Fine dining and parlour magic

[Kray]

Reading is certainly something he come to value, enjoyable might however be a stretch. A lack of ability and education could of course play a part in that. "Oh. Uh. My collection is rather all over the place. But. Stories. The old stories. Older the better really. You know the ones that actually had something to them. Not this new hero always wins and friendship can save the day stuff." Because well the hero didn't always win, and friendship was as likely to get you killed as save your life. "Hm. What about you, what do you read?" It sounded like she read more casually then he did and that made the giant curious. "Ah. It can also be solved wit ha pint glass and beer, or cider or a bottle." Sure he that meant his shots were more best guesses at whatever he poured into his mouth but hey it worked.

On that once again great shoulders shift in a casual shrug. "Uh. It's not that I know where they hang out I just happen across them by chance usually." Considering how many places he got around it was not entirely out the question that would happen. "Ah. But no there choice to come or not isn't it. Not something I care to kick up a fuss about." He didn't feel slighted by it, his company was most certainly an acquired taste. And besides he made made the option open, that dint mean he expected anyone to take up on it. "Oh. But you, thank you for coming. Would have been a lot more awkward if it was just me and the magician." The elementals presence had certainly shifted the mood into something more sociable.

Although he lost the thread a little here. "Uh. Why would you add more cooks if you found the perfect number?" It might help if he could recall what the saying was meant to be used for more precisely. "Uh. Yeah well some shows do that don't they. Go and meet them backstage, get a signed poster or something." But the experience had already been rather intimate with such a small party. "Oh. They could offer to have the magician eat with you after? It costs you more because your paying for an extra meal but then you get to talk to them and stuff." That could fir the bill quite well. Not exactly backstage in the traditional sense but an enhanced experience.

Oh he hadn't lied, that deception and misdirection sure. Subversion of expectation without a doubt. But bare faced lying didn't sit well with the ogre who valued words so highly. "Ha. Good, I will say they aren't all this good. But you should try a stage show next they do stuff on a much larger scale." Those were the dare and do acts that really made the ogre sit up and pay attention. Although the guy tonight had shown just how effective slight of hand and prop based magic could be.

At the end, or was it the start? either way each lost had to find their own way. Some crashed and burned, other scrapped by and still other flourished in ways they never had before. "Uh. Well if its working for you then. How does the saying go?" Pausing for thought and scratching at his chin. "Oh. Don't fix something that is not broken." And only the elemental could really know if it was broken or needed fixing or not.

Would a warning have saved him? No as proven by the continued eating. But the warning was given. "Oh. I dread to think what Mary can do with candy if she puts her mind to it." She had made mention of a trail of food leading to a box on a stick several times.

But on the food trying front seems like a good idea had been reached. "Huh. Yeah see now that would work for me. Then I can get more if I do like it. And if I don't, or prefer something else it won't go to waste. Okay well it probably wouldn't go to waste regardless but that's the idea." Given how much he ate polishing of a side dish to wash it down with whatever he had a hunger for would hardly be a problem.

[Mina]

“All over the place is good, means you know a little of this and a little of that. You aren’t locked into just one thing.” A light chuckle, “Ah. You know, I never liked the stories where everything turns out ok, it’s not like real life. In real life, everything doesn’t turn out ok, there are consequences, there is death, there is loss, there is pain. And I think there is a disservice in building peoples hopes up that everything will always be ok. But if you go into those books knowing it’s false, and just enjoy the story for it being simply a story, then there is no harm.” But it’s not real, life isn’t nice. “It’s been a while, I admit, I haven’t really had time. But when I do, I like history.”

Oh. “Maybe I’m just not that lucky then.” Then a happier smile, “I should be thanking you for mentioning it! I would have never known about this place! This has been such a wonderful evening!” it was obvious that she meant it.

