Bon Appetit

Raeger Bovet || 23 || ChefPart of HMMasterlist

[knuddelmausi3-blog]

Rise and Shine [Raeger/Johnny]

Really?

[Johnny scratches the back of his neck, eyebrows raised high. He’s met a lot of people out in Oak Tree that claim not to be morning people - but to be honest, he’s still a little surprised by it every time he hears it. He was used to being the odd-man-out in the city, where it was expected you’d stay up late– but to be the odd-man-out in a country farming town feels even stranger.]

I wouldn’t have thought that, Raeger! I totally had you pegged as a morning person. [Grins.] You’re so clean cut and well put together! I got up a good five hours ago and you’re still more put together than I am!

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[The first emotion that hits him is flattered, but the moment the words ‘five hours’ come from Johnny’s mouth, Raeger’s mouth becomes agape.] Five hours? Good god, Johnny, I’ve got a new respect for you. It’s flattering to say that I’m more put together, but you function on that little amount of sleep and still do all your farm work? 

[Shaking his head in disbelief, Raeger smiles at his friend.] I guess if we merged together, we’d be some kind of super human. 

[vittadux-blog]

Not trusting the smile he was offered, Nadi only hesitantly mirrored the expression. "Erm, I can't seem to find where I'm supposed to go. I'm Here to work for a Miss Elise, but this town doesn't have a map. Can you point me in the right direction?"

“Oh! You’re a new worker for Elise?” He immediately softened up his posture from his work one and began to walk to the door. “I can show you! You’re not far off, actually. It’s quite close, and the way isn’t very complicated. Oak Tree isn’t very big.”

[vittadux-blog]

Ah, right, a menu. [Leans forward to inspect it, holding his chin with his hand, idly tapping his forefinger against his face as he reads.] Would something like a strawberry shortcake be too obvious of a gift for a girl? [He's mostly asking himself... but its loud enough that the other young man can hear him.]

Well... [Raeger thought about it. He wasn’t the best with women, that was for sure, but he did know deserts, so he tried to give the best answer he could.] If you’re thinking it’s too cliche, there’s also a peach cream cake you could choose. But if you’d rather take a safe route on what people like, my shortcake is pretty liked around here.

[vittadux-blog]

Nadi enters the restaurant with scrunched up eyebrows, looking around the place before noticing someone. "Hello? Do you work here?" The question was perhaps idiotic, and Nadi could regret it later, but for now he had to hope it was an acceptable greeting.

Hearing someone enter because of the telltale jingle of the bell above the door, Raeger turned with his most award winning smile to greet them. “Welcome! I do work here. What can I help you with?” He placed down the towel he was using to dry his hands and moved closer so they could speak.

[vittadux-blog]

[Enters the cafe, glancing about in the off chance that he might recognize anyway. Doubtful, he doesn't think he's even been in Oak Tree before, but you never know.] Hmm... [Spots the waiter of sorts and approaches him, unsure of how things worked in this particular cafe.] Hey there, can I get an idea of what sort of desserts you offer? I'm looking for something I can take and deliver myself, if that helps.

[Smiling at a customer, Raeger turns away to go back to the kitchen, but is stopped by someone he’s never met before.] Oh? Deserts? Hm. [Taking a moment to think about something portable, he moves to walk behind the counter and brings out a menu.] Here you are! If you’re looking for something portable, I’d suggest something non liquid.

[vittadux-blog]

Uh huh! It's pay day. ♪ Exciting stuff. [He pats his pocket, beaming happily.] Can't wait to spend it all on the farm immediately, heh. How's your day been so far? Ready for work?

That does sound exciting! I know what you mean, spending it all on your work; I always end up doing the same thing. [He smiles back at him; Johnny’s smiles are infectious!] Ehhh...I mean, I could say I was ready for work, but that would be a lie. If I had it my way, I would still be asleep. [He admits this a bit sheepishly, rubbing a hand behind his head.]

[vittadux-blog]

[On his way back from the trade depot, his pack a great deal lighter now that he's unloaded his goods for sale (and his wallet a great deal heavier, chaching chaching), he spots Raeger in the center of town. He gives him a friendly wave.] Hey, you! Long time no see!

[Idly browsing the trade depot was something Raeger liked to do almost every morning. He made time so that before opening hours he would be able to look at at least some of the goods, and socialize with the people managing the stalls. It was good for business as well, seeing as he was always told first when there were fresh new vegetables and fruits in stock. So today, on his way back from the trading depot, he’s pleasantly surprised to see that Johnny was flagging him down] Oh, hey! It’s nice to see you! Did you just get back from the depot? [Raeger takes a moment to try and remember if he saw him there; coming up with nothing, he has a wave of concealed embarrassment over the fact that he was too absorbed in what he was doing to notice his friend there as well.]

