A Most Delightful Dessert

[FAUNA ROGERS]

Fauna had finaly found her calling. Sure, she'd said that before. She'd said it about just about every job she'd ever held, in fact, but this time it was different. She just KNEW that she had finally found the one thing that she was meant to do (besides finding her beautiful baby Aurora and destroying, disintegrating and otherwise devastating any and all persons who had kept her away for so long). now, for the first time in her life, she knew that she was meant to bake. And to teach others to bake. She would share her baking skills with the youth of the world, and thus a new generation of bakers would rise and take control of the world, and lo, war would be put to an end, and all unpleasantness would be soved because all anyone would want to do would be make brownies and other assorted delectables.

Twirling throughout the room, Fauna just couldn't wait for the first class of the day to begin. She was going to show those students what it truly meant to be a baker! She was every so happy that the poor other teacher had been out sick. Now she knew that as long as she wanted to keep this job she'd have to make sure he stayed that way. Besides, baking wasn't a job for a MAN. Men were always trying to make things into wars and battles and disgusting shows of violence. She simply couldn't allow these young, impressionable minds be molded into thinking that the fine art of baking was meant to be so violent and harmful. It was her DUTY to make sure that they learned the true way of the baker, so they could carry on its peaceful traditions.

Fauna paused for a moment to admire herself in the reflection of one of the large, shiny mixing bowls. Oh yes. Just look at that apron! And those earrings! This was what she was meant to do. And with an army of bakers at her side, there was no denying that the forces of evil would tremble in their boots.

Her moment of vanity was interrupted by the ringing of the first bell. Squealing with joy, Fauna grabbed her whisk and ran to the front of the room, waiting for her first students to arrive. Oh, what fun they would have today!

outfit;; oh lookie

[sleepingprince]

He’d never really wanted to take Home Economics. Then again, he’d never really wanted to take Physics, either, but science was required. Credits were credits, he supposed, although Physics made a hell of a lot more sense as a science credit than Home Ec. did as a Social Studies on. Still, there was no way he was ever getting caught dead in an AP US class. No way, no how. He’d rather bake.

God, he hoped he wouldn’t have to wear an apron. With his luck, he would, and not only that, but there’d be some sort of tour or interview or something involving picture-taking in Home Ec. and he’d end up on the front page of the school newspaper wearing something pink and frilly and covered in flour. Needless to say, it’d be a recipe (pun intended) for disaster. Still, the thought hadn’t made him drop the class. Anything was better than AP US. Anything.

Adam, it seemed, was one of the first few students to enter the classroom, as it was virtually empty save two girls he didn’t recognize, a boy from his Chemistry class last year, and—he had to do a double take, thinking for a moment he must have accidentally inhaled some sort of hallucinatory drug on the walk over here. Upon blinking several times, however, the woman in the pink apron stubbornly refused to vanish. Where the hell was Mr. Smith? Wonderfully funny, albeit slightly potbellied, horrible pun-making Mr. Smith? And who the hell was this woman, waving her whisk about with that almost manic smile and ginger hair? For a brief moment, Adam’s eyes subconsciously narrowed. He then proceeded to ask a question whose answer was far more obvious than he could have foretold when merely thinking it up.

“Are you the sub?” Well, no duh, Sherlock. Not even Elaine Masterson dressed that oddly, and she was practically the Luna Lovegood of the junior class. Still, he offered the really-not-so-mysterious woman a smile as he set his backpack on the floor of an empty counter towards the back of the room. If he was polite and sat in the back, chances were he’d be able to get his Trig homework finished. Who knew, maybe he’d even get a partner willing to do all the actual baking. If he was lucky, he’d leave this classroom flour and sugar free.

[KYLIE JACOBS]

Home Economics had been her best choice yet. Never mind that most people seemed to think it was an easy a. That wasn’t what mattered to her. What did matter was that this was just another creative outlet for her to try. She sang and danced, she was trying painting, knitting had been a bust, and now she was testing out cooking. Cooking! Oh, how fun. Kylie was looking forward to this class even more than she looked forward to ballet and that was saying something. She’d planned on getting there early. They had a sub today (she’d been eavesdropping, so what?) and she always wanted to make a good impression, permanent teacher or not.

