Callie's Heroes

PART I - A RAINBOW OF DELIGHTFUL TASTES

Callie welcomed the bell calling all to the meal. At some point in the last thirty minutes, she realized she hadn’t eaten anything but some fruit earlier that morning, and the promise of a Culinar-created feast added to the allure and left her feeling famished.

Together, the six walked out of Ogre House, Tazrok seeming reluctant to get out of bed. It was obvious he still wasn’t feeling the greatest, whatever having happened to him earlier still leaving lingering effects. But, he was smiling to everyone, even if you could tell it was a little forced.

At least twenty recruits had been milling around the garden, and now the remaining emerged from their own houses, blinking at the early-evening sun. Callie felt it was far too early for dinner, especially something formal, but she was hungry, and Vanis said it was a long meal, so she just decided to go with it.

“Callie!” came the hyper voice from Jesca as she bounded forward. “Did you get new armor? I did and it’s really well made. I’m sure it was more Brownie magic. Thucax is all grumpy because …. I don’t know why, he just was grumpy about it for some reason, but I love mine!”

“Uh huh,” Callie said, trying to get a word in before the Cheetakin could launch in another direction. “We all did. Each of us got different types. I’m guessing that was based on what class we are. I didn’t have time to try it on, though. “

“I was going to, but Koda suggested not doing that for now since we’d be eating soon. So I didn’t. Is it ok if I sit with all of you?”

“Sure, Jesca, that would be fine,” Lena said. “Although if this is traditional, we’ll be moving around.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot” the Cheetahkin said, a little crestfallen. “Still, I’ll at least start with you all, then.”

As the now-seven started to walk in the direction of the mess, Callie could hear a lot of whispers from people referencing Pixyl in some way. Word of her fight with the Demon had quickly spread to those that weren’t there apparently, and everyone was wondering what to make of the little Pixie. As for Pixyl, she didn’t hear the whispers, or at least gave no sign of it, and Callie decided not to worry her by saying anything.

Poor Tazrok was left confused, though, as people were constantly giving him a “Good evening, Corporal”, or in a few cases, they even stopped to salute him. At first, the Ogre kept up his smile, returning the greetings with a simple hello, and once even saluting in return. But after a few rounds of this, the responses started to become more of a simple growl or grunt. Interestingly, one of those that saluted was one of the Dwarves from the punishment event, properly wearing his pretty pink bonnet. Tazrok gave him a curt, “Hello, baby,” in response as they all walked past.

The food tent had been rearranged. Gone were the self-service areas, as well as the stacks of trays and utensils. Even the station for making the sweetwater was nowhere to be seen. Instead, two long tables with at least twenty chairs on either side were set, creating a wide center aisle between them. Each had been laid out with white linen tablecloths. In the center of each table were baskets of long bread that looked like what had come with the soup the night before. Arrangements of brightly colored flowers along with various spreads and condiments filled in the gaps between the baskets.

At the front, raised up on a platform, was a long table perpendicular to the rest with nine chairs behind it, facing forward. A podium stood centered at floor level in front of the long table. Green-skinned Goblins, at least a dozen, raced around, putting the last touches on everything in order to make it just right for the grand event.

Ogre House plus Jesca found an open spot at the end of one of the table rows, which would allow Tazrok to sit on the ground and not feel excluded due to his size. Slowly all the recruits filed into the tent, many forming up into groups to take a seat, and a few singles or duos finding a spot where available. Many chairs were still sporadically open around both long tables.

As the group started to get settled, a Goblin ran up carrying two semi-firm booster cushions, one each for Callie and Pixyl. Around the room, boosters were being given to the other short races as well. “When changing seats,” the Goblin said, “carry this with you.” Callie and Pixyl both nodded and the assistant quickly ran off.

Callie saw Xin starting to sit, and started to scramble into her chair as well,but a light chime sounded, and Vanis quickly whispered, “Stay standing,” to both of them.

From each side, trainers and a few officers filed in. The officers moved to the seats at the front table, while trainers filled in spots around the room, sitting with the recruits where empty seats were available. Centered on the dais table was an empty chair, with Master Trainer Thorn on one side and Legate Galin on the other. Next to Galin was Major Celeste, with Tasi sitting next to Thorn..

Again, a bell sounded and any remaining general murmurs quickly quieted.

A hush filled the area, and in a loud voice, someone called out, “Commandant Xera Dalnara”. Those that had already inappropriately sat rose quickly, some tossing pieces of bread they had already started to eat on the table. A round of applause rang out and Commandant Xera walked casually down the center row, smiling and waving at everyone as they passed. Callie, now realizing there were protocols at work here, did her best to emulate everyone around her and clapped along.

Xera finished their walk and stepped up to the podium, and the applause quieted. Xera seemed to touch something, and a white sigil flashed for a moment along the wood. “Good evening,” Xera's voice called out, amplified for the entire audience. “A welcome to all the recruits, trainers and officers. A special welcome to all our new Symbiotes, as well. I know all are eager to get started, so I will save my words for later this evening. For now, to begin everything properly, may I introduce the artiste behind what will truly be a meal to remember, our Master Culinar, Pama.”

Another round of applause rang out as Xera stepped aside and a Gnome took center. She was similar in height to Callie, but noticeably older, and a lot rounder. Yet, her most striking feature, aside from her big, green eyes, was her long, bright-yellow hair tied back in a ponytail with a red ribbon. Pama padded her hands to quiet the room. “Good evening,” she began as everyone finally stopped clapping. “Tonight, I am pleased to present a feast of fine food. Eight courses of delight for tongue and tummy. Pace yourself, for the best way to enjoy such sensations is with the company of new friends, and we all have so many new friends with us tonight.”

