It was a tough session today. After leaving the training arena, I made my way towards the great hall. I was too tired to eat and too lazy to slump back to my room. I was so overwhelmingly exhausted that all I wanted to do was just sit down and reflect on what I know, hoping it would help me doze off. As I made my way inside the giant and empty room, I found my usual bar stool and sat down. I leaned my head forward on the nice, cool bench and urged my body to relax.
So, I know my name is Yuel.
I come from Earth.
I was summoned as a champion to represent the Summoners and their plea for peace.
I don't know who I-
"Good evening Yuel" I heard Daveth smile as he placed a drink in front of me.
"Leave me alone, I'm too tired for your games Daveth" I moan as my face still lies still on the cold bench.
"Gosh, no need to be stingy about it. You could've said something nice even in your slumped form" He pouted as he cleaned a glass and placed it away.
I sigh deeply as I look up from my comfortable spot and stare at his irritating smile with murder intentions clear within my eyes.
"Hello Daveth..." I say with a fake smile plastered on my face. "How do you wish to have your ass kicked today? Literally or metaphorically?"
"Such big words from a girl like you-
"I'm nineteen, idiot..."
"My mistake, Womanlike you..."
I rolled my eyes as I place my head back down.
"If anything I would like my ass handed to me on a silver platter" He chuckled as he placed something on the bench. "Because you obviously dig that"
"If only Daveth...If only..." I sigh as I smelled my foul dinner placed next to me.
He started laughing louder. Ever since I've been here, Daveth has been assigned to feed me, and look out for me (which is pretty much another excuse for Fauna to keep an eye on me...).
"C'mon, you have to eat. Champions have to keep eating daily if they wish to stand a chance to fight in the fields" He scolded with a joking tone.
"Is that before or after they eat their meals?" I ask, as I question the gloop set in front of me.
"Well, now you're just being rude..." He pouted once again.
As much as I hated to admit it, Daveth was really keeping me sane. No matter how annoying his jokes got, I also seemed to have a giant smile plastered on my face. Daveth came from Bilgewater, an island away from Runeterra apparently. As soon as he got the job, he left the poor island so he could start sending money to his family who still live there.
"One day, I want them to live near here, safe and protected. The one thing I miss the most is my mama's recipes. My cooking's okay and all. But nothing beats your mama's love in a pot"
I remember him smiling at me so gently that I really admired what he was trying to do. Then I realized something, The Institute saved him as it did me. He was able to get a job and start making actual money without having to go to extremes.
"Life in Bilgewater was tough. It was survival of the fittest out there. If you couldn't eat, you stole food. If you had no money, you sell off priceless items so that your family can stay safe for the night. It sure was tough. I still feel guilty leaving though. But I know I'm doing better here and they know that...I hope"
It was touching and a little heartbreaking. So why was I complaining about my lost memory when this man obviously has it more rough than me? I can be so stupid sometimes.
"I'm sorry...It's just that..."
"Just what?" He complained with his hands on his hips.
"You use way too much salt" I ick as I push the plate away.
"This ain't a gourmet kitchen you know" He told me with an eyebrow raised.
"Really? My mistake. Must have turned the wrong corner" I giggle.
"You know there are monsters in the bubbling bog that would beg for this food" He pointed out as he took a bite.
"The stuff they crap out don't count..." I laughed.
"Fine, that's it. Youcook then" He stuck his tongue out as he chucked the plate away. "And I'lljudge your crappy cooking"
"The plate you threw pretty much defined your crappy cooking, Daveth" I smile.
"You sure can talk" He smiled with his game face on. "But can you walk the walk, little girl?"
Littleand Girlin the same sentence. Oh, it's on now.
"I will make you eat your words Daveth...literally" I smile as I take an apron off a hook.
"Well..." He stuttered, trying to find good comeback. "Hurry up and cook!"
"Before or after you make a comeback?" I asked as I entered the kitchen.
"Screw you Yuel" He yelled after me.
I laughed as I looked through the many ingredients on the many -dangerously un-balanced- shelves. God, I know he has to cook for all the champions. But damn, do all of them need a specificmeal to get through the day?
As I wander around the kitchen looking for a recipe or something to cook with, a memory suddenly flashed before me.
"Mom, I keep burning it!"
"Keep at it baby. You'll get it. Practice makes perfect"
"Well it sure doesn'tsmellperfect"
"If you're unsure, stick to the basics of cooking baby. Basic is boring but, it sure tastes damn good"
Basic. Something easy, huh? So I had a mother. Who obviously taught me how to cook?