Unfortunately, she’d forgotten one of her books in her last class so she’d had to run back for that. So, instead of being early, she’d be on time. Which was… fine; it just wasn’t the same. A bit frazzled from rushing around, she did her best to fix her hair and straighten her top before entering the classroom. Good impression, good impression, good impression. The bell had rung about a minute ago so she was doing fine on time, thank goodness. Kylie had absolutely no idea who the teacher was. She’d never heard of F. Rogers and she’d neglected to do her research. She liked doing her research on teachers. It prepared her for what was to come.

However, upon entering the classroom (which was empty mostly save for a few students who had probably been early like she would’ve liked to be), Kylie could already tell she’d like this teacher. The dress was pink (one of Kylie’s favorite colors) and the apron was too cute and Miss Rogers looked just as excited to be teaching as Kylie was to be learning. Kylie loved when substitute teachers looked forward to their jobs. She almost skipped towards the teacher, and without a second thought, she gushed, “I love your earrings! They are too cute.” All smiles, she waited just a moment before leaving to find a seat.

Seats were ever-changing. There were two girls who were always partners, one boy she didn’t recognize, and another… Oh! She somehow always managed to forget the classes she had with Adam. They’d never worked together in Home Ec (mostly because she felt bad for constantly being his partner in English; he was probably sick of her) but she decided today would be different. Joining him at a table at the back of the room, Kylie settled comfortably in a seat. “Hello,” she said sounding almost too happy. “Class should be interesting today, don’t you think?”

outfit

[FAUNA ROGERS]

Fauna had to admit, thus far she was rather disappointed. This was OT the classroom teeming with students that she had imagined. She'd figured that the room would be PACKED iwht students waiting to learn the ways of the baker. To learn the arcane science behind cracking eggs and measuring out exact quantities of flour and such. This pathetic handful of losers was simply not enough to being a new world order or even supply an army. She felt a shattering level of disenchanting despair. She simply didn't know what to do now! Had they sent her losers when she'd asked for hopeful deputees? How could she ever make bakers out of them? They would NEVER be swift as the egg beater. They would NEVER have all the force of a great oven!

Fauna was utterly lost in thought. She completely missed that pathetic boy's question. Even if she HAD heard she most likely wouldn't have had the heart to answer him. It was hard enough having to look at these sniveling mongrels, thinking of what could have been, what SHOULD have been. She DESERVED to have a group of young people to take over the world and share with the rest of humanity the divine magic of baked goods. This was.... this was all wrong. She was sure that she was about to start crying any moment.

“I love your earrings! They are too cute.”

Fauna looked up, hand flying to her ear reflexively as a huge grin spread across her mouth. There was hope! This spunky young girl with FABULOUS taste would help her! She COULD run this class! She would fight against the odds and teach these cultureless blobs what it meant to be a TRUE home economist!

"THANK YOU! You know, it's ridiculous how hard it is to find nice earrings nowadays, isn't it?" Fauna giggled stupidly, baring her teeth. With renewed strength, Fauna faced the class, which truly was pathetically small.

"Alright girls!" Fauna cried, paying no heed to the pathetic, masculine mutts that had dared enter her class. She figured that if she just ignored them they would take their violent, manly monstrosity and leave. Fauna only wanted the BEST in her new cooking world order. "Now, I know I'm not your usual teacher, but I'm going to try my best to teach you all today! Now, I was left a note saying that you'd only gotten up to making trail mix, but today we'll be moving right on to cupcakes, because, sweeties, let's be honest. What would you rather have? Cupcakes or trail mix? THE ANSWER IS CUPCAKES. OBVIOUSLY!" Fauna slammed the whisk down on her desk for emphasis as she burst out laughing again.

Waving the whisk in a shooing motion at the students, Fauna cried "Alright, sweeties! Go ahead! Just make up the recipes as you go along! Baking should come naturally to those who are destined for it! directions only bog you down! Don't be afraid to experiment!"

[sleepingprince]

Even if the teacher had answered his question, Adam probably would have payed the response no heed. Her position as a substitute was obvious enough. Head down, he was just beginning to gather together his math supplies from the seemingly bottomless corners of his backpack when he heard an oddly familiar voice. Or, perhaps not so odd. It would make sense that he'd recognize Kylie, after all; they were always partners in English class, and god knew she liked to talk. Not that he minded, really. She had a nice voice. Nice...skin. That sort of thing.

