Cooking Mama would give up on Hattie :>

[ella_of_frell]

Who: Ella of Frell, Hattie of Ehvenn, and Kevin of ... somewhere else :3
When: Saturday afternoon
Where: Ella and Hattie's home / Sector 5
Summary: Kevin offered to teach Hattie a few things about cooking. Ella is praying this won't be a disaster.
Warnings: P for Puppies.


She was able to put it off for a bit, but ... not for long. By 11:30AM Saturday morning, Ella was making her way back to her house, soaking wet. "Go jump in a lake, Ella." Rassin frassin - she'd like to push YOU in a lake, Hattie. Actually it wasn't that bad an idea, if she wasn't terrified Hattie's make good on her threat to have Animal Control take Kyra away. With a sigh, she stepped back into the house, intent to at least change clothes before Kevin arrived. Wet hair is wet hair, she'd live. She also stopped by Hattie's door to let her know someone would be coming to give her some lessons on cooking.

Comments

[southernreaper]

"Yer quite -" He broke off with an almost yelp, practically jumping back from Hattie. His back hit the counter, but he didn't care. His heart was thumping out of his chest and he was just staring wide-eyed at Hattie. That had been far too close. Far, far too close. Even wearing the inhibitor - and a quick check of his ear said it was still there - he didn't want to run the risk.

He cleared his throat. "Quite welcome. We... should get started." What was he supposed to say? Because 'don't touch me' just sounded rude.

[blondandperfect]

Oh sure, Ella did have an apron, but it wasn't from Kevin was it? And you can be sure that later on she's going to rub that in her step-sisters face.

Kevin's reaction was not what she was expecting at all. That never happened before. Ever. There's an awkward moment of silence as she stares at the teen, then cleared her throat at around the same time, "S- Sure, all right.."

She set the apron over a nearby chair, seeing no reason to change out of her own, then turned back to her 'teacher'. SHEESH.

[ella_of_frell]

Sure about that? Because there was a certain handsome prince back home who ran away from you too because you were creepy. Though that was a peculiar reaction - maybe he was uncomfortable with women? Or just plain displays of affection and gratitude.

As for the apron not being from Kevin -- well no. But Ella would be remarkably unbothered about that, no worries. In any case, she straightened when Kevin prepared to teach Hattie. As much as she'd want to watch this disaster, she had to ask, "Do you wish me to depart, my lady?"

Because what followed could be pretty embarrassing.

[southernreaper]

Kevin was more than a little embarrassed. Even with the inhibitor, he couldn't get over the 'no touching' thing. He just couldn't. His entire apartment and house were inorganic. The only organic thing beyond him in them was Mimsy, and she was immune because her he'd tried to hurt.

"Ya ain't gotta leave, Miss Ella. Ya welcome t'stay." He offered. He didn't want her to feel left out.

[blondandperfect]

The prince didn't think Hattie was creepy, he was just playing cat and mouse. That's so not the same thing!

"Yes, what he said." Hattie quickly agreed with Kevin, fidgeting a bit as she tried to pretend that didn't just happen. Which was, of course, incredibly difficult.

"So.. Ah, what is it that we'll be preparing?"

[ella_of_frell]

He tried to hurt his puppy? You monster!

Ella smiled at Kevin, not minding in the least. The lessons were for Hattie's benefit, not hers. "All right, as long as it's all right with my lady, Hattie." Smilesmile.

And since Hattie gave the okay, Ella stayed put. But just in case the curse took his instruction as commands for her, she discreetly tugged a paper towel free and used it to pretend to clean a counter until neither Kevin nor Hattie were paying her any mind.

Then she silently plugged her ears with the towels. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do. She smoothed her hair over her ears again and pleasantly watched the cooking lesson.

[southernreaper]

Kevin turned back to Hattie and pulled the food out of the bag he'd carried. He'd come prepared. "It's right simple. Chicken an' vegetable soup, an' biscuits." He answered. "It was one o' the first thin's I was taught t'cook." Mainly because chicken soup consisted of throwing a lot of things in a pot and letting it cook.

"Ya got a big pot? Gotta get that started with water, an' then we'll go from there."

[blondandperfect]

Hattie briefly peeked at Ella over her shoulder. What was with that smile? Was something else about to happen? She was wary of that good mood of hers. But her attention went back to Kevin and she nodded, "Chicken soup! Ella made that for me when I was ill. It'd be useful to learn that."

