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My lessons in army management continued well into the afternoon. Clover makes for a good teacher, especially with that first game under my belt. I'm a little concerned as to how I'll do playing the game on my own at home, but I want to get better even when I'm not here. Maybe surprise Clover again with a sudden improvement, hmhm~

Still, it's getting later into the evening, and my planning ahead for dinner seems like it'll be welcome right about now. I check with Clover, and she seems to feel the same, so I log out of the game after our final match for the evening so we can head upstairs. Sitting right where I left them in the fridge is a pair of containers, each with a hearty chunk of breakfast casserole. It's hardly the best I could get her, but it's simple and returns the favor just fine.

I get the first one heated in the microwave and pass it to Clover, along with a fork. With that, I return my attention to my own portion, watching it slowly rotate on the microwave plate. I can see the little pieces of bright red and green peppers and the gray mushrooms as it turns. Memories of Friday morning, being brought back to the surface with a bit of warmth. How I can't read Penn at all to know whether or not I'm doing alright. Words that seem like they could hold meaning, if only I had a cipher for it all. Whatever happened to when he would tell me what he thought, unambiguously? When he'd whisper into my ear and run a hand up my side just to watch me quiver in delight? When he'd make me feel like the luckiest girl alive?

Such thoughts are thankfully interrupted with the sound of the timer indicating my meal should be ready to eat. I open the microwave door, retrieve my reheated efforts, and head to the table to join Clover. I'd been so distracted, I didn't even check whether or not she was enjoying it, but it seems I had nothing to fear. She's digging in, with a different sort of delight on her face than when she's having a dessert. It has its own appeal to watch unfold, though... like she's deep in thought, keeping her composure enough to more expressively display those feelings beyond just bliss. Like she's admiring the taste as the eggs give way to each chunk of vegetable, bursting with flavor. I... I just... oh my.

"You sure you didn't make this for me again? Because that's what it tastes like, Bone. Like you're trying really, really hard to impress someone... and succeeding. Spill it, big gal, what's the story here?" I-I, I!!! Is it really that good?! B-But this is just what I make for breakfast every other week or so, I j-just...!

"C-Clover?! You can't mean that, I, I just- it's j-just a usual breakfast! That I've... been making for a while. A long while. ...two y-years..." What's that... that look on her face? All I can describe it as is... stunned?

"Bonnie, you... you've practiced this one for that long? It's no wonder it tastes like this then, but... you really didn't think that much of it? It's amazing."

"Well, I- I guess I knew it was better than it used to be, at least. I could tell by looking. I suppose I just haven't really had someone let me know themselves. At home, all I can see is someone eating. Carefully, methodically, like an unintrusive morning routine rather than something to be enjoyed."

"...you know what, yeah, I think you mentioned this a bit. Wasn't quite this eloquent, but you can guess why." Ah. Probably something that came up Friday. Just a quick mental note that this was one of the things I especially spilled my guts about that hazy night, I guess. Great...

"Right... um, Clover? I don't actually remember much of that. I can remember the general beats of it all and times I moved around, but... beyond that, it's a blur, especially us talking."

"Well then, it's a good thing I was there to remember. Even with how smashed you were, I'm pretty sure I got a good idea of the situation. Enough to wanna see what I can help with, that's for sure. Think you'd be alright with that, Bonnie?" Wait, she wants to help? But I... it's not like I could do much in return. With that in mind, why has she been so supportive to me...?

"Clover, I just couldn't, I mean... how would that even work? Neither of us is really in Penn's head to figure out what needs to be done. ...or did you have something planned?" She's taking a minute to think. Pacing, even, with her tail occasionally swishing to match her pace and train of thought. I guess she didn't have a plan, but... she was so sincere in wanting to help. Am I... missing something, here? Before I can speculate further, she snaps her fingers and turns to me once again.

"Okay, so! February's right around the corner in a week or two. And two weeks after that? Valentine's Day. I hope you can see where this is heading, Bone, because that's an easy opportunity to spark something again."

"Valentine's... it'd been on my mind a bit, but I can't say I had anything big planned. So you think you might know what to do?" Oh my, she's got that familiar, smug look on her face again... hopefully what comes next will be worthy of it.

"Well, admittedly I'm not great with any like... BIG plans or anything, but I know what you can do damn well, big gal. So lemme ask you something: how's about trying your hand at a batch of candies for the occasion?"

