Ghost Chef I: You've been beaming this whole time, Rook. Any reason you're in such a good mood?
Rook: Oh, yes. I'm practically a neophyte when it comes to the kitchen. Everything I cast my gaze upon is new to me. đ It's like adventuring into an entirely new land. Oh, how my heart sings!
Shriek: *scuttling up onto Rook's shoulders* You ain't goin' on any adventures without me! đ I always wanted to fight a Nephilim! đ
Rook: *chuckles as he sets her down on the counter and adjusts her little chef hat* Oh, and I'm sure you'd do a splendid job, Mon Petite Diable! đ
Grim: Just feels weird to be makin' a tart with potatoes. 𤨠Not exactly a sweet deal.
Ghost Chef I: Quite the contrary! These are sweet potatoes, and they'll make for a sweet dessert. Try a bite of this boiled one here.
Rook: *taking the sweet potato* Oh lĂ lĂ , what a rich amber color it has! đŽ
Shriek: *turning her sweet potato over in her paws and sniffing it* And the outside's all purple! What kinda soil makes purple potatoes? Did they grow 'em in an amethyst someone split in half?
Ghost Chef I: This kind of potato is grown in the East. Autumn is when they're in season, but these are more than fresh enough for our tart filling.
Grim: I'll be the judge of that... *munching the sweet potato* Oh, man, that IS GOOD! đ
Shriek: *chowing down on hers with demonic ferocity* AMBERTHYST POTATOES ARE MY NEW FAVORITE THING IN ALL THE EVER!! đ¤Š
Rook: TrÊs bien! 𤊠I'm simply amazed. I never knew a potato could be so sweet by itself! And the soft texture is sublime.
Ghost Chef I: Now you see what I mean by them being perfect?
Rook: Merveilleux. The world contains so many culinary wonders I have yet to uncover! Heh, I've made a new discovery already... I feel a fresh surge of motivation washing over me. *clapping his hands* Au travail, tout le monde! đđ
Grim: Okay, I dunno what that means so how 'bout we just do the thing?
Ghost Chef I: Hearing things like that makes teaching you kids worthwhile. 𼚠Now let's get started on the filling. From what you've said, you haven't done much cooking, right?
Shriek: Yeah, ya have, Rook! We roasted stuff over a fire tons of times!
Rook: True, I've made some simple meals outdoors, but my experience is limited to chopping ingredients and cooking them over a campfire.
Ghost Chef I: Oh, so you're into camping! Eating outdoors is its own brand of fun.
Rook: Ah, you share my appreciation! Yes, I never tire of that distinct tension in the air. đ
Ghost Chef I: Uhh, not sure I would've described it as tension, but... đDifferent strokes for different folks, I guess.
Shriek: My strokes are always red. đ
Ghost Chef I: Yes, I am VERY aware of that. đ° Erm, I should probably go over the equipment you'll be using. Are you familiar with this?
Rook: Ooo, a masher! đ I saw a play once where the chef character mashed potatoes furiously with one.
Ghost Chef I: Great, so you're familiar. Okay, then go on and use it to mash the peeled sweet potatoes.
Shriek: *watching Rook mashing for a moment with curiosity before picking up a couple smaller mashers of their own* They kinda look like really skinny brass knuckles.
Rook: How very apropos, Mon Petite Diable! For in the film adaptation of that play for which I reference my budding mashing technique, the cooking was juxtaposed with the chef's mafioso compatriots accosting a rival gang.
Shriek: Did they beat the snot out of the guy? đ
Rook: Viciously so! The quick cuts equated the rapid-fire mashing with the speed and brutality of the strikes!
Shriek: *immediately gets to work pulverizing the sweet potatoes, using the mashers as brass knickles* NOW WE'RE TALKIN'!! đ
Rook: *laughing* Your zeal is as infectious as always, my darling little devil! But I shall not be outdone! đ
Grim: *pinning his ears as he looks over from where he's mashing his own sweet potato* Cooking movies don't sound like they're supposed to be this intense!đ°
Ghost Chef I: Spoken like someone who's never worked the line. *yelping as Rook and Shriek nearly crack the bowls* T-throw in a dash of brandy and vanilla extract for fragrance. đ°
Rook: Oui! Ah, now the filling has an even deeper bouquet. What an appetizing aroma coating this harmonious blend of sugar, eggs, cream, and butter creates such beautiful harmony! đ
Shriek: With extra HARM!! đ
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Ghost Chef I: You two must be real excited for the tart to finish baking.
I'm curious what you've been looking at, though. The ovens aren't over that way...
Rook: Who shall be the one to sample this delicious tart we made under the chef's generous guidance, Mon Petite Diable?
Ghost Chef I: Aww, that's sweet.
Shriek: *sniffing the air* Starfruit, lemon, tuberose, and hyacinth. That's what I'm gettin'.
