[Featured characters: Alanis, Mamie] Budehuc Castle: By the Lake This area sits lower than the main castle--So much so, in fact, that the only path up to the front door is up a long, narrow set of stairs. Nowhere does the castle itself look more worn down than here, where the walls are moss-covered and so well worn that defensive walls and pathways have smoothed into one. The buildings that have popped up here, however, are as beautiful and new as anything--Made of brick and white walled, with red-tiled rooves and sturdy wooden beams. Here the pathways have been repaved, as well, making a pleasant stone path that leads around the lake. A well sized outside cafe sits here, with half a dozen white tables set up in the sunlight by the lake. The lake itself is the most stunning thing here--Wide and beautiful, one can see far, far across the lake the silhoette of the mountains that sit north of Vinay del Zexay. ===== It's a fine, beautiful day. The sort of day when one can't help but feel compelled to venture forth out of doors and partake of the company of others. Indeed, it seems to be a compulsion felt by many this afternoon, for the lake is dotted with a goodly number of swimmers and frolickers, painting the very picture of idyllic happiness. For most, anyway. The young girl behind the counter of the cafe is another story entirely. Mamie looks tense, as usual, as she paces back and forth behind that length of polished wood all by her lonesome. Aside from one older man seated by himself at a table while nursing a tall glass of tea, it doesn't appear that she has much to do right now aside from the pacing and an occasional glance directed out toward those relaxing at the lake. *pacepacepace* goes the chef, with a long spoon held in one hand keeping rythym with her steps as she slaps it into her other hand. Alanis's figure is quite striking against the green and blue heaven of the afternoon, a red slash in the otherwise cool environment. Her pace down the hill from the castle is leisurely. Her family's travels have taken her far and wide, but this place is by far the most peaceful she can remember, and it seems to be soaking into her bones - more so now, when she's finally free of her father's eagle-eyed gaze and the bore of the trading post. He's there /again/, if one can believe it, just /watching/. He isn't even trading! She just doesn't understand the fascination. But maybe Hugo spoke with him, or something, because he has set her free from the cage! With allowance in hand, she shuffles into the cafe area and eyes the menu as she approaches. Something sweet would be nice, about now... maybe another crepe. Fascination can be a good thing! It's the fuel that allows the flames of one's fetish to burn oh-so-brightly! It's the catalyst which propels forth the unstoppable juggernaut that is determination! It's... the thing that has Mamie standing behind the counter of a dead cafe while everyone else is out enjoying a refreshing dip in the lake. Sigh. Turning about sharply on her heels at the end of one pacing circuit, the young chef's gaze immediately takes note of something being out of place nearby... green... green... green... red! A customer! Kind of a young customer, true, but it doesn't seem as if Mamie is about to pick and choose. It's up to the center of the counter that she marches, pausing in the swatting of her spoon to raise it up into the air in greeting toward the young'un making her way closer even now. "Good afternoon! I bet you're hungry and needing a boxed lunch for a lakeside picnic, right? I'll take good care of you and your parents both!" While the afternoon is nice, the shade provided by the kitchen's overhanging eaves is a relief. Alanis pauses just inside that cool little bubble and gives Mamie a little wave with her free hand, and a smile. "Oh, it's just me, thanks," she says, looking down to counter her money. Hmmmmm. She doesn't want to use /all/ of it, but... there are so many good things on the menu! How can she possibly choose between crepes, ice cream, candied apples, and every other sweet on the menu? Truly, this is a dilemma. She looks back at Mamie, then up to the menu. Hmmm... fresh fruit. It reminds her of the strawberries and cream she had with Viki and the farmer. "What kinds of fruit do you have right now?" There is that, true. While Mamie might be rooted in place while everyone else is out and having their fun, -she's- the one that gets to remain in the shade for the entire time. While it's not exactly unheard of for children to be running about on their own here, this one looks to be a bit too well-dressed and sheltered-looking to be free of her parents' clutches... no matter. Don't ask, don't tell. "Fruit? Uh..." That's not what she wanted to hear. Not when she's still waiting on that farmer boy to hurry up and bring over a delivery of produce. "I've still got