DiscoDude: ---BEGIN SESSION---
DiscoDude: Session logging commenced
Ryusui|GM: EXCHANGE 12/15
Ryusui|GM: The Flerovium Chef is running out of time to prepare his dishes. He grabs a culinary-use particle accelerator off the shelf, throws in some peppers, tomatoes, and assorted spices and prepares to pervert the very laws of physics in the preparation of [Chaos Chipotle Dip (Spicy)] to finish his appetizer plate!
Vera: (B U T T E R M I L K - Hol' up.)
Ryusui|GM: (OH SHIT YOU'RE RIGHT)
Ryusui|GM: (backing up)
Margen: (i'm back; the laundry's in and Pete Zarole is sweatin' in The Box for 15 minutes)
Ryusui|GM: (thank youuuuu)
Vera: (Set a target value, GM.)
Ryusui|GM: (attempting to make [Chaos Chipotle Dip (Spicy): 4])
Ryusui|GM: !f 3 (Spicy)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+3 for 4 [4dF = [-][+][ ][+]]
Margen: (wait, 11)
(uh oh brb gotta adjust mechatronic ovenlet)
Ryusui|GM: (-fistpump-)
Margen: (fix'd)
Ryusui|GM: It's not clear if the substance he pours out into a little ramekin, necessarily itself made out of exotic materials, exists entirely in three dimensions. Still, the swirling red non-euclidean goop looks like a tempting match for the Fried Vampire Zucchini.
Ryusui|GM: (that's plating, btw)
Margen: Margen will plate his Scintilating Citrus Sorbet in a [Translucent Metallic Hydrogen Chilling Bowl (Cool): 3] to emphasize the twinkle
Margen: !f 2 (Cool)
DiscoDude: <@Margen> rolled 4dF+2 for 2 [4dF = [ ][-][ ][+]]
Vera: (Gonna invoke anything?)
Margen: (not sure what :l)
Vera: (Maybe invoke your high concept to show that you know your sauce-holding bowls?)
Vera: (I haven't been following Fate points too closely, but I doubt you're out of them.)
Ryusui|GM: (he has two if my notes are correct)
Margen: (Nope I've still got some. Do I reroll it and talk about how?)
Vera: (You only need to boost and you've got it, no reroll needed.)
Margen: (oh cool)
Margen stares at the metallic hydrogen chiller bowl, and realizes that the liquid helium circulating through the bowl has stopped moving, allowing it to warm. With expert precision, he swirls the container, moving the fluid inside with the precision of a master sauceror ensuring consistency of a gravy.
Margen: (-1 FP)
Vera: "Right... Let's finish this already. Best not to overcomplicate a drink." Vera opens the blast-chiller and puts in a trio of high-ball glasses; she intends to serve her cocktail In a Frosted Highball Glass with Vampiric Wedges - COOL:5 from the last stub of zucchini sticking out of the meat-grinder. She was going to use a margarita glass, but Flerovium fired the first shot in this side-by-side comparison war.
Vera: !f 2 (COOL)
DiscoDude: <@Vera> rolled 4dF+2 for 2 [4dF = [+][-][-][+]]
Vera: (Spending the *Vampire Zucchini* (COOL) boost and a FP on my Chicago Piledriver Checklist for the win.)
Vera: Vera actually slips the wedges on as she puts the glass in. "Fun fact; vampire zucchini suck out water from the living instead of blood, so they themselves are pretty dry. That means they actually freeze pretty good."
Vera: After a few moments, she pulls out the frosted glasses, drops one of Flerovium Chef's fingers into the bottom of each, and pours out the shaker's contents into each. The result is a Chicago piledriver cocktail that literally glows in the dark.
"Eat your heart out, Greengrocer!"
Ryusui|GM: Dovelia scowls at her pot. The ratatouille needs more ingredients; it's piping hot already, to the point it should cook any ingredients she adds, but too much heat loss overall will spoil the dish. With utmost care, she dices up some nuclear cherry tomatoes, hoping they will stew down once added to the pot.
Ryusui|GM: Dovelia scowls. The ratatouille is piping hot already, hot enough to cook down any ingredients she adds, or so she hopes, but there's the very real risk adding too much will ruin the dish. With utmost care, she selects a few spicy nova peppers and cuts them into tiny pieces, gently stirring them in to add a little extra kick.
Ryusui|GM: (attempting to add [...with Sauteed Nova Peppers (Spicy): 2]* to the ratatouille)
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for 0 [4dF = [ ][-][ ][+]]
Ryusui|GM: (and i will spend her very last FATE Point to make that a win XD)
Ryusui|GM: (oh wait)
Vera: (You spent a FP already on the previous dish in that series to start it, I presume?)
Ryusui|GM: (wait, i just realized i'd need to invoke the ratatouille itself to even try this, damn)
Ryusui|GM: (hoist by my own petard! XD)
Ryusui|GM: (i will accept this as a genuine oversight and technical blunder on my part~)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: Tako-San begins juicing the the grapefruit (with the proper radiation shielding) and turning it into a thick syrup.
"What are you planning with that?" Rachelle asks.
"I'm going to call it Gojira Grenadine."
Rachelle snorts; "Ha! Nice!"
Ryusui|GM: The pieces aren't quite stewing down as Dovelia hoped. Flustered, she fishes them out as best she can. Time for Plan B!
Vera: (Would you say Dovelia could compel a confessional against herself?)
Ryusui|GM: (hell why not XD)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: !1 (Create an Advantage with Sour verses Great (+4) difficulty)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: !f 1
DiscoDude: <@;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾> rolled 4dF+1 for 4 [4dF = [+][+][+][ ]]
Vera: (Well now. XD)
Ryusui|GM: (dang, yo XD)
Vera: (Describe it~ So Dovelia can get to her Confessional~)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((I already did.))
Ryusui|GM: (flavor the win)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Again, my limited knowledge of cooking is biting me in the tail here.))
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Not to mention you, D.C., have been pushing for me to describe before rolling.))
Ryusui|GM: ("We've been over this, Jerry! You know you gotta do both!")
Vera: (You describe what you're doing, then you describe the result after the roll. It comes in two parts.)
Ryusui|GM: Offscreen, and in another dimension, Holly interrogates Dovelia, seeking choice bits to cut into the episode...
Ryusui|GM: !f 2 (Clever)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+2 for 1 [4dF = [+][-][ ][-]]
Vera: (What's the prompting question?)
Ryusui|GM: (i can't think of one XD)
Ryusui|GM: !f 2 (Dovelia's Careful)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+2 for 3 [4dF = [ ][+][-][+]]
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: The purpleish/pinkish, gooey substance glows with Cherenkov Radiation as it's pour into a milkshake glass.
