The Desert Oasis Cafe

[Whisper]

-=| The Desert Oasis Cafe |=-

The Desert Oasis Cafe is one of the most popular eateries lining The Souk Bazaar. The outside of the cafe is painted a dark orange-red, and matching glass beads hang in the open doorway. A patio of sorts with tables and chairs extends from the front of the restaurant, allowing guests a place to sit and eat in the sun when weather permits. The tantalizing scents of a thousand different spices, roasting chicken and beef, and freshly baked pocket bread waft from the door and windows, luring hungry shoppers in.

Paintings of camels and pyramids line the walls of the cozy interior of the restaurant. A simple glass skylight and several candles give the inside a warm, comforting glow. The menuboard, written in chalk to reflect daily specials and new additions, hangs from the ceiling. After customers order their food from the counter, waiters and waitresses bring them their food when it is prepared. Although unconventional, this method has worked stunningly well for the restaurant for generations.

Kalilah Soliem runs the restaurant with the help of various family members. She uses fresh, hand-picked ingredients, many of which come from the Bazaar just a few feet away from the doorway of her restaurant. Unlike some other restaurants in Arakmat, which cater to the diverse population's tastes by serving dishes that are popular all over the empire, Kalilah takes pride in sharing her family's traditional recipes for comfort food.

The menuboard, written in chalk, hangs from the ceiling and reads:

All orders come with your choice of coffee or tea. Please ask about our daily specials! Specialties cucumber, tomato, and olive salad with a mint and lemon dressing, 5c moussaka (eggplant, lamb, and tomato pie), 7c eggplant whole, fried, served with tomato sauce and garlic, 7c half, 4c Falafel (chickpea/fava bean balls) served in pocket bread with creamy sesame sauce or chili pepper sauce small (3), 4c large (5), 6c add lettuce and tomato, 1c 5s Shawarma (meat roasted on a skewer) served in pocket bread chicken, 5c lamb, 6c beef, 7c add lettuce and tomato, 1c 5s served on a platter with pocket bread, rice, hummus or baba ghanoush, and fried vegetables (eggplant, potatoes, peppers) chicken, 9c lamb, 10c beef, 11c Sides baba ghanoush (eggplant dip), 3c hummus (chickpea dip), 2c pocket bread (4 slices), 1c pocket bread chips (basket), 1c 5s Desserts baklava (nuts and phyllo dough sweetened with syrup) pistachio, 5s walnut, 7s fruit fig and yogurt platter, 1c plum pastry, 7c Drinks coffee (plain, vanilla, cocoa, cinnamon, or spiced), 2c iced (same flavors), 2c juice (apricot, tamarind, orange, or apple), 1c 5s tea (black, grey, red, or mint), 2c iced (same flavors), 2c

OOC: This location cannot be self-moderated. It must be moderated by AGM Whisper.

[Whisper]

OOC: Shadow, the timestamp is up to you. Assume that Fili is with you.

When Shadow woke, he would be surrounded by the smell of exotic spices, aromatic herbs, and floral-scented incense smoke. The clang of pots and spoons was barely audible, and there was a murmur of laughter and chatter that was characteristic of a restaurant. The room was cold, but there was warmth radiating through the curtained door by his feet. He was lying on a soft bed with embroidered gold and red sheets, with comfortable pillows and blankets under his head and over his form.

If he opened his eyes, he would see that the room was warmly lit with a series of hanging lanterns. It seemed to be a small bedroom, with curious sounds and smells drifting through the beaded curtains forming the only entrance to the room. There was a plush purple rug underfoot, with several striped cushions piled on the other side of the room. A small window across from the door revealed that it was bright outside. The colorful tents and bustling shoppers of the Grand Bazaar below were clearly visible through the clear glass.

[Shadow]

Era I of the Celestine mandate, Era XV Post Fractum
Winter Season in the Beginning of Kalendryas.

As the smells of exotic spices and the sounds of the busy market outside danced in the air, it caused the slumbering katta to begin to stir. Many things passed through his mind as he slowly began to gaze upon the world once more. Even though he knew he had never seen this room before, there was a deep sense of nostalgia about it. Slowly taking in the aroma, listening to his surroundings he knew in moments where he was... This city, Arakmat.

Still the room eluded him, Such luxuries were unknown to him, yet the warm feeling they provided was more then welcoming. His gaze slowly moved to the end of the bed, there curled up asleep was lying a small fox, soft red fur moving up and down with the rhythmic motion of his breath. The katta grinned slightly as he continued to cast his gaze about the room. Fili... The foxes name was familiar in his mind, and even though the details were hazy in his mind, he felt comfort knowing that he was there. Watching him sleeping peacefully was a sign. Where ever this was, it was safe.

