by Andariel Bloodworth Wed Jun 13, 2018 3:38 am
Natsuru was in part glad that Shimiko felt the same way. She half-expected to receive a bitter response from Shimiko. She expected it due to the pain she had caused. Although she did not mean what she said, that did not mean that's how she felt no matter how recent those feelings may still be valid. It reminded Natsuru of their first meeting. Her general, cold demeanor deflected Shimiko mixed with a bit of jealousy on her end. Natsuru liked to consider all three of them to be her closest friends, and felt it was necessary to start fully including Shimiko and treating her like she did the others. Natsuru would reach towards the necklace she crafted for Shimiko. The necklace, Jashin's Gift, was made from platinum and diamond. Her craftsmanship and the valuable metals and stone used ran it up to almost twenty-five thousand ryo. Each of their necklaces were equally valuable. They were extravagant and symbolized their friendship, yet had a secondary purpose of being able to be sold in a pinch for cash in dire situations.
Examining the necklace Natsuru was easy to identify what was damage. She would shrug with a carefree expression. "No worries. It's just the clasp. I can replace it in no more than five minutes." She said confidently knowing how to work her crafts like the back of her hand. Broken clasps were always a popular problem with jewelry. Little did most people know all one had to do was remove the pin and replace it. Natsuru would pocket the necklace in the meantime until she got around to fixing it. Since the situation came at ease Natsuru was now really hungry. It was to the point where at the moment of silence there was a small, audible sound of stomach gurgling. "So, let's get some dinner, shall we?" She said inviting the group and gesturing them with her hand, Natsuru gently patting Shimiko's back with her other.
The dining area was just on the other side of the double doors. Stepping ahead of the group she pushed them open revealing the table spread before them. There were fourteen chairs in total, six on either long side and one at the ends each made of handcrafted mahogany, as with the large dining table. A long table cloth was placed over the center of the table where the food was on. The food was entirely Chinese cuisine, a lot of dishes may appearing to be foreign to those not savvy enough with different cultures. At the center of the table was a large roasted goose. It was roasted with a Chinese five spice blend and glazed with honey making the rich, dark goose meat sweet and flavorful rather than savory. On two plates sitting either side of the goose was sliced and prepared peking duck with smaller plates holding spring onion, slice cucumber, and pickled radishes to go with the duck, as well as two steam baskets filled with thin spring pancakes. Surrounding the main courses were various steam baskets filled with dozens of different types of dim sum, fried and white rice, chow mein, stir-fry mixtures including sweet and sour pork, kung pao chicken, chop suey, mapo doufu, egg rolls, and spring rolls on their own plates spread all across the table allowing ease of access to any course no matter where one sat.
Several small pots with portable gas burners kept a variety of soups hot, including: hot and sour, egg flower, bird nest, and wonton soup. Each chair was dressed with everybody's own plate, small plate, eating utensils, tankards, goblets, and napkins. To the trained eye they were all entirely silver. Just as Natsuru and other onlookers were taking in the view two more servants exited the kitchen. One carried two large, silver claret pitchers which the other carrying four bottles, two in each hand. The jugs were placed near the center near the main course along with the bottles. The jugs were filled with spiced red wine, mulled and warm. There were four bottles, two of them being a blackberry wine and the other two being simple mead. The smell was enough to cause Natsuru to go on a feeding rampage, though of course she had to keep her composure when in the general public.
"Sit wherever you prefer. And help yourself when you do. Well, Ryuko and Shimiko, anyways. Simon, if you may, please seat yourself here..." Natsuru said this, gesturing her arms towards the head of the table. It was placed just in front of a roaring fireplace which mostly lit up the dining area and warmed it as well. She could not find it in herself for anybody else but a man to sit at the head of the table. Although Simon was not the patriarchal figure of the household she felt it was best out of tradition for him to seat himself at front. Regardless, Natsuru was not in charge of his action. If she could she would pour his drink for him as well. However she did not want to provoke Shimiko, knowing how much she adored him. Natsuru would instead seat herself feeling a bit guilty, but letting the table spread clear her worries.
She would first reach for one of the claret jugs pouring her crystal goblet full of the mulled red wine allowing the sanguine color to shine through the glass. Serving her a bowl of bird's nest soup she would begin organizing her plate. Taking a slice out of the goose she placed the meat on her plate. Her arms moved around the table as if she was programmed to set up her plate the way she preferred. She would take an equal serving of noodles, fried rice, and varies entrees that dotted the table. Her small plate would be used for the dim sum, picking her favorite shrimp dumpling and pork and cabbage dumplings. Having everything set she would grab her spoon and take a small sip of her bird nest's soup. Swallowing the piping hot spoonful soothed the girl's soul, all thoughts of the struggle and embarrassment from before being washed away with the delightful cuisine. Natsuru would wait for the others to get settled before talking. She had a feeling she would need to answer a lot of questions.