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 Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:35 am
There wasn't a need for Ranaru to go back to the main kitchens any time soon, her work there having been completed (and done sharting well, thank you), but perhaps her legs lead her back to that place for the want of good smells and good company. She liked being around Jali and Fenta, the grandmother/granddaughter combo always pleasant enough to be around for conversation, and hopefully if they were there today they could lend her a hand in a rather silly endeavor. Ranaru had been wanting to try and learn to bake a new type of sweet food, be a roll or a new bubbly pie, so there wasn't anyone else in Ghenza she could think of asking (other then her own Grandmother).
Ranask trotted at her side as she moved, good spirits keeping them both going without any trouble. The weather was nice, Ranaru's leg didn't hurt, and ever since their run in with that Goldrider from before even the Blue's normal fearful antics towards strangers seemed to be abating just a little bit. A very, very little bit but more than enough for Ranaru not to worry about having to speak to the Union. That made Rana happy, and a happy Rana meant a happy Ranask. It was a good cycle.
"Hello, anyone in?"
When the pair reached the entrance to the main kitchens, Ranask taking his usual spot outside in the mid-morning sun, Ranaru called out into the seemingly empty room. It was odd to find the place not full of hustle and bustle, but considering she'd come in between meals and snack times it wasn't that different. Inconvenient maybe, but not that different.
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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 9:59 am
Belhec sort of hated getting left behind to wash things. It made sense, really, banishing him to the kitchen when it was the least busy. At least he wasn't underfoot. There wasn't anyone to look over his shoulder and some more dishes to pile, either, because if they did, his entire structure might collapse. Still, it left the young baker alone in the kitchen with no company and even less desire to be there at all. He sighed to himself, pushing his honey blond bangs behind his bandanna before leaning back over the dishes.
"Put your back into it," he was muttering to himself, almost missing someone calling from the main entrance.
Belhec blinked, set his towel and dish down, and stood, poking his head out of his little corner. Realizing it was just Ranaru, he grinned a little and wiped his hands on his pants, walking over to the older woman with a little wave. "Ranaru," he greeted her, well aware of her occasional presence in the kitchen. "Grandmother isn't in right now. Is there something you need?" he asked, friendly smile plastered across his face. Anything to get away from dishes, anything. He was a young man in his prime, his youth shouldn't be wasted getting wrinkled fingers! "I can get it for you, promise."
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Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:25 am
"Oh, hello Belhec. You're looking nice today."
The carpenter smiled as someone finally came into her view, a young man she knew by face and name thanks to her visits to the kitchens, and she nodded her head towards him as she listened to his words. It seemed as though Jali wasn't in, not really a surprise considering Jalisk wasn't in her usual spot at the front, but the smile never dropped from Ranaru's face. Belhec could help her out just fine, he was a Bakercraft child after all, and there was no need for her to just slink back later on in the day. She didn't have as much spare time as people would like to think based on her actions, considering she was actually putting work off to be here.
"I was actually here to see if Jali wouldn't mind giving me a hand with baking something, since I....have been trying my luck at different breads and sweets. Lately I've had the need to try and become more domestic, and I find it a little sad that I'm not as skilled at baking as I should be, seeing as most of what I make ends up burnt."
That was to be expected though, since baking never was a real priority in her family. Learning how to stain wood six different shades all on the same plank? That was more important then baking a decent loaf.
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Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:34 am
Belhec blinked, glancing down at his outfit when the carpenter complimented his dress. He didn't think he looked particularly nice, tunic and breeches relatively old, splashed with soapy water and Faranth knows what else, but he wasn't about to contradict the older woman. (Or maybe, some small part of his brain reasoned, he was looking good today, and every other day he just looked that much worse.)
Sniffing a little, the young baker returned to the present just in time to be recounted with Ranaru's need for his grandmother. Struggling valiantly to try and keep his face from falling, Belhec's face lost its color and he wet his lips. He nodded and brushed his honey blond bangs behind his bright blue bandanna for the second time in just a few moments and waved the carpenter a little further in. "Well, uh. How about I explain to you what to do," he hazarded, stroking the peach fuzz on his chin nervously, "and you just follow my instructions?"
