Two pups, two muns

[cook_the_rude]

Today, Dr. Hannibal Lecter and a ten-year-old redhead known to be a younger version of Milliways' favourite baker are busy in the kitchen, making ice cream.

It's a slightly unusual kind, and involves grinding up gingerbread.

Comments

[sunbaked_baker]

"It's one way," the little girl beams at seeing the fairy king. There are many ways to drive back winter and assure the dawning of a brighter year - and she knows a number of them. Some involve trees, and cold, and sacrifice. Others involve family and friends, and food, and gathered warmth. And this is one of the latter.

"Dr. Lecter, Finvarra and I know each other. We danced, when I was little, and I got to meet his horse, Midnight, and even ride him once."

A big deal, to the city girl for whom that one encounter encompasses her entire experience being around a horse.

[sidhe_king]

"Indeed we do know each other quite well," he replies, bending his neck to nod to her, smiling. He doesn't mind the solemnity of other ceremonies himself; being out alone, in the trees and darkness and frosty air, warms him just as much as the company of friends. It's his love of half-shadow.

"A happy solstice to you both. Though if you'd like I can whistle for you."

[cook_the_rude]

"I am sure it would be inspiring to hear you whistling," Hannibal says. "But you can simply try some ice cream if you like."

[sunbaked_baker]

"Happy solstice to you, Finvarra," Rae smiles, sincere, and offers the king a curtsey that echoes the one a smaller Rae once gave him, wearing a fine dress instead of a too-big apron over her t-shirt and jeans. "Come try the ice cream with us - it's gingerbread ice-cream."

[sidhe_king]

"Gingerbread, you say?" he asks with a tiny smile for her, and one no less genuine but more crooked for Hannibal. "I'd like to try it if you're of the mind to share, my dear."

[cook_the_rude]

"We cooks always like to share," Hannibal says. "It'll be better when it's frozen, but it already tastes nice."

[sunbaked_baker]

"Especially with friends," she adds, smiling.

"About how long does it take to freeze properly?"

[sidhe_king]

"Well then," Finvarra agrees. "It would be my pleasure when it's frozen. In the meantime..."

He turns his hand, and nestled in the cup of his palm is a smallish fairy cake, decorated with pale green icing and a white snowdrop. "Will you oblige me?" Technically, he made it.

[cook_the_rude]

"We will be honoured and glad to," Dr. Lecter says.

[sunbaked_baker]

"Yes! Thank you, Finvarra!"The girl beams at the fairy king, delighted. "It's so pretty."

Formality is somewhere lower than friendship in the little girl's priorities, so when she steps around the kitchen table to accept the gift, the king of the fair folk may also receive an impulsive hug.