Plopping ourselves down in the seat next to Kale, Me and Lilith looked at Tera with an interest at what she was going to tell us. A festival in the name of the king here? What kind of food would be here?
Tera sat on the chair, her fingers tapping against each other excitingly. She seemed so eager to present her news to us while Kale, who was beside us, just held a frown and had his arms crossed. Tera eyed us as the room was quiet, was she just waiting for us to ask her questions about it?
To start the conversation, I asked a question first.
"So…what is this Festival?"
Clapping her hands cheerfully, Tera smiled at my question. "The festival, oh you kids will love it!
"I'm assuming it'll have food and stuff, right?"
"Yes, it's a festival that thanks the Lucian Family! See, from what I've read in the library in the university, they've been here for over Five hundred years!" It seemed Tera had done some info digging on this festival.
"How old is King Lucian?" I asked, I got a good look of him when he was at the Southern Gate. I'd assume he was around Kale's age, perhaps even younger.
"He's Thirty Six years old. He took the title of King when was about…Twenty-"
"-Twenty eight." Kale interrupted Tera's sentence with his own answer, he seemed disinterested in all of this. Lounging casually and playing with some cards on the side table next to the couch.
"-Ahem, yes Twenty Eight. So The festival begins in spring. Right now it's Winter, so we are given time to prep for it." Tera continued.
I asked another question. "What are you gonna do? Wait…why are you telling us so early?"
It was mid winter here, so it'll take a couple more months before Spring hits. So why was she gooing over this festival? Perhaps it's because it's her first time at a festival? Maybe she's participating in it?
Tera lounged back on the chair, eying us. "Because all of you will be in it. Kale excluded, but I'll be having Griffin and Sura in as well." Lilith gave an audible 'whaa' and Kale raised his eyebrows. Tera looked at Kale before continuing. "Oh don't worry about your Apprentice. She's in good hands at the University."
"Well, what are you guys going to need her for?" Kale asked. "What could you possibly need two Young kids for?"
"Good you asked, Mr.Goodman!" Tera said that and Kale let out a groan. "I'll be teaching them how to dance. I'll have them in my Homeroom, where they'll learn how to dance the Dandelion!"
Dance? I gave Lilith a questionable look, to which she did the same. But Tera insisted inwards with her explanation. "In the Festival, there is a dance planned within the University. And I thought it'd be a great idea to have the kids have some fun!" She winked at Lilith and me.
Ah, I see what she's doing. I looked at Lilith to see if she knew what Tera planned for us, but it seemed Lilith was clueless. A dance with Lilith, I should've expected something like this once she brought up dancing.
Kale's interest seemed to have perked up as he leaned forward on the couch. "You want these two to dance?"
"Why not? Ease up on the training, give the kids some time to have fun. Be actual kids." Tera said.
Kale scratched his chin for a moment, looking at Lilith. "Hmm…do you want to be a part of this?"
Lilith swayed her head, thinking. I haven't seen her dance before, I wonder what she'd be like?
Lilith seemed to ponder that question for a long moment before nodding. "Yeah, it'll be like sword training! I mean…it's all about footwork, that's something you've taught me!" She looked at Kale, who nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, I guess you're right there. Alright, I'll allow it." He turned to Tera. "Don't try doing anything weird with the kids."
Tera seemed disgusted by his comment, recoiling in her seat. "What? I'm not a sicko! What else do you think I'll be doing with them?! It's a simple dance for the festival." She gave him a foul look before looking at me and Lilith. "The dance will be held in the university."
The university has a very large room that's on the first floor. I remember being in that room for my exam. Was it really big enough to accommodate the festival? I'd assume that room was just for the dancing, maybe the whole university itself will be used for the festival.
"Wait…does that mean I'll have no school for the festival?" I asked a very important question. Tera nodded at that.
"The university will be out on break for that week of the festival. But…I'm sure the teachers will be more steady in the assignments they give you. Especially me." Tera eyed me. "Oh, I know! I'll just make this occasion the class assignment! Everyone will need to partake in the dance!"
"Wow, great assignment….wow." Kale said in a sarcastic way. His disinterest seemed to pissed Tera off as she threw one of the pillows on the chair at him. "Woah, easy! You know how much I paid for that?" Tera looked at him with squinted eyes. "…none, it was left overs from the last owner. But still! No throwing stuff!"
