Hot Times at the Tanuki Express - RPLOG
Participants
Date
19/5/478
Log
Tam, the tanuki food vendor is very busy today! He has set up a bit of a tent and some small, folding tables beside his cart to make a little cafe area and is busily serving customers with a contented smile on his round face. "Right with you!" he says to the newest wave of customers, "Please, have a seat anywhere!"
Zuri hurries past the crowd, longing to try the tanuki's exotic foodstuffs one more time. He's still trying to recall all the delicious things he had last time, but all he can come up with is 'all of them'. The small salamander peers around for an empty table and pops himself onto a chair, waiting eagerly for his turn to order up.
Cassidy shuffles through the streets, ears perking. She wasn't sure if she was much for eating contests, being as small as she was, but lunch sounded fine, anyway! She was hungry, and she'd certainly be able to eat her fill here. She gives Natska's arm a squeeze and settles down at one of the tables, ears flicking.
The loud rumble of a small crimson and gold lizard woman's stomach announces her arrival long before she actually gets there, the noise quickly followed with a hissed, "Oh.. creators above, be quiet, you!" Sara, the lizard hidden underneath the travel dust covered black cloak had for a while been traveling, seeing the sights of the world as she had often dreamed, though her latest trip; the one back home had left her quite famished and upon landing she immediately found herself amidst the familiar market district and with it the familiar sights and smells that had come with it. "Mm.. what to eat, what to eat.." she later began droning, crimson gaze falling over the various carts and their peddlers. As she had noticed the busy makeshift cafe Sara's head had soon perked up and she had asked, "Hmm.. wonder what's going on over there.." before finding her feet willing to answer for her. It didn't take long before she found herself infront of Tam's cart and seated at one of the tables looking around not unlike she had the first day she had arrived, looking at anything that had changed in her time away.
Natska is, of course, on Cassidy's arm as the couple looks through the market district for a good place to eat. She's happy to visit Tam's, sniffing at the air and taking a seat next to Cassidy, then giving a smile and a wave to the people she recognizes.
For reasons unknowable to anyone but Thelergramor, he has arrived at the food-place. Tent. All wolfy, prosthetic legged, clothed and Thelergramor-like, the wolf enters the tent and looks over the occupants from beneath his hood. Recognizes several of the other beings, and flips a crown to decide where to sit. Which doesn't solve the predicament of there being three tables occupied by beings he knows, but... He gives each in turn a nod in greeting, then sits at Sara's table. Words. He makes none, proceeds to look tired.
Tam scurries over and bows low to the newly arrived beings. "Welcome to the Tanuki Express!" he says, "I hope you have all come hungry! Are you here to try the special challenge?" The tubby tanuki wipes his hands on his apron and smiles around. "If you can beat my challenge, I will stuff you to the gills for free!" he says, "But be warned! No one has managed it yet today!" He points to a huge boar with what seems to be the remnants of a black eye. He is busily downing a large tray of dumplings. "Horace over there has come the closest," he says, "But he had to pay for his dumplings like everyone else."
Zuri perks up. "A challenge?" It was actually the first time the salamander had heard about this. He was just here for Tam's delicious food, but a challenge? He can't pass that up! "I'm in!" He says, waving excitedly. It's at this point that he spots Cassidy and Natska, and offers them a return wave in greeting.
Cassidy offers a little bow of her head to Zuri before eyeing Tam. "Mmm. What is this challenge? I'll probably end up paying regardless, but... Well, as long as I don't have to eat anything ~weird~ I don't see a problem in it."
A soft, and muffled yelp is sounded into the silken long scarf covering her face as Thelergramor sits at her table. Her mind having been completely elsewhere and having not figured she'd get the company. "Uh.. h-hello Mr. Thelergramor.. g-good.. good to see you." no real difficulty of figuring out which of her multiple personalities had taken control. "Uhm.." she begins, though stops as she clears her throat, ".. how have you.. how have you been?" he lizard woman seeming to attempt to sink into her seat. The fear however does not seem to last long before she breathes out a sigh, and with a much stronger voice says to the proprietor as the topic of 'challenge' comes up, "Sure, I'm famished.. would've probably ordered yer entire menu, but if I can risk getting it for free, well.. there's something I won't turn down." With that out of the way, she begins rubbing her palms together and looks around the room once more, waving exhuberantly to those familiar faces who she had missed for all that time she had been abroad.
Natska quietly snickers. "No challenge for me, Cass, I'll just have... a bowl of noodles and veggies and one dumpling." She watches the rest of the crowd for a moment, then gives Cass' arm a small squeeze. "Let's go sit with them."
