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Kal wanders about the Villa, wondering what he should do for the day. Viago already took away his training, and he doesn’t have any lessons because they’re still looking to replace his tutor. Maybe he should check out the kitchen? It always smells good there, and he could use a snack.
It’s a matter of minutes before Kal strolls into the slightly warmer room, looking around in wonder. “Stop there, lad.” He stops to look at the dwarven man who’s blocked his path. They’re about the same height. He’s got bright blue eyes and dark grey hair that reaches his ass. Maybe Kal should grow his hair that long. “Who are ya? What are ya doing in me kitchen?” His eyes catch on the shine coming from the man’s piercings. Neat.
“I’m Kal.” He states. “Thought I’d come find a snack and maybe see if there’s anything fun going—“ He spies one of the other cooks mixing something that smells sweet in a bowl. “What’s he making?” He points to the elven man with the mixing bowl.
“Cake.” The dwarven man states. “Why do ya ask, lad?” There’s something weird in the dwarf’s tone.
“Is that fun?” He hasn’t found much fun here beyond training.
“Aye, it tis! Woud’ja like ta try?” Kal nods. He might as well. Not like he has much else to do. The dwarf gets a massive grin on his face, moves over to an empty spot on one of the tables, and makes Kal wait there while he gathers up a bunch of stuff.
“Ya ever see a recipe before, lad?” The dwarf asks.
Kal shrugs. “Dunno. Can’t read.”
“Right!” His companion states. “We’ll do this the ol’ fashioned way then!” The dwarf has a second, different, weird expression. “First things first! We’re gonna need some flour, bakin’ powder, and salt in dis ‘ere bowl! I’ll show ya how ta measure ‘em so ya dun put too much.” Kal nods, paying special attention as the dwarf walks him through the steps.
Something foreign and new blooms in his chest as Kal feels a grin creeping across his face. He might not know what it is, but he knows he likes it and wants to keep experiencing it.
Kal pays extra attention as they continue the impromptu lesson. His grin grows with every passing minute until his face hurts from its presence. His dwarven companion doesn’t seem to mind, instead choosing to continue with more energy than before. Kal loves every moment of it.
“Yer pretty good at this, lad!” The dwarf states as he puts the first three cakes in the oven. “Ne’r before ‘ave I seen a lad memorize things as fast as ye.” He grins at Kal. “Wanna learn how ta make da frostin’?” Kal nods eagerly. Eager? Is he eager? Is that what this feeling is? He’s not sure but he’s going to keep at it!
“Kalias de Riva!” Viago scolds as the dwarf shows him the ingredients needed to make the frosting. “Why are you bothering Lucas? Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“Viago!” The dwarf, Lucas, states. “Ya know yer not allowed in me kitchen! Scram!” Lucas pulls a round wooden object, threatening Viago with it.
“Not until—“
“Now! Da lads not botherin’ me! He’s a great help! Git! Or yer gonna find out exactly how deadly I can be wit’ dis rollin’ pin!” Viago glares at them, sighs, and decides his time is better spent elsewhere. “Now! Why don’t we git back ta what we were doin’?” Kal nods, reveling in this newfound feeling.
Following the instructions he’s given, Kal manages to whip everything together properly. Lucas praises him, grinning before those piercing eyes flick to something behind Kal.
“What do ya think yer doin’! Git back ta work!” Kal turns to the elven man he noted earlier. He’s frozen, staring at Kal with that same expression the rest of the staff use. He wonders why they keep doing that. “Did ya not ‘ear me?” Lucas grumbles. “Or wouldja prefer I find someone else ta do yer job?”
“S-sorry, Ch-chef.” The man goes back to what he was doing, though his eyes keep flicking to Kal like he’s done something wrong. Kal decides to do something about it and climbs up on the table so he can confront the man.
“Hey.” Kal starts, drawing his attention. “You got a problem with me?”
“N-no. Young mlord. I would n-never dream of it.” Kal kneels so he can stare at the man at eye level.
“Hm? It seems like you all do. Every one of you except Lucas look at me like that.” Kal explains. “Why?”
“Yeah, Nelren. Why ya bein’ so rude ta my protege?”
“I’m not!” Nelren tries. “It— It’s just—“
“Just what?” Oooh! There’s something sharp in Lucas’ tone. Kal likes him.
“Can you not see the young lord is unnerving? I mean, look at him!” Nelren states. “How can you not—“ Kal doesn’t even have to do anything. Lucas did it for him, piercing the elf with the end of his rolling pin in the neck and silencing him.
“Idiot,” Lucas grumbles as the elf slides to the floor. “Well, lad! How ‘bout a new lesson while we wait fer da cakes?” Kal nods. “Great! This lesson will help ya as a Crow! Today yer gonna learn how ta dispose of a body!” Kal grins, waiting eagerly for the new instructions.
Returning to the kitchen right as the timer goes off Kal does as he’s told and goes to wash his hands before pulling the cakes out. Lucas does the same, watching as Kal moves to grab the cake straight from the oven with his bare hands.
“Hold there, lad. Yer gonna burn yerself like dat.” Lucas nods to something on the table. “Use dem gloves. Keep yer hands intact.” Kal blinks but does as he’s told. He doesn’t know what ‘burn’ means, but it doesn’t seem like a good thing.
Using the padded gloves, Kal pulls out all three cakes and sets them on the table. “Now what?”
“Now we wait for them to cool so we can decorate them.” Kal doesn’t want to wait, though. He looks at his hand. If he can make lightning, can he make frost, too? He’s going to try.
Sparks light up around his hand, earning a curious gaze from Lucas, before Kal tries to will them into a different form. Lightning feels static-y, like blankets sometimes get. So frost would feel like winter, cold and uncaring. Kal tries to warp the magic in his hand to something cold.
It takes him five minutes to morph the lightning into frost, and while it’s hard for him to keep a hold of, Kal’s pretty sure he can keep it long enough to cool down their cakes. “Yer pretty clever.” Lucas compliments. “Never tried coolin’ my bakin’ with magic, but dat’s ‘cause I ain’t got it.”
Kal uses a bit too much magic, nearly freezing the cake solid. He sets it aside to defrost and tries again with a little less magic this time. It works the second time, so he repeats it a third time. Lucas nods, beckoning him over so they can decorate their bounties.
“I’ll give da servants da frozen one. Ye can take one for yerself once they’re decorated.” Lucas states. Kal nods with a smile on his face, then watches as Lucas decorates his cake so Kal can try to copy him. Kal’s attempt is awkward and unrefined, but enough for the dwarf to pat him on the back and compliment him on his first attempt.
Kal grins, enjoying the warm feeling in his chest as Lucas prepares Kal’s cake for transport. “Ya be sure ta come back, ya hear me!” Lucas demands, handing him the cake.
“Yeah!” Kal agrees easily, “I had fun!”
Lucas grins at him. “Good lad. Now, off ya go!” Kal nods and takes his new bounty back to his room. He’s eager to taste it and even more eager to get another lesson from Lucas!