Chapter Text
A simple, recycled cardboard cover. Lined ivory paper with the faintest smell of persimmon. That's what Yuu first saw when he got the idea. The item in itself... wasn't something that really caught much attention when placed besides its other, flashier patterned hard-cover companions. But it was what he could afford on his meager budget. Either way, what mattered was the content.
For the writing materials, though... pencil would be best in theory. But wouldn't that be a bit tacky? Careless, even? Pencil meant insecurity of oneself... leniency. It meant you didn't trust yourself not to make any mistakes. At least, Yuu thought, that's what Azul would assume, right? He was all about appearances. Maybe ink would be a better option.
What if he messed up writing, though?
Yuu picks up another notebook from the stall and ponders. He could always write two just to be safe.
With a heavy sigh, Yuu pays for the stationery alongside some trinkets Grim had gotten enthralled by, checking the price on each one.
Still on budget. Nice.
Even if he had only a couple thaumarks to his name, he had hoped to bring souvenirs to each one of his friends once he came back to NRC. Something simple like a cute keychain for Cater or a little gadget for Deuce to play with. If it weren't for Grim's insistence on getting that tapestry, he may have had money to splurge on more than just simple stationery or cheap jewelry but he supposed that they'd appreciate the gesture nonetheless. At least most of them.
The idea of gifting Azul a recipe book had come to him on a whim, something he only realized when Jamil was guiding them through Camel Bazaar. Seeing all the foreign fruit, smelling such different scents than he was used to... Surely, this could benefit Azul's research for Mostro Lounge. At first, he had thought of just buying the book ready-made, full of expert recipes and images for reference. But wouldn't that be just... too easy? If Azul wanted a Scalding Sands recipe book, he could just order it online. If anything, Yuu could even accidentally gift him a double of one of the many, many books he had in his personal library. So why not make a unique one instead?
It would definitely be a challenge to write in such short notice, though.
To be entirely honest, Yuu wasn't exactly a foodie. His cooking was meant to be easy and cheap so as to not go over the meager allowance Crowley gave him each month, and he barely had any time to indulge in cooking anything other than what was essential for him and Grim to survive. He didn't even know where to start. Compared to people like Trey or Jamil, he was already at a disadvantage. And his own skewed sense of self and ego didn't allow him to ask for any help in the matter, so he was stuck at square one.
All of these thoughts and others flooded Yuu's brain as he chewed on the veggie shawarma he'd been offered for lunch. In fact, if it weren't for the sudden disappearance of one of the orders, he would've kept on chewing at it while looking absentmindedly at the crowds passing by.
"Grim... what did I tell you about stealing food?"
"Fgnah! Don't look at me that way!! I didn't take anything! Why take ONE wrap when I could swipe a whole spit of meat from the stall? I'd get way more food!"
"Please don't do that. Ever." Jamil chimes in. And for once, Yuu has to agree with anything he says.
As the group recounts their orders, Yuu looks down at Grim, who's spared little talk after being wrongfully accused of shawarma theft. The little guy was glaring at the ground and had his arms crossed, tapping his foot on the sandy floor as he awaited an apology.
"... wanna try mine?" Yuu crouches down to his friend's level and offers his own wrap to Grim, who side-eyes it momentarily before whipping his head away.
"You ain't gonna eat it?"
"I'm not hungry." Yuu dangles the shawarma in an attempt to make it look enticing, some veggies falling to the ground.
Grim eyes the wrap suspiciously before quickly swiping it from Yuu's hands with starry eyes, basically devouring it as soon as he gets it. Taking big bites and making a little mess on his hands with the sticky sauce. "Mmmh! The vegetables are so fresh and crunchy! The onions and bell peppers are perfectly sautéed and the cumin really makes the cauliflower taste even better! Mnh..." Grim takes another bite of the shawarma, completely delighted. "The lime's also super refreshing. And the chickpeas are crunchy on the outside and buttery on the inside! It's a perfect balance!"
"Hm. You can really taste all that?" Yuu asks, a little amused at his friend's detailed explanation.
"An'... *munch* this is *munch* just the basics!" Grim exclaims proudly in-between bites. "I could totally tell you every ingredient in this!"
"Do you, now?" Yuu hums. It may be a long shot, but maybe Grim's big appetite could finally be useful. He may not get ratios right, but that would be a good start. "... Hey, Grim? I've got a proposal for you."