"You must be hungry, my king." Savvy said extending the tray towards Thaggar who had a hardened expression.
"Eat something. T-the soup is still not ready." Akira said picking up the ladle and focusing her attention back to the pot.
Thaggar signalled for Savvy to follow him and he went to sit down by the table. Savvy was happy as she followed him. She served the food to him which was mostly just meat then Akira walked in with a bowl with thick red paste.
"This might go well with the meat." She said placing the bow next to the tray.
"It will overwhelm the flavours I endeavored to get into the meat." Savvy said glaring at Akira.
"I'm not putting it on everything." Thaggar stated as he pored half of the bowls contents on a slab of beef.
"Your Majesty....!" Akira whisper screamed wide eyed,"It's meant to cater for everyone and it's extremely spicy."
They all just stared at the plate and both women looked at Thaggar accusingly.
"I'll eat it all. Stop looking at me like I killed someone."
Thaggar picked up the slab of meat with his bare hands and took a large bite out of it making Akira and Savvy gasped in unison. They held their breaths as he chewed noticing he chewed faster each time. Thaggar dropped the meat on the plate, a redness in his cheeks even though his skin was tanned. He stubbornly swallowed and took deep breaths.
"Water?" Savvy asked and he quickly nodded.
Both of them brought water and he gulped it all down to sooth his throat but it did nothing. Even his hands felt like they were burning making him start scratching rigorously.
"Are you both trying to kill my son?!" Sarika exclaimed rushing towards her son. She dipped her finger in Akira's sauce and licked a little noting the spiciness and she knew the meat was no better as she'd witnessed Savvy seasoning it.
"Get more water now!"
Savvy and Akira rushed and ended up bringing a whole water jug carry the heavy object together. Thaggar dipped his whole head inside and drank that way for thirty seconds then he washed his hands, still scratching.
Sarika was glaring at her daughters-in-law while her son was fanning himself. Akira started clearing the table and Savvy helped, not wanting to be called out. Akira got back to her soup adding more tomatoes and water to make it less spicy. As her village had little to no salt, most families used chilis to season their food.
Savvy waited until Thaggar left with Sarika to leave the kitchen.
"Savvy," Akira called out with a smile and Savvy looked at her questioningly,"We should teach the king a lesson every now and then, don't you agree?"
Savvy run her eyes up and down the length of Akira's being and then turned away, her hair dramatically sweeping through the air.
"We are not friends, Akira." Savvy said angrily,"I love the king and won't let you make a fool out of him. This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't presented your ancestral....poison."
Savvy spat the words with so much hatred while Akira stood behind her dumbstruck. Savvy left, leaving Akira still processing her current situation. She had thought maybe they could bond over some mischief but she was terribly wrong. She sighed and looked at her soup, deciding it was time to take it off the fire.
Akira awkwardly approached the pot, extending her arms to match the pot's width but it was much larger than she had thought. Her arms could reached the handles but there was no way she could lift it without potentially being cooked alive.
"Do you need help?"
Akira recognized the voice and looked at Tak who stood in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. She only saw him wear a top in winter so she was pleasantly surprised to see him that way. She looked down at her own attire and frowned. She was wearing her own traditional clothing because she was still upset with Thaggar and wanted to show her lack of willingness to be a part of his home but now.....
"Are you going to lift it alone?" Tak asked again making her smile awkwardly.
"I need help." Akira admitted making room for Tak to stand next to her.
He smiled back at her and helped her lift the pot and place it in a corner. Tak dipped his finger in it and tasted it even though it was still very hot.
"What if you burnt your finger?!"
"I'm strong Akira. You forget I'm the great Tak of Imu."
"Great my foot.....you've never even been to a real war."
"But I've fought a bear and won."
"You nearly died."
"This tastes just like mother...."
They fell silent and stared into the pot. Tak cleared his throat and took Akira's hand only then noticing her nearly closed wound.
"How did you hurt yourself?"
"I was coming back home."
"From Kakuro?"
"Yes...."
"I told you not to.....!"
"Tak, it does not matter anymore. I'm far from Kakuro now."
Akira released her hand from his grip and walked to the table where she was yet to clear the mess she'd created while making the soup. Tak sighed and left her alone, assuming she wanted to be alone. He didn't know what drew her to that mountain but he knew she cherished her time alone there. Akira stood doing nothing for a while before she started to clear the table.
"Akira! I've been looking for you."
Taki run straight at Akira and embraced her. Akira was momentarily shocked but she reciprocated the hug and smiled down at Taki who was slightly shorter than her.
"What has you feeling this way, Taki?" Akira asked pushing Taki back a little bit so that she could see her properly.
Taki's eyes, similar to Thaggar's, curved downwards in a crescent shape as her smile widened. Unable to form any words, Taki shook Akira vigorously in excitement.
"Taki.....tell me." Akira pleaded already starting to feel dizzy from the shaking.
"Let's go somewhere else. Someone might hear us here." Taki said leading Akira outside.
Taki led Akira to a quiet well that had dried up and then she looked around to see if anyone was around.
"Oh Akira I'm in love!" Taki screamed then she sealed her own lips as if she had uttered a taboo,"Tak held my hand for nearly five seconds and it felt like lightning running through me. You know?! Maybe it did but....oh Akira! Give your brother to me."
Akira could do nothing but smile, amused at how Taki was taken by a bare touch of hands. She was certain her brother hadn't held Taki's hand as the girl described but she kept quiet to avoid hurting her feelings.
Her mother's wish to have Tak and Taki marry rung loudly in her ears and she nearly choked because of the sudden emotions of sadness and anger. When she recollected herself, for some reason, Savvy came to mind, echoing her earlier words.
'We are not friends.'