fandomhigh | Cupcake War Crimes (Take 2), Week 1 (Thurs/3rd Period)

The classroom (for anyone who’d been in the class the first session) was set up in typical Home Ec style by way of the Food Network, with cooking stations for the students and a counter up front. Though the Food Network wasn’t likely to hire the two guys up front as hosts any time soon, not when one of them looked like he should be on ESPN instead and the other sported a metal half-mask strapped to his face.

"Hey, everyone," Anders said as the students arrived, "and welcome back to those of you taking this class again. To recap for anyone who wasn’t, this class is all about the dos and don’ts of one of the best foods the gods -- or whoever -- ever invented. Cupcakes. Because there are wrong things to do with cupcakes, as far as we’re concerned."

He held his hands up. "Your mileage may vary, turns out -- we had a few people in class last term who had some pretty strong opposite opinions, and we’re not gonna tell you you can’t. But that’s part of the fun of getting to mess around and make your own."

"But just because you can doesn’t mean you should," Stark put in. "Sometimes you shouldn’t." That sushi cupcake he had unwisely tasted last session was probably going to haunt him forever. He glanced at Anders, gave a tiny sigh, and continued reluctantly, "but just because you shouldn’t doesn’t mean you can’t. But you still shouldn’t."

"We don’t endorse it," Anders added, then uncovered one of the trays of cupcakes. "I think most of us can agree on chocolate mocha cupcakes being good though, right, guys?" Then, uncovering the other tray: "Toasted ravioli ones, on the other hand . . ."

"Are questionable," Stark said. Which he felt was a nicely diplomatic way of putting it. See, he was trying! Even if he did think the supporters of the strange and frightening cupcakes were misguided and to be pitied. "You can try both if you want, or one. Or neither. We have plenty." And a couple of mochas set aside for the instructors.

Also possibly a secret stash. "Today we’ll keep it simple," Anders told them. "First week, introductions, one thing you think should belong in a cupcake and one that shouldn’t, then we’ll set you loose on the kitchen to try making a few of your own." He hoped no one would try to inflict the more questionable ones on their classmates.

"We’ll taste them," Stark said. "And tell you who won next week." The winners were still a mystery to him. He was sure that some from last time shouldn’t have won and yet somehow they still had.

"It’s a totally scientific method," Anders added. No, it wasn’t. "Oh, right -- I’m Anders. Samuel Anders, but just Anders -- not Mister Anders, not Professor Anders -- is fine. I didn’t graduate from this place that long ago."

"And I’m Stark," the other alien instructor said. "Just Stark. No titles. Just Stark."

"He graduated from here too," Anders said because he was helpful like that. "Momoko’s going to be your TA this session, so feel free to ask her any cupcake-related questions too. Anyway, I think that’s it, so get to the introducing and then go wild with the cupcakes, guys."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Name, favorite cupcake (hypothetically if you’ve never had one) and cupcake ingredient you’re scared of -- anything else you’d like to share with the class? Not cooties though, please.

"Um, I'm Toby Logan, and I've always felt you can't really go wrong with chocolate. I think... asparagus... needs to stay far away from my cupcakes though," he said, picking basically the first vegetable that came to mind, because that was the weirdest thing he could think of that shouldn't be in a cupcake.

Oh how little he knew.

"Right on about the chocolate, but asparagus isn't that bad if you're not talking about cupcakes," Anders remarked, leaning back against the counter. "Grill it up good, it's pretty tasty, y'know, but you're right about that, man, 'f you ask me. Vegetables in general go in the don't column, but we'll cover that more in another workshop."

"My name is Cassidy and double chocolate cupcakes with chocolate sauce in the center are my favorite. Uhm... seafood should probably never be added to cupcakes, ever." She thought for a second. "I love baking and have been baking since I was tall enough to reach the mixing bowls."

And control where her witch fire went, but details.

Anders grinned. "Chocolate's always a popular answer, but I figure you can't go wrong there. Ask Stark about the sushi cupcakes sometime. Or," he added quickly, perhaps thinking better of it, "don't."

"I'm Sam, I like pumpkin cupcakes -- " He'd never found a pumpkin cupcake that could beat his mom's. " -- and I wouldn't put Spam in a cupcake. I think that'd do more harm than good."

Anders let out a low whistle, which might be slightly impressive considering he was doing it through a horrified grimace.

"I'm not sure Spam should go in anything, personally. Pumpkin, huh? Not sure I've tried those yet, but I've seen 'em around some of the bakeries at home."

"Yeah, my mom makes a pretty good pumpkin cupcake," Sam shared, nodding. "My mom's got a huge garden and she's grown her own pumpkins before. Dunno if homegrown makes it better or not but they were pretty good. I do not have her skill for cooking. I'd be the one to try and put Spam in a cupcake."

"I'm Freddie Benson, and I really like red velvet cupcakes with cream centers. Assuming people don't eat the cream centers out of them first."

And by 'People' he meant 'Sam Puckett'.

"I'd be afraid of any cupcake with meat in it. And sort of meat, really."

"About that cream center," Anders asked, "that only count if someone else got to it first? Sounds like a fun way to eat cupcakes if you ask me. Red velvet's my personal favorite, by the way, so good choice there."

"That's what I meant," Freddie said with a nod. "I'm speaking from experience. It was like... an empty center of disappointment."

Miley was very bubbly when it came her turn to give her introduction. It happened sometimes.

"Hi! I'm Miley Stewart. I love love love caramel cream cheese cupcakes, but I think you probably shouldn't put any kind of pizza on a cupcake. Might cause some..." She patted her stomach. "Indigestion issues, if you know what I mean."

"Caramel cream cheese cupcakes," Anders echoed, his eyes going slightly glazed over like that was was the most magical phrase in the history of everything (well, it sounded like it at the moment). "Gods, that sounds like something I could go for right now. Definitely not tomato sauce, though."

"Well, thanks!" Miley said brightly. "I'm gonna make y'all some, if you wanna try 'em!"

"Mercy Thompson. I'm fond of chocolate and my foster mom used to make these great ones with a dark chocolate icing that were just amazing. I think, um..." She thought for a second, "... fish should probably be kept away from cupcakes."

"Like I say, you can't go wrong with chocolate," Anders agreed readily. "Fish, though, that's a different story. Don't get me wrong -- I love me some good lobster tail, or hell, just grilled salmon, but nowhere near my dessert, thanks. Right?"

"Definitely right," Mercy said firmly. "Some sweet things go well with savory, but fish isn't one of them in my mind."

Cupcake War Crimes (Take 2), Week 1 (Thurs/3rd Period)

Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]

Re: Introductions! [CWC 7/7]