"Sweets? Well, I can't say I've... indulged much in the idea. Most of my more familiar recipes have been practical, filling things, with my own personal touches. I mean, of course I've made really basic desserts like cookies, but I hadn't refined anything with that. And you're saying I could go for... candies?" That's... oh, that'd be a lot to get through. I'd need some new equipment, too. Mostly a special thermometer, though I guess those aren't TOO expensive from what I saw when looking up sweets to talk with Clover about... hmmmmm...

"Exactly. What's more fitting? Hell, I've even got a thermometer for it left over from when a family friend gave me a bunch of their old kitchen stuff to get myself situated. ...I ought to wash it first, though, who knows what it's gathered on it over the years."

"...well, I can't say I dislike the idea of learning a new dish, Clover. I might even know one I could aim for. I was looking through my phone yesterday, and at some point, I found myself tapping through sites on simple sweets. There was this one recipe for salted caramels that... well, it seemed a bit complicated, even if they were saying it was among the simpler candies to make. It's an idea, though!"

"Attagirl, and we've got plenty of time. Your hubby'll be none the wiser if you practice over here, either. Gotta keep the surprise fresh, after all~" This... could this really work? I haven't seen Penn react all that much to my cooking in a while, but... well, it's all I can really do for this. And I'm not alone in this, either. Clover's ready to help, however she can. Maybe I ought to quit questioning why it is that she's been so wonderful to me and just go with it. It'll certainly make the practice go more smoothly.

"Alright then... I don't think we can really start anything today, but maybe sometime later this week? The weekend's always free, and there's several weeks until the big day."

"Count on it, Bone. We'll have you churning out caramels that melt on your tongue in no time, you'll see!" And with that, she leans back against the counter, proud of herself. I could afford to take after her example, honestly. I'm about to try my hand at something new, refine the process, make everything perfect down to the last detail over time... the least I could do is take confidence in that. I lean back in my seat to relax a bit, breathing a sigh of relief. I can do this with Clover's help, for sure.

It feels nice to have a plan to work towards again, especially one that's right up my alley, all with the perfect partner for the job.

* *

Can't say I ever expected to be hosting a cooking class in my own kitchen. Especially didn't expect to be hosting it for weeks on end, but Bonnie's something special. She got her mind set to this after I brought it up to her, and now I'm gonna see it through.

Every session is something new. How to keep the sugar from crystallizing, stirring that sugar with the thermometer instead of a spoon, using heavy cream with the right percentage of butterfat... every little thing is a new discovery with her, and every batch gets better as she learns all this. We've been personally enjoying the results of her attempts, too, so that's been another wonderful part of the process. ...except maybe the first batch. GOD that was grainy...

I'll admit, though, eating that much caramel is a bit unappealing, even for my sweet tooth. Thankfully, we've got a certain diminutive sassmaster who was all too eager to volunteer in helping us test our practice runs for the perfect cooking temperatures.

"Holy crap, Bone, you sure you've only been at this for a couple weeks? These taste like someone's painting my mouth with cream and sugar, then gently sprinklin' in that final touch of salt to just... just make me lose it, oooooooh!" ...yes, VERY eager, indeed. Practically flailing her legs under the table in joy. It's nice to have Ky over again. We don't often get together in person aside from the pub, even if we do wind up calling each other a fair bit to check in. And with how she's been getting rather close to that void hound on Friday nights, there's plenty to talk about... and tease her relentlessly over~

"You're damn right, Ky, but we've still got time and supplies for another round. I'm sure you've got no complaints, but how about you, Bone?" Ah... she looks a bit tired from all the concentration. I've seen her work her magic under worse conditions though, and she's hardly one to back down from this sort of thing over a little fatigue.

"Hooooo... of course, Clover. I've got one more in me yet. Let's see to it that they're the best I'll have made tonight." And as expected, the question was more of a formality than an out for her. Girl's unstoppable, and I know that damn well. ...though, there's something about all of this that hasn't sat right with me since about a week or so into it. Can't tell Bone; she needs to believe this will work without any doubt, or she'll lose all the wind in her sails. Lucky me, then, that our little Harlequin showed up for today.

"Alright then, big gal, get things ready for the final batch for today. We'll get the temperatures perfect yet. If you'll give me a moment, though, there's something I just remembered I needed to let Ky know." The bunny raises her eye at this, still chewing on caramels, but Bonnie barely takes notice, moving with a singular focus towards the counter full of ingredients.

"Okay! I'm getting much better at these first steps, anyway, so I hardly think I'll need reminders for now. Please, take your time, you two."

