In which the former queen...makes soup? [closed to WITCH bus]

[queenofcalamity]

Arika has already helped herself to the pots and pans in the kitchen. As well as the stove and the refrigerator filled with food. She has taken out meat, vegetables, spices, and other ingredients that she will need. She takes a fairly large pot and fills it with water from the sink, then sets it atop the stove and turns the lighter beneath it on

Comments

[herblessedwind]

Rein has a nose for food, and after months of living on the ship's nutritional but... uninspiring fare she's especially sensitive to the smell of delicious food, or even delicious ingredients. The scent makes for a sure guide through the somewhat labyrinthine interior of the bus - Rein herself takes an obscure joy in creating new rooms and is partly to blame - and soon enough she's in the kitchen with Arika.

"Would you like any help with that?" She asks straightforwardly. The rendering of aid to others is the purpose enshrined in her name, after all... and in this case she harbors the somewhat less altruistic hope that if she helps cook, she'll be able to partake of the meal as well.

[queenofcalamity]

"Yes. I would," Arika sets down the knife on the cuttingboard and points to the bag of potatoes on the opposite counter. "Four potatoes must be peeled. Please do so."

[herblessedwind]

Despite the 'please' Arika's words convey the feeling of an order, and Rein stares at her for a second. The pause is not defiance, though, some empty point of pride - she is used to taking orders. It is just that she has known many nobles and royals before, and meeting a person who gives her the distinct impression of being one as well she is inclined to take her measure.

But it is only for a second, and then she is moving to the potatoes with a polite nod. She had never held a knife or any other cooking implement before she met Hayate, but she'd gained at least a basic proficiency in tasks such as these since she had fully joined the family in this form.

"I am Reinforce," she says plainly as she begins peeling. "I don't believe we've met."

Which was to say she was absolutely certain they hadn't.

[queenofcalamity]

Arika finishes cutting the carrots and moves to take the spices and starts to sprinkle the ingredients in the pot. "I do not believe we have met. My name is Arika." She turns to the girl, putting a hand on her shoulder gently, "It is a pleasure meeting you, Reinforce," then continues to move about the kitchen.