GUEST SERVICES - ASH

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Comments

good

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[She's kind of staring because normally that's her job and her question, but she'll approach curiously and sniff.]

I feel like I should be asking you that myself, Mr. Carbide. [But she's close enough to look into the pan.] Wouldn't it be appropriate to offer to the guests first?

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It’s Ash. Mr Carbide makes me sound about 60 years old.

[ and then he just shrugs, flipping the croquettes in the pan. ]

They’re not here. And you do all the cooking normally, right?

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Ash, then. [She'll remember that and admittedly she's watching his technique.] But that's right! There are a few of you who know how to cook but all of the meals served in the dining room are prepared by me. It's my job.

[Peach likes her job a lot.]

[voidbreaker]

[ he’s not gonna win top chef anytime soon, but it’s basic, functional and suggests he usually cooks for himself. Or has done. ]

Sometimes the cooks like to be cooked for. Figured I’d offer, if you wanted something cooked for you for once.

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It would be rude to say no. [Also Peach is always open to trying things from the guests, so she nods along.] I'm sure my sisters would appreciate these as well.

[...but as the oldest she gets first dibs so she's going to also look at the buns curiously.] Are you trying to combine them?

[voidbreaker]

Yeah. I’ve done it before.

[ one! more! flip! and then he’s setting them on some paper to soak some of the grease from frying. ]

Similar shape, and these have got some meat in them, so they make for a good burger replacement. Add some garnish, like tomato, lettuce and a sauce for the croquette— [ which is what he’s doing as he speaks! ]— and it makes a pretty filling dinner.

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[She's clapping politely when he flips the croquette out of the pan.]

So it sounds like you've got it down to a science. [She can't help but laugh a little.] I've never really specialized in croquettes...I guess I never thought of it that way.

[voidbreaker]

I just know what I like.

Normally I’d ditch the croquette and just use the steak as the filling, but... doing it a little differently’s fine too. [ tah dah! A croquette burger for a pink cat ]

How would you do something like this, then?

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I don't think there's anything wrong with liking what you like and capitalizing on that. [She's happy enough with the burger at least.]

Are you asking how I'd make a croquette, or how I'd make a burger?

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[ Hmm. ]

Croquette, I guess. There's a lot of different ways to make one.

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It's all about the seasoning, right? You want to be able to eat them even without garnish and stuff, so you want the right amount of salt and spices. It doesn't really matter how they're made as long as the result is delicious.

[voidbreaker]

And the filling should be good too, yeah? Doesn't matter if it's got the best outside and seasoning ever, if it's full of something no one wants to eat they won't eat it.

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That's why it has to be the finest cuts of meat or really well-seared fish! A lot of vegetables get too soggy if you do it wrong...you've tried it, right?

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Yeah, but if it's something like a pumpkin croquette it's meant to be kinda soft.

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Maybe I won't make that one here, though.

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[...she's just laughing, sorry.]

She wouldn't be offended if you did, I think. We do have all of the ingredients here for just about anything you can think of. All you have to do is ask.

[voidbreaker]

[ huh. ]

Alright then, noted. Thanks.

[ there’s a pause, before he asks: ]

What’s you favourite thing to cook then? Assuming you had no set menu and just had completely free reign to do whatever, whenever. Even like five desserts for breakfast.

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[Hmmmm....]

Something really challenging! Like...baked alaska or beef wellington or creme brûlée! I like things that require work because the pay off's even better, don't you think? Especially when it's so good and people enjoy it.

[voidbreaker]

Aside from the beef wellington, those are desserts. You prefer doing those to savoury stuff?

[ ash looks thoughtful for a moment. ]

I guess? I usually just cooked for myself and one other person though. Mostly because she couldn't cook to save her life.

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They require a lot more concentration...plus you can never go wrong serving dessert with a fresh pot of coffee, you know? Savory's good and all but some dishes aren't so tasty if you don't eat them right away.

[But she tilts her head at that.] Even if it's only two of you, meals are meant to be enjoyed. Even something as basic as a sandwich can be spectacular if it's made right.

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I'm more of a savoury fan that a sweet, if I'm gonna be one hundred per cent honest with you.

Yeah, and if it tastes good then it's worth eating. But sometimes the cost wasn't worth the payoff and I'm not a fancy enough good to do something flamboyent. Simple's fine though, and it's easier to make it taste good.

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I'll keep that in mind, Mr. Carbide. [Does she plan on making Ash something next time he calls for her? Probably.]

You have a lot of opinions on food, actually. More than most of our guests.

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Still makin’ me sound old there, Cobbler. [ feed! the! boy! ]

Dunno how many of them cook. I’m not aiming to be a chef, but I’ve been doing it long enough to know what works for me and what doesn’t. A few of them who asked me about cooking didn’t seem to know what to do.

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Sorry, Ash. [A grin? Look.]

It's a skill that most take for granted until they're told to do it for themselves. I feel like that's the case for several things though among the guests. A lot of you don't seem to be used to traveling and unusual circumstances.

[voidbreaker]

[ loOK. ]

Or having a parent who couldn't cook worth a damn. Some people don't know they got it good, huh?

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Definitely not. [But hm...] Was that the case for you? With your parent. [She's going to finally take a damn croquette to nibble on.]