//------------------------------// // Time to impress Sonata Dusk // Story: The New Adventures of Sonata Dusk // by The Forgotten Siren //------------------------------// As Sonata was walking toward her job, she couldn’t help but think about the text she received yesterday from Ms. Crystalis, telling her to come into work due to some kind of emergency. The blue Siren spent all day yesterday worrying about if she had done something wrong, like not cleaning the stove hoods. Even though it was true, she really, really hated cleaning the slimy gunky hoods after getting done for the day. She worried that she would get into trouble for not doing her job properly. However, her worries were melted away when Pinkie Pie caught her being sad. The pink girl spent all day making the blue siren feel better. Sonata couldn’t help but smile as she remembered what her sweet girlfriend did for her all day, just so she was happy. However, Sonata was standing infront on the “Queen Taco’s” restaurant and all her worries started to surface again. The siren started to turn the knob and as she opened the door, Ms. Crystalis was pacing the floor, with a panicky look on her face. As soon as Crystalis saw Sonata, She sighed deeply in relief and walked up to the siren. “Oh, thank God you’re finally here.” She said with fright in her eyes. Sonata’s eyes started to get teary, as her heart raced. She was sure she was in big trouble. “I’m sorry I didn’t wash the stove hoods like I should.” She said sniffling. “I promise I’ll clean them.” Crystalis raised an eyebrow in confusion as she had no clue what was going on. “No, no, sweet heart, that’s ok.” She comforted the crying siren. “That’s not why I wanted you here today.” Sonata started to perk up and wiped the tears out of her eyes. “It.. It isn’t?” She questioned. “No” Crystalis replied. “The food critic comes today at 10 o’clock sharp.” She finished. “The food critic?” Sonata said in confusion. “Who is that?” Crystalis started to calm down, even though this was a very huge deal at hand. “Mr. Rutherford, is a world renown food critic. His words can promote a restaurant to glory, and success.” Sonata smiled. “Oh wow that sounds great. I’m sure Mr. Lutherford would love our Taco restaurant.” She complimented. Crystalis let a small smile appear on her face. “That’s Rutherford, not Lutherford. Also, while his words can bring a small business like ours into the spotlight, and to become the finest restaurant in town,” Crystalis’s smile turned into a frown as she hesitated. “It can also... destroy a business.” Sonata’s smile soon turn into shock. “Wait.. Then why is he coming here?” She asked as she gulped. “You see, after you came to work for us, our food has become the best of the best in town.” Crystalis replied. “So, it was only a matter of time before word caught his ear. I was gonna tell you last week, but Flufflepuff didn’t want to worry you.” The siren soon started to tremble and sweat. “I-I’m not worried heh heh heh..” She said, feeling the pressure of having someone coming and telling that the food could be good or bad, and if he was to dislike the taste, it would be her fault that they go out of business. “Crystalis looked at the girl with concern. “Listen, Sonata. You have nothing to worry about.” She comforted. “Your cooking skills are the best. No one can cook a burrito to taste like God himself made it, like you can.” Sonata soon stop shaking as she realized that she did make a pretty mean burrito. “Ok, I’ll cook for Rutherhoard and bring this business up.” Sonata said with much enthusiasm. Crystalis face palmed. “That’s Ruther-FORD, R-u-t-h-e-r-f-o-r-d, not hoard. She said as she took her palm off her face and looked back at the siren. “Ok, well we have plenty of time to spare. He comes at ten, so how about you freshen up and cook us a dish?” Crystalis asked. Sonata agreed and went into the back with Crystalis to fix up a dish. As she went into the kitchen, she was greeted by her three co-workers and manager, Tree Hugger, Reeka, and Draggle, who were waiting for her to come in the back, as well as Flufflepuff who just stuck out her tongue. “Dude, are you, like totally psyched? Your totally gonna blow the MANs taste buds away with your radical cooking skills.” Tree Hugger commented. Sonata smiled as she walked toward the stove, getting her