Remember the treasure inside of your chest

There were councils of war and preparations for battle underway, but Safrin's lessons to him had not been forgotten. There was time, too, to care for himself. To rest and to look after his friends as well, those who drove themselves no less hard in their own ways to combat the invaders. So it was that Hadama had begun learning a new skill, one that built upon his previous experiences. Not a technique of war, but one of cooking. A new culinary endeavor, and one that he had invited Maea to join him in today.

"Chop it as fine as you can," he rumbled, a twinkle in his eye as he also suited words to action with his own knife and cutting board. His held several bars of milk chocolate, while Maea's hosted several bars of dark chocolate.

It was late afternoon and the Tidepool Bar was closed for the day, but the owner - even if he was no longer the resident chef - of the enterprise had commandeered the open air kitchen for their evening together.

And today, in spite of the trauma and tension around them, they were making truffles. Not for any special occasion or reason, but simply because Hadama wished to share some time with his friend and to remind them both of the life that waited for them beyond their battles.

Maea

You think killing is hard?
Try healing something. That is hard.

Nodding quietly, Maea followed the instructions as best she could. Her motions while handling the knife were careful and measured, somehow more wary of cutting herself now than while throwing or stabbing at living things. A breeze wafting across the kitchen area stirred up a heady scent of cocoa and sugar while the blade crunched through the bar; and while it let her breathe deeper for a moment, the resulting ache in her chest also reminded her of how difficult it had become to do just that, as of late.

"How much do we need?" she asked softly, once she had reduced one bar to a pile of dark mince. Transferring it into a bowl before it had a chance to melt in the tropical heat, the pale woman looked to her friend for the next step. Somewhere she knew she should be able to figure it out for herself, but thinking was difficult; worry forbher friends gnawed at all her thoughts, weighing her down while scattering all focus to the ends of the world - leaving her paralyzed, somewhere between indecision and hectic frenzy.

Cooking was the last thing she thought she should be doing. And that was probably why it was needful, and important... at least it had made sense when Hadama invited her.

You can break something in two seconds
But it can take forever to fix it

The motion of the knife against the cutting board and the scent of sea salt and chocolate was a welcome, soothing set of sensations for the Mer. Once a seasmith, then a chef, then a king, and now a demigod, still he found comfort in the familiar act of using his hands to create something new for the world, and especially for his friends within it. All that he had once been, he still was, the pieces of his past neither forgotten nor left behind but creating the foundation for what he had become, and was still becoming. Each piece still there when he needed it, requiring only a little dusting off and practice to renew the skills that he had learned from that portion of his life.

Maea's quiet voice did not break the silence between them so much as softened it, weaving between the sound of the waves running up the beach at the edge of the cafe and the far-off cries of hels and gulls alike, fishing over the ocean. Hadama hummed in quiet echo, turning his head to examine her work and nodding in approval and gratitude, a flicker of a smile lifting the corner of his lips. "Two more, please. Enough for ourselves. And extra, to give to our friends." If they were going to cook in Torchline's heat, they might as well make it worthwhile! But the conical thatched roof over the cafe was high and provided ample shade, and the breeze of the ocean was refreshing even in Longheat.

"We will need to choose our flavors soon," he decided after a moment of thoughtful consideration of their two piles of shavings, one a deep, rich brown that was almost black and one a lighter, warmer brown closer to the tone of his skin. The coldbox was filled with ice, refreshed regularly by those Mer and Abandoned with water magic - and occasionally by Hadama himself, in his hippocampus form - and currently held the cream until they were ready for it. The butter was currently softening on the counter nearby, but it was into the shelves that he reached next, pulling down several small bottles of extracts - including vanilla, coconut, orange, and raspberry, among others. After another thoughtful pause he added a small bottle of fine bourbon and a second of rum with a sly wink for his friend. "The vanilla we will use for any 'plain' truffles. But we have enough of each chocolate to chose up to three each. What are your favorites?"

Maea

You think killing is hard?
Try healing something. That is hard.

As always, Hadama's quiet was of a soothing nature, a balm that chased the pain away - not because it was wrong or unwelcome, but simply out of place in this moment. If it took her a while longer than usual to react or choose fillings for her truffles, it was neither remarked on nor acknowledged at all. She appreciated it, gradually coming out of the shell she'd habitually retreated into as a defense against hurt.

