(Untitled)

[gilded_voice]

Date: March 18, 2003(?)
Status: Public (Gabriel, Phanuel) [Complete]
Setting: Tadfield Manor, restaurant
Summary: Dinner.

Comments

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel carefully sliced off a bit of tiramisu. The smell alone was tantalising. He tasted it, and actually went, "Mmmm," involuntarily at the sheer sensory overload; it was so sweet, and yet the coffee balanced it, and he really couldn't analyse the flavour, not when there was more to be had.

"Worth trying indeed," he murmured, taking another bite and closing his eyes.

[gilded_voice]

Phanuel's nose twitched a little at the smell of coffee, and he edged away a little- purely to try and keep the scent out of his nose. Scent and taste were closely intertwined senses, after all. He hoped Gabriel wouldn't take it badly, and continued eating.

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel smiled at Phanuel. "You really don't like coffee, do you?" Each to his own, of course, and while coffee couldn't trump chocolate, it was, dare he say it... heavenly.

"How's the apple crumble?"

[gilded_voice]

"I'm afraid not," Phanuel said, shaking his head. "Possibly a shame, but… well." He gave a slight smile. "It's excellent. I'll have to compliment the chef."

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel smiled. "Perhaps I might try it another day, then. When the waiter comes, I shall have to tell him to convey both our compliments to the chef." He took another heavenly bite. "Dinner's on me, by the way."

[gilded_voice]

"I'm sure we could just as easily tell him ourselves," Phanuel said, though admittedly he wasn't sure he was going to want to get up after all this for a time.

"Really? That's very kind of you. If there's a favour I can do for you in return…"

so do I NPC the chef? :D

[cattygabriel]

"True." He smiled, waving away Phanuel's offer. "Nonsense. I didn't offer because I hoped to get something in return."

If you'd like?

[gilded_voice]

"I wouldn't like to impose on you, though," Phanuel said, looking perhaps a little worried. That wasn't quite the impression he'd meant to give.

:D

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel laughed. "You're not, believe me. But if it really bothers you, consider it a thank you for saving me from a very embarrassing potential discorporation by pasta."

He ate the last delicious mouthful of tiramisu and gave a sated sigh. As if on cue, the waiter appeared, and Gabriel smiled at him. "The food was delicious. We'd like to thank the chef personally...?"

"Of course, sir, I will fetch him straightaway," the waiter responded, disappearing into the kitchen. Gabriel watched him go.

"Do you think their French accents are real?" he mused. "I mean, I've been in France, and it often seems as though French staff are more French than normal French people

[gilded_voice]

That got a smile. "Always pleased to help," Phanuel said, and nodded to the waiter.

"The wonders of the hospitality industry, perhaps," he remarked, with perhaps a little dryness.

He smiled pleasantly at the chef. "Thank you very much for tonight's dinner. The dessert was excellent. Might I ask what recipe you used?"

[cattygabriel]

The chef laughed. "Merci, monsieur, but I am afraid I cannot help you on zis. My recipes are a family secret." He winked theatrically. "A pinch of zis, a touch of zat, and my own secret ingredients."

Gabriel grinned. "Well, whatever it was you added, the food was near divine. Dinner here was certainly a pleasure."

The chef bowed from the waist, or rather, equator, and Gabriel bit his lip. "Non, non, monsieur, preparing such dishes is my pleasure. Do come again, monsieurs, and Chef Gusteau shall prepare special dishes for you! Now, if you will excuse me, soups do not prepare themselves." He winked and bowed again before hurrying back into the kitchen.

Gabriel didn't know whether to laugh or shake his head, as the waiter came to take away his plate. "Well, that was... interesting."

[gilded_voice]

For his part, Phanuel was smiling. "Not quite the sort of person you'd expect to meet here, is he?" he asked. "Rather charming, in his way."

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel nodded, laughing. "Indeed. I'm definitely returning, both for the food and the chance of talking to him again." He finished his water. "I wonder what he's doing here; he seems like an established gourmet chef, and here he is in a little hotel in a comparatively tiny town. I mean, from what I can tell, there are very few people staying here too, and some of them probably don't even eat."

[gilded_voice]

"It's a very good question," Phanuel agreed, leaning backwards. "Perhaps he's taking some time to experience the quiet English life. Or perchance to bring the suggestion of the delights of cooking to the area. I wonder if he'd say. Perhaps not. But it might be more interesting that way, don't you think?" He set aside his own glass and stood, smiling. "Thank you very much, Gabriel. It's been a pleasure."

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel stood as well. "Likewise," he inclined his head, smiling. "May the Presence be with you always, Phanuel, and good night."