ingredients prepared. “Yes, but how am I going to blow his taste out? I mean, wouldn’t that be bad?” She asked with concern. “It was a figure of speech.” Crystalis replied. “Yeah, it means he is gonna love your cooking as much as us.” Reeka said as she ate some of the left over beans. “Yeah, you have nothing to worry about.” Draggle added. “I mean sure if you fail, then we will be out of a job and most likely homeless, but you got this.” Sonata’s heart stopped as she heard what Draggle had said. All the fears and pressure started coming back to her. Draggle was right, if she screwed this up, even if the smallest taste isn’t to Mr. Rutherford’s liking. He could have this place closed down. Which meant everyone would be without a jod. Her and Pinkie would most likely struggle to make ends meet. The pressure started to pile on her. The siren was stiff in place with a worried expression on her face. Everyone looked at Draggle with a angry look, well all but Tree Hugger, who had the same spaced out expression on her face. “What? What I say?” Draggle asked not knowing what she had done. Crystalis put her hand on Sonata’s shoulder. “Listen, you got nothing to worry about. Ok?” She remarked. Flufflepuff put her hand on Sonata’s other shoulder and stared at the girl. She then blinked twice. Soon Sonata calmed down and began cooking her dish. After, twenty minutes the siren was finally done and brought out the dish to Crystalis and Flufflepuff. As both managers took their respective forks and cut a piece of the casadia. As they took a bite, Crystalis’s expression turned into disgust. While Flufflepuff’s expression stayed the same. Fluffle, just took her napkin and spat the food out. She then stuck out her tongue. “Gah, Sonata?” Crystalis gagged. “This.. This is terrible.” Crystalis commented. “What?” Sonata replied with shock in her face. Crystalis looked at the siren. “This dish, you added to much pepper.” She pointed out. Sonata looked down at the ground. “I-I-I don’t know what happened.” She responded in a sad tone. “I mean, I thought I was ok when I started cooking.” “This isn’t good, and we have an hour till Mr. Rutherford gets here.” Crystalis said with panic in her voice. “What are we to do?” She asked hoping someone would have an answer. “I got it dudes.” Tree Hugger said with a smile. “You?” Crystalis asked. “Yeah, Ms. Swiss Legs.” Tree Hugger replied. “You see, her chakra is like clogged with bad vibes and needs to be cleanse in a sea of harmony with love and peace.” Everyone in the room was absolutely confused by what Tree Hugger had just said. Ms. Crystalis looked hard at the hippie girl. “Tree Hugger, you know smoking weed is illegal right?” She asked. Tree Hugger raised an eye brow in confusion. “Huh? No dude, I don’t touch the stuff. It kinda disturbs my chakra flow.” She responded. “But, you always act so... high all the time.” Reeka commented. “Ha ha, nah dude, I am just naturally chill. I released all my bad mojo years ago when I found myself.” She stated. “Ok, well anyway.” Crystalis said, getting back on track. “What is your plan?” She asked. “Simple dudes, we meditate.” Tree Hugger replied. “Meditate?” Draggle said. “What’s that?” “Meditation is the key to open the doors of your mind and soul. It is to become at peace with the whole universe and to soothe you mind and body in the blanket of the cosmos.” Tree Hugger said. “Oh my gosh, that sound awesome.” Sonata said with a smile. “We can go into space?” “That sound kind terrifying if you asked me.” Draggle added. “I mean, wouldn’t we die in space?” Crystalis and Reeka both face palmed. “Ha ha, no dudes.” Tree Hugger replied. “It’s like a metaphor.” After Tree Hugger had explained a little bit more about what meditation is, the girls went into the break room and sat down. The four girls all sat in chairs in a circle. “Ok, please try to hurry this up. We don’t have much time till he gets here.” Crystalis ordered. Tree Hugger nodded in agreement and turned to look at the girls. “Ok dudes, get comfortable.” She said, as everyone stood up straight in their chairs. “Ok, now relax your body, and close your eyes.” She ordered, as the girls did just that. “Ok, now breathe in slowly with your stomach, and go to your happy place.” She finished. “Hey wait” Sonata blurted out.” How do we breathe with our stomachs? I mean don’t