[OTA] Like the ant and the grasshopper

[expluribus]

Black and white were the traditional colours in a kitchen, and the kitchen staff at the Ivy adhered to this tradition. White coat paired with black trousers, black shoes. None of that chequered trousers nonsense

Comments

[maskofhearts]

Hadyn was breaking all the rules; well, Caleb's rules about dealing with his insomnia. But frankly it was very much impossible to adhere to such rules. Especially as an actor. And he wasn't even done. Henry felt like they needed to make up for the time Hadyn had been off Deck, and as such he was just out to find something for 'lunch' before heading back to the theatre as they prepared for opening Tis A Pity She's a Whore in two weeks.

Didn't stop him from being a bit groggy though, and he seemed a bit confused when he couldn't find his lighter.

"Hey," he said, coming up on the other man while twiddling his cigarette between his fingers. "Can I borrow your lighter?"

[expluribus]

Hey? Hey?

Fifty-five years on this world (a pair of fives, balanced, symmetrical) and he was reduced to 'hey' by some whipper snapper. Oh, the indignity, the abasement - the many shits Lasse didn't give because 'hey' was one of the nicer things he'd been called.

"Sure." Tucking his cigarette into the corner of his mouth, he dug a lighter out of his pocket and offered it to Hadyn.

"You look like shit." Said with a wide smile and no malice behind his words. Just stating facts here, really. "Rough... week?"

[maskofhearts]

At twenty-one, 'Hey' was the greeting of choice. Particularly when it involved drooping eyes and sagging shoulders with the knowledge that after one finished cigarette he wasn't walking home to his bed- he was going to find food and turn about back to the theatre. 'Hey' was, in truth, about all he could muster for that moment.

"Week was fine," it had been in Chicago with Elisha. It had been more than fine, really. Hadyn had been at his happiest for the first time in a very long time. And for a while he'd been able to forget about all the ups and downs of the last year. "Just a long day." And then some to go. "Is the kitchen still open?" He wasn't sure he wanted to brave walking all the way back to Club Castle- if he didn't fall asleep on Elisha's couch, he'd likely have to deal with a fuming King.

[expluribus]

"Afraid not, Young Master Hadyn. It closed an hour ago." Lasse said and said it with mild regret in his voice. He could have made a jab at how he wasn't running a fast food joint but truth was the young man looked rumpled enough for the Club to take mercy.

"There's still some stew and olive bread, though, if you're palate isn't too demanding."

[cipherspeak]

He was out for a walk, having spent the day projecting a blase sort of calm that seemed to reassure the people who were worried about the fact that no one could get out. Which, don't get him wrong, was more than worrying and he wanted to know why it was happening approximately yesterday - but showing people that would do no good at all.

Still, there was a crease in his brow as he rounded the corner towards Lasse's restaurant that lightened a moment later than usual. "I hope you have a second glass somewhere." And he also hoped that he didn't mind if Elisha just breathed in the secondhand smoke. It was one of those days where he had to remind himself that he got migraines when he smoked.

[expluribus]

Lasse had heard about the curious case of people being unable to leave the deck. It was causing quite a stir and raising concern left and right, wasn't it? He wasn't sure what to make of it, yet. Sure, it was odd but it didn't affect him directly, not yet.

The Ivy changed its menu according to the seasons, using produce that would be available during that particular time of year, so it'd be fine for a while.

The area around the Ivy's entrance was lit by lanterns, emulating 19th century gas street lights and casting a warm, soft, fuzzy kind of light. Still enough to illuminate the frown on his king's face.

"We've been raided by a swarm of alcoholic locusts, today," he replied, maintaining a serious expression on his face for all of five seconds before he cracked a smile.

"Come in. I'm sure Susie will find a glass for you somewhere."

[cipherspeak]

Tricia did the same with the Castle kitchens - and Elisha's military background meant that he encouraged his departments to have a good reserve at any rate.

Still, it's a problem. But it's not the problem he wants to talk to Lasse about.

"Eileen was well while I waas gone?" He asked, conversationally as they went inside and he smiled at Susie. He still wasn't used to the way lower Cards sped to get him whatever he wanted - but he'd only been King since June.

[expluribus]

"The little princess is fine."