"Oh, we will. It's all too much fun to rib her about her little friend from work, after all~"

"C-Cloveh, sherioushly?!" All too easy; she's practically out of her seat already, desperately trying to swallow that last candy she snatched. Now I just need to get her away from here and we'll be home free.

"Serious as death itself, you little charmer. I wonder, just who between you two was swept off their feet, really? Especially considering what you said she did to you that first ni-"

"OOOOOKAY, that's it, I ain't havin' Bone hear that, you little gossip! Just- Just get over here and say whatcha gotta, and make it quick. Yeesh..." As Ky drags me away by the back of my shirt, I wave playfully to Bone, who's busied herself with getting everything together for when the water begins boiling. Her arms are a bit preoccupied to wave back, but that giggle of hers substitutes for it nicely. Back to the matter at hand, though...

"Gah, just... the heck, Clover? What'd you wanna say about Jill, anyways, if you're goin' that far?"

"...okay, look, as much as I'd love to tease, it's not about that. It's Bonnie." At the shift in tone, I can see Ky's frustration being replaced with worry. This'll be a rough one, but I take a deep breath to prepare myself for what needs to be said.

"Okay... what about her, Clover?"

"It's this whole plan. I- I know I came up with it myself, and there's no going back on it now, but I just... I've been getting less and less sure it's gonna work, Ky."

"And the heck do you mean by that? You tasted those sweet-and-salty bits of gold just as much as I did, there's no way Penn can dodge that taste of heaven."

"That's what I-! Gah, it's... look, I went into this thinking if we just did the most thematic, knock-your-socks-off simple treats, this whole thing would play out great, but I'm starting to think it won't matter how good these get. They already taste perfect, and I'm still not sure. The food's not the problem, Ky."

"...ooooookay, you lost me. Whaddaya mean?" Okay... moment of truth. Hopefully I'm not just... crazy. Or stupid. Or both, who am I kidding.

"Ky... when's the last time you've tried Bonnie's breakfast casserole?"

"Uh... I kinda haven't? She invites me over for dinner on weekdays. Don't really get her leftovers from the mornin'."

"Alright, then this is gonna be hard to picture, but imagine that caramel you just ate. Now imagine flavors that powerful, if not more, for fluffy eggs and juicy roasted vegetables. And that's after days in the fridge and reheating in the microwave."

"Oookay, so you're bragging about what she gave ya?"

"Ky, I'm TRYING to say that her husband eats that like every other week, let alone the leftovers! And you know how Bonnie felt about that recipe based on his reactions? Apathy. Couldn't bring herself to care one way or another."

"W-Wait, what, I- ...oh. Ah shit, Clover..." Finally, I'm getting through to her... if that returning tension is any indicator, along with her ears slowly taking a wide, flattened pose, she's catching up quick.

"I dunno if his taste buds are defective or if he's just that dense about actually TELLING her how good it is, but we're effectively trying to use a plain-ass gun to break through several feet of steel, ya know, about as thick as his damn skull."

"C-Clover, I... what do we do, then? Bone's working hard at this, she's expecting it to go well, a-and I... I don't wanna see her hurt like that again. I wouldn't even be able to blame it on the booze this time, she'd j-just be... and all I'm doin' is...!" ...no. I won't let that happen if I can help it. I'll do anything to keep her from breaking again. First, though... the quivering figure in front of me needs that support, too.

"Hey, Ky. Listen to me." I place one hand on her shoulder, applying a reassuring grip, and take her hand in my other one. She freezes for a second, but soon I've got her untensing a bit and looking up at me.

"I swear to you, I'll do everything I can to help her with this. I... I know I can't do much about what response she'll get from Penn, but if anything happens? She's got us to turn to. You can be sure of that, and I'll let you know if something comes up. That work for you, Ky?" I can feel her breathing slowing down again. There you go, charmer... she's gonna be fine. You will be, too. Neither of you are gonna break on my watch, never again. I promise.

"O-Okay... okay, Clover. That'll do. That'll do great."

"Good. Let's get back before she gets to the important part. I'm supposed to be helping her double-check her temperature timings."

"Heh, then quit shirkin' your assistant duties and get going, dummy!" Right... right. We'll get this done. We'll do everything we can with what we've got, and in record time. With that settled, Ky and I walk back through the living room to reach the kitchen where our excitable, fluffy confectioner awaits our assistance as the thermometer begins its steady climb. She's even all excited to see us back in time.

Pure, untainted optimism is all I see in those sparkling blue eyes right now, and I can't help but feel it's my duty to keep it flowing, unending forevermore.