[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/T3SrujO.png[/img][hr][hr][b][color=785b10]Event:[/color][/b] High Steaks: Chapter One [b]|[/b] [b][color=785b10]Location:[/color][/b] Ersand'Enise[hr][hr][/center]
[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/AFndJJ8K23Q[/youtube][/center][h2]Gourmet Grill-Off[/h2]
[color=785b10][b]Location:[/b][/color] Au Boeuf Rouge, Ersand’Enise
[color=785b10][b]Characters:[/b][/color] Zarina [@YummyYummy] as the Butcher, Ingrid [@dragonpiece] as the Chef, and Maura [@Ti] as the Mastermind. Zarra [@BreathOfTheWoof], Kaspar [@wolfieh] as hired help.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/7TzeQnh.png[/img][/center]

Maura was the first to arrive and it seems she came prepared as well. Next to her are supply boxes consisting of assorted Chef, Butcher, and Help outfits, along with what appears to be good quality knives and equipment as if stolen from someone's kitchen.

Maura peers up as she receives glances from her fellow students, [color=C0C0C0]“It was short notice.”[/color] She huffs as she swivels towards them, [color=C0C0C0]“You know, it would have been a lot easier logistically if you wanted to cook the thing, but fortunately for you, you have me.”[/color], makes a show of pointing towards herself. [color=C0C0C0]”So not only did you get the means, we also happened to find a backer who is willing to help fund this escapade of yours as well. You can thank me later. Now don these things whilst you listen to the rundown.”[/color]

Maura brings up a chalk slate, scribbling upon it as to make her points more evident. [color=C0C0C0]“If you want to save the Snowsweeper, you need to get into the literal belly of the beast. That means you need to impress Marquis Blaise Beauregard with your cooking, or at least don’t fudge it and do better than the others in there.”[/color] She draws crosses over the stick figures of the competition. [color=C0C0C0]“As our Virangish friend rightly pointed out, despite his reputation for always hiring the best and brightest, he has run into a money issue. In short, if you impress, it would be a shoe in.”[/color]

She wipes the slate down, as she scribbles upon it again. [color=C0C0C0]“Naturally, this leads to another issue. The competition, and frankly, we are not the best there. Not only have the local talent co-opted this event to have the competition to prove their worth, the international students have got involved too. You will need to get creative… especially you”[/color], she looks towards Zarina, handing her over a wooden twig. The pair look at eachother, especially Zarina who seemed far more expectant in her gaze. [color=C0C0C0]“Whilst we have heard you know which end of the sword to use, we cannot sabotage the others by trying to dull their blades. So this is a gift from our benefactor. They said to use it if you get stuck. Those were the instructions given.”[/color]

Maura coughs before continuing, [color=C0C0C0]“They are even charging an entry fee now due to numbers.”[/color] She produces four tokens to hand out to each of them, [color=C0C0C0]“Consider this my investment in each of you.”[/color]

With everything seemingly in order, she waves them off into the Restaurant. She has far more important things to arrange, assuming they are able to pull off the impossible.
[h3]Meanwhile… [/h3]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Gr0xso3.png[/img][/center]

Marquis Blaise Beauregard rubs upon his stomach as he remains seated upon the table. Another successful dish. This plan of his was ingenious, why bother paying for the talent when it is throwing themselves at his feet. It seems his little talent scouting has taken on a life of its own.

[color=7b5c00]“Comme vous pouvez voir, nous allons servir an banquet de haute qualité. Non seulement allons-nous servir le Snowsweeper, mais nous aurons également les étoiles d'Ersand'Enise à accomplir les directives de votre père. Vous pouvez donc l'informer que les rumeurs n'étaient pas fondées.”[/color]
[i]As you see, I will be serving up only the best quality at the banquet. Not only will I be serving a Snowsweeper, but then I will have the best and bright of Ersand’Enise fulfil the requirements set by your father. You can tell him the rumours are unfounded.[/i]

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/0eNSJNj.png[/img][/center]

[color=FFD700]“Ce n'était qu'une formalité. Vous êtes sans doutes au courant que nous ne pouvons pas risquer la présence de l'Alliance Centrale dans cette position. Une position que sera prête à servir un repas à sa majesté, vu les tensions actuelles."[/color]
[i]Our presence is only a formality. As you are no doubt aware, we cannot have any from the Central Alliance in a position to serve food to his Royal Highness given the political tension.[/i]
Frédérique offers the Marquis a sweet and sympathetic smile. 

