A/N: You will find a short cooking lesson in this chapter. The entire time, I wasn't even sure if apple tarts even existed in the medieval times... But... Oh well. It's a fantasy world where Joy and Darwin live. Anything can happen. Just not A.I. robots any time soon...
Joy's Unhappiness
Chapter 9
xxxxx Cat-skin's POV xxxxx
"What? You're telling me you want to use the kitchen? To cook?!"
I nodded.
The head cook snorted in my face. "HA! As if women can cook! This is hilarious!" I felt a slight pang of annoyance at the comment.
"You can try..." I perked up. "...But you won't succeed. It's pretty much guaranteed."
I stayed quiet as he started to walk away. "You can keep whatever you plan to make. Just this once... If you manage to make anything that is!" He laughed obnoxiously again.
That went better than I had originally thought it would. Perhaps he was in a better mood today. And I just made it better? Oh well. I got permission now, at least.
It's early in the afternoon and it's Synal's birthday today. Still stuck for any decent ideas, I took a gamble and decided to make an apple tart, hoping he didn't mind sweet things too much. I knew I should have asked about his preferences first...
I decided it was apple because meat was too expensive for me to use (the head cook will get very angry) and vegetables were too normal for a birthday.
Making it wasn't any trouble. Fetching the ingredients for the cooks made me memorise where all the ingredients where. And I have watched the cooks enough.
Back at Deofia, I had a go at cooking. I have made soups and stews but I have never baked anything before. I think, so long as the presentation is good and the tart isn't burnt, it should be okay.
So I made the tart base and arranged sliced apple in it. Despite the head cook's good mood, I didn't dare add any sugar to it. Fruit is sweet enough for Synal, I would think.
I made a lattice pattern crust to cover the top. With the extra dough, I put a small star on the top as well. Lastly the tart was put it in the oven.
Knowing that things could very easily go wrong, I watched the tart in the oven the entire time. It didn't seem to transform very much but a pleasant sweet smell wafted over from the tart. When I heard faint bubbling from inside, I took it out.
The tart itself was quite small. I would guess that Synal could easily cup his hands over it. It was a good thing though, it meant that it cooked faster. I could also guess that if I used too much ingredients, the head cook wouldn't be very happy.
Looking at the tart now, I could tell it was a success. The apple was perfectly cooked and the crust was golden brown. Now that I think of it, the head cook would be more angry by the fact that he was proven wrong, judging by his confidence.
Hopefully, it was going to be consumed before he even sees it...
Julie came over to see the results. "Mmm, that looks so scrumptious... I could take a bite out of it myself! Where did you learn how to cook?"
I smiled. Even so, it felt great to prove that women can cook!
xxxxxxxxxx
"Alright, I'm here now. What do you need-"
"Happy birthday, Synal!"
We surprised Synal by throwing flower petals at his face right when he arrived. After he recovered from being startled, he laughed.
"I cannot believe I have forgotten my own birthday. You girls didn't have to this you know..."
Julie put her hands to her hips. "Yes, but we couldn't have let your birthday pass without some kind of celebration. Besides, what better things do you have to do in the evening?"
"Well there's-" Synal started.
"Enough of that. Let's celebrate the day of your birth!"
I nodded to agree and handed over a small package. "Happy birthday..."
He opened the paper wrapping to reveal the apple tart I made.
"An apple tart huh? It's not often that I get to eat something this nice. Thank you Cat-skin."
We were celebrating near the well, because it was a convenient place where we all could celebrate without disrupting anybody. Julie made an excuse earlier in the day, saying that she needed his help. It was all the better if it was a surprise, she said.
Normally, one would remember their own birthday – especially if they were royal like me – but Synal must have been very busy to have forgotten, training the new recruits and practising his sword skills.
Speaking of sword skills... Why isn't Darwin here? He and Synal are friends right? He may be a prince but if he sneaks off to practice then why not celebrate Synal's birthday?
Julie may not have invited him though... I have not heard her mention his name once. Maybe I should take the initiative to invite him?
Yeah. I'll do that.
I excused myself and ran towards the blue roses.
xxxxx Third POV xxxxx
Julie wondered where Cat-skin was going. It was rather late at night and she was all alone... Would she be safe?
"I think I have a suspicion of where she's going." Synal said.
Julie rose an eyebrow. "How come?"
Synal smiled mysteriously. "That's a secret."
She crossed her arms. "...You know something I don't."
"Yeah."
Julie gave up, knowing better than anyone else that pressing Synal to get him to tell her what she wants to know, will get her nowhere.
"Why don't you take off that heavy armour off now? It's uncomfortable now isn't it?"
"You have a point." Synal took off his armour. With his armour off, Synal looked less intimidating and somehow a little more friendly.
"Well, I also have something nice for you."
"Oh. What could that be?"
"Close your eyes and hold out your hand."
Synal did so and felt something soft fall in his hand. He opened his eyes to see a robin embroidered on a white handkerchief. He faked a frown. "That's all?"
Julie fidgeted. "Sorry, that was all I could possibly get you... You probably won't even use it. But I worked hard on it I swear!"
He laughed. "I was just kidding. This is a really good present." He suddenly gave Julie a hug. "I'm surprised you remembered that my favourite bird was a robin."
