Commander's Rounds

Gaiden Entry 42.9: Baking Backlog

Howe had begun to really feel the absence of her older sister.

Perhaps the biggest reminder of that was how many of her cookies were going uneaten. She was always able to count on her sister to deplete her excess stock, but now she had piles and piles of cookies to send away or put out elsewhere. Granted, she always found takes for whatever came out of her oven, but she was sure people were noticing that there were far more than when King George was around.

Still, baking is what she did to pass the time, and She was sure that Monarch wasn't especially inclined to culinary activities, however much her half-sister liked cookies but pretended only the mildest of interest towards them.

During those days, however, she began to wonder exactly who was taking most of them when she put them in the hall outside of her room. It's not that they weren't free to do so, it's why she did it in the first place. So, she put them out, as she normally, did, and so she just camped out by the peephole in the door for a while to watch the movements of the Royal Navy.

There weren't that many surprises, really. Javelin would pop by with the rest of her international destroyer flotilla to grab some, Nelson would stop, look around, and then discreetly take a couple in case Rodney was watching. Zeppy would scoot along and place a few under her cap before making her way elsewhere. Later, Little Renown would stop by with Rodney to take a few- after that it was Cygnet, and then nothing for a little longer- and then Formidable stopped by and picked up all of the rest.

Howe opened the door. "So many? I didn't know you that fond of them, Formi."

Formidable was surprised. "Ah! They're not all for me, honest. I and my sisters are hosting miss Taihou for the time being."

"Oh?" This made Howe curious, but she decided not to intrude into the carrier's business. "Well, she's a big girl, too."

Formidable looked at the plate. "I was meaning to ask- there are so many more of these going out into the hall than usual. I had thought it was just the absence of your oldest sister, but..."

Howe blinked. "But what?"

Formidable composed herself. "It may not necessarily be my place to ask, but are you bored or lonely, to be baking this much?"

Howe knew that Formi would ask a question like that. She was good at pretending to be an elegant lady of the court, but there was a more forthright side to her. There was, however, nothing to gain by being dishonest. "Some of both, really. Monarch won't be moving in yet, and King George is away on her honeymoon, so..."

Formidable continued. "If I may offer some advice?"

Howe leaned on the door. "I don't see how it could hurt."

The carrier continued. "If you want to cope through baking, you might find it worthwhile to do it with others who enjoy it as much as you do. I don't think there is a shortage of such people."

"Hm...?" She looked up a bit. "Well, if you think it won't be a nuisance..."

Formi offered a small bow. "I would say that you have no difficulty in making your company pleasant, miss Howe. Now, if I may take my leave..." And then Formidable walked off, with so many cookies.

At least she always returned the plate.

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Howe found herself in front of Dunkerque's shop. As usual, it had customers, which seemed to be the case no matter what hour of the day. She stepped in herself, and Dunkerque was working feverishly behind the scenes in-between her brief interactions with customers. This piqued Howe's curiosity- Dunkerque was usually somewhat more relaxed. So, she stepped up to the counter. "Dunkerque?"