The transport of the Sparrowhawk to the cave was accomplished quickly and without fuss, and Elspeth insisted on hosting us for the night, saying it was far too dark. I trusted Lakshmi’s judgment, and she didn’t seem alarmed.
But when I asked if I could help Elspeth make dinner, thinking I was being very clever by inviting myself into the kitchen to check for sleeping powders or poison, Elspeth happily accepted and pulled me into the kitchen to do grunt work for her. That’ll teach me to snoop!
I did learn some very interesting dwa- er, Monanin cooking though. Apparently, traditional Monanin cooking was very spicy. Much more so than my palate could handle, and I was quickly chugging milk to keep the fire of the spices down!
I panted a bit waving my palm at my tongue attempting to recover from a sample tasting, as Elspeth laughed.
“Miss Cloudheart-” I got out.
“Oh please dear, just call me Elspeth.” She protested and waved her spoon at me.
Seriously, what’s with the spoons, they’re like conducting an orchestra in this world! Not that I haven’t done it a few times myself… I thought idly.
I coughed and fidgeted slightly, pushing the ‘shy country girl’ part of me to the side and nodding briskly.
“Mrs. Elspeth-“ I started.
Elspeth burst into laughter, and waved her hands at me. “Oh spirits girl, I’m just an old lighthouse keeper! You really don’t need to be so formal here in Galgados!”
I could feel my cheeks flushing lightly with embarrassment.
“If… if you say so.” I fidgeted slightly in discomfort, then nodded. “Elspeth. We’re… not used to this level of cooking. Could we maybe reduce the spice a bit? Please?” I got out.
I felt foolish, honestly, I’d loved spicy food in the other world, but my tongue in this world was… uncultured. I’d definitely have to work my way up again.
Elspeth laughed kindly and agreed. “But I think that boy of yours would like some home cooking. He’s from Arlan, unless I’m much mistaken. They get their spices from us, I think.” She nodded sagely.
I blinked in surprise. “He would? They do?” I paused then burst out “And how does everyone know that he’s my boyfriend on first sight?!”
“Spirits, girl! The way you look at him? The way he looks at you? Goodness, you two couldn’t be more obvious if you sent up a courier’s signal flare!”
The blush on my cheeks got hotter and spread up to my ears.
“I… I see.”
Elspeth waved her spoon at me again, and chuckled kindly. “It’s no bad thing! Reminds me of when I was pursuing Cameron so many years ago. Boy was denser than deep stone!” She smiled at me, and returned to stirring her pot. “Everyone except us could see we were interested in each other!”
“Oh.” I said uncomfortably, focusing on my own task.
It was worth focusing on too. New food, including some extremely exotic mushrooms, animals and monsters that dwelled in the deep dark, as well as mountain creatures, all made their appearance. We wound up creating a kind of hybrid dish, something like a shepherd’s pie and a bit like a meat pasty. It was spicier than I would have liked, but considerably less so than Elspeth and her husband were used to.
Nonetheless, I was proud of our creation. And if you didn’t count the spices, it wasn’t poisoned at all!
I giggled, watching Soriya cautiously poking at the meal, and then scowling at me.
“Is this revenge for me not making sparkle wine?” She said suspiciously.
I grinned and shook my head. “No. This is me learning that cooking in other cultures can be a lot of fun!” I glanced over to Elspeth and smiled gratefully.
Eshaan of course, dove right in without a care in the world. He slowed right down after the first bite, and at first, I was terrified that it was too hot for him! But he quickly started eating again, and the plaintive tone in his voice as he asked for seconds was so sweet.
“It’s just like my mother used to make!” He mumbled between bites.
I caught Soriya and Lakshmi’s startled glances at me, and felt an unaccustomed smugness. Elspeth quickly deflated me though.
“If this girl hadn’t watered down the spices to the point of bland, you’d have an idea what real Monanin cooking is like!” She declared fiercely.
Cameron snorted into his share. “Woman, you’ve been cooking longer than that girl has been alive, and yet she’s put together something I’ve never tasted, that still tastes damn fine! Give a little credit for the skill where it’s due.”
Elspeth stuck her tongue out at Cameron, and the two promptly fell into an argument over the exact definition of Monanin.
I guess they’re exactly what they appear to be. I thought, watching the two. Married, and for a very long time too.
The food was good and in good quantity, and despite Soriya’s minor worries, everyone had seconds, and no one fell down dead or dropped unconscious suddenly.
I sighed, poking at the second helping of food in front of me. It really would be in keeping for them to ambush us, and drug us, wouldn’t it? I guess we’re really off the storyline. I’m glad my spellcasting keeps me thin! I wonder if I can make chocolate…?
Another sudden ‘ping’ of surprise, and the odd feeling of the otherworldly half of me being in the know.
No chocolate?! I thought in horror. Outrageous! I hope the elves have something suitable! I made a pledge to find something like cacao as soon as possible. Or maybe…!
“Excuse me, Cameron?” I asked hesitantly.
