Dinner was uneventful because of Krahinn; cranky bird hated when his meals got interrupted or were excessively noisy. My uncles were chuckling at my failed attempt to get Lux to attack me. Lux took a few calming breaths as she realized what my game plan was. Darn. I could always try something else tomorrow. I looked at Luna, who was giving me her disapproving stare. Fine, I guess I didn’t have to pick a fight with Lux. Luna was getting more anxious as apparently this year was when the beginning of the end occurred last time. Or at least the timeline she remembers. I wished I could do more to help her and assure Luna that it would all work out. I didn’t know what to do to help her. I dislike it when she's upset; how do I make her happy? We were keeping an appropriate distance as we ate as her dad was watching us. Luna still hasn’t told him; to be fair Julius and his family don’t know about us either. Luna was scared to tell him the fact she was a Regressor still, but she had been debating it more recently. To be fair, I don’t think I would’ve confessed to being a Reincarnator for a long while if the situation didn’t demand it.
What could I do for Luna? I wished that I was better at this sort of thing. I could buy her something nice, but she never really liked me just spending money. Luna much preferred doing things together or heartfelt gestures. Luna really is a fantastic girlfriend. Her favorite activities were dancing, reading, and training. Maybe I could make her some fries. She did say she wanted to try somethings from Earth. It wasn’t much; it was at least something I could do while I thought of a better idea. But what to use in place of potatoes? Nothing I had eaten so far remotely resembled potatoes. What traits of potatoes were necessary to make fries? I needed something close to potatoes. I know when I brought up the rotational crop system and it was developed further because nothing I listed existed in Tenebrae. I really am horrible at acting like a child. Luckily most of my family knew the truth nowadays. I don’t think I am ever telling Grisbane. Not important at the moment, I needed a potato substitute.
Mom, are there any foreign vegetables we may not eat regularly? I asked her. Mom’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me.
What nefarious plan of yours involves vegetables? What purpose do they serve? Mom checked, looking confused.
I am hurt by your lack of faith. I informed her, giving her my puppy dog eyes.
Uh huh. I am curious as to what plan you are concocting that somehow hinges on or requires vegetables. Especially foreign ones we do not regularly have. Mom retorted as she kept looking at me sternly.
It is not for some nefarious scheme. I defended myself.
How do you plan on sneaking the vegetables to Lux to irritate her? Mom pressed. Where were these baseless accusations coming from?
Why are you convinced that I have some alternative idea on how to use foreign vegetables to make trouble? I could have a totally innocent need for the vegetables. I inquired. Mom gave me the most deadpan stare in return.
What is this totally innocent plan then? Mom asked, clearly convinced I was scheming something.
I wanted to make fries for Luna, and potatoes are not vegetables found on Tenebrae. I answered. Mom clearly debated the chances that was some form of ruse.
Okay, I believe you. Sorry I assumed it was something bad. Mom apologized sincerely.
Why did you assume it was something bad? I challenged. Mom looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
Someone might have a long history of an ongoing war of tormenting each other with their
It is hard to find ground to stand on when you are being logical and use facts that prove your point. I deflected. Mom chuckled at that.
Can you describe what a potato is like? I know you tried it once, but what is the flavor like? What part do you need to make fries? Mom checked. I thought about it for a moment.
They are starchy, earthy flavor, a bit savory, and they are a kind of root vegetable. I explained. Mom mulled it over for a few seconds.
There’s a vegetable called tubot; it’s kind of plain but might be close. We can get some tomorrow. Is anything else needed for fries? Mom answered. I remembered tubot being mentioned before, but it was dismissed as not being all that nutritious or worth growing because of its plain flavor. It was worth trying though.
Oil, a pan, and a fire to cook them. Also, some salt for after and a knife to cut it. I told her. Mom mentally noted the list.
Dinner was uneventful as we all ate. Lux took Ikol and dragged him somewhere to coach him on how to act. We still had a few days, so it was no issue if she wanted to take it light on the first day of visiting. There were a few smirks and glances from the adults as Lux all but grabbed Ikol by the ear when she marched away. I bid Julius goodbye before his family left for the day. Riva wanted to go with the fluffy ones but my parents put a firm stop to that. Riva and Ein had a few night lessons as they were a little behind for some inexplicable reason today. Luna and I went to our favorite music room after dinner. Luna sat on the bench next to the piano as I began playing a few songs. I played a few of the songs from Temple she liked which made her smile that I took the time to learn them.
