An'shi's - (Food)

[Shei'yein Neydremi]

Amidst the dismal gloom of the Forge’s overhanging hazard dangers and the resolute spirit of the Riparians, there lay a small stand, crafted from strong wood and wheeled by a jolly human. In the gloom mix of fate and tenacity, however, the little stand was neither of these. Instead, it was a cheerful and uplifting image, a provider of delicious snacks and foods that almost seemed an anachronism from another age or place. The smell of cooked rice wafted through the streets as the stand steadily made its way along the rough cobblestone, its owned calling out cheerfully shouts of the morning, afternoon, and the evening. It was not a common smell in the streets – no, outside of the outlying elven tribes, few ate such interesting foods. This was not to say, however, that rice was all that went into the rice balls that the stand sold. A wide variety of delicacies, ranging from preserved seafood to the odd assortment of breaded toppings, could be seen carefully arrayed on small glass plates, set carefully into carved wood to prevent them from sliding.

At the top of the stand, a giant wooden sign had been emblazoned with fine calligraphic brushstrokes. An’shi's! They cried, the two elven characters drawn in black ink. There were no mention of rice balls, but a glance at the stand alone would draw both interest and intrigue – what was that pleasant smell and scent, and why was the storekeeper painted with such a merry disposition despite the overhanging curtain of doom? As one drew closer, a board nailed to the side of the stand came into view, listing what the cook was selling that day; the human's smile, too, grew with a customer’s proximity, a gentle reassurance and encouragement combined into one.

Rice Balls
Original: Salted rice pressed into a triangular ball and wrapped with seaweed. The original rice ball that started it all – enjoy one today! Great nourishment, great quality, great price! One for one crown, or buy three for two crowns!

Grilled: An original rice ball, grilled around the edges for a crispy and delicious treat. Want something different without it being too different? Grilled’s your choice! One for one crown, or buy three for two crowns!

Chicken Combination: There’s nothing “fowl” about these rice balls – they’re made from the best rice. Sliced chicken strips await within the hot and sticky rice. Try one today – only two crowns each!

Warrior’s Special: A delicious rice ball filled with hearty meats – beefy steak, sausages, and bits of bacon – topped off with a generous helping of chilli powder. More than enough to fire up the spirit heading into action, but beware! They’re not to be eaten by the weak-stomached! One for three crowns!

Spicy Whirlwind: A far-away rumour says that the first Spicy Whirlwind rice ball was created when Carmelya struck a small village with her wrath, throwing the kitchen – along with the rest of the village – into a shambles. Out of the wreckage, a single chef took all that was left in the spice cellars and made rice balls to feed everyone. Whether it’s true, no one knows, but this rice ball combines ginger, chilli, pepper, garlic, and flecks of mustard leaves to offer a bizarre taste that is strangely soothing to the tired mind. Loved by a small and elite group, one Spicy Whirlwind costs only three crowns!

Yau’yeu’fan: No one’s quite sure how this style came to be known by this name, but with a meal this good, who cares? Yau’yeu’fan is a rice ball with exotic squid, ginger powder, and garlic within. A delightful seafood snack, and a sure-fire way to please your stomach! One for six crowns!

Armoured Shrimp: This shrimp rice ball isn’t actually armoured – the shrimp are breaded and grilled to offer your taste buds a real treat, crunch on the outside, juicy on the inside – and that’s a good thing, since they’re so delicious you won’t be able to help eating them as fast as you can! One for seven crowns!

Drinks
Aromatic Leaves Tea: A gentler blend, but no less satisfying. Try a cup of Aromatic Leaves Tea to refresh your tired spirit after a long day, or to unwind after a strenuous assignment. One cup for two crowns.

Eternal Rely Tea: The original, reliable tea that will never let you down. Eternal Rely Tea is the most neutral blend, especially suitable while enjoying one of our delicious rice balls. One cup for two crowns.

Iron Statue Tea: A strong blend for a real man, Iron Statue Tea has a kick in it that’s guaranteed to get you on your feet and ready to face a new day. One cup for three crowns.

Mountain Fruit Tea: A tea we’re sure you haven’t tried before! Mixed with fragrant flowers and cinnamon, this tea is a reassuring blend that heralds the gradual triumph of every man! Perfect for a celebration of the greatness within every one of us! One cup for four crowns.

