La Sacerdotessa

The Masked Man

THE next day, Satira didn't want to leave her room. She recounted everything that had happened last night, from Pace's tacit confession to her hand fading in and out of existance. What made it worse was that she'd promised the boys they'd all go out for dinner that night. She tossed and turned underneath her blanket.

This is what I want, right? He loves me and I love him, so what's the issue. One side of her thoughts said.

The issue is I also have feelings for Debito, the other side argued.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" She screamed to herself just as her door was being opened. She didn't care to see who it was and simply pulled her covers up over her face.

"Come on, that is no way for a young lady to behave!" Luca pulled back her covers.

"Not now, Mom! I'm having a life crisis!"

"Oh, let me guess. You're in love with Pace and Debito, but Pace just recently confessed to you so you're extra confused."

"How'd you know? Did Felicita read my heart?"

"No, but it doesn't take an idiot to see your cheeks heating up whenever you're with them. Besides, Pace told me everything."

"Noooo."

"Yeeesss. And that you left right after."

"I'm a heartless woman."

Luca chuckled as he walked over to Satira's dresser to pull out her laundered uniform. "No you're not. You're you, and he completely understands."

"He does?"

"He came on a little too strongly and he knows it... But then again, he also said Debito has been coming off much too strong."

"Y-yeah," Satira stuttered as she remembered the almost kiss.

"Well, you know what you need to do."

"I do?"

"You need to collect your wits. You need to come with me to the kitchen and make some sforgliatella."

"We haven't done that in forever."

"I know. Well, get dressed and then meet me in the kitchen!"

A couple minutes later, Satira walked into the kitchen to find Luca in his apron prepping materials. He smiled as she walked in.

"Do I get an apron?" Satira joked, but was met by a tan apron to her face.

Luca laughed as Satira glared at him before pulling it over her head. Luca came from the counter to help Satira tie the straps around her back.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure, passerotta." Luca ruffled her hair as he returned to his post. Satira followed him to the counter.

FOR the next hour, the two prepared the dough. Satira played with Luca's nerves a bit, taking some of her flour and occasionally throwing it at him. Soon, the two had started a flour war and the two were covered with the white powder.

"Gosh, we are such children!" Satira laughed as she wrapped up the dough and stuck it in the fridge.

"I sure hope we are!" Luca laughed as he tried to get flour out of his ear before turning on the stove so the milk that floated in the saucepan could heat up.

Once it came to a simmer, the two began adding in semolina flour. As Satira came to stir the mixture with her wooden spoon, she hummed a little melody that came to her head. Luca smiled and tapped along as he brought out eggs, ricotta cheese, and sugar, along with some candied orange and lemon.