we breathe with our lungs?” She asked. “Hey yeah, and what is a “Happy Place,” suppose to be?” Draggle asked. “We aren’t aloud to leave until our shift is over. “ “No, just breathe slowly dudes heh heh heh.” Tree Hugger responded to Sonata’s question. “And a happy place is like your habitat. It’s a sanctuary that you make for yourself. Feel that habitat up with things you like and make you feel at peace with yourself.” She said, responding to Draggle’s question. The girls all closed their eyes and breathed in and out slowly as they were told to do. Their minds were cleared as the slowly brought in their “happy Place.” Reeka smiled as she found her happy place. It was a place of Doughnut Joe’s brother, Greasy Joe’s double stacked, seven bacon hamburger slathered in mayonnaise. The hamburgers were raining from the sky as she kept on eating the greasy delights. Next, was Draggle’s “Happy Place.” Draggle found herself in a field of sunflowers, on a sunny day. The air was sweet and calm, as Draggle was dancing in the field singing about confidence. Then their was Tree hugger, who found herself in the middle of the universe. She was sitting there, taking it all in. The galaxy was hers to admire, as she was unraveling the meaning of life. Lastly, was Sonata Dusk, who found herself in a fish aquarium. She had always wanted to be a fish in some beautiful aquarium. She had all she needed. Treasure chest, sunken ship to explore and beautiful shiny rocks on the floor to admire. She swam in her little world feeling gleeful. However, she soon stopped until she realized it was missing something. Something very important to her and it was not in her little world. But before she could add what it was, Crystalis came in and woke them from their trance. “Hey, its time.” Crystalis said. “Are you ready Sonata?” she asked. Sonata smiled “Yeah, I am. No problem.” She lied as she still kinda felt uneasy about this. “Good, he just came in.” Crystalis responded with a smile. Flufflepuff opened the door and greeted Mr. Rutherford. The man was huge and bulky, he stood around 300 pounds and was with two other men of the same height and weight. “GREETINGS PINK FUZZY MANAGER!!” He roared. “I AM THE FOOD CRITIC MR. RUTHERFORD.” He bowed. “Oh, your here Mr. Rutherford.” Crystalis said, coming from out of the kitchen.”May I say this is an honor having you come here to our little restaurant.” She sucked up. “Hmmm, YES, ME HEARD PLACE WAS BEST.” He shouted as he walked into the restaurant, looking around. “NOT BAD PLACE. LOOK PRETTY.” Crystalis smiled “Thank you so much, please have a seat.” She suggested. “ME TAKE WINDOW SEAT!” He roared again. Flufflepuff walked the men to a nice corner window seat. As the man sat down, Crystalis walked over to them with a menu. “Please choose anything you like.” She suggested. “ME WANTS SURPRISE.” He demanded. “SURPRISE ME WITH FINE FOOD. ME LIKE, ME SAY GOOD WORD FOR BUSINESS.” She commented. “BUUUT, IF ME NO LIKE...ME SAY BUSINESS IS BAD!!” He yelled as his hair over his eyes flared up. Crystalis gulped and she said ok and went into the back. As Crystalis went to the kitchen, everyone was looking right at her. “Man, that guy is such a loud mouth.” Reeka said, eating what appeared to be a stick of cheese. “Yeah, he sound really mean.” Draggle added with a gulp. “Just like our mom.” “I agree, but if he ok’s this place with don’t have to see that Yak bastard again.” She commented. She then looked at Sonata and walked over to the siren. She placed her hands onto the girl’s shoulders and looked into her eye. “Listen, Sonata, whatever happens.. Happens ok? Don’t be scared cause of what might happen. Just try your best and remember, we all love you.” Crystalis said with a motherly tone in her voice before given Sonata a hug for good luck. Sonata felt a little better, but this wasn’t about pleasing the food critic. No, she wanted to win this in order to help her friends stay off the streets and to help the business become successful. The siren was determined to make sure Crystalis’s and Flufflepuff’s dream would still stand after this day, and many others. However, as the siren walked to the stove, the fears started to come back. She didn’t understand why though. After the meditation and pep talk, it still didn’t work. Sonata stood there with sweat coming from her forehead. She