A Celebration for Nell

[mylandmyrules]

Nell had tried something a little different for dinner tonight. She'd made a large, and hopefully tasty, vegetable stir fry and had stir-fried some beef in a different pan so those wanting meat could have some. She also had homemade sourdough bread, salad, and a vegetable broth based soup to start the meal.

The apartment was spic and span, the cats were happily curled up on their cat trees, for however long that would last, and she thought she was prepared as she could be for her first ever birthday celebration. Now to wait somewhat anxiously for her guests.



[For those who know who they are.]

Comments

Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

Nell bustled around, setting out the salad and the still warm sourdough bread with both regular and vegan butter, and bringing out a light vegetable broth based soup with tiny noodles for everyone.

There was a pitcher of water and glasses for everyone as well as hot water and mugs for tea. If the Detective or others wanted wine there was a bottle of Sister Erasmus' red that Nell had traded for before she came back.

"Please sit, let's eat," she said. "I'll get the stir fry finished up in a few minutes."

She'd be bowing her head in prayer for a moment, but she didn't expect anyone else to.

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"Sure you don't need any help bringing it in?" Steven asked.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"Maybe when I bring the main meal in," she said, "but for now I'm good, thank you."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"If you're certain," Steven said. He did want to be a good guest after all. "It looks amazing. If you hadn't told me you were trying something new I never would have guessed."

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

Nell laughed. "You haven't seen what I'm trying yet. I'm very confident of my soup, salad and bread."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh." Steven thought perhaps the soup was a new kind as well. "It looks good all the same?"

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"I'm glad," Nell said. "I think it all smells delicious, but of course I'm biased."

Re: Dinner and cake

[hasaknightjob]

"Well I'm not biased at all and I agree," Steven said.

Nell was his friend, of course he was biased. But it still smelled good all the same.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

She smiled sweetly at him. "I thank you for that. Now enjoy what's here while I finish up the last bit.".

She'd be back shortly with a savory and slightly spicy vegetable stir-fry with a side dish of stir-fried beef to add into her own dish - and Lana's if she wanted.

Re: Dinner and cake

[pocketpretzels]

You didn't have to tell Watts twice!

And no, the bread had no mysterious chunks missing from it as it was set on the table thank you very much.

He did end up pouring himself some of that wine- just a small amount at first, enough to give it a careful, thoughtful sip, and then a full glass.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"Good, isn't it? Lots of people swear by Sister Erasmus' wine. Leah loved it," Nell said.

Re: Dinner and cake

[pocketpretzels]

Watts nodded. "Some people are terribly biased when it comes to homebrews," he told Nell. "I try not to limit myself in that manner, as it means I may miss out on something enjoyable."

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"It's the only type of spirits I have in the house," Nell admitted. "I meant to ask Steven what you liked, but time got away from me."

Re: Dinner and cake

[pocketpretzels]

"Oh, for me it's a matter of whether the flavours in the glass and on the plate compliment each other," Watts informed her. "You said the main course will be somewhat spicy?" he asked, over another sip.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"A little," she said. "I didn't want it to be too much for anyone." Nell liked her own food very spicy indeed.

Re: Dinner and cake

[pocketpretzels]

"Then this should go reasonably enough," Watts said. Was it at all what he would have chosen? No. But he was trying to be better about taking others' feelings into account while still remaining honest. The wine itself had a pleasant taste, and was clearly made by someone who knew what they were doing, and nothing about it outright clashed with the flavours you'd likely find in a stir-fry, so.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

If Nell had been able to read the narrative, she'd have been amused. She'd only pulled this out at the last minute so Watts could have wine, but had mostly suspected he'd just bring his own. As she couldn't read the narrative she just smiled at him.

"Good then. Please help yourself to bread and salad and enjoy the soup. I'm just going to go put the finishing touches on the main part of the meal."

She'd be back shortly with the savory and slightly spicy vegetable stir fry.

Re: Dinner and cake

[unusual_sith]

Lana settled in and waited politely while Nell prayed, then started in on the wine and got a piece of bread to go with the soup. "This all smells wonderful, as usual."

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"Thank you," Nell said, beaming.

After a few minutes she excused herself and went to finish up the main dish, returning with the savory and slightly spicy stir-fry and rice to put it over. She also set a bowl with stir-fried beef near Lana dna herself. "In case you'd like meat with yours," she said.

Re: Dinner and cake

[unusual_sith]

"Definitely," Lana said, smiling. "I'm sure the vegetables are wonderful, but with apologies to others at the table, I enjoy meat, too."

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

Nell smiled at her. "Me too. I'm glad I won't be the only one indulging."

Re: Dinner and cake

[unusual_sith]

"Definitely not," Lana assured her. "But the cake is vegan, I made sure of it," she assured them all.

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"I had no doubt that you'd make sure of that," Nell assured her. "Thank you."

Re: Dinner and cake

[unusual_sith]

"You're welcome," Lana said. "Are you enjoying yourself so far?"

Re: Dinner and cake

[mylandmyrules]

"Yes," Nell said. "So far it's just myself and some friends having dinner and they happen to have brought me presents, which is very kind of them."