ㅤㅤtruth be told, despite her zealous and dainty nature, the outrider wasn’t a good cook. he learned that in the worst possible ways—yes, plural. at first, aether didn’t understand why lisa and kaeya were so quick to dart out whenever amber offered to cook during their early expeditions—but now? let’s just say he got far too used to eating undercooked or burnt pieces of steak. well, at least they always had a pretty toothpick with a bow on top. if cooking competitions offered prizes for persistence and dedication, amber would surely be an easy nominee. aether admired that in her, ever the golden-hearted champion she was.
ㅤㅤbut the steak in front of him was something else. barely grilled, grey-looking, it made an uncomfortable noise when poked by his cautious fork. dryly laughing, he peeked at amber, then focused back on his plate. oh, this was bad. very, very bad. “ n-no, not at all! ” he wasn’t sure if he was saying that as a response to her proposition, or as a lie to himself; perhaps both. “ i’m sure it must taste better than it looks. ” or at least aether hoped so. it couldn’t be the worst meal in the entire universe, right? right?
ㅤㅤbefore either amber or his inner voice could protest any further, he gulped down the steak with one swift bite. a cold sweat was seen slowly running down on the side of his forehead as an amicable expression froze in a nervous smile. “ y-yum…! ”
𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐍'𝐓 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐋 at this rate she’d end up being the downfall of the Traveller. Amber doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He was always so nice to her... even trying to stomach the food she’d made for him.
❝ No really, you shouldn’t-! ❞ Embarrassed, && more then concerned, she can only watch in horror as he forcibly gulps down the food. Was... he going to be okay? For awhile she watches him intensely, fists by her chest and a nervous expression on full display. Was it eatable? Oh, of course it wasn’t! She knows that better then anyone else.
❝ Oh what have I done! Aether, please, please don’t make yourself sick, or worse! I won’t be offended, I promise! ❞ What would be truly humiliating was having to take the Traveller’s cold, sweating and unconscious body to Jean in a panic, and just pray that Barbara was around.
❝ T-This is really bad! H... how are you feeling? ❞
