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shivalriesArea 1-4: An Odd Epidemic
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Pâtisserie La Croûte
Hansel: Sorry, we're closed today—
Levi: Oh, Hansel-chan, I'm so glad to see you're okay!
Hansel: Is something going on, Levi-san?
Levi: I just heard that all the pastry chefs in Wisebury have fallen ill, and I got worried about you two...
Hansel: Everyone...? So it wasn't just Gretel.
Levi: ...! So it got Gretel-chan too?!
Hansel: Yes, she developed a high fever, and now the Mistress is looking after her.
Levi: Oh... That's worrying.
...By the way, I heard that this mysterious pastry chef sickness might be the work of Spirals.
Have you noticed anything strange around the shop or the neighborhood recently?
Hansel: Strange... Hm.
Arashi: Tsukasa-chan, Ritsu-chan, look! The walls look just like cookies!
Ritsu: Wow, they really do. They must've modeled this place after a fairy tale candy house.
Tsukasa: They... wouldn't be edible, would they?
Arashi: You sure are a hungry little boy. Aesthetics are important, you know? It's not often you see interiors this dedicated.
Hansel: ...Are your companions Periods as well?
Levi: Oh no, they just got a little lost outside Wisebury.
They seemed hungry, so I was going to treat them to a little something at a cafe somewhere.
But every shop we passed by has been closed, and then we caught wind of a rumor that all the pastry chefs in town are out sick.
Arashi: Sorry to just barge in with such a big party all of a sudden. Are you the chef here?
Levi: ...! Oh, right! What about you, Hansel-chan? Are you okay?!
The sickness is supposed to be affecting all pastry chefs, but how are you holding up?
Hansel: I'm doing fine. I'm guessing it's because I'm not really skilled enough to be called a pastry chef like Gretel...
Ritsu: (Hansel, Gretel, a house made of sweets... Are we inside a fairy tale right now?)
Tsukasa: You humble yourself. This sweet aroma in the air... I assume you are baking something?
Hansel: Yes, I'm trying to create some new products so we can stay open while the pastry chef is out.
Foliesilk: Hansel, I've made these according to the recipe. How are they?
Tsukasa: Marvelous! This smells incredible!
Hansel: They should be fine, but let's have a taste test anyway.
Tsukasa: (staring intently) ......
Hansel: ...Um, would you all like to join in?
Tsukasa: Would that be alright?
Hansel: Be my guest. I'm sure they don't look or taste up to standard, but you came all this way already.
Levi: Then don't mind if we do! I've worked up an appetite myself after all that work today!
Tsukasa: Is this a financier? The gentle almond fragrance certainly whets the appetite.
Ritsu: I wanna have black tea too, while we're at it.
Foliesilk: A shameless customer, you are.
Hansel: I'll make some, don't worry!
✵✵✵✵✵
Levi: Mmm! Oh Hansel-chan, how could you say you aren't a proper patissier?
These sweets are delicious! You could definitely sell these.
Hansel: Thank you very much. I like to think I can make some basic things, at least.
But "basic" won't cut it here. I'd be bringing dishonor to Gretel's good name.
Levi: Mngh... Well, if you compare these to Gretel-chan's creations, I do suppose there's something missing...
Hansel: I don't know what it is, though... I'm using the same recipe and the same ingredients...
Levi: That girl's a real artist, after all. She might be putting her own touches into the process.
Ritsu: I think it tastes good... What about you, Nacchan?
Arashi: Hmm... It's nice and buttery, but I think I'm losing the almond a little...
No wait, that's not it. Maybe it's the browned butter that isn't standing out?
Ritsu: Oh, you might be right. The chef tried too hard to avoid burning the butter.
But if you don't brown the butter enough, that takes away from the aroma, which might leave the aftertaste feeling a little empty.
Tsukasa: You could figure all of that out from a single bite? It all tastes the same to me.
Ritsu: Well, it's not like I haven't made the same mistake myself. It's not easy to find that sweet spot with butter.
Arashi: Oh god, yeah. It starts to get a weird bitterness if you cook it for too long, and you can't use it like that.
So to avoid wasting the ingredients, you err on the safe side instead—
Wait, sorry, I'm embarrassing myself. I didn't mean to talk down to a pro.
Hansel: No, this is a big help.
Levi: Gretel-chan wouldn't compromise on her technique like that. Maybe that's what sets you two apart.
Hansel: I'm sure there are other things I could improve, but let's start from there.
Foliesilk: Mm... If this requires any further skill, then I'm afraid I cannot continue to help you.
Hansel: It's okay. Sorry for making you help when you're already so busy.
Foliesilk: No problem at all. You are always so good to Alice, so I am only repaying the favor.
