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With her flawless mutant disguise on (just a summer dress over the top of her regular attire) Starfire is out and about exploring the city. This time by following her noise. "Excuse me," she asks, her head popping up over the top of the enclosure wall. "But may I enquire what this place might be?"
*
The menu tonight for out here involves potato skordalia with walnuts and garlic, chicken dolmathes, and horta as well as some sea-vegetables in sweet vinegar and salt. Most of the food is earthy and robust, essentially peasant fare served with restaurant flare, which means that there is liberal use of butter and a heavy leaning on cream and reduced, thickened sauces. Easily smelled, even from a bit of a distance, and with lashings of bright red wine that float sharp notes even higher.
In the kitchen, Lambert curses in Greek, startled as his kick dislodges half of the grill itself. He quickly resets it in the correct place - and then comes out, drying his hands on his apron, to see Starfire. Olympian strength is _not_ in a similarly athletic body here, Lambert has a build best described as 'comfortable' or even 'friendly. He calls out "This is Saganaki Restaurant, miss - open the gate there and come inside." Then he says to the gorgon already present "What are you feeling like tonight, eh?"
*
Finding one's way to the courtyard isn't that hard. Even if one is as belligerent as Josephine. With her duffel bag in tow the currently blue denim jacket and white 'Frank Sinatra' t-shirt -clad heiress is weaving her way through people having been asking after the 'chick with the green skin and snake hair'. As a result a stampede of dark brown hair, wide blue eyes, and a vaguely annoyed expression comes frenetically past the door and into surroundings clearly for people far more composed than she is. At least no one has been kicked, screamed at, or practically joked. Yet.
"Well, this place is pretty farout actually. Looks like they're about to ball." Frowning, Josie tilts her head and takes a deep breath. "Oh, hey. Del!" Snake girl has company heading her way now.
Maybe the moral is that n oone really belongs?
*
Delphyne laughs a little at Lambert, "Language!" Then she smiles as she suddenly hears, "Josie? What are you doing here?" She reaches out and draws Josie into a tight hug when she's close enough, then tilts her head, her 'hair' actually loose for a change. "Not a complaint, by the way… I'm glad to see you." She then looks over at Lambert, "I trust that whatever you make is going to be amazing, so surprise me, please."
*
Starfire floats a little higher, until she's able to lean over the top of the wall. "A restaurant?" She sniffs the air a few times. "I see. That would explain the aroma! Unfortunately I do not think I currently have enough American money to buy a meal." She tilts her head thoughtfully. "I also suspect I do not have anything of equivalent value. As I have left the rest of my Moon rock back at home."
*
Lambert grins at Delphyne, and his eyes, Lambert's eyes, have horizontal goat-pupils. The rest of him is quite cuddly-looking, but those eyes unfortunately give him a distinctly alien cast. Out here, where he feels more comfortable, he has his rather pointed ears peeking out from under his chef's cap, and a distinctly furry tail allowed to pop up from the back of his jeans instead of being crushed down into a sciatica-causing lump. He holds his hand up for Josephine, and then he pulls a seat out for her near Delphyne, and he calls out to Starfire "Can you wash dishes? If you can wash dishes, later, you can have a meal." He snaps his fingers, broad, heavy things with thick nails. The accent is both Greek and American. "How are you tonight?" he asks Delphyne in a friendly voice.
*
The hug is returned rather tightly and then Josie turns slightly so that she can see the rest of the room, still leaning against the gorgon while she does. This young woman looks normal, just inclined to be a bit problematic. She slides easily tinto the offered seat and notes, "Bitchin'. Like how you've decked out the place, dig?" For Lambert's benefit.
"And. Um. The floating lady can have dinner. I got her covered." Josie is just looking up at Starfire and… BLinking. A lot. She mouths at Delphyne, "Friend of yours?"
*
Del keeps an arm around Josie, then shakes her head, "Never saw her before…" She murmurs that, then raises her voice to speak to Starfire, "Hello. I'm Delphyne, and this is Josie." She nods towards Josie, then extends a hand in greeting, thinking the alien might know what a handshake is. Maybe. Then she looks over at Lambert, and smiles, "Doing very well, in point of fact. Researching what is needed to be a private investigator, since we talked about that."