Even so, he couldn't help but roll his eyes slightly upon hearing exactly what she'd said to Miss Whats-her-name. Suck up. Although only she would be able to make it sound that genuine. But really, who noticed earrings, of all things? And from that far away? She had to have eyes of a hawk. That or she was a terrific liar. Honestly, neither would have much surprised him.

What did catch him off guard, however, was where Miss Jacobs chose to take her seat. Bent back over in his efforts to once again locate the ever-elusive math textbook, Adam assumed that the girl (it had to be a girl, for no boy he'd ever met had legs that nice, as much as he'd ever deny looking) was either new or oblivious. Once he heard her voice again, however, it became apparent that his partner for the day was only one of the above.

Offering the girl a small shrug, Adam smiled, making a spur-of-the-moment decision not to work on those cosine graphs after all.

"Yeah, I guess so..." before he could finish that utterly profound thought, however, their new teacher began speaking. She looked...manic. There really wasn't another way to describe it. For a good thirty seconds Adam merely stood, stunned, offering the woman at the front of the room nothing more than a few glassy-eyed blinks before realizing she was completely serious. Never mind the fact that he'd take a good cupcake over trail mix any day; this woman, whoever she was, was clearly insane.

Slowly, Adam turned his head to face Kylie, momentarily at a loss for words as his expression shifted to one that could be described as very close to helpless. Never mind the fact that he'd made cupcakes before--growing up as he had, the kitchen wasn't exactly a land of mystery--baking was not, and never had been, his "destiny." Unable to help himself, he laughed, quickly stifling the noise into something resembling a snort and praying their obviously insane substitute hadn't heard. "So, Kylie Jacobs," he picked up the wooden spoon resting on the table with a challenging sort of grin, give it a quick flip and caught it, brows raised. "You think you've got what it takes to become Baum's best baker? Or should we phone a friend?"

Personally, he was all for the latter, if only so they didn't blow themselves up. But whatever she wanted, really. She was a girl. Chances were she'd whip something up.

[KYLIE JACOBS]

It always made Kylie’s day that much better knowing she’d brightened somebody else’s. It had been clear on the substitute’s teacher that she was a bit stressed; Kylie knew the about-to-cry look and Miss Rogers had been wearing it. So, Kylie felt that much better about her already sincere comment. (And she didn’t quite know how hard it was to find earrings as her ears weren’t pierced in the first place, but anyway!) Kylie loved Home Economics so she was usually ready for anything. It would be different, without a doubt, working with Adam today. She’d never paid him much mind in this class because she usually was quite focused otherwise. It’d be interesting to see how he was with baking.

Before he could even reply to her, Miss Rogers had started talking. Not just that, though, she seemed to be full-out ranting. While the other students seemed stunned, Kylie was rather pleased. It was nice to see a teacher who was very into their work. Especially when said teacher was a sub. Substitutes hardly ever cared to do a good job. “Cupcakes!” Kylie exclaimed as quietly as she could, already bouncing on her feet with excitement. That was so much better than trail mix! (Which had been so boring, by the way). Kylie jumped, startled at the sound of the whisk banging against the counter. That was just a bit frightening.

… No recipes to follow? Kylie’s grin fell. That seemed a bit troublesome. Measuring flour without knowing how much they’d need was not her forte. Well, practice makes perfect. Turning to Adam, she exhaled heavily and then grinned. He seemed lost for words; in fact, he looked downright unsure. He picked up the wooden spoon and she watched as he flipped and then caught it. Kylie laughed a bit; that took hand-eye coordination she’d never have. “Oh, I definitely have what it takes.” She almost rolled her eyes but instead she looked at him as if to say don’t underestimate me.

Kylie tugged on a strand of hair, a nervous habit, and eyed the set out ingredients warily. “Just... okay, it might be a bit difficult having to guess how much we’ll need of what.”

[FAUNA ROGERS]

Fauna felt like a queen. She was ruler of all she surveyed. From the great, shining mixing bowls to the infernal ovens which burned with the intensity of ten thousand volcanoes, Fauna commanded all with undisputed power. She watched from her position on high, like a wise and just goddess scrutinizing her creations as they bustled about, cooking with intense glee. Or at least, that was what they OUGHT to be doing.

It turned out that her minions of the Secret, Most High Order of Bakers were not the bustling kind. It also seemed that they were not the particularly enthusiastic or excited or even really WORKING kind.