some fresh peaches, apples, and strawberries left today. You want just fruit, or do you want me to make you up something special with it? Growing girls should eat as much as they can, so don't be shy now!" Well, if she's going to offer... "I had strawberries and cream with Viki the other day..." Alanis muses aloud, shaking the pouch with her money in her hand. It sounds like quite a hefty sum for such a young little girl, all heavy clinks. That's the nice thing about being a merchant's daughter! "That was really good. But the crepe...." Obviously, she's still undecided. Fruit is good, and it would make her mother happy, but... then she perks up a little. "Can you put fruit and cream on crepes? I know I saw that once in Harmonia..." Now we're talking. It's just too -easy- to sell people food that comes naturally ready-to-eat. There's no style in just paring an apple and calling it a deal! Too bad for Alanis that Mamie doesn't seem to be picking up on the origin of her distress, despite not being all that much older. A simple, almost stern nod of the girl's head signifies her acceptance, already turning away from the counter proper to begin fetching the ingredients. "Easy enough. Any preference for toppings, or do you just want a little of everything?" Because we all know that apples, strawberries, and cream go so great together on a crepe. "Hmm.... just strawberries, I think." Alanis isn't very fond of apples, unless they're covered in a mountain of carmel or chocolate, or the like. Cream just doesn't do the job, in their case. "And then..." Hmm. She really should be good, especially since this money has to last the entire month, but there are just too many good things on the menu. And her sweet tooth is legendary in Vinay del Zexay. "Maybe... a chocolate chip cookie, and then a melon soda!" She nods her head firmly, breaking into a grin. "It'll be the best lunch I've had for ages! It's too bad Hugo and Melville aren't here to have some too." So much for that experiment! At least it's with good grace that Mamie replaces the apple in her hand into the barrel from whence it came, delving instead into a basket hung from the wall nearby for a nice handful of strawberries to tote over toward her working counter in the back. At least she seems more energetic now, having something to work on, though she still manages to keep up on the conversation over her shoulder. "Hugo... a good boy. He knows how to eat. Even though he's a little small." Poor Hugo. "It's a nice day out, anyway. Where are your friends? Everyone else I've seen today has been busy, but you're by yourself." Alanis sighs, and stands on her tip-toes to watch Mamie work. She only has a simple idea of how to cook, but it would be really nice to be able to make these on her own while on the road, or something. The trip to Budehuc from the Great Hollow would live on in her memory forever as the journey with the worst food. Hopefully, nothing more memorable would replace it. "I couldn't find them... This place is huge, and I got hungry before I could explore very much." Her face twists up for a minute. "My dad had dragged me to the trading post earlier, and I only just now got away." Just what the castle needs. Mamie taking another curious would-be chef beneath her wing and spreading her love of 'experimentation' even further. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much of interest going on back there, from what can be seen around the chef's skinny frame. Just the berries awaiting her attention from a bowl set off to one side and -something- being quickly and efficiently mixed by a wire wisk in a larger bowl placed before her. "That's true. The castle is a big place. It probably seems to be even bigger for someone trying to climb all of those stairs with such short legs." There's no room for tact in the kitchen, by the sound of things. At least there isn't any taunting or malice in her voice when she speaks, right? Just straight speaking of the mind. "I like the trading post. They have new spices there sometimes. It helps me to come up with new ideas, if that farm boy would ever show up on time. Are you going to be a trader when you grow up, then?" Short legs? Not that it isn't true, but you don't have to /say/ it that way... Alanis's cheeks turn a bit pink in embarassment, but she doesn't address that little bit. No need to draw attention to it! "Well... ah... that elevator comes in handy, but the basement has so many halls..." She shrugs helplessly at that. Maybe she should try to draw a map, but that was Elliot's area of expertise. "My dad is the one into trade. I'd rather learn magic, but he's making me wait." That is said with a sigh, and this one is more than a little annoyed. "But if he makes he /wait/ I'm never going to get to learn... no one wants to teach grown-ups from the start." One day, Mamie might learn that there is