with bits of fire dancing over the glowing shell. The broken egg bits turned to ash, falling in rivers into the oven's lowest tray, collecting in little piles.

The phoenix squawked louder, its wings pushing against the inside of the oven, but it didn't seem to be fighting to get out. It seemed aggravated, but otherwise composed to remain where it was. The oven itself was actually warm, turned on from last night unto now. This was only natural, of course, lest the phoenix cool down and become ill.

"What in the world is all the commotion!?" Shirito called as he entered the cafe. He closed the door behind him without turning around, and locked it with the proper spell-wave. "Are you upsetting Illyana, 'Rue?"

"Wha-! Noooo. Not on purpose anyway." She bent in front of the oven and looked at Illyana with a glare. "Your going to get me trouble. Shush." Her pointer finger pressed at her lips. Even if the Phoenix continued, it was probably too late. "I was only trying to put away the pots." Her hands clutched each other behind her back.

Rocking on her hooves, she looked around at the catastrophe on the floor. Being so caught up in organizing them, she had made a bigger mess than what it had been in the pile. She bent and picked up one as if that would help make it look any neater. Which it didn't-not in the least bit so.

"I will get it pit up...eventually." She giggled and looked back up to him. It shouldn't take too long to place them where they needed to go, the problem was deciding if it would be the correct spot. To be convenient for the cooks that would be taking over the kitchen in time. She hoped it would be soon.

For now at least, they can get it ready for them. Make it look promising and put an image of countless possibilities of different foods that the world has yet to try! Bellarue's smile widened at the thought. It would be grand to add more people to the family here. Maybe she could get a few of them to let her be the test subject for some some of the stuff before they sent them out. It would be their little secret.

Shirito sighed, watching his daughter, the squawking Illyana tilting her head as she was shushed. The bird gave a softer squawk, almost inaudible, then seemed to simmer down... so to speak.

Stepping this way and that, he maneuvered his way through the kitchen and Bellarue's chocolate-strawberry hair as it bounced from her rocking back and forth. Once he arrived at the oven, he waved his hand a few times, slowly. The air sprinkled with a light mist before his palm, Illyana calming more steadily until Shirito felt comfortable closing the oven on her.

"It isn't your fault," he said over his shoulder to Bella. "Illyana is often very quiet, especially when I've got her in a warm place. The Giant had a messenger deliver her last night and I forgot that I'd already put her in to start laying eggs. I should have warned you. Forgive me."

He turned about, picked up a few pans, and began putting them in the order Bellarue had seen fit to set things in; he could see little fault in it. "Why don't you go have some tea, yes? Then practice your dancing in the dining area. I can settle up here."