#brightwindsbarony

Cliff is glad to have every resource at his disposal. he's got some cooks to order about to help him, but he whispers and it's a pain . Still, they seem not to be offended at an outsider getting cuisine authority for Beltaine

He arrives prepared; very prepared. Much of the prep work is done and in hotel pans or plastic containers. Recipies and assembly instructions were sent ahead of time and are attached to each vessel. Almost all that's left to do is to heat, assemble, plate, garnish, and serve.

Looks like prep and written instructions will save him a lot of hassle communication wise.

And he can see Mary Ellen (Boggan) and Pepper (troll he's seenn before) both know how ot handle cooking and have followed his instructions well. Sadly, Pepper tries to strike up a conversation "So the indigennous food a big seller ?"

Cliff looks at her blankly a moment, then turns his head and sweeps his hair out of the way to reveal ear plugs.

"Oh.." And she shushes.

He nods and goes back to work while keeping an eye on the whole kitchen at the same time. He checks each plate as it leaves.

Everythingg seems fine. Dandy...

and yet...

he thought he heard something

He looks around to see if there's something... a quick glance as he garnishes a dish with little fried crunchy things.

"the stage is different..." yes, he hears something

and not his fellow cooks. Near the door?

He frowns and motions for the most apt of the attendants to come take over, and he slips away to see....

And he almost walks through the ghost...

"It's so different.. where is Harkson? " She asks aloud, and he suspects she's talking to herself

He hisses something lost to the kitchen clatter.

"Gone." He responds. "You come in peace?"

"You can.. oh you must be a whisperer.. I heard tthey could talk to us.. how delightful" She says with poise, "Gone? Oh tell me he's dead. I don't know where fae souls go, but I do hope they have a hell? or at least a DMV" This prodigal knows about changelings, at least fae, she curtseys

Cliff gives her a nod of respect. "Dead, yes."

She spins, delighted "Time is the justice that examines all offenders" A laugh

Cliff gives this respectful consideration. "I will think on what you have said. "

"Ah, forgive me, sir. it's just not often one hears of their murderer dying. Tell me, was he slain? I hope i wasn't just a car accident, though if i was, I hope it hurt"

"I have heard he died in battle with the current Baroness. "

"the stage has changed, under new management.. a better patron.."

"Oh, forgive me," She gives a curtsey, more like what he might have seen in a live theatre," I'm Alison Osgoode. Former performer, run afoul of an elven lord"

the name rings a bell. Acting trope came innto the area some years ago... some tragic accident (or NOT accident?) and the death of their leading lady

"Mm. My condolences on your loss."

"Most kind."

"And your name, sir?"

"Apologies. Cliff Torres."

"A pleasure, mister Torres. Its so rare to meet a fae who can hear me...probably why Harkson feared your people so."

"Mm. That is one reason, probably. "

"I would love to know the story..." She coaxes and dimples as pretty girls do when they knnow they're pretty and are not above usinnn it to an advantage

"I would be happy to share the story in the way of my people, but I am working for now. Will you be available later? Tomorrow?"/

"I suppose I have no engagemennts" She says

"I will return here, then. At this time?"

She nods and steps away, to wander the halls

the damn place has a ghost

Yes, to a sluagh, ghosts can be useful. Information sources few others will ever have. And then there is the lore that some of them have power

Stephen King level stuff some of them

Thinking, he returns to the main kitchen and the work there.

And it seems to be going well! Everything smells as it should.

But will it be a hit?

Hit or not, Cliff knows he served food as authentically as possible, reaching out to touch people in the stomach.

And Pepper says "Smells fantastic" Yes, there's little doubt the Beltaine crowd will love it!

Cliff keeps to the kitchen, of course, but word filters back. He seems satisfied.

Oh yes... his keen ears hear that much, but Mary Ellenn, a shy and quiet boggan beams too, as she did help with the meal and gives an approving look