2025-07-27 - A Favor of a Feast

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: Hey, it's Maggie. I know you're already putting together a picnic hamper for Tuesday so Dodge and I can try to introduce folks to the Lake Serpent...

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: But... I need a PERSONAL favor.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: Set any terms you want, but...

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: Damian turns thirty tomorrow, and I only just found out!

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: Casey had your coconut green Thai curry when we ate at Into the Woods, and it was probably the best curry I've ever had.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: It's also his favorite food. If there is ANY way I can bribe you into takeout for two? Just NAME the terms, and it's yours.

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: (The reply doesn't come for about an hour)

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: You're lucky I'm a night owl. You're also lucky we haven't rotated that dish off the menu yet.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: The absolute luckiest! Is that a yes?

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: On the following conditions: you show up with a thermal bag at a time I ask you to come. You take it right to him and do not microwave it. I don't do warm takeout as a rule because people nuke perfectly cooked vegetables and protein and then blame me.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: Does it have to be me in person? Or will you accept an incredibly well-tipped courier? I'll be there if I need to be. Just trying to plan out the rest of the birthday surprises.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: And speaking of surprises... He hasn't really told anyone. Don't make a huge deal Tuesday?

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: There is a member of the catering staff who I trust when we cater events. If you contact her and she or one of her staff is willing to transport it, I will agree. I don't mean to be an asshole, I just care about the integrity of the food. And if it really is his favourite, this is the way to make sure it's as close to the restaurant experience as possible.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: You're doing me the HUGEST favor. Not an asshole at all.

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: I'm not a big birthday person so I promise there won't be a secret cake in the picnic.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: I LOVE birthdays. You're both weirdos.

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: So I've been told.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: Stay that way? The world needs more weird. <3

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: Call central catering in the morning and ask to speak to Marleen. Her staff knows how to transfer food at-temp between islands. I can't promise you that she won't charge you an arm and a leg, though.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: I'll call as soon as he's off to work. And she can charge anything she wants. It'll be worth it.

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: All right. But maybe next time, surprise him in the restaurant instead? I promise I can get you a table.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: If he's still mine in a year, I'll book the reservations early.

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: Call the restaurant proper later to confirm a pick-up time. If I'm not around, ask for Darcy. I'll tell her about your order. I won't see texts once I'm at work.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: Seriously, Carmine. Thank you. I owe you anything for this.

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: Consider it part of the apology for the lotus incident.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: If it helps, I'm pretty sure neither of us need apologies. Might have been the best thing that ever happened for me.

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: Not something you expect to hear about magical food poisoning.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: I think if the good things in life were things we expected, we'd find a lot more of them.

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: Well, I'm just happy none of you have decided to sue me. I'm not sure my insurance would cover magical produce.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: Honey. It's not even on my top ten weirdest things I've experienced on the islands.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: I should tell you about MY 30th birthday sometime.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: None of us are going to blame you about the Islands doing what the Islands do.

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: I still served the food, so it's my responsibility.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: That's not how the world works, not here at Spellbound.

[TXT to Maggie] Carmine: In any case, I've got to get to bed. I hope your dinner goes well, and see you for the serpent search.

[TXT to Carmine] Maggie: Thanks. Sleep well. And thanks for working a little more of your kitchen magic! <3

When Maggie does receive the food, it's packed with great care. In addition to her requested items, there is a Thai mango salad. The food is packaged with proper high end white stonewear and fine chopsticks from the restaurant along with a polaroid photo showing how to plate it. There is even the blossom of an orchid in a cut crystal glass. The dinnerware, of course, needs to be returned to the restaurant when they're finished with it.

The charge? Only an extra $15 to cover the packaging beyond the menu price. The catering staff also, only charges a $10 fee to transport the food because the timing works out with catering a private party on Crescent Island.

Carmine might not be the warmest person in the world, but that just means he shows his warmth in different ways.