[Location] Sweet Delights Chocolate Shoppe

[Larien Gil'dae]

-=| Sweet Delights Chocolate Shoppe |=-

Description:

Located in the FailleGrove District, the chocolate shoppe was just a few blocks away from both the Grape and Barley and the AlaDisaster, making it essentially very easy to find, especially given the fact that the young Medonian elfess who worked the shop would sometimes stand outside and hand out samples of fudge to draw in new customers. Despite the fact the shoppe had just passed into new management with the retirement of the previous owner, very few changes had been made to Sweet Delights. It was still a quaint little storefront with a clean white facade and tall glass windows that looked in on the cozy scene within. A sign painted in pale blue read Sweet Delights Chocolate Shoppe.

Upon entering the shoppe, a potential customer would be greeted by the tinkling of a bell and the warm smile of Lily -- the sweet little elfess who had been hired as a clerk when the shoppe had been purchased by the new owner, Larien Gil'dae. Lily was blonde and friendly with bright blue eyes and a radiant smile that kept the patrons of the shoppe coming back for more... or maybe it was the deliciousness of the wares that kept them coming back. The two chocolate chefs, Alyon and Carylle (identical Medonian elf twins with a mischievous sense of humor) were very skilled at what they did. One of their latest inventions was the aptly named "Medonian Chocolate" which wasn't as sweet as the White, Milk, or Dark chocolates that were also offered at the shoppe. Actually, it was almost a little spicy.

A long counter split the front of the shoppe (which was scattered with small tables and chairs where customers could sit and enjoy their treats) from the back where the chocolate was made and prepared. When Lily wasn't milling around and handing out samples, she could be found behind the counter, assisting those that entered the shoppe with their selections. "Serale and Vedui," she would greet each and every one warmly. "How can I help you this brightening?"

On very rare occasions, the owner could be found sitting within the shoppe and sampling some of Alyon and Carylle's latest concoctions, though if a customer had need to find the young elven woman who had purchased the shoppe, Lily would gladly point them in the right direction.



Goods & Services:

There are four types of chocolate to choose from: Milk, White, Dark, and a new one that is being developed – Medonian Chocolate. It’s not as sweet as the others (actually, it’s almost a little spicy) but it’s very full-bodied and rich and those that have sampled it so far have seemed to enjoy it. If a customer wishes to use Medonian Chocolate in their order, they must add 15 crowns to their total price.


Fudge
The fudge of Sweet Delights is sold in a one-inch wide slice/half-pound block.
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• Velvet and Silk – 15/50 crowns
  • Milk chocolate and white chocolate swirled together.
• Tigron-Striped – 15/50 crowns
  • Milk chocolate striped with dark chocolate.
• Nutty Swirl – 15/50 crowns
  • Milk chocolate with nuts mixed in to provide a creamy yet crunchy combination.
• Classically Delicious – 15/50 crowns
  • Fudge in simply plain white chocolate, plain milk chocolate, or plain dark chocolate.
• Medonian Surprise – 25/65 crowns
  • Medonian chocolate fudge… with a secret ingredient mixed in. One of the tastiest fudges in the empire!

Chocolate-Covered Treats
These chocolate-covered treats are sold in bags of one dozen/two dozen/three dozen.
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• Raisins – 15/25/35 crowns
• Nuts – 15/25/35 crowns
• Apple pieces (red, gold, green) – 25/35/45 crowns
• Banana slices – 35/45/55 crowns
• Orange slices – 45/55/65 crowns
• Inquire for others. We can cover just about anything in chocolate!