*
"I do not usually need to eat," Starfire states earnestly, as if this answers the question about plate washing. She casually floats her way up and over the wall. Landing and brushing her dress into shape. "My name is Koriand'r although people in America find it easier to call me Kori. I moved here recently." She offers a smile and reaches out to shake Delphyne's hand.
"It is very generous of you to offer to pay," Kori says, nodding at Josie and offering her hand. "But I do not know if I could accept. It would be very rude of me to accept gifts from a stranger." She frowns, then suddenly breaks into another grin. "However I believe I can afford a glass of.. wine I believe it is called. May I try some of that?"
*
"Oh! Well, that is good too!" says Lambert contentedly - as long as somehow things are being paid back? He does not seem to mind at all. He leans over and lights a candle on one of the other tables - sadly, with a match. No weirdo powers here "Alright then! The specials tonight, for my friend here," he nods to Delphyne "Oh, hello Josie! And excellent, Delphyne - yes, you will be _very_ good at such a thing! For my special guests, roasted pine mushrooms, tsoureki, and nasturtiums. As a starter. With bread and wine! For mains, lamb tagine with pine nuts. It is the season for celebration, is it not?" As Starfure says she does not need to eat, Lambert says to her "Oh, you poor thing!" with genuine horror "Oh, yes, absolutely - let me get right on the wine." And he bustles off to a corner with a large ceramic flask and a home made beeswax stopper.
*
"Private investigation? Far out. How is it looking for you so far? " She turns her head slightly and looks around at the people around her before settling her gaze onto Lambet. "I am not sure which of the things he mentionedd any of this is, but… Whatever." There's a grin on Josie's features as she reaches for the bread. She seems to be pretty enthusiastic.
"Why would it be rude to accept gifts from a stranger, though? I mean, I feel weird when I am eating i nfront of people. IF you are hungry get something. Serious. Not a bigg deal." Then she shrugs again and proceeds to slather some butter on her bread so that she can cram it into her mouth. "Nice to meet you too Koriand'r. Like the seeds, I guess." Yes, with bread in her mouth.
*
Delphyne hrms, "The problem is… well, I don't exactly have documentation that you would expect. So getting a license is going to be tricky. Though there are some avenues…" Somewhat not-that-legal avenues, but that's not something she's going to elaborate on. Noticing that Josie is busy nomming the bread, she takes Kori's hand instead, if allowed, her touch very cool compared to most people… and also a knowledge of ancient Greek. A bit different dialect than what Lambert uses, though. Unfiltered, perhaps.
*
"Why is it bad that I do not need to eat solid food? Light is a very enjoyable form of sustenance," Starfire wonders, perching on the edge of a bench. Her own hand is fairly warm to the touch, the skin rather unyielding and her handshake is extremely careful. As if concerned about causing damage. "When I first came to the city several people would make offers which seemed to be friendly but may have been made in the hope of a romantic liason. I do not really mind myself, but I have been told I should respect local customs more."
*
The bread is fresh today, cooked on premises. Not to go too much into the food, but…as red wine is slopped into a wooden bowl for everyone present, it bears mentioning: Everything here was cooked or brewed by a satyr. The food is designed to elicit gastronomic pleasure, the wine could kick in the teeth of a mule while pretending to be honey. A glutton's paradise. And Lambert is a little overgenerous with his wine, too. Best not ask in this era why he is brewing his own. He says to Starfire "Oh, if I could eat light, I would as _well_. But one should definitely try just about _every food source_ and also go starve occassionally! Food is magnificent! It's culture! It's delight!" He gestures expansively, in his chef's uniform, and then he offers his own hand to shake "Oh, well, you're attractive, people probably want to have sex." So. Uh. Plain. Just like that. Lambert's tail twitches, and he says "You should do whatever you like, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone." So speaks pure ID.