Looking over the options, Maea pointed out the raspberries, one bowl of finely chopped pistachios and a third with nougat cream. "I think, these. Though I wonder if peppermint would work... do you know?" She'd never tried it, as these candies hadn't been available for most of her life.

You can break something in two seconds
But it can take forever to fix it

He was comfortable in silence, and content in Maea's company whether she felt like speaking or not. There was chocolate to chop while she made her own considerations of the options, and he worked with a patient, methodical hand on his knife, in no great rush. The day was hot, but that alone was not enough to melt the dark chocolate - though the Ancient's own natural heat might have been - though the milk chocolate was certainly becoming softer the longer it was out.

When Maea spoke he paused and his smile kicked up a little higher as he plucked the bottle of raspberry extract from the collection, setting it aside for them. The jar of pistachios was likewise singled out, and the nougat cream last of all. For himself, it was the coconut extract and a jar of coconut flakes, the bourbon, and then a pause as he considered her question. "Mmh. I see no reason why not," he said slowly, turning the idea over in his head. He went back to the shelves, moving several canisters around until he found a small bottle tucked in the back atop a small jar. He offered them to her like treasures: the bottle labeled as peppermint bark extract, and the jar holding the last shavings of candied peppermint bark from Deepfrost's specialty menu. He reached back to snag another jar, this one holding small pieces of molten pineapple to add to his own collection.

There was cream to put on the stove in a pot for heating, then, and Hadama's quiet voice as he glanced over his shoulder at his friend. "How is Shii adjusting to being back?"

Maea

You think killing is hard?
Try healing something. That is hard.

The smile his treasure hunt drew out was almost impish, and decidedly grateful. Going back to finish with her chopping as the cream warmed on the stove, she considered the question. On one hand it was an easy answer, but on the other, not simple at all. Cupping a hand over the shoulder where the whisp had settled down to sleep, its glow was reduced to a subtle shimmer in the shade beneath her hair.

"I think they're trying too hard," she replied slowly, while scraping up chocolate with thevside of the knife. "Everything is fun, all is exciting, they're playing and reaching out - yet that's not quite how I remember it being before." With the last bar chopped, she absently stole a crumb of dark chocolate and popped it into her mouth. "Shii used to be jealous and overprotective and not at all trusting of new people - it hated Sunjata and tried to lure him off on several occasions." It was funny now, but back then it had been quite a headache.

You can break something in two seconds
But it can take forever to fix it

With the chocolate chopped and the cream heated, Hadama added the butter to both of their bowls while he listened to Maea's answer. Then the warm cream was poured over the chocolate and butter, and he offered Maea a wooden spoon that matched his own as he began to stir his milk chocolate concoction to smoothness.

"I have been told that Sunjata has had that effect on people." The admission was made solemnly but came with a subtle wink. "But perhaps they took a lesson from Mort's halls? About enjoying life while they are living it." His voice grew gentle at the end as he looked over at his friend with a softer expression in his eyes.

Rather than letting the silence stretched he turned back to his chocolate, pouring his ganache equally into three smaller bowls. Then he tipped a dollop of coconut extract into one, and an equal measure of bourbon into a second before stirring them as well, mixing the flavoring in. "For your pistachios, did you want to mix the nuts with the ganache, or roll them onto the outside of it?"

Maea

You think killing is hard?
Try healing something. That is hard.

An actual smile cracked the downcast facade like it had been painted on onto to slowly crumble under the brightness of Hadama's warmth. "Perhaps. We were dating at the time too, which probably didn't help. If that kind of jealousy is something they've left behind, I won't complain - I just hope Shii can begin to let their guard down eventually." She was the last person to complain if her companion had a bad day, or didn't feel like accommodating every other creature they came across.

Contemplating her options as the ganache cooled to a working consistency, Maea picked up the vial of peppermint bark to slowly inhale the fragrance. "Hmm, on the outside might be fun. Either flakes or finely chopped... Actually, I'll try both." There was ample time for experimentation, and with a bit of guidance through the technique of mincing versus slicing, she soon had two piles of pistachios, one small bowl of mint-flavored chocolate and finally reached for the raspberry extract. "Does this go best in the fillingor the topping?" she asked, hesitating between the options; the possibilities seemed endless, and for someone who wasn't very adept at cooking Maea had to admit that she was enjoying herself. Whether it was due to the company or the science-like process was of no matter; the main thing was the quiet sort of happiness it evoked, that chased away all concerns - if only for a little while.

