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The letter appeared out of the blue, taking Laios and Falin by surprise. It was from their parents, describing how they discovered that Laios was now king of the country way down south and then, when Laios thought he was safe, they asked when they would be invited.
Now, if it were just Laios, he would simply burn the letter. However, given the look on Falin’s face when they read the letter, he didn’t feel like he would be able to ignore their parents. While she had gone to school, their father made it clear how he felt about Laios, things that Laios didn’t share with Falin to its full extent. He wasn’t about to change that, and therefore had to wrestle with the idea of seeing his parents again. Especially when it was so obvious that they just wanted the power he now has.
It was all too overwhelming and led to a few nights waking up from nightmares or just being unable to sleep. Tonight, instead of laying in bed, staring at the ceiling above him, he climbed out and wandered the halls of his new home, a castle that’s been stripped of the splendor it once held. He naturally found himself in the kitchen before he knew it and found he wasn’t the only night owl.
Senshi was bent over into the large refrigerator and was gathering things into his arms. When he stood up, he startled at the tallman standing behind him.
“Hello, Laios,” Senshi exhaled. He closed the door with his hip, throwing the two into candlelight. “You’re up late.”
Laios shrugged. He hadn’t yet voiced his concerns about his parents.
“I couldn’t sleep.” He mumbled. Senshi peered at him and then smiled.
“Sit and talk to me while I prepare for tomorrow’s dinner.” The dwarf started gathering the tools needed to dice, slice and tenderize the meat he had pulled out. Laios sat at the little table in the corner.
“What's botherin’ you?” Senshi asked, opening the package of cockatrice meat that was marinating two days prior.
“I'm sure you've heard as well, but my parents sent Falin and I a letter,” Laios started, sinking into his chair. “Which is fine. But with everything they did…I just don't know if I really want them to visit. It's one thing to invite her back home, because really, I think they just want to see her, but it's another thing to invite themselves here .”
“This is your safe space.” Senshi said, bluntly. His hands paused the slicing and he met Laios’ eyes. “I mean, this is somewhere you're respected and cared for.”
Somewhere in Laios, a dam broke. Emotions he couldn't name came flooding through him, causing the burn of tears in his eyes.
“It's okay, Laios, you can cry here. The kitchen is good for crying.” Senshi said softly.
For a long while, there was no speaking. The only sounds were Laios’ sniffles accompanied by the sounds of Senshi preparing dishes for the day ahead of them. Eventually, the sniffles subsided and Laios wiped his nose with the sleeve of his sleepshirt.
“Thank you.” He said, voice rough from holding back sounds.
“Of course,” Senshi murmured. “You should eat, though. It's important to after a good cry.”
Laios tilted his head and frowned.
“I don’t have anything to really eat in my room.”
“What’s a food that makes you feel good?” Senshi asked. The meals for the day were ready to be just cooked as the day went and Senshi was wiping down the last tabletop. Laios smiled wistfully.
“My mother used to make these kind of sweet dumplings,” he smiled, “They had berries from nearby farms and sweet cream in it from the goats. But, somehow, she made them taste kind of tangy, like a hint of sour.”
“I think I’ve got some berries around here and some dough already done up.” Senshi set about shuffling through the refrigerator again. He pulled out a container of dough and a bowl of berries, ready to be ground and mixed with sugar.
“Grab the pestle there and the sugar.” Senshi directed Laios, whose hands were growing restless and eager to help. The king returned with the sugar canister.
“If you work on the fruit, I will make the sweet cream.” Senshi offered.
“That sounds great.” Laios said, already dropping the mixed berries into the bowl. A combination of raspberries, blackberries and diced dryad fell into the bowl. Laios poured out sugar into it as well before taking the pestle and grinding the fruit into a mash. The rhythmic motion of mixing and grinding soothed him. The sugar dissolved into the juices of the fruit and he eventually worked through the entire container.
Senshi finished with the cream and set it down in front of the two. Now, it was time to cut the dough up and combine the two ingredients.
“I’ll cut the dough apart if you want to actually make the dumplings.” Senshi lifted one of his smaller knives and began carving out square pieces that were large enough to hold both the cream and the berry mash.
Laios took the first square and dolloped spoonfuls of mash and cream before folding it over in a triangle and using a fork to crimp the edges. The two worked in tandem like a well oiled machine as they cranked out dumpling after dumpling. Eventually, the dough couldn’t provide any more squares and the bowls were nearly empty of cream and fruit.
Senshi turned to the stove while Laios finished the last few dumplings. Senshi poured oil into one of the large pots and started heating it up. Laios moved the army of treats closer to the stove and prepared to drop them in when Senshi gave him the okay. Senshi lifted the thermometer from the oil, smiling at the temperature.
“We’re ready to fry them,” He said. Laios gingerly dropped the first one into the pot and immediately the dough started sizzling as it cooked. As it grew golden, Senshi moved it around with the skimmer spoon. He plucked it out and dropped it onto the plate. As it connected, it made the perfect crispy sound and Laios felt comfortable dropping the rest of the batch into the frying oil.
Senshi again would stir occasionally, but mostly let the sizzle of the oil do most of the work. Laios peered into the pot like a little boy and smiled at Senshi when one floated by, flipping as it went.
“I think the first one should be cooled by now,” Senshi stated, “Do you wanna try it?”
Laios held his breath, suddenly unsure about actually tasting their treat. On one hand, he was deeply curious as to how the dryad fruit would taste with the cream, or fried for that matter. On the other hand, this was something his mother would make him often, although, hers were boiled.
Laios picked up the dumpling and took a ginger bite out of the corner. The cream burst into his mouth and flavors hit his tongue. The berries were sweet but balanced out by the dryad fruit. The cream wasn’t tangy, like he remembered, but a little sweeter. It was obvious:
These were not his mother’s dumplings.
Before he could help it, tears sprang to his eyes again and he blinked.
“If it’s not good, we don’t have to keep them,” Senshi explained, “We were just trying things out, after all.”
“No, please don’t throw them out,” Laios’ throat was thick, “They’re really good.”
“Are these good tears then?” Senshi asked, setting the spoon down and moving the oil to cool.
“I’m not sure yet,” Laios explained, “These aren’t at all like my mother’s but I think I like them better. They feel like the castle does…safer.”
Senshi rested a hand on Laios’ arm.
“I’m really glad you think so.”
They sat in silence as Laios finished the first dumpling, and then a second, then a third. Somewhere around the fifth, Laios’ eyes grew heavy.
“It’s quite late in the night and I know you have kingly duties tomorrow,” Senshi said lightly.
“I don’t know what to tell Falin, or my parents.” Laios said, seeming more alert now that Senshi was trying to herd him to bed.
“I don’t think I do either,” Senshi started, “But I do know that your sister would greatly appreciate being in on how you feel and she could probably help you figure your parents out better.”
Laios nodded.
“She’s such a wonderful sister.”
“That she is. Now go on to bed, these dumplings will be here tomorrow. I’ll keep them just for you.”
Laios wandered out of the kitchen and towards his bedchambers as Senshi wrapped up and stored the dumplings, then cleaned everything the two had gotten into. It was going to be a long day tomorrow, but tonight, Laios’ belly was full and he would get at least the next 4 hours of dreamless sleep.