Staff
- Quisp, Human Male (PC)

[Kelennar]

Sauntering along the barren roads, the elf casted several short glances around the open area in hopes of finding some means of attraction. There never seemed very much to do in Riparia, and frankly the elf was getting quite tired of the drizzling rain. However, nestled in the horizon Kelennar believed himself to see some sort of vending stand. It was unlike any sight he'd ever seen before, but the elven wanderlust inside him brought the elf further down the road towards the scene.

At first, Kelennar noted a various list of prices relating to some 'exotic' type of food. Of course he knew what rice was, but as for the rest of the list and as far as how they prepared the meals, he was frankly quite clueless. Stepping closer to the stand he noted some elven figures inscribed along the stand. If the elf read correctly, the vender was selling some foreign items.

"Eh...serale sir." Kelennar tipped the forefront of his hat to the vender and accompanied it with a light smile, "I was curious about your products."

[Shei'yein Neydremi]

Luckily for any humans passing by, the only elven on the entire menu was the name - the rest, including the menu, had been writen in a printed common that, though plain, was considerably easier to read than the flowing calligraphy that had proceeded it. To the elf that had approached the stand, however, it would have made little difference. As the newcomer tipped his hat, Shei'yein set down the rice ball he had been preparing at the moment, knife put aside for the moment. Before he could speak, however, the rice pot began to whistle, announcing shrilly to the world that the next batch of food was ready to be served. Motioning apologetically to the new elf, Shei'yein turned, taking the lid from the pot, and began scooping the rice into an awaiting bowl with a long-handled spoon. Obviously, the menu did not just profess freshness with empty words; the stand was as excellent a place to get freshly cooked food as one's own kitchen. With the total lack of labour to get it, however, perhaps it was an even better place.

"Serale, brother elf!" he boomed cheerfully, his wide and open mannerisms seeming more human than elven, though the broad smile on his face bore testament to the fact that he had meant no malice.

"Why of course you're curious! Everyone is, at first, until they try one. What can I get for you today, friend?"

[Quisp]

Quist walked through the streets, fresh from the gates. He would amble, and would have honestly preferred to do so, but the drizzle from the day before, and the day before that day, and the day before that day, and even the day before that, had given him an unerring incentive to both find something hot to eat, and find a place to shelter himself from the misty drizzle.

A strange smell presented itself to Quist's nose. He'd never smelled it before, it was a deep sweetness covered with an almost watery, aquatic overtone. It was incredibly unfamiliar, but a welcome respite from the monotonous smell of the rain. Quist shrugged inside his cloak and travelling robe - A strange smell, but not worth investigating.

As luck would have it, the falling sheets of mist revealed first a darkened silhouette of a cart, then parted further to reveal an elf tending his food cart. Quist, of course, was curious, and approached it with some caution - He had harboured a distrust for strange foods that smelled.

He looked at the elf. He wore no weapons.

Immediately, Quist's attention was piqued. In a city, even merchants carried weapons. Quist had only bought his weapons because everyone else carried them. This merchant did not. Were they hidden? Or was this merchant protected in some other way? Either way - the merchant looked smug in his perceived defenselessness, and this made him suspicious and dangerous in Quist's eyes.

"Serale," he began as normally as he could, leaning on his staff. "A local delicacy? Rice balls?" he said, examining the wares. He would have kept his attention on the elf's hands if there were no cart seperating them, but there was, and Quist's curiosity was happily diverted, free of worry, analyzing the rice balls on display.

"Looks delicious," he lied, "I've never seen these in any city I've ever been to, except this one. I arrived not long ago, and already I've found some little treasures!" he continued, flattering the elf unnecessarily. "Anyways - How are things in this little town? I heard there's some interesting work here - know where?"

[Kelennar]

The elf's mouth opened to speak when the shrill sound of a whistle came to his attention. He nodded accordingly to Shei-yein as he retreated to the back to quench the sound and ready a new set of food. When the cheerful patron returned Kelennar shot a rather homely smile to the elf whom for some reason looked vaguely familiar. Yet somehow he couldn't quite place the face or the time. Nonetheless his eyes skewered over the menu for several moments after the owner's comment regarding his curiousity.