Vera: (Dovelia says something that nabs her a popularity aspect, I suppose! XD)
Ryusui|GM: To the viewers' perspective, it cuts from Dovelia gingerly removing the un-stewed peppers from the ratatouille straight to her in Holly's pocket dimension.
Ryusui|GM: "Yes, yes, that was a mistake in hindsight. But I did make up for it. I mean, I'm reasonably sure I'll make up for it." She glances at the camera. "How does time work in these bubbles, again?"
Ryusui|GM: (how about [Time-Transcending Confidence]? XD)
Vera: (Awesome. XD)
Ryusui|GM: EXCHANGE 13/15
Ryusui|GM: Dovelia looks again at the Flerovium Chef's makeshift campfire. As much as she hates to resort to such methods, she needs heat. She empties out a wooden spice rack, smashes it to pieces, assembles the kindling on her cutting board, and strikes a whetstone with her arm blade as hard as she can muster, attempting to strike a spark.
Ryusui|GM: (dammit, remind me, this will be against...+1, +2, what?)
Vera: (I think this is her third prep aspect, so +2.)
Ryusui|GM: !f 3 (Aggressive)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+3 for 2 [4dF = [-][ ][ ][ ]]
Ryusui|GM: (enough for a boost!)
Ryusui|GM: The flames are intense but uncertain. She won't be able to make much use of this fire, but hopefully she'll be able to make just enough.
Vera: (Boost name?)
Ryusui|GM: (-Burning Spice Rack- XD)
Vera: "And now... a passable finish to a shameful dish." The camera zooms out just in time to catch Vera flinging A Confetti of Pepper Flakes - SPICY:1 over her zucchini pasta, now collected in a trio of square-adjacent cups. Yep, it really looks like she wants to plate it in its current state!
Vera: !f 0 (SPICY)
DiscoDude: <@Vera> rolled 4dF+0 for 2 [4dF = [+][ ][ ][+]]
Ryusui|GM: (score!)
Vera: (fist-pump)
"If I had a party roller, I'd prolly blow it now for comedic effect."
Ryusui|GM: The Flerovium Chef, meanwhile, has pulled out a tiny, minibar-sized bottle. A hush falls over the crowd, or at least the ones familiar with dangerous drinkables. He mugs, presenting the bottle as if promoting the brand (which it's entirely possible he's being paid to do). "That's Ol' Janx Spirit, folks! Accept no substitutes! One of the key ingredients of the fabled Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster, the Flerovium Chef seems intent on using it to add a finishing touch to his drink!"
Ryusui|GM: A single overwhelmed audience member faints.
Ryusui|GM: (attempting to finish the atomic grapefruit highball with [...mixed with Ol' Janx Spirit (Bitter): 4])
Ryusui|GM: !f 4 (Bitter)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+4 for 6 [4dF = [+][+][-][+]]
Ryusui|GM: With an apothecary's care, he decants one drop, then two, then three into the glass, prompting reactions among the cognoscenti such as "unbelievable!" "is he really going to...?" and "he wouldn't dare!" He twirls the mixture with a cocktail stirrer, which he raises into the air and then blows once on. It disintegrates into a swirl of confetti.
Vera: "A really good spirit? That's all you're doing to spice up your drink?" Vera rolls her eyes. "Weak."
Ryusui|GM: "I'll allow you that statement," the Flerovium Chef says, "only because you are clearly ignorant in such things."
Vera: "... Come to think of it, where'd that even come from? That has to be Lardertron level stuff, at least."
Margen: Margen nods in agreement as he procures some Particularly Tough Rustic Sourdough bread bowls (Sour): 1 from a pantry.
Vera: (Plating?)
Margen: (which would be better plating, the bowl or the cracked pepper on top?)
Margen: (I could do either order I guess)
Vera: (We're on the third-to-last Exchange, if that changes your plans.)
Margen: (it's kind of a side, but it's also kind of the bowl? But it isn't exactly plating)
Margen: (the other is Regular Old Cracked Pepper (Spicy) 1 for the plating)
Vera: (Bowl is usually plating, but I can see it coming before the sprinkled pepper, yeah.)
Margen: (yeah I was trying to puzzle that out too :P)
Vera: (All else fails, decide based on which would logically come before the other.)
Margen: !f 1 (Sour)
DiscoDude: <@Margen> rolled 4dF+1 for 2 [4dF = [+][-][ ][+]]
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: Tako-San, being the resourceful little cephalopod he is, puts the left over grapefruit pulp into the taco filling to give it an **Atom-Smashing Kicker.
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: !f 1 (Create an Advantage with Sour against Great (+4) difficulty)
DiscoDude: <@;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾> rolled 4dF+1 for 2 [4dF = [+][+][-][ ]]
Vera: (Side, I assume?)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Invoking the Atomic Grapefruit.))
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Yes; side; sorry.))
Vera: (With all these side-flavors, someone's out to overload Ziziphus 7's systems. XD)
Margen: (woo)
Margen manages to chisel a plug out of each Particularly Tough Rustic Sourdough bread bowl, grind down the insides for thickening power, and fill each loaf to almost the brim with SOUP. They absorb some of it, but due to being ancient and leathery, the thick skin maintains cohesion as the soup soaks into the bread.
Vera: (Describe your victory, RG?)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: And with that the Taco to ensue will have both pairs of elementally opposed flavors.
Ryusui|GM: EXCHANGE 14/15
Ryusui|GM: The Flerovium Chef breaks off a part of the cutting board to use as kindling. He's blended up a sauce of sweet nuclear cherry tomatoes; the heat will help the flavors blend with his eggplant parmigiana!
Ryusui|GM: (spending the invoke on the Cutting Board Campfire, and attempting to add [...with Nuclear Cherry Tomato Sauce (Sweet): 4] to the dish!)
Ryusui|GM: !f 2 (Sweet)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+2 for 2 [4dF = [+][-][-][+]]
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: "To~tiya~ Ti~~~m~e!" Tako-San Sings as they start wrapping up the fillings in some Toasty Tortillas to finish off the *Four-Element Tacos*.
Vera: (Didn't you already spend the invoke on it making the parmigiana?)
Ryusui|GM: (oh, whoop, i may have forgotten to mark that)
Ryusui|GM: (still, i have enough FATE Points to invoke both for the win!)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: !f 2 (Create an Advantage with Savory against Legendary (+8) difficulty)
DiscoDude: <@;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾> rolled 4dF+2 for 2 [4dF = [+][-][+][-]]
Vera: (Invoking the fire to start, and invoking what to win, GM?)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Spending both invokes and my last fate point on the Tortillas to have Tako-San tie.))
