[Child of the 7th Age]

Hawthorne could not believe her great good fortune. She had actually persuaded the Innkeeper to offer her a real position! In all her years in Brandy Hall, no one had ever asked her to do anything practical. How proud and surprised Dandelion would be when she learned that her young charge had been given the responsibility of cooking and preparing all the meals.

Gloating over this propitious turn of events, yet still a little muddled from the excitement of the trip, Miss Hawthorne did not even stop to consider why Dandelion and the cart were hours overdue. All thoughts of Dandelion were hastily pushed out of Hawthorne's mind as the hobbit scurried behind Aman in the direction of the kitchen.

Introducing Hawthorne to Ruby and Buttercup, the Innkeeper explained that the newcomer would be taking over the cooking, and that both of them needed to help her until she became more familiar with the kitchen. Hawthorne heaved a sigh of relief when she heard these words. Peering into the ovens, Hawthorne could also see the venison was already dressed and roasting very nicely. At least for today, she did not have to worry about how to clean and cook a deer.

Aman quickly excused herself, explaining that she needed to go tend to a number of new guests who'd just arrived. As Hawthorne saw the door close, leaving the three of them alone, the lass immediately decided on a practical plan that would save her neck for the next day or so. Hawthorne Brandybuck was not very good at cooking but she was good at giving orders. She'd been doing it her entire life. Turning around to face Ruby and Buttercup, she beamed. "I'm glad we're going to be working together! But it's very important that I understand exactly where your own skills lie, and what you still need to learn. So this is what we will do... For the next day, I will observe everything you do and take notes in my journal." Hawthorne held up a small book and a pen, waving it in under Ruby's nose. "So please, hop to and get the supper out immediately. There are guests outside who are clamoring for food. Meanwhile, I'll just sit here and observe things."

With that, Hawthorne poured herself a glass of milk, plopped down into a kitchen chair, and put her feet up on the fender of the hearth. She leaned back and began to scribble something in her book as she watched Ruby and Buttercup run back and forth across the kitchen.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 10:23 AM January 16, 2004: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]