Lasse adored the girl, really, always making time for her no matter what else he was busy with.

"She's growing up at a pretty alarming rate, isn't she?"

[so_complicit]

Davin, for his part, was just out walking, burning off steam from his irritation at being stuck on Deck. He had things to manage, after all, and he could hardly do that without being able to leave. He'd even tried it himself, earlier, just to make sure it wasn't just a story.

No dice.

But his steps will slow when he sees Lasse and he'll offer up a wry smile, only partially tinged with the frustration and concern he's feeling, "good night in the restaurant?"

[expluribus]

"'Course it was. I was cooking." Cocky, so cocky, so self-assured. You'd think that if there was a mirror somewhere, the man in the chef's coat would be making out with himself by now. And if there weren't that twinkle in his eye, that was making fun of himself, he'd be as unbearable and annoying as he sounded right now.

"It was fine," Lasse amends amicably, sprinkling a bit of modesty into the mix. "No matter what crisis is looming, people will always be hungry. You, my friend, look like you could do with a few slices of succulent, pink roasted duck and a glass of this."

He held up his wine and nodded towards the entrance with a grin.

[so_complicit]

"Well...if you're going to twist my arm, I don't suppose I have a choice."

And Davin will grin back at him and move toward the entrance, "always assuming, of course, you don't have better places to be, it being closing time and all."

[expluribus]

"No, you really don't, not if you want to keep your arm."

The idle threat dissipates in a puff of smoke as Lasse gestured at Davin to get inside already.

"Are you joking? I have to keep an eye on them or they'll burn the whole place down." A chorus of protest swelled up in the background. "Shut up, minions, and get back to work! Have a seat and let Susie know what you'd like to drink. I'll be back in five."

When Lasse returned, he set down a plate in front of Davin and took a seat himself.

"Don't usually see you wandering around at this time of night. No nefarious business to keep you busy?"

[jestincase]

Jubilee likes the crispy, cooly night time when the sky's so clear you can reach right up and grab a star or two to wear in your hair. Nights like tonight, in fact, which is why the Joker is outside spinning like a dervish along a line in the pavement. She pulls up short when she sees Lasse, bends sideways, cocks her head and stares up at him.

"Why's he not fast asleep under his covers like all good Cards? I wonder, I do~"

[expluribus]

"I've been feeding beasts. Terribly time-consuming, that," Lasse replies, turning his head to blow smoke in the other direction. "And after the beasts have been fed, cloth needs to be washed, silver to be polished, dishes to be done."

He takes a sip of wine, mouth slanted into a crooked smile as he leans in, lowering his voice.

"Besides, you and I know I'm not a good Card."

[i_machiavellian]

"A little bird told me you'd be here tonight," he said, leaning against the doorframe. He was the last not-staff there. Everyone was busy clearing used cutlery, plates and glasses off tables, changing tablecloths and napkins, and in the background the hoover was drowning out the haphazard orchestra of staff shouting at each other and passing things around, not unlike the chaos that was a football match during stoppage time.

Time ticked away, the world around them continued to turn and chaos ensued behind their backs. Only the two silhouettes cast onto the footpath and beyond the kerb by the lighting behind them stood still.

"No wonder the food tasted like shit."

[expluribus]

"Those blasted birds never know when to shut up."

Leaning casually against one of the tables they kept outside - unused during winter time - Lasse took a drag from his cigarette, looking not quite at Michael but at the chaos behind the Spade.

All the kids were busy inside.

"I'm surprised you can still taste anything, old man."

[i_machiavellian]

"Well that can't possibly be the reason why I'm still entrusted with some of the taste-testing," he mused with a raised eyebrow and a playful smile. There's been countless nights since Ivy's grand opening where Lasse had cooked up a storm, served Michael half a dozen plates of God knows what and a couple of the dishes would eventually make their way onto the menu.

"You're full of nonsense for some third-rate chef."

[expluribus]

"You're available and make for good arguing points," was the deadpan reply. "Nobody will make a fuss if they're told to take it up with M. Brennan of the Spades."

Lasse took another sip from his wine, mouth curving into a smile around the rim of the glass. Good grape, this. Reminded him of sweltering summer nights on a Spanish beach.

"Third-rate chefs aren't above taking all the help they can get."