Ryusui|GM: The Flerovium Chef grins. The dish is almost done.
Ryusui|GM: (high concept, "Taboo-Breaking Vegetarian Chef")
Vera: (GM, by that wording, it's a side?)
Ryusui|GM: (yes, i'll attempt the plating on the final exchange)
Ryusui|GM: Dovelia, meanwhile, puts the pot of her ratatouille over her makeshift fire and attempts to add julienne-cut peppers to the mix.
Ryusui|GM: (spending Burning Spice Rack and attempting to make [with Sauteed Nova Peppers (Spicy): 2] as before)
Ryusui|GM: !f 0 (Spicy)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+0 for 0 [4dF = [+][-][-][+]]
Ryusui|GM: (and i will spend a FATE Point on her High Concept for the win)
Ryusui|GM: (again, this is a side, not the plating)
Ryusui|GM: This time, the peppers stew in nicely. She takes a taste and raises an eyebrow; the spice level is perfect.
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((The tortillas are plating, in case that wasn't clear.))
Vera: (Describe your victory, RG.)
Vera: Vera's getting out some iceberg lettuce and spinach and turning her attention to the burger. She has the look of someone that wants to plate and be done with it.
"Last ticket! It's a Lettuce-Wrap Now - BITTER:2."
Vera: !f 3 (BITTER)
DiscoDude: <@Vera> rolled 4dF+3 for 0 [4dF = [-][-][-][ ]]
Vera: (SHIT. Invoking high concept for a boost to win.)
Vera: "Get 'em out, get 'em out..." Her movements are sluggish, but efficient - as a line-cook, this isn't her first rodeo when it comes to just "getting 'em out."
Vera: "... Alright, done. Now I have one exchange allllll to myself. Nice."
Margen: Margen cracks some Regular Old Black Pepper (Spicy): 1 onto the soup to finish it off (plating).
Margen: !f 2 (SPICY)
DiscoDude: <@Margen> rolled 4dF+2 for 2 [4dF = [+][-][+][-]]
Margen: (woo)
Margen: Margen cracks some black pepper on the soup after putting each bread bowl in what can only be described as a ceramic bucket.
Ryusui|GM: Doctor Durian pipes up: "There is, in fact, no such thing as 'regular old black pepper.' The Intergalactic Gourmand Registry alone - one of at least 67 such organizations, I might add - recognizes 67,105 different varieties of the condiment known as 'black pepper,' differentiated by growing region, flavor, and even toxicity levels!"
Vera: (Final exchange? Final exchange.)
Ryusui|GM: FINAL EXCHANGE
Ryusui|GM: Dovelia doesn't need heat for the final part of her recipe. She crushes some Giga Ganesh Garlic, sprinkles it on top, and stirs it in.
Ryusui|GM: (attempting to finish the ratatouille with [...seasoned with Giga Ganesh Garlic (Savory): 2])
Ryusui|GM: !f 2 (Savory)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+2 for 1 [4dF = [-][ ][-][+]]
Ryusui|GM: (eeeeeee i'm outta FATE Points)
Ryusui|GM: (...shit, i have a free invoke on the Neo-Seitan, which is savory)
Vera: (You can still do it if it ends up as Value:-1.)
Vera: (Oh!)
Ryusui|GM: (even i'd call that a stretch though)
Vera: (Well, decide, then describe.)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: After some other minor ingredients to perfect the texture, Tako-San takes what's left of the Octo-Endemic Seaweed and turns them into Seaweed Shaving Sprinkles to top off their Kaiju Smoothie.
Ryusui|GM: (yeah i'm thinking i may have to take the L here)
Vera: (Value:-1, or plateless?)
Ryusui|GM: (value: -1)
Vera: (Describe it!)
Ryusui|GM: Dovelia takes a taste and winces. The garlic is far more overpowering than she'd expected! The dish is done, though not to her liking.
Vera: (> Morinda Jackfruit will remember that.)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: !f 5 (invoking Octo-Endemic Seaweed, triggering Seafood Shenaniganry, to create an Advantage with Cool against Superb (+5) dificulty)
DiscoDude: <@;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾> rolled 4dF+5 for 5 [4dF = [ ][ ][+][-]]
Ryusui|GM: The Flerovium Chef seems to chuckle at Dovelia's misfortune, barely looking as he effortlessly grates a layer of Synth-Parmesan on top of his dish.
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: And the drink comes out just as perfect as Tako-San expected, which is a shame; they're usually better than that.
Ryusui|GM: (spending his last FATE Point to fire up the flames, and attempting to make [Topped with Shredded Synth-Parmesan (Cool): 4]*)
Ryusui|GM: !f 2 (Cool)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+2 for 5 [4dF = [+][+][+][ ]]
Ryusui|GM: (AND I DON'T EVEN NEED TO INVOKE XD)
Margen: Margen muses academically for a moment as he prepares his final plating: "the specific blend here is Marvanaia Drabs, Kalaran Bluespots, and a few Earth locals for variety. I've found that this particular admixture is remarkably... average* for pepper, not really accentuating any one region, but the soul of the piperine."
He rolls the Vampire-Zucchini Loaf in sugar and sets it on a silver tray, so as bits of blended bloodthirsty veggie react with the silver and heat up, it caramelizes the bottom face of the cake. The sweetness is present, but it mainly serves to counterbalance the the new and overwhelmingly acerbic displeasure of the zucchini at this added insult and injury. Hissing Silver Platton (Bitter):1
Ryusui|GM: (XD)
Vera: (Invoking the zucchini cake to attempt with heat?)
Margen: (not really heating it, just making it angry with silver)
Vera: (Angry enough to heat sugar into caramel. XD)
Vera: (That does count for invoking to heat, right?)
Margen: (It probably should, but I'm not sure how to go about that)
Margen: (what do I need to do?)
Ryusui|GM: (just spend a FATE Point on the aspect representing the heat source)
Vera: (In this case, the Date With a Vampire Cake.)
Ryusui|GM: Doctor Durian raises an eyebrow and grins at the others. He doesn't say a word, but it's clear you've impressed him a bit, Margen.
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Ironically, <@!Vera>'s now the one lagging behind.))
Vera: "Hm, what to do..." Vera saunters over to Center Arena. Specifically, she steps up to the commentator's podium where Dr. Durian usually sits when he's not judging, himself. "Chair." She sits down and sighs. "Only good one in this room, 'cept the judge table..."
She notices just then that Dr. Durian is looking at her and clearing his throat as though he doesn't know how to speak out against someone without invoking a rule.