Julie hugged him back. "Of course I did. Did you forget that robins were my favourite too?"
"I did not forget..."
Julie closed her eyes thinking that his body felt so warm.
xxxxx Cat-skin's POV xxxxx
"Hey! Cat-paw!"
I halted. Cat-paw? Who would -
"Long time no see!"
Aeon, the pillywiggin, hovered right in front of my face, grinning.
I back-pedalled in surprise. Again with the sudden close face!
"Hey! How are you doing? It looks like you were looking for someone. I can help you! I owe you my life after all."
I wondered if it was normal to say that I was looking for the prince. Deciding that it wouldn't be such a good idea say it, I kept my mouth shut and shook my head.
Aeon frowned. "I'll be real helpful! You know, two heads are better than one! Just tell me who you're looking for!"
I opened my mouth to respond, but somebody knocked me to the ground before I could say anything. Looking up to see who the culprit was, I saw a staggering drunk man.
He squinted at me through his clouded eyes. "Hey you... Have you seen a fairy around here? If you have then give it to me..." he said in slurred words.
I saw Aeon go pale from the corner of my eyes, but then switched to fury mode soon after. He flew to my ear and hissed, "This guy was the one who trapped me in the bottle!"
I gasped and stared at the man cautiously. He didn't seem to have noticed Aeon yet, because he was so drunk. Now that I look at him closely... This guy was the one who pushed all those dirty dishes on me on the first day!
He squinted at me hard and I realised that he was waiting for a reply. "No, I haven't seen a fairy."
All of a sudden, he grabbed my collar! I saw his disoriented eyes and smelt a strong smell of alcohol in his breath. I tried not to vomit.
"You've seen one haven't you?! Hand it over!" His eyes were frenzied and I feared for my life.
No, calm down... This guy is just drunk. He doesn't know what he is doing. I have to think over my options.
There's no point in reasoning with him. It appears that he has lost all his sense due to the alcohol.
Could I call for help? But who would be around here to help? Julie and Synal are too faraway now.
I could run. Yes, I'll do that. It's the best thing to do. He's too drunk to chase after me.
I was about to push him away when the crazy man threw me to the ground. Hard. I hit my head and saw stars for a moment. When they disappeared, the man had a foot raised up, ready to stomp on me.
Just what did I do to anger him so?! He couldn't have realised that I was the one who freed Aeon, especially in the state he is in now!
I braced myself for the impact.
None came. I heard a grunt of pain.
I lowered my arms from my face slowly, to see what happened.
Darwin was there in his plain clothes, with his hand grabbing the drunk man's foot and stopping it.
The drunk man got enraged. "Whassup with you? Don't get in my way!" he yelled and did a full body charge at Darwin.
He dodged it and the drunk man ended up crashing against the wall and knocking himself out. Darwin tutted at the man.
"He just made himself look like an idiot..." He turned to me. "Are you okay Cat-skin?"
I was rather, literally, shaken by the whole event. Darwin held out a hand to help me up and I grabbed it absent-mindedly. As he pulled me up, my mind finally caught up with the world.
I squeezed his hand and nodded to answer his previous question.
"Are you sure? That man was really violent... At least this little guy flew over to find me. Who knows what he could have done..."
"Hey! My name is Aeon, okay!" The pillywiggin made a appearance from Darwin's back. While dealing with the drunk man, I didn't even notice him slip away.
"Thank you Aeon."
"Pah! No need! I have repaid you now right?"
The entire mess was... sort of caused by Aeon in the first place... But then again... I think that man would have come after me anyway.
Ah, well. Aeon doesn't need to repay me. So I nodded.
"Yes!" he pumped a fist in the air. "Now I can go! See you later! Maybe!" He flew away so quickly I couldn't even see his wings flap.
Was he that happy to get rid of me?
Darwin laughed. "First fairy I had ever seen up close and he's a really prideful one! And blunt! Are they all like that?"
I shook my head, remembering Arryn and how she seemed to be completely opposite to Aeon.
"You've seen another one Cat-skin?! Wow, you're a really lucky girl!" He ruffled the fur on my hood and I felt my face heat up for some reason.
Hm?
"But it's about time for me to attend my etiquette lessons right now. Sorry, I have to go."
Darwin waved goodbye to me and ran off.
It took all of my willpower to fight off the sudden urge to chase after him, grab his arm and tell him to not go. Why was that? Why did I get this sudden urge?
I leaned my head against the wall in severe confusion.
"Ugh..." someone groaned.
I almost forgot about the drunk man!
The man beside me was beginning to regain consciousness. I think it's better if I didn't get involved in this anymore... I snuck off, trying not to catch his attention again...
A/N: So... this a fairly short chapter compared with the last one. But I'm going on a holiday abroad for two weeks so I thought it might be best to post this one up before I go. Because of that, the next chapter will probably be delayed by two weeks.
Hopefully, the next chapter will include Joy coping with her 'strange' feelings and Darwin's point of view about the entire thing.
In case you were maybe thinking of it... Don't try this apple tart recipe at home! You will end up with a very sour tart. And plus, this recipe is too vague to follow - in case there were people who weren't too keen on reading a long series of paragraphs all about cooking.
