Log; Finished

[evilbeneath.livejournal.com]

When; In the evening
Rating; G for now
Characters; evilbeneath, milanbutterfly and rozenmagician
Summary; Continuing from this post, Cain decided that the best way for Caterina to show her loyalty is to cook them both dinner.
Log;

It was almost time for the both of them to arrive. He should have asked them to come earlier. Though Cain has spent most of the day keeping himself amused by bantering with his neighbors, he grew bored of facing the screen before long. Though it affectively kept him busy, Cain is not the sort who liked sitting still for a long period of time. Especially since this world is working in his favor. Instead for just a mere few hours, his form could easily retain itself for two, three days.

He plopped himself onto the uncomfortable furniture and waited.

[OOC Note; Shortest tag evar D= And the cut title taken from one the musical cabaret's song, 'Mein Herr']

Comments

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

She approached the building cautiously, knowing that others were living inside the dwelling aside of Cain. Straightening her spine, Caterina walked slowly, still wearing her brilliant red Cardinal's outfit. She had tightened the corset rather ambitiously this morning now that she could catch her breath without her illness intruding.

The ticking was still tearing at her health, however, but after taking Isaak's advice and hiring maids, the ticking had stopped and the decline of her health had slowed. Now she needed to keep her wits about her and much more importantly, her patience in dealing with the creepy Kreznik.

Smoothing her skirts and adjusting her hair, Caterina approached Cain's door and rapped softly upon it with her knuckles, then cleared her throat, "Mein Herr? I am here for my....test."

[rozenmagician.livejournal.com]

Isaak Fernand von Kämpfer had been summoned to attend the dinner by Mein Herr. Unfortunately, he did not know where Dietrich was wandering to bring him along and have some Order bonding between him and the Duchess of Milan.

Mores the pity.

The decoration of Cain’s apartment was even more garish than his. Of course, he complimented his Lord’s impeccable taste with a straight face and a polite, cynical voice.

Clothed in his uniform, complete with the red armband, Isaak waited for Caterina’s arrival with great anxiety while Mein Herr rest. At least he did not have to fear of dying of food poisoning with his irregular metabolism.

Or so he hoped.

Hearing the knock and her voice, Kämpfer readily opened the door and gestured her to enter. “Welcome, Duchess. We were waiting for you. Mein Herr must be eager to have his ration of fish and chips soon enough,” he greeted with a smirk, half of his face was shadowed by his black strands. “He has your clothes prepared as well when you are ready.”

[evilbeneath.livejournal.com]

Cain watched as Isaak greeted the Duchess of Milan entered his abode. He wondered what was the contents of the conversation that the Magus had with the Duchess that she would readily join the Orden. After all, she had made it clear what she thought of the RosenKreuz Orden. The blonde could not help but think of a particular adage everytime he thought of Cardinal Sforza.

He dismissed the thought. Whatever reasons that the Duchess of Milan has was of no importance to him. Her presence will please Isaak and if needed, Cain would use the information of her joining the Orden to his advantage. He was not as foolish as to think that the Cardinal would willingly divulge information of the Vatican to them; even if she did, who can confirm whether the information is accurate or not?

“Good evening, Cardinal Sforza,” he greeted her amicably from where he sat. “I am glad that you made it on time.”

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

"Goodevening, Kampfer," Caterina murmured, inclining her head. "I do hope I am not late." Then was addressed by Mein Herr and bowed her head to him, "Goodevening, Mein Herr."

And paused for a moment, eyes widening, she had forgotten about the uniform. "My apologies, Mein Herr, Kampfer," Making sure to address Cain first, "I have left my maids at home and I am afraid I could not possibly dress myself." After all, getting out of her garments was complicated enough, getting into them would be even more difficult.

She was, however, prepared to cook the meal. Isaak had informed her earlier about fish and chips being Mein Herr's favorite foods and thusly she would cook them. So, she had gone to the cafe and ordered them to see what they looked like and what they were made out of. And Isaak had gathered the ingredients. How hard could this be?

[rozenmagician.livejournal.com]

Isaak’s head remained lowered on Cain’s presence, giving the semblance of a perfect servant. He moved next to him slowly, almost like a shadow hidden by the dim lightening inside and stood at his right.

“That could be a problem,” commented Kämpfer, tilting his head. “Should I fetch part of her personnel, my Lord? Or should I aid her personally?” He put the choice on Cain’s shoulders; after all, he had to give some mirage of subordination.

He would prefer the cyborg had accompanied the Duchess, thus assuring the meal would be well cooked and without accidents.

[evilbeneath.livejournal.com]

Cain pretended to give it some thought while he played with the options available to him. He could do as Isaak has suggested, but it would not provide him with much entertainment. He deserved a diversion for staying in his room the entire day.

An idea popped into his head. Giving both a smile, Cain pushed himself off the chair on to his feet. “I have a better idea. I think I will take the task upon myself.” Isaak’s words gave him the idea. It seemed strange enough that the other volunteered to lend a hand to the Duchess. He kept that information aside to dwell on it later.

