The Arks 204 The Ark Of Working In The Kitchen

"When can I go back? Hwee's gonna get worried about me," asked Ashley, unhappy with the Angry Man's decision.

"You can go back once we're done. Don't worry, I'll bring you back," rea.s.sured Minwooo, getting ready to follow the Angry Man.

"That's the biggest worry I'll have. You haven't told your wife where you were for the past few weeks until you came back. And even then, you still kept quiet. I'm not gonna end up like you. I'm going home to her," said Ashley, getting up.

He wanted to move away but felt his arm heavier than normal. He lifted it to find a small Valkyrie hanging on for dear life.

"Let go, Mavislin."

"No! I want Ashley to stay!" cried out the small child.

"I need to go back to my girlfriend," replied Ashley trying to shake her off.

"No! Stay for dinner!" yelled the child.

"At least stay for dinner. Minwoo and Ysabeau are great cooks," reasoned Z.

"It's not as if I'd go hungry without my brother. I am a chef as well," said Ashley, still trying to pry Mavislin apart.

"Ashley cook for Mavy!" said Mavislin, with pleading eyes.

"Well, let's have a little challenge then. Let's cook two things for tonight's dinner and let's see whose dish the Mages likes the best," said Minwoo, giving his smile.

"Bring it on, White Rat."

Mavislin giggled while Ysabeau and Gillian sighed.

"Well, that's one way of keeping someone in," said Z.

Thus, the two humans decided to take over Ysabeau's poor little kitchen. Mavislin and Raiyen had fun peeking at the two work, expecting the two to fight or some sort.

"At least an argument. You guys are boring in competing in the kitchen," complained Z, yawning.

"What do you Mages expect from us? A huge food fight or something?" asked Minwoo, confused.

"Nah, at least some sort of argument. You guys are helping each other as well."

They were helping each other. At a few points, Ashley pa.s.sed Minwoo some ingredients while Minwoo tossed his brother some extra tools.

"Well, when humans cook, we don't have a big fight like Mages. We don't need to do such things," explained Minwoo, letting little Mavislin taste the dark brown sauce.

"Sweet!"

"Yea, it's about the result. If we distract ourselves, then there isn't gonna be any dinner for anyone," said Ashley, allowing Raiyen to try some of the fluffy rice.

"Nice!"

"And besides, we came from the same kitchen. We learned how skills within a team of chefs for a little restaurant in the Campania. But we didn't last long," explained Minwoo.

"You got fired or something?' asked Raiyen.

"Nah. The kitchen was made by our parents so getting fired wasn't an option. But I would be glad if they did, though," complained Minwoo.

"Yea, I hated the people there. The chef in charge and the senior ones were all idiots. They were constantly dragging their b.a.l.l.s all around, which are unfortunately friggin small," complained Ashley.

"Oi! Language!" scolded Minwoo.

"What? Their egos are ma.s.sive but their skill set and ability to work is garbage," reasoned Ashley.

"You aren't alone in that aspect. When working in a group, there's bound to be those, especially when we needed to send out multiple teams to scout the area or do missions. They are a pain when it comes to the sting operations. They are just a handful to deal with," said Z, shaking his head.

"If I were to ask them where the sky was, they'll look for the sea instead," said Baldwin, bluntly.

The room howled with laughter. Even Ashley cracked a laugh. Both humans had to pause their cooking to laugh.

"It never ceases to surprise me on how dumb people could be. You could have the greatest power of the universe but if you have a small brain, it'll be such a waste."

Mavislin smiled at Ashley as he continued laughing. It was only when Ashley calm down and continued that he realized Mavislin's sparkling eyes.

"Do I have something on my face?" asked the stick man, stirring the murky brown soup.

"It's the first time I've seen you laugh! You can laugh!" cheered the young Valkyrie.

"Of course I can!" said Ashley, seemingly upset.

Mavislin merely giggled as the two went back to their work.

The two children were finally led out into the dining hall and sat at their seats. The rest of the Mages sat down and the two chefs laid down the entire feast for dinner.

"So I've made the meat for dinner today. Grilled duck with a honey glaze. It goes well with the garden salad I quickly made," introduced Minwoo.

He s.h.i.+fted the spotlight to Ashley to describe the rest of the dishes.

"I've made coconut rice with miso soup," replied Ashley.