Fury

Cooking for Shade

    After everything was taken care of and the bank closed Jaxion went home to his tree, a very large jungle tree that was bigger on the inside with many floors thanks to modern construction magics. The perfect harmony of technology and nature in the form of expanded tree homes, such beauty! He went to the door and pressed his hand against it. The scanner opened the door, sliding up into the tree and closing behind him, letting him in saying, "Welcome home, Jaxion." He headed straight to his kitchen where Shade, his big black wolf, was lying down in front of the fridge. She turned her beautiful light gray eyes to him, barking happily and bounding up to him.

   "Time for dinner?!" she asked, wagging her tail excitedly and looking up at him.

He chuckled before responding, "Yes Shade, I'll start making dinner now."

   "Yay!" She raced to the fridge, looking back at Jaxion when she reached it and turned around running full speed back at him, skidding to a stop and panting before the amused elf.

   "Well you're quite excited for dinner today. Let me guess why, because it's deer and berry stew tonight?" Her tail wagged faster, nodding her head as she licked her lips.

   Jaxion smiled a bit before heading over to the fridge and pulling out the defrosted deer meat, putting it on the counter as he started taking out various cooking utensils and seasonings from cupboards and drawers, humming a small tune until he had everything he needed. He then started the process of turning on the crock pot and stove, letting it all warm up properly as he prepared the berries, meat, pans and utensils for cooking. Spraying a pan with vegetable oil so the pastry crust wouldn't stick to the pan and could be easily taken out after it was done cooking.

   He put some of the prepped strawberries and blueberries in before putting more crust over them, taking a fork and poking holes in a circle so the otherwise trapped heat would escape. After he finished making the berry pastry pie crust and filling he put it in the oven, letting it cook as he started with the stew. He took the deer meat that he had prepped and put it in the crock pot, let that cook a little before putting in the rest of the berries he had prepped for it and putting the lid on so that it would cook.

   After a while with Shade eagerly staring at the crock pot, trying the whole time not to drool and pant, he removed the lid causing the very delicious scent of the stew to waft out covering the kitchen and causing Shade to drool a bit, she quickly caught herself however and barked happily with her tail wagging very fast, even thumping against the floor in a steady beat. He too smelled the stew, humming in satisfaction before he stirred it and pulled some of the deer meat apart, the juice of the meat and the berries melding to create an almost divine taste and smell. "Just a little while longer Shade, alright?"

   She nodded her head panting with anticipation and licking her lips, continuing to stare at the pot.

   He checked the oven, nodding his head and closing the door to let the pastry pie finish cooking. He was humming again as he went about putting away some things that were no longer needed, giving Shade some pats as he went past her and waiting for the stew and pastry to finish. After a bit more he opened the stove, taking the pastry out carefully and setting it on the counter, the scent wafting around mixing with the stew's scent making the place smell heavenly.

   He smiled gently and continued humming as he took out more berries and prepped them, mostly strawberries, some raspberries, and blueberries. He finished washing and prepping them, putting them to the side as he took out a tub of whipped cream and a thing of white frosting. He edged the berry pastry pie with the frosting, moving inwards until he reached the center, making a small dome there. He then scooped out some whipped cream and put a nice thick layer on the whole pie, spiralling it so there was a neat little hill in the center. He took the berries he had put to the side and put the raspberries on the edge and around the center, the strawberries and blueberries spiraled around to the top of the mound where a nice, big, juicy strawberry was placed on top ringed by nice, big, contrasting blueberries.

   Shade was still staring at the crockpot but kept sneaking glances at the pastry pie, trying very hard, and failing not to, drool over the sights and smells. She could taste the deliciousness of the food from the heavenly smell alone!

   After Jaxion was finished making the Berry Pastry Pie he took it to the dining table and set it down, Shade jumping up onto a chair with anticipation. He went back over to the stew and lifted the lid, taking a spoon and scooping a bit, tasting it before nodding his head satisfied as he got a few bowls and ladled the stew into them, carrying the two bowls over to the table. He set one down in front of Shade, telling her to wait while she whined in anticipation from the very enticing smells. He went back, getting a few plates and silverware along with something to cut and serve the Berry Pastry Pie, before returning to serve them each a slice.

   He sat down and dug in, signaling that Shade could do so too. She instantly started wolfing down the delicious stew happily, her tail wagging incredibly fast, eventually slowing down her eating to savour the amazing flavours. If wolves could purr she would most certainly be doing so, but instead her large, fluffy tail was wagging back and forth hitting the chair and thumping against the floor some as she ate estastically.

   Jaxion was smiling and enjoying his food slower and more civilly, still immersed in the amazing flavours of his dishes. Once they were done, the crockpot and pie tin empty with sighing, content beings sitting down and conversing, Jaxion started cleaning up. He was humming once again as Shade layed down on the floor, her tail still thumping against it happily and satisfied.

   When Jaxion and Shade were finished, everything put away, cleaned, and tidy including a cleaning of himself and her, he moved to the living room and sat down in a large comfy chair before grabbing a large leatherbound book from the dark oak wooden table next to him. Shade got up and luxuriously padded over to him, settling herself in a very large gray dog bed next to the chair.

   Jaxion read for the rest of the day, taking some notes on whatever was in the book, before retiring to his bedroom for the night. Shade yet again followed him as he made his way to the magic elevator made up of the center of the giant tree. He stepped in with Shade and requested to be taken to his bedroom. The elevator closed and headed up to the floor with his bedroom.

   It opened on the right floor and they stepped out, passing by the dresser and mirror, heading to the large, soft, fancy, and comfy red bed across from the elevator. The bedside cabinets, also dark oak like most of the furniture, were sitting at the sides of the large bed, the spherical large knobs on the drawers a shiny brass. After unlocking, checking inside, nodding, then closing and relocking the top drawer he headed over to the dresser, undoing his braid, brushing his hair, changing into his night clothes, getting ready for sleep.

   When both were done with their nightly routines they went to the bed. Jaxion climbed into the bed, covering himself neatly with the sheets before patting them for Shade to jump up. She did so, making her way to his side and laying down next to, if not against him, as they fell asleep. Not aware of the crime that would happen tonight, nor the consequences, they slept soundly until they awoke in the morning.