Secret Ingredient: Red Food Dye

The season had begun to change and with it came with wistfulness of Vilhelm’s mood as the missing of his found family settled into his chest. With a small sigh he mixed himself up a sweetened white tea dripping a single drop of red food dye in to color it to his liking. Taking a small sip he stared at his stove, remembering all the little recipes he’s learned to satiate his “sister’s” sweet-tooth. Smiling a bit he set down his tea, "Well, she might still be off with Sensei, but that doesn't mean I can't bake it for myself."

So he pulled out a large bound book and flipped to the section marked "Holidays". It took me a while to decide which recipe he'd be baking, and he was almost done with his cup of tea by the time he'd chosen. 

Most of his ingredients were in his dry pantry so luckily he didn't have to go far for them. However, he did end up having to take a few trips since about half of the items were rather heavy: all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, cocoa powder, vegetable oil, and vinegar. His final trip back was for his vanilla extract, but when he arrived at the normal spot for it, he was not greeted by the vial that he habitually bought at the local grocer. Instead a bottle of Vodka with the label covered by snake-scale patterned duct tape and a small note tied around its neck stood in the vial’s place. 

To my dearest Vil to flavor the holiday

With warmth and laughter and love. 

Forever, Your Mentor

Smiling softly at the quiet love prevalent in the family that had been brought together around  him, Vilhelm shook his head. He’d have to thank his mentor when he next saw him, maybe even give him one of his rare hugs. So he plucked up the large bottle and carried it with him back into the kitchen. Arranging it all only took a short time, especially once he had grabbed the milk out of his fridge. All that was left was his piece-de-resistance, His secret ingredient for everything… 

A small discreet cabinet nestled into the countertop was his next go to. Popping it open, Vilhelm reached in and instead of his hand closing around the handle of a jug as he expected it closed around nothin. His brows furled in confusion as his hand continued to search for its target. It opened, closed, opened, and closed again and again in a futile attempt to find it. With his frustration growing, he crouched down to stare into the obviously empty cabinet, his veins feeling just a touch too warm. But before he could lose his temper beyond uttering a very un-bunlike growl of displeasure, a little chirp came from behind him. Whipping his head around toward the noise, he saw Courtney - his little string bound albino Chirop - perched on the rim of his kitchen trash can. 

So he composed himself and stood straightening his clothes. There may not be anyone to see him; but that didn’t mean he had to let himself be a mess. Sure enough, inside the trash can there it lay.. An empty jug simply labeled “Red Food Dye”. He must have drained the last of it during his All-Sinner’s Day Binge.. Damn.

Well then. None of this would be quite worthwhile (or in his opinion edible) if he didn’t have that. So with a sigh, he nodded to himself and put the milk back where it belonged. Looks like he was going to Bun-Mart.. He whistled for Courtney and as always she dutifully followed.

Bun-Mart was crowded as always,and Vilhelm hated it. Navigating the crowded isles to find where his precious jug of red food dye was was a nightmare. Especially so since once more everything had been rearranged  between the last time he had come in and now. It took him quite a bit of time to find it, and by the time he had Courtney was tangling him up in her red string for comfort much like a safety blanket. But eventually he did find it. Sighing with relief, Vil let himself just breathe for a moment - the end was in sight. Scratching lightly behind Courtney’s ears, he thanked her for her support. 

After his small moment of peace, VIlhelm reached out and pulled the jug off the shelf. Immediately, it unbalanced him, nearly sending him onto his butt. Quick on her little tappers, Courtney wrapped her string around the jug as well and pulled up to balance him, her wings flapping wildly. Huffing with exertion, he slowly but surely made his way up to the register. 

Upon arrival he set it down and skillfully dodged the small talk. Having now escaped the store, Vilhelm made sure to not take any detours since a beeline right back home was safest for him in this condition. And the moment he shut the door he leaned back against it shutting his eyes. Burrowgatory that was such a long trip.. Now all he wanted was to curl up with a book and forget it ever happened. He was about to do just that and leave the just where it lay when Courtney chipped once more and tugged on his ear with her little claws. 

Waving her away tiredly, he grumbled, “Okay, okay… Just as bad as Sensei is what you are..” And put it away he did, but that was definitely the last productive thing he was doing that day. Baking could wait until tomorrow.