Time to meet the Chef!

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon had decided he would meet with thepotential members of the Pride one on one and get to know them better than amidst a group. He knew Ravaska had done this already and was happy to have someone like her around. Rav was a great organizer and advisor whether she realized it or not.

His curiosity on this Brightening surrounded his chef; the only domestikatta in the group. Parreyon ehld no issues with the domestikatta like some of the wilderkatta did due to the past issues regarding the dorin enslavement where the domestikatta altered ancient katta teaditions and usurped power from the wilderkatta. Parreyon cared more about katta unity and protection in surviving the everchanging world of the Empire. There were too many other elements across this land that could endanger katta and petty inner-racial squabbles would not be tolerated.

Felina had a desire to be a cook, and that was a fantastic life goal. He wanted to know what she had learned thus far, where she might work, and more specifically - what she wanted to accomplish in the future and how the Pride could help her do this. Parreyon could see many great things from this artistic craft, but it was not his life, and he would not dictate it for her. As Leader of the Pride, he wanted to nurture her desires and help her fullfill them as best he could. True leaders tried to make people better. Only fools controlled.

Parreyon sent a note to Felina's door asking her to meet him for an evening meal at the Cat's Pyjamas where he was staying. He had not talked with her about this and was using it as a test to see how well she trusted and respected him already by chosing to show up when summoned. He sat patiently at the table with a bottle of Arakmatian White Wine and two glasses along with a tray of varying cheeses and crackers to serve as an appetizer for their meal.

[Felina Sunder]

Felina came down the steps for the evening meal just as the note in her hands had asked of her. She was a little nervous, but not as much as usual. She had gotten used to the idea of the pride and having Parreyon the leader and protector of the little group. What would the pribe be without trust and understanding anyway? She thought as she slipped into the dinning hall and looked around. Not that many were sitting here and enjoying a meal so it was easy to spot Parreyon.

"Serale and thank you for inviting me." Felina said in her normal meek way. she gestured for the chair as if asking permission to sit before him. Her eyes moved towards the cheese that smelled simply devine.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon rose from his seat when Felina made it to the dinner table. He did not know the demeanor of this particular katta, but domestikatta were more noble in how they acted, and Parreyon showed her the full effect of etiquette and respect. He gave a slight bow with his head and then lowered his hand towards her seat as a request for her to sit down.

"I thank you for coming and am honored to speak with you. Would you prefer Milk or wine this evening. And please, help yourself to the appetizers. I do enjoy a good bite of cheese over salads or soups."

Parreyon retrieved whichever drink she requested and set it in front of her. He then took a couple of crackers and spread cheese on them placing them on his place except for the last which he took a good bite of and let the flavour fill his mouth before taking the second and last bite. He really did enjoy cheese.

"Let us begin by talking about you and your desires. I have every intent of helping you achieve whatever life goals you have in mind but must first know them before I can help. I know you desire to be a chef but do not want to own a restaurant. How do you see your life as a chef as in what capacity do you wish to serve as one?"

[Felina Sunder]

Felina relaxed with his show of manners and took the offered seat. "Milk please." He went off to do just that and she accepted the glass with a simple "thank you". "The simple foods in life are much better I find." Felina told him. "I can make a mean breakfast with such simple ingredients...it will make your mouth water!" She lost the rest of her nervous energy when she began to talk of food because it was one of her passions.

"This is true...I do not want to own a restaurant. Once you begin to worry about how the kitchen is doing and profits...then you lose out on the good things that you produce. No a restaurant is not the place for me. Instead I would prefer to be someone's personal chef. The reward would be greater and the pay should be decent enough...not that this matters." Felina shrugged, realizing that she was talking a lot and reached out for a cracker and some cheese. As she put it in her mouth she savored the taste and began to think of what it would be good with. Some fruit maybe....

[Parreyon Syndicus]

"Then would the idea of being the chef and running the entire kitchen for our Pride be what you're looking for?"

Parreyon asked trying to evaluate the female katta so that he could best help her. From her earlier statement, it sounded as if running the kitchen of the Pride might not be something she wanted to do either. It would hold no stress compared to what a restaurant might generate, but would still hold stresses of her own. He was thinking that maybe she enjoyed the art involved in the cooking but none of the stresses of a full fledged kitchen. Much how an artist might enjoy painting the picture but not want to be in the confines of a gallery trying to sell it. He wasn't sure how to accomodate her in this yet, but he'd find a way.

"Shall we order dinner? I've spoken with the chef and the menu is whatever your heart desires. I've paid him well to handle our every need. Do not be shy, order whatever you feel."

Parreyon looked over to the waitress and indicated they were ready to order their food. "How may I help you these evening?" The leopard katta asked. She was young, late youth or early adult and had a pretty smile that made you want to pinch her cheeks. Parreyon waited and allowed Felina to order first as was proper before ordering Arakmatian Spiced Tenderloin with seasoned mixed vegetables. He loved his food a little spicy and no one did it better than Arakmat.