However, I cannot bear the thought of leaving so much work to you alone.
Whatever can be done? Perhaps we can enlist the help of these fine folks?
Arashi: Wait, us? Oh no, we couldn't! We're just idols!
Foliesilk: "Idols"? Hm... From that conversation just now, I'd thought you were pastry chefs, or something of that ilk.
Hansel: Uh, Foliesilk-san, I think I'll be fine by myself...
Foliesilk: Levi, I believe you said they were lost? Do they have anywhere to go?
Levi: No, I don't think we've figured that out yet.
Foliesilk: How fortuitous.
Hansel: I wouldn't want to trouble anyone...
Foliesilk: (whispering) Hansel, if you truly wish to protect this shop, then you must use whatever means necessary.
You would not be taking advantage of them for some evildoing.
You would simply be providing some lost travelers with a place to stay, and they shall return the favor with their aid and expertise.
This plays to both sides' advantage, does it not? Especially if they feel the same way.
Hansel: (whispering) I mean... You might be right, but...
Foliesilk: (whispering) Then it is settled.
Now then, all of you. Hansel here offers to house you here, if you agree to help the shop in exchange. What say you?
Tsukasa: Hm... A fine suggestion.
Arashi: Are you serious, Tsukasa-chan?! This isn't the same as a couple of amateurs baking cookies for fun, you know?!
Tsukasa: I understand that. However, in this world, we are currently penniless.
So long as we have no way to return to our world, we must prioritize securing food and shelter.
And that is being offered to us now at virtually no cost. We should take this opportunity.
Ritsu: Are you sure you don't just want to stay here because you'll get free dessert, Su~chan?
Tsukasa: ...I had no such thoughts.
Ritsu: ...Well, I don't think it's such a bad idea either. What about you, Nacchan?
I think we could manage to help.
Arashi: ...Come on. How am I supposed to refuse now?
Alright, then. I don't know how useful we'll be, but will you let us help you out?
Hansel: Of course... I'm really grateful you're willing to help at all.
Tsukasa: I have no knowledge of making confections, but I shall do my utmost to assist you.
Now, what first?
Arashi: How about you start by sitting down, Tsukasa-chan?
Ritsu: Sometimes doing nothing is the best thing you can do. You can be our taste tester once it's ready.
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T/N: Side trivia, but according to my proofer, Ritsu made financiers for Arashi's birthday last year! He's definitely experienced with them.
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Pâtisserie La Croûte
Hansel: Sorry, we're closed today—
Levi: Oh, Hansel-chan, I'm so glad to see you're okay!
Hansel: Is something going on, Levi-san?
Levi: I just heard that all the pastry chefs in Wisebury have fallen ill, and I got worried about you two...
Hansel: Everyone...? So it wasn't just Gretel.
Levi: ...! So it got Gretel-chan too?!
Hansel: Yes, she developed a high fever, and now the Mistress is looking after her.
Levi: Oh... That's worrying.
...By the way, I heard that this mysterious pastry chef sickness might be the work of Spirals.
Have you noticed anything strange around the shop or the neighborhood recently?
Hansel: Strange... Hm.
Arashi: Tsukasa-chan, Ritsu-chan, look! The walls look just like cookies!
Ritsu: Wow, they really do. They must've modeled this place after a fairy tale candy house.
Tsukasa: They... wouldn't be edible, would they?
Arashi: You sure are a hungry little boy. Aesthetics are important, you know? It's not often you see interiors this dedicated.
Hansel: ...Are your companions Periods as well?
Levi: Oh no, they just got a little lost outside Wisebury.
They seemed hungry, so I was going to treat them to a little something at a cafe somewhere.
But every shop we passed by has been closed, and then we caught wind of a rumor that all the pastry chefs in town are out sick.
Arashi: Sorry to just barge in with such a big party all of a sudden. Are you the chef here?
Levi: ...! Oh, right! What about you, Hansel-chan? Are you okay?!
The sickness is supposed to be affecting all pastry chefs, but how are you holding up?
Hansel: I'm doing fine. I'm guessing it's because I'm not really skilled enough to be called a pastry chef like Gretel...
Ritsu: (Hansel, Gretel, a house made of sweets... Are we inside a fairy tale right now?)
Tsukasa: You humble yourself. This sweet aroma in the air... I assume you are baking something?
Hansel: Yes, I'm trying to create some new products so we can stay open while the pastry chef is out.
Foliesilk: Hansel, I've made these according to the recipe. How are they?
Tsukasa: Marvelous! This smells incredible!
Hansel: They should be fine, but let's have a taste test anyway.
Tsukasa: (staring intently) ......
Hansel: ...Um, would you all like to join in?
Tsukasa: Would that be alright?