Again, everyone in the room clapped, a couple people even shrieking out a whistle. Pama smiled, seeming to blush a little, while she waited for the room to quiet again. “We shall begin with a wine-infused cakelet. Nibble slowly and enjoy the sensory overload of six fantastic flavors!” As she had been speaking, one of the kitchen Goblins had brought out a small plate sitting on a tray. Pama waved her hand over the plate and both her hand and the plate began to glow. The light intensified and then with a flash she flicked the magic into the air. Perfect copies of the plate, a tiny fork and a rainbow-colored cake appeared before each person.

“May the feast … begin!” Pama called out as another round of applause rang out.

“I wasn’t sure if they were going for a full formal feast,” Vanis said. “It appears that they are. This will indeed be a night to remember. I recognize Pama, and she is truly a master Culinar.”

With scrapes of chair legs, everyone began to sit.

Callie and Pixyl both struggled to get into their chairs and get the boosters in place as well, Callie eventually managed it with a little grunting and a couple choice words. Pixyl kept wincing in pain as she struggled, and she finally asked Lena for help, the Elf quickly lifting her into place. Finally seated, Pixyl’s booster was taller, putting her at a close-enough level to see everyone and everything without needing to stand.

“You weren’t kidding about small portions,” Callie said with a grump, looking at her tiny cakelet. It was only about three centimeters in diameter, and maybe one in height and she was starving. Snow white around the edges, there was an inner circle of rainbow swirl. The fork had what seemed like a normal-sized handle, but the two tines on it were tiny in comparison.

Callie saw Vanis bend over his cakelet and waft the air to his face, followed quickly by a loud sigh and a smile. Callie emulated the gesture and soon the most-amazing scent flowed into her nose. Fruits and flowers and smells indescribable. Like Vanis, she couldn’t help but to moan in enjoyment.

Picking up the tiny fork and eager to dig in, Callie cut the tiny cake in half and stabbed a piece. “No! No!” both Lena and Vanis snapped. Callie stopped, the piece halfway to her mouth, as did Xin, who was about to make the same apparent mistake.

“Like this,” Vanis said as he cut a small piece, just big enough for the fork to sink into. “You nibble this. It’s all about flavor!”

At the table end, Tazrok held his tiny fork between thumb and finger. “Tiny bites,” he said. Next to him, Jesca confirmed, holding up her fork with just a nibble on the end.

Callie glanced at Pixyl, who like Vanis and Jesca had just a morsel on her fork. With a grin and a waggle of her blue eyebrows, the Pixie promptly popped it into her mouth. Almost immediately she rolled her eyes back in what could be best described as an intense foodgasm. “That is so good!”

Trying again, Callie did the same with her own tiny nibble, and the explosion of flavors that hit her were like nothing she had ever eaten before. Sweet and tart and sunshine and laughter and love and bliss all rolled up into a nugget of a rainbow. Like Pixyl, she groaned in culinary ecstasy.

“Water, wine or mead?” sounded a voice from behind Callie. She turned to see a Goblin with a cart with glasses of a clear, amber and red liquid.

“Can we switch later?” Callie asked.

“Of course. Just let someone know when we come around to refill.”

“Water for now, then. Thank you.”

“Wine f-f-for me,” Pixyl added.

“Take your drink with you when you change seats,” the Goblin said, handing over both their orders before continuing down the line.

“I thought about wine,” Callie said, “but I didn’t want to drink on an empty stomach.”

“Wine doesn’t really affect m-m-me,” Pixyl said with a shrug, offering the glass for Callie to sip.

Callie tried it and It was good. Sweet yet bold, with a deep accent of a dark berry of some kind. “After a bit I’ll definitely switch,” she said, handing the wine back to Pixyl with an affirming nod. “It’s really good.”

“It doesn’t look like they are taking orders,” Vanis said, leaning into the group, “using Culinar magic to serve everyone instead. If there’s something on your plate you can’t eat, you may leave it. Xin, I know your kind can only handle small amounts of plants. Pixyl, same with the winged Fae and overdoing it with meat.”

Xin nodded, putting another nugget of cake into her mouth. She moaned for a moment like the others, before saying, “Thank you. This is a new experience for me. We do not do formal meals like this in my Valley.”

Around the pavilion, the Goblins finished serving drinks to everyone, while a low murmur of voices filled the tent. The initial gasps of wonder at the cakes had now reduced to periodic ‘mmmm’ sounds from everyone. At the front, Pama was working with a Goblin who was holding a tray. She fiddled and fussed, seeming to want to get everything presented just right. Satisfied, Pama stood on her toes to look down one of the long tables and then nodded to one of her assistants, who rang a light bell.

“What’s that mean?” Callie asked quietly.

“About one minute until the next part,” Vanis said.

Callie had two little morsels remaining, and quickly ate both, remembering to take just enough time between each to savor the experience. Again the bell dinged out.

“Now that your mouths are awakened and primed for more delights,” Pama said from the podium, “it is time to prepare for the next part of our feast. Place your utensils on your plates, please.” There was a universal clinking all around. “Now, everyone stand, leave your seats and join with your trainers, wherever they may be. Remember to bring your drinks with you.”

“Time to move,” Lena said, standing. She quickly helped lift Pixyl off her seat.

Pixyl looked really nervous, almost scared. You could tell she didn’t want to leave the rest of her housemates. It was literally dumping her into her worst nightmare; social interaction.

“It will be fine, Pixyl,” Lena said warmly. “You’ve already met them, and you know your trainer. No need to be nervous.” Lena handed the little Pixie her wine glass.