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It was unfortunately another sun filled day. Zyphire sighed as he squatted and peered at the rows upon rows of vegetables and herbs growing freely in the garden to the side of the manor. Usually a lot of these items wouldn’t grow in the deeper parts of Zena but thankfully since they were closer to Sauti the warmth of summer did permeate the landscape making the soils warm enough to sustain the life of the greenery before him. It was just a shame that it was a pretty day out since that meant he could pluck whatever was necessary for the kitchens so that he could prepare another huge dinner. Cooking was not the problem but it was more the hassle of going out and gardening when he just wanted to curl up and sleep through most of the morning. If only the weather would be in my favor for once and just downpour. Joked the Shifter to himself as he started to pull at the roots of a bluish gray plant, “Look at me the glorified chief. I’m so glad that’s my true occupation instead of being a roaming mercenary of battle master or something.” He quipped to no one in particular as he continued working, the basket at his side barely full from his lethargic efforts.

He perhaps would have more progress done in the garden if he did not have to constantly toss a pebble for a perzi to chase. “Get it Zari.” Zyphire chuckled as the silver striped feline darted around the edges of the garden to smack the pebble back and forth. It was cute but also a necessary distraction to keep the perzi from constantly rubbing against his legs and through the garden itself. Obviously one would expect many familiars to be in an animal sanctuary but Zyphire really wished that for one day he could be familiar free so that he could enjoy his work. Where is Tally to take her perzi back? He sighed before continuing his efforts to fill up his basket of herbs and veggies.

[Zyphire 1]

Thwack. Suddenly Zyphire's peaceful morning was covered with swirling stars. I knew I had wanted the sunlight to be gone for the day but not this way. He thought with a wince as he rubbed the back of his head. Whatever had struck him had been small and more of a surprise than anything else. The Shifter bit the inside of his cheek to hold back a few fanciful words before turning to find his assailant. Unless of course it turned out that the skies finally had decided to start raining rocks. "I think you tossed a bit wide." He commented as he bent to pick up the pebble while rubbing a hand against his sore temple.

When he took a few steps and steadied his vision enough to clearly see the girl standing towards the entrance of the gardens Zyphire chuckled. Of course it was one of the kids. "Kukiko, right?" He vaguely recalled her quick introduction before and around dinner a couple of weeks back. He hadn't gotten to really interact with her yet but he knew that she came around often enough to train with Taaru and Katori while Tryston was lingering in the area. Apparently some of that training paid off if she got a good throw at me from this distance. He thought with some amusement.

[Zyphire 2]

Zyphire grinned playfully as Kukiko rushed over towards him. "What if I'm not? How will you compensate me for the trauma of that missile being launched at me?" He teased her as he rubbed at the tender part of his scalp. Really it was not the worst of wounds and the scars on his body attested to the fact that he was quite accustomed to injuries by now, but he did enjoy the occasional dramatics. Surprise flickered across his expression as she actually grabbed at his arm and examined him. Well that ruined the fun. He pursed his lips in a pout as she just seemed to write him off of her books. Wow. Okay I did not realize I was that unimpressive. Kids these days. Not like he was that much older than her but still.

Blowing upwards so that his snowy white bangs moved from his face, Zyphire took a moment to think as Kukiko began walking away. "Oh my." He finally called out as he feigned swaying to the side. "I think I'm awfully dizzy now. However will I gather all of these ingredients for stew now?" His silver gaze darted towards Kukiko before his legs wobbled once more.

[Zyphire 3]

"Oof." Zyphire actually allowed his body to drop to the ground. Admittedly it was less than a foot for the drop but he played it well. His gaze went towards Kukiko, his silver orbs full of hurt and his lips pursed once more into a sad pout. "Old and delicate." He replied in a slow murmur as he gave her his best sorrowful look. "Though I'm really not that much older you know." What maybe like 9 years or so?

Sighing, Zyphire slowly moved so that he could push himself from the ground. Obviously she wasn't about to play nurse with him so the shifter just settled for brushing the dirt from his leathers. An honest wince did occur with the movement, his head actually hurt just a little bit from the pebble's impact after all, but he chose to not comment on it. Ever so slowly he stood back up at his full height, shoulders back and stared at Kukiko. "Still you did harm your elder so to speak. Shouldn't you at least offer to help him out then? Especially if you're staying around for dinner later?" A fine brow quirked upwards as he waited for her answer.