didn’t know why this was happening to her. She froze as she thought about what to cook. “Hey, go to your happy place dude.” Tree Hugger said, putting her hand on Sonata’s shoulder.”Remember what makes you happy and filled with love dude.” As Tree hugger said the words “filled with love,” she closed her eyes and went back into her Aquarium paradise. As she swam, looking for the one person who fills her heart with nothing but live, a hand touched her shoulder. And there, was Pinkie Pie in mermaid form. “Hey Silly-nata, hehe” MerPinkie said with a smile. “MerSonata gasped and hugged her love tightly in her arms. “Oh, Pinkie, I’m so so worried.” She exclaimed. “What is it?” MerPinkie asked with concern. “I’m afraid, that I might mess up, and screw up badly. I mean I know Ms. Crystalis says its ok if I lose cause they can just move else where, but I want to help my friends so bad.” MerSonata replied with a sad face. “Aw, Your not gonna fail” MerPinkie responded “I’m not?” MerSonata questioned. “No your not, cause I believe in you.” MerPinkie responded. “Well, the real Pinkie believes in you and loves you. You can do this, because you are the best cook there is, no matter what.” She said going in for a kiss. Both MerPinkie and MerSonata held each other in sweet embrace as they kiss passionately. Sonata soon woke up from her trance with a smile on her face. Her heart was filled with love and warmth. You ok Sonata?” Draggle asked. Sonata looked at her with a smile “Yeah, lets do this. After about twenty minutes of waiting, Mr. Rutherford grew impatient and slammed his hands down onto the table. “ME GETTING TIRED OF WAITING!!” She screamed. “WE LEAVE –“ he stopped before he could finish. Flufflepuff was looking at him with no expression on her face. The two engaged in a staring contest, until Fluffle titled her neck and made a cracking sound. Mr. Rutherford started to sweat and tremble as he sat back down. “U-u-um, we w-w-w-wait longer” He said with fear in his voice. Flufflepuff smiled and went to the kitchen to see if Sonata was done. As she left one of the men leaned in. “What wrong?” he asked with concern. “Me.. Me saw six circle of hell..” He answered as he gulped. After a few seconds of waiting, Crystalis came out with a simple burrito, and placed in on the table. The three men looked bewildered at just how simple the dish was. Most chefs try to make all kinds of outrageous and over the top dishes. But this was truly a first. “MEN, CHECK TO MAKE SURE PERFECT TEMPERATURE!” He demanded his two guys to do. Both men stuck a thermometer in it, along with taking all sorts of measurements and stuff to the burrito. After a few seconds were done, it was time to try the burrito. Mr. Rutherford took his fork and cut a piece of the burrito. He then place the piece into his mouth and began to chew. As he did, both Crystalis and Sonata, who was standing outside the kitchen watching, with anticipation. After, about twenty bites, he finally swallowed. His two men looked at him, waiting for him to say yay, or neigh. However, a tear fell from Mr. Rutherford’s left eye. The two men, along with Crystalis were confused. Soon the mountain of a man started to cry. Both men looked at each other in confusion. “Um, what is going on?” Crystalis asked? “We have no clue.” one of the man said. “This first time he cried.” Man two added. After ten seconds of crying, Mr. Rutherford calmed down. “This.. This dish..” He said choking up. “It, take me back to when me was youngun.” He said, wiping the tear off his face. “Me gran-mama, made favorite nephew, favorite dish.” “So, you like?” Crystalis asked. “No...me not like.” Mr. Rutherford replied. There was a dead silence for a brief second. “ME LOVE!!!!!” He said, going back to his regular tone. “THIS RESTAURANT IS BEST RESTAURANT!!!” Crystalis jumped up and down as she cheered. Sonata and the others all came out and joined in on the cheer. “TELL ME, WHO MAKE GOOD DISH?!” He asked with a smile. Crystalis smile as she showed him, Sonata Dusk, who was super hyped. “This is her Mr. Rutherford.” Crystalis said with phrase. “YOU MAKE ME PROUD BLUE COOK!” He commented. “THANK YOU FOR FOOD!” “No, thank you.” Was all the siren could muster as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Finally, the worries that she had were no more. And everyone’s job were safe.