"Oh hey, what's up, Doc? That was, uh... that was some pretty riveting stuff about pepper. Got any other ingredient tidbits? Maybe about the secret ingredients? Unless want to talk about something else." There's a purpose to this, of course; she's hoping to gauge what flavors of ingredients he casts in a better light if he's just told to talk about whatever.
(Trying to get his favorite flavor. Does that count as CLEVER or SNEAKY? Also, does that qualify as appealing to his CLEVER to have him go off on a rambling lecture, or does he soldier ahead with his Good (+3) CAREFUL?)
Ryusui|GM: (roll Sneaky here, and I'll have him defend with Clever XD)
Vera: !f 2 (SNEAKY)
DiscoDude: <@Vera> rolled 4dF+2 for 2 [4dF = [+][-][+][-]]
Ryusui|GM: !f 2 (Clever)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+2 for 2 [4dF = [+][ ][-][ ]]
Ryusui|GM: (you wanna invoke?)
Vera: (Got nothin'. Tie's good enough for a boost, right? Not enough to file that knowledge away for later episodes, though. XP)
Ryusui|GM: (yeah XD)
Vera: (Describe my tie, and include how I was barely able to process the sheer bulk of that long, long tangent, much less remember. XD)
Ryusui|GM: "Young lady." Durian surveys you with a pained smile, like a teacher about to admonish a bright pupil for nonetheless breaking the rules. "If you're trying to wheedle me for information as regards my preferences, I'm afraid you've picked the wrong cybergorilla to cajole. However, if you do honestly want my opinions regarding the ingredients used in this competition..."
Ryusui|GM: "Whoops, folks!" Holly calls out. "Let's just skip ahead a little!"
Ryusui|GM: With a little of her patented dimension-folding trickery, Holly is able to turn the ensuing hour-long dissertation into a split-second transition. When you return to normal space-time, you're reasonably certain you know more about vegetables than any ordinary unaugmented mind could possibly hope to retain long-term. You did, however, perhaps subconsciously pick up on the vibe that he prefers "sophisticated" flavors - and his particular definition of "sophistication" veers towards the astringent. Nothing you'll consciously remember next episode, but perhaps you'll be able to parlay this knowledge into an advantage on some level.
Margen: (ok cool, I'm down to zero and plate up my Date with a Vampire Cake)
Margen ends his sizzling Date with a Vampire Cake, slicing it on the platter and placing a piece for each judge into a small cushioned wooden box out of any sunlight.
Ryusui|GM: (-Dr. Durian's Favorite Flavor: Sour-)
Vera: (Now roll it!)
Margen: !f 0 (Bitter)
DiscoDude: <@Margen> rolled 4dF+0 for 4 [4dF = [+][+][+][+]]
Margen: (WOAH)
Vera: (WOWWY ZOWWY!)
Margen: (that is some A N G E R Y cake)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Eclipse!))
Ryusui|GM: (take a Popularity Aspect with that win!)
Ryusui|GM: (maybe [Master of the Dark (Culinary) Arts]? XD)
Margen: (That works >:D)
Margen: (something something literally becoming a Kingdom of Loathing character)
Ryusui|GM: (flavor the win, and let's move on to JUDGING)
Margen: (oh i accidentally did that part first)
Vera: (Repost it, then, and I'll edit out the first iteration. XD)
Margen: Margen ends his sizzling Date with a Vampire Cake, slicing it on the platter and placing a piece for each judge into a small cushioned wooden box out of any sunlight.
Ryusui|GM: CHALLENGE OVER
Ryusui|GM: A klaxon blares. "That's time, chefs!" the Chairwoman declares. "Put down your utensils, back away from your dishes, and prepare to face judgment!"
Ryusui|GM: The Flerovium Chef saunters in front of all of you. It's hard to tell if the way he's flexing the fingers of his freshly-regrown hand is meant to be menacing or taunting, but it seems particularly aimed at you, Vera.
Ryusui|GM: "Mr. Broccolini," the Chairwoman says, unexpectedly addressing him by his real name. "As the House Chef, you will present your dishes to the judges first." He grins and bows: "Gladly, Madame Chairwoman."
Vera: "That 'two titles, no name' address is the real felony here, amiright Dovelia?"
Ryusui|GM: THE FLEROVIUM CHEF
Appetizer: Fried Vampire Zucchini (Cool: 5) served with Chaos Chipotle Dip (Spicy: 4)
Ryusui|GM: "Here we have a traditional vegetarian appetizer, raised to new heights with the choice of ingredient and preparation method. The vampire zucchini has been carefully fried to preserve juiciness without giving way to greasiness, and I believe you will be quite entertained by the non-Euclidean dipping sauce. Bon appetit!"
Ryusui|GM: Dovelia merely bites her lip in response, the overwhelming garlic in her ratatouille the foremost concern on her mind.
Ryusui|GM: !f 4 (Judge's Impressions)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF+4 for 7 [4dF = [+][+][ ][+]]
Vera: (Plus Four???)
Ryusui|GM: (my bad)
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for -3 [4dF = [-][-][ ][-]]
Ryusui|GM: (f indeed XD)
Vera: (-5 since Dr. Ook-Ook there ain't impressed by the composition. XD)
Ryusui|GM: (heh, yep)
Vera: (Dislike: No Seasoning.)
Ryusui|GM: Ziziphus grabs one of the crispy rounds and attempts to dip it in the sauce. The fluid seems to dodge his attempts to pick up any of it - perhaps the preparation was too clever, in this regard. After a few attempts, he shrugs sheepishly, and eats it dry. "Not bad," he says, offering a thumbs-up. "Good as advertised. Was looking forward to trying it with the sauce, though." Morinda, likewise, is unable to pick up the exotic dip despite several attempts. "It's a well-done, competently executed dish, but I think you've outsmarted yourself." "Indeed," Dr. Durian says. He, perhaps by dint of his cybernetically enhanced arms, is actually able to successfully sample the dip, but it doesn't seem to have improved his opinion - in fact, it's spicy enough to make him punctuate his judgment with a cough. "Bit of a one-trick pony, this dish. I was hoping there would be something more interesting than a hard-to-dip condiment."
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 4)
Ryusui|GM: Main Course: Killer Eggplant Parmigiana (Bitter: 6) with Nuclear Cherry Tomato Sauce (Sweet: 4) and topped with Shredded Synth-Parmesan (Cool: 4)
Ryusui|GM: "The eggplant parmigiana is one of the most noble dishes of vegetarian cuisine, and the use of such vicious vegetables in its creation elevates it even further. Of course, the dish is not complete without cheese, and while the terms of the competition obviously forbid the use of such an ingredient...I do believe you will find my substitution to all your satisfaction."