*
Josie is listening to theentire covnersation calmly, though she does choke a bit when Lambert gets ti discussing sex. She shakes her head slowly before finally giving a faint shrug, " I think it'll be great for you, Del. You're really smart and you can help people- what in the world is this bread made of?" Josie does not yet realize how good the rest of the food is going to be. She is cramming bread into her mouth like she has some sort of a wasting disease. Gastronomic delight indeed.
*
Delphyne grins at Josie, "Better take it easy… I don't want to have to carry you home." Well, that's not entirely true, but if Del has to carry Josie than Del can't indulge as much as she would like. Then she nods at Koriand'r, "Quite a few men are obsessed with such nonsense, though while you might not need to eat… can you eat? Because this is definitely worth it." And she does help herself to some bread, before Josie devours it all.
*
Starfire blinks a few times. Then laughs as she shakes Lamberts hand too. "It is strange they would not just /ask/," she shrugs. "Then I could politely decline and at least make friends with people."
Kori sips at her wine. "This is very enjoyable. Oh yes, when I want to I can eat solid foods. I spent most of last year just consuming light as I was busy traveling. I shall have to remember that wine is more pleasant than whiskey."
*
"Flour," says Lambert to Josie, and he adds "Wild yeast, retained yeast, three types of sugar, two types of salt. Corn meal. Milk. Eggwhite…" Is he going to go on? He does "From duck eggs, of course. Applewood for the fire." He shakes Starfire's hand firmly. Not…supernaturally strong. Just at peak human fitness. And then he finishes pouring wine for everyone, and heads back to the kitchen - though it is very close and the door is left open so he can talk "Oh, wait, did I say something odd?" Lambert wonders, adjusting his chef's cap over his ears again as Josie chokes "Er, never mind all that nonsense." Hmm! The pots and pans rattle, and he calls to his kitchen boy as souvlakis continue to be made for takeaway customers at the front. Pine mushrooms coming up. And horta. And God knows what else. The gorgon out the back gets special treatment, maybe? Lambert calls out from the kitchen "They can't ask, social rules are really odd here. You wouldn't _believe_ what you can get arrested for doing in public! I tell you, my father has been in lockup overnight _so often_ in Texas…"
*
Lamont has arrived.
*
"Hey wait a second! No! That's the *best* bread ever!" Josie is squabbling with Delphyne. The two are sharing a small table laden with food and right now Del has just taken some bread Josie snatches it back. Then they are squabbling, swatting hands and snatching and lightly pushing at one another. in the end Josie loses the bread and throws her head back to let out a mournful sigh. "I guess you have to taste it too," the brunette notes dramatically. Then she is going for the lamb.
"Oh my God. This is the *best* lamb!" The young woman tries another dish. "….Bitching." Cue Josie diving into everything like she will vanish from existence without high caloric values. She doesn't wait to swallow before speaking. "Mmmmm…"
*
Starfire has left.
*
He's ….well, he is something of a regular here, is Lamont. He's in a gray silk vest, darker gray pants, and a white dress shirt….but no tie, and his sleeves are rolled up. He looks weary, but cheerful, and comes in as if sure of his welcome. But then, he is friends with the chef…
*
Del normally lets Josie get away with things… but damnit, that IS good bread. And she smiles, "You should try this…" For twofold reasons. One, because it gives her the chance to feed Josie something fun. Two, because that distracts Josie from the lamb so she can have some herself.
*
For Lamont - apparently an early dinner is being served to the ladies. Lambert is pretty much preening over all of the nice attention being given to him at this point. He is a _sucker_ for praise - and Josie is heaping it on. Josie knows how to get a free bowl of wine, apparently! Lambert spots Lamont, and he lifts his hands up, pleased, and then gestures him to his regular table. Lit candle, wine, already - everything. Yes. Delphyne and Josie and Lamont. Lambert seems so contented, enough to bustle around rather than stomp. He puts a hand briefly on Lamont's back, and he says to him "Haha! This is a good night." More everything. Even for the alignment-neutral Shadow.