The first real motions of movement however gave perspective to the amount of time that he must have been here... His body was achy and slow to respond... Though lithe in form, it reacted as if it were created from the very earth they moved upon. Shaking the bed, and holding in small wimpers of pain, the racket, how ever quiet began to wake Fili, who simply rose from his position at the end of the bed, and moved to place support behind him.

Carefully the Katta began to sit up further, moving to the edge of the bed. " Baal'Maaw Seraaa' " he quietly whispered towards the fox. Taking another deep breath to catch his breath he noticed another sent behind the dancing spiced... Though it was clear he was being attended to, still he knew clearly the first thing he would need to ask for.

[Whisper]

After a few moments, foosteps began to sound, approaching Shadow's room. A young woman poked her head through the curtain of beads. A bright smile curved on her face as soon as she saw that Shadow was awake. Her dark eyes shone in the room's warm light, crinkling the small black tattoo on her temple.

"Ah, you're awake!" she murmured in her smoky voice. She dipped out of the room momentarily and picked up something that had been resting on a little table in the hallway. She returned to the room holding a large tray in both hands. When she got closer to the bed, Shadow would see that the tray held a pitcher of water and a glass, a little teapot and a matching cup, a plate full of sliced roasted lamb, two little bowls of creamy dip, several slices of freshly baked pocket bread, and a variety of sauteed and herb-spotted vegetables. The smell was intoxicating.

The young woman set the tray down on the side table beside Shadow's bed and indicated a fork on the tray should he desire to use it. "Go on," she said, nodding towards the tray. "You must be starving. You've been here for a long time."

[Shadow]

As the footsteps approached, he moved to sit up in the bed with out Fili having to lye behind him. Moving the pillows to rest against, he waited for the footsteps to enter the room. Fill moved to the end of the bed to greet them.

As the woman entered, he calmly watched her, taking in the details as she brought in the tray of food. He took in the color of her eyes, the youthfulness of her body and the tattoo that adorned her temple. The food that sat about the tray and the exquisite aroma that it gave off... Noticing the fork he looked at it long and hard before looking back to the woman who had been so kind to him.

"Thank you" he said to her, looking over the food once more before moving the tray to his lap. Extending his claws he slowly began to nibble at the food, not wanting to eat too quickly after all this time. "How long have I been here" he asked, almost shyly as he ate... "And How did I get here?". Looking up at her, slowly licking his claws clean as he set the tray aside, having tasted a little bit of each thing on the tray. There was so much that he wanted to know, But he didn't feel that attacking her with questions was right... Not really waiting for her to respond, he took a slow slip of his tea, "Is there any way that I may your kindness?"

[Whisper]

"Well..." The young woman pulled up one of the tall cushioned poufs to sit beside his bed. "A while. I don't even remember how long. A few cycles, at least. A doctor brought you in. He said he'd found you in the desert, but the infirmary was full. You were unconscious then, and you had been ever since. We've been having a lot of strange cases lately. You might have been attacked by one of those things in the desert, or you might have just succumbed to heat exhaustion." Her black eyes seemed to darken even more at the thought, but she smiled when she said, "He thought that our food would be as good a cure as any. He said he didn't suspect a curse or anything like that... He just said to feed you when you woke up. I'm just doing my job. Please, have some more."

If he obliged, she would look at him curiously while he ate. "Where are you from?" she asked. "Do you remember? There are some people who fall into deep sleeps and don't remember anything about themselves." As she spoke, if the fox would allow it, she would idly scratch behind his ears and stroke his fur.

[Shadow]

He sipped his tea slowly some more "Don't worry, I'll be sure to finish it all. It is very delicious" he said looking towards the food. "I remember some things, but it feels like they're all things that came from a dream, Not from my own experiences...." He looked out the window thinking for a moment. "The place I was, it was home, I know that..." His eyes unfocused a little as he stared out at the window. Fili laid at the end of the bed, allowing the woman to pet him, watching as the young jagara spoke. "Though where that place is... I'm not sure."
He paused to take a sip of his tea again, taking in its aroma. "I also know that this is the City of Arakmat. I feel like I've visited this city before, but none of these places are in my memory. Its strange."
He wasn't really sure how to continue... "What sort of things have been attacking people" changing the subject wasn't his intention, but with being out for so long he wondered about all the things that he had missed "Would you be wiling to tell me about Arakmat?"