This was a most unfortunate and unforeseen development.

Fauna didn't know what was wrong! Were they broken? Did they need batteries? Fauna had found batteries to be a most annoying development of this supposedly "modern and more advanced" age. She had been perfectly fine without the little capsules of hellfire in her cottage in the forest, but now it seemed like EVERYTHING needed them. Was that what was wrong? Perhaps she ought to give them offerings of batteries in order to appease them and get them to work. This was not going according to plan! They were supposed to be busily working and baking and making delightful treats!

Fauna wished she could be like Snow White and simply sing out to the animals of the forest so they could come and teach these lazy brats how it was done. She knew that the DEER and the BIRDS wouldn't just sit there staring blankly ahead instead of getting to work. The deer and birds and skunks and squirrels would even hum merrily while they worked! Why couldn't they poor, pathetic high school munchkins copy that work ethic?!

Fauna, as if a vengeful Seraphim descending from the heavens to divide the Lord's chosen people from those destined for the hellfires of pestilence and pain, began walking around the room, eyes wide with fear and confusion and pain. WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THEM? Why were they just sitting there?

Fauna spotted her delightful, perfect little protege, the one who had complimented her on her earrings. WHY HAD SHE NOT FINISHED THE CUPCAKES YET?! It seemed that she had not even begun to do the project! Fauna was horrified and disappointed and ashamed. She just knew it had something to do with that ugly, despicable hunk of meat that sat next to her. A boy. How hideous.

Fauna slammed her hands open palmed down on their work station. "HONEY BABY DUMPLINGKINS!" she cried in a slightly less than happy tone. It was more of a plea. A confused, shreikish plea that was calling out, BEGGING this girl to explain why she could have such wonderful taste in jewelry and yet not be busy at work. "Is it alright? Everything going well? Figured out what you're going to do yet? Need any help?"

[sleepingprince]

Adam couldn’t help but give himself a good metaphorical pat on the back for picking this table of all tables to sit down at. Never mind the fact that he’d had no idea Kylie was going to sit here, and even less of one as to what they were doing; he was brilliant, and that was all that mattered. And…so was she.

Unable to help himself, Adam choked back a small bit of laughter at her exclamation of excitement over exactly what they were making. Surely she’d made cupcakes before…right? She was a girl, after all. It sort of seemed like a female rite of passage, baking, but then, he was just an onlooker. Apparently she wasn’t worried; that was at least moderately reassuring.

“I’ll hold you to that,” he put the spoon back on the counter, reaching forward to pick up the bag of flour instead, staring at it in his hands as though it were some sort of magic lamp. Maybe if he stroked it three times, a recipe would appear, and they’d both be saved. Wouldn’t that be nice? Easy. Simple. Impossible.

Biting his lip slightly, Adam’s brow began to crease in what could only be described as worry. He set the flour back on the counter, instead reaching for the measuring cups; they appeared to be as void of supernatural instruction as the former. Sighing, he turned to look at Kylie before he spoke, tone taking on all the “sweet mother of God, we’re fucked” attitude he knew he couldn’t express in words here in a classroom. Or around Kylie, he had a feeling; she didn’t seem like the swearing type.

“Yeah, maybe a li—” not only was he cut off, but the words came out in far more of a whimper than he’d hoped.

Oh, good Lord. There she was. The Substitute from Hell, with earrings and apron to challenge Lucifer’s horns. He couldn’t help himself. Eyes wide, he jumped, more than started not only by just how loudly her palms slammed against their workstation, but just how similar her voice was to a roar, albeit a slightly screechy one. And then, as though in some sort of subconscious and horribly pathetic attempt to break the small bit of awkward silence that followed, he laughed. Tried to contain it behind something vaguely resembling a cough, but failed miserably and ended up simply pretending to be vastly interested in the measuring cups still resting nearest him on the counter.

It took a moment, but soon that too got boring, and Adam found himself unable to resist the urge to mumble something under his breath that came out far clearer than he’d meant it to. “Oh, I donno, some instructions would be nice…”

[KYLIE JACOBS]

Kylie was determined to make this work. She wasn’t a quitter and just because they didn’t have a recipe didn’t mean they couldn’t try. How hard could it be to measure by eye? Hadn’t she made enough cupcakes to know how much flour they’d need? (Apparently not). Kylie glanced at the bag of flour Adam had picked up, hoping maybe it’d have recipes on the back. Didn’t boxes of cake mix have creative ideas printed on the side? Why couldn’t the flour just give them a hint? Kylie pulled a hand through her hair, forgetting that long hair was supposed to be tied back. That was hardly her biggest worry right now.

