For tendershepherd

[punishingfire]

[For the fifth time since she'd been given access to the kitchen, Lailah rearranged the array of measuring cups, mixing bowls and other utensils she'd gathered together for the lesson with Sorey. It happened by chance... a compliment on a batch of cookies she'd made, a casual comment about wanting to learn to bake, and it all fell into place. It also gave her a chance to do something fun with the young Shepherd, and an activity that might take his mind off the enormous weight on his shoulders, even for a little while.]

[She'd asked him to go to the store to pick up the things they needed, since she couldn't exactly get any of it herself. Now that she thought about it, she could have easily gone and just taken what she needed without anyone being-- goodness! What a terrible thought! Zaveid was becoming a bad influence on her!]

I think that's everything! Now, I wonder what we should make. Something easy, but tasty. Hmmm...

Comments

Hnng, I hope this isn't too short for how long it took me to get to OTL

[tendershepherd]

I mean, it probably wouldn't be classified as extensive or anything. But he knew enough to hunt prickleboars and taught us what to do with them after.

[He finishes peeling the second apple right when Lailah pulls away, the sudden action making him jump a little and blink curiously at her. Confusion crosses his face at first, but then understanding dawns on him and he smiles softly at her statement.]

Will do!

[As he begins on the third and final apple he listens to her continue to talk, a sad but fond smile forming on his lips before he hums in acknowledgement.]

You think so? That's a good way of looking at it.

[When he's done with the last apple he sets it down with the rest, looking over his handiwork with both hands on his hips before nodding.]

Alright, done! What next?

Sorry for the extreme late with this!

[punishingfire]

So just the basics then. [She giggles, not at all shocked that Zenrus never tried to expand those skills too far.] I suppose you and Mikleo learned through experience after all. Though the foods from the outside world must have been a shock when you first tried them!

Yes, I believe that with all my heart. And as long as we remember them, they're never gone.

[That observation seems to nag at an old, seemingly forgotten pain. Lailah brushes past ]t and instead focuses on continuing the lesson.]

Next we make sure the butter is softened, then we combine the flour and spices. [And only now does she set a book down on the counter... it's not huge compared to the Celestial Record, but looks almost as ancient.] This should tell us everything we need to know about making the cake.

*finger guns back at you*

[tendershepherd]

Haha, yeah, something like that. [Experience is the best teacher, after all. Gramps said it a lot, but they also lived it. He considers the question for a moment before shaking his head.]

Nah, it wasn't really a shock. We had some cookbooks in our collection growing up, so...we had an idea of what was possible. I was kind of amazed at the complexity, though. And how the food differed between regions! Remember the cactus dishes in Loghrin?

[Oops, he's just a bit excited now as he talks.

He listens to the next steps and nods before moving to grab the flour and spices. The butter on the counter looks soft, but...

The gentle thunk of the book grabs his attention though, and he looks at it for a moment before looking at Lailah.]

Uh... Did you have that the whole time?

[punishingfire]

Oh goodness, yes! Those dishes were far better than I expected! I hope no one was injured in preparing the cactus, though. [She bites her lower lip, trying to fight off the urge to add something else to that statement, but she can't defy her nature.] Though they probably make it a point to be careful.

I think the food in Ladylake was one of my favorites during our journey.

[At the sudden appearance of the book, Lailah looks away, a sheepish expression on her face. It's partially because she was showing off with what she knew from memory, but more because she did something cruel and unforgivable. She didn't tell Sorey about a book.]

Well, um. Yes. But I make cakes so often I don't usually need it! I just wanted to make sure I had all the details right. I've learned a lot from it.

[The title on the spine is The Celestial Smorgasbord. What, chefs can have ancient and hidden tomes as well, right?]