Sishiro Botan walked down the dirt path through the field, scanning the horizon for anything suspicious. Behind her, Omaru Polka and Usada Pekora did much the same. When Watame had failed to show up on time to their meeting place, and then failed to answer her phone at all, it was cause for alarm. Watame had texted them when she was leaving the store, so that indicated that something foul had befallen her somewhere on the road to their spot. The trio had figured the best course of action would be to travel Watame's planned route in reverse, in hopes of finding clues to her whereabouts. Suddenly, Botan spotted something out of place. "I see some sort of building or stand there, that wasn't there last time I passed though," she said pointing at the offending structure in the distance, "Someone must have set it up very recently."

"It looks like some sort of restaurant stall, peko! But nobody seems to be eating there yet." With her carrot-powered eyesight Pekora was best equipped to spot the seats laid out on a covered deck.

"A new restaurant just popped up like that? We gotta see what cool stuff they have!" Polka chimed in. "Well, after we find Watame, of course," She quickly added.

"I know it's almost lunchtime, but now is not the time to think with our stomachs," Botan chastised. "But you are right- this is the first anomaly we've found. It is worth checking, to see if they might have seen anything weird that's happened here today."

And so, the trio continued down the path to the restaurant. It seemed to have been set up by attaching a wooden patio covered by awnings to the side of a small truck. As they approached the wind shifted, and the two predators of the group noticed a particular scent on the wind. Polka was the first to comment. "Oh, I think I smell some meat from that place! Mmm, smells quite good."

"I agree," Botan added. "It smells like some good mutton. Whoever's there is competent at least."

As the two seemed excited by the smell, Pekora moved to chastise them only to halt partway. "Oh would you two predators stop saliva… ting… Hold on peko, did you say Mutton?" They stopped as Pekora paled. "Oh peko no, is someone eating her?!"

Botan nudged her, and the three animal girls continued their approach. "We cannot jump to conclusions, Pekora. But you are right that is a possibility. If the wind remains favorable I might be able to tell when we get closer."

Pekora eyed Botan as she considered the implications of her last statement, but said nothing as they continued to move forwards until they were almost next to the restaurant. Botan led them off the path, on the side opposite the building to minimize possible suspicion, and sniffed at the air. She briefly perked up, before frowning. "Yes. That scent, that is very much Watame's. She's here."

Polka smirked as she turned to the lion. "Well, you're definitely on the ball Shishiron! Only Watame makes you start drooling like that!"

Pekora frowned. "You sound like you're enjoying the thought of Watame becoming food a little too much peko! We ARE going to make whoever did this pay, right peko?"

"Don't worry Pekora-Senpai. While it's true Watame is quite tasty, treating her like nothing more than food is awfully rude. And jumping her when she's in the middle of running errands is absolutely unacceptable." Having reassured Pekora, Botan stepped back to address both her comrades. "But there is still a small chance there's been a misunderstanding, so I want to try settling this diplomatically before we go in guns blazing."

"You think you can convince whoever's in there to just give Watame back?" Polka asked.

Botan turned to look upon the mysterious restaurant. She hoped she did not look too suspicious as she considered the avenues of approach that could be used to infiltrate it. After a few minutes she turned back to her fellow talents. "Here's the plan: I will walk up to the restaurant in plain view. Meanwhile, the two of you quietly approach the patio from opposite sides, and crouch down completely out of sight when you get close. I'll try to parley with whoever's in charge, maybe order some food so I look less suspicious. I'll try to talk things out, but if it seems it's going to come to a fight I'll call the two of you to jump up."

Polka smiled at Botan. "I can certainly do some jumping. Right onto their heads!" said the circus acrobat. "Sounds like a good plan. But Shishiron, are you sure you're not using this as an opportunity to get some lamb chops?"

"As I said, eating some of whatever food they're making will put their guard down," Botan replied. "But we need to be ready for anything, including them deciding I am hostile." She stared hard into Pekora and Polka's eyes. "If you hear or see any signs of struggle, even if I don't directly call for you, then the two of you MUST leap into action immediately. Understood"?

Pekora had until then felt unnerved by the casual discussion of predation among her kouhais. But the firm command from the wise lion allayed her fears for now. The rabbit and the fennec nodded, and the three of them moved into position.

Botan did her best to hold a straight face as she walked on to the restaurant's patio. The delightful smell of sheep roasted with vegetables was strong and a little distracting, but she had to be prepared for anything. Nobody else was visible inside, but she could tell someone was working in the kitchen by the sounds and moving shadows. Whoever was in there seemed to be singing or humming in some fashion. Botan moved a little closer, trying to decipher anything.

