diatu | [Open] Our collective experience may not be much, but...

[Open] Our collective experience may not be much, but...

Who: Kamala + you
When: Late April
Where: Gloves at the Table
What: Restaurant Work Adventure

[Two days ago, Kamala spread word about job opportunities at the local restaurant, Gloves at the Table. Now it's time for the assembled group to get to work! The odd and rather high-end eatery does all the cooking through magic at the table, so that leaves the working students to divide themselves between the tasks of dish-washing, waiting tables and ensuring that everyone present is happy, and playing the role of host, which in this case primarily involves setting up reservations and such.

Kamala has never held a restaurant job - or any job, honestly - before, but she has washed dishes, so she starts there, herself. It's not fun work, but it's straightforward - unlike being a waiter or host, as she finds out as the day goes on. At any given point, at least one other student is working on the same task with her - including hosting, because that's particularly baffling to Kamala. She doesn't complain much, but as the time passes, it becomes pretty clear that she's getting pretty tired.]

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[ Sunset has relevant work experience, so she's happy to pitch in and help her new friend. She returns from flagging down the manager with an exhausted smile. ]

Only a few more hours. Don't worry, we're doing fine!

[Kamala sighs in relief.]

A few more hours... I can handle that. Thanks for finding out for me, Sunset. How are you holding up?

Okay. I used to waitress at a restaurant back home, so I'm kind of familiar with dealing with cranky people?

But somehow it gets worse with magic in the mix. Anyone who wants to cause trouble can! We're still cleaning up the blue sludge on table 12.

Well, that definitely makes sense. A little experience goes a long way, right?

[She shakes her head at the mention of table 12.]

Still? Man, someone was determined with that stuff.

Apparently the guy wanted to impress his girlfriend with an enchanted dinner and marriage proposal.

Shockingly, she still said yes~!

[ She giggles. ]

But that's magic for you, I guess.

[Kamala laughs a little, as well.]

I'm glad she did. The rest of the meal would've been really awkward, otherwise! He must have really wanted to make a big impression, though. I don't really get it... Isn't it better when people are just themselves?

Yeah, but some people love the spotlight. I used to...not so much anymore.

[ She waved at another party and cheerfully seated them, then returned when she'd passed notes to the server. ]

Hm. Have you ever thought about what you would want? On a date?

What? Oh, well...

[Kamala rubbed the back of her neck, blushing a bit.]

Not really! I don't think about dating much, between the way my parents are about boys and having all the superhero things on my plate.

But what about you?

[She's also curious about the shift in Sunset's desire to be in the spotlight, but she doesn't want to pry.]

[Lea had no more experience with hosting than Kamala did, but it didn't seem to be too complicated. Take down reservations, match arriving customers to existing reservations if needed, escort customers to their tables and make sure they had menus. Occasionally be pressed into service to fetch bottles of wine or the like.

Really, the most difficult thing about it were the customers themselves. The majority of them were decent enough, but they were all wealthy, and that meant that there were bound to be a few entitled jerks in the lot. Luckily, Lea was more than willing to back up his friend and dorm-mate if she had to deal with such a person. Or to just help her out if she needed it under normal circumstances.]

[It was definitely lucky that Lea was willing to help, as Kamala needed back-up in that very moment. She had been trying to explain to a party of fourteen that had arrived with no reservation that the restaurant couldn't seat them for five minutes now - but it felt like much longer. The group stubbornly refused to leave, insisting that they'd been able to get a table without a reservation earlier in the week. Her distress was clear on her face as she tried to reason with them.]

It's probably because that was in the middle of the week. It's the weekend now, and they're - we're - a lot busier.

[Lea had seen the argument from a distance, and caught enough of it to know what was going on. Before jumping into the fray however, he'd had a quick word with the manager on duty to provide himself with a bit more ammunition.

He turned on the charm as he stepped forward doing his best to look deeply apologetic about the situation while still maintaining a reasonably friendly smile.]

She's right you know. The Gloves at the Table strives to give every guest a magical experience, but unfortunately, one spell we don't have in our repertoire is the ability to multiply the number of available tables. I apologize for the inconvenience though, and we'll certainly do our best to accommodate you.

Kamala, could you check the reservation book and see when the next open slot for a party of fourteen is?

[He'd already checked himself and knew it wasn't for roughly another hour and a half, but this would give Kamala something to do and hopefully deflect the ire of the party's spokesperson towards Lea instead. And he was willing to bet that someone who felt confident in bullying a young woman might well be less inclined to try it on an adult man.]

