AN: No beta we die like hilichurl
A familiar ring blared throughout the room a certain maid was residing in as the sunshine peaked into her window. A gentle tap then muted the sound as the person in question yawned and stretched into a seated position on her bed while clad in a rather eloquent beige pajama.
…Ellin had given them to her.
◤Good morning, Maestra Noelle.◢ Cookie retracted her robotic limb. She greeted Noelle energetically as she stood to the side of the bed.
Noelle smiled and nodded. "Good morning to you too, Cookie."
◤Did Maestra Noelle get enough sleep?◢
"Yes. I feel well-rested and refreshed."
◤Ah, good to hear then.◢ Cookie did the eye smile that Noelle had always wondered how it managed to convey the emotion of joy and glee.
Most of how Cookie showcased emotion was through her facial expressions or display, as Cookie would like to call it. Simple cartoonish depictions of emotions through the use of different eye shapes did wonders to express what she was feeling.
It was a rather intuitive method as Cookie's voice box wasn't all that developed yet. She could convey what she wanted to say. Yes. But she couldn't convey it the way she wanted to say it just yet.
But, baby steps. Baby steps.
◤I just thought that perhaps Maestra Noelle would be exhausted with how late she had been reading novels last night.◢
"Of course, I would never let myself get any less than eight hours of sleep." Noelle puffed her chest out.
◤True. As Maestra Noelle had ceased reading and slept exactly one minute before she would've.◢ Cookie smiled. ◤Though, I must ask something, Maestra Noelle.◢
"Yes?" Noelle made her way out of her bed and began stretching. Spinning her body around, reaching for her toes, and other similar forms of stretching.
◤Does Maestra Noelle really need her alarm?◢
Amidst stretching, Noelle gave Cookie a curious frown. "What do you mean? I like my alarm clock. I've had it since I was a child."
◤I've been hearing the word of how the sound of an alarm might seem to… as they put it, get on their nerves.◢ Cookie recited as if she was recalling. ◤If Maestra Noelle wishes, Cookie can act as an alarm as well. Without the noise.◢
"Ah, so that's the case." Noelle smiled. "Thank you for your concern, but I could never get tired of hearing the alarm blaring. It's almost similar to how Ellin wakes up to the cry of the chicken every morning. I've attuned it to a good start to my day, and it signifies the start of a new day."
Cookie nodded. ◤I see. I shall save that into my databanks for future reference.◢ a small dotted yellow circle spun in between Cookie's eyes.
While Cookie was doing this, Noelle brushed her teeth and changed out of her clothes and into her maid outfit. Thinking all the while of what this day would bring, and where it would take her.
It was a fun and fulfilling lifestyle. Sure, some would want a life like a traveler, but for Noelle, this was hers. It could get tiring, but the knowledge that she was helping in some way, shape, or form would always do well to revitalize her.
Oh, and she had lessons with Sister Rosaria too.
◤Does Maestra Noelle already know her task for today, or are we headed towards Master Jean's office first?◢
"The latter." Noelle told her as Cookie opened the door for her.
After making sure that the door was locked behind them, Noelle pulled out two keys from her pocket. She gave the other one to Cookie, and the other she kept to herself.
"Before that, how about we get ourselves some breakfast first?"
◤Whatever Maestra Noelle wants.◢
Noelle chuckled. "Let's go then."
"Oh, Noelle! Good morning." Noelle saw the chef wave at her.
"Good morning, Chef." she greeted back.
◤Good morning, Maestro Chef.◢
The Chef was a very popular figure in the knights of Favonius. Not necessarily known outside of headquarters, but to the people inside of it?
No one didn't know of the chef.
"Are you here for breakfast?"
Noelle nodded as they both made to take a seat nearer to where the chef cooked. "Yes. A bowl of oats would suff-"
"Nope."
Noelle blinked. "...Excuse me?"
◤I think he means that Maestra Noelle will not be having a bowl of oats this morning.◢
"Thank you, Cookie." Chef briefly turned to Cookie to smile at her, while he had already begun prepping ingredients as well as preheating several pans.
◤You are welcome. Maestro Chef.◢
Noelle tilted her head. "Do you two know each other?"
