smash_logs | B is for Babies, Brotherhood, and Bad food.

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B is for Babies, Brotherhood, and Bad food.

Who: Connor and Eirika
What: Connor eats some very poisoned and bad food, and things get interesting.
Where: Connor's dorm, because there is conveniently a kitchen.
When: November 20th, evening.
Warnings: Drama.

Connor was somewhat tired tonight, oddly enough.

Cleaning up after the students and staff was the job he was given and did it because he had to, but today was just particularly rough and trying on his patience.

Trash everywhere, coffee spills, all the like, it just seemed like today messes were far more rampant.

He was tired, and hungry. He was very prepared to get changed and head out to get some meat inside of his stomach before retiring to other things. Hopefully, sleeping.

What he didn't expect when he approached his door was the smell of...something. It sure smelled like something. Something that made his alarms go off in his head. The only people with spare keys readily were his mother, and Eirika. His mother didn't come to see him often, he usually visited her place. That was daily too. Last he knew, his mother didn't take to modern kitchens. With Desmond gone, the kitchen and appliances had no use to him. Except for the espresso machine, he grew to appreciate that.

He opened the door, finding only one logical solution.

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Something about even trying to cook for Connor often left Eirika cringing. Not because she wasn't capable of it, just that in comparison, her knowledge on how to was lacking and both of them knew it. Still, every now and then, she made the attempt and seventy-five percent of the time she hid whatever she was in the process of making. The sound of the door and the footsteps that followed after, however, were a clear indication that she wouldn't be quick enough to hide things.

Drying off her hands, she ducked out of his kitchen and paused when she found Connor in the doorway. "Oh, hello." You're early, which she didn't say for many reasons because maybe it wasn't as early as she thought it was. Cooking made it easy to get distracted, after all. But then Eirika smiled as she eyed him closely, "Go wash up. I'm making dinner for us."

Trying to, anyway, was another thing that she didn't say. To be fair, it was probably the best food she'd ever made. Which meant it was at least remotely edible.

"...Ah, you are? Any reason? Occasion?" He was taken aback, admittedly.

Because there had to be a reason for this, right? Connor didn't expect a thing, or knew what her plight was. All he knew was what he saw, and it was interesting.

He remembered the last time he tried her food. But it didn't matter, because if she made it, he was going to eat it and appreciate it. Even if it tasted bad, she made it. He moved on over to the kitchen, all the utensils out being used, or whatever Desmond left behind that would be used for cooking perhaps? No. Unless if Eirika purchased some herself, he didn't recall ever having some of this stuff. Desmond didn't cook much. Maybe she got it from the student kitchen? He was now just curious.

"What are you making?"

Edited 2014-11-28 00:25 (UTC)

"Well—"

Except she didn't want a say and it was obvious from some moments of pause that she didn't have a plan for this conversation. There was no theory formulated on how to approach a situation of this magnitude and the many moments of silence that sat between them solidified that. She'd interjected herself without being able to say anything more and after clearing her throat, she went back to his kitchen long enough to grab the book she'd been reading from.

A recipe book. Because at least she was capable of following a recipe, which almost guaranteed success.

"It says..." she began as her eyebrows knit together. "Gnocchi." Then she peered over the edge to Connor and raised her eyebrows. "It's like pasta, I think. At least that's what I read. Usually I cook something at the student kitchens and take it back to my room if it's good, but I'm getting better. So I thought it'd be nice if I could make you something good."

Connor would've looked over her shoulder at the recipe book. "Gnocchi is-"

He began reading it. Potato was evident from the recipe. Potato, breadcrumbs, flour, and etc. Pasta she said? He never heard of anything like this. He never ate anything of the sort, even in his colonial kitchen. Certainly not something he would have ever had, was it something she had before? Maybe, maybe not.

But she said she had been cooking and wanted to cook for HIM, it made him feel uneasy, and not toward her.

"You did not have to work so hard on this," he said, he couldn't help it. "But, I was planning on eating soon so...I appreciate it. Can I do anything to help?"

This was the couple's life. Truly.

She almost protested. Almost. Except his offer stopped her from doing just that and out of nowhere, she smiled brightly. Brighter than she normally did. For something in his words genuinely touched and flattered her. Closing her recipe book, but saving the page with a finger, she hugged it to her gently.

"Well, the... gnocchi is actually going to be done soon. Why not just wash up and set up so we can eat?"

Her smile lessened, but a warmth remained in her eyes as she gave him a subtle little nod. "Or if you tell me if you like fruits or vegetables more, I'm sure I can find something here." She knew Desmond was gone, but had a feeling he'd left more than something there in his stead. Surely he was a man who'd liked fruit and vegetables.