Edited 2019-04-23 01:21 (UTC)

[Kamala hesitated for a moment - she hadn't seen anything open soon when she'd checked in the first place, after all - but only a moment. If nothing else, she generally got the impression that Lea knew what he was doing, so she wouldn't be surprised if that was the case now. She gave him a nod and a small but appreciative smile.]

Of course, Lea. I'll do that.

[She made a point, though, of keeping an ear on the conversation as she referenced the reservations. It started going better almost instantly, as the mix of Lea's charm, and the fact that he did have more sway over a fellow adult than Kamala, seemed to calm the guest from the get-go.]

[Lea was glad to take some of the metaphorical heat off of Kamala; besides, if anyone could handle heat, it was him. Upon checking the reservations she would indeed find that the- apparently somewhat magical- reservation book had been updated. The restaurant's banquet room- normally reserved for large parties and private events- would be made available for general seating once it had been cleaned up and somewhat rearranged after the most recent of those parties earlier that evening.

And indeed there would be space enough for this group once those preparations had been completed, in roughly an hour and a half.]

Believe me, I completely understand how much of a pain it can be when your plans get disrupted; when one part of your evening doesn't go as planned, it affects everything else you had planned for the evening too.

While it's true that we can't fit you in immediately, I've spoken to my manager and they've authorized me to offer you this as an apology for the inconvenience.

[Lea offered the group's spokesperson what looked like a gift certificate.]

Just give this to your server, and you'll receive a complimentary bottle of one of our house wines with your meal. It doesn't expire, so if you don't feel like using it right away you can save it and use it for a special occasion.

[Yotsuyu has never hosted in her life, either. On the other hand, some of the things she has done in her checkered past were washing dishes and doing something quite like waiting tables, though it was less like taking orders and more like simple service, delivering drinks and dainties to...wealthy custom. So if nothing else, she can (and does) fake it until said custom is eating out of her hand. Yotsuyu is nothing if not elegant.

She is also, it seems, rather attuned to when Kamala might be in trouble, and tends to gaily swoop in to give a hand, drop a tasteful joke, and soothe ruffled feathers, without the customers quite being aware of it. Also without management being quite aware of it, either! And she is not too busy, or too proud, to give Kamala a word or two of encouragement.]

For someone with little experience in such things, you are doing well. And being quite competent, despite certain...commentary. Do not let it discourage you.

[Kamala appreciates the support in all the forms it takes. She's really glad Yotsuyu has been given a second chance her, because she's turning out to be a great friend and, as far as Kamala can see, a great person in general. At the compliment, she smiles at the woman gratefully.]

Thank you, Yotsuyu. [The guests' comments don't bother her too much, honestly, because she deals with trash-talking villains and sometimes-critical media back home. It's the stress of doing right by the management and her friends that really gets to her.] I'll stay strong. [She says it with a small laugh.]

It can't be much longer until we're done, anyway, can it?

For the night? One should hope not! It is only if they want us to come back! [Though Yotsuyu chuckles at that.] They should realize that the lot of us are students, and perhaps have other duties, as well.

Still, I do not mind this work. It is just the balancing act that takes getting used to, I suppose!

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to pull an all-nighter with my homework once we're done here.

[Although, that's also something that doesn't bother her too much. She's had practice.]

But I hope their usual staff is feeling better, anyway! I'm still not exactly clear on what happened in the first place, just that it was a work accident.

[The fact that a work accident knocked out most of their staff is... Concerning, yes. But she's not going to let it get to her!]

[A work accident. That seems odd to Yotsuyu as well, and the woman's lips thin. Perhaps she'll have to do some investigating. Mostly because she's curious, now, but she can think of few better to go poking their noses around than she.]

That does sound strange. I hope for their speedy recovery as well. What homework do you have, then?

[Because really, Yotsuyu is a nerd and had made sure to have all her work done well beforehand. She's the type to do it in class, if she can get away with it...]

[Kamala nods her agreement, and shrugs at the question about homework.]

Mostly it's my Fantastics and History of Wizardry homework I still need to finish. Fantastics is pretty tricky, honestly. I like music, but I wouldn't call myself musical.

What have you been concentrating on with it? I mean...I had learned some instruments--I was supposed to be able to entertain, you understand. [Delicately. Without getting into great detail.] I do not think anyone would enjoy it if I sang, but.

I have, admittedly, found some aid in considering it in its mathematical component, but I suppose that is because I am in Purifeul...

[And she pauses, then.] Are you not in class with me?

I'm trying to work my way up to using an instrument, because I'd never done that back home. So far, I've been keeping it simple. Tapping on things to keep a beat and all that.

[Kamala looks surprised at the question, even a little embarrassed.]

You mean the one you teach? I'm not. I should have taken it - wish I did.