Chef chuckled. "And who hasn't?" he then adjusted his toque. "But to answer your question, Cookie has helped me in the kitchen many many times already. I already knew who she was before she became big, but now? She does have a lot of functions."
◤Affirmative.◢ Noelle could feel Cookie's energy stemming from the compliments she received. ◤Not only Cookie. Maestro Chef is very keen on being clean.◢
"Of course. Always keep your station clean." Chef told them.
Noelle could understand that. "So… about my oats-"
"But yes. No oats for breakfast for you, young lady."
Noelle pouted. "But why?"
"Because I am here." Chef's voice went deep for that one. "As the Head Chef of the Knights of Favonius, it is my duty to make sure that everyone is well-fed, and everything they eat has the nutrients they need."
"...I see."
"And with that said, I refuse to let you have oats for breakfast. Not while I'm here, no no little missy." he held a large spoon in his hand as he turned to Noelle. "Now, how does a plate of two eggs, sausages, potatoes, and a few slices of ham alongside a small assortment of fruits on the side sound?"
Noelle's eyes widened at the massive amount of food that had been listed to her. They all sounded so delicious- wait, no!
"Tha-that's too much!"
*Grumble*
"You say that but I think your stomach likes it." he chuckled.
Noelle cursed her stomach. How could it fall to the temptation of such good food?
'It doesn't help that Chef's cooking is better than mine…' Seriously? What was his secret?
"Don't worry. Although it may seem like a lot, I'll make sure it's not too big on calories. Just to give you the extra energy you need for the day, m'kay?"
Noelle slowly nodded. "In that case, may I ask for a little something?"
"I can cook anything."
"Can you… make me some pancakes too?" Just a few. Noelle didn't need a lot.
Though, the Chef's smile was blinding.
"Your wish is my command."
The food was amazing. She couldn't stop taking bite after bite. The meat was tender, the eggs were well-cooked yet still runny just like how she liked them, the sausages provided a bite but not too much that it was hard to chew, and the fruits were very fresh.
And the pancakes~
The pancakes were great.
"Sheesh, slow down, Noelle. No one's going to take that from you."
Cookie turned around and gave the newcomer a small bow. ◤Good morning, Maestra Hertha. Care for some breakfast?◢
"Would I? Absolutely." Hertha all but skipped to the seat next to Noelle.
Noelle chewed her food first. Then, she drank water from the glass next to her. After a couple of breaths, she turned to Hertha and gave her a small seated bow. "Good morning, Miss Hertha."
The coordinator grinned. "Someone's having a good day."
Noelle blushed, but couldn't refute the claim. "The food is very good."
"Yeah, smells good too." Hertha turned towards the kitchen. "Ey, chef! Might getting a girl something like this too?"
"Sure thing. What would you like to eat?" the Chef replied.
"Come on now, you already know."
"That I do. An omelet, potatoes, bacon, and a side of coleslaw coming up. Coffee?"
"Perfect." Hertha nodded
'Oh, so that's why Chef had already prepped ingredients before Miss Hertha had even asked.'
The moment Hertha walked in, Noelle noticed that Chef was already bringing out pans, cutting up vegetables, and such.
Such great culinary instincts! To know what one wanted before they even asked for it.
"You look like you need some more meat on your bones, Hertha. I'll give you a slice of toast or two. Is that okay?"
Hertha looked mildly offended. "I am not that thin."
"Sure, sure. Whatever you say." Chef spun a spatula in his hand. "So, is that a no? I'll even put a bit of butter on it."
"...Yes please."
Chef smiled. Or at least, Noelle thought he did. It was hard to see his facial expressions due to the mask covering the lower half of his face, but she had enough practice reading expressions just from the eyes to know enough.
As she ate, Hertha turned towards her.
"So, Noelle, are we busy today?"
Noelle wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin. "I don't think so. Master Jean did say I wouldn't be too busy today."
Hertha put a finger to her chin and nodded. "I see."
"Why? Do you need something from me?"
"Not really need per say. But I guess I do have to ask at this point."
Noelle smiled at her. "What is it?"
"What do you say about participating in a little contest?"
Noelle raised an eyebrow. "A contest?"
What contest? What was the prize? And more importantly, could Cookie participate?