“I think I said that wrong. I was meaning to say that if you want to add more, it’s about finding the perfect number. Too many spoil it, so there has to be a perfect number, not too many, not too few.” Looking thoughtful, then shrugging, “It’s probably not an analogy that goes well with the whole cooks thing.” It sounded better in her head. “Oh, now that could be something! You get to have an extra dessert or something! Maybe there are some extra card tricks thrown in depending on the magician.” And how they were feeling.

“I would love to catch a much grander show somewhere! With tricks that are bigger and just more amazing. Are there any places in Sacramento that offer those types of shows? I ask you because you recommend this place.” So she would guess he might know. “If not, then I’m taking a road trip!” and it sounded like she didn’t mind at all.

Laughing, “That’s the saying, and yeah, it’s not broken. But I would like to up my prices at some point. Which is why I keep training, keep improving.” And plus, it brought her a lot of happiness to dance.

Smirking, “Well, I brought my own candy, and what I knew everyone else liked. But that is something to keep in mind now that you mention it.” Chuckling at the thought. Would Circe mess with Halloween candy?

“Kind of like a pot luck! Everyone brings something they like, but enough of it that everyone can take some to try if they like! Would make for a good idea to go with the get together idea too! A game night or whatever, but everyone can bring a side dish of something they like, but enough to share!” yes, it was coming together!

[Kray]

The ogre finds himself in a familiar awkward moment of any social meal. No not the company that was actually very good. It was that he had eaten everything to fast and now wished he had more. Something he has done many times before and a position he will likely find himself in many times again. "Ah. When I say all over I mean it. I brought out the books from a few charity shops a few years back." Dropping a couple thousand dollars to acquire bargain bin price books had left him with a large assortment of what could the most varied collection of non-specialised reading material anyone could ask for. "Uh. I do like books but some of it utter rubbish." The fact it got to print and publishing shows how little of that world he truly grasps. Mina however does seem to get what he was trying to convey. "Uh. Yeah that the old ones felt more true to life you know. Don't trust strangers. Don't go into the woods alone. You know stuff like that." Don't trust witches was also a common theme which was interesting because where would that leave changelings magically empowered as they were.

That it had gone well, better then his last visit no doubt, also seems to please the ogre. "Ah. Don't mention it. I've had a bit more time to find places is all." And he certainly did not know them all. "Uh. You told me about the pinball place. I didn't know about that before." Not that he was likely to go but that was not he point.

Blinking wit ha furrowed brow as it seems he had misunderstood and now tries to work it out. "Oh. I see. Uh Yes you can have to few cooks if the kitchen is to big or tries to feed to many." How that related to to many people sharing opinions leading to confusion or analysis paralysis the ogre is still struggling with. But one thing is sure of. "Oh. I would like an extra dessert option. I'd buy the ticket for that alone." The meal was of course already five courses, so that is clearly the ogres gluttonous hunger at work.

Mina's next question bring him to sudden and noticeable halt. "Uh. Oh, Actually I don't sorry." Realisation crashing down on him that he in fact had not been to a show since arriving in Sacramento. "Uh. I can look for one, no doubt. And all sorts comes through the golden one centre downtown." That seemed like the best option for a really great magician to come by.

So no not broken. No fixing needed, instead improvements. "Oh. I understand that, brick by brick building up what you have till it's enough to accomplish your goals." A method he employed himself. Each Brick feeling like advancement, accomplishment helped it seem like he was making progress.

A deep chuckle meets that, Mian was wiser then he had been. "Ah. Now that is a smart move. Bringing your own stuff. That way you know what's gone into or on it usually." But to not eat what was provided at a equinox or solstice , now would that be considered rude? It certainly could be.

Mina already showing a flair for planning is a good thing, sounded like she was getting into it as well. "Oh. Yeah a potluck. That actually sounds like a good idea. No pressure to eat anything you don't want but the options are open." He could feast of rare and bloody meat if he so wished, providing he brought enough along or try something else if it caught his attention. "Huh. Games and food does sound like a good night to me." And she had just saved herself on some of the cooking and expense which was really smart as preparations go.