"Then act interested!" Tera scowled at him, readying another pillow. "Or I'll keep throwing these pillows!"
"Alright! Alright!" Kale helped his hand up in defense. "Stop! What do you want me to do? I feel like pretending to like it would be worse."
Tera placed the pillow down, frowning at him for a moment before smiling.
"You are going."
"No."
"Yes."
"I can't dance." Kale folded his arms.
"I can teach you along with the kids. Stop being such a damn obstacle and do it." Tera said aggressively.
Kale sighed, knowing it was futile to really continue the conversation. "Fine, I'll..ask King Lucian if I could take that week off."
Tera clapped her hands in joy. "Excellent! See, that's how you make a boy fall under you!"
"…Scary…" Lilith whispered.
Truly.
Tera then shortly went back to explaining the Festival. According to her, The festival would involve something different everyday. The first day would be about the Magic production, meaning they'd show off whatever the Production is making at that point. Sometimes displaying an array of magical equipment to either sell or to showcase. The Second day would involve Praying to the Church that was here.
Which made me confused. I don't remember there being a church in this kingdom. But it was actually inside the Castle itself, a larger room inside of it where people can pray to the gods.
I've heard about the gods in this world. Duvul, the god of magic. That's the first one that comes to mind, maybe Arael? I haven't heard anyone say that name yet. Anyways, I've never really trifled with religion in this world. My own religious thoughts seem to have carried to here….which is being agnostic. Even when hearing these gods.
Tera persisted with the information, laying down the Third day. The day of culinary, where food is made and sold or either given to the people. A traditional food here in Prusha was a stew that reminded me of Curry. I've had it before in the university, but I felt it was just too bland for my taste. There were also going to be multiple food contests that involved.
Lilith and I listened with curiosity, as it was Lilith's first time hearing about festivals. Her eyes glimmered with interest at the thought of going out during the festival. I was just interested in how it'd look, I've been to one festival in my past life and it had some stuff going on in it. It was like a local festival, but this is like a…real festival.
"Now, the real meat of this festival. For the last two days of the festival, it'll be for the dance and show." Tera used her hands to imitate what I believed was a firework. So this world has fireworks, really unsure how technically advanced this world is if they can do that. "There's supposed to be a huge show to end it off, and then a speech from….king Lucian" she said in a rather displeased tone.
"Hey, it's a cool speech." Kale interjected.
"It's rubbish. After listening to what Sura managed to find on the man, I'd rather listen to you moaning about this than listen to him."
"Are you really going to listen to a student? Instead of someone who actually works for him?"
"I am. At least she can see through whatever the king is doing."
Kale seemed taken aback from that. "Look, I just needed a job and I fit the criteria!"
The two bickered on until it was a standstill, me and Lilith watched with interest as the two bickered. It's like looking at a dysfunctional couple going at it.
Tera noticed us watching after a few moments and waved at Kale in a panic. Kale noticed as well and both quickly stopped the bickering. Tera resumed her previous topic.
"Ahem…anyways…The day before the show is the dance. We have lots of time to have you two practice. In the meantime, I'll let Kota relax for the rest of the break that he has. I'll be seeing you in class." Tera stood up from the chair, grabbing her cloak. "Lilith, be sure to come by for some nice chit chat as well…kale, I hope you don't wake up tomorrow." She quickly said that last part before hastily making her way to the door.
"Wha-hey! You can't just say that and leave!" Kale quickly got to his feet and ran to the door.
"I will and I'm doing it!" I heard tera say from a distance.
Kale shut the door and dragged his feet to the couch again, groaning. "Aw, what to do with that woman."
There was an awkward silence before Lilith whispered to me.
"Should we do something?"
"Like?"
"I don't know…oh, let's ask him to make us dinner!"
"…are you always hungry?" I asked Lilith, she nodded her head.
"I'm always hungry."
Staring at her for a moment, I sighed and looked past her to see kale. "Hey kale…are you able to make dinner?"
Kale pondered for a moment, his mind drifting somewhere before answering. "…are you able to make dinner? Maybe Lilith can help you."
Not seeing any issue with that. Needless to say, I am the best cook in this house. I'm just lazy, but today I'll cook. I hopped off the couch and walked into the kitchen.
"Lilith, go with him! I'll just sit here and…think." Soon Lilith followed into the kitchen, as I was looking through the shelves for food.