[Whisper]

She watched him with her head tilted to the side, listening carefully. She looked a littel bit worried as he admitted that he didn't remember where he had come from, but she looked genuinely relieved that he was safe now.

She nodded. "Yes, this is Arakmat. And I'm Sabria. My family owns this restaurant. It's called The Desert Oasis Cafe."

At his question, Sabria looked out the window and sighed. "They say that strange things... dead things... have been coming out of the desert sands. I haven't seen them for myself, because I haven't been out of the city since last month, but the doctor said that the infirmary was full of attack victims." Her expression was dark.

When he asked his more general question, she smiled. "It's a shame you're not here in the summer. It's beautiful then. Scorching, but beautiful. The desert gets frigid in the winter, but if you stay inside, you'll keep warm. If you've never been to the Grand Bazaar, you must visit. You can buy almost anything there. And there are nice places to relax... I've heard that the Cat's Pyjamas is nice, but I've never been." From the name, one could surmise the only types of customers that the bar received.

"You're welcome to stay here for as long as you like," she continued. "It must be hard for you, waking up in such a strange place. And... I'm sorry... what was your name?"

[Shadow]

He listened intently as she spoke. When she asked him for his name he began to say "Mrw..." But stopped before he could finish. His nose wrinkling a bit as he stopped to think. "Shadow" he said slowly, unsure as to continue what he was saying before. It felt like something was stopping him, But he wasn't sure why. She had been kind to him, but something felt wrong about using the other name.

"Sa... Sabrina" his head moving to meet her gaze "Thank you." It had felt like it had been quite some time since he knew kindness like this "Please let me repay your kindness, If I am allowed to stay... I would not feel right not being helpful" His eyes looking concerned. "Though" he started to say, moving his gaze at his body "It looks like I have to get used to moving around again" moving his gaze to meet hers again, he tried to smile, careful not to look menacing.

After a few moments, he returned to looking out side "I think I would enjoy seeing the city"

[Whisper]

"Sabria," she corrected him gently. "Nice to meet you, Shadow." If she had taken any notice of his near-mention of his other name, she didn't say anything.

Sabria put a finger to her lips thoughtfully. "Come to think of it, we could use some help hauling boxes and crates. We get shipments of ingredients every cycle and they're very heavy. Usually my brother handles it, but he sprained his wrist a few brightenings ago. If you can help us with those, I'm sure my mother would be happy to let you stay here.

"But yes, for now... Please get reacquainted and all that. I'm sure you're a bit rusty after all that time asleep. A walk around the bazaar might do you good." She scratched Fili's neck idly. "Is there anything I can get you before you leave? A walking stick, maybe?"

[Shadow]

"Sa-bri-a" he carefully sounded out, looking a little embarrassed for getting it wrong the first time "Seraaa as well" followed. "I would be pleased to do that for you all, thank you. he was glad to be of help, and he didn't want to out stay his welcome by just sitting around.

His eyes slowly moved about the room again, looking for his bag, a sign of his belongings, if he was going to be about as she suggested, he knew he would have to follow in thier tradition of clothing."A place to bath perhaps?" After all, being in bed for such along time was bound to sully his fur, though he wondered if she expected them to clean themselves in the same way as a regular cat. "After that, I may take that walk to see the Bazaar" he said turning his head to look out the window once more, wiggling in the bed a little, testing to see how his legs responded to his will.

[Whisper]

Seeing him look around, Sabria pointed to a corner of the room. There, almost camouflaged amongst the variety of colorful cushions, were a small pile of his belongings. (OOC: Again, up to you.) "The doctor found that with you. He said it had your Imperial Visa and a few other essentials. I'm not sure what else. You were lucky to have your friend around!" She grinned and touched the tip of the fox's nose. "He's been by your side ever since."

Sabria gestured down the hall. "There's a bathroom behind the first door on your left. We have a lot of visitors, so you can use any of the clothes in there. I'm not sure what will fit, but there's bound to be something." Judging by Sabria's appearance, they were most likely male versions of the colorful robes she wore. It would be cold outside, so the outfit extended to her ankles and wrists and even came with a hood for her head and hair. "If you're looking for something more, there are plenty of clothes to be found in the Bazaar, and there's a really nice bathhouse and spa in town."

If that was all, she stood and made to leave. "I'll be downstairs. Please find me or my brother Lirek if you need anything." With a final smile, Sabria left his new temporary room, making the beaded curtains swish behind her.