[knuddelmausi3-blog]

Reporting For Duty! [Raeger/Johnny]

[knuddelmausi3-blog]

Hey.. [It was the first thing that came out of his mouth in response to the compliment - and Johnny ducked his head slightly, beaming down at his borrowed apron.] Well– thanks. That’s. Really nice of you to say. I guess I’m– … I’m pretty happy with it just the way it is, heh.

So! [He’s all jumbled up with nervous energy now, even as he looks back up at the chef, all giddy smiles.] What’s first? What can I help with? ♪

[vittadux-blog]

[Straightening his back from relaxed chit chat mode to ‘lets get shit done’ mode, Raeger pointed to the corner of the room, where small jars and a big bouquet of flowers await.] Well, mostly what I do before hours revolves around getting the stove ready and doing some prep work. However, it would really save me some time if you could make some centerpieces for the table with those supplies over there. It doesn’t have to be too fancy; just something to add a little bit more to the presentation.

[vittadux-blog]

[He comes by the restaurant before the dinner rush, whistling happily to himself as he lets himself in and approaches the counter. He sets a tidy aluminum tea tin down on the surface between himself and the chef, beaming proudly as he does so.] Good afternoon, Mr. Raeger! I've brought you a present. ♪

[Taking the time to clean up in the lull between the lunch and dinner rush, Raeger leans over the sink as he cleaned the pots and pans he’d used earlier. A clean kitchen is a step to success after all!] Hm? [Looking up to the sound of the small bell above the door giving a little jingle, he felt a small forced smile come to his face as the tin was placed on the counter. That couldn’t be....] Why hello, Mistel! It’s a pleasant surprise to see you. What have you brought?

[vittadux-blog]

Raeger smiled and placed a plate full of small jars in front of the judges. His face was filled with one of joy and as soon as he had the attention of the three people in front of him, he began to explain. “Hello! I’ve got to say, I had a lot of good memories making this. It’s my grandfather’s recipe with my own little twist. This is a lemon sun tea, seeped from a hand picked blend of tea leaves I dried myself. Now, if you don’t know what sun tea is, what I did was I mixed the leaves and instead of putting it in hot water, I let the sun heat it for two days instead! It results in a better, more ‘roasted’ flavor, if you will.” “After the first day, I added some sliced lemon, peels and all, and after letting it seep for another day, I took them out again. Then I let it chill in the refrigerator and before I came here and placed a grapefruit slice in each one to give it an extra tang!” Seeming proud of himself, he shot them a more genuine smile. “I hope you enjoy it~!”

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Revenge is a dish best served...spicy || Raeger/Mistel

[pechvogeltje-blog]

“Oh, so soon?” His lips had curled into a Grinch-like smile as Raeger had sipped the tea one final time - his obvious pleasure no longer able to be hidden from his face. So happy. So deliriously happy. “And it feels as though you’ve only just arrived. Very well, then. I’ll look forward to your next visit.”

He stood, collecting the muddy teacups busily. “And I’ll be sure to get that tea ready for you, as well. ♪”

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“Absolutely.” Raeger responded, standing as Mistel collected the cups. “I look forward to spending more time with you as well. Thank you so much for your kindness and hospitality.” The last few words came out more venomous than he had intended, but the mood had already been set so he didn’t think of it as a big deal. “Alright, I’ll be going now. Feel free to give me a call or just drop by.” he gathered up the rest of his things and put his bag back over his shoulder.

[vittadux-blog]

Revenge is a dish best served...spicy || Raeger/Mistel

[pechvogeltje-blog]

Mistel sat back to enjoy this most recent triumph - happy to watch Raeger take a bite of the pepper, happy also to watch him chase it down with a bite of the ruined pasta. Deliriously happy. There was precious little he didn’t enjoy about this most holy day of pranks, even as he’d been forcefully divorced from his own tastebuds - the entirety of his mouth still burning with the food he was no longer eating.

He wondered if his lips were as raw and red as they felt. Probably. Ah well, still worth it for this exact moment.

