Love takes... Nutmeg!

It was another wonderful day in New Bao City. The streets were alive with the hustle and bustle of many a bao’s comings and goings, undoubtedly all very busy with whatever duties and joyful excursions their days held for them. Among these many baos was Nutmeg. She too was having a very busy day, but she’d finally found the time to break away for a tasty belated lunch. At this point, though, she supposed she may just have to call it dinner. While her destination was slightly further than usual, she’d heard that Rosebeary’s Cafe was simply to die for. With a recommendation like that, how could she avoid the place? Truthfully, she’d been there once before, but she hadn’t actually managed to order anything… Though she was normally confident and outgoing, one thing in the cafe brought all her composure to its knees: Rosebeary. She’d only been able to catch a quick look, but what she’d seen simply had her smitten! Rosebeary was so composed, so passionate, and so detail oriented. Truly, he was a bao worthy of her admiration! 

During her last visit, Nutmeg hadn’t been able to try any of Rosebeary’s food… She had wanted to make a good first impression and maybe leave Rosebeary a gift of some kind, but at the moment she’d had nothing on her. Today was different, though. Stopping at a small but boastful bear’s cart along her way, she’d purchased what she thought would be the perfect little something to make sure Rosebeary viewed her positively. The cart’s offerings were quite all over the place - candy hearts, pancakes, cookies, lollipops…? How old was Brezel, anyways? Surely this cart was the feverish imaginings of a child’s greatest desires. However, Nutmeg dared not question Brezel, for the little bear boasted that she worked with Rosebeary. THE Rosebeary. Her offerings surely must have been carefully curated for high level palettes like Rosebeary’s, so Nutmeg wouldn’t question the method to Brezel’s madness. At Brezel’s recommendation, Nutmeg purchased a lollipop, hoping that the small gesture would be enough to please Rosebeary without being terribly overbearing. 

After what seemed like an eternity, Nutmeg arrived at Rosebeary’s cafe. Taking a moment at the doors, she took a deep breath, and stepped inside. She felt her heart absolutely racing as she waited to be seated, her gaze sweeping the entire cafe just for a mere glimpse of the perfection known as Rosebeary. However… someone new came out to seat her? 

“Sorry! Sorry, I know I’m running behind, thank you for your patience. Right this way!”

Nutmeg blinked, examining the bao in front of her. Light brown with dark spots and blue paws, he introduced himself as Cookie. He seemed rather new, but this was no matter. She could simply ask to speak to the chef after her meal, could she not? It might be better this way, too. Saving the best part of the trip for last would allow her to relax a little bit in the meantime. Reviewing the menu, she soon found herself unable to decide, but took the server’s recommendation and waited patiently for her meal. It arrived rather quickly, and every bite was savored. Nutmeg marveled at the complexity of the taste profile, the freshness of the ingredients, the harmony of the flavors, and the presentation? Immaculate. She wouldn’t expect anything less of someone as talented as Rosebeary! Each bite left her more and more anxious to meet the chef himself and to offer him her gift, and the time finally came a grueling ten minutes later. Cookie approached her with the check, and as she left the receipt and tip, she summoned all the cool and confident energy she could muster.

“Would I be able to… give my personal thanks to Mr. Rosebeary for the meal?” 

Her prompting was met with a momentarily blank expression from the light brown bear, before he smiled apologetically. 

“My apologies ma’am, but Rosebeary is out sick today I’m afraid. Your chef today was New Bao City’s very own Bao! They created today’s menu as well. So talented!”

Nutmeg was taken aback as her attention was redirected to a familiar white baobear in the kitchen, who currently seemed to be occupied with stuffing half of a completed sandwich into their mouth, drool sticking to their paws. They… certainly weren’t what Nutmeg had envisioned when she’d thought of the meal she’d just eaten. She only barely managed to keep the disappointment off of her face as she thanked Cookie for his assistance.

As she gathered her things and started to leave, she reconsidered. Though today’s meal hadn’t been crafted by the one and only Rosebeary, it still was quite tasty. A meal so delicious would clearly have to have been made by someone who loves food. With a renewed confidence, Nutmeg once again called Cookie’s attention. 

“Excuse me, could you please present this to Bao on my behalf? As thanks for the delicious meal.” 

Handing off the lollipop, Nutmeg took her leave, off to complete the rest of her day with a full tummy. Thanks Bao!