[ AUDIENCE: BYLETH EISNER ]

[dormheads]

Comments

[divineimpulse]

It's a trout. I've filetted it, but it would be fun to cook it together...

If you like.

[azuta]

Let's do that.
Meet you at the cafeteria kitchen?

[divineimpulse]

I'll see you there.

[and when she does arrive, Byleth has all the ingredients laid out for... some fish dish. there's butter and lemons, at least.]

I thought we could do a simple saute.

[azuta]

[wow! viola just laughs a little bit at that before going to retrieve aprons for them both]

Then I shall follow your lead.

[divineimpulse]

[oh, aprons! novel. while she waits, she prepares a dredging mix for the fish, mixing the herbs into the flour gently with a fork.]

Do you cook often?

[azuta]

Sometimes, but I don't have the skill to be a proper chef. I prefer experimenting with flavors and then giving the recipe to someone else to refine.

[viola puts on her apron before moving to loop the other one onto byleth - ]

Let me tie this for you.

[divineimpulse]

Oh--thank you.

[she lifts her sleeves out of the way, looking behind her to make sure it's not getting in the way.]

[azuta]

You're welcome.

[aprons for them both!! viola just smiles and moves to look at the rest of the ingredients]

I'm yours to direct, Instructor Byleth.

[divineimpulse]

Let's heat the butter in the pan, first... then dredge the fish in flour, and saute it off.

[everything is already prepped, more or less. is this a cooking class, now?]

Can you dredge the fish? I'll melt the butter and fry it as soon as you're done.

[azuta]

[it is! viola laughs a little even as she does as requested - ]

You didn't even flinch at being called Instructor...

It's really second nature to you, isn't it?

[divineimpulse]

[


oh]

You're right.

I suppose it is.

...I guess there's worse things.

[azuta]

Of course there are - if anything, I think being a teacher is one of the best things you can be.

It's a high compliment, especially to your willingness to take on the role.

[divineimpulse]

[well

what can she say to that? she looks genuinely flattered.]

I do enjoy it.

More than I ever thought I would.

[azuta]

[hehe

viola looks delighted over that, smiling]

You didn't expect to be a teacher then?

[divineimpulse]

No. It was a surprise assignment.

The previous teacher abandoned their duty.

[azuta]

And they had the good fortune of finding you as the replacement? Sounds like an upgrade to me.

[divineimpulse]

...As long as it benefits the students.

[she's not used to this. she turns her attention solely to the butter, running it around in the pan, melting it into a tasty pool.]

[azuta]

[butter!! viola will finish up with the rest of the preparation then, waiting for byleth's next queue]

That's the ideal sentiment to have. [she sighs happily]

I wish I had teachers like you. Maybe my prior attempts at schooling would've gone better.

[divineimpulse]

[she gestures over]

Fish in the pan, please.

[and, as they're going in:]

Was that before you came to Wiwaldi?

[azuta]

[fish goes into the pan! and she just nods in response]

That's correct. I had a bit of bad luck in my previous institutions. My brother always outperformed me regardless...

[divineimpulse]

I'm sorry to hear about your luck. I hope it's improved since.

[she's crying the fish, watching it brown in the pan.]

Did your brothers attend here, as well?

[azuta]

[she shakes her head at that]

No, he's still in the capital. He's a few years my junior, but he was always much more concentrated on his studies. He's rather impressive.

But I am quite fortunate, and much happier here.

[divineimpulse]

[she nods!]

What was it about Wiwaldi that made it better than the capital?

[azuta]

[lmao. her expression turns a bit withering]

Less frivolous priorities, backstabbing, and false pretenses?

[a beat]

... well, I could pick a less rude answer, but mine is nonetheless honest.

[divineimpulse]

[lmfao

byleth has to cover her mouth with a hand, but her eyes dance.]

Very to the point.