[Mina]

The Snowskin had seen that Kray had finished his meal, while she had been picking at hers. Not that it wasn’t good, it was very good in fact! But she was more of a slow eater, picking at various things over time. “You should try some of this prime rib!” she declares, offering her plate. While she had eaten most of it, there was a good-sized piece remaining. “It melts in your mouth, the seasoning perfect!” gushes the Elemental. “That’s a great way to buy books, buy them preloved and give them a second home. I buy most of my clothes from second hand stores.” Nodding, “There are some pretty terrible books out there.” No disagreement there. “That! Why is it always people going off into the woods alone, or touching something they clearly shouldn’t touch.” Rolling her eyes, “Like, come on people! Where is the sense of survival?! Some things should just be common sense, yet there is so much of it lacking in some of those stories.” Shaking her head, “Just plain old stupidity.” She didn’t get it.

A nod, “This is true. I always found it interesting how people can live in the same city, and find completely different places.”

Laughing, “Yeah, something like that!” she knew she had explained it wrong, but her brain just worked different. And explaining things often went wrong. “Extra dessert options would be a top seller for sure! If they don’t offer such a thing, they certainly should! Would bring in more sales.” At least in her opinion.

“Then it’s something worth looking into! I know the Centre Downtown hosts most of the shows I’m in, so I don’t see it being too far out for there to be a big magic show to be hosted. I might ask around, usually the performers know about upcoming shows before they’re announced. So, if I hear about something, you’re my first call. And if I can snag tickets early, you’re coming with me.” A nod, seemed it was decided.

Another nod, “Exactly. Let them see the improvements, see their investments paying off. Not that I think I need a whole lot of improvement mind you, but those who hire nitpick. So when the price increase happens, I have the marked improvements to back it.” Shrugging.

Laughing, “Well, kinda. I wanted to contribute something and money was tight so all I could afford was the candy. And a bottle of liquor that I brought from home. I thought it would be rude to not bring something, because it was Mary, and she was hosting.” And who Mary was, a Monarch. “But yeah, it usually is good to bring your own stuff if you’re not sure.” Typically.

Beaming, “Exactly! And people bring what they like, so if there isn’t anything else they like, they already have something. And if you don’t want to make something, you can totally bring something store made. I’ve seen people bring store made cupcakes, so like, no pressure to cook.” Wheels turning, ideas hatching, “I think this could work!”

[Kray]

Oh now that was a sore temptation, being offered good food like that literally still on the plate. Bulbous yellow eyes track from food to Mian and back to food. Didn't we just say everything has a price? "Ah. I owe you meal then. No ifs ands or buts food for food." Still it was rare for the ogre in indebt himself without very good cause. But the food here was very good. As demonstrated when he picks up the remains of the prime rib with fingers not fork and dangling it above his jaw lowers it until his mouth is entirely full.

It does not take the ogre long at all to much his way through the offered food, made as his teeth are to handle such things with ease. "Ah. Yes it was good." Better then the ones he had taken home last time and reheated anyway. And those had been good themselves. "Oh. I don't think I've seen a charity shop stock clothing in my size." Massive as he was, clothes were something of a difficulty. "Bah. I have piles and piles of these auto biographies of celebrities I've never heard of. I can only think of a few uses for those." Names and Skills could actually be handy things to know magic can trade in such. But when you have seventeen copies of Alan Carr's Look who it is, that was a bit much. "Ha. You see it is because they don't have enough stories teaching them the important lessons. That's what stories do they teach you something. And a lot of this modern stuff lacks that." If Mina was keen of memory she might recall Kray had themed the last Autumn Equinox around stories.

He still got in the occasional wonder about when he could but time was more limited these days with plans and duties. "Ah. People find what they look for mostly I think. Plenty goes on under our noses unnoticed because we don't think to see it." That sounded more ominous then he meant it, meaning more like clubs, societies, activities over kidnapping and criminal dealings for once. A casual glance around the room makes his ponder again. "Uh. I don't doubt it would but I don't think this place is hurting for sales." Decked out as it was and hiring skilled performers for small audiences must require quite the turn over.