After they'd ordered, Parreyon continued. "What then would you need of me? We hinted at the need for a big kitchen in our Pride for you at our first meeting. would you have need of training as well? I can arrange anything for you, so have no fears in asking me. I am honored to help."

[Felina Sunder]

"It would be an interesting thing to try...I am always willing to try something." Felina told him and then the topic turned to what she wanted for dinner. She thought about it for a moment and as the waitress came over she shyly smiled at the katta. "Serale...could I have salmon cooked with lemon sauce and vegetable with a side of warm bread and more milk when you get a chance?" She then listened with interest as her chef ordered. He likes food spicy... She took a mental note of it without even realizing that she did so.

"Well I would need more training...I only got through the early stages of an apprenticeship and worked as a minor cook for a while. The size of the kitchen would have to depend on how many people I am cooking for. It would be nice to have two fire pits in the kitchen...one opened for grilling foods or making soups and another brick over so I can simply place food on top of it...like breads and such." She paused to think before continuing on. "A place to wash dishes would be nice and a big enough counter space. The bigger the pride grows the more help I might need...but since we only have four so far I could manage to cook that simply enough." She took a moment to stop and take a long sip of her milk. She was glad that she finally had opened up enough to talk with this katta, but she realized after a moment that she knew very little about him. My family would be upset with me for giving my trust so freely. She thought.

"What is it that you do that allows you to have such...funds?" If she were a human she would have blushed, but she was interested to know how her leader could offer such help.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon listened to her order and found the thought of the meal to sound rather tasty. What katta did not like fish? Then he listened to her describe the kitchen and wondered if Kati would be able to make all of this possible. If not he would get help for the young carpenter to build the Pride Hall to handle the future growth of their Pride. Felina had opened up to him and spoke in honest, but he sensed the slight hesitation when she changed the topic to him. Fair enough, she deserved to know all about him in return.

"I began my adulthood serving in Imperia in an organization called The Imperia Suns. I learned the military ways and also took my first class on law. These are the staple of who I am, a soldier and a lawman.

I have also served in the provincial army in Port alyxandrya and then the Imperial Army out of Midpoint fortress. My highest rated title was as a Captain. I have also served as Prefect of Imperia, Midopoint, and Port Alyxandrya; then became an Imperial Magistrate of the High Courts under Empress Audrey De'Lylles. From there Empress Audrey De'Lylles made me High Councilor of Law in her Court which later became Imperial Judicator, Minister of Law under the new government when Empress Audrey De'Lylles passed on the Crown to her neice Empress Arabella De'Lylles. I stayed for an era before retiring to take care of family matters. upon my return, Milo L'Evienne had become Regent as Arabella De'Lylles grew ill and never recovered. Under Regent L'Evienne I have served as his Imperial Margrave ... fancy word for Advisor, Imperial Inquisitor which heads the Sel'Rakrya, and my current position is Imperial Judicator once again, Minister of Law.

I know that is a mouthful and do not know what of that makes sense to you. so i'll stop talking and allow you to ask me some questions to help you get to know me a little better." It almost made him laugh because he'd never had to give his resume until now. No one had ever asked for it before.

[Felina Sunder]

"That is indeed a mouthful." Felina said with a nod of her head. "Compared to you I have done so very little." She said meekly. "Although I could never fight in any great battles against others like a soldier. I defended myself once, but that was to protect my family and it was against monsters and not...real people...." Felina shook her head as she remembered the battle that had killed the old katta that had been leading the make shift pride her family had gotten involved with after their home had been lost after some battle or another.

"My place has always been behind the warriors, feeding their bellies!" She declared with a smile. "My older brothers were always hungry and my mother and I would spend lots of time in the kitchen. I guess I just found my love for cooking there. When was the moment you knew you wanted to be a soldier and lawman?" She asked, curious.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

"Every good warrior needs a good meal to maintain their energy. That is a wise and respected place to be."

Parreyon said as he listened to her talk aboout her family and their roles. It seemed as though her brothers were warriors; not a common choice of profession amongst domestikatta and that intrigued him more. Plus she did not speak of her family as if being a part of a Pride which also had him curious. He knew domestikatta did not have Prides per say, but that they still did not follow in the M'baael ceremonies. It made him wonder if they formed a pride like society but had adapted it to city life instead of the rural paths of the wilderkatta. He did not know much of domestikatta ways.

"I always knew I wanted to be a warrior. My father was a Knight in the Imperia Suns, and I wanted to be like him. It was while serving that I realized that being a soldier for the city was not enough to stop crime and make the people of Imperia safe. Then I met an elf named Elanara Al'lende of Enamoria. She was a politician and tolld me of the laws and how they worked. I was hooked on the ways of the legal system ever since."

[Felina Sunder]

Felina nodded her head with interest at the mention of his past. It made sense that his father was a soldier. She had heard of many people following in the footsteps of their parents in some way or another. "I am sure you are doing a great job helping the people and will do just fine running the pride." She told him with a shy smile.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon enjoyed the words of encouragement from Felina and felt she was accepting of the Pride and Himself. He would return the favor by giving her the kitchen she desired to fullfill her gifted talents as a chef and help her with her training. She was a good ... no great ... edition to the Pride. Ravaska had done well to find Felina.