Because, see, the thing was, Belhec could very possibly be the worst baker in the entirety of Ghenza's kitchens. While his parents might try to cover up the fact, the youth had come to terms with his complete and utter ineptitude. Ranaru was much better off in Jali's hands, he knew that (and he was fairly certain she knew that, she knew his family quite well). But there was a reason his grandmother wasn't here right now, and whatever it was, it was probably important.
"Because, I, um, have to finish washing the dishes before the next, you know, hustle and bustle, but I can supervise while I keep cleaning," he explained, wondering if there was any chance at all Ranaru would by it. If she confronted him, he'd spill his guts immediately, but if he could please her and not have to bother his grandmother? Day well spent.
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:34 am
Ranaru raised an eyebrow at Belhec's offer to help, a little bit surprised to see him offering to assist her. Jali had probably griped once or twice over her grandson's lack of baking skills, or maybe it had been someone else she talked to (gossip spread so fast and from so many people), so it was a mild shock to hear him say that he'd give her a hand. Following instructions didn't seem like such a bad way to try something, it was basically what she was going to be doing with Jali there anyway.
"If you don't mind lending me a hand, then I don't see why I shouldn't help you out first with the dishes, as a sort of return payment. That way you get done faster and we can both focus on one thing at a time instead of worrying over several subjects. A distract mind can lead hands easily down the path of ruin, or at least that's what my Father says."
She winked and stepped in closer to the young man, waiting to hear his response. Either way Ranaru was going to be baking something today, with or without help, but she'd prefer to have anyone at her side instead of going at it alone.
Mmmm, sleeping.
A random note from Ranask let the woman know she'd been cleared to stay as long as she needed via his nerves. So far so good.
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Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:52 pm
"Oh, you don't have to," Belhec replied quickly, ducking his head sheepishly. "It's my chore. I don't really mind, I mean, they're just dishes. Nothing terribly challenging." Because no one was crazy enough to trust the baker with anything more complex, but that was beside the point, the boy figured. Though, Ranaru might have a point about that distraction thing.
Glancing down at the scars littered across palms and fingers, the youth shrugged and tipped his head to the side. "Well, if you really want to, you can help. Dish washing really isn't a glamorous job." It wasn't a job for a teenage boy, either, but Belhec bit his lip and buried his gripe. "Or," he thought allowed, turning to lead the carpenter back to where he'd been working in the first place, "you could gather ingredients while I finish dishes. It's very unlikely I can ruin dishes." He offered Ranaru a smile as he settled back at his station, plunging hands back into dirty water.
Belhec paused then, a mystified look crossing his face. "Uh, look, I know you know I'm not exactly...good at this baking business. But if I'm not actually, you know, touching it, it probably couldn't go wrong." He cleared his throat, glancing up to look the adult in the eye. "What I'm saying is, if you actually want my grandmother, we can wait for her. You don't have to do my chores to get out of it."
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Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 9:00 pm
"You can't be as bad as my cousins, you know. And didn't your mother and grandmother always tell you the best way to improve at something is to keep practicing? This craft is in your blood, you'll do well at it eventually."
The woman was doing her best to sound reassuring, but she wasn't so sure how well it was coming off. Ranaru wasn't exactly the type that could give off false praise or hope, she probably couldn't think that far ahead into the future to try and lie. Most of whatever she told people came from experience of her own.
"But anyway, I'll do as you suggested and gather things like you asked. I've got a rough list of what I need so it shouldn't be too hard for me to find things considering Jali keeps this place clean and organized like a clockwork. You keep at it and when you're done we'll get to work. Sound good?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 6:41 am
Belhec couldn't help the small snort as Ranaru quoted his grandmother and shook his head. Oh, she might say that, the youth thought with a hint of disdain, but even Jali was beginning to see the hopelessness of her grandson's ability to bake. Nonetheless, the youth couldn't fault the carpenter for trying and put on a smile for her efforts. After all, she wasn't to blame for his complete ineptitude when it came to his family's own craft.
"Alright, sounds good," the brunette replied, before listing off all the ingredients and tools Ranaru would need to bake a simple loaf of bread. (Please let this turn out to be a simple loaf of bread!) Belhec knew the recipe by heart, having tried and failed it more times than he could count. It worked in theory, and as long as he did not touch anything, the baker had faith the family's friend would be able to make something that was edible, at the very least. (But really, that's about all he could honestly hope for.)
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