The ogres own connections were to put simply vast and if he was of a mind to fin a magic show, he was probably quite capable. But Mina did seem rather into the idea and something in him doesn't want to stifle that, well until it goes just a little to far. A stark reminder that a little fear was a good thing. "Hm. A little care now. Not everyone takes being told what they will or wont be doing to well." It was likely an overstep, an idea run away with her, so no overt threats, no hammer or fist. But he had his boundaries and someone else deciding where he did nor did not go seemed to be one.

His demeanour remains a little cooler, gruffer. "Hm. Harder for them to argue if you got the results to show for it. that's for sure." His old man had a saying for this to. Self praise is no recommendation. But the ogre had never seen Mian dance so it is hardly for him to judge either.

Given his own history to with Circe eh actually disagrees. "Ah. On the other end of it I've walked out of her hosted events with a stack of pizza as long as my arms before now so I don't think she minds all to much if people bring stuff or not." Now that had been a good meeting to attend.

Given Mina had seemed not unsure but hesitant maybe? at first it appeared she had taken to the idea of event planning like a fish to water. "Hm. It could work indeed. Can't see a reason it won't." The event was hers now, if it went ahead, and how to went well that would be worth seeing.

[Mina]

Her lips set in a straight line, but, she knew better then to argue with him. Especially here, in a nice restaurant after a nice evening. “I won’t argue, only because it’s been such a pleasant evening.” But he would be able to tell she wasn’t exactly happy about it. At least she wouldn’t argue about it.

Frowning, “That’s too bad, they have such great prices.” Her sewing skills were lacking, but weren’t the worst. So she wonders if she could put something together for him? It would be difficult without measurements, though she doubts he was going to just give those up. A smirk and chuckle, “Uh, why do you have piles of those? Do I even want to know? I mean, I know a few celebrity facts from some of the other dancers who seem to only discuss them.” Rolling her eyes. “You should always be able learn something from what you read. Even if it’s what not to do in a situation, there should be something. Reading should also be fun and enjoyable, but learning can also be fun and enjoyable.” When done right.

Looking thoughtful, “Hmm, maybe you’re right. I’m sure there are places I haven’t noticed because they simply don’t interest me or I’ve passed by with a lot on my mind or something.” It was true, she often had a lot on her mind and just walked. “No, but it could bring in a new clientele, or even a younger one. Children, with a love of magic for example, would go nuts over meeting a real magician.” And parents would pay to let their kids get that chance.

She looks a bit confused, “I think you misunderstood what I meant, it wasn’t meant as I am forcing you to go with me. It was meant as if there is a show, then you are the one I would want to go with me. You seem to enjoy magic more than I do, and I would want to watch a show with you. By no means was it intended as I would try and force you.” A shake of her head, “You don’t have to if you don’t want to, I can’t make you. But I figured if there was a show coming, and I could snag tickets, you would be the first one I would call and invite. But that’s cool, I can always invite someone else.” Seeming ok with it. “Sorry if it came across the wrong way.” She had never had anyone take it the wrong way.

“That’s what I always figured. So it’s been late nights of training, going over dances and pointe. Not very exciting, but I hope it pays off.” Someday it will.

Eyes widen, “Damn! That’s a lot of pizza!” she wouldn’t even know what to do with that much pizza!

[Kray]

Mian might not be all to happy, evidently. But the ogre was, the prime rib had been very good. And he licks his fingers clean of the dabs of sauce that had stuck to them when he picked it up. "Oh. Come now don't look at me like that. We already agreed everything has a price. Or do you want something other then a meal in exchange?" That could be it, the ogre hadn't given any room for bargaining before accepting.

