look out boys i'm coming through!

Tiana Laselle. 25. Head Chef.Owner of Tiana's Palace.

[tianaxlaselle]

frogprinceofmaldonia‌:

@tianaxlaselle 

Continued from here.

Naveen: Why would you let him in? Naveen: What has he done?

Tiana: I didn’t know it was him! Tiana: He was being really kind, asking about the restaurant. Tiana: It wasn’t til I shook his hand that he introduced himself..

[frogprinceofmaldonia]

TEXT: Naveen, something happened. Bad. I think. I don't know but.. Can you get to the restaurant? Now? -Tiana

Naveen: Yeah, of course. I’ll leave in a fewNaveen: What happened??

[tianaxlaselle]

Tiana: He was here. The man you told me about. Tiana: Facilier. Tiana: I let him in, I didn’t realize...

[tianaxlaselle]

shcdowmcnfacilier‌:

Facilier was pleased with the fact that it had gone so well, at least up until he’d said his name. Luckily, he’d come prepared for the little freeze and the not wanting to shake hands, so he just smiled and shrugged, like he wasn’t bothered, because he really wasn’t. “So he did mention me, then. Don’t worry, I’m not here to cause trouble.” Not yet.

Tiana swallowed but aside from the narrowing of her eyes she tried not to let her fear show. “Then why are you here.” She managed to not-quite grit out, trying to keep her cool. “He’s not here. And neither is Evie. So what do you want.”

[tianaxlaselle]

shcdowmcnfacilier‌:

Well, it was a good thing he’d saved his big introduction for last, seeing as he got a handshake out of this. He may not do anything for a while, but the connection was there now, if he wanted it. “Yes ma’am, and it isn’t all bad,” he told her with an easy bartender’s grin. “Facilier.” The giving of his name felt fine. If Naveen had mentioned him, fine. If not, even better.

“Glad to hear it.” Tiana told him easily. She didn’t notice anything off really- just a normal handshake, a friendly grin. Her own smile shone right back as she shook his hand. But then he introduced himself and she paused. Facilier. Facilier...why did that name ring a bell.. She froze then, eyes widening slightly as everything clicked, and once it did she tugged her hand away. “Wait, you’re the one who--” she swallowed, taking a step back. “..Naveen.”

[tianaxlaselle]

frogprinceofmaldonia‌:

“I would very much prefer that you did not,” he said with a small smile. “Besides I said a good prince,” he pointed out. “His highness’ head is still very much in the clouds, thank you very much,” he joked. Naveen scrunched his face up when she tapped on his head. “That’s sweet. They’re a better fit as best friends than I am though. I’m just a prince.”

Tiana rolled her eyes again, “Stop trying to make me talk you up because you know I will.” She told him with a smirk. “You’re a good prince, and a good person. And we both know I tend to always be right, so just agree with me, got it.” She pretended to narrow her eyes at him, trying to be serious but she smiled soon after, letting out a little hum, “Well, anything I can do to help bring him back down to Earth?” She asked softly, tapping her fingers against his arm with a soft little smile before shaking her head, “I get to choose who’s best for me, Naveen. And you’re firmly in that category. And again, I’m always right, so...”

[tianaxlaselle]

shcdowmcnfacilier‌:

The man pointed a finger as he smiled, using just a little flick of the wrist to say that he’d known. Taking a step into the place, Facilier looked around, pleased to find the place nearly dead, but he didn’t let that show. He was supposed to look friendly, especially if he wanted to get his little bonuses out of this outing. “Nice to meet you, Miss Tiana. I’ve heard so much about you,” he greeted, extending a hand in her direction.

Tiana couldn’t stop the on-edge feeling creeping through her, something telling her to stay alert. She didn’t get why though--he seemed nice enough. So she tried to shake it off, snapping out of her thoughts when he held a hand out and she took it, giving him a warm smile in return as she shook his hand. “You have? Well, that’s always nice to hear! And it’s nice to meet you too, Mister...?”

[tianaxlaselle]

aintnofirecracker‌:

“Hey, you got the time? I left my phone on the bus last night and I know for a fact I can’t be late but I also told someone I’d run and get coffee, and that line was a little longer than usual.” Ray said, looking at the person he stopped on the street. “I’ll even give you my coffee.”

At the familiar voice Tiana turned her head, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him even as she laughed, “How on earth could you leave your phone! Have you tried calling it? Or do you have the tracking on for it?” She asked, shaking her head, “No need to give me your coffee, but here, use my phone if you need.” She offered, unlocking it and handing it over.

[tianaxlaselle]

shcdowmcnfacilier‌:

He stood outside Tiana’s Palace, determined to get a glimpse of the little lady that had been giving his girl Tamesis something to go after. This wasn’t exactly a venture for bad, not necessarily, but he did know that working bad magic on someone was a lot easier when he had a face for the name.

“Hey, you the Tiana of this Palace, or am I off?”

