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

*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?]