RP for rattle_thecages - A moment of peace

[apennyworth]

Alfred has gathered an assortment of ingredients in the rather small kitchen...though, honestly, any kitchen seems quite small to Alfred in comparison to the one he has been accustomed to. Rachel Dawes will be down shortly and Alfred is pleased to be spending time with her. There has been much sorrow of late. Now seems an appropriate time to

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[rattle_thecages]

Rachel Dawes considers the kitchen the perfect size, not that she finds herself there often. Then again, there isn't much she doesn't like about her new place.

Alfred would like to teach her a thing or two in the kitchen. Last time he was brave in his attempt, he was not very successful. However, Rachel likes pleasing Alfred.

Rachel will not be well pleased if she burns anything this time. She's prosecuted mobsters for a living. She can bake something without burning it, for crying out loud.

Her face is set into a determined frown as she makes her way over to him. "All right. Let's do this."

[apennyworth]

Alfred manages to not laugh through years of practice once he sees the expression on her face. "Rachel, my dear." With a very kind smile, he holds the apron out to her. "We are not marching into battle. We are simply making a pie."

He does realize, of course, that Rachel has had...difficulties in the kitchen, before. He is certain, however, that they can produce something entirely edible.

If not, there is a fire extinguisher beneath the kitchen sink. The expiration date has been checked and double-checked.

"Shall we begin?"

[rattle_thecages]

"It might as well be the same thing," Rachel mutters darkly, despite the fact she ends up smiling at him as she takes the apron he holds out and slips it on.

No, Rachel does not like the fact there is something in this world she does not excel at. Overachiever? What on earth would make you believe such a thing?

She rolls the sleeves of her crisp white shirt up to her elbows, giving him a firm little nod. "Ready when you are."

A beat. "We aren't going to make a lemon pie again, are we? The lemon pie and I did not get along very well."

She has no idea there is a fire extinguisher beneath the kitchen sink. While she appreciates precautions, it is best she does not know this.

[apennyworth]

A lemon pie? Oh...no. No.

"We shall be creating an apple pie." Alfred Pennyworth has never seen an apple pie be ruined with him in the kitchen. Today is not a day to break the record...he hopes.

There is a bowl of beautiful green apples on the counter and Alfred moves them down toward Rachel. "We shall create a lovely pie crust and then peel these apples and mix them, and it will be wonderful." The boost of confidence is, perhaps, intended for himself as much as Rachel.

This fire extinguisher will remain a secret.

Hoping to distract her from what she seems to feel is imminent disaster, he asks, "How is your Robin doing, my dear?" Flour is placed in front of her almost as an afterthought.

[rattle_thecages]

Rachel is also meticulous in her mixture of the butter. She does add in a bit more, however, because what's the harm in a little more butter? It would only make it taste better, yes?

Yes.

"You already know about angels and demons, and how they differ from how we know them to be in our own world. There are also those who possess the ability to give others bouts of inspiration simply by being in their presence. Robin was near a muse at the park that day and, well. Yes. The rest is history."

Moving along now.

It is likely Alfred should have mentioned it, yes. As such, Rachel does not mix them before adding the ingredients.

"Now that seems like a lifetime ago. Mother had a long talk with me after she found that letter for herself," Rachel says, and there is only amusement in her voice. She is determined to remember everything with as little sadness as possible.

[apennyworth]

Alfred, to his credit, does not wince upon seeing the additional butter added....or that the wet ingredients are not mixed prior to their addition.

He does not wince, though he does toss a bit more flour onto the counter for rolling out the dough. He is hoping it will help a bit, though he is not holding his breath.

"I imagine she did," Alfred says with a smile. He briefly considers asking Rachel to begin peeling the apple, but realizes she should keep all of her fingers. That would be best, most certainly.

Placing the rolled dough atop the pie tin, he motions to her. "If you would mold that to the pan, I will begin preparing the apples." No tears now! The dough is lovely...and rather thin. For some reason, it is rather...gooey, even with the addition of the extra flour.

Alfred is not a man to waste time. "Have you and your young man discussed marriage, my dear?"

[rattle_thecages]

Rachel does not notice anything amiss, Alfred. It is quite alright. She hums to herself absently as he tosses in more flour.

Rachel has no idea why he'd do such a thing, but who is she to question the culinary expertise of Alfred Pennyworth?

She's picked up the bowl of apples to hand over to him before she molds the crust to the pan when he asks that question. Rachel immediately drops the bowl, apples scattering at her feet.

Rachel inwardly flails. Who would have thought she could feel awkward?

"Alfred!"

[apennyworth]

Alfred gracefully bends his knees and lowers himself to pick up the apples. He is glad she was not holding the pie tin.

"Hmm?" Alfred replays his question, finding nothing truly amiss. Perhaps, they have not discussed it yet, however. After thinking a moment or two, Alfred decides perhaps it was not the right time to inquire. "I am sorry, my dear. I simply wondered."

As he raises himself up, armful of apples, he smiles apologetically at her. Going over to the sink, Alfred meticulously washes each and every apple before beginning to peel them. "Is it a question I should refrain from asking? I will certainly do so, with profound apologies."

[rattle_thecages]

"Having you in our lives is more than enough for trying," Rachel says quietly, leaning her head on his shoulder briefly.

She sits on the counter as they wait for the pie to bake.

"It will be a good Christmas. I have a feeling," she says with the determination she used when first walked into the kitchen.

[apennyworth]

Alfred smiles and pats her shoulder gently.

At her determined statement, he nods in agreement. "It will be a very good Christmas."

It will be. He is certain of it. He has already gathered the majority of his presents together, and though he will not tell Rachel, yet...he knows she will understand both the meaning and level of acceptance behind his giving her young man a small leather book, filled with his secret coffee recipes.

Alfred Pennyworth is an honest man, and a trusting one. However, he does not give any secrets lightly.

[rattle_thecages]

Rachel's smile widens a fraction when he agrees with her. The fact that he doesn't lose hope is genuinely what helps her keep her own.

"I might even have your present already," she says with that twinkle he was exhibiting just moments ago.

The oven dings, and Rachel turns to it before looking back at Alfred.

Time to face the music.

[apennyworth]

Alfred is curious about the present! She need not have gotten him, anything, of course. He knew she would, however, and...he is curious.

He has little time to think about this, however, as the oven has dinged.

Covering his hands with oven mitts, he carefully removes the pie.

It...looks rather splendid from the top. The sides have spilled over a bit, but no matter. Alfred is certain it will be palatable. It is not burned.

"It looks wonderful, my dear."