[Shadow]

The young jagara watched as Sabria indicated where his things were kept among the cushions in the corner of the room. He watched her leave the room, beaded curtains swaying closed behind her.

Carefully he moved to get out of the bed, placing his feet one at a time on the floor as he steadied himself, while he was able to move, it was not as graceful as he had been accustomed to. Moving over to his belongings he picked up his bag, which had held everything, and motioned for Fili to wait for him here. Parting the beaded curtains he walked towards the bath, measuring each step as he went.

Entering the bathing area, he drew hot water to the tub, laying his things to one side as he did. Carefully he laid a small amount of cloth down before hand, to absorb the water when he was ready to leave the tub. Climbing in, slowly, he let his body settle to the bottom of the tub, closing his eyes as he felt the heat of the water move against his fur. The heat was very relaxing, just what his tired muscles needed after so long. As he sat in the tub, he took in the atmosphere of the area around him, letting his mind drift free of his cares. Curious about what the city would be like, he thought much about it, and still he knew, he would be unsure what to expect. After letting some time pass, the young jaguara stood up from the tub, the water causing his fur to cling to his form, slowly dripping back into the tub. Taking in a deep breath as he shivered a little from the cool air caressing his body, he slowly, carefully, began to brush the water out of his fur before stepping out of the basin. Once out of the tub, he painstakingly took the time to dry his fur the best that he could.

Reaching into his bag, he moved though is things, past his armor, small sundries and items to the bottom of the bag, where some simple clothings sat at the bottom. Taking each one out, he looked them over. Almost ritualistically he started with a simple white loincloth, It was made of cotton, and exhibited little signs of use for quite some time. Carefully he tied it around his waist, making sure it was on sturdy. Then he moved on tying on a simple red strand of cloth to his right arm, about half way between his elbow and shoulder, letting the ends of the cloth hang back down his arm to his elbow. After that, he put on a small vest, made of the same white cotton as the loincloth, on the outside it was free of markings, and only came down to the bottom of where his ribs would be, leaving most of his stomach and sides exposed, though the inside was made with a few pockets for holding small items, placing in one such pocket his visa. Lastly he put a small vial hanging from a leather lanyard around his neck, He knew it was a charm for protection, and felt a certain comfort while putting it on. While it was winter, there was a certain blessing that came with having fur.

Closing the rest of the contents into the bag, he picked it back up. The Stiffness of his joints and body less dramatic after the bath, his movements began to show more grace befitting one such as himself. Heading back to his room, he moved the beads to the side as he entered, smiling towards Fili, who had been glad to see his return. Patting the fox on the head, he left the bag near the side of the bed, motioning for Fili to follow after him this time.

The two headed out of the room, and down the hall, making their way to the top of the steps. Standing looking down, the jaguara took in a deep breath, the smell of teas and spices stronger from here, before beginning to make his way down the steps. As he reached the bottom of the steps, he paused, gazing about the room, taking in the decor. The dark red colors, the glass beads hanging in the doorways, and the even stronger odors of breads, beefs and spices.

[Whisper]

The Desert Oasis Cafe was alive and bustling. It was time for rosyun, and many shoppers and shopkeepers were taking a candlemark or two to relax over some sweet tea and good hot food. Sabria could be seen in the open kitchen behind the counter, searing some ground bean patties on a smoking cooktop. A sweet-looking little old lady took orders at the counter, and a young man who could have been--and probably was--Sabria's twin did the waitering.

Shadow could get some more to eat, though after the tray of food that Sabria had bought him, it was unlikely that he would want to eat any more. Beyond the wide open doors of the cafe, the Grand Bazaar lay waiting. Even from inside the building, one could see tents and booths selling hourglasses, jewelry, spices, bags, weapons, and exotic flowers. The sight was certainly tempting.

Or, if Shadow choosed, he might do some exploring around the other parts of Arakmat. There was The Great Library, The Cat's Pyjamas--a famous bar for the Katta of the city--a bathhouse and spa, and a hookah bar. The city lay waiting to receive him.

[Shadow]

Watching as the cafe moved, he looked closely at each of the people in the room, and payed close attention to sabria and her brother, it would not be something he would want to confuse, should the chance arise.

Moving from the stairs to the wide doors that lead out to the great city, he watched for Sabria's gaze to meet him, giving her a simple wave of the hand, indicating that he was going out, and a soft spoken, but clear "I will return shortly" as he passed her, taking her advice to go out.

{OCC: I'm going to make another thread for walking around}