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Hmmm. Like this? No, it's more like that.
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Lysithea! It isn't often I find you in the kitchen.
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I could say the same. What are you doing here at this hour?
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Oh, I just wanted to bake some treats for everyone.
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To improve morale, right?
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In that case, I'll help. Four hands are better than two and all that.
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That would be wonderful. If you could start by peeling this fruit and... Oh dear.
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What's wrong?
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These fruits have mostly spoiled. I was going to add them for the fragrance, but in this state...
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Well, it's not like we can go out and buy more, so we'll just have to leave them out.
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Just to take stock, what ingredients do we currently have on hand?
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Well, we have eggs, flour, sugar, and a very small amount of oil.
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Sounds like there's no good substitute for the fruit, then. We'll have to get creative.
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Do you have something in mind?
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I do, actually. If we boil the sugar in a pot...
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Thank you, Lysithea. I think everyone will love them.
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And filling them with that sweet syrup you made was a marvelous idea.
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Yeah, it's one of my favorite go-to tricks. But still, I couldn't have done it without you.
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Really? I suppose I helped a little, but...
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I still dream about those rainbow cookies you made.
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Ever since I had them, I've spent all my free time researching how to be a better baker.
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That's actually where I got the idea to make that syrup, so you were more help than you thought.
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Oh, but you're always so busy training! Are you sure you're getting enough rest?
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Honestly, baking is a nice break. Plus, it's when I'm busy that I need sweets the most.
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Heh. Well, I'm glad you found your own way to relax.
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I still think exercising, studying magic, and daily training are important...
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But I realized taking breaks every now and then improves my productivity, too.
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Goodness, you really have changed.
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You seem more mature now—like a responsible young woman!
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I've always been mature, thank you very much.
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Well then, maybe you're simply wiser—like a wizened old grandmother!
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Not sure I'd call myself... You know what? Never mind. I'll take it as a compliment.
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Lysithea, would you like to have another tea party with me sometime? I'd love to try some of your baking for myself.
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Sure, I suppose we could do that. Maybe then you'll finally teach me how to make those cookies!