TheNexusProject/DarqueChocolat

• Back to TheNexusProject.
• Back to Bastion.

Darque Chocolat

by Okensha

Once, there was a young scholar named Viriu, who worked for a lord grown rich and fat on the spoils of a bloody revolution he had waged in his youth, which had brought his meager principality under his control. The lord had many wonders, including a garden of exotic fruiting plants from across Creation. The lord also had a daughter, his only child, whom he prized and spoiled beyond reason.

Hhasseshuu (for such was the name of the lord’s daughter) loved one treat over all others, and that was food prepared from the cacahuatl bean. However, the plant refused to grow in the lord’s gardens. Time and time again, it died without bearing the delicious treasure of its seed for the lady Hhasseshuu to consume. She was incensed -- absolutely outraged at the impudence of the plant.

Therefore, Viriu was sent to the lands where the tree grew wild, to observe it and discern what was being done wrong. Viriu went, and studied, and learned the secret, but wise Viriu also stalled and delayed returning with the information. A new bloody revolution tore down the power of the lord and slaughtered him and his daughter. The gardens were destroyed, and Viriu did not return.

Sometime later, a new chocolatier set up shop on the Bastion side of The Bridge of Ebullient Maidens. The name of the shop is Darque Chocolat, and it uses only the finest chocolate-related recipes, exotic drinks, foods and candies that are a delight to the senses. The prices are very high, but the ingredients used are of the finest quality, and the staff all highly trained. Most of Darque Chocolat’s customers are either very wealthy, or very discriminating aficionados or gourmets. The proprietor, also known as Darque Chocolat, deals with some clients in person - including the artist Alana Tey, whose recent edible sculptures, Floating on a Still Fountain and Lover in Wet Leaves, were made entirely of chocolate obtained from Darque Chocolat.

The shop itself is sumptuously decorated and redolent with the scent of chocolate. Occasionally, select patrons are invited to small tasting parties as new recipes are approved. Most recently, Sangurio Destheme graced the shop with his presence, but reportedly got into a bit of a spat with fellow guest Delos Ferrano.

Rumours

• Darque Chocolat and Alana Tey are lovers, and the sculpture Lover in Wet Leaves depicts the elusive proprietor.
• Certain chocolatiers at Darque Chocolat will, at request, include particular mind-altering substances in special order creations. Ask for “Huilat”.

Secrets

Obviously, Viriu is the individual known as Darque Chocolat, though any who knew the scholar would be hard-pressed to recognise that fact. In an effort to avoid being killed by the revolutionaries who slew Hhasseshuu and her father, Viriu underwent some rather radical personal changes, including skin tone, hair texture, voice, gender .... More than the revolutionaries, though, Viriu fears that Hhasseshuu has survived, and wants to hide from her more than anything. Becoming friendly with powerful people seems like a good way to protect oneself, to Viriu ....

Comments

In case you’re wondering why the cacao tree wouldn’t grow in the lord’s garden; it’s pollinated exclusively by midges, which mainly live in rotting vegetation, and who wants lots of rotting vegetation in their garden or midges always around? I’m sure in Creation, there’s an interesting interplay between the cacao god and the midge god to explain this. ;) –Okensha

Your entries deserve to be noticed, so you shouldn't minor edit the final product. :) (Good for you for using minor edits so frequently, though. It's nice to see someone who isn't focused on monopolizing RecentChanges!)
~ Shataina

Well, the first two (or three?) entries I did, I didn't minor edit anything except typo correction, so now I'm trying to be good. -Okensha

This one seems familiar in places even if it's not supposed to. I need more sleep? Or less caffiene? Ehehe. - Taichara "Greatest Caution!!"

Hee hee hee... *fluff* That didn't even cross my mind when I was writing it, V and all! -Okensha"Sweet Chocolate!"