Focusing on the task at hand, Kylie began to sort things to her liking. If she was going to wing this, she needed things to be just how she liked them. “Okay, practice makes perfect.” She muttered. Adam had started to say something and as Kylie hadn’t been looking up, she was that much more startled when Miss Rogers slammed her hands against the counter. Kylie jumped back, biting back a scream. No need to make a scene, really. For a moment, Kylie’s eyes were wide as saucers. It wasn’t until Adam had attempted disguising a laugh as a cough that she regained her bearings. Laughing at the teacher did not seem like a good idea.

Kylie nodded slowly, forcing a smile. Before she could say anything, Adam voiced what she’d been thinking. But if she had noticed the tone of his voice, surely Miss Rogers would. Kylie bit her lip, trying to figure out how she could fix this. The last thing she wanted was for her partner to get sent to the principal’s office for sass… or whatever. “Uhm, right.” Kylie started carefully, “it would just be easier if we had a recipe.” She smiled, hoping the substitute would understand.

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[FAUNA ROGERS]

Fauna blinked hesitantly, trying to remember the last time she'd cleaned her ears out. It was probably earlier that morning, but what if she'd forgotten from yesterday? What if there was a build-up of waxy grime that had managed to misconstrue the tone that boy had taken with her? That was the only logical reason, of course. There was no way, NO WAY, this young little pip of a boy had the brash gall to take that sort of a TONE with her. No. Way.

Fauna looked at the boy, blinking a few more times. he looked like just the sort she would have rooted out first when her minions took control of, first the city and then, the world. Young. Horny. Horrible hair stylings and utterly awful fashion sense. Yes, soon he would be one of the first to go. Fauna was certain that, while he made for a perfectly wretched human being, he would make for a perfectly delightful little teacup. Well, in the moment that he was one before it smashed into little porcelain smithereens.

Just the thought of it gave Fauna the strength to persevere through this trying time. She simply smiled at him, before looking back to nice-girl, making a mental note to merely ignore the boy and all his insolence.

"Oh, sweetheart-darling, Whatever would you want a recipe for? Recipe's don't encourage you to be creative! They don't encourage you to try new things! They STIFLE you! They make you do only what some MAN thought to put on a box! Trust me, baking isn't meant to come from some typed up directions. It's supposed to come from the heart"

Fauna nodded at the girl, grabbing a bowl and a bag of flour, dumping an uncertain amount into the bowl and illiciting a mushroom cloud of white powder flying up in the air around her. "See? This isn't so hard! You just do what feels right." Fauna was oh so excited by this. She was FINALLY able to teach a lesson to someone in need! Oh, how exciting!

She next reached for some eggs, tossing two or three in, not bothering to crack them. It was part of her personal mantra about baking. "Oh! Now here's a rather well-known misconception. Most people tell you to BREAK the eggs, but it's always been my saying that if you have to break something to bake it then you're doing it wrong! Baking is about CREATION, not DESTRUCTION!" Fauna let loose a high pitched peal of laughter, cracking herself up at her own wisdom.

Pouring in some milk and a bit of vegetable oil, Fauna whisked quickly, trying her best to ignore the crunching noises coming from the bowl as the eggs inevitably shattered. Oh well, better luck next time.

"Now, you pick sweetheart! Should we have Chocolate chips or raisins?" This would be the ultimate test, to see whether the girl was worthy to be Fauna's personal acolyte. If she chose correctly, she would win wisdom and fame beyond all imagination. If she chose INCORRECTLY she would be doomed to the fate of that hideous beast sitting next to her.

Fauna hoped she chose right.

[sleepingprince]

Oh no. He’d upset her, hadn’t he? Adam’s eyes didn’t leave the teacher standing before him, searching their way about her face for some sort of hint of what she was thinking. He found none. She wouldn’t snap and send him to the administrators’ though or anything, right? She better not. He needed a relatively clean record to stay on the team, and a referral mixed with his already only decent grades certainly wouldn’t bode well for his attempts to remain a starter. But she wouldn’t. She was just a substitute, after all. They didn’t have any real authority; in short, he didn’t even have reason to apologize.

