Food for the Soul

Posted on Mon Nov 27th, 2023 @ 10:27 by Claire Cavendish & Gabriella Baxter

Chapter: All Hallow's Eve
Location: The Corner Bakery
Timeline: 16:15 hours, Tuesday, 8th of December 1992
1321 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

The small metal bell that hung off the doorway rang through the establishment, echoing off the tiles. The door had just gotten a fresh coat of paint, but it only delayed the inevitable need for replacement. The bell was dinged up from the decades of use and abuse from patrons coming and going. Some of the white tiles were cracked, from when a crate from the chocolate supplier had slipped off the dolly. All of it felt like it had been there for as long as the woman behind the counter had lived. It gave a sense of home, belonging. There had never been a doubt in her mind that she'd take over the family business once her parents aged out of it, when her father had a stroke five years ago she moved back to New Cresthill and took over daily operations. She looked up from the receipt she was putting into the books and saw the radiant purple head mistress of the nearby educational institute walk in. "Good morning miss Cavendish." The baker's smile was a warm and sweet like her cinnamon rolls.

"I don't remember you being enrolled in one of my classes." Claire had pointed out that they were practically the same age, and that she didn't stand on ceremony anyway. It hadn't taken. "Besides, I'm not sure many people want to hear my family name lately." Following the Halloween chaos her father had taken the opportunity to put himself in the spotlight as a focus for anti-mutant legislation. It was slowly starting to sink in with the community, there had been plenty of time for the talking points to be repeated on the radio and tv. She was certain everyone had heard, and everyone had an opinion. By now the mutant community was also connecting the dots between Claire and Lord Cavendish, and some of her resources had dried up overnight.

Gabriella grabbed a plate and pulled danish from the display to put on it, "That explains why I haven't seen you around much lately," with the pot of coffee in her other hand she walked around the large glass case that showed off all the pastries and sweet treats and put the plate on a small table, pulling out the seat and turning a coffee cup around to pour some of the black magic liquid in there. "Should've come in sooner, pastries make everything better." She stepped back and motioned for Claire to take the seat.

Claire put up a hand, "I'm not sure I could eat." It was a sentiment that didn't hold long in a place like this. The smells of fresh baked goods and the inviting demeanour of the baker chipped away at any notion of not feeling like eating. As she sat for a moment staring at the pastry, hands uncomfortable rubbing against her legs, wondering why she'd come here in the first place.

"I know you prefer fork and knife, but that's not how yer supposed te eat a danish."

The head teacher relented and grabbed the flaky pastry with one hand, using the other to keep the plate close-by, under it to catch any stray flakes. She took a bite and chewed on it thoughtfully, not able to keep in a very appreciative hum. She placed the pastry and plate back and used a napkin to clean the corner of her mouth. "That's really good."

"Ta." Gabriella made her way back behind the counter, giving the woman some room to eat and contemplate. "If ye need anythin' else, let me know."

Claire shook her head at the offer. However much appreciated it was, there wasn't really much the baker could do for her or the institute. It was nice to have a place to come to that felt like it would be there for her. Somewhere she wasn't expected to be the wisest and most mature person in the room. Making the decisions in regards to curriculum, teachers, staff, all that. Just, what pastry do you want. Would you like some tea with that. Nothing more. She lifted the sweet baked good for another bite.

As she chewed a thought popped into her mind.

"Actually." The head teacher looked up from her pastry and tea. "We're organising a cultural week for the students, with a festival to cap it off at the end of it. Perhaps it would be nice to offer the kids an opportunity to work on pastries, learn how to bake and decorate. Is that something.. I mean, does that sound at all appealing to you?"

The question gave Gabriella pause. Teaching kids, kids with abilities no less, seemed like a daunting task. She slowly turned to face Claire, "Ehm. I'm not. I've never really taught baking." She knew how to bake, she also knew how her father had taught her. It wasn't something she'd overly wish on other kids. "I'm sure there's more capable people that could help you with that."

Claire shook her head at the notion there'd be more capable people than what she considered to be the best bakery she'd ever visited. Though there was a slight recency bias to that. She took another bite from the danish before neatly placing it back on the table. "You can get me to eat with my hands, I'm sure you can teach some kids to mix butter eggs and flour."

"So we're making pancakes now?"

"What?"

"Am I limited to just butter eggs and flour?"

"Of course not. I'll make sure you have all the ingredients you want. Go wild. Make a wedding cake. Fairy cakes. Bread. Pretzels." Claire felt like she was making some progress, and hoped that showing enthusiasm would help pull her in.

"I don't know, Claire. Sounds like you need someone with a lot more experience."

"How many of the kids come here to spend some of their pocket money on your pastries and pies?"

Gabriella shook her head a bit at that. "I don't know. Quite a few."

"Has any of them ever had a bad thing to say about it?" Claire quirked an eyebrow as she felt like she was allowing Gabriella to dig her own hole.

"I mean. No. But..."

"No buts. They like what you make, I'm sure quite a few of them would be very interested to find out exactly how to make that for themselves. Give me one good reason you shouldn't do it."

"I'm no good wi' kids." Gabriella felt her heart pound in her chest, why was she so stressed about this?

"I don't believe you."

"My niece always cries when I pick her up. Ask me mum, she's always windin' me up about it."

"With the exception of some of the shifters I'm sure you wouldn't be able to pick any of them up, so I think you're safe." Claire took a careful sip of the tea, allowing for a moment to let it sink in with the baker. "Look, I don't want to pressure you, so have a moment to think about it, alright?"

"When would this festival be?"

"We're starting workshops next week, Friday 18th is the big day for sales and performances."

Gabriella bit her lip a bit at that. It was very short notice and the holidays were always a very busy time around the bakery. She shifted her weight a bit on her feet.

"Never mind it's too much to ask, and such short notice. It was just a silly idea. Never mind." Claire immediately waved off the suggestion. "You have better things to do."

"Other things, maybe. Better things, I doubt it." Gabriella retorted before stepping behind the counter and grabbing a pen and paper. She made her way over to sit down next to Claire, pushing the Danish to the side a bit to make room for her notepad. "I'm sure I can make it work, so tell me, what am I working with?"