Chapter Two Hundred and Seven - Reciprocation

Chapter Two Hundred and Seven - Reciprocation

Chapter Two Hundred and Seven - Reciprocation

It would take, winds willing, a few hours to get back to Insmouth. By the time we arrived, I guesstimated that it would be an hour or two past noon. That meant that wed need to have lunch aboard the Beaver Cleaver.

I left Clive, the harpies and the Scallywags to do the complicated work of flying the airship while I headed down and into the kitchen to prepare lunch. The only hands that were free were Awen and Amaryllis and... neither was all that good at the whole cooking thing.

I was humming while inspecting the ingredients we had available when Amaryllis moved out of her room and came to stand nearby. She leaned against the frame of the archway leading into the kitchen. Do you need help? she asked.

I tapped my chin. I could use a bit of help, sure, I said. I think Ill be making a big lunch. We might need leftovers for later. A nice veggie salad, some fried fish, maybe some porridge?

That sounds like a big meal, Amaryllis said as she stood straighter and walked over. How can I help?

I eyed her up and down. You really want to help? With the cooking?

Whats wrong with me wanting to help? she asked.

Nothing, I said. Just, well, didnt figure you for the cooking sort.

She huffed. I can learn, cant I?

Yup! You sure can. I nodded. "Do you want to start by chopping the veggies? Ill need them cut up into little cubes to start with.

Hmph, fine, she said.

I opened a sack of potatoes and another of turnips and then grabbed some purple-skinned carrots and set them all on the table where we could start cutting. A big cauldron came next, so that we had a place to toss all the cut veggies.

I hummed as I found a pair of knives and started working.

How are you? Amaryllis asked. The question sounded a bit strained.

I blinked and looked up to her. Im alright? I tried.

She glared at me, huffed a huff that I wasnt familiar with, and went back to chopping up potatoes in... vaguely cube-like shapes. She was trying her best, so I wouldnt complain. Theyd all be mashed up anyway.

You... urgh, this isnt something Im good at, Amaryllis whined.

Youll get better, I said.

Im not talking about the cooking, you dolt.

I tilted my head to the side. Then what are you talking about?

Amaryllis continued to chop her veggies, she was quiet for a long bit, but it felt like she was working up to something, so I didnt interrupt her silence. Broccoli, she began. Youve been through a lot.

Well, yeah, I guess.

And yet youre still smiling, and youre still worried for everyone, and youre still doing your best, she continued.

Uh, yeah, thats what a good friend does.

Even when I constantly call you an idiot? And when Awen constantly depends on you to be her... pillar, I suppose?

I blinked. I didnt know exactly where she was going with all of that. Yes?

She huffed, and this time it was a very plain, very frustrated sort of huff. Youre a... youre a pain to deal with sometimes, Broccoli Bunch, she said. Most people wouldnt weather all the stuff youve been through as well as you have.

Thanks! I said.

Awen looked down. Ah, thanks. I always wanted to practice my mechanical skills, but its hard to do that when youre not allowed. So I tended to be very clumsy. Id break things, then put them back together. Some of the maids and servants were very helpful! Theyd bring me some tools and sometimes give me things that needed to be fixed. Like mechanical clocks and some devices in the kitchens. Thats why I was able to keep up a little, and I was always a bit better the next time Uncle Abraham would come around.

I placed my knife on the table, stepped towards Awen, and engulfed her in a big, rib-creaking hug.

Awa?

You can do as much mechanical stuff as you want when youre with us. Or none. Or if you get some other hobby, you can do that as much as you want, alright? I asked.

Awen laughed and returned the hug with a good squeeze. Youre being silly, Broc. I know all that.

Oh, I said as I loosened the hug. Well good. I nodded. My turn?

Certainly, Amaryllis said. Do we put any spices in this?

No, but put it on the stove. We need to set it to a boil so the veggies get mushy. Here, lets put the rest in too.

While the veggies boiled, I started to prepare a bit of salad for the side. Nothing much. Tiny tomatoes, some leafy greens, a few slices of carrot and some oil that I mixed with a few spices and herbs that we had drying on a rack in the little pantry.

I think... so, you girls know that I like adventure, right?

We noticed, Amaryllis said. She was sitting up on a bench built into the wall under one of the portholes, a bird enjoying the sun.

Right, well I wasnt always a huge fantasy fan. When I was really young, my parents moved often. I dont really remember all the places Ive lived in. Sometimes we were only in a town for half a year, other times it was a bit longer.

Were your parents traders? Awen asked. We had a lot of people like that in Greenshade.

Nah, my dad couldnt keep a job, nor could my mom, and they both liked moving a lot. We lived in mobile homes and apartments and all sorts of places. Wed change provinces every so often too. Anyway, when I was.... Ah, I think I was in grade seven? So I must have been about fourteen, or maybe I was still thirteen? Around that age.

A teenager, barely a juvenile, but not quite, Amaryllis said. Old enough to lay eggs.

Uh, I said. I shook my head. Something like that. So, Id just moved to this new school. First year of secondary school, so all the students were new too, even though Id come in half-way into the year, it wasnt so bad. At least, Id hoped.

Did you make lots of friends? Awen asked.

Nope. Just one. It was this boy who didnt have any friends. He had a stutter, and wasnt good at sports and stuff. We were in the same classes, and he always sat by the front, which is where I like to sit. We talked a bit and became buddies.

Your first friend? Amaryllis asked.

One of them. He really, really liked books. Fantasy stories, with magic and wizards and all sorts of cool stuff. So I started reading those too, and we always had something to talk about. I felt a little sad as I set the salad aside. We should start on the fish. Awen, can you mash the veggies for me?

Ah, sure.

I got a pan out and oiled it, then fetched the fish from a rune-powered fridge. Anyway, we moved again that summer. Never saw him again. But I still remember some of those stories. They kept me company for a long time. I guess I learned that from him.

I hummed as the fish fizzled on the snapping and crackling oil.

Is... that the whole story? Amaryllis asked.

I guess so?

Amaryllis stood up and walked right up next to me. Im going to hug you now. Dont go thinking anything about it. This is your one hug this week, so enjoy it.

Huh? I asked.

But then my protests were drowned in a fluffy, feathery hug.

***