The voice was masculine, deep English with a deep accent. As far as Botan could tell it was mostly just formless humming and singing, save for an unnerving refrain: "Poached, roasted or barbecued- rare, endangered animals make the best food!" That did not speak well of the person's mentality. The likelihood of a violent confrontation had just increased. There was nothing else to do, so Botan walked up to the restaurant's counter and gave it three loud taps.

"Oh, is someone hungry? I'll be there in just a second!" The masculine voice boomed. A few more sounds of equipment moving about, then the presumed proprietor of the place emerged from the other side of the counter.

Botan did a double take as she was confronted with an absolute unit of a man who looked like he could wrestle Yagoo or Kanata to the ground twice over without breaking a sweat. She'd never seen a person with arms and shoulders that broad. His white blouse and hat did indeed identify him as the chef, and… his pink nose was utterly oversized. The look on the man's face was smug. Botan was pondering how to best battle this giant when he spoke. "Why hello there! A customer I guess? How might I serve you?"

Botan sniffed at the air, pretending to not already know what was roasting in the kitchen. "It seems you're preparing some sort of mutton. I would like to taste what you're creating."

"You've got a good nose there girl. I've got something really special today: Some rare sheep that looks almost like a human! Called herself tsuno-something watame, goes great with vegetables. Hmm," The Chef paused and his large nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply. Botan had the strange suspicion he was smelling her. "Intriguing, isn't it? "

Botan was intrigued alright. She didn't expect the man to be so openly boastful about his catch. He also knew Watame's name but seemingly didn't have it committed to memory. Assuming he wasn't dumb muscle for someone other mastermind, this at least removed fears of this being some plot targeted specifically at her dear sheep. He was merely an opportunistic crook, and hopefully wouldn't be too attracted to this catch.

"I know Watame is very tasty. But she is a good friend of mine, and I find it unacceptable for some random chef to just kidnap her and cook her."

The chef took a step back, seeming offended, before his usual proud face returned. "You take me for some ordinary dime-a-dozen chef? Well, I suppose not everyone in the world has heard of Gaston Gourmand, the finest cook of exotic meats to grace this planet!" The man boasted, puffing up his large chest.

Sure, Watame was a very special sheep. But she was still made of mutton, could her meat be called exotic? Well, better not bruise the ego of this "Gourmand" at this point. And Botan was curious whether there was any truth to his boasts. "Well then Mr. Gourmand, I would like to see an example of your famous cooking. Some special sheep does seem fitting for my tastes". She hoped her suspicions of the man were not visible, or at least would be mistaken for mere doubts of his culinary ability.

"Excellent! One big plate of roasted mutton, coming right up!" As Gourmand walked to the back to get the meal, Botan set down at one of the tables and weighed her options. No doubt this chef didn't see himself making take-out, so trying to walk out with Watame in food form would arouse suspicion if not immediate wrath. Perhaps she could take a few bites, then jump him with Polka and Pekora while he's happy someone's enjoying his cooking… No. Gourmand hadn't actually refused to give up Watame yet, so to attack without warning would be dishonorable. But when to place the demand, then? Watame would respawn after she finished eating, so perhaps then she could state she's "taking her sheep and going home" with the added benefit of having a fourth person to aid in the fight if Gourmand resisted. Question was-

Botan was jarred out of the thoughts by Gourmand's approaching footfalls. She turned and quickly put up a poker face, as she saw the chef carrying the stereotypical platter covered by a silver dome. Botan sat up straight as he set the tray down in front of her. "And here you go, miss- Oh." Gourmand took a sheepish step back. "Oh my. It seems in our excitement I forgot to ask what your name is! Who do I have the honor of addressing?"

Botan couldn't come up with a false alias on short notice and a delayed answer would be suspicious. "Shishiro Botan." She decided against introducing herself as a member of Hololive, for fear of identifying herself as potentially valuable prey to this Gourmand. (Prey. Botan hadn't thought of herself as that for a long time). Or might knowing he's messing with Hololive cow him into surrender?

It was too late to ponder that as Gourmand removed the tray's lid, and with a burst of steam Botan's senses were assaulted by an utterly heavenly scent of vegetables and cooked Watame. Immediately, her mouth began to water. "And here you go miss Shishiro, bon appetit!". A quick visual inspection suggested the dish was expertly crafted, vegetables and sauce carefully aligned with the lamb meat. There was no focusing on fighting Gourmand with such a piece in front of her. It was time to eat.

Picking up a knife and fork, Botan carefully cut free a slice of meat and lifted it to her mouth. The taste was so good- she had never tasted a meal this expertly crafted! She was a competent cook herself, but Botan knew there was little chance her home made jingisukan would ever compete with the masterpiece Gourmand had presented her- Botan halted her thoughts, reminding herself to not be sympathetic to this chef that despite his skill had exhibited some very damning behaviors. But the food was there and pausing now would look odd, so she kept eating.