Quiet Nights, Silent Encounters

Cooking for One

   It was a slow evening, you supposed not many people had time to pass by for dinner. The tall curtained windows were slightly open, allowing the night's soft spring breeze to gently flow through. Tables were spotless, chairs placed evenly, and your kitchen was completely void of any mess. The setting was rather meditating, fit for your serene and comfortable restaurant. The lack of business wasn't so much of a bother, for it was a week day after all. People were at home spending dinner with their families, travelers were camped in the beautiful forests and plains of Hyrule, and all the while you were here. Patiently waiting to see if someone was in need of a fresh home cooked meal.

Your eyes kept flickering towards your dainty clock beside the doorway, releasing a longing sigh to escape your lips. It was only 9:17 pm, and you haven't seen a decent customer in two hours. The only exceptions being men who asked for a quick beer, had their fill, and disappeared to who knows where in their drunken wake. You felt a tick in your eye, when has that clock become so relentlessly slow? When has the singing of crickets become so obnoxious? You were going insane and it wasn't even 9:30.

You prayed to the Goddesses that someone would just stroll through that door, not even to buy anything, maybe to just engage in civil conversation. Any sort of entertainment would be satisfying for you at this point, but it seems no one is going to give you mercy for your uneventful night.

Your immaculate kitchen consists of two firewood stoves, an immense pantry with all your daily fresh ingredients, and a counter bar to separate your work space from the seating area of the restaurant. Seated with terrible posture behind your said counter, you felt a sudden surge of drowsiness overwhelm you. Uh oh. You don't usually close till 11, and already sleep was knocking at your brains doorstep. Maybe a quick rest of your eyes would regain your energy. Not a nap, cause that would be unprofessional. Besides, it's not like anyone was gonna show up anyway.

So with no hesitation, your eyes droop closed, whilst your head lowers to be gently cradled by your arms. Back to listening to the sounds of the world, your mind was at peace.

Or so you thought.

After what felt like minutes, an irritable tapping on the back of your head disturbed your nap. Your mind settled with giving a groan as a response. To your dismay the action continued. What kind of asshole disturbs a woman's sleep...

Shit wait. You're working.

The sudden realization sent a boost of energy into your body, forcing you to your feet in the seconds following. With your mind spinning and a dizziness overcoming your senses, you stumbled to grip your counter for support. A blurred figure stood before you, a blob of blue topped with a head of gold.

"I am so sorry - I swear I don't usually sleep during opened hours," the words flew out of your mouth in a panicked frenzy.

Still trying to fully awake your mind, you start to make a shuffle with your feet. Your current goal was to find your worn down notepad in order to take the customers order. Though a rather unsettling feeling fluttered in your chest, the customer had given no response to your apology. Worried that the possibility of offending them filled your gut in shame, and you just hoped you could make it up to a really good dish.

After a few more seconds of time, your vision returns. Snatching your notepad, your quill is ready to scribble the customers wish for the night, "Alrighty, what can I make you tonight-".

You almost cut your sentence short in awe, not only was that blue and gold blob a man, but oh Goddesses... He was a beautiful man. Serene eyes the color of the sea stared at you with an intensity you've never felt before, hair resembling the strands of fresh corn cradled his young face just enough to be perfect whilst the rest was tucked in a tie, and underneath his teal tunic you could tell was a body toned just right to resemble one of a hero. Overall though, a feminine structure took up most of his form, but he still held a masculine authority to him. This man was a new face in your life you've never dreamed of encountering, and you had absolutely no clue on how to handle it.