Though their time within this odd place was far from their usual routine, it was Alice who found solace in the mansion...that place, oddly enough, was within the kitchens.

Should one enter into that space or find themselves led there they’d see an odd sight. The token pistol-whipping sniper traveling with the Sentinels would be shed of her gear and instead with her hair piled in a messy bun atop her head and a simple black apron covering her clothing. That apron would have splatters of flour here and there and even a bit of it somehow dusting her hairs. The counter of the center island having been organized in a semi chaotic manner with so items used and others not so much. Presently the woman would have her back to the door and softly singing-content as can be while fiddling with the stove.

With the size and malleable nature of the mansion, it would have been impossible for any sort of coincidental passing to happen. So, the fact that Cyril was the one who happened upon the kitchens as he attempted to find his way out was due to no chance, but in that moment he didn’t think about that. Instead, as he heard her moving about and even her gentle song he blinked in surprise, before he turned to quietly enter the kitchen.

[b]“Alice?”[/b]

The singing promptly ended as Alice jumped in shock, her body reacting instinctually for the closest item- a frying pan. She turned ready to defend but paused realizing it was Cyril. Her brain needed a moment to re-register her surroundings and her own actions, her cheeks pinkening as she lowered the skillet with an awkward smile, [b]”Hello Blue~.”[/b] 

He smiled, polite as ever as he did so. He remained where he was, just inside the door, moving to lean slightly against the counter. [b]”Doing some cooking outside of the campfire for once? What are you making?”[/b]

The ever so extroverted Alice found herself breaking gaze first with her face heating up again. She a smile as she half turned back to the stove, giving half her attention to the thing and to Cyril, [b]”I was just making some stuffed chicken and pepper with some vegetables the Lady had in the cupboard.”[/b] She turned back to Cyril, pushing past her embarrassment to ask, [b]”Would you like some? It’ll taste a bit better than what I usually make on travels.”[/b]

He blinked, and then smiled a little more, nodding slightly. [b]”You know, I think I can spend some time to do that. Would be happy to, in fact.”[/b]

Alice  turned her back to Cyril now, pulling out another plate and pattering around the kitchen as though she’d been there for weeks. [b]”Oh! No no it’s okay! I actually really like cooking...it helps me decompress and still be productive.”[/b] Alice’s body was moving around the island to deposit his utensils and water before rounding back around to finish off the peppers before covering them and placing them next to the slow cooking chicken. [b]’It’s going to take a few for the peppers to cooking but since they cook faster than chicken, and that was already going, they should be done in about fifteen maybe twenty minutes?”[/b] She may not have been speaking directly to Cyril and more voicing her own thoughts but it was a statement none the less. 

Turning back to Cyril she smiled brightly, [b]”So.” [/b] She pulled a stool across the way from the Prince. [b]”How has your time in here been?”[/b]

The Prince remained standing, something he didn’t seem to mind considering how he just leaned against the counter. He gave a slight shrug, though he kept smiling. [b]”It’s been going well enough, I suppose… It’s been hard being patient, waiting for Kori to arrive… But there isn’t much I can do, right now. Hopefully there will be news soon.”[/b]

Alice tilted her head curiously, [b]”What’s it like growing up with siblings?’[/b]

Briefly his brow furrowed, surprised by the question, but after a moment he straightened a little as he answered. [b]”It was enjoyable, at least for me. I’m fortunate enough to have really good people to call my sisters. It definitely could have been a lot worse.”[/b]

Alice blinked as she realized her blunt questioning, [b]”Sorry, Highness. It felt as though I grew up an only child and I was curious what it was like to grow up with people so close to you all the time. Then again growing up in a castle must be pretty intense, right? Did you have to learn about politics and maths and all that?”[/b] She was oddly curious about his upbringing, not out of ulterior motive but out of pure unadulterated curiosity-and it showed in her body language as she rested on cheek on her hand and an elbow on the counter.

He nodded slightly. He was at ease with the questions, clearly not bothered in the slightest. [b]”Yes, more than a decent amount of that. And then there was riding, swordplay, strategy, and the other arts of war. It never seemed to really end sometimes, and got quite overwhelming at others.”[/b]

She seemed almost disheartened at his response, [b]”That’s….I’m sorry, Cyril.”[/b] She took a moment to observe the man again before continuing her thought with her brows furrowed, [b]”That must have been very frustrating. I can’t say I know what you mean, because I don’t know, but I do know that being overwhelmed with your situation at a young age isn’t good for you...but you seem to have turned out just fine.”[/b] Trying to end her statement on a good note.

