Cooking Skills

Prompt 013: Potato

Balthazar was peeling potatoes.

He'd seen Veronica peeling them. He'd rather peel them himself.

Veronica was humming some antique song she'd learned in the safety of the Keep so long ago, and he just listened to her soft sounds; the movement of her hips suddenly hitting his and making him turn to smile at her. "Do you remember the time we had to go and fine these? How dirty we got because we dug into the wrong patch of mud?"

"How could I forget? You ended up covered in dirt because Horvath kicked you into the mud." She laughed; making Balthazar hit her with his hips. "It was very funny."

"I remember the time you tried to peel them; ended up having a lesson of geometrical shapes. How in heaven did you manage to make a tetragon out of a small piece of potato is beyond me."

"But you learned something."

Prompt 015: Meat

"I'm giving up meat."

"Really? And why is that?"

"Have you seen how things grow in dead meat after a few days? We are eating little worms."

"You need meat, proteins are important for the body."

"I can replace it! Maybe even buy supplements."

"There are no supplements to replace proteins. If there were you could brush it with BBQ sauce and eat it."

"That is just nuts." A short pause. "Still I'm giving up meat."

"The day you give up meat, Dave, I'll be giving up coffee." And with that Balthazar flipped the piece of steak over the grill.

Prompt 017: Cookies

"I have brought you the best cookies on Earth." Said Becky excited, entering the small store and making Veronica look up. She'd taken Balthazar's advice and placed a small by appointment only sigh on the front door, but since it was Becky she was allowed to come and go as she pleased. As long as it wasn't the wee hours of the night. Veronica smiled at the girl who was walking towards her with her back pack and a large blue bowl in hand. "My Grandmother made a really big batch, sold half and handed out the other half. So I've got plenty cookies here!"

"What kind of cookies?"

"You name it; chocolate chips, ginger bread, sugar, molasses, mixed, white chocolate. She overdid it this time, as usual." Becky spoke quickly, setting her bag down and placing the bowl over the small counter, opening the lid. "Personally I like the chocolate chip ones."

"I'd love to try the ginger bread. Balthazar used to buy me bags of ginger bread when I was little. I think the first time we went to town I threw a little tantrum so he could buy me some."

"A tantrum? Really?"

"Yeah. I was eleven and still throwing tantrums, master spoiled me too much I guess." Becky handed her a large cookie that smelled just like the ones she used to have as a child (which was quite the achievement for the baker) and she bit into them. They melted in her mouth, and by the looks of it so did the ones Becky had. "My goodness these are very good!"

"I told you so." Said Becky smiling broadly.

"I could never bake cookies this good. I could never cook at all."

"You don't cook? Really? What about all those times we've eaten here? What about last night's dinner?"

"Balthazar."

"Balthazar?" Choked Becky out, staring at the woman in pure surprise.

"He learned while traveling around." She explained vaguely. But it did make sense; how would Veronica learn how to make Jambalaya (last night's meal) inside the Grimhold?

"Oh."

"Yeah. Horvath said he'd rather eat swamp mud than try my cooking."

"That was mean."

"That was Horvath." Mused Veronica, picking up all the ginger bread cookies she could find in the bowl.

Prompt 058: Popcorn

Balthazar closed the door softly, believing Veronica asleep when he heard the squeal.

He frowned, kept still and listened the small sounds of buttons been pressed and the microwave's humming. He took off his coat, very quietly, and listened to something popping. Clapping and more squeals were heard as Balthazar moved slowly towards the kitchen.

There was Veronica, standing before the glowing microwave as the bag of popcorn continued to swirl inside popping loudly. Four other bags were popped around her, and an open box with two more packages waited to be placed in the microwave.

She was acting like a little girl, all excited while jumping and clapping, because she finally learned to make microwave popcorn without burning it.

It was one of those silly little things that made Balthazar smile now.

Prompt 014: Stew

The bewitching smell had been invading the house for two days. Balthazar said it was only a matter of hours before the meal was done but both Veronica and Dave were going nuts. The sweet scent of meat and carrots was driving them to the kitchen almost constantly, to watch the new pot, or slow cooker, Veronica had gotten (and Balthazar used). Dave had gone out to buy bread, Veronica had sliced it and smeared it with butter, and Dave called Becky so she could drop by and have lunch.

When Balthazar appeared at the kitchen, wearing his glasses and carrying a small book by a new crazy author ("Goethe, really Balthazar? How long has it been since you've actually read literature?") and had to actually stop when the two others waited for him with their soup plates in hand.

"Aren't you guys eager to eat?"

"It's your world famous stew, beloved; I haven't had it in a thousand years."

Balthazar laughed, and shook his head while walking towards the slow cooker. "What's your excuse Dave?"

"I'm hungry and it smells good."

"Did you call Becky?"

The bell downstairs giggled and quick steps were heard. "I brought bread!" Announced the breathless radio DJ panting as Balthazar lifted the cover of the slow cooker, and the fragrance of sweet stew filled the air. Balthazar picked a spoon, dipped it in the rich broth and brought it to his lips to taste, both Veornica and Dave stared as he closed his eyes and hummed.

"Hmm, if this stew were a person I would get naked and make love to it." That got Dave to snort and Veronica gasp loudly, Becky chocked only to drown her laughter. "Well, it's done." announced Balthazar turning the cooker off and lifting his hand to take the first dish that was offered. It was Veronica's so he served a hefty portion, then Dave's and Becky's. He had to go fetch one for himself, and then turned to see Veronica digging into her meal with gusto.

"The vegetables are tender."

"The meat melts in your mouth."

"My good God!"

Truth been told Balthazar didn't like been the center of attention. So he took a deep breath and searched about for a spoon. "How do you do it?" Asked Becky as Dave and Veronica fought over a large piece of bread. Balthazar turned to the girl, giving her a small smile.

"It's the seasoning and the vegetables have to be ripe."

"Right," said Becky smiling. "But there's something else."

"Hmm?" Produced Balthazar as he reached for a piece of bread and Veronica slapped Dave's hand to take the large piece she wanted. "Oh, well. Every sorcerer has his secrets."

"I know the secret!" Said Veronica happily. "He was in a good mood when he made it! He's happy!"

Dave choked, coughed and Balthazar turned to him, worriedly. "You are happy? That's scary. Are you planning something evil for your next practice?"

Balthazar only smiled, enigmatically.