Étienne simply huffs as he has his arms crossed.
[color=d4af37]“Avec les masses passant ces portes, je ne suis pas sûre que leur simple présence à proximité du repas de sa majesté sera suffisante pour l'empoisonner.”[/color]
[i]With the riff-raff coming through these doors, not sure if their mere presence near his majesty’s food would be enough to poison it.[/i]

Frédérique moves to place a hand upon his arm.
[color=FFD700]“Frère, sois gentil. Le Marquis ne cherche qu'à nous fournir le meilleur.”[/color]
[i]Brother, be gentle now. The Marquis is only ensuring the best is offered.[/i]

Étienne turns to gaze into that smile for a minute before putting down his guard.
[color=d4af37]“Tu as raison, Frédérique. Marquis, aucun manque envers vous. Je ne souhaite simplement pas que ces gueux nous polluent avec leur crasse.”[/color]
 [i]You are right, Frédérique. Marquis, no disrespect aimed towards yourself. I simply don’t want one of these commoners to pollute us with their filth.[/i]

The Marquis simply offers a jolly laugh.
[color=7b5c00]“Ne t'en fais pas, mon garçon. Tu risques d'en trouver un ou deux qui te surprendront”[/color]
[i]It is fine, my son. You may find one or two here that may surprise you.[/i]

Étienne quietly seethes at being referred to as [i]garçon[/i] by this fat man, before having a new idea.
[color=d4af37]“Nous allons donc opter pour ta suggestion. Frédérique, lèves-toi, nous allon juger cette compétition.”[/color]
[i]Then I should take up your suggestion. Frédérique, stand up, we shall judge the competition.[/i]

As the pair walk away, the Marquis drops his demeanour, speaking aloud only to himself.
[color=7b5c00]“Gâtés pourris. Ne ruinez pas davantage cet opportunité pour moi avec le Roi.”[/color]
[i]Spoilt brats. Don’t ruin this opportunity with the King.[/i]
[h3]The Entrance: Au Boeuf Rouge[/h3]
[color=785b10]“Welcome to Au Boeuf!…”[/color] the waitress notices the tokens in their hands, and as if the costumes were not enough to signify their intentions, she takes the tokens from their hands. [color=785b10]“You are just in time, not sure this competition will go on for much longer. Take the table at the end. The… carving is taking place in the next room. There is an additional charge for any ingredients you did not bring with you.”[/color]

As they move along to the table, they are seeing the other contestants preparing their meals.

[b]On the chef tables, Ingrid and the boys meet their competition[/b]
There is the familiar face of Mio from Seoul Sista’s already underway with the cooking, waving towards the students she has met before.
Idun from RASgardians seems to be preparing brandæbles for her dish.
Olga from Pravda Æresvaktr is preparing a meal Vossoriyi style.
Another Vossoriya girl, Oksana appears to be there as well, taking what appears to be a very unusual approach with her cooking.
[i]Many more of their fellow friends and rivals are taking part.[/i]

[b]In the ‘carving’ room, Zarina finds herself faced with her own foes.[/b]
Nia from Seoul Sista’s currently sharpening a long blade usually associated with those from North Callanst culture with a whetstone.
A large Eskandish Berserker, Thorin from RASgardians wielding a hammer and what appears to be a chisel.
The Huulendamn boy from the notice board earlier with his own set of speciality tools.
Anna from Pravda Æresvaktr waves over towards her.
[i]Many more of their fellow friends and rivals are taking part.[/i]

[center][hr][color=785b10][b]Action Opportunities[/b][/color][hr][/center]
[i]You have all decided to try to save the Snowsweeper!
Now you have just to convince the harshest critics you have ever come across, the Gourmet King, Marquis Blaise Beauregard, and the Perrench High Noble twins of De Perpignan, a family of Oriflamme fame.

You have a host of different opportunities only limited by your creativity.
Ingrid is on the Chef side, Zarina is on the carving side. They are expected to be primarily within their respective areas. Zarra and Kaspar can run between if required.
If you want to gather information, feel free to use the Discord thread for replies from various NPCs.
There are multiple ways to influence things in your favour. The more you do, the more success modifiers you earn.

Do you have what it takes to end up being Sipenta's next Jesse Greenwood?
[/i]
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