"Heh. How about a warrior's special to quench my hunger and uh.." kelennar smirked lightly as he tried to read the names of the other items, "perhaps an eternal rely tea to wash the dust from my throat."

The elf chuckled lightly as he produced several coins from one of the many pockets confined in his cloak. The meal proved costly compared to the foods offered at the inn but the elf shrugged at the thought. It wasn't everyday that meals like this were offered.

[Shei'yein Neydremi]

Kelennar:
"Ah, the Warrior's Special! A fiesty adventurer, eh?" Hands already rapidly molding a gaping mouth from a ball of rice, Shei'yein began inserting the various meats of the Warrior's Special into the ball. It was done with a practiced flourish, the numerous patterns of watching his mother make them in the past coming back to him rapidly. Better memories, from better days, the elf thought with a smile. Tightly packing in the slices of steak and sausage until the rice ball groaned with overwhelming splendor, the elf paused to top it off with some shredded bacon and a heap of chili powder, mixed into the delicacy itself. Quite a meal, condensed into what one could easily underestimate as a small vessel - until it was eaten, of course. Quickly wrapping it with a triangular layer of seaweed, the elf pushed the rice gently into the shape of a roughly triangular sphere.

Proffering the rice ball to Kelennar with one hand, Shei'yein reached out with another to a waiting cup and small vat of tea. Filling it to the brim - but for a centimeter or so, anyways - the elf handed that too over with a generous grin.

"Looks like it's your first time trying 'em, friend. Enjoy - oh, and don't worry about the tea, it's on the house," he suggested. On the side of the cart lay a cup, already filling with a few golden crowns. It would seem that that would be where one would deposit payment, as the dirt and grime that normally rode upon coin would not be welcome on the vendor's hands.

Quist:
After serving his elven customer, Shei'yein turned to the human, a smile gracing his face despite a slight sense of suspicion. This one, it seemed, would be more eager to raise idle chatter than to buy food. Oh, but there were all types of men in the world, and the human's bright and flattering speech could have its use. Appearance could often surpass reality, but if the man was able to uphold such an attitude, he could make an able employee.

"Riparia? We hold ourselves together as best we can, considering Aslan's Forge," he replied in a hushed tone, not eager to bring up the subject for any civil ears to hear. No one liked being reminded of impending doom, after all.

"And of work, you're looking at it, lad. Listen here - if you're interested, why don't we have a drink over at the Green Goblin once the brightening's over?" he suggested.

[Quisp]

Quist's face lit up with surprise. His luck today had truly been excellent. Quist did not fight the overpowering grin that took hold on his face.

"Really?" he said. Immediately, thoughts of this man as a threat were washed away. "Excellent! Until then - can I get one of those Chicken Combination rice rolls? I might as well get familiar with what I'm going to be selling, hmm?" he laughed. He withdrew two crowns from his pocket and placed them on a spare surface on the cart.

"I'll meet you at the Green Goblin, then." Quist said, smiling gratefully as the elf handed him the rice ball.

He wandered off, spirits high. The drizzle didn't seem to bother him anymore.

[Kelennar]

"Really...why thank you." the elf's head dipped appreciatively as he watched the chef go through a series of maneuvers b y which he produced the food. Kelennar would have lied had he said that he wasn't say the least impressed by the fluidness and efficency of the young elf's preparations. The mere serenity by which he molded the meal together was quite interesting and eventful to watch. Kelennar smiled lightly as the 'meal' was pushed towards him. He wet the tiers of his lips as he stared down at the bloated piece of rice.

The elf took a few moments to inspect the exotic food before bringing it to his lips and taking a chunk out of it. After several moments of chewing his face beamed with great satisfaction. He hadn't ever tried one of these before but frankly he was sure now th at it wouldn't be the last he ever had. Consuming the rest of the special within a few moments he brought the mug of tea to his lips and sipped slowly to permit himself from burning.

"Haha. Mighty fine talent you have there lad." Kelennar laughed and dropped six crowns into the cup lingering within easy reach. He had heard the chef's mentioning of 'on the house', but regardless, he appreciated the service but most importantly the meal itself.

