A Demigoddess of Magic

Chapter 19: The Final Touches

"Ah, you're finally back! What took you guys so long?"

"We ran into some trouble but we solved it."

"That's good to hear now to sprinkle some powdered sugar and the deserts are done."

"They look really good Trey." Deuce finds himself having an existential crisis, pondering over the perplexing egg situation, while Alcina chooses to completely disregard him.

"Did something happen to him while you were shopping Alcina?"

"Just leave him alone for now."

"What have I believed in all my 16 years."

"Yeah, whatever. I'm pretty beat. Making tarts sure takes it outta you."

Cater arrives promptly, entering through the doorway and examining the finished project without even helping with the cooking.

"Hey! You look wrecked. Are the tarts done? Ooh, those look so cute. Lemme snap a quick pic for Magicam!"

"What, NOW you decide to show up?"

"I came to see how hard my little newbs were working."

Cater approaches Alcina, determined to annoy her, but she's not putting up with it.

"You could have come to help the "newbs" with the work like a good junior."

"Aww that's harsh Alcina, you don't have to be so mean. Your complexion stayed the same, Alcina, you're not exhausted at all?"

"No, why would I."

"Well, it seems Alcina is accustomed to baking. But there's no better cure for that than sweets. Help yourself to some of this tart."

"YAY!"

Alcina couldn't resist chuckling as she watched them cheer with delight over the sugary treats.

"Pretty funny how you managed to show up right when it was ready to eat, Cater."

"Heh heh. Someone's gotta be the official tester!"

"Fwaa. Glossy chestnuts on top, fluffy cream below. I can't wait another second, I'm going in!"

"Grim, don't eat it one bite."

Grim paid no attention to Alcina's remark and eagerly delved into the sugary treats, displaying a childlike enthusiasm that Alcina couldn't help but find entertaining. The others dig into the snacks after Grim.

"So sweet!"

"Amazing it tastes better than the store-bought ones!"

"It's sweet, but not too overpowering. My mouth tastes all the chestnuts."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Oh, Trey! You gotta do the thing."

"The thing? Oh that Cater."

"Um wanna fill us in here."

"That's a pretty weird question to ask all of a sudden."

"Me? Probably cherry pie. Or hamburgers."

"Canned tuna at the top of my list."

Figured Grim

"If I had to pick, I guess I'd say omelet rice?"

"I like a nice lamb chop with diablo sauce."

"What about you Alcina?"

"Pomegranate."

"Let's "Paint The Roses"!"

"Huh? What does that mean?"

"Take another bite of your tart and see."

Alcina savors another mouthful of the dessert, relishing the delightful flavor of pomegranate instead of chestnuts. The unexpected burst of taste leaves her speechless, as she realizes that in all her journeys, she has never encountered someone with such remarkable and distinctive magic.

"Huh? How- Now it tastes like cherry pie!"

"It's just like canned tuna!"

"Neat trick, eh? That's gotta be a hit with the ladies."

"It's very impressive. Is changing flavors your unique magic, Trey?"

"To be precise it's "magic that overwrites characteristics." I can change taste, color, smell, whatever. It only lasts for a little while. But it's kinda like covering up the real thing hence, "painting."

"I'm impressed I have never seen a unique magic like that before. It's amazing Trey."

"Oh thank you." Trey couldn't help but blush at Alcina's comment. He never anticipated that a demigoddess like her would find his unique magic so incredible and extraordinary.

"If I had magic like that, I could be eating canned tuna every meal of every day. That's way better than Riddle's stupid collar magic!"

"No, my magic is a mere child's toy compared to the dorm leaders. Speaking of Riddle, it's too late to give him these now. Let's call it a day and do it tomorrow. Don't forget tomorrow is the unbirthday party. You don't want to be late."

"Speaking of a place to stay, Alcina can I crash with you again? It doesn't sound like I'll be allowed back in my own dorm tonight."

"Oh my! What a crude way of talking to a lady."

"Do what you wish, Ace."

"Hey Ace, don't take advantage of them too much."

"That's right! If you wanna stay you have to pay 10 cans of tuna!"

"Grim were not asking for ten cans of tuna."

"How about Deuce stays over too, to keep an eye on Ace."

"That's not a bad idea Trey."

"Since I'm vice president. I will give you two permission."

"Trey, aren't you going a little easy on them? Hey, Alcina can I sleep over too?"

"No Cater."

"Stingy Alcina."

"Who are you calling stingy?"

"Sorry for dumping them on you again Alcina. At least it's just for the night."

"It's no problem, Trey."

"Tomorrow's the unbirthday party. Finally, I'm gonna get rid of this stupid collar! Just you wait, Riddle!"

Hope we don't fuck it up.