#earthrunes

"If you like, I've been told Fiona driving scares folks"

"It is.... certainly invigorating." He leads her to his Prius and off they go! She'll need to give directions but that's easy enough.

She gives them, oh, a fancy restaurant indeed. Only, it's closed? "This is the place" She smiles

"Are you sure?" he stops at the valet parking stand and looks at the dark windows of the restaurant.

"Yes," She smiles and knocks on the door, shave and a hair cut

Two bits?

As the response comes in, the ddoor unlocks and she goes in "Come on, August. Jerry, I want you to meet August. He's a friend of mine"

Jerry does not look like he belongs here. Shaved head, a tattoo on the left side of it and to the top of a skeletal hand. A nose ring, and goatee. but despite his 'brute squad' looks, he gives a nervous smile "Nice to meet you, August. I'm hoping you two will enjoy the meal but I need honesty"

"Nice to... meet... you?" August looks in bafflement at Leonora.

"Jerry is trying to become a chef, I think he already is one, but he's practicing for a big test at this school for cuisine to get the paper. We will be eating what he offers to test him, like a practice quiz. " Leonnora explains with a smile

"Thanks for letting me use this place, Leonora, it's got everything" Jerry smiles

"Ah!" realization "Yes, ah, yes! Excellent. I look forward to it."

"Happy too, now I don't think August has any allerggies and I know I don't, " She looks at August to be sure he doesn't

"I've been blessed in that regard; no allergies."

"Fantastic, shellfish is on the menu, any dietery restrictionns for religious or other reasons?" Jerry asks

"Nope. I am off any diets just for you" Leo winks

"Not on my part."

Jerry grins "Well, please, sit down. What can I get you to drinkn? Tea, Coffee, water, beer?"

"Water, please. Or, tea. Or..... Leonora, what would you care for?" he gets her chair.

"Tea's fine for me too" A smile "Ice tea for me"

"Both of us, thank you."

"Right" And he heads off

To get their drinks. While he is gone, she whispers "I've been musing him now and then. Ex Con, but he's working SO hard to go straight. You know?"

"I'm very impressed, Leonora." he says honestly, taking her hand across the table. "I like this work you're doing."

"Oh , not like I don't get something out of this... fantastic meals, tastey glamour gently mused as he finds his happy spot... like the bible says, fae does not live by balefire alone"

"I don't -think- the Bible says that."

"Oh? You should propose an addendum" She says with too straight a face, then smiles

And out comes the tea "Sorry about that, had to check on something in the oven" he sets it down, "Appetizer will be just in a mo"

"Thank you. It looks delicious."

Soon, the appetizers are set up. Honey mint lamb skewers, Shrimp Tartlets, and Chickenpot stickers (Chicken and Mushrooms) to pick from

Jerry nods "Well, don't pull punches for me. And let me know which you like best and why, and which didn't quite hit the mark and why" He nnods and backs away to give them time to try those

"These are just the appetizers. I'm gonna have to hit cardio SO hard" SHe grumbles

"Worth it." he reminds Leonora, and samples each of the foods.

Personal favorites definitely bias one. the Honey Mint lamb is GOOD, DELICIOUS if you like that thing, but still good if not your thing. The tartlets.. mmm too tart. overides the shrimp flavor. However, the Stickers are heavenly even if Chicken and Mushroom isn't your thing. It's nott just the flavor, the texture is a delight.

August does like lamb.

After a bit Jerry returns, looking hopeful "Comments, critiques?"

Leonora looks at August to see if he wants to start up

August offers his thoughts. "I enjoyed the lamb very much. The tartlets were, ah, quite tart. And the pot stickers were delicious."

"mm" Jerry nods grim "Too tart. Darn. Need to balance that. Is that about what you think?"

"I'm looking forward to the next course."

"Well, I don't like lamb as much as August, but it was good. The chicken and mushroom sticklers were ..really, that was some of the best stuff I've put in my mouth in a while" A wicked look "And I ought to know" Then "But yeah, I couldn't taste the shrimp over the tartness."

Jerry may look like an Biker out to start a fight, but he blushes at her 'I ought to know' tease "Okay. Know what I'll lead with with the real test at least. Be just a bit for the sample main courses" He gathers the plates

August full-out reddens.

Annd retreats

"he supplies the meal, I provide the show" She claims when Jerry is gone

"Ah." August sips his iced tea and it's possible some steam rises. "Show?"

"Figure of speech or joke inn this case"

"Oh." and yes, there's some relief there. Lord knows what he imagined she might do....

She giggles "Oh later I must ask you what were imagin."

And out comes Jerry, with "Pork Chops with Fig and Grape Agrodolce- Fresh figs and grapes cooked in balsamic vinegar and honey make an addictively sweet and sour sauce for pork chops in this seasonal fall dinner. A pleasantly bitter radicchio salad offsets all that sweet and sour in just the right way—you’re going to want dip it in the sauce as you eat." He says