The hand mirrors proved to be popular as well and soon, Lion became busy again.
I kept myself busy, designing new things during my free time at my room though sometimes I do it in Lion's workshop. He gave me a desk and a chair to use and nuzzled me every now and then. He craved attention whenever I got myself too absorbed in designing so I sometimes embrace him behind his back and he always looks cheerful whenever I do that.
I am now aware that he loves physical touch, that whenever I didn't give him enough attention, his tail would caress my face, gently reminding me.
One night, as I was doing designs in my room since Lion is busy this time with his regular work, I suddenly remembered that I haven't made condiments with Ghost yet. So I went to the garden to pick up all kinds of fruits, caressing Pinky on the branches as he is getting quite tall and a bit lethargic lately. Lion explained to me that Pinky is almost maturing and it is normal for them to be lethargic as maturing takes a toll on their energy. Pinky's stay in my room when I sleep decreased lately as he stays in the garden to gather enough sunlight and moonlight, needed for his maturing.
Since I wasn't used to sleeping on my own, most of the nights that Pinky is not with me, I spent it in sleeping inside Lion's workshop while he works. He gave me a cloudlike bed for me to sleep and sometimes when I'm half awake, I can feel him dozing beside me.
....
After telling Pinky goodbye, I headed to the room that is supposed to be our kitchen. I found Orm and Ghost sitting there, waiting for me.
I showed Orm one of my inventions, who looked interested, a machine that squeezes the fruit and collects the liquid underneath. You can put lots of fruits inside, making all sorts of combination. The best part is, it is not limited to fruits only. You can also add herbs and other kinds of edible vegetation too.
Ghost looked quite excited and nagged at Orm to hurry and materialize the design. He didn't need to since even Orm tried to pressured himself into thinking how to materialize the machine.
After a few minutes, Orm got an AH HA face and hurriedly used magic to materialize the machine.
Voila, we have it. Our new mixer-squeezer machine.
Orm left for a few minutes then came back, carrying a large sack in which all sorts of herbs and vegetation are inside.
Time to get started.
We had a few errors. To be exact, several errors in mixing flavors.
Orm, Ghost and I took turns going to the bathroom to puke our stomach out.
It was horrible.
Orm turned into a shade of green and took some time in the bathroom.
Ghost suddenly fainted after tasting one that had a weird smell.
I wobbled after tasting one certain metallic flavor in which Orm held me while I tried my best to close my eyes as the room looked like it was decorated with glitters.
We have a long way to go.
After several trial and error, we managed to make a few combinations that tasted similarly on what we have on earth.
We managed to make:
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Spice powder that became one of Orm's favorites.
Garlicky powder that Ghost kept on sneezing when he first smelled it.
Ketchup
Soy sauce
Vinegar
Mayonnaise that became Ghost and Orm's number one favorite condiment.
After that, Orm selected a few leaves that he told me that is edible and I touched it first before putting any condiment to see if it is good for cooking or for eating it raw.
The leaves are good enough for raw eating and I had a good idea on what to make.
After several minutes of making something, Orm and Ghost became impatient and I threatened them on not continuing whatever I'm making.
They became quiet and observed me with fascination.
I finally finished on what I made and showed them.
They looked at it with wonder and asked me what is it.
I grinned and told them it's kimchi.
They tasted it and soon it was all gone.
They loved it.
They wanted me to make more. So I did.
At the end, I made several HUGE jars of kimchi.
Sly came inside as I just finished making with the last jar of kimchi.
Good timing.
I told him to get several meat and he hurriedly took some meat from his room.
I showed Orm the frying pan I designed, along with some plates and he happily obliged, since he is curious in what I am about to do next.
Sly brought a LOT of meat which made both Orm and Ghost looked disgusted.
I turned on the stove and I remembered too late that I haven't made oil yet.
Good thing that the meat Sly brought had a lot of fat on it and soon, it began to sizzle on the frying pan. I put some salt and pepper and soon, everyone began to salivate at the smell.
Sly praised me with all sorts of nonsense compliments while Orm and Ghost began to look interested.
After the meat was cooked, I placed it on the plate, warning Sly that it is still too hot. He waited patiently while drooling at the smell.
Orm and Ghost became hungry again and soon devoured a jar of kimchi each.
Lion suddenly appeared and glanced at everyone, who seemed too preoccupied with their food.
I gave Lion his share of meat, along with some kimchi and told him to try eat them together. After placing a small piece of each inside his mouth, he closed his mouth and begun to chew a little when suddenly he stopped, and he looked at me with amazement.
Soon, everyone was busy consuming everything and I had to cook another batch of fried meat since both Sly and Lion pleaded with me to make some more.
I happily obliged, enjoying this sort of "family" time.
While I was cooking, I suddenly had a moment of nostalgia. I remembered my time back on earth, cooking food for my parents and sister. I always wondered what happened to them. I wondered if they were looking for me.
I loved cooking a lot. I enjoyed it, never see it as a chore and maybe is a sort of love language from me.
I remembered the guys that I've dated when I'm younger, who never even thanked me whenever I cooked for them. They always eat everything, even asking seconds but never even offered to help me clean up or complimented my cooking.
I looked at my new "family" and I smiled at them, though I feel a little pain in my heart.
I pray that this peace and happiness will last longer.
I was mistaken.