She didn’t ask for one. Until she turned to look at Kylie, Adam hadn’t even been aware he’d been holding his breath. He exhaled slowly, tossing his partner a furtive look and a shrug, clearly glad to have made it out of that one fully intact. He had the slightest feeling that this woman wouldn’t hesitate to beat him to death with a whisk, were she given the opportunity and inclination.

Still, he’d never been good at keeping his mouth shut. Not when there was sarcasm to be thrown about. Being in an already rather ornery mood, Adam most definitely didn’t think twice before opening his mouth, although he at least had the good idea of pretending to stare at the sugar, which he’d pulled towards him for just this purpose. “I just wish we could bake a cake out of rainbows and butterflies, cooked with the love of a thousand ages…” he mumbled in a mocking, high pitched voice, pulling absentmindedly at the clip keeping the bag shut.

So, maybe he was being a bit rude. But honestly? Baking without a recipe? Who the hell did she think they were? Before he could add any more to his mumbled, sarcastic little rant (and really, he was coming up with quite a bit of good material), however, he found himself suddenly enveloped in what could only be described as the Home Ec. equivalent of an atomic mushroom cloud. Coughing as the wave of flour made some of its way into his lungs, Adam continued to stare at the woman with an almost indescribable amount of confusion. Obviously, she was psychotic. There was no other explanation. Watching with an odd mix of horror and amusement, Adam’s brows shot up high as her next piece of advice was passed along.

“What, so now were going to eat the shells?” Adam glanced between Kylie and the teacher, not quite sure which one he was addressing. He chuckled, most definitely at Kylie, because obviously she had to think this woman was crazy too. How couldn’t she? “Add some extra crunch?”

Really, she was taking this too far. Adam, perturbed beyond belief, once again cast a wild glance between the two females before settling on Fauna, scoffing a bit. “You’re not serious. Raisins. In cupcakes. Why the hell would you want to put raisins in your cupcakes? You haven’t even put any sugar in…” he added as an afterthought, the bag still being not more than a half foot from him. Continuing more to himself—and possibly Kylie—than anyone else, he mumbled, “Nastiest cupcakes I’ve ever heard of.”

[KYLIE JACOBS]

This was the very last thing Kylie had been expecting for today’s class of Home Economics. Sure, it was still much better than trail mix but it was all a bit confusing. She was used to baking with recipes. Her grandmother always used recipes and whatever she’d been making turned out perfectly. Then again, Kylie had sometimes caught her adding various seasonings that hadn’t been on the list. Oh, and there was always the ‘secret ingredient’ which Kylie was still trying to figure out.

Her posture made it clear that she was a bit intimated. While Miss Rogers did certainly have a point, Kylie just couldn’t imagine going about this without at least an inkling of what would be needed. Last time she’d been told you were supposed to something from the heart… well, it’d ended up a complete disaster. Then again, that friend had been a bit of a mess in the first place. “I mean…

” she started slowly, glancing at Adam before looking back to the teacher. “You have got a point… but you can always still be creative following a recipe by adding new things.[/color]” Was she making any sense at all?

By the look on Adam’s face, anybody probably made more sense than Miss Rogers did right now. That was a bit of a relief then. Kylie could go along with this for awhile because, hey, baking was baking. She was just happy to be here when she could’ve been in… some other God awful elective like… like Woodshop. Stifling a laugh, Kylie nudged Adam in the side with her elbow. She was sure there were teachers out there that would find that amusing but Miss Rogers definitely did not seem the type.

Coughing, Kylie leaned away from the flour. Well, that was probably something she should’ve expected. ‘Not difficult at all,’ Kylie thought, keeping her sarcastic comments to herself. Adam was doing a well enough job with those. Her eyes grew wide when Miss Rogers just tossed the eggs in. That… that was definitely not how it worked! Su-sure, it was a lovely idea that baking was only about creation, but you couldn’t have cupcakes with eggshells in them. “The eggs are being broken anyway…[/color]” Kylie couldn’t help saying as she heard the crackling noise of the eggs breaking as Miss Rogers began to stir it all together.