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

Caterina's eyes widened slightly at Isaak's offer, but she was less nervous than one might expect. He had seen her nude, after all, and she would at least be in her undergarments and he could close his eyes for the most part.

However, she was still a lady and having strange men help her dress, strange human men that is, would be going against her entire upbringing.

So she waited until Cain made his pronouncement and felt her throat go dry. NO! It was bad enough that she had to wear those clothes, cook and serve him but to have him see her in her undergarments!

About to protest, she realized this was an opportunity to show how trustworthy she was and calmed, trying to unclench her fists from her sides and relax her strained muscles. "I appreciate your condescending to aide me, Mein Herr. Do you wish for me to change now?"

[evilbeneath.livejournal.com]

He watched as expressions flitted on her face in amusement. Surprise, a hint of revulsion, and then a hint of her steely resolve as she calmed herself and accepted his offer. If nothing else, he is impressed by the way she held herself. Then again, she was probably used to it. After all, being a Cardinal means that you have to place yourself in the view of thousands at a time.

Cain wondered what Isaak thought of it. The magician seems to be rather fond of the Duchess, even asking that he’d personally take care of her.

“Of course. Unless you want to change here, we should adjourn to the room I prepared for your needs.”

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

"We shall adjourn to that room," Caterina replied calmly, there was no need to lose that much more of her modesty by changing in front of two males. Inclining her head, she waited for Cain to lead her into the room and cast a glance at Isaak from the corner of her eyes. It was slightly murderous.

Upon entering the room, she turned, giving Cain her back and said slighlty awkwardly as she smoothed back her large curls, catching them between her fingers and clasping them up and off of her neck, "Please start by unlacing my corset. There are a few hooks as well. Proceed carefully."

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

"I will not need luck, Panzer Magier," Caterina replied, mentally adding that she would need something akin to a miracle. Though really, how hard could frying some fish and potato slices be? Certainly not as difficult as attempting to lace a corset while wearing it.

Cain's sudden grin was alarming, so close to Abel's expression that it prickled the flesh along her arms and caught her breath in her throat. But no, there was something sharper to Cain's smile, something more wild in his eyes. This was not Abel. Finally she breathed.

"Thank you, Mein Herr, you are most generous with your compliments," She replied, keeping her eyes downcast. He was trying to play with her, but she would stand for none of that. "With your leave, I will begin my task."

Then headed for the kitchen. A frown creased her lips as she took in the flour, oil, fish, potatos and frying pan. Stepping forward, she looked at the stove, attempting to determine how one went about turning it on.

[rozenmagician.livejournal.com]

Isaak mused his response at Cain’s comment regarding Caterina’s outfit. He could not praise or insult her. He knew she would be offended if he brought up the design of her attire. The Duchess was a difficult woman to please.

Clearing his throat, he spoke softly. “Eisendame looks splendid no matter what she wears. However, I must agree that the black is particularly becoming on her.” He followed her with his gaze as Caterina walked towards the kitchen. He would pay attention to the atmosphere; the Magician would act fast if he had to extinguish the fire she could accidentally cause while frying the fish.

“Are you truly going to taste her cuisine, Mein Herr?” queried Isaak in a low voice as soon the Cardinal was out his sight. He was curious of his Lord’s intentions.

[evilbeneath.livejournal.com]

Cain was amused by the chemistry that the two tried to hide from him. It was rather obvious to him that something happened after the Panzer Magier requested that he should personally handle the Duchess of Milan. He idly pondered what lies, or semi-truths did Isaak cook up for her to convince her to join. Cook? He chuckled at his own private joke.

The blond Crusnik leaned a little towards Isaak to catch the Magus’s words, though he could hear them clearly. “Of course!” he exclaimed. “I did not take an entire day to think up a test for the Duchess for nothing. Fish and chips is not exactly difficult to prepare, I think the worst she could do is to burn the fish. The poor thing…” Cain lamented, shaking his head slowly, thinking of the poor fish’s unknown fate.

“Anyway, what did you say to Eisendame to convince her to join?”

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

The corners of Caterina's mouth turned down in a slight frown as she surveyed the ingredients. All right, this would not be difficult. Removing her gloves, the Duchess set some oil in the pan and turned the burner on to a random interval. 12. She rather liked that number.

Turning to the fish, she picked up the bag of flour and dropped it down next to it. A white cloud mushroomed out of the bag and covered both Caterina and the surrounding appliances.

Coughing in annoyance, she ran her forearm across her forehead to wipe away the flour and picked up the fish, sticking one peice in a bag the pile of flour on the counter and tossed it into the pan. Then did the same with the other peices of fish until she had finished.

Her attention then focused on the potatos. She didn't bother peeling them, after all, she had never experienced what it was to cook and did not know that potatos were meant to have the skin taken from them.

Instead, she sliced them into rather awkward chunks and tossed them into the boiling oil as well.

As soon as the starch filled items hit the pan, a muffled 'whompf' sounded and the entire pan full of food caught fire.

"Oh dear," She murmured, glancing about for something to smother the rising flames with.

