The Midnight Sun

"Two omelettes with ham and cheese, your wish is my command good ladies, now scurry off for a bit while I get them ready for you. It should only take about ten minutes give or take the time to send it out."

With that he gave one more cheek pinch apiece and hurried back into the kitchen, promptly ordering the other cooks to give him space and to not get in his way. He got the prep done in a matter of seconds, magically manipulating the pots and pans and the first of the raw ingredients into place as he lit the fires and poured the water. Once completed he took special care to carefully rub the necessary spices into the meats, starting with the thick pork roast and then the ham, leaving the bacon alone because it was... well bacon.

Once the meats had the right spices and flavorings gently massaged into them he grabbed a heat rod and lifted it up to his mouth before letting out a steady stream of intense black flames. Once it reached the desired heat he cut an incision at the rear of the roast and slid the rod into it, allowing it to cook the pork from the inside out first so as to not put the spices to waste.
With that out of the way he was free to fry up the bacon and glaze the ham, simultaneously putting the sweet potatoes in a small iron box and setting it atop the counter in a vacant spot.
Another gout of hellfire would come blazing out only this time its intended target was the box, heating it up to the point it was glowing red. He continued until the unholy element of his flame began to deteriorate the box, even when he held back the intensity of he flames he could not help that facet of his powers. Although since the potatoes within were no subjected to that same unholy soul scorching flame they were not damaged by its demonic touch.

Satisfied that they'd be boiled to perfection he focused his efforts of the next phase of the plan, the salted bear for Karath. In terms of complexity it would be far easier to create than the pork but its taste would be on par with it when paired with the rest of the dish.

It didn't take him long to finish up when he was on a roll, the remaining vegetables were boiled in the pots, the cake was in the oven, the bacon was fried and the pancakes were being flipped as the eggs were almost done. The other cooks could only look on in awe as Maelik went about in a flurry of blurred movements accentuated by the occasional blast of demon fire. It was amazing that he could accomplish so much in just under ten minutes.

And at last, when the figurative dust finally settled the Demonlord looked on at his work with a contented smile, everything was cooked to perfection thanks to a mixture of his own unnatural flame and use of unconventional equipment. Not only that but each dish was arranged to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible, a concern that Maelik always made sure to address when cooking for others.

"Good, now then if you'll excuse me, I must go and deliver the goods. You all just... I dunno do what you do. And do it well damn it!"

Just like that, with a huff and a hiss he was gone, each plate carefully balanced on a large platter with bottles of win, syrup, and fruit juice taking their place beside them.

First he'd visit the twins and drop off their omelettes, the glazed ham and melted cheese still steaming hot, a fact that he was sure to warn them of before sliding off to get to the balconies.

"I can't wait to see their faces when they get their food! It's a shame that it's impolite to stick around to witness their joy at the first taste... Well hopefully joy. If they don't like it I'm just going to curl up into a ball and become one with the floor... a clean floor though, don't want to dirty the apron," he rambled on as per the usual.

Madame Naoki nods, noting what Alden said. She wonders what more he might have to say, if his lips could be loosened.

Addressing the group, she transitions into a new topic; attempting to glean some insight into their motley crew. She feels safe in presuming that none of her guests, with the obvious omission of Skarlet, have been in The Free City for very long.

“So, what brings you all to Isra, here? Just a regular excursion in the mushroom business, or has some greater impetus brought you all here?”

Unable to allow her hands to sit folded in her lap, Madame Naoki idly begins to twirl a stray lock of her hair between two fingers.

"Merrimill, I think I've heard of that place. I used to live in a place called New Brimiarde and I believe I saw a road sign that said Merrimill." Skarlet didn't know how close Isra actually was to New Brimiarde, since she's been teleported around twice. "I like it here much better."

"I myself don't remember much at all about my old life since a year ago. I was kept in a cell for so long I lost track of everything. I don't even know the name I used to go by." Skarlet decides to share that since there's a similarity.

"I won't go on further about that, it's a personal matter."

Alden blinks in surprise at Naoki it sounded like she was thinking about potentially offering him a job. That was an interesting prospect and one he wasn't sure he was thrilled about. On the one hand there was the food. On the other hand he was reasonably certain the majority of the people in the building were monsters, and probably evil. Still it would be rude not the answer the question. His smile disappears and his tone turns flat and emotionless as he speaks.

"In short I am an assassin, in long well.I am proficient with about a dozen weapons and fighting styles. I am most proficient with twin short swords and throwing knives, by most standards I could be considered a master with those weapons. I can pick locks, I am proficient in disguising myself and acting a part, I am a master acrobat. I have a passable knowledge of herb lore and poison craft as well as biology. I know the strengths and weakness of most supernatural races. I am proficient in threat assessment and short term strategic planning. I speak at a conversational level in half a dozen different languages. I can also move without sound no matter the environment, move with considerable stealth, pick pockets, and move through crowds without being detected. I of course have varying levels of proficiency in other things though I believe I have outlined my primary skills quite well. "

Once he is finished his grin returns and almost fast enough to give a listener whiplash his tone changes from emotionless to jovial.

"I have no idea what kind of job I am looking for, though I think I am done with killing people for the moment. So preferably something in a different line than my old profession."

"That's a lot of things to be good at. I can almost read an entire book, but not in my native language, I think I speak this language better even." Skarlet thinks back to how much she even knows of her old language, she'd been exposed to Common for so long it was her main language now. "Hey, maybe you know what language it is! Though I'm not looking for my old home anymore, it'd be interesting to know."

"Hmmm," Skarlet thinks of the old words left over in her memory. "Bonsoir Monsieur, je ma'apelle Skarlette. J'ai dix-neuf ans."

((Can just make up a random language name if he knows, can't call it french))

Madame Naoki again employs the ever-versatile nod, as a gesture to show acknowledgement.

Things are going reasonably well so far, she thinks. She wonders why Karath and his other companion haven’t said anything since they’ve sat down. The white haired girl hasn’t spoken a single word in Madame Naoki’s presence; perhaps she’s mute. She seems consumed by her thoughts, in deep contemplation, perhaps she’s simply thinking, or very shy.

Though she does find it rather impolite, Madame Naoki makes nothing of the pair’s silence. There are countless understandable explanations, and she’s sure that they aren’t intending to be rude..

Small pangs of hunger grip at Madame Naoki, as the savory scents of Ulciscor’s cuisine waft up to their balcony. Perhaps the pair would have some comment on their food, once it arrives. Madame Naoki resolves not to ask another question, and to instead stand by, either for a question posed at her, or for the meal to arrive.

"Oh! That actually does explain things. I DO remember being on a boat." That ship smelled horrible, Skarlet recalled. "Well, I don't plan on returning there, but I thank you for the knowledge."

Skarlet smells the food approaching, this was good timing.

Alden’s question catches Madame Naoki off-guard. She was hardly expecting such a pointed inquiry. However, she recovers her footing quickly, hesitating only the barest of moments.

Her voice drops its light and conversational air to become more serious; a defensive edge works its way into her tone.

“What exactly you do mean by that? I don’t employ any individual without reason, and I think to apply such a severe and disparaging label to any of my employees is perhaps a bit unfair.”