Glancing back and forth between Adam and Miss Rogers, Kylie realized that the batter was indeed sugarless. She grabbed the bag from him and pushed it towards Miss Rogers, refusing to have her cupcakes without sugar. “Chocolate chips, of course. Raisins are for muffins and breads.[/color]” Kylie answer shortly after Adam’s spiel. “Though, I think sprinkles would add such a lovely color once they finish baking.[/color]” Was it okay for her to suggest that? She smiled warily, hoping not to anger their teacher.
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[FAUNA ROGERS]

Fauna was more than happy to ignore the twerp that had decided to come in and ruin her perfectly wonderful class. Right now all that mattered was the choice this young girl, the one hope for the future, the one hope that Fauna might one day be able to build herself an army composed entirely of children and bakers for the future. Mr. Teacup's pithy remarks couldn't matter less at the moment. Fauna waited with baited breath to hear the answer by the young girl, by the brilliant, beautiful, potentially perfect young girl.

“Chocolate chips, of course. Raisins are for muffins and breads.”

It was music to Fauna's ears. The girl had chosen correctly! Fauna's mind raced ahead to all the possibilities. She would have a new protege under her wing, under her care. Fauna would have to set up personal, one on one classes for the two of them so that they could learn more advanced baking, more advanced technique. The girl had so much left to learn. Sure, she had chosen correctly on the sacred test, initiating her into the secret ways of the Baker, but she hadn't known where to begin with the cupcakes. She was still held back by all the wrongness society had instilled in her. She was scared to let loose her true talents!

“Though, I think sprinkles would add such a lovely color once they finish baking.”

Fauna nearly shrieked with joy. What initiative! What ingenuity! What natural genius! Fauna had never been prouder in her life. It made her want to cry with happiness. This girl was going places, that was certain, and she was going places under the tutelage of the brilliant Fauna Rogers. The two of them would be unstoppable, a pair of bakers the likes of which had never been seen before.

"EVERYONE, EVERYONE!" Fauna clapped her hnds loudly above her head, calling the entire class's attention to the perfect, wonderful little girl who had been born with such natural talent and brilliance that she deserved the admiration of the rest of her classmates. Perhaps if Fauna called their attention to this girl they would feel bad about themselves and their own failure as bakers that they would quit the class, leaving Fauna with more time to work with the smart girl.

"Now, everyone, this brilliant young girl here has had the PERFECT idea of putting sprinkles in the cupcakes we'll all be making today! Now, I want all of you to do that, or else you'll fail for the day, okay? Okay! Back to work everyone!" Fauna clapped for joy. Oh, how this girl was making her day all the better!

"You know, I'd never even thought of that! It's like, I know that it's a good idea and everything, but I'd never HAD that good idea, you know?" Fauna spoke to smartypants as she reached under the table to find the perfect bag of sprinkles. She was having just so much fun! "And then you just went and said it and BAM!" Fauna ripped open the bag of sprinkles, sending a few flying across the floor and into the laps of the two students sitting at her table. "It was like... it was like LIGHTNING struck my brain with good idea-ness!" She smiled off into the distance, lost in happy thought momentarily.

She quickly regained her composure, however, smiling perkily at the small girl, handing her the bag of sprinkles. "Here, sweetheart, you do the honors of pouring the sprinkles and sugar into the batter. They're sweet just like you are!" Fauna giggled, walking behind the table and yanking out the chair of the rude boy, jerking him upright. "Meanwhile, your little friend and I will just be having a quick chat in the hallway!" Giggling happily again, Fauna took him by the wrist and led him outside the classroom, happy and cheerful until the door closed behind them when all semblance of joy went out the window and she merely glared at him.

[sleepingprince]

Well, he was most certainly screwed. Almost immediately after opening his mouth, Adam very much regretted his decision. The look the teacher gave him, although not accompanied by any words, spoke volumes. He was in for it now, and there wasn’t even anyone else to blame. Well, there was, but he could hardly stare this psychotic teacher in the face and tell her that if she had even the slightest idea about how classrooms worked they wouldn’t be in this mess, could he? Something (and it may or may not have been previous, similar experience) told him that wouldn’t go over very well. No, best to just shut up for now.