So she was on board with that. As for a pot, she nodded her head, "Yes, we have a pot somewhere. I'll start the water."

And she goes to the sink, turning on the faucet. She hasn't the slightest clue where the pots are.

[ella_of_frell]

Hey don't look at her that way, she isn't doing anything but watching. Pleasantly. Like a good little handmaiden.

Secretly she hoped it would get on Hattie's nerves.

She was also not about to offer any assistance to her stepsister - let her fumble about in the kitchen and figure things out for a chance.

This was going to be sweet.

[southernreaper]

Kevin watched patiently, keeping his opinion to himself. He didn't understand what was going on between the sisters, but obviously there was something.

"Beggin' ya pardon, Miss Hattie, but maybe lookin' in the cupboards?" Kevin wondered how inept she really was.

[blondandperfect]

Hattie simply has no idea where anything in the kitchen that's not in the open is. When he suggests the cupboards, she assumes that he wants to look for them there, "Oh, yes, that's probably a good place to start looking but you don't have to do that." she laughs, with a hand to her mouth. "Ella, don't make him look around himself. Get him a pot, would you?"

And yes, Ella is starting to get annoying. But that's nothing new!

[ella_of_frell]

Damnit, the paper towels in her ears do nothing. Like goggles.

"My lady?" Oh, well that would be fine. Just as long as Hattie didn't expect her to do the cooking. But Ella was quickly realizing that as long as Ella was there, Hattie could use her as a means to get out of doing the manual labor.

So she tucked down and retrieved the pot from the lower cupboard, bringing it over to hand the pot to Kevin. "There you are." A beat. "Ah- I think I should look in on Kyra and Mimsy - I wouldn't want them to get themselves into trouble, unsupervised."

[southernreaper]

"Thank ya, Miss Ella." He said softly. He smiled crookedly. "An' thank ya fer checkin' on Mimsy. She's still a might tiny t'be left alone for long."

Said puppy was sprawled on her back in a piece of shade, watching Kyra but with absolutely no impetus to move at all.

Kevin turned to Hattie. "Here ya go, Miss Hattie. Fill it 'bout three-quarts full, an' put it on the stove." Because it's your cooking lesson, Hattie. Duh.

[blondandperfect]

Clever, Ella, clever. She escapes the first level, but there are many other dangers ahead! Like.. Wet puppy noses! That said, she'll never understand why Ella is so content with having a wild beast under her care. Sigh.

As for Kevin's instructions, her look pretty much says everything: Woah. Woah. WOAH. WOAH. Kyra's not the only one with no impetus to move. Eventually, though, she gives in, "Very well."

She takes a moment to remember where she's seen 'quart' before and goes into the fridge, taking out an open milk bottle. She then empties it into the sink with the intention of filling it with water afterward. Three times!

That was rather clever, wasn't it? She smirks, clearly proud of her ability to problem-solve.

[ella_of_frell]

And on to the second level. The cat. She would normally be proud of Hattie for trying to problem solve if she didn't get it wrong. But still, the attempt was there, and Ella smiled in spite of herself.

It was cute, seeing Hattie try for a change. She nodded at Kevin. "No trouble. Mimsy is a guest here too." She made her way out of the kitchen and down the hall, watching for Lucifurr cautiously as she trotted to the back door.

Kyra was busy getting in some exercise, romping up and down the length of the yard, but when she saw Ella open the door, she sped over to greet her. Ella patted the puppy, and wandered over to Mimsy, fishing a chew toy out of her pocket. "Here Mimsy-" Don't look at her like that Kyra, she has one for you too.

[southernreaper]

Kevin just stared in stunned amazement. "Um, Miss Hattie?" He stepped over cautiously. "When I said three quarters full, I meant the pot, not a quart o' milk. It's just a judgment thin'." He gently took the pot and showed her. "See? Ain't no need t'be wastin' anythin' as a measurin' device."

He set it on the stove and started it warming. "Alrigh', now, take this," he handed over a thing of liquid chicken bouillon because that was his preferred type, "an' measure out four teaspoons an' put them in the water." He found a teaspoon and handed it to her.

