Chapter 467: Lorons (1/2)
”You're a phenom in the kitchen,” said Joe casually checking the ingredients, ”-I'm impressed Igna, the video wasn't for show, the skills are legit. ”
”Igna,” approached the manager with a lifeless smile, ”-I'm pleased you handled the Chef's demands.”
”I came to learn,” he returned, ”-I've got so much to study. Preparation of ingredients was the first thing I learned as well as tasting. As for cooking itself; the Alphian, Hidrosian, and Wracian techniques aren't strangers, in theory, as for practice…” he pointed to a bowl, ”-have a taste, the lack of flavor will be apparent.”
”Is that what I asked you to make earlier?” wondered Joe, ”-a soup without meat, let's see.” Spoon in hand, it plunged into the murkiness of the liquid. ”I see,” said he breathing deep to capture the further taste, ”-adequate but not extraordinary. We could serve this here no problem,” the spoon reached for another taste, ”-yet, it feels lacking.”
”Yes, sir, my training isn't complete, tis why I shall do what I can to get better.”
'This kid,' thought he, '-the drive for knowledge is insatiable,' putting a hand on the manager's shoulder, ”-Lady Jola, I acknowledge the innate potential of Igna,” softly pulling her back, ”-welcome to Loron, boy.”
”Thank you, sir,” they exchanged firm handshakes.
'How is this possible,' wondered the manager feeling humiliated, '-there's no way someone like him can be understood by the pallets of our refined guest. I'm certain lady Yuki's made a mistake. Joe… did you acknowledge him just to face my ire or?'
The brusque breeze carrying the odor of trash welded around the nostrils to burn the inside, ”-lady Jola,” came a voice admit the plethora of sense breaking scents.
”What?” returned she with a vein bloating down her forehead – the smell incurred the passive frustration she held.
”Calm it with the attitude,” said he unbothered by the smells.
”Is that all?” her posture closed with arms crossed and a reclined back, ”-if so, I'm heading home.”
”I see the scheming ways hasn't forgotten you.”
”How dare you!”
”The truth is hard to swallow. The jealousy of not wanting people to intrude on our asylum is heart-breaking, honestly. The staff is joined by the strong-will of lady Yuki, adding another to the mix might break the synergy. That pathetic kind of thinking is the reason you're still single. The boy is so talented a legend of the kitchen dared to make him an apprentice. Can't you see? The new era is here at our door-step.”
”What if that's the case, I can't possibly acknowledge him from your perspective. That's being subjective, I'm not interested. A stranger is a stranger no matter what one says.”
”A stray will often be the most loyal if taken care of properly. However,” he paused; ”-it can also be the single factor that breaks the family. Think about it for a moment, I'll go teach the boy a few tricks of the trade.”
”Who does he think he is?” her fist slammed the wall. *click,* the door shut over yonder, '-I'm not about to falter at the words of a wanna-be. There's a reason I was made manager, and that's to destroy the opposing businesses. The same can be done inwards too,” the clouds hid the sun's ray. The atmosphere changed with her personality; the resting expression grew into a sadistic half-smile.
”Everything ok sir?” the quiet kitchen spurred to life.
”Yeah, just a little argument between staff. Anyway, want me to teach you the ways of Loron?”
”Yes please,” with a grin and the pleasure birthed by teaching another, Joe filled the gap of ignorance of Loron. The main dishes were explained and cooked expertly; the techniques were far complex than what Leko taught. A product of lack of time. Nonetheless, notepad in hand, he watched, wrote, and studied hard.
The essence of time became naught, the motions of going from a meal to another took precedence. At around 18:00, the synchronous cogs stopped by force. A lady in a chef's outfit stood whilst juggling a key menacingly.
”Lady Yuki,” said Joe nodding respectfully.
”Chef Joe,” her eyes scanned the room thoroughly, ”-where's the boy?”
”Headed to the toilet,” said he returning to the pan.
”Everything's prepped. We have six tables booked tonight, where are the other staff?”
”They'll be here soon,” and as those words rolled off the tongue, three strongly dressed individuals arrived.
”Good afternoon chef,” said the leader of the group – an older man with grey slicked back hair, rounded nose, wrinkled forehead from the years of straining and mellow eyes. Two beautiful ladies gracefully approached, twins, one held blue hair and the other pink. The sharp noses, ever-youthful fragrance, pointy ears, and well-maintained figures hid the age nicely.
'Took longer than I thought,' the return into the more populated kitchen felt as if drowning. Joe's attitude changed into the description of seriousness.
”There you are,” voiced Lady Yuki nonchalantly hugging the boy.
”Good afternoon, lady Lordon,” said he respectfully.
”Ok,” facing the confused crowd, ”-might I have thine attention.” They obeyed without a moment wasted. ”I'd like to introduce our new-recruit, Lyoko Igna. I'm sure you've seen the video of us battling already. He'll be my assistant and disciple from today forth. Do help him in whatever he needs – mistakes will be made. Tis where you come on,” she pointed at each and everyone, ”-do you understand?”
”Yes chef,” said they in tandem.
”I'll go check on the front, please introduce yourself,” she skipped into the main restaurant.
”Good evening, young Igna,” approached the angered man, ”-I'm Chef Igona, head of the meat-section,” they shook hands.
”Hello Igna,” approached the ladies, ”-I'm Emma Lymsey,” said she with a beauty mark to the right under her lips.
”I'm Emmy Lymsey,” said the other with a more fearsome voice, her pink hair and beauty mark to the left didn't reflect the mannerism at all. ”-a guild tag, brings back memories,” soon to face away, ”-look, sister, a guild tag.”
”Yes, sister, it does bring back memories.”
”Alright you two,” interjected Joe, ”-go back to your stations. Orders will come soon.”
”Should I wash the dishes?”
”No,” came a playful voice, ”-you'll be assisting the Viper of the kitchen.”
Her return changed the mood into utter silence. Each knew their role. The manager would go back and forth saying which table arrived and what meals were ordered. The serving was a three-course dinner – the pace at which the people moved couldn't compare to the restaurant at the academy. 'This is hard,' orders came from left and right, no tact towards the recruit. Yuki's reprimanding didn't leave much room for confidence. Any slight mistakes would have him be graced with an earful.
”Look at this fucking mess,” her personality changed,”-do it again, Emma, come in and cover his ass. Tell table four that the meat is four minutes behind.” The side-glances were heart-breaking.