Hopefully.

By now, if there were any produce left when Desmond had gone, one couldn't imagine the very state of them. Honestly, fresh fruit and vegetables were the only thing he outsourced; but again, they were never in here.

"I am fond of both," said Connor, with a smile on his face. Eirika was being charming, and endearing. Despite the state of the food she would make, he truly couldn't ignore the gesture. He cooked for her on occasion, it would honestly be only fitting if she tried to for him. Something so new too, she probably worked very hard on it. He had no idea what gnocchi was supposed to taste like, but perhaps it would please his very earthy and hardened palette? Maybe?

If he had known, he would have gone shopping himself. If this was a success, perhaps he could try his hand at making something more gourmet; or more fitting for a princess other than a rustic stew, grilled fish, or other grilled meat.

For now, he decided to heed and surrender, letting Eirika take the floor tonight. "I cannot wait," he remarked for her, maybe half suspicious of her being nervous if he would enjoy it or not. He slowly made his way to his washroom.

He definitely had to do something for her at a later date.

Ohhhh, I bet you can.

Wait, that was. Because she got the impression that it was an unwise of him to be so enthused about eating anything she made. Not that she thought it would turn out awful, because she had a good feeling about this attempt. She really did. And she tried to be confident and modest at the same time, which was difficult.

"Patience," she told the optimistic native.

And she left him to wash himself up in favour of scooting back into his kitchen. Pulling her hair back, her attention turned back onto the recipe book she'd been following. And as long as she kept doing things as she'd planned on, then surely it would make dinner a success. Even with something as simple as fresh fruit and vegetables accompaniment.

The message came across, and Connor was sure if he insisted on sticking around that Eirika would've physically shoved him out in favor of making this meal a success on her own accord.

He didn't need to say another word, and he went on to the washroom, only sound she would hear from him being the running water of the faucet. He washed his face and hands, feeling better already.

She worked very hard, and it was smelling good. It should taste good too. She seemed so unsure.

Maybe Connor didn't have the best people skills, but he knew Eirika long enough to know when she was nervous and fidgety. He wanted to treat it with kindness, in hopes of making her feel better more than anything.

In a few minutes, Connor had gathered himself and prepared himself for dinner. He wasn't in his robes since he just got back from his meager labor job, so he did change into that tunic, that very casual and relaxed tunic. Cleaned up and fresh, he emerged from the restroom.

There really wasn't much left to do. Books said to keep things simple and for the sake of Connor, she tried to uphold that. That meant knowing when to stop seasoning. Gnocchi had its kind of default bland taste to it, which she meant to rectify, but it wasn't going to be gourmet by any means. Simply because Eirika didn't have the seasoned tongue to understand what was and was not appropriate.

She was in the midst of finishing accompaniment, which was simple red apples and caulifower, when he returned. As she dished and served them both, she found herself pausing when she caught his eye.

I'm so accustomed to seeing him in his robes that sometimes it seems completely unreal to compare him to a normal person. But then normal is relative.

When she realised she was staring, she forced her gaze aside and harboured a small smile as she set down his plate, naturally with more food than she personally would have eaten. "Sit. Be comfortable. What do you want to drink?" Because she didn't go out of her way to buy them anything special.

She was truly so nervous, the poor thing.

Connor emerged into the room, slowly and calmly. She used apples. His eyes darted to the table she set, with her lovingly cooked meal, and he noticed the apples. Connor wasn't sure he had a "favorite" food but he did have some sort of special fondness for apples.

He wondered if she knew he liked apples, he wouldn't be surprised.

She did everything, filled his plate with a generous amount of food.

So unnecessary, and yet-. Connor shook his head and smiled at the princess, she was really pushing his little buttons. He was too flattered for much words and yet, he couldn't help but feel a little bad. Getting him a beverage was too much. It was almost like she was acting like a wife.

That thought popped into his head for just a moment. It did make him flustered.

"No, allow me," he said, with some insistence. "You already worked so much."

She knew. She hadn't forgotten. He made them go together to pick like, forty of them. She wasn't going to forget after that.

While her immediate thought was to protest at his very offer, she refrained. Meeting his eyes with hers, taking note of his tone, she conceded. With a subtle little nod, she moved to sit on the side opposite of him, something the way she remembered doing so with Ephraim in their years together. Before war destroyed everything for them.

"All right," she gave in. "If you'd like to. But just remember that you didn't have to and I was perfectly willing." Not that he'd ever argue with her about it or hold it against her. He knew she was doing it because she wanted to and nothing else.

She worked far too hard to please him, when she didn't have to at all in the first place. Try hard to please him, that is.

