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Post by Toph Bei Fong on Feb 16, 2010 8:36:22 GMT -5
The trip to the promised restaurant was lengthy by noblewoman status, but so short it might as well have been an instant to a wanderer like Toph. A trek form the castle, the hailing of a the carriage, a trip through town, and finally the arrival at the New River District.
From the point where the carriage dropped them off, it was still a walk of about one or two irregularly shaped blocks. They passed quite a few minstrels and street performers and would-be fortune tellers on the way. One mistrial, a slip of girl in white shrift playing a sitar, caught Toph's attention. She was singing in language Toph did not recognize, but sounded so mournful that Toph was moved to lighten her purse by a good five silver.
"What can I say?" she said as she continued to lead the way. "I have a soft spot for kids."
Not long after that, they finally arrived. The sign over the door proclaimed the establishment as "The Winged Boar" complete with a carving of the eponymous creature etched in wood below the writing. "Here we are!" she announced, and led Iphie inside, arm in arm.
It was darker inside, but only just. The frist thing Iphie might notice was the heat. It was noticeably warmer inside than out, where winter still clung to the air. Second would be the smell. It wasn't an unpleasant odor, but it could be overpowering; a mixture of sizzling meat, searing vegetables, no small amount of spices. Each fine on their own, but put together, could be a little much.
The source of both was obvious to anyone, blind or otherwise. On the far side of the restaurant, separated only by thin pane of glass that was more decorative than functional, the kitchen was in full view, and an army of cooks were hard at work with woks and open flames, moving with a kind of synchronicity that was not unlike the bending forms Toph practiced when working her katas.
There was a buzz in the restaurant as people talked and dined, not too loud, but unmistakably present. There were Venus native there obviously, but more than a few Gaians were there, two or three pairs of slanted eyes belonging to Fire Nation immigrants, and even a small group of viera, the female rabbit-like creatures of the distant Eyrut Queendom, in the far corner.
The floor was hewn from stone, enabling Toph to take it in as surely as Iphie could. She took a deep breath. "Smells like home!" Then she though for a moment and added. "No, better! Shall we?"
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Post by iphigenia on Feb 16, 2010 23:07:32 GMT -5
Iphie followed Toph, though anyone who wasn't aware of her strength might describe it as dragged along. The loud bustling of the streets was certainly a far cry from what she was used to. She didn't comment when Toph gave away money to a small child. It wasn't something she would have done, not because of mean spirit or general unkind nature she had, only that she never encountered beggars on the small farm or in the temple. Still, it was her choice.
They finally arrived at the restaurant, the first thing she noticed was it was much quieter inside but still quite loud, Iphie wondered if all the restaurants were like this. She hesitated momentarily, briefly considering leaving. But she was here with Toph, and it wouldn't do to embarrass a dignitary so she continued in. The smells were nearly overwhelming and some were strong enough to make her eyes water.
She nodded in response to Toph's question and her smile slightly strained. She wasn't exacly sure what would happen if she opened her mouth to talk or breathe, but from the overwhelming rainbow of sensations assaulting her nose, she wanted a little more time before she had to find out.
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Post by Toph Bei Fong on Feb 21, 2010 7:38:30 GMT -5
Toph sensed the slight spike in tension coming from Iphie. Puzzled, her own smile faltered. This wasn't supposed to be a tense time, just two friend going out for a meal.
While she racked her brain for a solution, they were finally approached by the hostess, a curvy, vaguely maternal looking woman, wearing what was probably supposed to be a traditional Gaia kingdom sari. It 'felt' wrong' to Toph though, exposing more of one shoulder than it out to, and was definitely just a hair too tight for her. But then she had not been home for sometime, maybe fashion had changed.
"Welcome to the The Winged Boar," she said cheerfully. Toph detected no dishonesty from that much at least. "Just two for lunch today," she talked, picking up two menus from a rack of then just beside the door. "Right this way then --" The woman stopped speaking suddenly. Toph felt the other woman's heart skip a beat and arched an eyebrow. She could tell the hostess face was looking towards her, but couldn't see the look of shock and recognition on it.
"Is there a problem?" Toph asked in her 'there-better-not-be voice'
"Oh Gaia," the woman breathed, "Its you. I mean its really, really you! The Hero of the Divide!"
Toph blinked once in surprise, then grimaced. "Oh, no," she mumbled. She felt the other woman start to bow, and closed the distance between her in a heartbeat, grasping her by the arms.
"None of that!" she said in a harsh, hushed, whisper. She rubbed the soles of her shoes against the floor. So far, she couldn't see anyone turning their heads toward them. "Look if you really want to show your gratitude or whatever, just do me a favor and don't go bowing or doin' me any special favors. I'm just here with a fried for lunch. Treat us like you would anyone else."