@tianaxlaselle

It was a slow day in her restaurant but...that was okay. It was a weekday after all, right? Weekdays tended to be slow. That’s what she just had to keep telling herself as she walked around to make sure that at least the handful of guests she had were well taken care of. She paused at the door when someone was speaking to her and she turned to look, feeling a sense of deja’vu almost, practically like she should know this man, even if she’d never met him. Just the same though, Tiana gave the man a bright smile, nodding, “That I am! Hi, welcome.”

[tianaxlaselle]

fine-dino‌:

That small tidbit of knowledge had Dino blinking. A normal blink to anyone else, including Tiana, but it was a reaction to what she had said. He could have said the exact same words to her. He decided he didn’t want to dwell on it; it gnawed at something inside him and he wanted to blow away this argument in this moment now, no longer feeling any desire to entertain this debate. Their equal desires produced an affinity, and Dino avoided those. He wanted to squash this matter back into where it belonged and not let his feelings bubble to surface and call for unstable coping mechanisms in copious quantities. He had to latch onto something to move the topic away, and drown back the unwanted sadness and memories that induced them. “And yet here you are; on my doorstep again. You can’t keep away from me.”

Tiana didn’t expect any sort of reaction to her words, and why would she? It wasn’t a sob story, and she didn’t want pity. She worked her ass off following her father’s death to try and make him proud, and that was that. It was practically his dying wish for her to do this, and that’s all she cared about. She wasn’t even sure why she said it to him in the first place- it wasn’t like he’d care either way. At his comment she huffed, pursing her lips as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh please. Don’t flatter yourself, Sir.” She quipped back, figuring if he was referring to her as Madam in another language, she should do the same. “That first time was me trying to be friendly, which clearly fell on deaf ears. And now? I was just trying to be nice to someone I thought was in need. Clearly both times I was mistaken.”

[tianaxlaselle]

fine-dino‌:

“My time is better spent on my own restaurant. Why would I spend it befriending other people and concerning myself with theirs? I don’t consider you a threat; we are very different, but customers are influenced by what is available to them. They don’t know what they want until they see it, which makes any of the eateries along this street a threat. Business is hard in a big city like this, with so many people with so many dreams. If those people fail, then they should try harder next time, just like you and I do.” He was a much stricter and crueler businessman than he was a person at heart. He had lived beneath the cutthroat industry, and now he managed one. He had no intentions of changing the way the world worked, but getting on top of it and being a success in his fathers honour was at the core of his ambitions. The large mans features faltered at the accusation, his head cocking slightly. “κυρία? Madame?” He echoed the word in the tongue they were both speaking. “I wouldn’t insult you, let alone in a way you wouldn’t understand.” His tone seemed to lighten to a more humoured one, finding amusement in feigning offence over her opinion of him. “What kind of man do you take me for?” 

“Well, considering you’re spending at least some of it disliking me professionally...” Tiana trailed off, giving him a shrug. She stayed quiet as she listened to him, pursing her lips a bit. Okay, maybe he had a point that people didn’t know what they wanted til they saw it, but still. It was childish to hate that they had options. Maybe someone came out with the sole desire for Greek food (or Cajun), seeing something else could do little to sway them. Or maybe they’d do one today and another tomorrow, there were many variables. Either way, things were tough enough without the added hate from someone who should be on the same side. “You’re right, I do work hard. All I wanna do is make my daddy and his memory proud. But I’d never begrudge someone for having the same dreams as me. Nor would I think less if they “fail”.” She even made little air quotes with her fingers. “Cooking is all trial and error after all.”

She paused when he spoke again, translating what he’d said, and once explained, Tiana couldn’t help but blush a bit at her accusation and she looked away, biting her lip as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Oh.” was all she could really say, keeping her gaze away for a moment before she huffed out a breath and deflated a bit, “I don’t know.” She answered honestly, looking back up at him. “All I know is the animosity came off you in waves from the moment I showed up at your doorstep that very first day just to say hello. It’s been pretty obvious you want nothing to do with me, so..”

[tianaxlaselle]

frogprinceofmaldonia‌:

“Always honest. A good prince doesn’t lie.” Naveen lied plenty growing up though. He’d lie about breaking something in the palace he lived in or if a staff member pissed him off he would tell his parents so they would get fired. “It’s hard work indeed. I have a newfound respect for common folk that work. Back in Maldonia I never would have lifted a finger! Working hard makes me feel good though.” Naveen smiled at Tiana. “I appreciate your kind words, Tiana.” And then he tightly wrapped his arms around her. Any chance to hug her was a chance he would take.

“I should get that in writing.” Tiana quipped back teasingly, grinning brightly at him. The grin stayed even as she rolled her eyes at him at the next bit, “common folk, huh. Well, it’s my honor to get his highness’ head out of the clouds a bit then.” She reached up and lightly tapped her knuckles against the side of his head for good measure, a teasing expression still on her face all the while. As he wrapped his arms around her though she melted into the embrace, wrapping her around him as well to hug him back, “I wouldn’t say it if I don’t mean it.” She assured him softly, pulling back to look him in the eyes, “You’re my best friend--next to Lottie and Eva, so I’d never lie to you.”

