[SE] Yeast of the Sun, Zest of the Moon

She's imperfect, but she tries She is good, but she lies She is hard on herself She is broken and won't ask for help She only shrugs at his gentle ribbing, coloring brighter beneath the tease. It is easier to answer questions about baking, where at least she knows just where she stands. "Part of the difference." It is a little more complicated than even she knows, the magic of breads, things coming from disparate ingredients into a food. For now she does not have a better answer except to nod and agree. Jyoti replies to Isuma's peeping with her own melodious coo, rising at last from Amalia's shoulder to join the griffin in play. "The number of eggs varies a lot. For seed cake they're one of the only liquids, and they help it rise even more, so we use a bunch." As a child Amalia loved cracking eggs, though she struggled with it at times. "Make sure you smell them before you add them, though!" Once she had broken seven eggs into a mixture of cookie dough, only to add the eighth without a scent test. The result was one of the most sickening things she had ever smelled, and the whole batch had to be scrapped, the bowl soaked and scoured, and the bake begun again. With the eggs fully incorporated, it is time for Amalia's favorite part. "Now we'll add in the spices. You can pick what you want- the only thing that's mandatory is sunflower seeds and orange." Amalia gestures to the overloaded spice rack, and Jyoti cheerfully leads the way. As Jigano picks out flavors the baker adds the seeds and rind, as well as a splash of deep brown brandy and a little molasses as well. a m a l i a She is messy, but she's kind She is lonely most of the time She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie She is gone, but she used to be mine