Hansel: Be my guest. I'm sure they don't look or taste up to standard, but you came all this way already.
Levi: Then don't mind if we do! I've worked up an appetite myself after all that work today!
Tsukasa: Is this a financier? The gentle almond fragrance certainly whets the appetite.
Ritsu: I wanna have black tea too, while we're at it.
Foliesilk: A shameless customer, you are.
Hansel: I'll make some, don't worry!
Levi: Mmm! Oh Hansel-chan, how could you say you aren't a proper patissier?
These sweets are delicious! You could definitely sell these.
Hansel: Thank you very much. I like to think I can make some basic things, at least.
But "basic" won't cut it here. I'd be bringing dishonor to Gretel's good name.
Levi: Mngh... Well, if you compare these to Gretel-chan's creations, I do suppose there's something missing...
Hansel: I don't know what it is, though... I'm using the same recipe and the same ingredients...
Levi: That girl's a real artist, after all. She might be putting her own touches into the process.
Ritsu: I think it tastes good... What about you, Nacchan?
Arashi: Hmm... It's nice and buttery, but I think I'm losing the almond a little...
No wait, that's not it. Maybe it's the browned butter that isn't standing out?
Ritsu: Oh, you might be right. The chef tried too hard to avoid burning the butter.
But if you don't brown the butter enough, that takes away from the aroma, which might leave the aftertaste feeling a little empty.
Tsukasa: You could figure all of that out from a single bite? It all tastes the same to me.
Ritsu: Well, it's not like I haven't made the same mistake myself. It's not easy to find that sweet spot with butter.
Arashi: Oh god, yeah. It starts to get a weird bitterness if you cook it for too long, and you can't use it like that.
So to avoid wasting the ingredients, you err on the safe side instead—
Wait, sorry, I'm embarrassing myself. I didn't mean to talk down to a pro.
Hansel: No, this is a big help.
Levi: Gretel-chan wouldn't compromise on her technique like that. Maybe that's what sets you two apart.
Hansel: I'm sure there are other things I could improve, but let's start from there.
Foliesilk: Mm... If this requires any further skill, then I'm afraid I cannot continue to help you.
Hansel: It's okay. Sorry for making you help when you're already so busy.
Foliesilk: No problem at all. You are always so good to Alice, so I am only repaying the favor.
However, I cannot bear the thought of leaving so much work to you alone.
Whatever can be done? Perhaps we can enlist the help of these fine folks?
Arashi: Wait, us? Oh no, we couldn't! We're just idols!
Foliesilk: "Idols"? Hm... From that conversation just now, I'd thought you were pastry chefs, or something of that ilk.
Hansel: Uh, Foliesilk-san, I think I'll be fine by myself...
Foliesilk: Levi, I believe you said they were lost? Do they have anywhere to go?
Levi: No, I don't think we've figured that out yet.
Foliesilk: How fortuitous.
Hansel: I wouldn't want to trouble anyone...
Foliesilk: (whispering) Hansel, if you truly wish to protect this shop, then you must use whatever means necessary.
You would not be taking advantage of them for some evildoing.
You would simply be providing some lost travelers with a place to stay, and they shall return the favor with their aid and expertise.
This plays to both sides' advantage, does it not? Especially if they feel the same way.
Hansel: (whispering) I mean... You might be right, but...
Foliesilk: (whispering) Then it is settled.
Now then, all of you. Hansel here offers to house you here, if you agree to help the shop in exchange. What say you?
Tsukasa: Hm... A fine suggestion.
Arashi: Are you serious, Tsukasa-chan?! This isn't the same as a couple of amateurs baking cookies for fun, you know?!
Tsukasa: I understand that. However, in this world, we are currently penniless.
So long as we have no way to return to our world, we must prioritize securing food and shelter.
And that is being offered to us now at virtually no cost. We should take this opportunity.
Ritsu: Are you sure you don't just want to stay here because you'll get free dessert, Su~chan?
Tsukasa: ...I had no such thoughts.
Ritsu: ...Well, I don't think it's such a bad idea either. What about you, Nacchan?
I think we could manage to help.
Arashi: ...Come on. How am I supposed to refuse now?
Alright, then. I don't know how useful we'll be, but will you let us help you out?
Hansel: Of course... I'm really grateful you're willing to help at all.
Tsukasa: I have no knowledge of making confections, but I shall do my utmost to assist you.
Now, what first?
Arashi: How about you start by sitting down, Tsukasa-chan?
Ritsu: Sometimes doing nothing is the best thing you can do. You can be our taste tester once it's ready.
---
T/N: Side trivia, but according to my proofer, Ritsu made financiers for Arashi's birthday last year! He's definitely experienced with them.
---
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