Having ruined one rented suit tonight and by the sounds of it at least one more in the past the ogre seems to care little. "Ah. The world just is not made for people my size. It's frustrating but expected." When he said he did not fit in, there was some literal truth behind the words. "Uh. Besides if it really did bother me all that much I could do something about it couldn't I." They both knew he, any lost could hedge spin some clothes together, barter for a trinket that produced or resized things. Wonderful ways and magical means most certainty excited.

The answer was sadly quite plain and utterly mundane. "Uh. I have those because they were on the shelves of the charity shop book sections when I bought them out." Plenty and more of the woefully written celebrity life stories found their way into charity shops. As for reading he nearly enough agrees. "Huh, Yeah Stories need a point, a message something to take away from them. I agree with that." And a lot of what was printed or put to screen these days just didn't or the message was false and mis leading, which was in some ways even worse.

There was nothing about the venue that inherently implied children were not welcome, but the giant struggles to see it. That might be personal bias though, he lacked enough experience to say for sure if kids frequented fancy places like this. "Uh. How well would kids sit through a five course meal while getting distracted?" Even saying it the prospect sounds like a miserable one.

Each lost being to some degree insane and said insanity being shaped by highly personal trauma, and keepers whims mis understanding were bound to happen. Seems this was one. Good he had not defaulted to his best defensive tactic and tried to eat Mina. "Hm. My mistaken. It did sound to me like you were forcing me to go, or going to try." To his reckoning she had said it in a way that seemed to brook no other possibilities but she could also have gotten excited. "Bah. I would be grateful if you told when a show comes to town." A little abashed and rather annoyed at himself at the fumble that was his peace offering.

He grunts still sullen but directed at himself, having acted or in this case worse spoken without thinking what Mian might have meant through and got the wrong end of the stick. It had been very ogrish of him. "Ah. Hard work will pay of. It usually does in the end." To what extent that was much harder to know, but it usually produced some kind of results. "Hm. Yes it was a lot of pizza." It had lasted him two full days, nearly unheard for a stash of food in his care.

Closing in on 30 days, we good to wrap?

[Mina]

A breath was taken, “No, that isn’t the point.” And it doesn’t seem like she wanted to discuss it. Seemed like there was no kind gestures with him, and it was noted.

Having been pretty much a perfect size thanks to dancing her whole life, she had never really thought about it. “I’m sure there is a business opportunity in there if someone was so inclined. Both online and a brick-and-mortar store.” Online was a great way to sell things these days. “But you are right, you could do something about it if you so choose.” Hedgespinning was a fun craft they had. She’d only played with it a handful of times.

“Oh, I see. Well, I’m sure the shop was glad to have them bought and free up some space.” She wasn’t sure she would buy them, just seemed like garbage to her. “If I don’t think I can get something from a book, I don’t read it or buy it.” There has to be something to catch her attention.

“I think that depends on the kid and their age. Some kids are very mature for their age, and depending on how into magic they are, they might be very well behaved. They might also have a children’s night, where they do things a bit differently, I didn’t really look, but it’s a possibility.” She’s seen some well-behaved kids.

A shake of her head, “Not at all, I’d never try to force someone to do something.” Plus, look at him, and look at her. “I’ll let you know if I get any tickets, and if you want to go, you are more than welcome to come.” She’d rather go to a magic show with him anyways.

“Plus, I’m doing what I love.” Dancing. Laughing, “I don’t know if I would have been able to eat that much pizza. I might have had to have a party and served the pizza to make sure it didn’t go to waste.”

Good to wrap! Thank you for such a fun scene!

[Kray]

Regardless of either changelings wants regarding to discuss that or any other topic, an employee pokes their head to tell them only a few minutes left on their booking slot before they need to leave so the next can be set up.

And having had good food and a great show the ogre is not in the mood to create a fuss, he would very much like to come back here. "Ah. Well looks like we've run our course for the evening." Pushing to his fee a wallet comes out to begin counting tips for both wait staff an the magician. They had John's contact details if they wanted to get money for the chair. "Uh. Well thanks again for coming. Travel safe." And that brings an end to an utterly mundane magical meal.

Indeed thank you for a amazing time!