Alex stood in front of the massive stove, his sleeves rolled up, apron barely tied around his waist, as Becca stirred a pot beside him.
The kitchen was surprisingly modern for a hostel with such old-world charm. It was a pleasantly odd mix of magic and sleek appliances.
Alex looked up, wondering where he got his sensibilities on what's modern and what's not, then he shook his head and focused. No use thinking about it.
"You know, when I said you were cooking dinner, I didn't actually think you'd be any good at it," Becca teased, her eyebrow arched as she sampled the sauce Alex had just whipped up.
"Or that you'd actually be better than me. I expected a gofer actually. How did I end up being the one to do all these extra tasks?"
"Well, you were the one who dragged me in here because your mysterious 'Cook' was conveniently absent," Alex shot back with a smirk. "What did you expect?"
"I expected you to give the whole house food poisoning, if I'm being honest," Becca quipped, grabbing another spoonful, her face betraying how much she enjoyed it. "This is... this is actually really good."
"Wait, was that your plan all along?" Alex narrowed his eyes, mock suspicion coloring his tone.
"Maybe," Becca winked. "But don't act like you're not having fun."
Alex sighed, feigning exasperation. "Next time, you cook."
"Oh no, the 'next time' thing is all on you now," Becca replied, pointing the spoon at him as if making a declaration. "And if you think this is bad, just wait until the others arrive. You're feeding the whole circus tonight."
Just then, Royce strolled in, nonchalant as ever. He took one sniff of the air and immediately crinkled his nose. "I smell... effort."
"That's because someone actually knows how to cook," Becca replied, nodding toward Alex as if it were the most astonishing revelation of the century. "Unlike some people."
Royce shrugged, unapologetic. "I see no need for culinary skill. Food is fuel."
"Oh no, not again," Becca groaned, shaking her head. "Royce, every time you try to justify your 'flavor is a myth' nonsense, a taste bud dies somewhere in the world. You're a walking disaster in the kitchen."
"I'll have you know, my last attempt was... marginally edible." Royce crossed his arms defensively, though even he seemed unsure of his own statement.
"I mean, the pots are still usable. I think. Probably. Its fiiiine."
"Dude, she told me you almost set water on fire," Alex chuckled, clearly amused by the banter.
Royce opened his mouth to respond, but the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted the moment.
Three students entered, chatting among themselves. It was two guys and a girl, each wearing casual, lived-in clothes that marked them as regulars here.
They carried the slightly jaded, slightly manic energy of students deep in magical studies. The girl, who led the group, shot Alex an appraising glance, quickly eyeing the scene before her.
"Well, well, the newbie cooks, huh?" she said, folding her arms with a grin. "Maybe he's not so useless after all."
"I'm pretty sure you're all here to mooch," Alex replied, his tone good-natured but dry.
"Guilty as charged," one of the guys, a tall, lanky second-year, added as he dropped into a chair.
"And you are?" Alex asked, setting down the wooden spoon he had been using to stir a pot.
"Name's Darian," he said, stretching lazily. "Second-year at the Crucible, though I should really be out there kicking monster butt like the seniors."
"Tell that to your grades, Darian," the girl replied, smirking as she sat down as well. "I'm Corinne, by the way. Same year, but you won't catch me complaining about not being in The Wilds."
She seemed to shudder at the thought.
"And I'm Lex," the last guy said, a shorter, stockier second-year, grabbing a seat next to Darian. "And just so you know, if Becca hasn't mentioned it yet, we're all way better at magic than we are at cooking."
"Oh, I gathered that," Alex said with a laugh, looking around at the assortment of half-amused, half-exhausted faces.
A fourth figure lingered in the doorway, quietly observing the scene. She was younger than the rest, wide-eyed, clearly a first-year. Her clothes were neat but worn with that "new-student-attempting-to-blend-in" vibe.
She still gave off the feel of someone who felt left out though.
"And you must be...?" Alex asked.
"Evie," she replied, stepping forward. "Starting my first year... my brother's out in the Wilds with the rest of the seniors."
Becca leaned in toward Alex and whispered dramatically, "She's actually the most powerful one here. But shhh, she doesn't know it yet."
Evie's face reddened slightly, though she tried to play it off. "Becca's full of it. I'm just trying to survive my first year."
"And what a year it's gonna be," Corinne said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she grabbed a piece of bread from the table. "Evie's brother, now he's something else. You're gonna hear all about the seniors soon enough. He's The Cook."
"So," Alex said, directing his attention back to Becca. "What exactly does this 'Cook' do that's so special?"
"You'll find out," Becca replied cryptically, leaning back in her chair. "For now, just enjoy the peace. The Cook's an experience in itself."
"And not always a pleasant one," Royce chimed in, making a face. "Trust me. You'll miss the days of Alex being on kitchen duty."
The table erupted into laughter, and as Alex dished out more of the meal, he couldn't help but feel a sense of ease settle over him. The chaos, the teasing—it all felt oddly familiar, despite the strangeness of the world he was now part of.
"Alright," Alex said, sitting down with a grin. " All to the mess hall, where dinner is to be served. Let's see if I survive round two of hostel life."
"Mess hall? What are you the military? Stop tryna act tou-" Royce was interrupted by a smack on the upside of the head by Becca.
"Don't piss off people who are about to give you food, 'kay idiot?"
"Yep. Lead the way, sir" Darian said as he stood up and gave a mock salute.
Alex just gave a weak smile and led the way. He suddenly had a faint sense of uneasiness.