[Zyphire 4]

Zyphire let out a chuckle as she sped through the garden. "Are you on a time limit or something?" He asked with a lazy grin as he simply watched as she filled the basket. What else could he do? The girl had already taken charge and he was afraid to get in her way. However, the shifter's mirth faded once he noticed the bruised arm. Sighing, Zyphire shook his head as he took the basket from her without hesitation. "Tryst really does a number with training. He's leaving soon, you know."

Another sigh left his lips as he studied Kukiko. "Still the guy shouldn't be giving you guys training, the extreme edition."He gave a gusto to his words and even flexed with his one free arm, the lean muscles showing in the short sleeved tunic he had donned for the day. "Either way I have another basket so feel free to help me carry them to the kitchens?" Zyphire grinned. "I can get you some ointment for those sore arms as thanks."

[Zyphire 5]

"I suppose." Zyphire chuckled and shook his head. "Though he learned over a series of years and not just from a short burst of training." The Shifter chided her playfully. "Plus you know there's more than one warrior in this household? Or rather out in the world also? He's departure doesn't mean you would stop training, not if its your passion." As he spoke Zyphire gathered up a few extra herbs to place into the baskets alongside what Kukiko was gathering. She was definitely a stubborn one, he could give her that. Or was it determination? He'd consider them both to be almost the same in this situation honestly.

He couldn't help but to grin at her pride. Cute. It was like a baby chiavi learning how to fly for the first time or something. "Fair, fair. You don't want to completely destroy your body though for progress. It's better to take a day or two for rest." Which is why he would probably try to convince her to help him in the kitchen once they arrived. "Still, let's go get you that ointment. Come on." Gesturing towards the manor, Zyphire started to walk away from the gardens with a few herbs in hand and headed towards the stone manor.

It wouldn't be long before he opened the door for Kukiko and led the way through the long stone hallways and into the backside of the manor where the kitchen waited them. It was a larger room with high ceilings and larger windows, often opened for ventilation, and had two doors along the back wall. One door would led towards the back courtyard while another would led towards the cellar downstairs where they kept food and supplies stored for the winter months. The kitchen itself held a large hearth, a long wooden table for food preparation and several other cabinets and iron wrought hangers full of dishes and cooking utensils. A fire crackled in the hearth, a large hook built into the stones that was waiting for the large cast iron pot sitting in the middle of the table.

[Zyphire 6]

"Well maybe you should take the time to explore it." Zyphire replied as he started to sift through the baskets. It was a lot to sort through but he did it quickly while he spoke to Kukiko. "Well actually young'un I could have these washed off." He motioned towards the pile of root vegetables. "Feel free to get water from the pump in the courtyard and bring it back in that wooden bucket there." Zyphire smirked towards Kukiko. "This old back of mine simply can't afford to lift such a heavy thing. Would be a shame to throw out my back before dinner because then who would cook?" If she was going to try and mess with him then he would definitely go full ham with this.

Maybe I should also let her know that Tryston had sudden urgent business to take care of today? Nah. It was even more entertaining to witness how frustrated she would probably get. Zyphire had no shame or remorse as he continued to mess around with the younger iceling. He could be kind but he wasn't that kind after all.

[Zyphire 7]

Zyphire chuckled after Kukiko headed out to get him the water. The rest of the family were accustomed to his shenanigans but Kukiko was fresh blood and he was definitely enjoying it. The young swordsman whistled quietly under his breath as she started to set up shop in the kitchen. A few knives were placed on the opposite side of the table while baskets were placed out accordingly and he had begun preparing the meat. It was a giant roast that he had seasoned with various herbs and he added a few more sprigs of other herbs and some seasonings before placing it carefully into the giant pot. Now to add some veggies and water. Zyphire smiled as Kukiko returned. "Good timing."

"I'll go clean my hands off and grab you that ointment. Care to wash the vegetables while I'm gone?" Zyphire smiled as he brushed past Kukiko to head outside. "I'll be right back in a few moments." Rinsing his hands under the water pump, the shifter took his time before returning to the kitchen and digging out a small ceramic jar. The ointment was one that he used often after his own training sessions - perhaps something that others didn't realize he did before dawn considering how much he lazed about through the manor during the day save for when he was working in the kitchen.

"Once they're rinsed off we can begin chopping them up for stew." Zyphire noted with a firm nod. Chopping vegetables wasn't about brute strength but rather was about speed and precision. He just wondered if Kukiko would realize that there was even a lesson today if not from Tryston. We'll see. Maybe it would be a lesson in patience and respect for her elders as well. The thought made his gaze gleam with amusement before he picked up one of the knives and gingerly ran a finger along its edges to test its blade.

[Zyphire 8]