You can break something in two seconds
But it can take forever to fix it

If he was surprised to hear that Maea and Sunjata had once been an item, Hadama did not reveal it, though there was a telltale twinkle in his eyes at hearing of Shii's jealousy. Still, if the Wisp had grown past it he could appreciate that it would make life easier for Maea, as well. "I will hope for that as well," he assured her before turning their conversation back to the creation of their culinary delicacies.

"Both is good," he agreed, a hint of laughter in his voice as he took up a knife and demonstrated the techniques she would need before passing the blade over. She was a quick study and good with her hands, and Hadama only watched her briefly before he returned to his own work beside her, chopping the pineapple chunks as finely as he could without turning them to mush. He worked with his elbow brushing hers in companionable silence until she asked her question and then turned bright eyes back on her with the hint of a warm smile. 'That is for the filling. there is a syrup we can drizzle on for the topping."

Once their mixing was done and the ganache had been given time to set up in the ice box, Hadama showed Maea how to roll out the small balls of truffle and then drop them in their bowls of coatings. "Do you know who you will give your gifts to?" he asked while they worked on the final step.

Maea

You think killing is hard?
Try healing something. That is hard.

Working as fast as she could without being sloppy, Maea found that she liked this part of the process the best. Something about getting her hands dirty in order to achieve a result was deeply satisfying, as was the visible progress. As neat rows of ganache lined up awaiting their final coating of chocolate and decorations, she had to make conscious effort to avoid licking her fingers - the smell of the confectionery was positively divine.

"Hmm... I thought I'd save some for the shrine, when I go back to Dygra," she mused. "Alys could use a pick-me-up... and Liam." Her voice softened as his name dropped, a complex expression crossing her face. "He says he feels fine, but... I do feel bad for not working harder to find a cure for him." Partly an apology, partly for no reason beyond wanting to see his expression when he ate them... which was a bit embarrassing to admit. "What about you? Oh - would you pass some of mine on to Flora? I hear she's had a bad time..." She'd go see the queen herself, but the need to chase down a rose for Liam made her reluctant to delay more than she already was.

You can break something in two seconds
But it can take forever to fix it

"I will take some to Safrin, as well." There was contentment in his low voice as they worked together, creating something new that would bring happiness into the world. In many ways this day of self-care was an act of defiance against the Void and their enemies, though it was done with quiet joy. At the mention of Alys and Liam, however, his joy dimmed a little and he nodded slowly in understanding.

"I will give ours to Flora together," he assured her, rolling his coconut flavored chocolate first int the coconut shavings and then placing a small piece of chopped pineapple atop each one. For his bourbon truffles he plucked a bottle of caramel sauce from the shelf and drizzled a few lines across the top of each where they lay on the parchment paper. "It has not been... easy for her, lately." He paused, considering his last batch of truffles. The ones that were plain chocolate with a little vanilla extract to heighten their flavor. "And Noe, I think." He considered a moment longer and then turned to look down at the pale haired Ancient at his side, emerald eyes twinkling. "And you, of course, if any of these flavors interest you." With a decisive hand he reached for the edible glitter that usually went into the brunch mimosas. The vial was small, but he dusted it over his truffles with a delicate hand to give the simple chocolate ones a silvery shimmer in the dappled light that reflected in from the sea.

Maea

You think killing is hard?
Try healing something. That is hard.

She nodded her agreement to all the names he added to the list. In truth, there were more people deserving of a treat and good thoughts than they had ganache for, yet it was a start. Determined to make the best of the situation, Maea threw herself into the final stretch of candy making. Raspberry truffles joined truffles with pistachios within and without, and truffles with nougat core and raspberry syrup on top. She made minty truffles and plain truffles and stole the edible glitter to make a sparkly monstrosity of a sugar bomb that even Nova should approve of, and when the final click of ganache had been rolled out and coated in the final drizzle of chocolate, Maea could finally slump down on a chair and lick the sticky sweets off her fingers.

"I kind of want one of everything," she murmured, eying the rows of truffle with a gleam in her eyes. "Are you hungry at all? We could go find something to eat... before I claim all of these for myself." The pleasant ache in her back was proof that they'd earned the luxury of sitting down, and with only the cleaning up and packing away left to do, she could only conclude that Hadama had once again been successful in his mission to cheer her up. The least she could do was treating him to dinner in return. If that meant hogging him for an entire day, then... so what? The happiness of spending time with a friend was just what she needed right now.


[FIN]

You can break something in two seconds
But it can take forever to fix it