“I didn’t think the music sheets for these songs were available for anyone except those performing them at Temple.” Luna chimed after I played a few songs.
“I borrowed an idea from someone known as Mozart; granted, I had to take notes and brute force a few sections, but after a few weeks of effort I was able to get the songs pretty close.” I explained as I began playing the next song.
“What did Mozart do?” Luna inquired in a curious tone.
“There was a song closely guarded by the church they never disclosed the music sheets for that was only played during a specific time, but he had perfect pitch and much more musical talent than me so when he went and listened to it, he recreated the song from memory perfectly before producing them for people to enjoy.” I informed her as I kept playing.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“Why would you say he has more musical talent than you? You managed to recreate the songs from hearing them.” Luna probed. I chuckled a bit at that.
“Mozart recreated an over twelve-minute-long song with multiple groups singing in harmony after hearing it once. He is probably the third or second best composer to ever live. Mozart might have been the best composer if he didn’t die relatively young.” I clarified for her.
“Someone sounds like they were a music nerd.” Luna teased me while poking my cheek.
“Well, I did play piano for over two decades. I learned the history and music theory for good portions of it.” I shot back as I continued to play.
“So, who was the best if it wasn’t Mozart?” Luna asked as she leaned against me more.
“Bach.” I told her. Luna gave me a slightly annoyed stare. What?
“I know the name wasn’t some olken clucking sound. What was their name?” Luna pressed. Why did everyone assume I was picking chaos and messing with them today?
“His name really was Bach. B-A-C-H not B-O-K like the clucking sound. Very hurtful you assumed I was making a joke.” I retorted, spelling out the name for her. Luna blushed as she turned a cute shade of red.
“You like messing with people, can you blame us?” Luna defended herself as she averted her eyes.
“Us? Who is us?” I probed with a smirk.
“I recognized that look your mom was giving you earlier. You were up to something.” Luna pointed out. She really was a lucky guesser sometimes.
“I was looking to acquire some tubot for you I’ll have you know.” I informed Luna.
“Why? What could you possibly need tubot for? Why was your mom suspicious of wanting tubot?” Luna checked, clearly not buying my answer.
“Well, I originally was asking about vegetables.” I clarified. Luna’s eyes narrowed at me as I just smiled back.
“Did Empress Senna assume the vegetables were for some scheme against Lux? I still don’t understand why tubot.” Luna probed. How could she guess these things so accurately? It might have honestly been witchcraft.
“You really are good at guessing events that may have happened.” I complimented her, still smirking.
“Some of us know how to interact with others and don’t need twenty lessons from Duthane for things to stick.” Luna teased me.
“Uh huh. Continue with your witchcraft guessing ability.” I joked as I finished the song. Luna looked at me like she wanted to hear another one. Fine. I began playing "Prelude in C major" for her.
“Definite witchcraft. You still didn’t answer what the tubot is for.” Luna pressed. Should I tell her and ruin the grand surprise? It was definitely a scheme I put so much time and effort into. Definitely not me stalling to come up with a better idea.
“Tubot is known for its many mystical and powerful properties. The grandeur and scarcity of the vegetable should make its purpose explicit.” I taunted her. Luna looked highly unamused by my taunting.
“It’s an earthy root that grows like weeds. It also has basically no taste, but you knew that.’ Luna shot back.
“Then that shall make its purpose even grander and phenomenal when the mysterious gambit I am employing becomes unveiled.” I continued. Luna flicked me softly while I smiled at her.
“Look you wordy dork, you busting out fancy words is not going to distract nor dissuade me; I am not one of your siblings or Julius. You could save yourself a lot of time and just tell me.” Luna tried. Like that was going to happen.
“Why should I ruin the surprise? All you have to do is wait until tomorrow and you’ll be amazed by tubot, or retching with me. Either way tomorrow we will be having a new culinary escapade.” I informed her.
“Culinary escapade? Really?” Luna stated. I playfully pushed her a little with my shoulder as I kept playing.