“What is it, missy?”
“Do you know of ‘chocolate’? Or anything like ‘cacao’?” I said, hoping that whatever universal translator the System had cooked up, would help.
Cameron frowned, and scratched at his beard thoughtfully.
I could see from the look on Soriya’s face that she was having the same frightful realization that I had! Truly a world without chocolate was just… horrific!
“Hm…” Cameron shook his head. “No, I’ve not heard that word before. I’m sorry. What’s it like?”
I slumped, feeling a terrible gloom descending on me.
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“It’s a bean, comes in a pod?” I attempted to describe the results as a brownish powder, but ultimately…
Both of the Cloudhearts shook their head sadly. “It sounds like an interesting plant, where in the world did you hear about it?”
The gloom around me palpably increased and I shrugged helplessly, looking at Soriya with a pleading gaze.
Bless her, Soriya saw my look at stepped in. “Oh, it’s from one of my books!” She said casually. “Lily does like to read, and she has such a curiosity about new foods!”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Eshaan open his mouth to put a huge hole in Soriya’s cover. Lakshmi casually reached over and pinched his thigh, without even glancing at him, resulting in a startled yelp of pain.
I pressed my lips hard together to stop from giggling, and instead hurriedly turned away from the Cloudhearts to focus on Eshaan.
“Are you alright?” I asked him.
Eshaan’s glare could have melted steel, and I was glad that I’d looked away, the expression on my face could not withstand any sort of scrutiny!
“What happened?” I said, struggling to keep my voice concerned. “Let me {Heal} you!” I hurriedly chanted a {Heal}, placing my hands near the spot where Lakshmi had pinched him.
“I’m… fine…” Eshaan muttered out, giving Lakshmi a fierce glare. “Just… surprised.” He took a deep breath and I saw him relax as the {Heal} spell washed through him.
Camaxtli said “This bean. It is ground into a brown powder, you said? Something very like what you describe grows in the Itzi jungle.”
I jumped in surprise; he was so quiet and still I’d forgotten he was there! Still! Oh… my memory informed me that the Itzi jungle was a long way away.
Cameron snorted. “Not sure how you know anything about the Sylvain jungles, but if that’s where it grows, then you’re most definitely out of luck missy. Nothing comes from the far continent; nothing here goes there either. They make sure of that.”
I squeezed my eyes closed, and fought a faint smile on my lips.
Next stop, Sylvain jungles then. Or there’s something to pick up there for sure.
I opened my eyes and nodded to Cameron. “Well, thank you. I suppose we should just figure out how to get to Hecate then.”
Cameron waved his hand casually. “No worries there, we’ll just take you on my little skiff. Need to make a delivery to some local folks anyway.” He threw a wink at Lakshmi. “Could be that your captain here might like to talk some business with them.”
Lakshmi’s slow smile lit up the room, and she straightened in her chair.
Daniyel’s gave a slow shake of his head and leaned over to whisper to Soriya. “Truly, now we are all doomed.”
Soriya snorted a laugh, which caused Lakshmi to glare at her.
Elspeth laughed, and said “I’m glad to see your crew are all such good friends.”
She gave us a friendly wink, but I still winced. We were… not subtle. Particularly. I was glad they didn’t seem inclined to sell us out. Hopefully the money we paid them would keep that true.
Once we’d finished dinner, and cleaned the dishes, Elspeth instructed Cameron to let us use the cavern for sleeping, then piled us with pillows and comforters. Lakshmi protested that the Sparrowhawk 2 had plenty of those, but Elspeth could teach my mother lessons on stubbornness, and in short order all six of us were trooping down to the cavern carrying loads of bedding in our arms.
“At least it’s pretty clear they don’t plan to mug us in our sleep.” Soriya grumbled over the pile of comforters.
Eshaan laughed, which only made Soriya glare at him.
“What?!” She demanded. “I’m serious! These people are smugglers, they’re not exactly trustworthy!”
Daniyel said stoically “Neither are we, if you get right down to it, Mistress Soriya. Perhaps they sense a kindred spirit.”
Soriya swung a pillow at him which he easily dodged.
“Be careful you do not engage in warfare you cannot win.” He said. His expression and features were utterly deadpan, but I was certain that I could see a sparkle of amusement in his eyes.
“See if I don’t make a ritual that conjures a waterfall of pillows, then we’ll see who can’t win battles.” Soriya threatened with a smile on her face.
Daniyel dodged another pillow, and added equitably “That would indeed be impressive, but while you were casting, I do not think you would be adequately defended.”
Soriya reeled back, placing a hand on her bosom in overly dramatic fashion. “Are you suggesting my staunch defender would abandon me in the midst of my direst hour?!”
Camaxtli said “I am sorry to interrupt this bonding session, but a question has been plaguing me for the past several hours. How did your library contain a book that outlined the culinary uses of the plants of the Itzian jungles, when contact has apparently been severed for millennia?”
