Time for a big ol' Nexus Block party

[sumarusfinest]

On a sleepy summer morning a wonderful smell begins to waft throughout the Nexus. For those familiar with this place there can only be one explanation but for those new faces to the nexus this may be a strange thing: seeing so many people flocking toward the sweet and savory scents perfuming the Nexus.

There are a few tables set out this morning in the Plaza in front of a small cafe loaded with several carafes of coffee, a myriad of pastries from more than a few different worlds and cultures, and a large pan of eggs and sausage kept warm over a chafing dish. On either end of the table are disposable plates, cups, and cutlery as well as a few welcome pamphlets in a small container. Along the front of the tables is a hand made banner.

Meet and Greet

Manning the tables is Katsuya Suou, red apron on and a cup of coffee in hand. He looks far too cheerful for how early in the morning it is. It's always satisfying to put one of these on and see the throngs of different people stuck in line together to get their food and find a place to sit among the tables and couches nearby.

"Right then, is anyone hungry? I've got more than enough here for everyone so please mingle among yourselves or feel free to ask me anything you'd like."


((OOC: This thread is ALL ABOUT threadjacking and hopping. I encourage folks to tag on each other's comments and mingle rather than to reply only to me. This is a huge opportunity to have your characters interact with people they wouldn't have talked to before. Branch out! Meet new people! Scheme new schemes! Steal the last chocolate croissant!))

Comments

[volurofthehearth]

Katsuya's question grabs her question and she smiles sheepishly, sinking into a shy shrug when she admits, "Everything."

Taking the plate, she pulls it close as she looks over everything. "There are so many choices. Even the things I recognise look so good... Oh, I don't know what to pick!" She smile at Katsuya. "Which is your favourite?"

[sumarusfinest]

Ah! A woman after his own heart. Katsuya gives Runa a very understanding smile and a nod. Say no more. He has much the same weakness as she when it comes to baked goods.

"The ginger cranberry scones are my personal favorite of the breakfast pastries. That or..." He gives Runa a quick glance before handing over a plate piled high with patterned cookie-ish looking buns. "I've made some breakfast melonpan with maple syrup inside. They've been a rather big hit lately."

[volurofthehearth]

The description of the scones is met with a small gasp, but when he offers her the cookie buns her eyes go as wide as saucers. Very carefully, she takes one and takes a small bite of it.

It takes a second but her whole face lights up and she makes a deep, happy sound, scrunching up her hands. "Su ghhud!" She chews and swallows before continuing. "I've never heard of these before! And you made them yourself?" Runa stops, gasps, and stares at Katsuya. "Did you make all of these yourself?"

[sumarusfinest]

It's not an uncommon reaction to being offered some of the less European treats in his baking repertoire but the fact that this young lady not only tried them but seems to genuinely enjoy them brings a small amount of pride to his face.

"The children I care for like them quite a bit so I've been making them more regularly. It's a Japanese sweet." He nods before gesturing slowly to the cafe behind him. "I run the Crossroads cafe and do the baking here."

[volurofthehearth]

Runa looks to the café and then turns sheepishly back to the talented baker before her. "If I'd have known that I would have gone there sooner. These are wonderful!"

She nibbles on the bun even as she eyes up some of the other treats. "But I do so much of my own baking that sometimes I forget to go out and enjoy other peoples'. There are a lot of things here I haven't seen before, or even heard of. How did you learn to make all of these?"

[sumarusfinest]

"It's an understandable thing to overlook when one spends as much time in the kitchen as you or I do. I don't tend to go out to eat very much either, and especially not for baked goods."

He takes a moment to restock one of the platters with more muffins while Runa busies herself looking at all of the other offerings on display. It won't take him more than half a minute but this place is very busy and he does have to be a good host too.

"Many Japanese baked goods I learned from my mother's recipe collection and magazines she would bring home. When she passed away I kept turning to them as a way to feel connected to her. A lot of the magazines glorified French baking in particular so I learned much of that through research. More recently however, I make a point of telling my customers I'll make them anything they like so long as they'll show me how and where to easily source the ingredients. It's guaranteed I never run out of things to learn."

[volurofthehearth]

That sounds familiar... Runa gives Katsuya a soft, understanding smile when he talks about his mother. "I started baking as a way to get to know my mother after she'd passed away too... What a wonderful idea to ask people to show you how to bake, though! Have many people shown you different recipes?"

[sumarusfinest]

Ah. The officer wishes greatly that he didn't know what that soft smile and nod meant but he does before Runa speaks to confirm it. He bows his head and shuts his eyes in a moment of respect for the departed before meeting her gaze again.

"May I ask...how old were you? I am certain she loved you very much if she was putting her heart and time into things like this." He does take a step back from that conversation when Runa pushes on though, making a tiny 'oh' sound while he tries to move on from what might have been a faux pas.

"I've had several so far. People from worlds much different from my own, as well as people from Earth simply form different cultures. It has been a treat being able to bring peoples' cultured here ot the Nexus for them."

[volurofthehearth]

It's not cheerful conversation, but it feels ruder to leave his question unanswered. After everything he's done to bring people together it seems ungrateful. "I was fourteen. I know she loved me. So now I put my love and care for her into baking."

Suddenly she straightens and beams with a perfect white smile. "Could I learn some recipes from you? I could share some of mine, and we could do an exchange!"

[sumarusfinest]

Oh!

Now there is an idea. Not only an idea, but a means to learn more recipes and share some of his own. Katsuya's own smile is not quite so confident, though it is earnest. Not that he's in danger of running out of things to impress the boys he's looking after or their mother anytime soon, but new recipes in hand will ensure he never does.

"I would thoroughly enjoy that. I have plenty of room in the cafe's kitchen if you would like to stop by some time. Should I lean on predominantly recipes form my culture? There are many kinds of Japanese sweets and desserts I would love to share with you, though I know many more traditional European delights as well."