Ryusui|GM: !f (Judges' Impressions)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for -2 [4dF = [-][ ][-][ ]]
Ryusui|GM: (oh god, the dice do NOT like this guy XD)
Vera: (Nothing for these particular judges to outright whine about, though, so it still has a chance! XD)
Ryusui|GM: Dr. Durian cuts into his sample with a fork. He raises an eyebrow - did it just hiss at him? - but he starts eating regardless. He nods, and takes another bite. "Quite good, actually. If I wasn't aware this was Battle Vegan, I wouldn't have noticed anything unusual about the cheese. Seems to have become a little leathery on melting, as substitutions often do. Still, overall, an impressive second outing after a disappointing first." Morinda and Ziziphus have nothing further to add, just contented chewing and sounds of agreement.
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 12)
Ryusui|GM: Drink/Dessert: Atomic Grapefruit Highball (Sour: 5) mixed with Ol' Janx Spirit (Bitter: 4)
Vera: (Another disappointment for the cyborgorilla inbound. XD)
Ryusui|GM: More gasps and fainting spells from the audience. "Lastly, I have an Atomic Grapefruit Highball, with an extra-special secret ingredient. Do enjoy." He grins and winks conspiratorially, as if letting the judges in on a private joke.
Ryusui|GM: !f (Judges' Impressions)
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for 1 [4dF = [+][+][-][ ]]
Vera: (So -1, when accounting for Durian's dislike.)
Vera: (Oh, and I believe Flerovium gets 2 fate points from this and the last bout of No Seasoning.)
Ryusui|GM: Ziziphus downs his glass in one swig. Despite being a robot, the potent concoction is enough to make sparks come out of his ears. "Whoo-wee! That's that Janx Spirit, isn't it?" "It adds some good complexity to the flavor," Morinda says, sipping hers veeeeery carefully. Dr. Durian examines his glass suspiciously, takes a tiny sip, then puts the glass back down. "Some, but not terribly much, I'd argue. The Janx Spirit feels like a bit of a stunt to hide the fact that there just isn't that much to this cocktail."
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 8)
Vera: (Alright, who's next? Tako, if we're going in Station order.)
Ryusui|GM: "Thank you, judges," the Flerovium Chef says. He's still grinning, but there's a hint of disappointment in his bearing. "Next," the Chairwoman calls out, "<@!Vera>!"
Vera: (Oh, come to think of it... Nah, just checked; he has no SAVORY.)
Ryusui|GM: (yeah i fucked that up; we already established that XD)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((I SHOULD HAVE MADE THE SEAWEED SWEET!))
Vera: "First after the house again? It's like you can't get enough of me." Vera gets up from the announcer's chair and leans back into a stretch. "A'ight, well prepare to be disappointed. For this first dish, anyway."
Vera: FIRST COURSE: "OH SHIT, TIME LIMIT" NOODLE BOWL
> Vampire Zucch' S'ghetti [!] - COOL:1
^ A Confetti of Pepper Flakes [!] - SPICY:1
Vera: (Should I roll for them? Should be neutral between my flavor variety and Durian's dislike.)
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for 0 [4dF = [ ][-][ ][+]]
Margen: (I don't know if i've ever had sweet nori. I know sweet fried tofu is some of the most amazing stuff on the planet, but nori? Hmm.)
Ryusui|GM: (judge's impressions: neutral as fuck XD)
Ryusui|GM: (and...yeah, it's a +2 bonus per dish for having all six flavors represented, right?)
Vera: (Yeah.)
Vera: "So yeah. Not much to look at. Inevitably, I'm gonna leave a dish by the wayside if I wanna make the others that much better."
Ryusui|GM: Morinda chuckles. "It's like something my children might make. Of course, I've already been teaching them how to handle themselves in the kitchen..." She seems to be enjoying the dish regardless. Ziziphus, likewise, seems more amused than put off by the dish. Dr. Durian gives you the same look as he did when he was about to lecture you: "It's a fine little appetizer, but I do hope you have some more substantial offerings for your remaining courses."
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 2)
Vera: "If we were getting judged for total score instead of course wins, it'd be a different story. Enough prelude, though." The next dish comes forward.
Vera: SECOND COURSE: (DEFANGED) CARNIVORE BURGER
> Mangle Tofu Burger [!] - SAVORY:6
| Handcrafted Honey BBQ Sauce [!] - SWEET:6
^ It's a Lettuce-Wrap Now [!] - BITTER:2
Vera: "I'll admit that I wrote down a plan to make a carnivore burger - literally all meat - in the greenroom, and Battle Vegan being announced was kind of a big ol' 'fuck you' to that. Still, I make it work with the application of some mangle tofu. Added some sweet honey barbecue, and uh... it's a lettuce wrap, now."
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for 1 [4dF = [-][+][+][ ]]
Vera: (Oh, and I got a fate point from Durian last dish.)
Ryusui|GM: (that puts you at 4, i think? unless i've failed to keep up)
Vera: (1 now. Anyway, that's +3 with the variety aspect.)
Margen: Margen subtly suppresses the fact that he's nearly drooling at the description of that b0rger
Margen: (whups supposed to be IC)
Ryusui|GM: "Well. Just because you wrap it in lettuce doesn't make it a lettuce wrap," Morinda says, lifting the lettuce to get a better look at the contents of your "burger." "However..." She picks it up, takes a bite, and nods. "I have to admit this...carb-lite approach dovetails nicely with the challenge's theme." Ziziphus's assessment is much more succinct: he grabs his burger/wrap and devours it in three large bites. Dr. Durian nods: "I concur with Morinda on all points. Including the branding." He chuckles a little. "It's an excellent dish overall."
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 17)
Vera: "Neat. Anyway, just in case you need something to wash down the taste of tofu and fake blood..."
FINAL COURSE: CHICAGO PILE-DRIVER
> Atomic Grapefruit Cocktail [!] - SOUR:5
| (Vegan) Tequila-Fermented Fingerbone Sinkers [!] - BITTER:5
^ In a Frosted Highball Glass with Vampiric Wedges [!] - COOL:5
Vera: (Lemme describe.)
Ryusui|GM: You don't see it, Vera, but the Flerovium Chef's regrown hand clenches into a fist.
Vera: "Here's a glow-in-the-light atomic grapefruit cocktail. Like ol' Crucifer's. But better. Not to say he doesn't have his fingers in it." She points at the bottoms of the glass-bowls. "And by that, I mean I cut off his fingers and fermented them in tequila. It's a vegan version of these fingerbone sinkers my friend back home does, like those centipede-worms at the bottom of tequila bottles, but fingers. All of it's in frosted glasses to make that radioactive glow really pop, with little vampire zucchini wedges."