“It is an apt description because what is happening tomorrow is either going to be awful, bland, or might work as intended. I do not know, but we are trying it together!” I exclaimed with a grin, while Luna was smirking back.
“You are such a dork.” Luna laughed as she hugged me.
“You chose to pursue me.” I pointed out. Luna laughed.
“Oh yes, was on the top of my list when I came back. Become childhood friend and girlfriend of the emperor to be.” Luna teased me.
“You did come rush to see me.” I joked. Luna nestled against me a bit more.
“I wanted to see what I was up against, and you know that. So, you want to surprise me tomorrow with tubot?” Luna replied. Luna felt so pleasant against me.
“It is going to be a great surprise.” I assured Luna.
“I definitely would not have seen the tubot gambit coming.” Luna joked with me.
“The tubot gambit will hopefully be a master stroke of my genius.” I laughed back.
“True genius. Truly a prodigy seeing the great value of tubot the blandest vegetable in existence; we mere mortals should just bow to your divine grace.” Luna teased me.
“I am glad you understand.” I told her as I began playing another piece from Temple. This one was a bit trickier.
“I am curious, what motivated this great tubot gambit?” Luna checked as she set her head on my shoulder.
“I was worried because you have been more anxious recently, so I was trying to do something to cheer you up.” I explained. Luna turned and set her chin on my shoulder as she stared at me.
“And your grand idea was tubot?” Luna asked, sounding like she was stifling the urge to laugh.
“It is. Tubot is going to knock your socks off.” I stated with confidence as I was reaching the harder part of the song.
“I will give you credit, no one else would have thought of trying to cheer up their girlfriend with tubot.” Luna chuckled, clearly trying to not let how much my plan was making her laugh show.
In her eyes this was probably utterly ridiculous, but she was going to be so surprised tomorrow when I made fries. Or more accurately burn them. I was never a good cook; there are going to be a lot of failures tomorrow. Hopefully Ikol wasn’t that picky of an eater. I mean, he did lick suits of armor, so I liked my chances of pawning them off on him as a gift. My hands were dancing along the piano keys as the tempo of the song increased. Stupid song gets fairly technical and difficult by the end. Or maybe I should choke down the failed fries because giving them to Ikol would be picking a fight with Lux and being mean to Ikol which Luna wouldn't like. Hopefully the tubot worked as a potato substitute. I definitely picked a bit of a tricky song from Temple, and I was on the verge of hitting the part I wasn’t confident on; I really didn’t want to mess up the song as I played for Luna. This part was surprisingly technical and required a lot of focus.
“Because I am one of a kind.” I replied. Luna was still fighting to control her laughter.
“I appreciate you are trying to cheer me up. I can’t wait to see your surprise, no matter how unconventional it is. I am glad you are trying for me.” Luna informed me. I was making sure I wasn’t messing up the song, focusing on the playing. You got this Nil, don’t mess up the song; just say what you were thinking about how you felt when you came up with the tubot gambit.
“Because I love you; I hate it when you’re all anxious and want to make you happy instead.” I replied as I concentrated on the song. I felt Luna freeze as I was playing the grand finale of the song.
“What’s wrong?” I inquired as I kept playing the end. Did I say something weird? Luna said nothing in response as I felt her frozen in spot.
“Are you okay Luna?” I checked as I finished the song. I turned to see Luna crimson through her ears. Wow, she was really red.
“N-n-n-n-n-nil.” Luna stammered, looking like her brain had fried.
“What’s wrong? Why are you so red?” I asked. Luna was only getting redder somehow.
“Y-y-y-you. W-w-words. S-said.” Luna stuttered while she was going wide eyed, and I think steam was coming out of her ears.
“I am sorry for not explaining the tubot gambit. I’ll tell you if you really want to know.” I panicked, not grasping why my girlfriend had frozen and gotten so red.
“YOU ARE THE DENSEST DORK IN EXISTENCE!” Luna yelled at me as she was finally getting over whatever got her so flustered. She was still blushing heavily.
“Yes?” I tried. I was too focused. What did I say? What slipped out? I was so focused on not messing up the song. Luna had an intense expression as she stared at me. What should I do?