"I know that," he said. Did she plan for this? How long did she plan it if she did? The apples, and abundance of them, made that clear. That was why he stepped in, he couldn't bare to have her lift another finger for him.

"I do not have much, but I do have this," Connor said as he motioned to the espresso machine. "I bought it for Desmond when he was here, and he used it often; he even taught me. Since he left, and since this remained here, I admit to not letting it go to waste."

Eirika raised her eyebrows as she listened with a subtle little smile. Then she looked over to the espresso machine with some thought. "I didn't know you liked coffee." But it shouldn't have been too big a surprise. Coffee was bitter at its base and she supposed that reflected Connor's insides well enough. He wasn't completely lost to jaded views, but he definitely had the history to head into that direction.

"I've never actually had it. I always smell it whenever I go grocery shopping, though. There are so many different kinds and they smell so wonderful. Very relaxing." She wondered if it was an implication that Connor was worrying more than she was aware of. Eirika wasn't going to ask, but she made a note with herself to observe him a little more closely. "If it's too much trouble, though, we can do something simple. I'm not picky."

Except she was. Because royalty had a bad habit of being picky. The difference was that she wasn't going to put him out of his way. Anything he was willing to offer her was touching enough that it didn't matter what her preferences were too much.

"Coffee was sold in markets back in my homeland, and they tried to sell it based on how people had felt about tea and the King that taxed them," Connor remarked. Might as well tell a bit about his own home in the process, eh? Made for good conversation.

"I never partook in it, however," he continued as he started brewing, it obviously being no trouble. He took out the ground coffee he kept in the cabinet, as well as the sugar and the whitener. Decaf, as Desmond said that was what you drank when you wanted the taste but not the alertness. "Until now of course."

He got the mugs and poured the coffee in them, it took only a minute or so, and he turned to her. "It is quite bitter, I could sweeten it if you want."

This was...fun? Fun.

Watching him was more than a little fascinating. She didn't know the first thing about coffee. A replacement for tea. For tea had been taxed. But it was common for royal houses to levy the people. It was a section of propriety that she felt rather in the dark about. Her father had handled all of that and in his absence, somehow she'd thought it was Ephraim's responsibility.

"Oh... A first for us both, then." And it seemed their life was full of consistent firsts. At his offer, she raised her eyebrows and shook her head. "No, no. I should have it for the first time without. Otherwise, it may ruin the experience. I'll take it as it is, thank you."

Ah, adventurous. Well, if she hated it, it would be an easy fix to see if and how she would like this. So tonight there will be another first here.

"Alright," Connor replied as he brought her the mug of hot coffee before taking his own seat, bringing his own cup to his lips. He liked coffee black just fine, and decided to do that as well. Of course, he still brought the sugar and whitener just in case.

"Careful, it is hot."

"Thank you, Connor."

She accepted it gratefully, as she would have accepted anything from him. That he'd wanted to do something for her in return said enough, though to be fair Eirika hadn't done anything with the motive of gaining something in return. Especially not from him. They weren't those kind of partners and that was something she hoped they would never become. Things were simpler when they merely acted upon what they believed was right or proper.

As she blew to cool off her coffee, she found herself eying Connor with the same degree of thought that she'd done several times prior. It wasn't unusual for her to think of him often. Not too often. Mostly when it was necessary. And with the coming of the season, it was hard not to. The year before she'd given him a title, a ring of her loyalty and undying adoration, and something akin to a family. Now they were 'daughter'less, but still rich in heart.

It stung, a little. As she took her first drink, dainty as it was, it served as a good distraction. Bitter indeed. But there's something oddly pleasant about that. As if to say that not everything can be sweet and beautiful. I respect that. "That isn't bad," she finally decided. "I think the fragrance is better than the taste, but it isn't horrible."

"It is okay then?" Connor asked as he finished sipping his, feeling warmer after it. He took a deep breath, how a simple drink seemed to relax him. Not that he wasn't already relaxed. But it was a gradual sense of feeling more and more so, like they were at peace for the evening. Still though, he never expected her to like it, even a little. But Eirika still surprised him, speaking of which.

He started to raise his fork.

"It is a very strong tasting drink but I am sure it would go great with this...'gnokkie', was it?"

"Yes," she replied with a short little nod. "I assure you, it is quite okay, Connor."

But she could understand his concern. Slightly, anyway. Coffee and tea were two completely different ends of the spectrum and while it was possible for someone to like tea, it was equally possible for the same someone to completely dislike coffee. And sure, the coffee was bitter. But again, it seemed to represent something in life as well.

