Book 3 Chapter 7

The two teens entered the Faber residence quietly, not wanting to disturb the rest of Remy’s mother. Her friend then looked over the state of the kitchen area and made an educated guess on what his mother had planned for dinner, likely one of her flatbread dishes, before directing Willow on what she could help with.

The two of them worked well together, Willow was long used to helping to prepare unfamiliar dishes at this point, and she made sure to keep a part of her attention on the two adults in the back of the home so that their eventual arrival wouldn’t be an unfortunate surprise.

She was also bracing for whatever strange reaction Missus Faber would have next. It truly helped to know that she apparently had the backing of her uncle and that if things got truly bad she could just leave. Though she imagined that Remy would be quite upset if it came to that.

Eos let her know through their bond that Miss Mu was fully settled in on the outskirts and wanted to know if it was safe for her to head over.

A question that she relayed to Remy as they finished putting the last flatbread into the hot stone oven.

“Well we certainly made enough for an extra person, though I’d definitely have to ask my parents if another guest would be acceptable.”

He then winced a little. “I suppose that means we’re gonna have to inform my parents that you stuck around too.”

Willow sighed. “Yeah…”

At least she had fun cooking with Remy, though it would kinda suck if she couldn’t actually taste the fruits of her labour if things ended negatively between her and the Fabers.

Willow informed Remy that his parents seemed to have at least calmed down a little, so now would likely be a good time to ask. Something that reminded her friend of one of Willow’s oddities, though he thankfully didn’t choose to comment on that particular reminder.

He tentatively knocked on his parent’s door while Willow tried to be unobtrusive to the side. She briefly considered harmonizing with her environment to make herself truly invisible, but decided that really wouldn’t help anything.

Uncle Lucius opened the door a crack. “What is it, son?”

Remy shifted nervously. “Would it be alright if Willow’s mentor joined us for dinner?”

“I don’t think your mother is up for entertaining guests.” He noticed Willow at his son’s side and his eyes widened.

Lucius stepped through the door, and closed it softly. “Willow, please leave. You’ve caused my wife enough stress this day and I fear that if she sees you like this it’ll just cause more damage.”

That… was fair. Though Remy didn’t seem to agree.

“She helped cook dinner with me, so she should at least get a share, yeah? It’s only fair.”

Her uncle rubbed at his face tiredly, making Willow feel bad about the stress she was causing him. “I suppose you’re right. Thank you for your help, Willow, dinner had slipped my mind completely.”

Willow shook her head. “I was mostly following Remy’s lead, he did the most important steps and actually knew the recipe. I can leave if it’s easier for you, though, it’s not like I don’t have other options for food this evening.”

Though she’d definitely prefer a home cooked meal over the travel rations she’d long grown tired of. There was only so much she could take of nuts, dried berries, and hard bread before she started craving something fresher in her diet.

Uncle Lucius shook his head. “I’ll have a talk with Sarah, give her a bit more of a warning, and hopefully she’ll be less likely to cause a scene. Do you need to step out to get your master? Or do you have some other way of keeping in contact?”

Willow nodded. “One of my spirits is with her and can lead her here, if you’re sure it’s fine I stay?”

He smiled softly. “It’ll be nice to share a meal and get caught up on what you and your family have been up to in the meantime.”

With permission granted she had Eos begin to lead the way to the Faber household. While they waited for her mentor, and for the situation to be explained to the matriarch of the home, Remy and Willow checked on the food. Moving around the flatbreads according to how done they were, and fretting a bit over one piece that had gotten a bit too charred while it had been left unattended.

The two of them eventually decided that it was their duty as the cooks to bear the brunt of their burnt mistake.

It was still gonna be tasty if the piece she snuck was any indication.

As the two chatted and laughed, Remy’s mother made another appearance, alongside her husband.

She stilled upon seeing Willow’s newest state, her face brightening, and her core flooding with relief. Though she notably made no comments about it.

“Sorry for my earlier outburst, Willow. That was an unacceptable way of greeting someone after all this time apart.”

Willow gave a smile she didn’t fully feel. “It’s fine Missus Faber, let’s just enjoy a meal together and catch up, yeah?”

She noticed the flicker of sadness in the woman’s core when she didn’t address her as ‘Aunt Sarah’, but neither of them commented on it. Instead she looked over the food that the two teens had prepared and nodded in satisfaction.

“You did pretty good, all things considered, but you really burnt this one, huh?” She stated as she gestured to their failed culinary attempt.

Remy attempted to deflect the bit of criticism. “Willow and I are planning on sharing that one, since it was our mistake.”

His mother’s mood brightened further. “Isn’t that sweet! I’m glad the two of you are already getting along again.”

Willow really didn’t understand this woman. After she’d apologized for her earlier childhood missteps it had been the actions of Missus Faber that had driven another wedge between them. Yet now she was acting like she had nothing to do with it.

But Willow held her tongue. She’d done enough to disturb the peace this afternoon.

Besides, she felt the approach of Miss Mu and Eos through her spiritual senses, so there was a handy excuse to remove herself from the situation briefly.

“Sorry, my mentor has arrived, so I need to let her in.” She explained as she made her way to the front door, a bit too fast to be entirely polite.

Willow stepped out into the cool evening air and let out a breath. This was a bit more draining than she’d anticipated.

However she perked up with the arrival of her fiery friend and mentor.

Mission accomplished! Eos crackled happily.

She briefly harmonized with their bond to give her friend a hug for a job well done. “Thank you Eos, you were a big help.”

Miss Mu chuckled. “Indeed she was. I didn’t think they’d live on the outskirts like this, definitely wouldn’t have found it quick if you hadn’t thought to leave the wee one with me. Which would be a real shame as I can smell what’s cookin’ from out here.”

Her mentor gave her a considering look, lowering her voice. “I take it the initial encounter didn’t go the best, considerin’ you swapped forms?”

Willow ducked her head. “A bit, yeah. Don’t want to get into it right now though. Come on in, food’s ready!”

She returned Eos to her internal space and ushered the wanderer woman in for what would hopefully be a fairly uneventful dinner before a night of dealing with a Grudge.

Ah, who was she kidding, things were gonna go wrong somehow.

But at least she’d get some good food out of it.