[The paper-wrapped parcel turns out to be some kind of poultry, now being quickly and efficiently de-boned. Even if his skill with cooking was a work in progress, never let it be doubted that Hubert was good with a knife.]
Sauteed pheasant and eggs. As close as Berndetta could approximate the local ingredients, anyway. [A shake of his head and a ghost of a smile.] I believe that may have been the only dish we ever agreed on.
[There's also cabbage and eggs, and a couple other local vegetables. The spices were where Bernie had to get creative to get right.]
[Hubert... wasn't sure what reaction he was out for. It was a fledgling whim from a gentle suggestion. It's new territory, completely outside of his usual realm of operation.
[He's rather unprepared for that unfiltered joy. Hubert's head dips slightly forward as he works, like it usually does in awkward acceptance whenever he's paid a compliment. There's even a flicker of embarrassment... but he's pleased, too.]
The better part of a year, Lady Edelgard. Such is not an insignificant amount of time.
[Hubert's smile widens a fraction, even if his back was turned. He almost doesn't say anything.]
[Almost. Maybe he was feeling a little bolder this evening, after all.]
I'm sure it would've made all the difference, Your Majesty, [Hubert agrees in his too-calm, too-polite bureaucrat tone, absolutely not calling out Edelgard's height in any way. That would be disrespectful.]
[Okay. Fine. She gets it. And so she purposefully noses herself in close, peering over at his collection of spices while getting just close enough to make him feel like she's being affectionate.
She is. But she also knows just how proximity confounds him.]
[It's like a strategy game. He can clearly see what Edelgard's doing, even without the mischievous glimmer in the Bond, but just like an advancing piece, it's no less distressingly effective for how basic it is.]
[Fine. If this was the game, he wouldn't surrender so easily by acknowledging it. Hubert's attention is sharply on his cooking again, shredded cabbage being mixed in with the cooking bird, and seasoned accordingly.]
[But for all his not acknowledging that proximity, Hubert's elbow never once bumps into Edelgard when reaching for the spices.]
[...yeah no, Edelgard's completely got this. His pulse is a beat or two faster since she began hovering, even if Hubert's as stonefaced as usual.]
Does my ability to follow basic instructions startle you, my lady? [He drones, only a little sarcastically. Eggs are last, scrambled into the mixture. Cooking was far more forgiving that alchemy.]
I still don't find it terribly interesting, but it is... practical. And a way to keep Bernadetta out of trouble. [And Edelgard seemed delighted enough by the idea.]
[Hubert grabs the pan's handle, lifting it from the stove. He doesn't ask her to move, but he does finally glance over his shoulder at his deviously lurking Bonded.]
[Hubert moves smoothly as Edelgard makes way, his free hand gesturing in magic sigils. The cupboards open, two plates floating out to the table. He sweeps after them.]
Mm. If I am to start somewhere, why not with something mutually beneficial? [This little game was almost a dance, him with his words and her with her distance, even if neither of them were fooled from the start.] Or should I have begun with, say, a meat pie?
[Hubert bows, flourishing a hand as he does so, and Edelgard's chair slides out on its own.]
I can only hope it suits your standards, Lady Edelgard.
[It's a good, if extra, poker face. Hubert's certain he followed the instructions to the letter, but the Bond does belie that he's a tad nervous, though.]
[He knew well enough arguing wouldn't get him anyway, and Hubert actually did need to eat, whether it turned out well or not. He takes his seat, but he's certainly still watching Edelgard's expression.]
Your palate is no doubt more discerning than mine. The only thing I seek from food is a full stomach.
[Nevermind that he was one of the pickiest eaters in their class. His grumbling was just quieter than Caspar's.]
[Edelgard skewered a bit of meat, cut it off, and took a bite once he'd sit down. Her expression remains placid and unreadable for a moment...and then she smiles after swallowing.]
[Hubert bows his head briefly while taking up his own silverware, a pleased note in their link. Perhaps this wasn't such a bad idea, after all.]
Thank you, Lady Edelgard. It may be a shadow of Bernadetta's skill, but I should hope it will make things more bearable if we find ourselves without her assistance.
[And then he tries it for himself. It's not the same without Fódlan's ingredients, obviously, but it was rather enjoyable.]
I might even dare say worth venturing into the ceaseless frivolity for. [He says wryly.] Should you wish it another time... I would not mind preparing it.
[And a couple seconds later, Hubert notices her watching. He goes still for an uncertain moment before offer a slight smile, and continuing his meal.]
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unyieldingmarch) wrote2015-09-30 10:14 pm
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Oh! That sounds like a fine use of time, though. There's absolutely no reason why neither of us shouldn't be able to cook.
[Aside form the fact that neither practiced it at home, of course. That isn't a reason, it's just an excuse, however.]
What are you planning?
