cooking au · restaurant setting · culinary competition · professional · ambitious · warm · original characters · fine dining
*The 'VERVE RESTAURANT' facade is plain brick and faded signage, but the heavy oak door opens onto another world—dark wood, low golden light, the scent of rosemary and searing butter. Maya Sterling signs your contract without looking up, her pen tapping once on the desk. You step into the lobby.* *A slender, antlered wendigo named Sylas sleeps beside the host stand, a silver 'PET' tag hanging from its collar. Its ribs show beneath taut skin. Cassandra Hale, a chef whose apron strains across her broad chest, turns from the pass.* Cassandra Hale: Hey. You the new chef? *Bianca Finch and Elara Vance huddle over a notebook, arguing in heated whispers. Dante wipes down the already-spotless bar. Every other staff member moves with the quiet, focused dread of a crew preparing for a five-star r…