Chocolate-Concocted Treats
These treats are sold individually as a small or large serving.
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• Chocolate Cabbit – 30/50 crowns
• Chocolate Candarose – 30/50 crowns
  • We can cover the petals in any color frosting you’d like -- +15 crowns.
• Chocolate Heart – 25/45 crowns
  • To add a small message (five words or less) -- +15 crowns
• Inquire for others. If you can dream it, we can make it out of chocolate!
  • Note: Any of our concocted treats can be filled with a delightful cream of your choice. If you do not specify a filling, then they will just be solid chocolate. Our fillings include: Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Apple, White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Medonian Chocolate, Banana, Mint, White Cream (can be dyed any color if you have a preference) -- +20 crowns (+35 for the Medonian Chocolate)

Boxed Chocolates
These chocolates are sold in individual boxes containing five, ten, or fifteen chocolates.
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• A Fruity Selection – 25/35/45 crowns
  • Small chocolates filled with any fruit cream of your choice: Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry, Orange, Lemon, Lime, Apple, Banana, inquire for others.
• Chocolate Attack – 25/35/45 crowns
  • Daring combinations of chocolate on chocolate: Milk + Milk, Milk + Dark, Milk + White, Dark + Dark, Dark + White, White + White
• An Herbal Affair – 30/40/50 crowns
  • Chocolate flavored with herbs and spices either added to the chocolate itself or in the cream it is filled with: Peppermint, Cinnamon, Sage, Rosemary, Tarragon, Thyme, Sweet Basil, Spearmint
• Medonian Special – 45/55/65 crowns
  • Medonian Chocolate swirled together with various other chocolate combinations to create an unique and utterly decadent explosion of flavors in your mouth.
• The Mix and Match – 30/40/50 crowns
  • Mix chocolates from any of the boxed sets to create your own unique selection (excluding the Medonian Special unless you pay an extra 15 crowns).

Chocolate Drinks
These drinks are sold by the cup and we recommend you drink them while still at the shoppe. Bottles not available at this time.
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• Hot Chocolate – 25 crowns
  • Milk or Dark chocolate in liquid form that has been mixed with a little bit of fresh milk and served hot.
• Pale Mint – 30 crowns
  • White chocolate in liquid form mixed with peppermint – can be served hot or room temperature depending on customer preference.
• Medonian Spice – 45 crowns
  • Medonian chocolate in liquid form garnished with a stick of cinnamon and another secret ingredient that makes it almost irresistible – can be served hot or room temperature depending on customer preference.
• Chocolate Milk – 20 crowns
  • Fresh milk mixed with just enough Milk chocolate to give it that delicious chocolate taste.
• Tropical Delight – 30 crowns
  • Thick Dark chocolate or Milk chocolate in liquid form mixed with orange juice (which might sound odd at first but is really quite good) – always served room temperature
• Sweet Honey - 30 crowns
  • A little too sweet for most of the customers, this chocolate and honey drink is a favorite among children and those that are young at heart – can be served hot or room temperature depending on customer preference.

Credits: Written by Larien Gil'dae with inspiration from Eraisuithon Gil'dae

[Larien Gil'dae]

30th brightening in the Month of Immanis, Winter
Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum

"Mmm, that's delicious, Carylle." Patting her mouth with the small cloth napkin, the young elven woman flashed the chocolate chef a quick smile before returning her attention to the small sheaf of parchment before her detailing the sales from the previous cycle. The little shoppe had done fairly well since her purchase of the establishment... but fairly well wasn't excellent. "What we need is a gimmick... some way to bring in more customers..." the elfess mused aloud as she took another sip of the Tropical Delight drink. Citrus and chocolate combined? Genius. "A gimmick?" Lily questioned softly as she scooted closer to her employer, peering down at the numbers listed on the parchment with her wide, blue eyes. "Yes, a gimmick or... perhaps..." tracing her soft fingertip down the column, Larien suddenly smiled. "What if we sent a few promotional gifts to persons of note within the realm? Such as... His Royal Highness." Lily's eyes widened further. "The Prince?!" She squeaked with excitement at the thought of the ruler of Aelyria enjoying the chocolates she sold each and every brightening.

"Yes... Milo himself." Not too long ago, Larien would never have dreamed of referring to the ruler of their realm in such an informal fashion... but after meeting with him and learning of his casual kindness firsthand, it was hard to not count him as a friend. "I'm sure he would enjoy the gift and perhaps if he enjoyed it enough, he would tell others about our little establishment. Hmmm... perhaps Alexis would enjoy a box as well..."