an art to the act of speaking. Maybe. She'll either learn, or someone will throw her out a window, but poor Alanis will just have to deal until such a time comes to pass. The sound of light sizzling can be heard as she steps quickly further down the counter to pour over the contents of the bowl into a flat pan upon one of the range's burners, though the substance is left behind immediately afterward as she returns back to where she left the berries and sets to work with a knife. "If you want to learn magic, then you should learn magic. Maybe your father is a busy man. I have seen a few of those magic people around the castle before. Have you tried asking them to teach you? I think that they will take students. There is one woman with funny clothes who already has one, so maybe you'd better hurry and find out. "Yeah..." Alanis sighs. That's easier said than done. Rody offered to teach her once, although after what he mentioned about hanging out of windows... well, she isn't sure she wants to go that route. She's trying to hold out faith that other mages might take a different tack. "But I can't just /ask/ someone to teach me... I mean... what if they're busy? I bet they're all fighting in the war. I'm not even allowed to leave the castle..." That was a bit of a disappointment, certainly... but now that she can see how huge the grounds are, it isn't as sharp. And really, no matter what she might say, the prospect of meeting face-to-face with a skeleton or a chimera isn't a happy one. "He said we don't have enough money... so how can I...?" The cutting of the strawberries is a quick task which Mamie makes short work of, with the sliced fruit deposited into another bowl while she moves back over to the range so that she can tend to the pan left there. Despite being so busy with the order, even she can't help but frown at the girl's words, regardless of the fact that there isn't anyone to see the expression. "I don't know much about that magic stuff, but I think that talent would be more valuable to a teacher than money. Do you have talent, girl?" Deft use of a spatula has the solidifying mixture in the pan flipped over neatly, with a careful consideration being fixed upon it as the other side has a turn against the hot surface of the pan. "Magic is probably hard to learn. I tried to use a rune once, you know. I just didn't have any talent. So... uh... what I'm saying is... do you dream about that magic?" "My father's friend said I had a lot of talent - he wanted to keep me there and teach me, but father wouldn't allow it." Alanis folds her arms on the counter, and bends enough to rest her chin on them. She glances at the fire rune on her right hand out of the corner of her eye. He'd given her that, and she knows he cares about what she wantes, but it's hard to see that sometimes. "I really do love learning about magic. It's fun. Even the books aren't that bad, if they tell you how to do something. They have a wonderful library in Harmonia that I saw, once... I'm sure their magic schools are just as nice. I would love to be able to go... even..." She sighs, but there's no doubt in her voice. "Even if I have to leave all of my friends behind, I'd like to go..." The chef remains still for just several moments longer, only stirring to take up a thick cloth in hand as she watches the pan before her. At some not so obvious sign, she uses that cloth to take the pan up in hand, walking back down the counter with it and tilting it so that the golden brown cake within slides onto a waiting plate, with the pan placed aside soon after. "Everyone has something that they are good at. Like a gift, you know? Hugo, he is good at leading people. Your father is good at trading. Koroku is good at opening doors and stealing food... stupid dog... uh, anyway. Maybe you are meant to be good with magic. If you are, then it would be bad to waste it." A chest tucked beneath the counter is opened now, the girl kneeling briefly to remove a chilled bowl from within before rising back upright and returning to the task at hand. "It would be like your father trading for something expensive and then letting it grow old and dusty in a box somewhere. Your friends have something that they are all good at, too, I bet. They wouldn't want to throw their gift away, either, and wouldn't get angry with you for doing what you have to do. Do you want to be old and cranky like that lottery woman when you realize that you screwed up your life?" Alanis can't help laughing at that, down or not. That old woman is definitely something. Maybe Mamie's straightforward attitude isn't /always/ bad. "No, no... I don't want to waste anything. Father is always telling me not to waste my life. I don't think he /hates/ magic, it's just... when he tells me that, I think he means that I should go into his business, instead of studying what I want." These days, he