[dailyajanaomiking]

[tianaxlaselle]

fine-dino‌:

This information wasn’t new, or lost on him. He respected all business, especially as he as a boy who came from a family-run business in a small obscure town. He was the type to encourage his underlings to seek bigger roles, and even their own place if he thought they could hack it (which was almost never, but the sentiment stood nonetheless.) His eyebrows twitched, feeling an annoyed inconvenience at her confrontation, and eyeing her face and expression. She was a tough one, he had gathered that already. Her move towards him was met with his own move towards her, albeit less threatening in his attempt than she seemed to be trying. “I’m not friends with any of the other restaurants in this block either. Like I said, business is business. You should be less sensitive about it.” He wasn’t the type to belittle her palate or clientele either- he was far from an elitist of any kind, except that Greek food was of course the best in the world! “I would never even ask you to leave, but I’m not rejoicing in you choosing this place either. I would like to focus on my restaurant alone, and I suggest you do the same for yours, κυρία. As a person, I don’t have any problems with you; I think you’re admirable. Don’t get your personal and business wires crossed.”

Tiana’s expression turned more into a frown as he spoke again and she shook her head, “Why? Wouldn’t it be a much better use of your time if you try to befriend other people and their restaurants? We should be trying to build each other up. This business is hard, hard enough without having to fear someone just as committed and dedicated as you are. I don’t think I pose a threat to you, at least I’m not trying to be. It’s difficult enough moving to a huge city like this and trying to live up to expectations..” She sighed as he continued, feeling like she really wasn’t getting anywhere with him. It seemed she was doomed to be hated by him--at least professionally. “What do you keep calling me? If you’re just insulting me, at least you can do it in a way I can understand.”

[tianaxlaselle]

fine-dino‌:

An annoyance laced his tone and tainted his features. It didn’t help that it was so late, and he was so tired. “I do not hate you. I hate competition, and threats to my business.” He tried not to look too harsh, but his had a clear scowl drawn across his brows and he couldn’t do much in the way of diminishing his larger size compared to her. “I like you; I like your goals and dreams. I like anyone with ambitions, like me. I just don’t like that you’ve put them on my doorstep.” Childishly, his thoughts were that he had been here first. She had encroached on his territory, yet from his perspective he saw her as feeling entitlement to it.

“Coulda fooled me.” Tiana grumbled out a bit under her breath before she could stop herself. She shook her head then, huffing a bit, “This may come as news to you, but I am not trying to be a threat to your business, Mister Stravopoulos. You do know it is possible for there to be more than one restaurant in the world, right? Besides, we cater to two totally different palates!” She had a little furrow between her brows now, a purse to her lips to match his scowl. “I hate to break it to you, but you don’t own the city. You don’t even own the block.” She’d moved a step closer then, tipping her chin up, keeping her eyes on him and showing she wasn’t backing down. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

[tianaxlaselle]

fine-dino‌:

“You misunderstand me.” He cut shortly, refraining from rolling his eyes as the woman let the note go. Some lucky kid could pick it up and keep it. “Business is just business.” He hoped his meaning was clear, and that she would understand his ill relationship was not personal. HIs staff had to learn that pretty quickly, even if they still hated him for his cruel leadership. But Dino’s take on how to be a boss was why he was so successful at it. Food was a brutal industry if you wanted nothing but perfection.

“Misunderstand what exactly? That you hate me for no apparent reason besides the fact that we simply have the same dreams and goals?” Tiana asked, trying to tone down the upset and defensiveness in her voice, keeping herself (and her voice) calm- soft even. She didn’t want to start a fight with someone more than twice her size, especially not so late at night after a long day. “You don’t even know me.”

[tianaxlaselle]

frogprinceofmaldonia‌:

“I can be modest! Sometimes. When I want to be. I just don’t want to be right now,” he said, letting out a quiet ‘hmph’ afterwards. “Oh, don’t say that. Your place would thrive with or without me. I just happen to be great at my job.”

Tiana couldn’t help the little snort that came out of her and she covered her face, flushed a bit from embarrassment at the noise but still laughing as grinned at him, “At least you’re honest.” She shook her head as he continued. “And now it’s my turn for honestly, because nope--all this? It’s hard work. My daddy had my momma, and together they made it work. Teamwork. And that’s what I have with you. I don’t think I woulda lasted my first full year without you. And now with that place across the street and claims that I’m stealing business? I need you around more than ever. So don’t sell yourself short. I won’t allow it, Mister.”

[tianaxlaselle]

frogprinceofmaldonia‌:

“I am too good for most people. Are you forgetting that fact?” he said with a hint teasing in his tone. “I am in it quite much, yes? Nearly as much as you. I do love the kitchen though. How could I not love the smells from the delicious food you make? I’m a glutton for your food always, Tiana.”

Tiana rolled her eyes at him, but the light in her eyes and the quirk to the corners of her lips showed nothing but fondness, “My just when I was starting to forget how modest you are...” she trailed off teasingly, laughing in response. Her smile just grew, bright and happy, as he complimented her kitchen and she let out a pleased little hum, nodding “Well I’m glad to hear it. And I’m glad you love the kitchen too, since my place would be nothin’ without you. I don’t think I could keep the place up’n running without you by my side, Naveen.”