#drebio;;

[drexelpalmer-archive]

Drexel “Dre” Palmer

97 II Witch II Element - Fire II Owner and Chef at LUX

Dre was born into a coven that had long since seen the light of new life in what had seemed like decades, but a new, younger witch couple with an already pregnant wife and times of prosperity for the country brought hope to those elders who had feared the end of their teachings. Every day he grew and learned, as the coven's main monetary business to society was fishermen and fish sales throughout the boroughs of NYC. He remembers fondly, clutching the ropes of the crates as his small feet dangled off the bed of the truck bouncing up and down with every indent and curve in the road. Preparation was key, as he watched his elder's trap, gut, descale, debone and fillet the fish with ease day in and day out until his hands were the ones moving deftly as those before him. Many of the witches that were in his coven were graced with the ability to manipulate water, or wind that helped them continue to prosper even during times of strife for many in their community.

While he enjoyed working with his coven, as he grew older and talked to people from borough to borough he was introduced to different flavors and techniques to enhance food. Often, Dre would barter to gain these items and he likened the art of cooking to potions, and as he entered his early teens with the development of his elemental abilities flourished, but to everyone in the coven's surprise fire was what became attuned to his being. While he struggled, cooking and being able to manipulate the flames as he went taught him control, confidence, and respect for his newfound ability. As the coven grew smaller and smaller as the years went on, they settled into a family business style with their own shop and Dre would promote his new food to anyone who would like to try, putting out sample trays often and promoting different spices and herbs for his concoctions from other vendors in the boroughs he had frequented years prior.

As he watched the coven and family he loved dwindle as he too aged, there was a looming sadness that washed over him. Things weren't the same, the coven was dying and what he had loved was losing its flame. Their business changed as he took the lead, becoming a fan favorite in the Queens borough for his delectable meals that always seemed to have been cooked to perfection, or sweets that had just the right texture in every bite. He honed in on his abilities, feeling the warmth in his creations. He truly loved and valued what he did, always wanting to be better. Then, one day in the mid 80's, all that lasted of the coven he called his home was him and his parents. His parents were older, growing weaker as the strength they pulled from the coven had almost completely dissipated. There was a pain, a knowledge that this was partially his fault. He had been so focused on honing his craft he had never truly made the attempt at socializing romantically with anyone to continue their lineage and keep their coven afloat and regret sat heavy in his stomach every time he looked at his parents. Wasn't that the job of the younger members? To keep their covens alive, bring more witches in to continue the lineage?

A few years later, his parents passed away mere days in between each other, and Dre felt lost. He wasn't sure what to do, but he knew he could not stay where he was. He closed down his business, and ran away as far as he could to a place he had heard about in whispers from other supernatural beings he had met over time: Hollywood and an established coven under a supreme named Alix Figueroa. With the money he had saved from his previous coven, and the assistance from aligning himself within the new coven, he was introduced to The Society, and in the early 1990's he was able to open Lux. While he is not a fan of the limelight in owning a business that grew in popularity, he enjoys the ability to continue to hone his craft as peacefully as he can. He can still be found at almost any station in the kitchen, his hands moving with precision and care to assure that his patrons are given the experience that drew them there in the first place.