He smiled a little more even as he gave another nod. [b]”Yes, I would like to think so. I have a lot to thank my mother for when it comes to that, along with Kori and Ayano as well. Don’t be too worried about me; I may have had my difficulties, but it was nothing compared to what even the normal person goes through, I believe. I know I’ve been fortunate.”[/b]

Alice’s mind flashed back for a moment to a small woman with tan skin, piercing green eyes and long arrow straight hair that was kept loosely plated. She wore simple dresses and cooked foods that were full of warmth-it brought a smile to her eyes, [b]”You mother sounds like an amazing woman to have brought three amazing children into this world but don’t you tell me not to worry. One hardship may be simple to one person but it may be the world to another…”[/b] Alice backtracked for a moment as she realized she was reprimanding royalty of a country. [b]”Ahem, I simply mean that no hardship means less than another. Royalty or not.”[/b]

He gave a very gentle shrug then. [b]”I suppose, but I don’t consider my own greater than that of any other.”[/b]

Alice couldn’t help but give a good natured laugh, [b]”Spoken like a true Prince!”[/b] She gave another smile before jumping, [b]”The food!”[/b] Though there were no clocks to be seen Alice’s senses told her to check the food. And in good fortune it was ready.

Within a few moments a plate of breaded chicken stuffed with cheese and seasoning along with the two halves of a bell pepper stuffed with other veggies and seasonings would be placed in front of Cyril and another in front of Alice. [b]”I almost let it all burn-that would have been mortifying!”[/b] Alice lightly mused to herself as another questions escaped her lips, [b]”Cyril, what’s Barcea really like?”[/b]

His eyebrows went up then in surprise, as he looked to her. The food smelled delicious and he was on the cusp of complimenting her for it and digging in, but her sudden question brought him to a halt. [b]”What do you mean by that?”[/b]

[b]”Well, what’s it like? I’ve only been there for a short time and I haven’t really had time to explore…”[/b] Her words began fading away as she looked down at her food slightly embarrassed, [b]”I just was wanting to know your thoughts and mentions of Barcea is all...it’s a very ideal place is all.”[/b]

He didn’t begin eating, too busy thinking about answering her. [b]”... That’s simply because we’ve tried very hard in the recent years to make it such a way. It wasn’t too long before that we were a nation of war as well, constantly battling H’kela… We’ve tried moving on from those ways, but…”[/b] Slowly, he frowned. [b]”It seems that didn’t matter, all that much.”[/b]

Alice took a small bite out of her pepper as Cyril spoke, chewing slowly before swallowing and giving a response, [b]”I wouldn’t say that. Not by a long shot. When I first entered into Barcea it was clear to see that the people were happy. Very happy. When I say it’s an ideal place I mean that it is warm and there is so much lively energy there. Yes, no place is perfect, but that’s what makes a place a home right? I think that peacetime and progression were both needed and wanted. It just takes time… I think.”[/b] 

[b]”Time we don’t have anymore.”[/b] Cyril said, more than just a little bit bitter. [b]”Now, we’re being pulled back into the mistakes that the generations before us made, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”[/b]

[b]”We can change it.”[/b] The curiosity and the calm air was pushed away for the normal Alice who didn’t take no for an answer-she was the one speaking. [b]”Mistakes have been made in the past, yeah it happens, but you know those mistakes and you’re smart enough that you, and everyone around you that looks up to you, can make the changes needed to get to peace and to happiness.”[/b]

[b]”And yet there will still be more blood.”[/b]

[b]”Take it from someone who has seen Gods disappear and has never had something to call their own for more than a few months. In order to make change blood must be shed. I know it’s ideal to think the world can be saved through talks and meetings but actions have always spoken louder than words.”[/b]

He shook his head slightly. [b]”While that may be true, I take no pleasure in it, and do not look forward to it.”[/b]

[b]”That’s what you’ve got me for Blue. To shoot a few people, kick down some doors and take a few dozen names, and to cook a mean meal from time to time.”[/b]

[b]”Hopefully, soon enough, we won’t have to worry about the violence.”[/b] He gave her another smile, and finally brought up some of the chicken to eat; when he took the bite, his eyes lit up slightly, him quickly chewing and swallowing. [b]”Alice, this is fantastic.”[/b]

Alice remained frozen for a moment  as Cyril gave praise to her cooking, promptly leading to her neck and face to heat up and her gaze to drop to the food she was poking it. [b]”I-I’m glad you’re enjoying it….told you it was going to be better than campfire food.”[/b]

[b]”You weren’t kidding.”[/b] His smile grew slightly. [b]”You should do it more often.”[/b]

[b]”If I had a kitchen I would. Open fire leaves for a nice smoky taste but it leaves me a bit limited….I’ll have to remember to cook for everyone when we are back here or at the castle-maybe? If that’s alright?”[/b] She was struggling to calm down. Sure she cooked all the time with Stark since that poor girl didn’t know how to keep anything from burning and she’d taken up cooking the majority of food for when the Sentinel’s had been traveling but Cyril’s comment just added a bit of extra pleasantry for her. 

[b]”I don’t think anyone would be bothered by that; I know I wouldn’t be complaining.”[/b] He chuckled slightly, and then began to quickly eat.

[b]”Only if you ask nice.”[/b] She teased as she too began eating the food she’d cooked. Of course she wasn’t expecting an answer from him and was more than content with the quiet sounds of eating-a sign of a good meal.

He laughed slightly, nodding. [b]”I’ll do my best.”[/b]