Mimsy, however, was busy exploring. Hearing her name, she perked up and looked over. Nope. Not Daddy. But she had a thing! A thing that she might be able to eat! A THING TO EAT NOT!DADDY! She trundled over, managing not to trip on her own feet and plopped near Ella's feet. Look at her sitting pretty!

[blondandperfect]

"Three quarters? I thought you said 'three quarts'," Hattie replied with a bit of a frown. But that lightened as she laughed again and shook her head, "Oh no no, don't worry about that we can always buy new milk, it isn't a big deal."

So milk carton. Emptied anyway, for Kevin to use. Though he seemed to measure without even having to use anything so color her impressed, "Oh, you're quite good at this, aren't you?" bottle dropped in the sink, she followed along once it was brought to the stove.

The next instruction is much more simple, she could handle a teaspoon. Understanding perfection here, she measures out with no trouble, then drops the spoon in as well.

"So why do I add the spoon too?"

[ella_of_frell]

Well, -chew-, rather than eat. A hard rubbery toy that she can toss up and chew on and mangle to her heart's content. As for Kyra, Ella smiled at the puppy, tossing a squeaky ball for the puppy. One of her favorite toys, next to the oft chewed bit towel knot Ella had to throw out, when she found out the beast was eating pieces of it.

Naughty Kyra.

So while the two dogs - or more, puppy and wolf puppy, enjoyed their treats, Ella turned to make her way back to the door. It was safe enough to watch the animals for a little while, before heading back inside right?

[southernreaper]

Kevin blinked as she added the spoon too. "Ya don't, Miss Hattie." He found another, slotted, spoon and fished the teaspoon out. He put it in the sink. "Now, here, we gonna chop up the chicken." He pulled out a cutting board, he'd seen and got a knife, offering it to her handle first. "We're just gonna cut it into small pieces."

He put the chicken on the cutting board for her.

Mimsy kept trying to eat it. She did not understand why the thing wasn't being eaten not!Daddy. It confused her.

[blondandperfect]

".. Ok." Then why'd he tell her to add it? Hattie shook her head and just let it go for now, besides she felt a little better knowing 'silver spoon' would remain a saying and not an ingredient. After that though, comes a worse task.

The blonde stared at the chicken for a moment, then gave a weak laugh, "Oh.. Sure. All right, but I've never handled a knife before. Could you show me how to do it, please?"

[ella_of_frell]

It's a good thing Ella isn't getting lessons from Kevin - she would have dropped the spoon in the pot too. But as it stands, she was busy being amused by the dogs - while Mimsy tried to figure out the conundrum of the thiing not being eaten, Kyra bounded around the yard, tossing her toy. She would get it back all slobbered on later, Ella know.

Delaying the inevitable long enough, she sighed and walked back inside. At least the pups would be okay until Hattie's lesson was over.

[southernreaper]

Mimsy was fully confused. She even dropped the toy and pawed at it, barking. It was not being eaten! THIS MADE NO SENSE!

Kevin, however, was tapping into those vast reserves of patience he had. "Cain't teach ya by showin'. Ain't nothin' t'do fer it but t'do it." He still held the knife out, handle first. Because that was how he'd learned. "Don't worry, ya wearin' gloves so it won't get on ya hands."

[blondandperfect]

What Hattie said, in retrospect, wasn't true. She had handled knives before, however they were generally used for eating.

Though she -had- seen Nell carrying a sword around and she seemed fine with it, so..

".. All right." She took the knife loosely by it's handle, cringing all the while.

[ella_of_frell]

Ella had to giggle at Mimsy. Silly puppy. Kyra of course, wanted to come back inside with her, but Ella wsn't haven't it. It was a beautiful day, go play puppies!

Tiptoeing back to the kitchen, Ella quietly peeked in to see how the progress was going, surprised to see Hattie holding the knife. Holy CRAP.

... Okay so it wasn't that much of a surprise, but at least Hattie was following instructions. This proved Ella's theory - Hattie was being difficult because it was Ella, and she could manipulate the curse to her advantage.

Sigh. But she stayed quiet, leaning against the arch of the kitchen, arms folded to watch.

[southernreaper]

Kevin stepped away from the cutting board. "Now, all ya gotta do is cut it small, so that it's easy t'eat." Kevin didn't move at all, letting Hattie do what needed to be done. Because he knew how to do this. Wait until he made her put her hands in biscuit dough.

Mimsy rolled on her back and stared at the sky. Pretty sky...