As I looked around, I found fresh eggs sitting in a basket. Hesitantly, I picked it up and placed it on the main kitchen bench. Letting my hands guide me, I picked up a clean bowl and a -obviously broken- fork. After breaking eggs into the bowl, I started to whisk away.
I was surprised how my body was reacting to what I was making with no help from memory. I felt like I had done this before. I suddenly went into the freezer and got -what looked like- butter.
Placing a pan on a hot stove, I let the butter melt away. As this happened, I placed the egg mix into the pan and left it to cook. I started snooping around the kitchen some more as my hands uncovered hidden piles of ham and cheese. Taking a few slices and breaking them down, I placed them in the pan to cook.
I took a sniff of the delicacy I was making. I felt my taste buds water with desire. God, I am too good!
As the mix started finishing, I flipped half of the egg over the contents I placed inside. Cooking both sides of the dish perfectly, I placed it on a plate and finished off with nice basil on top.
Basic, huh?
"...but it sure tastes damn good"
It smelled fresh. I can instantly smell out the cooked ham and melted cheese within this delicacy. I grabbed the plate and walked out with a smile. Daveth looked amused as he stared at my dish. He scoffed as he took the fork.
"Just because it smells good, doesn't mean it'll taste good" He pointed out as he took his first bite.
Five minutes later and the dish I had created was suddenly gone. A very satisfied and happy Daveth was smiling as he swallowed his last bite.
"That was amazing!" He smiled as he clapped with such praise. "What is this amazing thing called? It's like egg with cheese...and ham!"
I smiled at how delighted he was at my cooking. But then again even I didn't know what the delicacy was called.
"Omelette" I say without hesitation.
I was surprised at how fast I answered that question. Then maybe I had cooked this before. Was it instinct?
"And you let me cook? You're cruel Yuel" He then stopped himself as he figured out my new nickname. "Cruel Yuel! HA! HA! That suits you so much!"
I fumed. That was even worse than little girl.
"Just be lucky that Cruel Yuel didn't poison your food, Daveth…" I warn as I poke him with a wooden spoon.
"So it was instinct then? You've obviously done this before"
"I guess so. When I was trying to find some ingredients, I suddenly let my hands guide me" I smiled. "It felt good"
"Yuel?"
I turn towards the entrance to see Fauna walk up to me. She took a sniff of what was an omelette, as she reached me.
"You've been summoned to see the Elder" She told me as she climbed up the bar stool.
"Oh? Okay then. Are you coming?" I ask as I wait to follow her.
She shook her head as she started to explain.
"Sorry, it's between you two. Must be important" She smiled.
Yeah…But how important?
"Any luck on memories?" Fauna asked to change the subject.
"You can't smell it? Cruel Yuel here is a mighty fine chef!" Daveth praised me with that stupid nickname.
"Cooking one dish doesn't define me as a chef" I object.
"Honey, men would gladly give up their wives if they smelled your cooking" Daveth joked.
"Wow! That smell was you cooking? I could hear some of the other summoner's stomachs growling because of that" Fauna stared at me with shock. "You are so cooking for me next time!"
"Well, as much as I want to, I've got to go see the old man…" I chuckled.
"You mean this old man?"
We all screamed in fright as we stare at the elder sitting at a barstool as if he wasn't there in the first place.
"I thought we were going to talk, elder?"
"We were, but I smelled something very divine travel from the hall. Was that you cooking?" The Elder asked.
"Well, it certainly wasn't Daveth's…" Fauna whispered.
Daveth tried to reach out for the small child, but she managed to dodge him before sitting upon my lap.
"Scaredy cat" He mocked as Fauna poked her tongue at him.
"I wish to have whatever you cooked up just then"
"An omelette?"
"Whatever the damn thing, just cook away. And then we can talk"
I shook my head.
"Nope" I object as I look away from him. "Don't feel like it…"
The Elder sighed deeply.
"What do you wish of me to do, Yuel?" He asks wearily as he rubs his eyes in irritation.
"Here's the deal. I want a huge room. I cook for you and you give me better sleeping quarters…" I smile as I folded my arms. "Preferably…one with a view…"
"Very well. We have a deal…" He agreed completely.
"Thank you, after you and Fauna eat…
I hear a small Yay! In the background as I continue talking.
"…We will talk" I smiled widely as I zoomed off towards the kitchen.