The balcony of the Seaglass Lounge was a perfect place for planning. The sea rolled in below, pale turquoise by day, deep sapphire by night. Marron sat across from the Snake Queen, a scroll of parchment between them, her charcoal pencil already smudged with notes.
"I want the menu to feel like… both," Marron said slowly, tapping the page. "Not just one side borrowing from the other, but something that belongs to Snakewater and Whisperwind equally."
The Queen swirled the glass of dark wine in her hand, the deep purple catching moonlight. "Then we must start at the heart—what shall be served first?"
Menu Draft
Starter:
Coconut-Smoked Fish with Orchard Citrus Glaze
Served on small carved driftwood boards, a nod to Snakewater's seafaring roots.
Main Course:
Apple Pork Sausage Rolls
Wood-Smoked Pork with Lemon-Poppyseed Bread (served sliced, with dipping sauces)
Roasted vegetables glazed with apple cider and sea salt.
Dessert:
Mini Dessert Table — bite-sized experiments for the future:
Sea-Salt Caramel Apple Clusters
Blueberry-Coconut Cream Puffs
Citrus-Honey Nut Brittle
Apple-Wine Jelly Cubes
Sea Grape White Chocolate Bark
"I'll serve the sausage rolls fresh from the oven," Marron said. "And the lemon-poppyseed bread can be baked in the morning, so it's still warm by the feast."
The Queen leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "And the wine?"
"That's where I need your help," Marron admitted. "If we're mixing smoked pork and apple, then adding fish and citrus, we'll need something that ties it all together."
The Queen's bright blue eyes sharpened with interest. "Then we serve two. A young white wine made from our orchard citrus, light and bright enough for the fish. And for the meat…" she swirled her glass again, "…this. Blueberry wine, aged ten years in palace casks. The Jackal will recognize it."
Marron's pencil flew across the parchment. "Perfect. Oh—" She grinned. "I'll also set up a side table with small, experimental desserts. Things both clans might see for the first time. That way, even after the feast, there's something new to talk about."
The Queen's rattle gave a soft shiver of approval. "Very clever. My people love discovering something rare. But you cannot make all this alone."
Marron hesitated. "I can handle—"
"You will not handle it alone," the Queen said firmly, though her voice was warm. "I will send two of my best sous chefs to you. And I will tell the Jackal to send two of his. Four pairs of hands, trained well, who only need to be told your methods. You will decide the day they come to learn."
Marron's heart leapt. "That… would make everything possible."
The Queen's smile was the serene kind that came from knowing she'd already decided this long before Marron asked. "Then all that remains is for you to choose the day. And tell me what you require. My kitchens are yours until the feast."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Marron said, bowing her head. "I'll make sure we honor both crowns."
+
They returned to the Seaglass Lounge with happy hearts, hopeful that the feast will be a step in the right direction for both clans.
The scent of sea grapes and chocolate still lingered from their welcome basket. Marron sank into the writing desk's chair and called up her status screen.
[STATUS SCREEN]
Marron – Level 8 Traveling Chef
Cooking Mastery: Advanced
Cultural Bridge: Expert
Recipe Innovation: High
Next Level: 200 XP
Mokko – Level 3 Culinary Guardian
Cooking Support: Advanced
Trade Negotiation: Expert
Protective Instincts: High
Next Level: 100 XP
Lucy – Level 2 Kitchen Slime
Cleaning Efficiency: Master
Item Organization: Expert
Healing Potential: Developing
Next Level: 75 XP
Food Cart – Level 1
Storage Capacity: Basic
Cooking Equipment: Standard
Mobility: Standard
Upgrade Cost: 60 Gold + 100 XP
Current XP: 600
Current Gold: 60
She tapped her chin. "So… I could level all of us and upgrade the cart before the feast."
Mokko crossed his arms. "Cart first. Better equipment means better cooking."
Lucy wobbled on the desk, her cores blinking in agreement. "Lucy wants shiny cart!"
Marron laughed softly. "Fine. Cart upgrade, then both of you. I'll still have enough left to push myself toward Level 9 after the feast."
She confirmed the changes, feeling that strange, satisfying hum in her chest as the system processed her choice.
+
The familiar chime echoed in her ears.
[Upgrade Confirmed: Food Cart → Level 2]
Storage Capacity: Expanded
Cooking Equipment: Enhanced (Heat Regulation Added)
Mobility: Improved (Self-Leveling Wheels)
Downstairs in the lounge's rear courtyard, Marron found her cart waiting under a stretch of sunlight. Or… was it her cart?
I could've sworn I parked it near the kitchen. Did it get moved after I pressed upgrade?
She double-checked the nameplate on the cart. It read "Comfort & Crunch."
Yep, it was hers.
The old scuffs in the wood were gone, replaced by polished grain that gleamed like freshly baked bread. The brass handles had been buffed to a warm glow, and the wheels—oh, the wheels!
They looked sturdier, fitted with some kind of enchantment that made the cart seem to float over the decking.
She opened one of the new compartments and nearly whistled. "Mokko, Lucy—come here."
Mokko leaned over her shoulder, brow furrowing. "That's a cooling box. Like… a real one. For meat and dairy."
Lucy bounced in excitement, her cores flashing pink. "Lucy sees new shiny knobs!"
They were knobs indeed—three of them lined across the cooking surface, each etched with a rune. When Marron twisted one, the air over the flat griddle shimmered with gentle, even heat. Another lit a low, steady flame in the stew pot holder. The third rune cooled the small proofing drawer beneath.
She ran her hands over the smooth wood, the polished brass, the sturdy frame. "This is going to make service so much smoother."
"Means you can cook and serve at the same time without juggling half your ingredients," Mokko said with a rare approving grin.
Lucy pressed against the polished side panel. "Shiny cart makes Lucy happy."
Marron chuckled. "Shiny cart's going to make me happy at the feast. All right, let's get the menu to the Queen's sous chefs so we can start training."