The uncharacteristic verbosity seems to imply that she's actually pretty proud of this one.
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for 1 [4dF = [-][ ][+][+]]
Ryusui|GM: (man, the dice seem to...think you're just okay XD)
Vera: (+2 via variety.)
Ryusui|GM: (right, final score should be 18)
Vera: (And invoking Durian's boost to make it 20.)
Vera: (Bet he's impressed after Flerovium's showy, but shallow showing, huh? XD)
Ryusui|GM: Morinda is halfway through her glass and nearly spit-takes when you mention the fingers. After regaining her composure, she sputters - as gracefully as she can - "If I'm being honest, I wasn't sure what to make of the glow-in-the-dark look, but the presentation and style are a perfect complement to the flavor." She resolves never to start drinking something until after the chef is done describing it again. Ziziphus leans back and lazily sips his drink, feet propped on the judge's table. "There's a bunch of stuff I like about this. But it'd take me as long as Durian to get through it all." Dr. Durian gives him a slightly annoyed look, then pronounces his judgment: "Like with Morinda, I wasn't sure what to expect from this beverage, but it has quite a complex - dare I say sophisticated - flavor profile. I wouldn't mind having another once this competition is over!"
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 20)
Ryusui|GM: "Thank you, Vera," the Chairwoman says. "Next... <@!Margen>, please present your dishes!"
Vera: (Yeah, getting Durian's flavor preference ended up just being a victory lap for this course. Maybe I should have tried for Ziziphus's so the burger would have a better fighting chance? ^_^;)
Margen: Margen presents a ceramic dish large enough to accomodate (and containing) a seven-inch Particularly Tough Rustic Bread Bowl full of Savory Ceti-Cluster Creamy Spud and Leek Soup and topped with Regular Old Black Pepper to each judge.
“This is a dish I learned from a crew of human prisoners marooned on a dying planet in the Ceti Alpha system. I couldn’t help them get out in my one-squid scooter saucer, but I called for a support ship from the local ‘Fedration’ government before leaving. As thanks they taught me to make this creamy, peppery vegetable soup with local herbs, tubers, stalks, and assorted plant latexes for consistency. I’ve put it in a very resilient yeast-matrix holder with the plug adjacent on a plate, and topped it with enough cracked pepper for decoration. There’s more in the grinders, should you desire.”
Vera: (I thought the Vampire Cake was the appetizer course?)
Margen: (ooh dangit I did it again)
Vera: (Cut and paste this somewhere first so you don't have to type it again.)
Margen: (oh I have this part in a doc for once)
Margen: (cut complete)
Vera: (Now describe your actual first course. XD)
Margen: "The first dish is a Date with a Vampire Loaf, hot from a Hissing Silver Platter. I learned this one from an old count in the the untamed mountains of ⛈️ Pennsylvania ⛈️. Vampire zucchini is rather dry on its own, but with plenty of liquid it can really make a dish moist without being soggy. It also gets rather upset when you put it on silver. The cake becomes... Embittered by the experience."
Ryusui|GM: (gimme the scores)
Margen: (Cool 5, Bitter 1)
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for 0 [4dF = [+][-][-][+]]
Vera: (BTW, lemme check his flavor spread.)
Ryusui|GM: (please do, but at a glance it looks like he gets the +2 bonus)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: Rachelle, with obvious, but restrained, frustration in her voice, "How you you know about Pennsylvania?"
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: Tako-San just chuckles.
Ryusui|GM: (that said he still runs into the -2 from Durian's dislike, so it balances out)
Vera: (Take a fate point, BTW.)
Ryusui|GM: (and with a whopping score of 6, Margen takes the appetizer course)
Margen: (oh cool)
Vera: (There's still Tako. BTW, describe the judging.)
Vera: (... Wait, shit, I think I know who's going to win, just looking at these menus in the notes. XD)
Ryusui|GM: "Ha ha...ha ha!" Ziziphus laughs as he taunts his portion of cake, rolling it back and forth on the silver platter, earning rage-filled hisses from the zucchini before he devours it with surprising delicacy. "I haven't had this much fun with an appetizer in a long time!" Morinda gives Ziziphus an admonishing look, as if to say "please don't play with your food," but quickly returns her attention to her plate, the contents of which she devours quickly and in businesslike fashion. "It's slight as far as appetizers go, but quite well-executed for what it is." "Indeed," Durian concurs. "Next course!"
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 6)
Margen: (Next dish?)
Ryusui|GM: (yes)
Margen: Margen presents a ceramic dish large enough to accomodate (and containing) a seven-inch [Particularly Tough Rustic Bread Bowl (Sour): 1] full of [Savory Ceti-Cluster Creamy Spud and Leek Soup (Savory): 8] and topped with [Regular Old Black Pepper (Spicy): 1] to each judge.
“This is a dish I learned from a crew of human prisoners marooned on a dying planet in the Ceti Alpha system. I couldn’t help them get out in my one-squid scooter saucer, but I called for a support ship from the local ‘Fedration’ government before leaving. As thanks they taught me to make this creamy, peppery vegetable soup with local herbs, tubers, stalks, and assorted plant latexes for consistency. I’ve put it in a very resilient yeast-matrix holder with the plug adjacent on a plate, and topped it with enough cracked pepper for decoration. There’s more in the grinders, should you desire.”
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for 1 [4dF = [ ][ ][ ][+]]
Margen: (adjusted with scores)
Margen: (adjusted with scores)
Vera: "Don't humans have a 'no abduct' status on them? Maybe you shoulda called the space-cops or something, too..."
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: "Yeah!" Rachelle adds, "I've been working on tightening up those restrictions after I got yanked off Earth.!"
Vera: ("I mean, you aren't wrong for doing that, but this ain't your soap-box, lady.")
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Also, <@!Margen>, Previous season with Rachelle established that Humans haven't gone interplanetary, yet.))
Ryusui|GM: (it's been a few seasons, remember? ;))
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((I said "with Rachelle".))
Vera: (And I thought "previous season" wasn't 1-for-1 canon to begin with, but you guys already went back on that long ago.)
Margen: (oh it was supposed to be a Star Trek joke actually, sorry :P)
Margen: (THIS IS CETI ALPHA FIVE)
Ryusui|GM: "Quite nice, quite nice," Dr. Durian says, dipping a chunk of bread in the soup after a few spoonfuls. (His cybernetic fingers are able to tear the tough bread with ease.) "The pepper looks like an afterthought at first, but it brings out several nice notes in the flavor of the soup." "The ingredients are rather common-sounding, but in this recipe they come together nicely," Morinda adds. Ziziphus is leisurely eating his portion, dissecting the bread bowl as he goes (again, his robot fingers are up to the task). "Bread bowl's a bit old-fashioned, but there's a reason they call 'em the classics."
