Food for Thought [Open]

[mumu]

A Weyr ran on its stomach. There was no question about that. Full bellies helped improve moral and kept the Weyr healthy. If the Weyr was not healthy then all of Pern suffered, especially now. With Thread showing up everybody needed to be prepared. Being sluggish or unfocused due to hunger could cost people their lives.

That thought along with several others was what had spurred one woman into lending a helping hand in the Kitchens that day. For the past few hours she had been up to her elbows in flour and yeast. Now, the fruits of her labors lay before her on carefully arranged trays. There were rows and rows of freshly baked rolls, still steaming.

Smiling to herself and dusting some of the floury residue that still clung to her hands off, she admired her work. Yes, they would make a good snack she supposed. They weren't bland either, spiced with nutmeg and other such things. Though they were still far from done. Muya had yet to glaze them, which she was about to rectify. Off to her left was a huge bowl of honey mixed with cinnamon she planned on using. A messy treat they would be, but surly that could be over looked in favor of the gooey deliciousness?

Shrugging to herself, the lass picked up the bowl and snagged a glazing brush. She gave the contents a couple of stirs then leaned over the first tray. Slowly and gently the woman began to run the brush over the rolls, absent-mindedly licking her lips at the savory smells. Mmm, she could not wait to sink her teeth into these!

[danaphantom]

"Oh, Ranis, you've outdone yourself today, that - "

The Candidate stopped in his tracks as he entered the baking room, staring at Muya in surprise. Well, this certainly was not the Headwoman he was expecting, nor did he believe his compliments would get him an early preview of whatever sweet thing she had baked up for the evening's dessert. It was only half a moment before his shock passed, the boy bursting into laughter.

"Well, you're certainly not Ranis! Not sure I've seen you before. New cook? If you are, they better double your salary, this smells amazing. I'm Larien." The candidate gave Muya a wry smile as he strode further into the room, charm turned on full-blast. So he might not be able to sweet-talk the Headwoman... but a pretty girl would work just as fine!

"Need a hand?" he asked as he rounded the table, peering at the trays of pastries. "Last time I checked, mine still worked." He wiggled his half-pinky at her with a wink.

[mumu]

Pausing mid glaze stroke, the curious blonde peered up from her work...and up...and up. Briefly, her eyes widened at the sight in front of her. Oh, the male was good looking enough that was for sure. He had an appealing coloring and defined enough features. But what really had Muya's attention was the sheer height on the lad.

Owlishly blinking at him and all of his exuberance, she struggled only a moment to find her voice. When she dragged it out from under the rock it was hiding under, it was mirthful and welcoming. "Nope, I'm not Ranis. My name would be Muya." Grinning in a friendly manner back at him she sidled over to make room for him as he meandered his way over. His height only became more apparent the closer he got. Though the woman didn't let her awe show, instead she laughed softly.

"I'm not a cook either. I'm actually a candidate. I've been here for three turns," she went on to elaborate, winking slyly at him. Her eyes were then drawn to his wiggling fingers, causing her to snort in amusement. "Nope, not broken from what I could see. Very dexterous though." Cocking her head at him she shrugged in a casual enough manner, gesturing over to one of the spare glazing brushes. "You're more than welcome to help me too. In fact," here Muya dropped her voice to a conspiring whisper. "I'll even let you have the first one for lending a hand."

[danaphantom]

Another mirthful bout of laughter escaped Larien at Muya's surprise. It was a reaction he had slowly grown used to as he quickly shot skyward.

"Pleased to meet you, Muya," he said as he began to rifle through drawers seemingly at random, looking for another glaze brush. "Three years, eh? We just must not have run into each other." He paused briefly, a thoughtful frown appearing on his face as he tried to recall her face from before. Three years was quite a long time, and with candidate lessons and all, he should have met her before... "Or maybe I just forgot. That's quite the possibility." He laughed at himself, then, in part because he most likely did forget, and because Muya had already shown him where to get a glazing brush.

"Oh, will you?" he muttered back as he moved up to the table, looking the rolls over, before looking Muya over. "I think you've got a deal, then," he said with a sly wink, reaching over to get a dab of honey.