#earthrunes

"If you wish, you may help me prepare the rest - with the understanding that the most dread vengeance would be wrought were any but you to know the recipe."

"Oh Zara, I'm a boggan. We'll gossip till the moon shifts phase and back again about drama and comedy and tragedy, but we respect the covenent of the recipe "

"Your mother is boggan Kinain, so I suspect you know " She adds

Zara nods.

"She has declared you a good cook."

"I believe you may be trusted with this knowledge."

"Oh, I'm touched. I've always been a better clearn than a cook. I was maid to Coradel's host before she arrived, you know? But when I got this job I began learning from the cooks as best I could to try to catch up a bit" Geniunely flattered

"There is a difference between a cook and a chef, nu?"

"Beyond pay grades" A smile

"One does it for glory, for prestige, to dazzle or to entertain."

"And one feeds their family."

"And the latter far more important" A nod

"You get it."

"Oh yes. I'm very lucky to work here all the more because the folks here are a like a second family to me" A smile "if you don't mind me saying, you've a habit for collecting more family yourself. How's Tizzy?"

"On an adventure with Cousin Caspian. I know not if she shall be home for the holiday."

"Oh, she'll manage. Knowing Eshu she'll arrive at the most dramatic moment, or barring that, JUST in the nick of time"

"Aye, that seems about right."

"Now, you guide me through this"

"Aye, so, after we spice the apples, we must prepare the batter, thus...."

The Steward listens to the whispers, and makes pleasant converse even as she heeds

(Fade to 🍎🍰)