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 12)
Vera: (Culinari 5, actually.)
Ryusui|GM: (next!)
Margen: "I waited for the cruiser, and provided details and contact information. They should be safely on their way home.
My last dish is a treat from Distant Shores, a town on a rock at the edge of a planetary nebula. I have for you here tonight a Scintillating Citrus Sorbet (Sour): 3 with Chartreuse Scrambleberry Sprinkles (Sweet): 2 in a Metallic Hydrogen Chilling Bowl (Cool): 3."
Margen: "
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for -1 [4dF = [ ][ ][-][ ]]
Margen: (oof)
Vera: (Erase the "-" because variety.)
Ryusui|GM: (1 sec)
Margen: (oh yeah)
Ryusui|GM: "It's quite lovely. If a bit ostentatious." Morinda samples her portion. "The flavors are quite good, too. Interesting choice of scrambleberry - usually people pick that fruit because of its random nature, but you seem to have chosen a specific specimen with specific requirements. Unusual, but a technical move I can appreciate." "What's there even to discuss?" Ziziphus says, already halfway through its bowl. "It's ice cream. And ice cream? Is good." Dr. Durian laughs, and takes a few spoonfuls. "It's actually a sorbet," he says, smiling, "and this one makes excellent use of its fruit flavors. Quite enjoyable."
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 9)
Ryusui|GM: The Chairwoman raises an eyebrow, as if surprised by Margen's performance. "Tako-san? Tako-san, please come forward and present your dishes to the judges."
Ryusui|GM: (<@!;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾>)
Margen: As he bows back, Margen finishes: "Thanks! Sorbets and sauces are very similar right up until crystallization, so it wasn't altogether unlike things I usually do."
Ryusui|GM: Dr. Durian gives you a nod and a smile, <@!Margen>. You're definitely his favorite right now.
Vera: (Missing both SWEET and SPICY, so no bonus for you! :T)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: "A'right, Rachelle; don't run so fast you spill half my tank's water." Tako-San teases.
"That was one time!"
"It was also the only other time you've been on duty."
Rachelle sighs as she hastily powerwalks Tako-San and his dishes up to the Judges.
Vera: (Wait, he's Durian's favorite? After the Chicago Pile-Driver? XD)
Ryusui|GM: (the Pile-Driver impressed him in terms of technique and score but a know-it-all likes a know-it-all XD)
Vera: (Ah, in terms of personality. XD)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: "First," Tako-San leads "We have an extatarrestial take on zucchini roles, the 'Vampire Roll'!" He lays out all the strips before the judges. "And as a performative treat, I like to roll them in front of the customer right before they eat it." And with that, Tako-San's tentacles glide over each in a blur and, with another flurrish, sets each of the rolls on their ends in a traditional presentation.
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for -1 [4dF = [+][ ][-][-]]
Ryusui|GM: (there's only two aspects, as well, so this triggers Durian's Dislike; -3 in all)
Ryusui|GM: (and again, you have no Sweet, so you don't get the +2 bonus)
Vera: (Still gets away with the arguably disproportionate score of 13. ^_^;)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((I do not like it Tako-San; I do not like Green-Egg Won-Ton.))
Ryusui|GM: Morinda is visibly awed by your feat of tentacular dexterity. The rolls are divided between the judges and quickly consumed. "That's some goooooood sushi, octopus-man," Ziziphus croons, as if considering whether you might "make good sushi" in more than one respect. Morinda's reaction is more subdued: "Cucumber roll with a bloodsucking twist. The ingredients are clearly high-quality, and the preparation exquisite, though I will admit the dish itself seems a bit on the basic side." "Wholly agreed," Dr. Durian says. "I can't consider myself a sushi aficionado, but a spicy element wouldn't have gone amiss here."
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 13)
Ryusui|GM: (next dish, <@!;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾>)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: "Next," Tako-San continues, "the vegetarian equivalent of my 'Four-Element Tacosu'." This time, he hops onto the table with enough momentum (and slickness form his tank's water) to slide past each judge, plopping a plate from the stack he's carrying in front of each.
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for 3 [4dF = [ ][+][+][+]]
Vera: (Ziziphus about to get overloaded. XD)
Ryusui|GM: (just note, you triggered Ziziphus's dislike with this one!)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Which is?))
Ryusui|GM: (he doesn't like dishes with two or more sides)
Vera: (Too Many Notes!)
Vera: (Excellent score across the board for the others, though.)
Ryusui|GM: It's the first time in this judging that Ziziphus has shown anything other than enjoyment of a dish. "Does anyone else thing this dish looks confused? Anyone? There's so much different stuff here I'm not sure if this a single dish or a whole dang buffet!" His tone is jovial, but his concern is sincere. All the same, Morinda and Dr. Durian don't seem to share it. "Your 'Four Element Tacos' have translated well to the vegetarian mold, I think," Morinda says, enjoying each of hers in turn. "There's so many unique flavors here, each executed well." Dr. Durian nods. "It would be easy to dismiss this dish as scattershot, but the tacos are each individually done to perfection. Well done."
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 27)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Yeah; I realized back with the Crabapple Burger, that I can just 'lone sniper' my way through cook-offs. These are practically designed for that.))
Ryusui|GM: (one more to go <3)
Vera: (The lone sniper strategy does end up looking a tad ridiculous when translated into the culinary field by someone with a really basic idea of high cuisine. XD)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: "Lastly," Tako-San chirps, "I have a wholly new concok-, conshoc-"
"Concoction." Rachelle corrects.
"Yes; that. -which I refer to as a 'Kaiju Smoothie', on account of dubbing the grapefruit syrup used as 'Gojira Grenadine', referring to the radioactive monster from one of the most well-known Japanese films on planet Earth."
"I thought you preferred subtitles?"
"Hush, you!" Tako-San says in appreciation of the word-play.
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((<@!Ryusui|GM>?))
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for -3 [4dF = [-][-][ ][-]]
Ryusui|GM: (aw dang)
Ryusui|GM: (this really is your dump dish XD)
Ryusui|GM: (that's -5 altogether, right?)
Vera: (Yeah, I really picked the wrong course to go all-in on, huh...?)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((:sigh:))
Ryusui|GM: Ziziphus throws back his in one gulp. He then grins at you, and makes an accurate impression of Gojira's signature roar. It's loud enough to nearly make Dr. Durian and Morinda spill their drinks, but they finish regardless. "Rather a basic cocktail," Morinda concludes. "The name is really the only thing it has special going for it. And I'm not sure I'd consider this a 'smoothie' with the amount of syrup you used." "It's rather a disappointing conclusion to the course after the tacos," Dr. Durian says. "I was hoping to end this meal with a bang, but instead it ended with a-" Ziziphus gives another Gojira roar, and Dr. Durian sighs and shakes his head.
