Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice [ Action + Dictation ]

[peacockherald]

So, I had wondered - does the castle or anyone plan to host a ball like last year? I remember we got to dress up and it was a rather nice night for us all, and I think after the rather long line of horrible things we have been through, a bit of glitter, sparkle, music, and dance would do quite a bit of us good. And, really, I think I want my hand at doing up another costume like last year. 

My 'Lendel has the right of it - I am a peacock at heart still.

[ And with that question out of the way, Vanyel has made his way down into the kitchen to try his hand at cooking. He is not great like the bakers and cooks at the Collegium or even at his family home, but he knew enough to get himself by, and the act of cooking was calming and refreshing to be honest.

With the season for pumpkins dawning, he thought he might try adding that into a few things. Through his courses through the villages, more than one friendly matron and child had taught him their recipes for sweets to send him off with the next day. A herald did not need payment, not really, but it made people feel better and he was always happy to take the small tokens like sweets or perhaps a new blanket to replace his old one, but never money. 

And so the kitchen would be filling with the spells of cookies made form pumpkin and spice, a bit messy for his efforts, but he made a few good batches currently laid out for the taking on a main table.

Come and get them while they're hot! ] 

Comments

[pompous_today]

You know, now that you mention it, it has been quite a while since we have had such a party. I do not know of anybody planning one, though.

[peacockherald]

Hasn't it though? It was one of the things I enjoyed being a noble - going to those bright parties.

Well, if no one else has plans, perhaps I should take up the mantle this year. Something simple, room to let people have fun.

[pompous_today]

Myself as well- not that I was "noble", exactly, but I was born into some wealth. I did find them tedious after a while, admittedly, but there is quite a different group of people partaking here, too.

I will help if I can. I'm not used to the planning part- just the participation- but it will help occupy my time and my mind.

[peacockherald]

Well I do not think it will be so hard, do you? We just need to arrange for refreshment and a space and some music. Maybe a few games. Oh, and maybe some prizes for the best costumes?

Action

[im_the_doctor]

[Walking through the Castle he could suddenly smell the most delicious of scents. He couldn't resist following that scent into the kitchen.]

Aw. Cookies. That's brilliant. Completely brilliant!

May I?

Re: Action

[peacockherald]

_{[ He looked over at the other man and he smiled. ]}

Yes, go on. I made them to be shared, after all. Pumpkin spice with these chocolate chip things - they're a bit of a mish-mash that this family showed me when I staid with them one night when I was on Circuit.

[Action]

[tylendel]

(Gods above, how can he resist that smell. He has spent most of the day outdoors - as usual - and the smells are enough to draw him into the kitchen. Before he steps into the kitchen, he spots the entry and smirks to himself.)

You'll always be my peacock.

Re: [Action]

[peacockherald]

As I am well aware, my golden one.

_{[ Sorry everyone on the journals, you have to hear their sappy talk. ]}

[Action]

[tylendel]

Do you have some cookies for me? (He is a little scuffed up, but he won't talk about it.)

Re: [Action]

[peacockherald]

_{[ Ah, that. He remembered, and though he knew Tylendel needed to face it properly, he supposed they could keep it aside for now, in the presence of cookies and a public space. ]}

Of course, love. Pumpkin spice chocolate chip. Amazing, how some of the littlest villages can be the most creative.

[Action]

[tylendel]

(Tylendel's stomach rumbles and he grins sheepishly before stepping forward to try one of the cookies.)

I've never had that combination before. (But he quickly realizes he has been missing out once he takes a bite.) Delicious!

Re: [Action]

[peacockherald]

Isn't it though? A family made them for me, as a thank you for helping them on Circuit. The matron was only to happy to give me the recipe and walk me through baking my own batch before I left.

[Action]

[tylendel]

They're geniuses. I hope you told them that. (He kisses Vanyel's cheek and finds a seat.) If all Heralds were given cookies for their Circuits, we wouldn't fit on our Companions anymore.

Re: [Action]

[peacockherald]

_{[ He could not help but laugh at that mental image, Yfandes' own amusement tickling the back of his mind. He prodded Tylendel's shields with his own Gift, so he might feel that too - the laughter, the brightness.}

He set aside his oven mitt to sit beside his lover for a moment, taking a cookie for himself and munching slowly, leaning over to press his own kiss in turn. ]

It was one of my favorite 'thank you's as it were. The other, I think, was this nice blanket someone gave me. My own was a bit worse for wear by the time I made it around and it was cold for riding.

Re: Action

[im_the_doctor]

[The Doctor took a cookie and then a bite.]

Mmmmm, pumpkin and chocolate. Quite a delicious mish-mash at that!

On circuit?

Re: Action

[peacockherald]

Oh, it is what we call the journey through the kingdom Heralds make annually in order to help serve the people. Not everyone can afford to get message to the capitol, and the capitol cannot see everyone in need. Heralds go out and ride between villages and along borders to render the aide.

[Action]

[tylendel]

(Tylendel lays his head on Vanyel's shoulder, closing his eyes for a moment. The warmth and strength of his lover is soothing. He latches onto it and wraps himself in the comfort Vanyel offers.)

I love you, Van. (He kisses his lover's neck, his voice shaky.) If you want blankets, I'll wish for as many as you want. I don't care what price I'll have to pay.

Re: [Action]

[peacockherald]

Oh, love, there you go, being poetic again.

_{[ He smiled, kissing his curls gently, letting him take his comfort as he would. He knew this helped Tylendel, made him feel better, so he accepted the out pouring of affection, though at times it made him feel a bit like a kept pet peacock. Ah, but he was 'Lendel's peacock wasn't he? He shook his head, wrapping his arm around Tylendel and squeezing. ]}

I think we have more than enough up in our bedroom for the time being.

Action

[radiantwingedone]

[ Duke hasn't actually gone back to the kitchen since he had woken up, and it might be a little obvious the way he looks as he heads in now. In fact, it looks like he might not have slept at all, or at least just not well.

The pair of books under one arm and another open in one hand would explain that, though.

He's preoccupied enough that he makes it to the fridge before he realizes there's something that smells good, if a bit odd, and he stops.

And probably realizes around the same time that he's not alone in the kitchen too. ]

.. Planning to cook for the castle?

[pompous_today]

That does sound delightful. I will have to think of a costume, then... it will be entertaining to see what everyone comes up with.

[peacockherald]

Hehe, it surely will. Last year I was a peacock, but I think Tylendel and I might try a pair of some sort. Or he could go running off in some direction. It is hard to tell with him sometimes.

[pompous_today]

I did not bother to dress up last year myself, but I will join in on the fun this year.

Well, I do hope he is amenable.

[peacockherald]

You did not? You should have, it was glorious fun, especially with the Castle's aide.

And I am sure he will be. He calls me a peacock, but he can be just as much of one.

Re: Action

[peacockherald]

_{[ Vanyel laughs, glad to see Duke up and about and acting... well, normal. He didn't know if he might recover quite the same from being dead. But it gave him heart, all the same. ]}

I think I might have. But why not, yes? We could all use a bit of cheer and cookies and sweets always manage that quite well.

Action

[radiantwingedone]

[ He's hiding how displeased he is about that dying thing with lots of studying. Somehow, that doesn't seem terribly different from how he usually is, does it... ]

Smells nice, whatever it is.