*
When the extra wine arrives Josie flashes Lambert a dazzling smile. "Far out! You're one bad boss, kitchen cat." Then she's setting into the wine. Because, wine. Delphyne thus has access to whichever foods she likes. Josie seems to enjoy beng fed as well and responds by relinquishing souvlaki for the opportunity to feed the Gorgon in turn. TI's almost nauseatingly sweet. She's scanning the room as she eats, her expression more serious than one might expect. Lamont. Huh. Josie doesn't greeth im immediately but she notes his presence never the less.
*
Delphyne waves towards Lamont, and then she's getting fed by Josie, chuckling a bit as she nibbles at the offered food. "See, this is great food. Always trust us beings of legend. Though… I'm a horrible cook." She winks at Josie, then takes a sip from her own wine as well, enjoying the deep rich flavor of the liquid.
*
That Lamb's so clearly glowing with happiness is enough to bring a little smile to his face, softening the harsh lines. Then his gaze lights on Josie, and it doesn't falter. "Miss Mills," he says, pleased. "You've discovered one of the best restaurants in New York. Lindon and I've come here, from time to time." Delphyne gets a pleased nod, as well. He's made her acquaintance before, and is still none dismayed by her appearance.
*
There is no sign whatsoever from Lambert, despite the semi-romantic squishiness going on between Josie and Delphyne, that it might be an issue. Then again? Satyr. And this place out here _is_ for those who do not fit in, whatever kind they might be. Lambert finishes putting out chairs and tables, and now that everything is ready, he dusts off his hands contentedly and he says to Josie "I really enjoy food. Well, and drink. I like my comforts and my pleasures!" He rolls up his apron now and undoes it at the back, so he can hang it up "How is Lindon? Boy always looks a little…uncertain." Boy. Lambert looks in his early twenties.
*
Lamont gets a nod form Josie who actually stops eating long enough to look over and blink a couple of times. "Mmm. Yeah. It's pretty amazing. This is my first time. You know Del?" Josephine indicates the Gorgon by tilting her head. She twists slightly in her seat and then straightens, taking a deep breath. A cigarette comes out of a pocket now but ti is rolld between two fingers while Josephine finishes off her second bowl of wine. "This is amazing. Like, I might try to eat here every day now. Might be bad for my figure. Whatever. I can cut my gas mileage by rolling to work every day." Then it's back to food.
*
Delphyne smiles to Josie, and nods, "Actually, yes, he was here the first time I arrived at this place. And Lambert was hosting me then too, out of professional courtesy." She laughs very softly, "And the food was amazing then too. As was the wine." Her lips quirk a bit, then she goes back to eating, though she does flicker a fond glance or two back to Josie.
*
"He's doing well," Lamont explains, and there's a hint of fondness in his expression. "Ah, well, he's been through a good deal of late. Miss Mills here is actually his sister." And then he's nodding at Delphyne. "Amazing how one can't resist coming back after the first time, isn't it?" he adds, as he takes a seat.
*
Lambert comments, mildly "She is obviously, ehhh, from a _similar area_ to my family, if you know what I mean." He taps his head, where he has a soft, fluffy…well. Pale _fleece_ of a hair. It hides his ears most of the time, and there is no sign of horns. The eyes really are the thing that he cannot hide. Lambert blinks in surprise "Sister!" he says, honestly surprised "Well, hello, then!" And he says "Ahaha, yes, butter up the chef's ego to get free things, Lamont." But there is wine for him, and the bees hum out here, quietly.
*
"Lindon? Yeah, he's aces," Josie areets Lambert, nodding. "S'cool." Then she reaches for the food in front of her to continue shoving it into her mouth withotu slowing too much. Delphyne gets the occasional fond glance as well. The brunette is actually more oriented on her than it might appear.For example despite her ravening hunger there's nothing Delphyne shows interest in she actually fails to get to try. "I just showed up here because I was following Green here." She shrugs. "It's… Pretty easy to find her, honestly."
*
Del rolls her eyes a little bit, "Yeah, my clothing is pretty distinctive." She grins over at Josie, also making sure Josie gets a chance to sample everything she wants, and maybe a few things she didn't think about trying. Then she glances over at Josie, "Lindon's your brother? I don't think I've met him yet."
