Day's PoV
I followed Vyran to the kitchen and was in awe. It wasn't anything like the kitchens back in my village or even those in the rebel underground town. There was a brick oven, but its design wasn't like those of my world.
And there was a big weird-looking cabinet table in the middle of the room.
"Are you guys rich?" Lia asked, glancing at Vyran as she and the others joined us.
He chuckled as he opened a metal box. The interior had gears of sorts, and cold air blew out of it. "My parents make good money, but I wouldn't say that."
"What is this thing? Does it use magic?" Arare asked as he pointing at the weird horizontal box.
He laughed. "It's called a refrigerator."
I got closer. Arare and I kept staring at it.
Goerld snickered. "They're like cavemen. Not even my world is that lacking in technology."
I shot him a look, but I couldn't deny it. This place was beyond anything I'd ever seen. Arare and I exchanged glances, sharing the same sense of wonder and bewilderment.
"What does it do?" Arare asked, his fingers lightly brushing the cold metal surface.
"It keeps food fresh by cooling it," Vyran explained, pulling out various ingredients. One of them was a bunch of bright orange roots, which he called carrots. "It's like having winter inside a box."
Arare's eyes widened. "That's incredible."
I nodded, still trying to wrap my head around the concept. "So, you don't need to salt or smoke your meat to preserve it?"
"Not unless we want to for flavor," Vyran replied with a smile.
As he moved around the kitchen, I noticed more strange devices. There was a sleek, glass surface with glowing lines that he called an induction cooktop. It heated up without fire, which seemed like magic to me. There were also small devices with buttons and screens, which Vyran said were for various tasks like blending or steaming food.
I found myself drawn to a rectangular device with a door and a glass window. "What's this?"
"That's a microwave oven," Vyran said. "It heats food quickly using microwaves."
"Microwaves?" I echoed, feeling more confused.
"It's a type of energy," Vyran explained. "It makes the water molecules in the food move faster, which heats it up."
Arare and I exchanged bewildered glances. This was a whole new world of technology, and it was both fascinating and overwhelming.
Lia, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "This is amazing. It must make cooking so much easier."
Vyran nodded. "It does, but it also means we have to understand how to use all these tools properly. It's a different kind of skill."
As Vyran continued to prepare the meal, he took out a cutting board and a sharp knife. He began slicing the carrots with precision, the rhythmic sound of the knife hitting the board filling the room. I was mesmerized by the ease and speed with which he worked.
"Wow," I said, watching him. "You're really good at that."
He smiled, not missing a beat. "I've had a lot of practice. Cooking is a passion of mine."
Arare leaned closer, watching intently. "Can we help?"
"Of course," Vyran replied, handing her a smaller knife. "Just be careful and follow my lead."
Arare nodded, taking the knife with a mix of excitement and caution. I decided to join in as well, grabbing a knife and a carrot. Vyran showed us the proper technique, and soon we were all slicing carrots together.
Goerld, who had been watching our reactions with amusement, finally spoke up. "You two are like kids in a candy store. But I get it. Technology can be overwhelming when you're not used to it."
Retas, who had been standing quietly in the corner, nodded. "It's a lot to take in, but it's also an opportunity to learn."
As Vyran finished preparing the meal, he set the table with dishes that looked equally complex and delicious. The aroma filled the kitchen, making my stomach growl in anticipation.
"Alright, everyone," Vyran said, gesturing to the table. "The snack is ready."
Deros ate his 'snack' rapidly. "More?"
Vyran stared at him with big eyes. "Woah, you are more hungry than I thought."
He blushed and laughed. "Well, my body might be small, but it does burn a lot of calories. Especially after my stunt back in Edesia."
Arare chuckled and gave him his snack. "Eat up, buddy!"
Deros didn't need to be told twice. He attacked the new plate with the same fervor, his fork moving like a blur.
Lia watched in amusement. "Where do you put it all, Deros? Do you have a secret storage compartment in there?"
Deros paused just long enough to swallow and grin. "High metabolism. Also, I think I might actually have a hollow leg."
Goerld snorted. "You mean hollow legs, plural."
Retas, standing stoically in the corner as usual, finally spoke up with a deadpan expression. "If he eats any more, you're going to need another fridge."
Vyran laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. I'll whip up another batch. But seriously, Deros, save some room for dinner."
Deros gave a thumbs up, his mouth too full to respond verbally. Arare patted him on the back, chuckling. "You better pace yourself, or you'll explode before we even get to the main course."
I couldn't help but smile at the lighthearted banter. In the midst of all the weird technology that went over some of our heads, including my own, and looming threats, it was refreshing to see everyone enjoying themselves, even if it was over something as simple as food.
"Okay, who's next for carrot slicing?" Vyran asked, holding up another bunch of carrots.
"I'll give it a try," Lia volunteered, stepping forward. "Just don't laugh if I mess it up."
"No promises," Arare teased, earning a playful glare from Lia.
"One of these days, you're going to get stung," Goerld mumbled.
Arare just smiled. He really was an oddball. And the exact opposite of Hiesno. I wondered how things were like back home. Hopefully, Night and the others were doing well.
I eyed Vero as she ate her carrot snack.
Vyran laughed as he joked around that she might've been a bunny in another life.
"Bet I was a cute one!" Vero said, grinning.
Her big brother ruffled her red pigtails. "I bet you were the cutest bunny to ever hop!"
She giggled.
My cheeks warmed up. Vyran seemed to do well with kids. Back in the underground town, he invited some of the kids who were staring at his mecha to have a closer look.
I wasn't there to see it, but Night had told me about it. It made me think of Syran even more. He loved kids too. Had he lived long enough, he would've been a good father.
My cheeks warmed up even more at the thought, even though it was an impossible one now. Syran was long gone now. All I had were the memories and a friend who kept reminding me of him.