When Alyss woke the next morning the sun was just rising over the horizon. Usually, that was a good time, if not a little early, to wake up, but today it felt like it was almost late. It was about 6:30, and they had to be in the baron's entryway by 8:00 for the choosing. As soon as she got out of bed she woke up Jenny, then started to get her clothes together. She was planning on wearing a modest, and relatively simple, though elegant gown, as it was similar to what couriers wear on business trips. Jenny was going to wear a pretty, colorful, and generally cute dress, so Alyss got that out for her and laid it next to her own.
Once they had both gotten dressed, they went downstairs to eat breakfast. They were relieved when no on else was there because it meant that they would get to eat in peace. They were about to sit down, when they realized that there was no food on the table. All the girl wards were expected to help cook at least once every other week, and once a week for the older wards, so they knew how to cook. Despite that, neither Alyss nor Jenny felt like cooking. They felt even less like it because they wanted to make sure that they were on time, which would have been slightly problematic due to the fact that the fire had died during the night. They also didn't want to cook their own meal on choosing day. That said, they decided to go to the main kitchen to see there was anything they could have for their breakfast. Jenny especially enjoyed that idea, because it meant that she would get to go into the kitchen, and maybe say hello to Master Chubbs.
When they got there, Jenny marched right in, while Alyss was walked along behind her which was unusual, as Alyss usually led the way. Jenny spotted Master Chubbs almost immediately, and walked over.
"Master Chubbs" she politely inquired, "We were wondering if there was some food from here that could be spared for the wards beca..."
At that point, Master Chubbs turned to her, and questioned, "Don't you usually make your own meals? Why come here today"
Jenny replied, as confidently as she could, "Sir, you probably know that the choosing is today, and we don't want to be late, but the fire in the ward building went out, and it would take a while for everything to heat up. Also, we wanted to surprise the other wards in our year with your delicious cooking." While it was all true, they were also partially excuses.
After a second Master Chubbs nodded, and pointed to a pot, saying, "That pot has some porridge. I know it probably isn't your favorite, but it will do. In that cupboard there are some strawberries. You can also take some sugar for the porridge from that jar. Take just enough for breakfast. There is a plan for that food, and we'll need most of it. Don't make a habit of this though, and don't worry about the choosing. It will be fine." After a he had finished talking he gave a rare smile, hoping to calm the girls down. As they left he thought about how many different variations he'd had of the conversation he'd just taken part in. Just about every year, one or two of the wards would come on choosing day to see if they could have food from him, instead of making their own breakfast. He had started to make extra food on choosing day every year.
On the way back Alyss commented, "I think we were lucky. It seemed like Master Chubbs was in a good mood."
Jenny jokingly replied, "It was only because he knew that he would be getting such a great apprentice later today: me.
When they got back the boys were just coming down the stairs, looking very tired, and mildly confused. Horace was the first one to voice what was in his head. "Where's the food?" he questioned, making the girls smirk as they thought of ways to prank him about where the food was, and in what stage of preparation it was at. Of course, thought Alyss, he would say that. Doesn't he realize that the girls do all the cooking, like the guys are supposed to learn to do any repairs or hunting that needs to get done? I'm sure I've told him that before. Alyss replied, as she closed the door behind her, "If you had waited a few more seconds you would have seen that I have it right here. We have porridge, strawberries, and sugar to go on the porridge. If you don't like it, go complain to Master Chubbs, as he was kind enough to give us a meal that we didn't have to cook ourselves."
