Thread: Kingdom of Shadow (Athene & Silverknight)

Baiken ... Miss Iceberg? I'll admit, that's a new one. Baiken repeated, a half-amused and half-irked smirk appearing across her lips. Hmph. A cook is one thing. A man is very much different, and for some, is not the same thing. I hardly know much of you. Just that you have a really good reputation when it comes to food. Her head quickly moved from side to side. .... Keep wishing that's my train of thought. Just the first half is correct. .... Did he really just .. ?? Wow. That took a lot of gall for anyone to talk to Baiken like that. In fact, when had the last time been? Probably upon first being accepted as a bodyguard and a lot of the others snickering due to her handicaps. Naturally, no one else had believed she was competent or any true threat. So ... she had to prove a few of the non-believers wrong. Would boy be better then, hmm? Her eyes rolled as Baiken continued, Don't you dare forget where you are. You may be in charge when it comes to the food, but ordering me around? Definitely not. You should be honored to even have a surname at all. I don't even have a clan name. It's one of the few things that makes us more complete ... usually, anyway. The last words were muttered, acknowledging and noting that Sanji didn't seem to appreciate his own well enough to want to hear it. ... I really wish you wouldn't light up. Luckily, me snuffing that damn thing out could make something fall, break, get ruined, or all of the above, so that will get another free pass. Next time you're around me and inside the palace, though? Nu-uh. That's not sliding a second time. It wasn't just for health reasons that Baiken disliked the cancer sticks. It reminded her of the fire from the night she lost everything, including her arm and eye. Thankfully, the difference in an actual fire versus the one being ignited to light a cigarette was much weaker. Otherwise, Baiken may have had a panic attack. Instead, she simply turned and opened one of the few, nearby windows. The glass was used as a make shift mirror to make up for the fact she had to turn her back to Sanji. Do those not ruin your senses? I'd think as a chef that'd be very detrimental, particularly to your ability to taste and smell things. Nonetheless, she was seeing first hand that aside from his own stubborn side, his reputation was as accurate as Baiken had heard. He was fast ... but incredibly accurate. Not just with chopping the food either, but cooking it in a way that made her feel like she was staring and observing a perfect person. Or at least someone who had truly mastered their craft. And ... admittedly ... she hadn't eaten yet. So even if it wasn't her obligation to do so, he wasn't wrong in assuming she would eat. With consent, of course this wasn't only for her, after all. But since she got what she needed, Baiken walked forward and began sampling each dish. Holy fuck .... !! A sigh mingled in with a very content groan and moan as she finished tasting the first dish. Okay ... so at least those rumors had been correct. Very much so, in fact. Good. She hadn't wasted her time, nor Sanji's. The tasting didn't make all of her icy attitude go away, but it certainly helped keep it relatively tame. This will likely be the best meals that have been included in the Fire Festival. It's all very good. Raising her hand into the air, she snapped her fingers. The sound echoed throughout the castle and, within minutes, helped summon a few more guards inside. Make sure no one else eats any of this before the festival begins. Keep it warm and fresh until then. Baiken would move aside for the new guardians, then exit, motioning for Sanji to follow once more. They would be about halfway towards the front doors before Baiken reached down and removed a pouch attached to her side, extending it over. As promised, your pay for completing and being very thorough in this task. You most definitely earned it.