*
He takes the offered wine bowl, and lifts it to his host in salute. There's gleam of amusement in the gray eyes, and he seems far more at ease than he usually does. Something about the restaurant. Josie's comment has him looking sphinxish. "Indeed," he says, wryly. "I shall have to bring him here again."
*
"Really? I never would have guessed," says Lambert a bit dryly about Delphyne. But then he is sitting down near the group, taking his own bowl of wine and lifting it to Lamont in turn "Well, at least my life is getting less exciting now. Didn't have to marry a giant marauding crab."
*
"You were about to marry a giant crab? Far out. I wonder what crabs do when they marry satyrs. Or whatever it is you actually are," Josephine asks, tilting her head as she makes the matter-of-fact statement about Lambert's heritage. "Okay, so. Everything is amazing. We should come here more often, Del. Do you do breakfast?" That's for Lambert as Josie looks back ath im over her shoulder. "I might just move in and buy a table." Then she adds, "Lindy's my brother. We've been siblings my entire life. Apparently it's a thing. I just tracked him down a few weeks ago. That's why I came out to this part of New York, honestly."
*
Delphyne smiles a bit, "Well, I wouldn't want to abuse Lambert's business, but I do enjoy coming here quite a bit." She leans in and places a light kiss on Josie's cheek, then she tilts her head towards Lambert, "Wait, a giant crab? Did you owe Poseidon a favor or something?"
*
"This is a story I want to hear," Lamont says, with unwonted bluntness. "I'm very curious indeed." Well, he is a nosy old bastard. No comment on breakfast - instead, he hides his smile behind the rim of the wine bowl.
*
Lambert says to Josie "We…sometimes do breakfasts on the weekend. But you see, I do like to sleep in." He sighs happily, and then he says "Ah, New York is a very interesting place to come to, to be frank! No wonder your brother is here. Everything strange…ah. I mean. Interesting. Comes here." And then he picks up his bowl of wine, and he says "Er, I was at another cafe on the waterfront and a giant crab showed up. Kai and a…friend? Loki? Were there. They seemed to be able to talk to it. It was roughly the size of a house, looking for a magic ring…anyway. When kicking it didn't get rid of it, and it was following me around, I tried proposing to it." BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT YOU DO, LAMBERT. He adds, uncertainly "I tried other things too. But Loki suggested that."
*
"Right. Marrying giant crabs is usually a surefire way to make the mleave," Josie agrees reasonably, shrugging her shoulders as she does. Then the girl is looking back to the food arrayed in front of them. Blue eyes shif t to Delphyne and she's quiet for a long moment. Then Josie blinks and reaches for yet more food. She is making a sandwich. Why would she bother, after eating so much? The world may never known.
*
Delphyne grins at Lambert, "Um, I might only be from an island isolated from the rest of the world, but even /I/ know that trusting trickster Gods is a Bad Idea." She winks at him, then gives Josie a soft peck on the cheek, "I'll be right back, just need to take care of something." Probably involving that fair amount of wine that she drank, no doubt, as she stands, walking fairly straight towards the bathrooms… though her snakes appear a bit sloshed, drooping and weaving somewhat erratically.
*
That little tale has Lamont setting down his bowl of wine and putting his face in his hands, as his shoulders shake silently with gales of laughter. AFter a few moments, he takes them away to wipe at his eyes - laughed so hard he cried. "What sort of magic ring?" he asks. And then, to Del, "Good evening."
*
"God?" asks Lambert, a bit puzzled "Who is a God?" And then he cannot help but laugh as Delphyne's snakes wobble back and forth. After a moment, he says to Lamont, puzzled "I do not know. I cannot 'detect' magic. But the silly boys would not give it away to the giant, and it was _smashing things_ and people were getting injured. So I took it out of Kai's hand and gave it to the crab. Er. It did seem to sort of want. Me?" He adds "I am very attractive, it is true. Anyway, the crab left."
*