"I am estatic over our conversation and am glad to have met you. Know that whatever you need, I will do my best to provide. This does not end with creating your kitchen. That is just the beginning. I hope to aid you in whatever means possible to obtain your goals. If being the greatest chef in the Empire is your desire, then we will make that happen.

I want you to know, that my main goal for the Pride aside from aiding each of us as individuals, is to return the Katta nation to its former glory; a state it has not been in for many an era. I do not know how to complete this, but I will not rest until it is done. We have spread our kind far to wide across the lands without remaining to to the future of Katta. Somehow we must bring Kyathis back into the political race, and show this Empire what we katta are made of.

What do you think of this?"

[Felina Sunder]

She did not want to disappoint her new pride leader, but she figured that she should speak honestly when he asked her something especially if it was something he was so passionate about.

"I never want to create waves," Felina shrugged again, relishing in the gesture. "But this is why I am a cook and not a soldier or a...a...a Politician. It just seems to all be a lot of trouble and I don't much care for trouble."

[Parreyon Syndicus]

"I will never ask of you to be more than you can be. Every katta has his or her proper place in society where they will prosper not only themselves but all katta. You are an artist who specializes as a chef. To ask you to be a politician when you are not called would be foolishness on my part. As leader it is my job to identify that; to make sure that I never place you in a position that would bring shame to you, the Pride, or our people. Though expect that I might ask you to step outside of your boundries from time to time in order to help you grow as a katta. In the end, I will always be there to protect you."

Parreyon said with a smile then taking a sip of his drink. He found Felina's timidness to be different and refreshing. It reminded him that each member of the Pride had a different personality and something different to offer to everyone. Felina was showing to be quite a supporter which was a very needed area even if she might not be aware of it.

"Though I just might be creating waves, it is the sworn duty of all pantheri to aid the katta regime. It was even built in to our creed or Katta Oath when the Claw Knights of old were created."

Parreyon spoke the oath for her to hear.

"We believe in a greater Katta homeland. We believe in Honor in Battle, Glory in War, and Greatness in Peace. We believe in the Virtue of fighting for what is right, even when no one else will lift a paw. We believe in the Kattan People, and that in the end, we may have to save the Kattas from themselves. We believe in One Sacred and Royal Throne, upon which shall sit the leader of all Katta, and unite us in Majesty once again. We are the Pantheri Clawknights, and we shall never falter."

"Tell me, have you ever thought of the katta as a unified people and what that might be like? It hasn't truly existed since before the Dorin Enslavement."

[Felina Sunder]

"You are wise and I trust you to know what you are doing." Felina said after a moment of thought. "I will allow you to push me, but please don't push more then I am able to give. I once fought for my family and will fight again if I have to, but don't expect me to fight for something minor like a cat fight over a female...or....or...or something." She waved her hands with the loss of words.

"As for katta being a unified people I have not thought about it. But answer me this...is anyone really unified? There will always be battles among races...humans will fight humans and katta will fight katta. The bigger the group of people...t-t-the more they will get into petty arguments over silly things. I am glad our pride is small right now because it will be easier for you to control and make sure everyone is happy." Felina fell silent and watched him carefully as she took another sip of her milk.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

"Do not worry, Felina. My meaning by saying I will push you has to do with you bettering yourself as a katta. From time to time all of us, myself included, need a push such as a task or choir to help expand out mentality in order to become better than we were. Warriors train hard but sometimes must lose a fight in order to learn a lesson. Maybe for you a push would be cooking a dish you are completely unfamiliar with. I will never ask you to do something I do not believe you could do. That would lead to failure in me as a leader by potentially causing you to doubt your ability."

Parreyon could not help but laugh as Felina waved her hand in the air at the mnention of a katta fight over a woman. he tried to imagine her running out of the kitchen with a butcher's knife or huge wooden spoon and cracking someone's skull. Her questions to him though were excellent questions deserving of a proper answer.

"Unity is indeed in the eye of the beholder. My thoughts go to Zerdargia and how the dwarves are unified. Yes, they bicker amongst themselves and fight clan to clan. But if you are an outsider and you mess with one Dwarf, you'll fight them all. The same holds true, in a general sense, with elves or saurids or dorin. But the katta people have not held that type of bond in many eras. We live more as individuals trying to adapt to a different society while losing our origins in the process. I merely want us to be bonded as a people while merging with the will of the Empire. to know that if you mess with one katta, you will have to deal with all of us.

This begins in the Pride, but even the prides were joined under one main Pride Leadership when the wilderkatta were in charge. I hold nothing against domestikatta at all for all Katta have a proper duty to fullfill to make the katta nation operate efficiently. But I do blame the omnikatta at the time of the dorin Enslavement for allying with the dorin in order to usurp control for themselves never once thinking of katta society as a whole. Kyathis has yet to open it's gates remaining in isolation since the end of that Enslavement. There may be a better way than the old way, but what we currently do is not right."