"The Minister of War?!" Lily seemed about to swoon with excitement. Glancing sharply towards her employee, Larien took another careful sip of her sweetly fruity drink. Licking a stray drop from her lips, the elven maiden then nodded slowly. "Yes, the Minister of War." Suddenly inspired, Larien drew a blank sheet of parchment towards herself, dipping her quill into the bottle of ink before scratching swiftly upon the paper in her curving hand. "Who else? Milo... Alexis..." Who else did she know personally or had at least met face-to-face who carried some level of power within Aelyria? She knew Atl from the Sacred Circle but it had been so long since last they had spoken... it would seem odd to suddenly grace him with a gift. "Well I suppose that will have to do for now." She couldn't be giving away all her goods, after all. Though if her plan worked, hopefully the carefully placed gifts would end up bringing more business to the small chocolate shoppe of Medonia.

[Alexis Sapientia]

Timestamp: Afternoon of Solaria in the First Cycle of Melora, Winter in the First Era of the Principate of HRH Prince Milo I, Era XV Post Fractum.

It had been very easy to find, what with the Faillegrove being a rather grand place to do business, and with it few blocks away from both the Grape and Barley and the AlaDisaster, two shops which the sole carriage-passenger would be very well acquainted with.

The carriage stopped right outside the shop, a gaggle of five escorting cavalrymen having to similarly grasp tight on their respective reins to stop in time. Some did curse, but under their breath, for the Imperial Minister of War could be quite odd when in his odd moods.

They never stopped talking about the marine who'd been forced to single-handedly carry a near-sackful of chocolate from a similar shop in Prime after having erroneously splashed mud on the Minister's boots. The door being swiftly opened, so did he step out, clad in uniform as always, eyes, always bright and cerulean-blue, back straight, and boots crisp on pavement and shop floor, the black leather greatcoat always flowing and leaving a curious militant touch.

He did not give any indication as to his name, rank, or status, he merely went in and examined the interiors of the business establishment, a pensive look on his face, with the requisite attendants in uniform to do requisite attendant things, such as hold the packages and pay the fellow.

"Two of each, if you please, with none for the drinks," said he rather cryptically, appropriating a chair and settling himself down upon it rather grandly, as another rather gracefully set down small beribboned bags that collapsed on a counter with a finely noticeable chink.

Beckoning to a marine in full dress who presented a letter, so did he then set the typical Sapientia look the attendant's way.

"Do you know the whereabouts of this person? I am of a mind to charge her with endangering the life and health of a Minister of the Government."

[Larien Gil'dae]

"Two... two of each?" Her pale brow furrowed, the little elf maiden glanced towards the rather intimidating man with a frown marring her otherwise rather pretty features. "I... I don't quite understand..." Biting her bottom lip, Lily shifted from foot to foot, not wanting to seem simple before the distinguished gentleman but also not wanting to do something wrong... where was Larien when she needed her? But then the stranger was presenting a letter... a letter Lily recognized. She had been hovering over her employer's shoulder when the other had written the correspondence. He was looking for Larien! "Oh... oh no... um... Carylleeeeee!" Her skirts swished violently about her legs as the maiden took off into the back of the shoppe, dashing immediately towards one of the cooks. Tugging on his arm, she whispered frantically in his ear, telling him everything that she knew of the strange man sitting out in the front of Sweet Delights.

The elven man's eyes widened. Shushing Lily with a soothing touch, he prowled from the kitchens, removing his apron as he walked. He seemed rather plain for one of the elvish kind. His hair was a dark brown, as were his eyes. A smudge of dark chocolate on his jaw marked him either as one of the chocolate chefs or as an employee that just enjoyed chowing down on the wares a bit too much. "Serale, m'lord. Miss Gil'dae is just down the street. I'll have her here shortly."

And with that, Carylle walked calmly from the store. He didn't start running until he was out on the street, his booted feet falling sharply upon the cobblestones as the chill air of the season whipped about his form. It was, thankfully, just a short run to Kaimelea's Dream from the chocolate shoppe. However, given the time of the brightening, the nightclub was locked up tight. Barely pausing for breath, the elven man began hammering on the door, his lilting baritone ringing out in a loud shout that drew quite a bit of attention. "LEON! Open up I know you're in there! I need Miss Gil'dae NOW! It's urgent!"

