fandomhigh | Cooking 101, Tuesday, Period 1

Karla was absolutely devastated that the first day of classes was devoted to introductions and that she wouldn't be cooking. She'd been planning to get to the school early and whip something up for the class to nibble on while they did introductions, but Cook had kept her late with questions about an upcoming banquet and then Warren had needed her help choosing a suit and then Nyles had pestered her about a trip he wanted to take with her friends and by the time her family was done with her, she was barely making it to class on time to begin with.

Weird that.

Cook, at least, had handed her a basket of nutcakes to hand out, so at least no one had to starve during her class.

"Hello, students," she said as the class filed in. "Welcome to Cooking 101. This being our first week, we're doing introductions as per Fandom custom. Those of you who are new to the island, yes, you will do this every day this week and for every semester you're here. I'm Karla, graduate of FH Class of 2013, and we were doing introductions then, too."

She grinned at them. "So, today, I'm going to ask you the basics: names, grades, favorite foods, anything specific you're looking to learn in class. I've been cooking for years now - got started in the dorms in fact - so I'm pretty sure that we'll be able to handle anything you're looking to learn."

That was very optimistic of you Karla. As was the idea that you could cook in the first place.

"And, in the last half-hour of class, you're gonna make your favorite fast, go-to meal. Whatever you make when you need to eat, but you don't have much time. Eggs, cereal, a sandwich, whatever! But at the end of the class, I want you to have prepared something you can show to the class." She held up her basket. "Feel free to have a nutcake while you make your introductions!"

See, naysayers! One class down and no disasters! She was so good at this!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

She is so excited about what she can teach you over the next few months.

Hannibal was mostly here to say hello to a dear friend.

And partly to see if she'd managed a disaster yet.

"Karla," he said, with a nod and a smile.

Ha! Ye of little faith! Karla was managing her class wonderfully.

...Mostly because her household had conspired against her, damn their eyes.

"Hannibal, darling!" Karla said, looking up at the doorway and grinning. Please note the lack of smoke, injuries, or slagged cookware, Hannibal!

And also the lack of Karla touching anything related to food preparation.

"Come to chide me for stealing your class?" she teased.

"Definitely," Hannibal said. "Also to see how you are." He held out his hands.

Karla took his and leaned in to offer kisses to either cheek. "Wonderful, if a little concerned about how well Glacia is faring in my absence. The way everyone needed me this morning, I'll be surprised if they all make it to the end of the day."

And they were usually so self-sufficient!

"I see you've taken this opportunity to teach carpentry instead this semester?" Which, odd choice, but she had faith in his many, many skills.

Hannibal could guess why they might have needed her, but he wasn't going to say anything.

"Not carpentry," he corrected. "A class in which the students attempt to create food to match mine as well as they can."

It's because they were good people.

"That seems like a terribly unfair plan," Karla said, laughing. "Those poor children!"

Hannibal smirked. "Not at all; I intend to give them plenty of help. What about your students? Should I worry about my position?"

Would he have to tell the school to stock up on fire extinguishers?

It probably wouldn't hurt? Though surely Zoe and Anakin knew to do that already.

"I mean, you're probably okay," Karla said with a languid wave. "I do have a Territory to run and children to raise. But if I were staying any longer, you might've needed to."

Big words from someone who hadn't actually cooked yet, Karla.

"I'm very fortunate, then," Hannibal said with a grin. "And how are that territory and those children?"

"Fine and wretched in that order," Karla said with an exasperated sigh that wasn't fooling anybody. "Kayla's Birthright Ceremony is coming up and she's all in a tizzy over that and nobody bothered to inform me that young boys actively attempt to kill themselves and call it playtime. I keep telling them I'm going to sell them all to Arcerians for dinner, but nobody listens to me, I'm just the Queen."

"Tell them you'll send them to me," Hannibal said, smirking. "If they're good or if they aren't, your choice. You know Jono and I would love to see them."

"But Hannibal," Karla said, pouting, "how come they get rewarded for being terrible and I never did?"

"Because I didn't know you as a child," Hannibal pointed out, grinning. "Besides, we can always put them to work if you'd prefer."

"Absolutely," Karla lied staunchly. "Work those little hands to the bone. Terrible chores, like cleaning up after themselves and washing up after meals."

Boy was Kayla in for a surprise when she discovered that her Birthright Ceremony also meant starting to get chores.

"You make them do those things?" Hannibal asked, feigning astonishment. "You are a monster."

"Truly a heartless creature," Karla said, grinning. "However do my poor children survive?"

"It is truly a wonder," Hannibal said, grinning back.

"Of course you realize if you send them to me, you will simply have to have dinner with us when you drop them off and when you pick them up, and I will almost certainly give you food to take home with you. Are you prepared for such a hardship?"

"If it's for the betterment of my children," Karla said, her wrist pressed against her forehead, "then I'm prepared to accept any amount of hardship. Even a full banquet if that's what it takes."

SUCH A CARING MOTHER.

"I believe it might be a requirement," Hannibal said with a serious face."

"Then who am I to disagree?" Karla asked. "It's for the children."

"Anything for the children," Hannibal agreed. "When do you think they might need such an intervention? If you give me an idea, I can check dates with Jono."

Karla made a face. "I'll have to check with my Secretary, poor love. He knows my schedule better than I do."

As well he should; he made it for her. "We're leading up to harvest time, which means the obligatory festival appearances and the Queen's Gift. And Kayla is going to witness it this year."

"In that case, you'll have to let me know. Tell me," he asked, "are gifts expected for her birthright ceremony?"

"Not expected," Karla said. "Honestly, she might not even notice any gifts. The first day of having Jewels is a...little bit of a rush. I think I spent it in a bit of a daze."

Re: Talk to Karla

sharp_man - 2018-09-18 00:07 (UTC) - Expand