Shut up and flinch. Although Adam may have kept his mouth shut about the woman’s next outburst, there was no hiding the way he visibly jerked his head back as she screeched for all the class to hear, casting Kylie a glance as he did so. Surely she thought the whole thing was just as ridiculous as he did. No sprinkles and you failed? Unable to help himself, he let out a loud snort of a laugh very unsuccessfully disguised as a cough, even going so far as to bend over beneath the table in an attempt to conceal his amusement. That turned out to be a horrible plan, however, as not more than a few seconds later the teacher was snatching at something dangerously close to his eye and he was forced to sit upright, lest he become some sort of nail-kabob.

Of course she wouldn’t be finished yet. It would have been far too simple for her to simply nod, tell them they were doing a good job, and walk away. Maybe she’d glare at him , as he’d been a bit rude, but that would be the end of it. Surely this woman couldn’t deny that she was a bit…odd. Bizarre. Insane. Psychotic. Dangerous to the general public when armed with baking utensils.

“Lighting, right. Well done, Kylie. Really, uh, great job there. Electrifying.” Still unable to completely reign in his amusement, Adam turned his attention to the girl next to him, grinning as he cleared his through between every few words. Budding tears of laughter welled in his eyes, but after a few deep breaths he managed to regain his composure. Just in time to have it jerked out from underneath him, apparently.

Sitting bolt upright as the teacher yanked his chair backwards, all Adam managed was an indignant “What?” before he found himself very nearly dragged outside the classroom. She had a grip much stronger than could possibly be normal, this woman. Involuntarily, Adam actually winced a bit; only because he was surprised, of course. Just before he stepped outside the door, he managed to give Kylie a small, apologetic smile and a shrug over his shoulder.

The second the two of them were well and truly alone, however, the grin faded. He stared at the woman, waiting patiently for whatever it was she was planning on lecturing him about. He wasn’t about to speak and interrupt what was obviously some very in-depth thinking, especially if said interruption could only land him in more trouble. So, as politely as he possibly could, Adam merely glared back at the woman. At first, the silent contest lasted for seconds. Then those drew into minutes, until finally after about ten of those, Adam decided he’d had enough waiting around for one day.

Raising his brows as blatantly as possible, there was really no point in trying to conceal the snide undertone of his voice. “So…what do you want, exactly?” he was already in trouble, after all. What more could she do?

[KYLIE JACOBS]

Apparently, it was absolutely okay for her to suggest that. Kylie almost fell out of her seat, so startled by the shrieking of her teacher. Never before had she met somebody so enthusiastic about… about anything. Grabbing hold of the table to steady herself, Kylie forced a timid smile. She hadn’t been expecting the whole class to look over. Her face felt hot and she had to remind herself that it wasn’t bad that all this attention was being brought to her. It was just… a bit embarrassing. However, the very thought of failing if they didn’t use sprinkles seemed a bit much. Jeez, what if they all thought her to be a teacher’s pet now? Which she really wasn’t!

Adam was laughing again. Or, trying to not laugh. He wasn’t doing a very good job at it... “You are totally going to get in trouble,

” she muttered, almost contradictory because she couldn’t stop smiling. Kylie wasn’t sure why it was so amusing – maybe it was that the substitute was completely ignoring. She’d never seen up close and personal a student talking back to a teacher; normally, she barely paid attention to those types of kids. However, being right in the middle of it was… it was a strange mix of hilarious and intimidating. Kylie smiled at Miss Rogers, genuinely, because she did seem like a nice enough woman. If not a bit loud.

“I’m glad to have said it out loud, then…[/color]” Kylie said slowly, considering if it were the right thing to say. Miss Rogers had actually sort of lost her halfway through the rant. She brushed the sprinkles from her lap, rather excited to see how this would all work out. She had never used sprinkles in cupcakes but she had seen it done before and it had looked lovely. Kylie took the bag of sprinkles and smiled, “Right, thanks, no problem.[/color]” Kylie thought maybe now Miss Rogers would leave them be so they could get to work.

So, Kylie was that much more confused when Miss Rogers took Adam by the wrist and dragged him out of the classroom. When he looked back at her, she gave a tiny wave and mouthed good luck. Kylie pulled the bowl towards her and figured she might as well get this done… and maybe she could try picking out the eggshells while she was at it. It wasn’t particularly easy as Miss Rogers had already mixed the batter but Kylie refused to have her cupcakes with eggshell in them. So focused in this task, she didn’t realize the time until she finally glanced up and realized it’d been seven minutes. He was definitely in trouble, Kylie thought as she went to work adding the sprinkles and sugar.
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