* * *

It had been a while since Larien had last run that fast. Given the description of the man in question, she thought he might just be... but no. Why would he be in Medonia? Taking only a moment to compose herself, the young elven woman then entered the chocolate shoppe as calmly as she could. Her long auburn hair cascaded down her back in a mane tousled by the wind while her angular cheeks were flushed from her sudden sprint. Pale emerald eyes burning brightly, she floated gracefully forward, an inquisitive frown furrowing her brow as her gaze fell upon the one that had her employees so ruffled. She would have recognized him anywhere. The soft shush of silk whispered quietly through the shop as Larien approached, her emerald green skirts swirling about her delicate ankles. "Why Alexis," she lilted with a cautious smile, not quite sure just what game he was playing at. "What a pleasant surprise."

[Alexis Sapientia]

Females feeling flush-anxious and losing concentration due to his presence, males deferential and moving out of his sight at his slightest command, and elven nobles arriving breathless at his very summons...these were all things the Minister of War could quite very well get used to, but he couldn't quite help but be amused at the whole process, reflecting on it as he was, having taken time to take a swig from the bottle of candied-sweet liquer he'd been presented by this very woman in Prime.

Not since the brightenings of Prefect Jaali Desseren had such a fate befallen Alexis Sapientia in the capital of Enamoria, but it made for a good enough smile, with a curt bow of recognition as he rose to greet the very proprietor of this very sweet trap of an establishment.

"Milady, my congratulations on your quiet industry. See what your concoctions have done...I have taken leave of my senses and purchased two of each treat you have here," motioned he with a wave of his gloved hand to the countertop, displaying the bottle he held at his other grip as he did so.

"If it please thee...as you can see, the suns linger in the horizon...might there be a place we may discuss matters over pracenda?"

A wider grin crossed his lips, ceruleans eyeing her in challenge.

"I should like to send a little...ah...proposition your way."

The purple-and-pink-wearing female he'd once knew would have slapped him for the remark, but she had been gone all these eras. Probably found some man and settled down, though Jaali as a plain housewife was something that was just not possible, it seemed.

[Larien Gil'dae]

"Alexis," she repeated softly, a note of relief in her melodious voice as she sounded out his name. "You have given my employees quite a fright... but I am pleased to see you." Stepping forward, the elfess dropped into a shallow curtsy, her pale emerald eyes never wavering from his blue in a matching gaze of quiet challenge, the corners of her mouth quirked upwards in a friendly yet ironic smile. Perhaps its friendliness was what made it ironic?

"A proposition? Now Alexis, I heard it on good authority that you were married." The grin that flashed across the young woman's features was momentarily wicked before it dissolved into an expression of innocent inquiry once more. "Please don't tell me my informant was mistaken." The Larien before the Minister on that brightening was a Larien very different from the one he had first met back in his office earlier in the season. The current Larien was confident, playful, comfortable in her own skin...

She was willing to play the game, but she most definitely wasn't about to be played. "There is an establishment just down the street where we might dine privately, if you'd like? It is my nightclub, Kaimelea's Dream. I felt that Medonia was in need of a classy place for its upperclass to mingle and make merry without fear of being taken advantage of, so I converted an old tavern. It has been a great success thus far."

[Alexis Sapientia]

There was always something about elves, particularly the highborn Sylrosian kind, that reminded him of Daltinan high-society manners. Polite, charming, and almost seductive in the most tasteful manner, Alexis Sapientia couldn't quite help but play along.

"A club, indeed?" Now Alexis was intrigued. "I'd once been in one several eras ago, right here in Medonia, and tried to buy it back when it's owner came into some...ah...difficulties," at that, he shrugged, "...but the brightening tarries, so let's be off, shall we?"

With a wave, so did he bid her off to his carriage, which had been awaiting them outside. "The lads will take charge of the cargo, and deliver it appropriately," said he in passage.

Larien had made quite a tidy sum by this one visit, more than a thousand crowns worth, though the precise sum would be up to the beancounters to compute!