Thelergramor is all about challenges! And then not winning. But we'll see what happens as he volunteers for the challenge. He turns to Tam, speaks: "Sure, sounds fun, Tam." Then turns back to Sara. "I've been good, mostly. Aside from a few problems that have since been dealth with, but good. Been awhile, nice seeing you again."
"Weird, Lady?" Tam asks, "Not at all! A little exotic, though." The tanuki nods and smiles at the others as they volunteer. He waddles back to his cart and returns with two covered baskets, setting them on the table, he reveals that the first is full of skinny, green peppers of some kind and the second is divided in two, one side filled with small, orange chili's of some sort and the other with a pile of round, purple fruits. He also places a jar full of some sort of amber liquid on the table. "Gather around everyone!" he says, "A challenge like this is better shared!" He points at the various foodstuffs on the table as he talks. "I got you three exotic peppers here, folks," he explains, "The green ones are called Effreet Tongues, grow here on old Firebough. The orange ones are scorpion peppers from Shralesta and the purple blighters are Devil's Testes, straight outta hell. The jar there is full of sweet Krick honey. All you gotta do is eat these three peppers one at a time, starting from the green one, with a minute in between. You last a minute after the third pepper without a spoon full of honey to kill the burn, and you win! Any questions?" The tanuki produces a pair of bamboo sticks and gently tweezers an Efreet Tongue pepper in front of each participant. "Best if you all start together," he says, "Then we can wait out the minute together."
Zuri hops off his seat and walks up towards the tanuki being, peering closely at each of the peppers as they're introduced. He giggles somewhat childishly at the name of the last one. "Oh, spicy food! I love spicy food!" He licks his lips. How bad can that pepper be, really? He peers around and spots Thel, waving at him excitedly too. "Mister Thel! You should come join!" He calls out.
"Ah? This kind of eating challenge?" Cassidy asks, perking her ears before nodding at Natska. "That's alright. I'll try to win for the both of us," she says with a snicker before looking over the peppers, making her way over. "Spicy peppers I can handle! I spent a lot of time in Shralesta, after all!"
As the hot peppers are introduced Sara rubs that odd hammer and anvil looking brand situated on her right shoulder, she had spicy food before, and was often quite comfortable with it, but these things sounded like something best avoided. All she could do was hope her patron would protect against the heat, no matter how trivial, she probably would not considering it had nothing to do with flames, but it was all she could do to hope, "Ugh.. well, here goes nothin'!" Sara had announced aloud as she made her way to the table the peppers had been placed on. With that green pepper in hand she opens her mouth and pops it in before chewing on it and swallowing. Her eyes then begun to water, but she had fought though the urge to grab that entire pot of honey and quit and instead let out a weak cough, and an even weaker, ".. not spicy at all.." probaly trying to trick her mind or something.
"Mmmm," Natska comments, settling in next to Cass. "I love spicey food sometimes but I'll pass today." She grins, looking around at the others. "I'll cheer you all on though!"
Thelergramor rubs his muzzle as he listens to Tam. Then, nods and gets up. "I tried eating an actual efreet's tongue, once. Don't recommend it." Makes no comment on eating scorpions or testes. "I'm coming, Zuri. How's the arm?" Having asked his question, he turns and nods at Natska. "Nice seeing you and Cass too, yep." Then, without hesitation, eats the green pepper. Withi his face. And, doesn't seem to have any reaction too it. Could just be hiding it... Whether it's hot, not a problem, or downright cataclysmic... Thelergramors thrive in the face of adversity! And anguish. Adversity and anguish!
Fenris smiles as the intrepid group each crunches into the long green peppers. "Now we wait for one minute," he says, turning away for a brief moment to dish up Natska's order before returning. The pepper is spicy. The kind of spicy that makes you hope and pray that it did not leave any residue on your hands for you to touch your eyes with later. For those used to spicy food, it is a pleasant, if sweat inducing heat. "Here you are, Miss," Tam says, passing food to Natska, "Got you the dark sauce you like." He looks over the sweating beings. "How are you all holding out?" he asks, opening the jar of honey and placing a spoon in it. The tanuki then uses his sticks to divy out the small, orange peppers. "This one comes next," he says, smiling pleasantly, "Try it whenever you are ready."
Zuri licks his fingers after crunching down on the green pepper. He smiles happily, even as his mouth begins to tingle and burn with the spicy pepper's touch. "Oh, I know this one! I had it covered in batter and deep fried once, really tasty!" He seems to be handling the green pepper rather well, only flushing lightly around the cheeks and exhaling a bit more profoundly as the heat builds. He smiles up at Cassidy. "Do you like this sort of food as well Lady Cassidy?"