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Sauteed pheasant and eggs. As close as Berndetta could approximate the local ingredients, anyway. [A shake of his head and a ghost of a smile.] I believe that may have been the only dish we ever agreed on.
[There's also cabbage and eggs, and a couple other local vegetables. The spices were where Bernie had to get creative to get right.]
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That sounds lovely! I do think you're right, and...it feels like it's been forever since I've had that.
[If he wanted this reaction, he is definitely getting it.]
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[He's rather unprepared for that unfiltered joy. Hubert's head dips slightly forward as he works, like it usually does in awkward acceptance whenever he's paid a compliment. There's even a flicker of embarrassment... but he's pleased, too.]
The better part of a year, Lady Edelgard. Such is not an insignificant amount of time.
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{The march north, the battles there, and all of that had kept them away and there were few kitchens finer than those.]
Months here, months on the campaign. I had not thought too hard about it.
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Mm, is that so? I suppose that's plausible. You were never subjected to the horribly undersized cots.
[Was that a real joke in the wild? Hubert still slightly curled on his side out of habit.]
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Only because it was insisted upon that my bedding be some sort of ostentatious travel bed.
[A monstrosity. Truly.]
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[Almost. Maybe he was feeling a little bolder this evening, after all.]
I'm sure it would've made all the difference, Your Majesty, [Hubert agrees in his too-calm, too-polite bureaucrat tone, absolutely not calling out Edelgard's height in any way. That would be disrespectful.]
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[Okay. Fine. She gets it. And so she purposefully noses herself in close, peering over at his collection of spices while getting just close enough to make him feel like she's being affectionate.
She is. But she also knows just how proximity confounds him.]
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[Fine. If this was the game, he wouldn't surrender so easily by acknowledging it. Hubert's attention is sharply on his cooking again, shredded cabbage being mixed in with the cooking bird, and seasoned accordingly.]
[But for all his not acknowledging that proximity, Hubert's elbow never once bumps into Edelgard when reaching for the spices.]
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Edelgard doesn't move away exactly, but doesn't try to get into the way, either. Why spoil the food for a bit of petty amusement.]
She's going to make a cook out of you yet, I think.
[Speaking truth here.]
This is a far cry from our first weeks here.
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[...yeah no, Edelgard's completely got this. His pulse is a beat or two faster since she began hovering, even if Hubert's as stonefaced as usual.]
Does my ability to follow basic instructions startle you, my lady? [He drones, only a little sarcastically. Eggs are last, scrambled into the mixture. Cooking was far more forgiving that alchemy.]
I still don't find it terribly interesting, but it is... practical. And a way to keep Bernadetta out of trouble. [And Edelgard seemed delighted enough by the idea.]
[Hubert grabs the pan's handle, lifting it from the stove. He doesn't ask her to move, but he does finally glance over his shoulder at his deviously lurking Bonded.]
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No. What surprises me is that you're taking the time to learn something so specific. Just to keep her out of trouble.
[It's clearly not just about that.]
Giving her distractions is good, though.
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Mm. If I am to start somewhere, why not with something mutually beneficial? [This little game was almost a dance, him with his words and her with her distance, even if neither of them were fooled from the start.] Or should I have begun with, say, a meat pie?
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...Yes this is much better.
[...she can be cute.]
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[He sets the pan down between the plates, brushing the flower crown carelessly aside.]
So I thought. But just in case, I will be less specific with my requests in the future.
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[Really, she'll accept this.
Also, slip in and take the crown for later. Hehe.]
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Very well. Now then...
[Hubert bows, flourishing a hand as he does so, and Edelgard's chair slides out on its own.]
I can only hope it suits your standards, Lady Edelgard.
[It's a good, if extra, poker face. Hubert's certain he followed the instructions to the letter, but the Bond does belie that he's a tad nervous, though.]
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...The presentation is excellent. I would expect nothing less.
[Listen. she's teasing him not tormenting him.]
Come sit with me and your portion, too. We should try this experiment together.
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[He knew well enough arguing wouldn't get him anyway, and Hubert actually did need to eat, whether it turned out well or not. He takes his seat, but he's certainly still watching Edelgard's expression.]
Your palate is no doubt more discerning than mine. The only thing I seek from food is a full stomach.
[Nevermind that he was one of the pickiest eaters in their class. His grumbling was just quieter than Caspar's.]
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Well done. This is good, Hubert.
[She knew he could do it.]
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Thank you, Lady Edelgard. It may be a shadow of Bernadetta's skill, but I should hope it will make things more bearable if we find ourselves without her assistance.
[And then he tries it for himself. It's not the same without Fódlan's ingredients, obviously, but it was rather enjoyable.]
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It will. Undoubtedly. This was a wise decision, Hubert.
[Very much so!]
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[And a couple seconds later, Hubert notices her watching. He goes still for an uncertain moment before offer a slight smile, and continuing his meal.]
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[She smiles back, and continues with her own.]
Thank you, for being so thoughtful.