won't even listen if she tries to bring the idea up in conversation. Maybe it's because he's worried. His work was interrupted when they were taken by the Lizard clan, and even though they're starting to relent on their restrictions, he can't start up again in the middle of a war, without his stores. She knows that, and she is trying to be understanding, honestly... "It's... really hard to think of just going up and asking someone, though..." When it comes to this sort of thing, Mamie is just plain lost. When she was growing up, there was never any doubt as to whether or not she would take after her father. It was just a given thing that the girl was fine and dandy with. This well-dressed lass seems to not think fondly of following in her father's footsteps, however. "Magic is good. It has uses, just like trading does. Without magic, I wouldn't have any way to keep some ingredients cold without paying someone to deliver ice here. It... probably does other things, too." What a swell argument that was. The bowl of berries is taken and the contents applied toward the work coming together on the plate before her, only a few moments needed to arrange the treat before the chef leans aside to squint down into a short bag hanging from the corner of the counter and sets to sifting through it... no... not that one... or that one... ah-ha! Retrieving something from within that bag and applying it toward the dessert, it's around that she finally turns so as to present the girl with her order. For all the haste taken in preparing it, it actually looks pretty good, with the crepe itself not at all looking rushed and the cream looking to be whipped to just the right texture about the berries within that blanket. As if that weren't enough, a little toothpick is stabbed down into the center of it, bearing a little paper flag at the top with what -looks- to be a stupidly grinning face drawn upon it... by someone who wasn't quite an artist, alas. It's the thought that counts, right? "You should cheer up, girl. It isn't nice being pulled around like that, but Mamie will help you out. There has to be some mage or another around here who knows what they're talking about. I'll find them for you and then you can ask whatever. The sight of the crepe seems to cheer Alanis up quite a bit, inspiring a wide grin and a clap. Even though she's a little depressed, she's still a cheerful child at heart. "Yes! I've been craving this for hours!" She reaches into her pouch automatically and fishes out a few coins that feel about right; when she slaps them on the counter, it's a bit more than the price of the crepe, but oh well. Then she looks up at Mamie and gives her another, more reserved smile. Sweets are great, but having someone listen to her for once makes her feel much better. Hugo tries when he has the chance, but sadly, that is not often. "Will you really? Keep a watch out, I mean?" The offer gives her a little more confidence. "You're the best, Mamie!" "What? Hours? It didn't take me that long to ma--... oh. Uh... yeah. It's good and fresh, so make sure to eat it all before it gets squishy on you." She doesn't stink at conversation. Really. That brief moment of awkwardness passes with the appearance of the coins, with the chef hesitating just briefly before reaching down to take one of the coins in hand, rolling it across her knuckles absently before nodding once to herself. Whatever the nod signified isn't obvious, though the fact that she pushes those other coins back across the counter toward Alanis can't be missed. "Here. You put these aside in a place where no one can find them. Mages need things like shiny clothes and gaudy jewelry, but they need to buy their books and lessons before that. This can be the beginning of... Little Girl's Magical Fund. Right." A self-concious clearing of her throat is had as she turns away after that, once again rolling the claimed coin across the back of her hand as she heads back to begin clearing away the mess made before. "Chasing a dream can be expensive. Make sure you don't let those coins get lonely when you have money to spare, hey? I'll do my part by looking around for a good teacher. Chef's honor!" Alanis grabs a fork from the tray on the counter and slides it onto her plate. "Thank you so much!" She hesitates before taking the rest of the coins back, but when Mamie turns her back... well, it doesn't seem appropriate to ask. And she's right. A savings fund probably isn't a bad idea, what with her father's comments about Harmonia being too expensive. Maybe... if she saves enough money he'll let up and hire a tutor? "Really, thank you. I'll do my best!" This is called over her shoulder, because she is already skipping toward a table with her crepe in hand. The day is looking a lot better now that she has a little sugar and a new ally. Yep, definitely a nice afternoon after all.