The woman nodded furiously, looking around Toph to Iphie, then back up at the blind earthbender again. "Um right this way," she said finally, recovering her outward composure even though Toph could still feel her heart hammering a away in her chest."
She lead them to a both on the opposite side of the restaurant from the kitchen. There were less people seated there, and the noise and smells were not as loud or intense. Once they were seated, she handed them both a menu. Toph placed hers on the table without so much as a glance.
"The salt and pepper are at your nine o'clock," The hostess explained, and Toph nodded. "Pepper on your side, salt on the side opposite. You're waitress will be with you shortly." Toph was about to give the woman some credit for staying professional despite her obvious excitement, but then she ruined it by look at Iphie and saying, "You are sooooo lucky!"
Toph cleared her throat, and the hostess seemed to remember what she was supposed to be doing. "Um right.... ah... Please enjoy your meal?" she finished lamely, and hurried off, presumably to fetch their waitress.
Toph meanwhile ran her hands over the wooden table, getting a sense of its dimensions, looking more less directly at Iphie as she did so. "You're probably wondering what all that was about?" she asked.
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Post by iphigenia on Feb 22, 2010 0:58:35 GMT -5
Iphie stood there smiling a little awkwardly as the waitress came over to them. Then the waitress seemed to recognize Toph from somewhere. Toph stiffened up and their small exchange drew Iphie's attention away from the powerful smell. It seemed they knew each other. Iphie wasn't going to mention it though, after all, it seemed Toph didn't want it brought up. So she simply followed along quietly as they were seated.
It seemed like the worst was over until she told Iphie that she was so lucky. She gave a small nervous laugh and when the waitress had stepped away, she took a deep breath for a sigh. She barely managed to suppress a full coughing fit and disguised the small loss of control as clearing her throat.
"Oh, I'm sorry no." She said quickly. "Just something caught in my throat. That's not to say I'm not curious. I would like to hear more of your past but if you don't feel like talking about it I can understand." She glanced around nervously. This wasn't going very well and she was probably embarrassing Toph, who was a lot more important than she had seemed earlier. Iphie bit her lip. "Look, I don't mean to intrude but yes, I suppose I am a little curious."
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Post by Toph Bei Fong on Feb 26, 2010 2:51:35 GMT -5
Under the table, Toph had slid off her softstone getas and was rubbing at the floor with her bare feet. With them both being seated, the wooden chairs made it hard for her to 'see' Iphie accurately, but just enough of the other girl's feet were still in contact with the ground that Toph was able to tell she was still tense.
"First of all, try to relax," she said, in what she really hopped was soothing tone. It had been awhile since she used one. "I'm still the same barefoot girl you found face down in the snow, alright? The title and the fancy kimono are just decoration. Come to think of it, I shoulda changed before we left... Well, too late now."
Toph jerked her head in the direction the hostess had departed in. "She must be native Gaia Kingdom," she explained. "When I was younger... there was a war between Gaia and the Fire Nation." Toph clasped her hands together, fingers interlaced with one another. "It was a very long war..." she added, her voice lower. Her hands tightened their grip on one another.
"I was a solider in that war. Gaia needed all the earthbenders she had to win...and I always was one of the best." The boast didn't sound like much of a boast just then. Just a statement of fact. "I must have been sixteen at the Battle of The Great Divide." By now, her clasped hands were gripping themselves so tightly her knuckles were turning white. "The wars had displaced so many people... my unit was to escort a group of refugees to the capital city of Ba Sing Sei. The fastest way was through the Great Divide... the largest natural canyon in the Kingdom. Horrible, rough terrain. All kinds of hostile monsters. Fire Nation elite firebenders on our backtrail. There were 200 refugees, and only fifty soldiers. Of those only ten were earthbenders."
Toph sighed. "Some how, the firenation managed to get ahead of us. A whole company. Five hundred strong I guess, I was never sure. Seemed like a million at the time. It was a surprise attack, they flanked us, forced into a dead end turn in the canyon. Lost most of our troops. Too many refugees. But they made one mistake. The entrance to the dead end was too narrow for them to make one final push and wipe us all out. At most they could sent in ten at a time, and even then they'd likely get in each others way. By then me and Cera were the only soldiers not injured. So... we held the line. For two days straight. Then reinforcement from Gaoling arrived, and the the firebenders were tapped between their numbers and our line." Finally, Toph cracked a bitter smile. "We wiped them all out. Saved the refugees.
A long, low sigh. "They called me and Cera the Heroes of the Divide ever since. But Cera's gone now. So I guess it just me."