[It wasn't flattery or just good manners that had her saying that! Espionage sounded interesting, but she'd thought physics would be more practical. It had been like she could hear her Abu's voice advising her in her mind.]

Kami, no! I swear I have seen you in my Fantastics class, though I sit in the back. [Because Yotsuyu is a bit self conscious about being an adult in a class of mostly teenagers, or younger children. So she does her best to arrive last, and not make a spectacle of herself when she arrives.]

Do not worry about my class, there is always next semester! Or if you are that interested, you can always privately study it, if you wish to give up a few hours over the weekend. I would make time for that. And we could make it a picnic or something, it is not as if I have things to hide. Not regarding that, in any case.

[But Kamala's embarrassed enthusiasm made her chuckle fondly. It wasn't usual for Yotsuyu to have someone interested in such things. Though it made her wish more of her current crop of students were like the girl, with obvious interest. And a desire to learn and do their homework.]

Oh, I thought you meant-

[A little chuckle.]

Yeah, I think we're in the same Fantastics class. It's hard to keep track of everybody, but now that you mention it, I think I've seen you near the back.

[When Yotsuyu offers to give Kamala private lessons on espionage, her face lights up. There's no reason - or desire - for her to turn that down!]

I'd love that! Are you sure you wouldn't mind, though? I mean, it's your free time from working, isn't it?

If it is my free time, it is my time to do with what I wish, is it not? I have to struggle with my students during the week...it would be a treat to have someone who wanted to learn.

[It was fairly clear that Yotsuyu felt that there was no reason that aspiring wizards could not find a use for what she was teaching, too. They did not necessarily have to spy themselves, but it was also useful to not be spied upon, either. Though magical espionage, they might have to ferret out for themselves.]

Besides, if the weather is nice, we need not keep ourselves cooped up either. It is probably easier to get points across one on one, as well. Make it all less of a chore!

[Worried about the pressure of having to take orders or act as host to strangers, Fluttershy felt the safest place for her to work was in the kitchen washing dishes. Not that she minded, really; after spending time back home grooming animals, at least dishes don't try to fight.

There are a lot of dishes, though, especially with how long they've been there already. And when she notices Kamala getting tired, she heads over.]

Are you doing all right?

[Kamala smiles and nods, opening her mouth to assure Fluttershy that she's doing just fine... Only a yawn comes out before any words can.]

Uh. Well, I guess I can't say I'm full of energy now, huh? But I really am okay! Thanks. How about you?

[She smiles, handing Kamala a glass of water.]

I'm doing all right. [She's a bit tired from standing so long and washing dishes, but that's nothing compared to how Kamala must be feeling.] Why don't you take a quick break?

Good! I'm glad.

[She shrugs a little at the suggestion, taking the glass from Fluttershy.]

Thanks. And I'm going to keep at it for now, but don't worry! I know my limits.

[A laugh. She's hoping to save her break for when she gets hungry. Some of the food here smells really good, and she's hoping she can get her hands on some.]

[Though she's still a bit concerned, she nods.]

All right...if you're sure.

How's it going out there?

It's pretty hectic, but the dinner rush should be over soon.

[She glances at out a window, and indeed, the sun is nearly set.]

I'm not sure how busy this place stays through the night, but I'm hoping this is the storm before the calm. [She smiles, amused at her own wordplay.] Everyone's doing a great job, too.

[She giggles softly.]

Mm, you've all been handling things really well. I'm sure the owners will be really happy.

You, too, though!

[Kamala grins at Fluttershy as she gestures around the kitchen. Sure, the state of it reflects how busy it is outside, but it's still apparent that the crew back here is doing well.]

Keeping up with all the dishes coming back here? I'm impressed.

[With a smile, she nods.]

We have a lot of help back here. Plus, a little magic doesn't hurt either.

[Kamala giggles.]

Right, it definitely pays off to know that. And without magic, we'd need even more people, for the actual cooking!

[A pause.]

Have you been out there and seen the tables prepare the food, yet? It's pretty amazing.

Oh, no I haven't. [Another soft giggle, though this was a bit more weary.] We've been managing to keep up with the dishes here, but I haven't had a chance to do much else.

You want to swap jobs for a bit, then? It's pretty cool to see, and you probably should have a break from this, anyway.

Your fingers are going to get prune-y.

O-Oh, um...n-no, I'm all right. I don't know if I'll be able to handle taking people's orders. I might mess something up.

Well, I think you'd do great. If I can do it, anyone can.

[But she notices that stammering.]

If you change your mind, just find me and we can swap, okay?

[She hesitates, still a bit unsure. But eventually she nods.]

W-Well...okay. Maybe just for...a little while.

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[Open] Our collective experience may not be much, but...

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