Hearing him continue made her smile grow. "I think it'll suit it well, yes. We'll have to remember it in the future. If you decide that you like this. If you don't, it just means it's one less pasta for you to like. But to be fair, it seems like the kind of thing you'd have a preference for." Maybe. He probably preferred his rustic meat and fish, to be honest. Maybe corn and wheat. The man was a bit primitive in comparison, after all.

"I have not had any pasta dish, this would be my first," Connor said, cat now out of the bag. True firsts, then. The truest of them tonight. "All I know is that there are so many kinds, as a few ventures in town and the school grounds have taught me."

He was speaking of the cafeteria and the various Italian restaurants that littered Final Destination. The smell of spices and garlic sometimes proved strong for the Native, but other times they did pique his interest just a tad.

"Desmond had brought food from those sorts of places often, things like 'pizza' and 'take out'," Connor continued as he then started digging the fork into his plate. He snagged a couple of pieces of the gnocchi, and then ate some.

Right... Restaurants were a thing, which was a particular kind of thing Eirika had not ever indulged in. And truth be told, eating at a restaurant probably would have gotten as close to palace dining as was possible, all things considered. So the moment Connor made mention of them, as if she'd only just remembered they existed, she made a mental note to take some of her coin and selfishly indulge.

At least once.

"I suppose they had all kinds of those things wherever Desmond came from," Eirika observed with a slow little nod. But as she watched him, she looked a little hopeful, but tried not to seem it. She'd tested it out herself, of course, but just because she liked something didn't mean he would. All she could do was wait and hope for the best.

Eirika felt like Connor did, who had heard all about what kind of fun someone had eating a particular something out instead of making it themselves.

He never ate out, not even in the colonies. Even when he had the coin.

Even when he smelled the food going through the inns and restaurants, he was always too busy to stop. Nothing was really stopping him now. He could try the "burgers" or the "ramen", or whatever food there was about the town. Just once, then he could say he did it.

Now, time to try the food that was in front of him, that his love worked so hard. He did put the food in his mouth and chewed it. Chewed it some more. It tasted-

He smiled, "Good, it tastes really good."

She waited patiently for his verdict and as she heard him, her expression brightened. Praise from Connor was almost like being praised by Ephraim. In other words, something of a big deal. There was nothing trivial about being complimented, especially on something she actually put effort into.

"...Really?" Eirika asked him, as if she didn't quite believe what he had to say. "Does it, really? It's okay if it doesn't. You're allowed to say so. I can't improve if you aren't honest. Not saying I intend to cook often. Just..."

Her shoulders lifted in a casual shrug. "...whenever the mood strikes me, I suppose."

She was fretting, in disbelief. How adorable, how completely adorable. Connor raised a hand, happily finishing his mouthful of food. It truly did taste good, and it tasted like hard work.

So, allow him to tell you why it was so good. "The seasoning is not too much for me and the texture is very palatable. You have gotten much better, much."

He never forgot a thing, he never forgotten the horrible pastries she made when they first met. This wasn't in the same ballpark.

And that was... really beyond what she was expecting. Progress. She'd made progress and that was really what she thought was the most important. And he liked it. That was important, too. But she would have been satisfied with hearing that it was better than her pastries from at least a year (mayhap two?) prior, even if he still didn't like it.

Her posture relaxed and she sat not so rigid, trying to imagine what Seth's response would have been akin to. Perhaps he equally would have been proud. Or perhaps he would have been slightly disappointed for it meant her doing something that wasn't very princess-like and preventing him from doing something else to care for her as a retainer was supposed to.

"W... wonderful!" Eirika replied, more joy transparent than she wanted there to be. "I'll keep this in mind when I make something in the future. That's wonderful, Connor." For both him and her.

The effort was there, and it paid off. If anyone had a problem with Eirika doing something so simple like this, Connor would give them a what for. He was happy and she tried to make him happy. So, here he was happy.

"No, no," Connor gently chided in though. "Next time, I will. It is only fair."

He continued happily eating, even sampling the cauliflower and apples. He ate politely, of course, but he wanted surely for Eirika to know her efforts were never wasted on him.

A scolding from Connor, Eirika would gladly accept. Her smile felt too large for her face and that was only because it was so much larger than what she normally gave. And everything about her practically glowed. ~~Must have been that Oil of Olay Regenerist cream.~~ But perhaps she was simply starved for praise, where the land she'd come from, she got it as often as she could.

When she wasn't be scolded for being troublesome. And she was one hell of a troublesome child in the palace.

She poked and prodded at her food, thinking in hindsight that she shouldn't have given herself so much pasta. And idly, she moved it about her plate, trying to make it seem like she'd eaten more than she actually had, and she chose to eat the apples and cauliflower instead.

"Next time, you will then. I accept," she replied with a pleased little nod.

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B is for Babies, Brotherhood, and Bad food.

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