Toph relaxed, hands unclasping finally. The waitress arrived just then. She smiled brightly, but didn't seem to regonize Toph at all. Most likely a Venus native.
"Hi! I'm Simone and I'll be your waitress today! Have you had a chance to look at the menus? Or would you like a drink order only for now?"
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Post by iphigenia on Feb 28, 2010 2:57:43 GMT -5
Iphie half listened to the story. She was doing her best to relax but she was having a bit of trouble with it. Of course when she mentioned the battle Iphie's focus changed. She hadn't fought in a war, nor did she ever want to, but she couldn't help but think she'd be rather good at it. Then a new waitress came to ask what they wanted.
"She'll be ordering for me I hope." Iphie said, and smiled at Toph. She was curious still but it was Toph's story and it wouldn't be right to pry into it. "I've never tried food like this before so it's probably for the best if I don't go picking something at random."
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Post by Toph Bei Fong on Mar 4, 2010 1:36:39 GMT -5
Toph shook off her memories, brought herself to the here and now. "Oh. Right. Food." She smiled, and even her sightless eyes seemed to twinkle with mischief. "For an appetizer," she ordered, "bring us the Sampler, we'll decide on an entree afterward. As for drink... Whatever ale y'all all got on tap would be perfect."
Simone nodded, and took quick notes before turning to Iphie. "And for you, Miss? Something to drink?"
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Post by iphigenia on Mar 4, 2010 3:52:08 GMT -5
"Water for me please." She said. She wondered if the drinks they served at this place were as overpowering as the air. She licked her lips lightly and took a small breath. It was coming easier now, she had begun to accustom herself to the atmosphere of the place. Water was the best choice she was sure, something to subdue any overwhelming flavors of the spice. "If you have ice available, please add that too." Her left hand tingled lightly and she clenched it tight under the table. She smiled at the waitress and turned her attention back to Toph.
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Post by Toph Bei Fong on Mar 17, 2010 10:32:37 GMT -5
Toph fell into an uncharacteristic silence after the waitress left. Her hands, which were still clasped on the table, picked up a slight shaking.
Gaia, she thought. Wish they'd hurry up with that ale...
"So yeah, the Sampler," said Toph, trying to get conversation going. "Its a little bit of everything," she explained. "Makes for a great appetizer. And you can go at your own pace, find out what you like without committing to a full meal --"
In the kitchen someone dropped a few pots or plates or something. The one that fell knocked over several more, resulting in deafening crash of metal and porcelain on the ground. More than a few heads turned to the sound. One smart-ass called out "Job Opening!" There were few laughs at that.
Toph wasn't laughing. She jumped in her seat like a bomb had gone off. For maybe the span of two heart beats, she was back in the Divide, the crashing pots had been the sound of a pillar of earth and rock crashing down on the enemy fire benders, the smart ass comment was Cera warning her of an opening in their line, the laughter had been the frighted wailing of the refuges behind her...
Toph fought to get her suddenly shallow, terrified, breathing under control. She was being stupid, the war was along time ago, and far away. She was in restaurant with a new friend, and the worse danger she had to worry about was maybe an unlikely bout of food poisoning.
When the waitress retruned with her mug of ale, the earthbender took it in both hands and brought up to her lips, downing the whole mug in one long, uninterrupted chug. She slammed it down, feeling a bit more steady, and wiped at wetness on her lips away with er arm.
"Keep them comin'," she said.
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Post by iphigenia on Mar 18, 2010 3:40:17 GMT -5
Iphie watched Toph carefully. She seemed pale after the sudden crash. Then the drinks came and she just drained the whole thing down. Iphie's hand trailed along the cool condensation of her own glass. She debated what her next move would be. After a few seconds, she decided. She stood up and picked up her chair, moving it over next to Toph. "It's ok, calm down." She put her hand on Toph's shoulder. The waitress came back with another ale for Toph. Before she could ask anything Iphie interrupted. "A sampler platter, bring it and then we'll call you over if we require anything else." Her voice had changed slightly. It was hardly audible but she had taken on the tone she normally used only when things were going badly on a mission. When a lone guard accidentally got in her way and could move or die. It wasn't something she had planned on doing of course, but Toph wouldn't be needing constant interruptions while like this.
Her voice softened back to the more friendly tones. "So Toph, tell me more about the sampler. I'm not quite sure what sort of things you eat out on your country. I haven't traveled much so I tend to be rather stupid about such things."
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Post by Toph Bei Fong on Mar 28, 2010 9:15:59 GMT -5
The tension in Toph body began to lessen as Iphie placed a hand on her shoulder. Half of the new mug of ale, swallowed in series of long quick gulps, served to relax her further. She took a deep steadying breath, and felt her face grow slightly warm from embarrassment.
