Chapter 465: Cook-Off (1/2)
”Please, there's no need for such animosity,” pleaded the head-chef, ”-you're a lady of power. Maybe there's something we can do to qualm the failure on our part.”
”But…” hearing Nole take the responsibility and blame, Ola's stance grew physical. The anger and injustice rose from within to the point of blowing over. *TSS* and blow did it as the pressure cooker whistled to break the argumentative atmosphere. Smartly holding the hand of the youngling, the head-chef waited through the high-pitch scream.
”Surely my lady, would you have come to a restaurant knowing full well we couldn't satisfy thy pallet.”
”No, you're right,” she took a loud stance, ”-a man in need of liquor will head to a bar, not a pharmacy. Yet, the thing I want can be made available quite quickly.”
”I don't follow,” inquired Nole as a crowd of preoccupied chefs rallied behind. The numbers didn't matter as the Medusa of Cooking seemed to petrify those who dared stare.
”If I might add, didn't you say that only Chef Leko can suffice thy mouth. Per our teachings here, none would be foolish enough to follow his footsteps.”
”Shut your mouth!” refuted Nole, ”-a cook in Leko's caliber must be given proper respect. Mind thy tongue, Ola, ” the wrath of the patient man flickered to make many shudder.
”I apologize, sir.”
Her ever melancholic stare basking in the fire of anger scanned the whole room, she made contact with young Konoe then refocused onto Nole. ”Head-chef,” said she with a softer tone, ”-wasn't there a recruit who joined the cooking staff?”
”No, not that I know of.”
”Head-Chef Nole,” voiced Ki, ”-maybe the lady is referring to young Igna.”
”Yes, him,” she smiled, ”-bring the boy to the kitchen.”
The tranquil alley rattled as the back door slammed open. The feeding pigeon flapped away, rats screeched as the cat dug its teeth into the pest's neck. Death was never far thought he dazed by the complex surrounding.
”IGNA!” yelled Konoe.
”Here,” he called hidden behind stacked crates.
”Why are you out here?” came the boy with hands on his hip.
”Went out to get something to drink,” an empty glass bottle of cola dropped into a nearby bin, ”-are there more dishes to wash?”
”Are you dumb?” inquired he both in words and actions, the brows were tired, the cheeks pale and the lips dried.
”Did something happen?”
”Yeah,” lamenting the situation inside, ”-Lady Lordon came barging in.”
”She's here?” quick to stand, ”-come on, let's go,” he barged inside.
”There you are,” waved the lady surrounded by angry-looking cooks. ”Let me through,” she eased across the crowd to hold the boy's hand, ”-tell me this right now, did you cook anything tonight?” her pleading glance made it hard to pay attention at them behind.
”Egh-”
”-look at me,” she grabbed his focus by force, ”-did you cook, yes or no?”
”No, I didn't,” the head shook with narrowed eyes. ”Lady Lordon,” a frown had her quite intrigued, ”-why was it you left me out on the airfield?”
”Oh…” playing innocent, ”-I don't know,” the head turned away defiantly.
'She came across as delicate the first time we met. A dignified lady who rarely spoke and was given the mantle of a mythical being. The chefs aren't pleased with her arrival. There's more to her actions, I can feel it, why did she run in here, was it merely a whim?'
”There you have it,” she turned, ”-he didn't cook.”
”Why does that matter,” argued Ola, ”-a rookie isn't supposed to cook upon joining. It's common practice to wait for acknowledgment,” the hands moved on each word spoken.
”No, that's where you're wrong,” she laughed, ”-this boy right here is unlike any of the people you've trained.”
”Lady Lordon, my patience has run low. Have you come here to insult our ways of cooking or will there be a conclusion to this mishap? The customers outside are waiting for their food.”
”Too bad,” she shrugged, ”-they can starve for all I care.”
”LADY LORDON!” voiced the entire cooking staff.
”Hey,” she whispered, ”-want to have some fun?”
”What exactly are you planning?” wondered he.
”To get your name out there,” she turned and winked. ”Listen up, Chef Nole, upon my name and repute of Master-cook, I challenge your subordinate to battle my pupil here. If he loses, I'll personally bow my head and apologize. The boy will drop cooking altogether,” the confidence and way of speech made her already fearful name into the description of arrogance.
”A battle?” he paused, ”-we've spent more than thirty minutes arguing. Let's treat the guests,” quick to call onto the waiters, the event began right away. Two teams will prepare the same meal for each table, the guests would decide the winner.
”Lady Lordon,” smiled he, ”-let's make this fair. How about its only three members, with us both as the captains,” the pleasures of beating a rival with his hand couldn't be passed.
”Deal,” she smirked, ”-Igna and your friend…”
”Konoe, ma'am.”
”Good, Konoe, where have you trained?”
”The Leko's cooking academy.”