Aleodei laid in the hard thin cot in her crusty room and sighed. She was bored and bored and they hadn't had assigned her anything to do yet. She was hungry but didn want to travel outward to forage for food in the Forest of the Lost. A forest, between Trinity land and the Infernal Kingdom, that was known for its strange occurrences and strong creatures that stopped soldiers from each side from advancing more. It was basically the reason for the war's stalemate but Aleodei had no problem with it. She was strong enough to protect herself against those monsters and fast enough to run from the ones she wasn't. Either way she had already spent a month living in that forest before joining Trinity. She could go help lieutenant Claire with the preparations for the Trinity ball but she didn't want to be around her right now. She groaned and sat up and wondered what the cafeteria had for breakfast.
It was quiet, seeing as how it was still early in the morning there weren't many people eating. Aleodei awkwardly approached the food line and glanced over. While she wasn't known for being picky, there were things that Drigenife didn't eat, such as nuts and oats because it damaged their stomach. Aleodei sighed and noticed many of the bigger options contained such things and decided that she'd have to just eat a small fruit or a slice of bread. Before she could reach for the barely prepared small fruit basket a voice called out to her.
"Paladin Aleodei,"
Aleodei turned to see it was the little child Duin helping serve from long trays being heated. Aleodei lowered her head greeting her and nodded.
"You don't want anything else? Nothing from here?" she asked, displaying the main plates, smiling sincerely. Aleodei shook her head softly
¨I-" Aleodei stopped, her eyes narrowed and she hesitated. I can't tell her I have allergies. That's a weakness. ¨I don't eat nuts or oats," Aleodei finally said, hoping not to come off as picky. Duin nodded and smiled.
"That's okay, we have other things in the kitchen if you'd like to see," she said with admirable eyes. Aleodei looked off and battled within her. she didn't want to disturb the kitchen staff because she knew how much work they're putting into, on the other hand... her stomach growled and it was too cold during this season to find good food to eat. She leaned back and looked off. It might be okay... she turned back and looked at Duin, at least two feet shorter and nodded hesitantly.
"That would be nice, thank you Duin," she said stepping toward. Duin gestured a passway into the kitchen and led Aleodei into a humid and busy kitchen. People ran around shouting at each other for orders and more of something. Aleodei looked around, she had never been in the hotplate kitchen before or even imagined what it could ever look like. They all stopped and stared at them and mentally questioned why Duin would bring a stranger, especially the mysterious paladin from the Forest of Lost. Despite her small stature and timid personality, Duin stood up straight and sucked in a breath.
"Paladin Aleodei has been working so hard to help us fight the Infernals, the least we can do is offer her something that she would like to eat," Duin said confidently. Paladin glanced at her in surprise at the confidence she held to do this for her. The kitchen staff took a second to register then lowered their heads and in unison,
"Of course, thank you," they spoke then continued working. Duin looked over with a grin and Aleodei slightly smiled back behind her mask. Duin began walking toward the main stove.
"So Aleodei, there should a couple of options," she said, approaching the main cook. ¨What have we got today Ervy?" She asked them. Ervy turned and stood tall almost as much as Aleodei, their strong muscles peered out of their thin shirt and they were around 23 years old with beautiful long aqua hair and dark complexion. Aleodei nodded, slightly taken back and waited for a response.
"We have left over meat from last night's supper, and fresh vegetables for today's lunch Paladin," they responded, turning a dial on the stove and moving the pot to the side. Aleodei nodded slightly and Ervy turned to yell at a small boy working with them to bring the things to cook, then they turned to Aleodei and observed her. "You know Paladin, As cooks and kitchen staff we don't really go out or keep in touch with the outside, our job is to always cook, until we're able to end this war, but I've heard things about you," they said, glancing at Duin. Duin frowned and opened her mouth to defend Aleodei but Ervy held up a hand. "But the way Duin has spoken about you over the past couple of weeks, tells me that perhaps you are a noble character, and if she trusts you I will," they said before extending a hand to Aleodei, Aleodei glanced at it before hesitantly taking it and shaking their hand. Ervy smiled boldly and nodded. "Yes, you are a good soul,'' they said with trust in their eyes.
"Thank you, I will try my best to fulfill your expectations," She said dutifully and seriously. Ervy let's put a strong laugh.
"Loosen up Paladin, whenever you want, you can come here and chill it with us," Ervy said, "We're always here." She patted her back and looked at Duin with approval. Duin gleaned that her two favorite people had gotten along. Aleodei nodded and slowly she got used to the humid and busy smell in the kitchen.
For the whole day, Aleodei didn't think of the outside, only the kitchen. She didn't think of Claire and Belm, May'Qli, the generals, or even master Mod. She taught Ervy how to make her favorite Drigenife dish of meat and a special type of vegetable that was like a potato only it was blue and came from the Forest of the Lost. Ervy taught her how to make beef stew and she even helped make the food for the generals and for Lady Monarch that the disciples delivered to them. It wasn't until twelve in the night when the kitchen closed its doors. The staff exited the building and began to head to their building where most of the kitchen staff laid. Aleodei stuck with Duin while she began to drift to the bungalows where the younger people like Duin were put to be monitored or taken care of. As far as Aleodei knew it was a range between twelve and fourteen years old that lived there, any younger and they were sent to a facility that Trinity had farther away from the Infernal Kingdom and the Forest of the Lost to keep them safe, though Aleodei knew different. It was dark and Duin began to walk by herself when she noticed Aleodei was still following her.
"Aren't you heading to your room Paladin?" She asked curiously and confused. Before Aleodei could respond she cast a small smile. "Or do you want to spend more time with me?΅she said jokingly. Aleodei only stepped forward.
"I want to make sure you get to your room safely," She said simply, staring at Duin. Duin gasped softly and looked down with an innocent smile. No matter how much she denied it, she was still a little thirteen year old who didn't have parents and was used to being alone, Aleodei was just like an older sibling who appeared out of no where and took her under her wings. She didn't return Aleodei's stare but continued walking forward with Aleodei beside her.
"Thank you Duin, for today, it was-" Aleodei stopped at the lack of a better word. Fun. She struggled to find a word but her mind just kept going back to that word. Fun. could she have had fun when she was supposed to be ending a war? Supposed to be creating peace? Ending conflict? Getting revenge?
"I had fun too," Duin said sheepishly, answering for her. "I guess I should thank you, Aleodei," she said looking up at Aleodei with a happy smile. Aleodei smiled back. Having some fun will be okay, she reassured herself. She looked far off until she felt something graze her gloved hand and realized it was Duin reaching for her hand. Aleodei hesitated but caved. She gently grasped Duin's cold hand without saying anything and they continued their walk toward Duin's room.
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