Rook: Ah, a springtime combination. That narrows it down to about 34 potential candidates. I suppose I have enough time while we're waiting to thumb through my pocket guide. đ
Ghost Chef I: And now it's swung around to disturbing. đ
Grim: It always does. đ
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[[Night Raven- Cafeteria]]
Ortho: Hi, Shriek! Hi, Rook Hunt! đđ
Shriek: *flapping over to the little android with glee* ORTHOOOOO!!! đ
Rook: Why, Monsieur Wonder! đ˛ I certainly wasn't expecting you.
Shriek: You were only guess number 32!
Ortho: Yeah, it's a little silly they'd pick someone who doesn't have to eat. đ
I never even simulated this possibility. Fortunately, I had just enough time this morning to equip my oral energy intake attachment. *chomping his teeth, making Shriek giggle and copy him*
Rook: Ah, that's why your little dents de lait are on display today! đ You're even more the spitting image of Roi de sa Chambre!
Ortho: Aww, thanks! đ But enough about me, are you ready with today's recipe?
Shriek: Yeah, it's mashed and mangled and ready to munch!
Grim: Take it easy, Bruiser, it's just a tart.
Rook: I hope it's an enlightening experience for you, Monsieur Wonder!
Ortho: Thank you! Guess I'd better get to the data! Commencing edible analysis! *munch munch munch* Mmm! đ There's a very particular earthy sweetness to this! It's creamy and rich like a pumpkin pie, but smoother and with a less stringy texture. Now onto the really good stuff...!
Grim: That wasn't it?! All of that was enough to make me wanna guzzle down 50 of these things!đ¤¤
Ortho: The tart's primary nutrients are carbohydrates, glucose, fat, protein, fiber, and sodium. It's approximately 94% carbohydrates, glucose, and fatâan efficient source of energy. It sounds like the perfect dessert for a student body that contains so many individuals who are still growing.
Rook: Ah, ça m'ĂŠtonne! đ You analyzed its nutritional value in mere seconds with amazing accuracy. You truly live up to your namesake as a wonder. Now I've learned the merits of a sweet potato tart from an entirely new perspective. Merci, Ortho!
Ortho: As for your cooking skillâI took the liberty of scanning and analyzing the tart's exterior and interior as well. The filling was thoroughly mixed and evenly packed across the pastry for perfect bilateral symmetry. The dining experience would be consistent no matter which slice a person ate.
Grim and Shriek: *tilting their heads* Huh? đ¤¨đ¤¨
Ghost Chef I: He means all sides were perfectly arranged. An absolute one in a million rarity when done all by hand! đą And even if you'd used more equipment, there's always some differences here and there.
Ortho: Considering sweet potatoes' high fiber content, they couldn't have been easy to mash.
Rook: Indeed they weren't. I've heard their texture is perfectly enjoyable with only a light mashing... But I wouldn't have a feel for how chunky it should be. So I focused on making sure they were thoroughly mashed.
Shriek: *punching her open palm* I'm just in it for the thrill of the brawl! đ Wait, Ortho, what does fiber do?
Ortho: Quite a lot for the body, but its primary function is to keep your digestive system clean by moving food through the gut quickly, though it's a process that builds up a lot of intestinal gas.
Shriek: You mean... sweet potatoes give ya farts?? *squeal-laughing* Gross! đ
Rook: No need to be embarassed, Monsieur Pelouche! It's a perfectly normal function many living creatures share, and the sound of a body working healthily as nature intended.
Shriek: Ortho, gimme some too! đ I wanna help nature!!
Grim: SCREW, NATURE, RAMSHACKLE ALREADY REEKS LIKE A TOXIC DUMP, WE DON'T NEED MORE AUTHENTICITY!! đž
Rook: What a wonderful experience it's been for me to learn cooking and receive critical feedback on my creation. đ Not to mention, my wish has come true. I cannot thank you all enough, for I am happiness itself right now.
Ghost Chef I: Hm? What's this about a wish? I thought you signed up to add to your cooking repertoire.
Rook: Oui, Monsieur. But I am a huntsman of beauty. I must always be ready to seek out beauty, wherever it may lie. Do you see Cater off in the distance? There he is, cooking away, diligently applying himself to the culinary arts... THAT is what I wanted to see. Hard work is an immutable form of beauty! How marvelous that I can witness it up close! Many students who sign up for this course are out of their depths when it comes to cookery. I've often thought this would be a perfect place to attain the form of beauty known as diligence, and my aim struck true! Thus, Â I was able to revel in that beauty to my heart's content! Quelle journĂŠe fabuleuse !đ
Ghost Chef I: Any of you guys get a word of that?
Shriek: *chomping on some pieces of sweet potato tart* Y'know tart rhymes with fart. đ
Ortho: Isn't fate fartistic? đ¤
Shriek: *laughing so hard she nearly falls off the table*
Grim: I'm gonna go ask Professor Crewel if I can borrow one of the alchemy gas masks for tonight. đ You people are SADISTS!