"Spicy food is my favourite," she says, biting down on her pepper, taking it all the way to the stem and devouring it whole, taking care not to chew much. Cassidy closes her eyes and thinks for a moment. "I use a lot of peppers and spices in my cooking."
Noticing everyone having little difficulty with the first pepper Sara bites back a whimper of defeat considering she probably bit into the most mild of the three, ".. not going to join in, Natska?" the lizard asks her voice slowly but surely returning as the time had passed, ".. a pity.. would've been fun to see. Still, it's good to see you, you as well, Cassidy.. creators, why'd I not just go with something on the menu.." the last bit muttered under her breath. As the minute mark passes and the burn had passed enough to the point of being 'bearable' Sara procures that orange pepper, and stares at it before biting up to the stem and attempting to swallow with as few chews as possible. ".. even.. better.." she manages to wheeze out, turning to Cassidy, Sara again opens her mouth and attempts to speak, but only utters a weak wheeze.
Natska gives Sara a small smile and shakes her head. "Nope! Good job though, those smelled spicy from here. And it is great seeing you again, we'll have to catch up after this!" Her ears fold as people start in on the next round and she gives her friends a tentative smile, then squeezes Cass' shoulder.
Thelergramor chews, swallows, waits... Waits... "Eh, not too bad. Better than an actual tongue." He reitterates, noticing Sara's reaction. Tries not to snicker as he proceeds to the next one. Which is orange. Thus, picking up the pepper he shoves it into his face. Benefit of a muzzle, fitting more pepper in at one time. Starts chewing, tail wagging for about 4-5 seconds before stopping. "...Hot." An ear twitches under his hood, while he focuses on other things to avoid pepperheat.
The orange peppers that Tam called Scorpions are brutal! It is like someone stuffed white hot fire into the shape of a pepper! The intrepid epicureans can only thank any gods they might pray to that the pepper is small! Not that it seems to make much difference, since rather than diminishing with time, the burning only seems to grow worse! This is the sort of pepper that makes organs melt and sets any right thinking, leather tongued being to sweating!
"Please wait one minute before trying the last pepper," Tam reminds everyone as he very carefully uses his stick to place a wrinkled, purple pepper in front of each being. "I must recommend using sticks or a glove to pick up this pepper," he advises in his country accent, "Sucker will burn your fingers! And don't get me started on what happens if you touch your eyes within a week after handling these things!" The honey sits there, its promise of relief obvious.
Cassidy keeps her eyes closed as she downs the second pepper, taking in a deep breath through her nose. "Yes, Sara," she says, returning Natska's squeeze with a little hug. "We really must have you over for lunch or tea sometime. Though if we're eating now, probably just tea. It's been so long, and we've got a lot of catching up to do."
Zuri savours the second pepper for a few moments before it begins to *burn*. He gasps and hiccups, putting a hand to his chest. "Oh Creators, that IS spicy!" He hiccups again, seeming briefly stunned by how strong it is. He paces around to try and ignore it, jumping from leg to leg excitedly. He burps and covers his mouth. "Oh dear, pardon me.. that.. that is quite hot. I probably shouldn't have chewed so much." He makes the full minute before returning to the tanuki, already sweating a little from the heat. "I'm ready- *hic!* -uh... ready for the last one!" He picks it up using the offered sticks and pops it into his mouth... his eyes bulge out as he bites into it once, and he has to resist the urge to spit it out. He forces himself to swallow it, but from his stagger he doesn't seem too happy about it.
As the minute mark had passed and last pepper is set infront of her and the burn remains at a potent, 'Ohgodwhy?!' level Sara closes her eyes and whimpers, before looking to that pot of honey, just out of reach. With every voice in her head screaming at her to quit Sara had taken a pair of those sticks and after being absolutely careful not to actually touch the pepper to any scales pops it into her mouth. It had been a quite potent mistake however as after it had been swallowed, Sara throws the chair she had been earlier sitting on away and paces in a quick and frantic motion around the makeshift cafe, doing her best not to both faint, cry, or hiccup, as she fights the heat. The last two failing miserably.
Ears still folded, Natska glances back and forth at the contestants. She leans over and sniffs at Cassidy's last pepper, immediately jerking back as her eyes start to water. "Oh my! Why do you even have these here, Tam? That has to be dangerous." She wrinkles her nose, then turns her head and carefully sneezes, away from the others. When she looks back, her eyes are still watery, and she shrinks in her seat as she nibbles at her dumpling.