"Thanks," she said said softly. Then she took a deep steadying breath, and brightened slightly.
"The Sampler," she said. "Is a little bit of everything, in small portions. The Gaia Kingdom is a big place, and there are a lot of local cuisine. What they eat on the Kiyoshi Islands can be quote different than what's considered the norm at Ba Sing Se.
"Were I'm from, Gaoling, chicken and dumplings are pretty much standard fare. In the capital, curry meals are preferred, and the spicier the better. The cities in the west combine traditional meals with Fire Nation cuisine, like sushi, probably as a result of their long occupation..." Toph trailed off, the tnesion returning to her shoulder, her hand starting to curl into a fist. With a bit of effort she relaxed again.
"When it gets here, I think you should work your way up to the spicier foods. They can really get to you if you're not used to it."
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Post by iphigenia on Mar 29, 2010 10:41:39 GMT -5
Iphie kept smiling in a way she figured was reassuringly as Toph described the food. She certainly didn't seem ok and Iphie wondered if this whole outing might have been a bad idea. Obviously something was wrong, but there was no way she would bring it up.
"I see, well you'll have to point out what to save for later and what I can handle now." Her mind was certainly divided, she tried to listen to what she said, but she was far more focused on Toph's body language. When she stiffened Iphie patted her shoulder lightly, though she tried to be subtle about it. "I'm sure it will all be delicious. Well most of it, some places eat the most disturbing things. I've read books that described cultures of humans that ate dirt. I never found out why, but what sort of person eats dirt." Her attempts at keeping the dialogue lighthearted seemed shallow and badly developed even in her own head, she wished whe'd had more practice.
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Post by Toph Bei Fong on Apr 3, 2010 10:10:38 GMT -5
Toph sighed, and it was weary, bitter sound. The shoulder under Iphie's hand slumped slightly, as if in defeat. "You'd be amazed what people will eat when they they get desperate enough. Dirt. Tree bark. Worse things still. Things that offer no nutritional value whatsoever, but will make that gnawing, gaping pain in your belly just stop for a few minutes, a few seconds so you can maybe think straight for a moments. Think about something other than how much you desperately need food..."
Toph closer her eyes, bit her lower lip and inhaled deeply. She stilled her foot and let her world sink into darkness. She could hear the low din of conversation, the smell of various spices in the air, the comforting warmth on her shoulder.
She straightened after a few minutes, determined to keep the ugly memories deep down where the belonged. She opened her eyes and offered Iphie a smile. "I'm being an inexcusable downer today. I apologize. This is supposed to be a fun outing, and I'm cluttering it up with my own baggage, good and bad. Well, no more! From this moment on, we're going top have a a good time, Lil' Bit!"
As if on cue, the waitress retruned with the Sampler platter. It was single large plate, on top of which was several smaller bowls of sample meals, large enough to two mouthfuls, three tops.
Toph leaned forward slightly, and waved the delicate scents coming from the plate toward her face with one hand. "Ah," she said, spinning the plate in place so the chicken and dumpling bowl was in front of them. "Try this frist. Its very light seasoned, just a pinch of black pepper really, and the chicken is nice and tender."
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Post by iphigenia on Apr 3, 2010 22:11:56 GMT -5
"Well I suppose I can drink to that." Iphie said, not displeased with turn. Any attempts to change the somber mood were certainly for the best in her mind. She eyed the chicken. It certainly didn't look like a pure chunk of spice, unlike some of the items on the platter. She slipped her hand from Toph's shoulder and picked up a piece of the chicken.
She took a tentative bite and chewed it for a few seconds. "This is really good." She said, a bit surprised. "Not that I think your country's food would be bad," she corrected herself, "but I sort of expected the rather pungent air to permeate everything. I doubt it will be coming out of these clothes any time soon." She smiled at Toph. "Hopefully the trend continues, though my hopes are not high I will admit."
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Post by Toph Bei Fong on Apr 18, 2010 10:38:22 GMT -5
Toph selected a hunk of chicken for herself, popping it in her mouth before chewing thoughtfully. "Oh I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how much you like the spicy stuff. Some foods need a little kick."
She leaned forward again, waving the smelled toward her with on e hand. "Ah, here we go," she said, spinning the platter slightly. It was another chicken meal, but this one was clearly glazed with some kind of red sauce.
"General Zhao's Chicken. Better break off half off it with your fork and try just half of it frist," she said. "Just in case. It can pack an initial kick, but it wont burn all the way down like some things." She smiled, "Trust me," she added.
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