Chapter 328: Chapter 328 - Anti-Eavesdrop Earpiece
An hour into the drive back to the city, the two of us had exhausted conversation. After a rest stop a bit after that - where I obtained a few comforting snacks I greatly needed because the people in that camp seemed to hate food - I told her I would sit in the back and nap for a bit if she did not mind.
"Go ahead. Oh, we really need to get you into a driving course though. Long trips are much easier if people can trade time on the pedals..."
When I rolled over so that my lips were not visible, I pulled the encrypted earpiece from my pocket and slipped it over one lobe. Honestly, compared to the frequency emitters it was infuriatingly *comfortable*. Like it was trying to get me to never take it off, even after a week of irregular use.
I did appreciate being able to make calls without the risk of anyone overhearing. But the fact that it extended not just to technological surveillance... but to people in my immediate area - or the driver in the same vehicle - made it just seem out of place when I used it.
The dialing noise when I picked a contact felt clear and strong - never too loud or too low. Even though pushing the volume buttons on the side of the phone don’t seem to actually *do* anything to the noise. A very curious piece of... not-magic and not-technology.
Martha’s chuckle came through before I even realized she had picked up.
"Oh, I thought I would be rid of your evening calls - once I told you this morning she went back to the city. Should have known better."
"I was calling about something else entirely, but greetings to you as well. Since you brought it up and I didn’t have time to listen before... how did she seem when she left?"
"Eager to get back to work. And to you, I suspect, though she didn’t say as much directly. Neither of you do."
"Yes, well. The reason I called... I was actually wondering if you might be willing to teach me some basic cooking."
Once or twice I’ve tried a few dishes by following recipes, but they did not come out quite as well as I would have hoped. Which is to say, only one of them was nearly edible to the tongue of a human.
I had to eat the others in my hybrid form. Something my wolf remembers as clearly as I do and whines, pleading with me to reconsider.
> Yes, I know, I said wasting food was bad. It’s not a waste if I can eventually perfect it though, right? Then I’m just paying down to my mastery! <
"Cooking lessons, is it? Well, that’s a very... practical skill worth learning. For yourself. What exactly are you trying to make that’s giving you trouble?"
Feeling the judgment and misunderstanding, I rub the bridge of my nose. The thing is, she isn’t actually wrong. I am indeed learning to cook for someone else, but mostly the thought to do so was for the child someday.
I absolutely do not have any intention of cooking for the CEO that can probably do it better than me because she grew up in this world as a human. Unless I find out she cannot cook at all, and then maybe I might do so... just to... smugly ask her if she can’t even do this much.
> But that feels like it could backfire if she is ’hustling’ me, so better to just avoid it altogether. <
"...Eggs, the last time. Between raw and completely overcooked, I cannot seem to locate the timing to take them off of the heat."
"How much heat?"
"...High? It’s quicker, the internet said..."
"Goddess help us. Yes, you’d better come by soon before you take even more incorrect advice from ’experts’ and poison yourself. What day can you make it so I can have things ready?"
I paused to consider my actual schedule before delivering an answer. Tomorrow, Mr. Morrison was finally clear to begin his installation on my shipping container... so I at least wanted to watch that in the morning.
Then perhaps research about the local cave systems that afternoon. I seem to recall that guidebook I picked up from the bookstore made mention of them. That would at least help me to design ’search terms’, especially if they have some fancy name like a lot of things in this world do.
"Hm. I might swing by within a few days, I’m sorry I can’t be clearer. But I’ll give a call to make sure you are available."
"Perfect. I’ll make sure to leave plenty of eggs on hand for your purchase and practice. And maybe we’ll get to the point of showing you how to bake a- wait. You bought a whole chicken from me that time, so what exactly did- you know what? Nevermind. Don’t tell me."
"If you want to see how I ate it, I might show you. It was still tasty."
"Not interested in the slightest, thank you very much."
"Then that’s all I’ll say. Thank you in advance."
I ended the call and removed the earpiece in a hurry, before the urge to call anyone else could take over. Just like it did this morning when I knew she was heading back. And I sat staring distracted at my phone while some of the staff were waiting on me...
"Everything alright back there?"
The seamstress held a note of curiosity in her voice. I’d been quiet long enough that she probably thought I’d fallen asleep with the screen on. I rolled over and waved my silver colored device.
"Fine. Just making some arrangements."
"Ah. Hot date planned?"
The teasing made me roll my eyes, though she likely couldn’t see it from her position. Any chance they get, these people that ’know’ - or think they do - try to make more of my situation with Kyrie than is actually... there.
> However, she is not wrong if we look at a date as a planned meeting and the heat as the cooking surface of the skillet... <
"Going out tonight when we get back to Vossden?"
"Quite the opposite. After three days surrounded by people and their... ’glamping’ that still drew complaints from oversensitive personalities, I’m looking forward to being completely alone in my apartment tonight."
She chuckled and turned on the radio, apparently taking the hint that I wasn’t in the mood for more questions. But she did get me thinking about my plans. The moon would be full tonight and the weather is clear.
> Perfectly round and bright against the autumn sky, for the last time. <
As the next one will be when winter begins in this world. After everything begins - by cycles probably ending.