Thelergramor does indeed sweat a little, due to pepper heat. His tail remains stiff, ear twitching rhytmically under his hood as he glares at the honey. Refuses to give into the temptation. He takes a glove from his pocket, at Tam's warning of the insanity that is the pepper known as 'Devil's Testes.' Says only three words during the course of this time: "I hate honey..." Then, with his now gloved hand, picks up and eats the third pepper once the full minute has passed. Relegates the torture of the pepper to being 'punishment for his sins' whatever those may be, tail darting between his legs, though he tries to avoid that happening. Clearly, he failed. Manages to swallow. Starts coughing, then holds his muzzle shut, and moves away from the honey to avoid it. Sits back at his table and waits for the burn to stop...
Manages to get a few words out. "Don't know what a devil is, but keep me away from his-" Coughs before the last word is out, eyes tearing and such.
Tam smiles happily over the gasping and wheezing group. "Mister Horace managed to wait for almost ten seconds after eating this pepper," he says genially, looking at Natska, "I don't usually stock them," he admits, "But I thought it might be exciting! I keep them covered at all times." He holds up the once more covered baskets as evidence and puts them away, quickly producing a tray and a number of wooden spoons that he dips in the honey and sets on the tray. "No throwing up near the cafe, please," he admonishes.
If the last pepper was like eating fire, this one is like licking the heart of a star! An EVIL star! This must be what hell is like. No, hell is probably cooler. Better to just die and have done!
Zuri tries to put on a brave face, he really does. He clutches his hand over his chest, staring at the air somewhat blankly between hiccups. He gasps for air and dashes for the spoons of honey taking one and popping it into his mouth with nary a word. Another hiccup and he reaches for a second spoon, seeking fast relief from the mounting agony. He burps again as he staggers to an empty chair and collapses, focusing on his breathing and on staying alive until the burning subsides.
Cassidy leans forward on the table, open an eye just long enough to take the pepper with the stick. "Alright. Here we go." She takes a deep breath, then pops the pepper into her mouth. She doesn't bite into it, but swallows it whole instead. She gives a coughing wheeze and nearly doubles over as it manages to brush all the 'wrong things' inside on its way down, and she's soon sitting down next to Natska with her head in her hands, huffing and puffing as she tries to endure. She mutters something wheezy and impolite under her breath, but seems to be holding it together okay. Though her flicking, agitated tail shows all the expression that she, herself, does not.
With the minute mark passed on this last pepper, and the lizard woman still having not yet passed out, due to some combination of luck, or bad luck depending on ones standpoint on the matter, Sara lunges for the honey and digs one of the unused spoons into it and into her mouth, savouring the sweet taste that doesnt seem to do much for the heat, "Creators.. that was.. hell itself.." she had whimpered, ".. I feel like I just did something illegal." After looking to Tam dead in the eye she asks, "Milk.. lots of it.. please."
Natska gives Cassidy a worried look, leaning against her wife and gently rubbing her back as she makes quiet, reassuring noises. "I'm here for you, love."
Thelergramor fully plans to make poison/pouches of dust from this pepper now! IT's what he focuses on to not die and/or give in to the honey. Along with reaffirming: "Honey's worse than this..."
Doesn't help that he forgot the specifics of the challenge, so instead of doing... anything... he just sits there. No longer hungry. "Seriously, screw honey." More coughing commences.
Tam already has tall glasses of milk ready. "Four winners at once?" he says with surprise, "I did not see that coming! Looks like you folks have earned yourselves an all you can eat dinner! And two free dumplings for everyone here!" A ragged cheer goes up from the small crowd that gathered around the pepper eating contest and people scurry to seats as the tubby tanuki starts dishing out little paper trays with hot, steamed dim sum. "I'll keep it coming for you folks," he says, "Have some of that honey and some milk while you wait. It'll help kill the heat."
Zuri takes the milk and downs it. He smiles, tho he's far from feeling like a winner. The sight of the food does perk him up tho, and after a few minutes he's looking a lot peppier as he stuffs himself with treats. He seems especially interested in the dumplings, the delicious treats he had adored last time.
Cassidy leans against Natska, huffing as she eagerly takes some of the honey. "Oh man. That was intense. I've never eaten a pepper like that before. Not sure I want to. But the lunch will be worth it, I hope. I'm eager to eat something that won't destroy my mouth, now."
Natska rubs her nose against Cass for a moment, then gives Tam a grin. "All four are Freeswords. Surviving incapacitating pain keeps us alive." She snickers, then helps herself to some water as she continues leaning against Cass.