[Mike]

As if having brought sunshine to the city itself, Shei's arrival had prompted the drizzle to subside for a few hours. Irrelevent though the rain was, since it was such a common feature in the city these days, Shei's business would have been little effected since his stall sported a canopy to protect the wares from ruin.

Several passers by had stopped to sample the foods, while others were content to 'window' shop, perhaps making a mental note to pass by this way on their return to wherever it is they came. But one person seemed to approach the stand with purpose. Clutching some paperwork under one arm, he wore the clothes that suggested he had some importance in Riparia.

"Serale. I am here to make an inspection of your products", the man said while presenting a piece of parchment to Shei.

It clearly defined the man as the inspector that he knew would be stopping by today. In fact, this inspection would determine if Shei's business could continue or not. The man was middle aged and otherwise had not outstanding defining features, save for the grumpy look slapped across his face.

[Kelennar]

As he took slow swigs of the herbal tea to prevent himself from burning, Kelennar noted a peculiar looking man who mentione dsomething about inspection to Shei. The elf stepped aside rather respectfully and did his best not too look as if he was paying attention. Nonchalantly trotting around the stand, he simply took note of the various specialties offered by the talented chef. At least this would buy him some time before he finished his tea. The drink was quite refreshing and he'd hate to not indulge in its' fine taste.

[Shei'yein Neydremi]

"Of course, sir! I've been told to expect you!" Shei'yein said, smoothly stepped back from the stall to allow for a shallow bow. It was a motion strangely smooth, augmented by elven grace, and the elf had taken extra mental cautions not to knock anything down as he did so.

"Anything you'd like to inspect a bit more carefully?" he asked with his customary smile, gesturing with an arm across the numerous toppings that had been laid out on the stand. The human seemed to be in a foul mood, and perhaps a delicious treat to his tastebuds would cheer him up; unless, of course, he was so strict as to become offended by such an offer. An off frown found its way onto the elf's face as he thought of this - it was a mere flicker, perhaps impercievable - but it had landed there nonetheless.

[Mike]

The man said nothing further to Shei and instead began his inspection of the cart and the products it held. Obviously adept at what he did, the man took care not to handle anything he did not need to. His examination was very thorough, looking at everything from the wheels of the cart to the utensils being used.

Next, he helped himself to one of hte already made rice balls, his face offering nothing new from the grumpy look as he chewed. Finally, he examined the menu and then looked through the various items of ingredients that Shei had tucked away in the shelf compartments inside the cart.

When he was done, he marked some notes down on his papers and then turned to face Shei. Looking grumpier still, he eyed Shei with apparent contempt.

"The inspection is complete. Please hand over your merchant's license".

[Shei'yein Neydremi]

Holding back a sigh, Shei'yein flicked open a compartment in the stall, revealing where he kept his official documents. On the top of a thin stack of papers lay his business license, which he promptly handed over. From the man's poor disposition, it would be easy to conclude that he was adverse to change; from his lack of enjoyment in eating the product, that he had extremely bad taste in food. Or so Shei'yein thought, nodding once to himself.

"Here you are, sir," he said, handing over the license. The staff of the aedile's had been far more receptive, as had the citizenship officer. Still, all cities had their foul tempered men, as likely to offer a smile as the second sun was to rise before the first. It was best to offer them no reason for aggression, and to steer clear of them once one could.

[Mike]

The man took the business license and then pulled from his pocket what appeared to be a stamp of some kind. He stamped the license firmly and handed back the license. packing up his things, he was about to leave when he paused for a moment.

He looked to the rice balls, then to Shei, and then back at the rice balls again. He lent over and took another, popped it in his mouth and winked at Shei before leaving.

As Shei looked down at his license, he could see that it was stamped with the word, 'APPROVED'.

[Kelennar]

The elf would have preferred more time to speak with the chef about his various wares of foods. H owever, with the business conversations transferring between the two individuals, Kelennar supposed that he would have some other time to do so. Henceforth, he casted a light palm into the air to signal his disperse and casted a rather appreciative nod towards Shei-yein, as if thanking him for the meal.

The elf then proceded to travel back down the road towards Riparia.