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 4)
Vera: (Now the Rival.)
Ryusui|GM: "Last, but not least! Dovelia, please present your dishes!"
Ryusui|GM: Dovelia seems a bit strained as she approaches the judges' table. She puts on a confident face, but it's clear the mix-up with the garlic has left her in a place she doesn't want to be.
Ryusui|GM: "Ahem. First up is a salad preparation. Grilled and seasoned neo-seitan (Savory: 6), on a bed of cosmocabbage (Cool: 3), dusted with fresh-ground pepper (Spicy: 1)."
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for 1 [4dF = [ ][ ][+][ ]]
Vera: (Forgot the stats.)
Vera: (Oh, I do believe she has a variety bonus.)
Ryusui|GM: (yes she does, and i believe this comes out to a total of 13)
Ryusui|GM: "Is this meat? There's no way she snuck actual meat in here, is there?" Ziziphus seems to be quite enjoying the neo-seitan, almost to the point of ignoring the cosmocabbage. "Neo-seitan, also known in some circles as advanced duck substitute," Dr. Durian begins. He looks around, sees no interest in a lecture, then sighs and continues with his judging. "Not a protein we see a lot of in Kitchen Arena. I'm curious what made it your first choice for this dish...but that's a question that will wait for later. To be sure, given the expertise with which this has been prepared, it's hard to imagine this is your first time preparing it." Morinda has already eaten most of hers and is wiping her mouth with a napkin. "It's very traditional, as far as salads go, but every detail is done well."
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 13)
Ryusui|GM: "Next is a ratatouille, made with killer eggplant (Bitter: 6) and sauteed nova peppers (Spicy: 2). I've also seasoned it liberally with Giga Ganesh Garlic (Savory: -1) - do note the pungency. Do enjoy."
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for -1 [4dF = [ ][-][ ][ ]]
Ryusui|GM: (again, "f" indeed XD)
Ryusui|GM: (i believe that's 8 total?)
Vera: (Yeah.)
Ryusui|GM: Ziziphus takes a bite, and his eyes go wide - quite a feat, given they're metallic optic diodes. He coughs a bit; something beeps in confirmation, then he continues eating. "Had to adjust my olfactory receptors a bit, but not bad!" Morinda and Dr. Durian do not have the luxury of adjustable smell receptors, and it's clear they're struggling to get through their portions. "Unlike the neo-seitan," Dr. Durian coughs, "it's clear you've never worked with Giga Ganesh Garlic before. I believe the saying goes, 'a little goes a long way?'" Morinda nods queasily in agreement before pushing her bowl aside - the first and only dish so far one of the judges hasn't been able to finish.
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 8)
Ryusui|GM: "Finally," Dovelia says, looking a little paler than usual, "an atomic grapefruit sorbet (Sour: 5). The topping is an Aisoph IV dessert favorite, a Korentz apple and nut mixture (Sweet: 3)."
Ryusui|GM: !f
DiscoDude: <@Ryusui|GM> rolled 4dF for 1 [4dF = [+][ ][+][-]]
Ryusui|GM: (plus the variety bonus, minus Dr. Durian's dislike, that's a total of 9)
Vera: (BTW, Tako should have gotten 3 FP (2 from Durian, 1 from Ziziphus) (also, big oof if not for the fact that nobody's gonna face you in the final face-off), and Dovelia would have gotten 1 from Jackfruit (she did fuck up the plating on that one dish) and 1 from Durian.)
Ryusui|GM: "Kinda bland for ice cream," Ziziphus says. "Oh, wait - forgot to turn my nose back on. -beep- There. Okay, now I can taste it." Dr. Durian rolls his eyes at Ziziphus's shenanigans: "This is a nice bit of dessert, quite an improvement after the, ah, lackluster showing with the main course-" Morinda seems to turn a little greener just being reminded of it "-though I'll admit it feels like it could have used some extra flavors. A whipped topping, perhaps." "Don't mind Durian. He likes his filigree," Morinda chuckles. "But he's right; it's an okay dessert, but nothing planet-shattering."
Ryusui|GM: (FINAL SCORE: 9)
Ryusui|GM: "Thank you, judges," Dovelia says, bowing stiffly and walking away.
Vera: (So the ratatouille's score was actually 6, not 8.)
Ryusui|GM: (thx)
Ryusui|GM: "<@&627978553669058562>!" the Chairwoman announces. "You've each faced not one, not two, but three unique, game-changing challenges in today's episode on your way to this, the final judging! All three judges have tasted your dishes, and compared them with the work of our own illustrious Flerovium Chef! And the final result is clear..."
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((It's based on number of rounds won, right? That means Tako-San, Margen, and Vera are tied.))
Vera: (You won two of them. Margen has to face off with Dovelia and Flerovium, actually.)
Margen: (Did the citrus sorbet trigger Durian's Sour approval?)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((No; favorite flavor is an aspect that needs to be invoked, which you can't do if you never uncovered the aspect in-character.))
Ryusui|GM: The spotlight shines on you, Tako-san!
Margen: (ok thanks, gotcha)
Ryusui|GM: "Tako-san is the winner of Battle Vegan!"
Ryusui|GM: The holodisplays lay out the final scores: 2 victory points for Tako, 1 each for Dovelia and Vera, none for Margen and the Flerovium Chef!
Vera: (Dude, <@!Ryusui|GM>, you skipped individual course announcements.)
Ryusui|GM: (oop)
Ryusui|GM: A further breakdown of the scores ensues: Tako and Dovelia tied for the Appetizer round, Tako took the Main Course round, and Vera took the Drink/Dessert round!
Ryusui|GM: (that better? or am i stll missing something?)
Vera: (No fanfare like the last episode?)
Ryusui|GM: (i totally didn't even remember i did that for the last episode)
Ryusui|GM: (you're not the only one running on fumes here XD)
Vera: (Go back and do it right.)
Ryusui|GM: (ughhhhhhhh fiiiiiine)
;}"÷™+╎®♂★█¬ˇ¾: ((Yeesh! 😬))
Ryusui|GM: "The winners of the appetizer course are...Tako and Dovelia! It's a tie!"
Vera: (Still no buildup? XD)
Ryusui|GM: Spotlights shine on the two of them as the score breakdown for the appetizer round appears: Tako and Dovelia with 13 points each, Margen with 6, Flerovium with 4, and Vera with a dismal 2.
Ryusui|GM: !end