“What an absolute shame,” he marvelled, tutting softly as he leaned back against the couch. “I suppose I share your misfortune. My eyes are always a great deal larger than my stomach, I’m afraid. But please, feel free to have as much of the tea as you like if you don’t feel as though you can eat any more. There’s no need to gorge ourselves on your cooking, even for as delicious as it is. ♪”

[vittadux-blog]

Shooting Mistel another one of those smiles, he felt like his entire lower portion of his face would just fall off. It was sore from keeping up a smile, and there was so much spice...he didn’t know how he was going to be able to cook things properly at the shop. Maybe he’d have Fritz come and taste test it for him for a couple weeks....or the rest of his life. Who knew if he’d ever regain his taste. “Absolutely. Thank you for this wonderful afternoon~!” he took another sip of the tea and fought the urge to grind his teeth at the horrible sensation of dirt. Oh well, it was better than leaving himself to melt. “I’m afraid I’ll have to be leaving soon...but I promise I’ll come by again in the next few days to give you those spare chopsticks I was telling you about.” He was already plotting a revenge, although he gave no indication of such.

[knuddelmausi3-blog]

Reporting For Duty! [Raeger/Johnny]

[knuddelmausi3-blog]

Huh– I’m gonna be wearing an entire outfit of yours by the time we’re done here. [He snickers, but he makes no move to actually attempt to borrow this thing. In response to the comment on his hair, however, Johnny runs his fingers through it - making it slightly worse.]

You could try, but this is about as good as it gets. I pretty much don’t have hair, you know– I have a whole head of cowlicks instead.

[vittadux-blog]

I noticed. [Raeger snorts, trying to hide the little smile that it brought.] I think the first time I saw you take off your hat, I had to take a moment and just wonder how thick your hair had to be to stick up like that. I think to truly be able to tame the beast of your hair, you’ll need a lot more skill than my own. I can barely manage my own hair and it’s not nearly as wild as yours. I think you make the look look nice, though, so that’s always good. [He smiles at him again, but this time more teasing than anything else.]

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Revenge is a dish best served...spicy || Raeger/Mistel

[pechvogeltje-blog]

“Wonderful!” He clapped his hands together briskly before busying himself with fetching the peppers - glad for the moment or two to have his back to the chef. His mouth was still aching, and it was well within his interests to make several faces, running his tongue along the roof of his mouth to clear some of the spice and dirt from his palate.

“Sounds excellent! I look forward to it - absolutely any time!” he called pleasantly, his voice not matching the series of faces he made - and in a moment, he returned with a small bowl of peppers and a rekindled polite smile. He set the bowl between them, nudging it a bit closer to Raeger.

“Please, help yourself. I’m not one to take very large meals, you see, and I’m already bordering on being quite full, myself. But you’re welcome to have as many as you’d like, now that I know you have a fondness for spicy meals. ♪ They’re very fresh– I find myself snacking on them from time to time throughout the day.”

[vittadux-blog]

Raeger unknowingly did the same thing as Mistel turned away, making several expressions and pretty much slapping himself for his stupid pride. God fuck this. But he had that light smile back on his face when his friend returned to sit down. The thought of putting even more spice into his mouth made him want to kneel over and scream into the heavens, but he’d brought this upon himself. He wanted to see Mistel’s expression after all. The man reached out and took one of the peppers in his slim fingers, shooting Mistel a little look that basically said “I’m going to fuck you up” in the most passive way before he was taking a bite. To be honest, it probably would have been worse had he not just completely ruined his mouth a few moments before, and for the first time today, he was glad that he’d pulled this prank. He took another bite of pasta and fought the urge to let the tears that were building in his eyes overflow. He blinked a couple times to force it back, and then swallowed. “You know, something people don’t know about me is that i’m quite fond of spicy food. Unfortunately for me, I can only eat so much.” he said with a sheepish expression. He could feel his stomach rebelling against the crap he put in his stomach, but still somehow, he managed to stay composed on the outside. This was a superhuman feat in itself.

[vittadux-blog]

Do you still fail at making dishes sometimes?

Of course I do! Learning new things always takes practice, and when I try a new dish I don’t always succeed on my first try. It’s just about patience and perseverance. Even a master has their days. Failing is the first step to success.

[vittadux-blog]

Ask away

[knuddelmausi3-blog]

Reporting For Duty! [Raeger/Johnny]

[knuddelmausi3-blog]

[Johnny blinks - then bursts out laughing, setting his hands on his hips triumphantly.] Haha! I guess we are! Except for, you know.

[He points to his shirt, not nearly as crisply cut as Raeger’s vest and tie. And then points to his hair, a great deal messier than the chef’s. And then gestures to the entirety of himself, all of it much messier than his supposed twinsie.]

Except for all of this mess, of course. ♪

[vittadux-blog]

Hmmm...Well, actually, if you like, I have an extra collared shirt you could borrow. [He says it jokingly, but he does have one if Johnny so desired. Raeger smiles the slightest bit and ruffled his friend’s hair.]

I  have a comb and there’s time before I open. Don’t tempt me to make your hair sit down.