I blinked, and looked at him in confusion. “Uhm. Didn’t we cover this? Maybe not? Remember we said I came from the Well of Souls? This is knowledge from… well, my previous life.”
Camaxtli’s smooth and graceful walk became jerky and he staggered a bit before coming to a stop. Camaxtli’s eyes whirled. “I have not yet finished processing that statement and it’s attendant… events. I will… need to continue…”
“Thinking it over.” Lakshmi said, patting his shoulder lightly. “We mere primitive mortals call that ‘thinking it over’ and ‘getting our bearings’.” She smiled at him.
Camaxtli stared at Lakshmi for a long moment, before he said “I will…attempt… to take your words to heart.”
“Why the difficulty?” Eshaan asked. “This is Lily, she does the impossible every day! And Miss Soriya too, of course.” He hastily added as an afterthought.
“This is… a new… I am…” Camaxtli stumbled to a halt, then finally said. “It is difficult to account for these variables. I am having to… ‘improvise.’ I am not used to improvising. Things have been ordered. Quiet.” He was silent for a long time, before adding “Predictable. Life in the Jubilee was… predictable. Life out here is not. That is all.”
Lakshmi smiled at him then nudged him with her elbow. “We call that ‘life’ in general. It’s hard out here, but it’s got some good parts. You’ll like it.”
Camaxtli looked down at Lakshmi. After a moment, he nodded. “I will take your advice, then. I will ‘take the day as it comes’.”
Lakshmi smiled brightly. “That’s the spirit! You’ll be a real boy before you know it!”
“I do not believe that is a possible outcome.” Camaxtli shook his head gravely.
Everyone laughed at his earnest comment, but I sobered quickly. If we’re on the track… he’s going to have a major crisis. Maybe even become mind controlled. I bit my lip in worry. I don’t know if I can prepare him for that? How do you prepare someone to have their free will stripped away, while telling them that it’s good to have it?!
I squeezed my load of comforters and pillows more tightly. And what does ‘free will’ even mean, in a world with a System and ‘grooves’ that dictate our future as plots in a story! I thought… I thought a System would be fun. Why is everything so difficult when you’re living the plot!
I glanced over to Eshaan and caught him looking at me with that half shy sweet smile he got when he didn’t think I was looking.
Well ok. Some of it is fun. I guess. Very new, but… fun. I glanced down into the pile of comforters, feeling a blush coming on. Do I want to sleep with Eshaan?! It would be-
My thought was cut off as Soriya bumped into Daniyel and said “So, handsome, how about we share our blankets tonight?”
I turned scarlet and buried my face in my comforters.
Daniyel looked at her gravely. He opened his mouth to reply, when Lakshmi hit him in the back with her hand.
“Do it!” She said. “You want to do it, and I told you… live a little!”
Daniyel’s face betrayed real emotion for a moment, a twisted agony of distress.
“But princess!” he protested.
“But ‘princess’ nothing!” Lakshmi responded. “Captain Lakshmi the Red!” She turned to Soriya with a broad grin. “Don’t keep us awake, and you can do anything you want to him.”
I wanted to die of embarrassment. My cheeks were going to catch fire at this rate, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of envy or prudishness.
Maybe a little of both, if I’m honest with myself. I thought sadly.
I darted a glance at Eshaan, and caught him looking at me. We both looked away instantly.
Soriya’s smile was positively wicked as she latched onto Daniyel’s arm. “See? Captain’s orders.”
We reached the cave and the Sparrowhawk 2’s temporary hangar, and Soriya and Daniyel disappeared into the cabin. I prayed to the spirits that the hull was soundproof.
The night passed quietly enough despite my concerns, thus proving that the hull was soundproof. My own mind however, was much noisier, and I didn’t have a way to shut up the thoughts that whirled in my head. Chief among them was the odd feeling that I didn’t deserve Eshaan. I didn’t belong to this world, but I was dead so what other world did I have? But what else was I going to do? But I was seventeen, I had my whole life ahead of me? But did I want… that?!
I folded the comforters and pillows four times, angrily, but the endless circle of thought did not quiet itself down.
“Easy there.” Lakshmi slid up beside me. “You’re putting enough effort into that to fold the Sparrowhawk’s hull metal.”
I glared at her fiercely. “I don’t care!” I said angrily.
Lakshmi held up her hands and backed off. “Hey, easy there crewmate Lilyanna! I’m just saying. If I had a boy who looked at me like Eshaan-“
“Well you don’t!” I snapped at her. “So kindly shove off!”
Lakshmi stared at me for a long moment, and I could feel the embarrassment and shame curling in my chest.
That was unfair of me. Unkind. And more to the point, she will have someone like that in Camaxtli! How… oh spirits. I buried my face in my hands. I really am a teenage girl, aren’t I!?
“Fine.” She said stiffly as she stood up and dusted off her pants. “When you’re ready to be an adult about this, we’ll talk.”
I groaned into the pile of comforters as she stalked off. Wonderful. Now Lakshmi is more adult than I am. Much good living two lives did me! I thought angrily.