Business was booming, which was great and all, but it came with a side-effect that he should have seen coming; his work life in the kitchen was turned into a fucking hell. Torys, in her wisdom, hired people outside to help tend the bar, but what she did not do was hire any more chefs so it was up to Zenith to keep up with a sudden demand for food and that's when he was not taking missions. Food was sizzling on cast iron pans, the oven was baking with warm, comforting aromas coming from, and simmering in tall soup pots filled with various kinds of different colored broths. Various meals were being plated while the poor man juggled with prepping and searing, sweat was rolling down his head from the intense heat of the kitchen. And another order came in. His eye twitched at the sight of that slip of paper.
"Oh come on!" God dammit he'd rather fight the dragon again!
Moments later, the kitchen doors swung open from Zenith's foot as he carried out various bowls and plates as if he was from some circus with the impossible balancing act he was pulling off. Again, Torys, in her infinite wisdom, did not higher a waiting staff to help.
"Alright, let's see." Table 12 had the meat loaf with mash potatoes and chicken schnitzel with red cabbage cooked with mustard seeds, table 5 had the two cheese burger with fries, no pickles and extra onion, table 13 had pea soup with sharp cheddar and turkey chili with goats cheese over grits. Of course there were more dishes, but he could not remember what was what after being stacked on top of another. They better tip well or so help him god he will never work in that kitchen again.
That still did not stop him from serving everyone with a smile on his face.
"Thanks Zen!"
"Looks good!"
"Time to tuck in!"
Once everyone was served, he untied his apron and tossed it across the bar before collapsing on a stool. Thankfully, the bartender at the time served him a roast beef sandwich with broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, and provolone and fries on the side from the kitchen with a tall glass of ice cold tea.
"You are a savior." He gulped down the tea in one sitting and asked for another, also to bring some mayo for his fries. Hey, don't judge it until you try it.
There was Holly again, talking very loudly about one of the job missions. She was also making a subtle remark about Gwendolyn's very open nakedness. It's such a common occurrence that it doesn't faze him anymore.
"Gwen, I'm certain that your stripping sends a signal for the creepers to gather."