Submission (#3667) Approved

She found Ealei a little more tricky to get around than the other places she has visited. Which is ironic when she literally hails from a snow tundra where you take one step and sink.

It was just confusing- she can’t help it. Nearly all of it was tree roots, bar the odd wharf areas she had passed by on her search. She was feeling… hungry and inspired too. She had one of the manaberries you could find here before, and she was dying to have more. In fact, she recalls having a pie made by an Elnin a bit back that had a filling made of said manaberries. They were extremely kind to her, having found her on the side of the road lost and extremely distressed, going in the wrong direction to where she wanted to go. Which was actually Ealei, so it all worked out in the end. 

She wanted to have a go at making or well attempting to recreate such a dish.

She could have easily had any other delicacies you could get here, but she had a severe sweet tooth, that could possibly cause issues in the future, but either way, she wanted that damn pie.

She sighs, glancing up at the trees overhead, just about making out giant puffy clouds drifting through the sky slowly. She moves aside to get out of the way of a passing Elnin, a little uneasy being so high up in the trees like this.

Who knew cities could be built in trees? Not her. Well she shouldn’t be surprised with all the places she has been. Where else were they meant to build here, it was all tree roots for miles. 

She takes a peek over the edge of the bridge, gulping at the sight of how far down the roots plugging into water were. OK so looking down was an awful idea, she quickly moves back, tail stiff as she trots along the wooden bridge to an area she could possibly ask to borrow a place to make the pie.

She spots what seems to be an elder Elnin, outside watering some plants. “Uh-“ she shrinks in on herself when the woman looks up, smiling at her softly. Being much closer now she could see how much she has aged. “You wouldn't happen to know where I can get some manaberries… would you?”

“I can just give you some dear? You seem to not be from here.”

Jeez, was it that obvious? 

“I’m from Strynhalde. Are you sure you’re fine giving me the berries?” She was very unsure about this, she still needed to ask about a place to bake and that seems to be a bit too much to ask of this lady.

“Of course I am. I only expect you to return this kindness to another. Not to intrude, but what do you plan to do with them?” She peeks up at this, a smile gracing her face.

“A pie! I just need-“

“A place to make it? You can make it in my home, if you share.”

“Of course I would share!” 

Seeing the Elnin suddenly turn around and head into what seems to be her home startles her a little, quickly following after her. Her house was very cozy, the kitchen area simple and extremely easy for someone of her size to bake.

She didn’t even need to say anything to the woman, watching her as she merely took the equipment and ingredients out. A bowl of water filled with berries ready to be thrown into a pot to boil. 

It makes it so much easier to get the berries all mushy and ready to be put into the pastry. She pokes her tongue out as she gets to work on it, paws covered in flour and slightly damp with water, shooting the Elnin a smile when she adds the last two ingredients to it for her, gently handing over a rolling pin.

Seems she also bakes in her free time. 

As she turns to go to the sink to get the bowl of berries she notices them missing, doing a quick scan of the area to see some already in a pot prepared with sugar to be put over the fire.

Oh- so the lady already knew how to make such a pie. Not surprising now that she already assumes she bakes. Right, the pie. Pastry, check, jam like part of the filling, over the fire, just plain old manaberries to be mixed in with the jam once done, check.

It was kind of nice to have someone else helping her who already knows what they’re doing, usually she would be telling her friends what to do, having to check in often to make sure nothing went wrong. It got kind of stressful at times. Not that she ain’t grateful for the help! She is! 

She gently stirs the pot, watching the berries very slowly just melt apart. She made a mistake in the past of adding water when making jam and hadn’t made another attempt until now. So this- this was turning out really good.

She sneaks a glance over her shoulder at the lady, turning back quickly, poking her tongue out and taking a lick. Her face immediately lit up, it was ready and it was perfect.

She takes it off the fire, mixing it in another bowl for extra and tossing in the chopped up berries before pouring it into the pastry dish. Silently watching as her baking partner finished the pie for her, putting it away to bake slowly.

While waiting she took a glance out the window, the leaves rustling with the wind, various different scents drifting around as everyone else seemed to be having their own sort of treat or meal.

“Dearie, it’s done.”

She smiles, turning back around, bounding over all excited.

Maybe she should stay here a bit longer… learn a few things from her elders.