#brightwindsbarony

*****

Cliff finds himself in demand... a phone call, how did anyone get his number? Oh it's that Steward boggan lady, hope

"Cliff, how are you at Middle Eastern Food? Afghanistanian?"

"Never had it, or made it. So, not good." he whispers.

"Damn. Thank you, Cliff. We have some ... guests from Afghanisan, all women, some kithian that i've never seen before. If you have haleel food, which I think is muslim for Kosher, we wouldn't say know and you'd be paid for it. I was hoping for touch of home, but we could use your hands sometime."

"I don't have haleel; have to have special certifications for it and there's not a lot of call for it around here. Could ask around. I can come in to help but I'd need instructions."

"Can you take orders from Mary Ellen?"

"Yes."

"then, please, get your hands up here. I'll see to it you're paid for your time"

"On the way."

And he is.

********

Sparrow finds herself in her element, helping people. She notices Cliff entering and Hope talking to him

But the baroness is pulled away by the chancellior

Hope says to Cliff "Thannk you for coming." She guides him to the kitchen "Would you like ear muffss to dull sounds?" Kindly

"Brought my own." Double-pro, actually; ear plugs and muffs.

A nod "Understood"

Mary Ellen is a quiet shy thing, used to working on her own but she does't have time for that, so the boggan says softly "Tthank you for coming, sir. Love your work. I have some Haleel materials to work with. Follow my lead. This is new to me too"

Clarence, who is more doingg the serving, is another bogggan, and he's more chatty "Never seen some of those kiths. Just odd"

"Mm. From Afghanistan?"

"Yes, " Clarence says "Tthouggh I'm sure it's more middle eastern"

"What are the proteins?"

Mary Ellen gestures to the meat that looks newly brought inn

He checks it over; beef, goat, lamb, mutton, chicken.... other?

Looks like mostly mutton

But some goat

He nods and slips over to Mary Ellen to whisper as loud as he can "I am familiar with these. What are the other ingredients?"

She tells him almos a whisperr herself

And as they work, he learns

Clarence talks about the tragedy of each woman or girl "lost her father... "

Cliff can't really listen (ear pro) but he reads the recipes and follows instructions; the meal will be edible, at least.

"May I help?" A voice speaks up, and Cliff sees his first Jinn. She looks elderly at first glace until he realizes she's a wilder, in her teens perhaps? But it's hard to ell. Yet her skin seems frail and wrinkled

"I would be honored." he struggles to be heard, and moves so she can join him. "Do you read English?"

"I do. I am Permaz. I am, not a professional cook, but I know Halal" She smiles

"I am Cliff. I am a professional cook, but I don't know Halal."he deadpans.

"Well then, together we should find harmony."

"I will follow your lead. You have these flavors in your heart already and I am a stranger to them." Cliff steps back to allow Permaz to take charge. "It is better this way."

"Very well," And she tells him what each thing is called in Pashtun, and what is traditional.... she asks "You're a sluagh yes?"

He nods.

"I am a Qareen" She answers, "some would say we are dreams of memory and truth. Forggive my talkingg as we work, please. I need to practice my English"

He lifts his voice. "Forgive my silence. I am interested and listening but cannot speak any louder."

"Ah, I thought I was unwelcome" Her eyes light up "What would you know of my people if you can whisper that much?"

"Everything." with a glint of humor in dark eyes.

That makes her laugh, yes her laugh is youngg, and she tells him "I once saw a chef in Kabul who..." And she relates a story. What's odd is this is no Eshu story full of embellishmennts or hight tone, but detailed memory of every sttep the cook made to prepare the perfect dish. She remembers how much of each spice, how much of every cream

He listens (as best he can through the ear pro) and uses more sign language of pointing and facial expressions than he does his voice.

She mimes he motions

and gestures

And they communicate, anyway.

Soon Mary ellen is takingg notes too. Permaz is not a trained cook like they, but she remembers trained cooks from that area and what she relates, they can do.

Cliff works steadily, watching and learning.