Any Excuse

Writers: Kaysea
Date Posted: 24th August 2007

Characters: Althera, Aveery, Xara
Description: Althera asks a special favour of Xara.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 12 of Turn 4

"Xara! Can I see you for a moment?" Althera called out across the kitchen, before turning and walking into the small office to the side of the larger room.

She finished poking holes into the top of the last pie, and turned, then slipped the tray into the oven and carefully closed the door with the oven mit. Straightening she brush the hair off her forehead which was moist with perspiration.

She sashayed through the other kitchen hands as she made her way to the cooks small office. "You wanted to see me, Althera?" she asked, once more wiping at her forehead. She really needed to get a hair cut, or grow her hair out fully, she wasn't sure which would be easier, but the damned fringe kept falling into her eyes at the moment, and it became irritating.

"Oh good, Xara. Come in, sit down." the cook finished filing away the recipe folder she had been working on, and looked back at Xara. "You knew it was Aveery's birthdingday next sevenday?" she asked, smiling across the table at the apprentice.

"Er, no, I didn't, but thanks for letting me know." Xara replied, wondering why she would be called in just to be told about a birthingday.

"Well, it is." Althera confirmed, "and it's a special one. He's turning his half century."

Xara's mouth dropped open in surprise, "Really? I would have though his fortieth at the most." she really was surprised, he had never appeared that old to Xara, and was so active.

"Yes, I know. Most people don't think of him as that old." Althera smiled. "Well we've been given permission by the Headwoman to have a small party for the kitchen staff and drudges to help him celebrate. Nothing too big, but big enough that he knows we appreciate all he has done and want to help him celebrate."

She still wasn't quite sure where all of this was heading, but kept nodding at all that Althera said.

"Look, I know you're only in your first turn as an apprentice - your first month actually," she laughed, "but I also know how much Aveery loves those little pies you make. And he commented the other day about the beautiful cake you whipped together for Northan's birthday last sevenday." she paused for breath, her eyes flicking back and forth from the doorway to Xara. "Before he comes back, I wanted to know if you could whip together another cake and some pies for his birthdingday?"

Xara was sitting quietly, stunned by the compliments she had just received, even if they had come to her in a roundabout way. "He'll think up any excuse, won't he?" she laughed, "Um, yes, I think I can do th-"

"Ah Aveery! Back from the meeting already?" Althera smiled over Xara's head.

"Er, yes. Why? Something wrong?" Aveery gave a small frown looking from one woman to the other.

"Oh, no no." Althera shook her head and slashed a brief smile, "Just catching up with Xara and seeing how she thinks her first couple of sevenday have gone." She looked back at Xara, her eyes flashing at their shared secret. "Any questions Xara?" she asked.

She tried hard to keep a straight face as she pushed herself up from her chair, "No Althera, I think I'm alright, for now." she answered, maintaining an even tone to her voice. "I'll get back to cleaning up, should I? Those pies will be out shortly."

"Mmmm, you're making some of your pies today, Xara?" Aveery asked, his nose lifting into the air as if to sniff for the fragrance of the pies in the air.

"Yes, there's six dozen made, though I doubt that many'll make it out to the dining cavern." She laughed.

"I suspect you may be right, now that Aveery's back." Althera laughed, "You can almost see him floating out of here on the scent of the pies."

"A good cook always samples whatever leaves his kitchen. A cooks reputation rests on perfection of his craft." he admonished lightly, winking at Xara as she slid past him. "Let me know when the first batch are out."

"I will." she turned a looked back at Althera, "Do you want to know as well?" she asked, a grin on her face.

"No doubt when they come out, I may make a trip over - just to check on the quality, as Aveery said, my reputation and yours, rest on them."

Last updated on the November 5th 2008

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Any Excuse