What to cook? Maybe a stew? I still remember how Synthia's stew tasted and such, maybe I could replicate that?
"What're you making?" Lilith asked.
"No clue."
"Isn't there a recipe book in here?" Lilith scurried around and hopped onto a chair, opening a shelf. It was a moment before she came back with a rather worn out book. "This one!"
Grabbing it from her, I looked at it. On the top it had the title 'cookbook' etched into it. This must've been made some time ago. The leather on it was fairly worn out and seemed to look like it was about to break apart. Opening it, I was able to read some of the recipes inside.
I came across one that seemed to catch my eyes, a steak. Placing the book onto the kitchen table, I proceeded to read it. Lilith got beside me and watched as I tread my fingers across every word.
Yeah, this'll be easy. I think? I quickly made haste by finding ingredients under that recipe. Some garlic, animal fats and steak. I had Lilith grab some of the ingredients, happily helping me.
Before long, we had this steak inside the oven. Lilith watched as the meat inside crackled and such.
"Enjoy cooking?" I asked her. She looked at me and smiled.
"I enjoy it when it's with you…cooking with kale just seems like I'm doing another training session with him."
"Really? Have you tried cooking on your own?"
Lilith nodded. "Yeah, whenever either you or kales are out. I make stuff on my own. It's not good as your food. But it works. I tried copying you!"
Aw cute, she's learning from me.
"That's nice, keep cooking and you'll probably be better than me. Anyways, keep check on the meat. I'll check on kale." I walked off and into the living room, noticing kale still on the couch.
"Hey, kale!" He jolted up from his position, turning around looking at me. "What's up?
Kale gave me a weak smile before it slowly formed into a frown. "Ah…it's just…I don't like making Tera mad or annoyed."
"Doesn't she do that to you though?"
"Yeah, but that's me. I think she just wanted me to listen to her. Something like that."
Ah, this is something above my knowledge. What's something a person would say in this kind of situation?
"Uh…maybe Take her out on the dance? Maybe that's why she brought it up? Besides…having me and Lilith join." That seemed to jog Kale's mind as he smiled at that thought.
"Huh, why didn't I think of that?"
Why didn't you? Come on, kale! You're a detective! You should be able to figure this out on your own!
Besides my own thoughts, I kept talking. "You should ask her at some point. Maybe even apologize to her?"
"Hmm…you are absolutely right, Kota."
Kale's mood seemed to have lifted as he hopped off the couch, no longer seeming like he was out of it. "I'll try talking with her tomorrow."
Just then, the scent of meat waved over me and Kale. It seems like the steak was done, kale looked over towards the kitchen.
"Lilith is cooking?"
"I'm having her watch over it while I help you cope."
"Haha…Don't say it like that. Let's eat." Kale patted my head as we both walked into the kitchen.
Lilith stood with the meat already cut by her, it was somewhat evenly cut for us on a plate. "All done!"
"Wow, it smells good!" Kale picked a piece of meat from the plate and ate it. "And it tastes great! Good job, Lilith!"
"Hehe, kota try one!" Lilith scooted to me and held out the plate. I took a piece of meat and took a bite.
Now this meat reminded me of my old life, juicy and tender. I ate the rest of my piece quickly and smiled. "It's great!"
Lilith smiled and hopped up and down, I quickly grabbed the plate from her so it wouldn't fall as she looked quite happy. Though she didn't really cook it or prep it, I'll give this to her as she looked cute.
"Ok, everyone take a seat and eat. Tomorrow, Lilith and I will be training." Kale said as he sat down. "Kota, since you're still on break…what are you gonna do?"
Huh, what will I do? I pondered that question as I took a seat. Now that I've completed Arael's task, what else can I do? Perhaps she'll give me another task by tomorrow? If not, maybe I'll pay Griffin or Sura a visit. I'm sure I'm still able to go into the university even on Break.
"I'll probably just head to the university again." I answered. Kale seemed perplexed by that response.
"While on break from going to the university? Sounds like you want to be learning."
"Not like learning from teachers, maybe I'll chat with Griffin or Sura."
Kale was eating the meat as he replied. "Why not meet them after? They probably have free time."
Damn, why didn't I think of that in the first place?
"I guess I could do that too." I said as I took a bite of my meat.
We continued eating the steak, Lilith eating much more than us. The girl has a hunger that quite frankly, Scares me.