Bitter Sweet [Lucretia; RRP]

There is something to be desired here.... Tired thoughts wafted through a tired mind, lazily - truly in the same way as the...stench of freshly-baked "cookies" drifted in the air. Yes...there was indeed something to be desired, thought the raven-haired fae. Art forms, it seemed, did not mold so easily from one to the other; while he could certainly try his hand at painting, the worst that would come of it was a canvas covered in a...rather unusual display of creativity. Should he try his hand at clay-crafting...again it would simply be a unique, if unpracticed, art. But, the culinary arts...it truly was criminal, to be so wasteful of ingredients. Art for art's sake was not the same as art for want's sake, or art for an individual's sake. This small disaster was both of the latter.

Baking...it had seemed like a good idea, today being the momentous day that celebrated his first successful publishing. Almost the hundred-fiftieth anniversary, actually. He, of course, felt it necessary to celebrate in some way. He usually spent this day with the rest of his family, but...well, his current predicament was preventing that scnario. Poorly-baked goods were not what one brought to a dinner party. And certainly not as the host. Charles sighed, looking at the mess he had created with his inexperience. "And here she made it look so easy." he thought, recalling his mother's wondrous baking talent. A talent he apparently did not inherit.

Still, it would be wrong to waste them. Carefully picking through the cookies and tossing only the completely blackened ones, he carefully boxed up the remaining ones and took them outside. Here in Asgard there was much one could do...it was quite well known for being a place of social gathering. Here, he was sure to find someone who would have use of....a few decent cookies. He walked out into the bustle of the crowd, but quickly found himself getting nowhere. He frowned, looking about with his collection carefully cradled in the crux of his arm. How exactly was he to catch someone's attention? Yelling was not in his nature...the act of raising his voice simply went against his very personage. No, he would be polite, as always.

He wasn't far now from the bakery; he could see the finely welcoming sign overhead, and with that intricate lettering came an idea. If he was to go anywhere to give away his cookies, and to find something to have for his event, that would be the perfect place to start. Stepping away from the crowd once more, Charles eased into the building and almost instantly was met with the delectable aroma of sweetness. He looked around, smiling as he observed the many wondrous goods that these people had baked. It was a true marvel; certainly it was no wonder his mother chose to work here. This, though, was her time off -- right now, she was probably preparing her own dish to bring to his home.

That thought eased Charles to hurry and finish what he had come to do. Placing the boxed "cookies" on a table to the far left of the building, he clapped his hands together a few times, generating a loud enough sound that might catch the attention of others in the store. At least in this smaller space, he did not need to raise his voice too much to speak. Smiling, he did his best to sound refined while discussing his failed treats - a rather difficult task.

"Before you now is a man who blundered. I sought to practice the art of baking, and found myself quickly overwhelmed with its complexity. As such, the...result of my experiment is not suitable for the purpose they were to serve. Not all were poor in quality, however, and so I felt it would be in bad taste to throw them away. So, they are yours to try. While I'm sure these are not nearly as delicious as the wonderful things baked here, they are also free of charge. You may take to your heart's content."

Charles smiled, clasping his hands in a dignified manner while fighting the mild tinge of pink embarrassment that fought to lighten his cheeks. At least he was engaging in generosity to the people...that, if nothing else, could make this event feel somewhat better.