[rozenmagician.livejournal.com]

Isaak did not express aloud his concern of how much the Duchess could burn in the kitchen. The fish was the lesser of the Magician’s worries. He lit a cigar, attempting to relax now Caterina was gone, the smoke always lessened his tensions or so his mother used to tell him tobacco was good for it.

“She was in an easily to influence state, Mein Herr,” informed Kämpfer, tilting his head. “Her health failed, lost in a world she did not know and with all her allies and family drifting away for Lady Salh and possible Sister Blanchett on the future. Particularly your brother, his desertion always hurt her. She was alone.” He exhaled the smoke, concealing his smile with it. “I aided her.”

He knew Cain might realize what he was insinuating. Caterina was like himself when Isaak found him: broken, lost and betrayed. Obviously, the Duchess was not shattered completely but his Lord did not need to be aware of all the details. It would appeal his small empathy.

Looking up, he sniffed the air. There was far too much smoke to come from its cigar. His eyes widened. The kitchen!

“Excuse me for a moment, my Lord. It seems Eisendame has set up on fire more than the meal.”

[evilbeneath.livejournal.com]

His fingers twitched against his will when Isaak emphasized ‘alone’, as if to remind him of the betrayal of his siblings. It had never ceased to irritate him when it was mentioned though he almost always concealed it well enough, almost being the keyword.

It was that woman’s fault. It always has been. She was not satisfied just by leaving them to join the humans, but she also manipulated Abel and Seth to turn against him as well. Cain thought that after Lilith had died, Abel and Seth would perhaps regain their senses, but no, that woman poisoned Abel’s mind against him. Time and again, the mere memory of her had thwarted his plans.

The Crusnik’s eyes narrowed in displeasure at the unpleasant memory. He realized that Isaak is playing mind games with him, but aren’t they all? “As long as you think you have it under your control, Isaak.”

Cain excused the Magus and followed close behind the other to see what damage that the Cardinal has wrecked in the kitchen. If nothing, it would distract him from the thoughts of his brother’s betrayal.

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

Caterina had grabbed the oil and tossed it on the fire which only fed the flames. Then put on her monocle and looked at the bottle. Well that was a mistake.

Lips turning down in a frown, she took a step back and attempted to assess the situation, then noticed the magician and his project master entering.

"Ah, good. You are just in time, the flames were getting out of hand," And gave an imperious nod as though to allow them to put out the burning wall of fire.

[rozenmagician.livejournal.com]

At his comment, Isaak brushed his hair as if Cain were some just patronized child. They used to have more physical contact before they created the Order but then his Lord needed it more. He felt some rare moment of empathy when Cain was in a depressive mood.

“Do you wish me to tell you a story when you bathe? Like I used to, my Lord?” offered Isaak with a solicitous voice. Then distanced when he followed Cain to the kitchen, expression disgruntled to notice Caterina had tried to fight the fire with oil. He snapped his fingers and made his shadows extinguish the flames in a blink.

“Are you hurt, Eisendame?”

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

Caterina inclined her head, smiling at Cain, "I am glad you enjoyed it, Mein Herr. Your compliments and company were quite refreshing." Then cleared his place and did the same for Isaak, accidentily brushing her knee against his thigh as she did so.

Having collected everything, Caterina moved to the kitchen, depositing the dishes in the sink.

[rozenmagician.livejournal.com]

Isaak was a bit startled at Caterina’s accidental brushing. He coughed and stood, taking the dishes himself. “Allow me, Eisendame. You and Mein Herr could converse alone.” Without his Lord missing his limbs over her clothes.

He inclined his head and took the plates to the kitchen where he washed them while surveying the damage the fire had done to the room. He would need to find a new pair of curtains and paint over the stained wall.

[evilbeneath.livejournal.com]

Cain raised an eyebrow when Isaak offered to take the dishes in for the Duchess of Milan. Though he was a little surprised that the magician decided to leave them to converse in private, the blond did not say nor show that anything was out of the ordinary. He seemed a little fond of their newest member, so why was he leaving them alone?

He turned his attention to the Duchess, “Should we retire to the living room before continuing our conversation?”

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

"If you like, Mein Herr, that might be more comfortable," Caterina replied and waited for him to rise and lead the way. "I do apologize for not also baking a dessert, I imagine you would have enjoyed some spiced tea or coffee with something."

[evilbeneath.livejournal.com]

“It is my favorite room in this place,” Cain said, pushing himself off the chair, before gesturing towards the doorway. “It is fine, I am not expecting much since I assume a noble lady like yourself would hardly need to cook for herself.”

On entering the room of mismatched furniture, the blond literally dived onto his favorite armchair. He patted the sofa next to his chair and waited for the Duchess.

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

Caterina continued to carry herself with a noble carriage, sitting gracefully on the sofa next to Cain's chair.

"Your consideration is appreciated, I must admit, this is the first time I have been on the cooking end of a kitchen." And smiled softly at him.

[evilbeneath.livejournal.com]

“I’ve tried it once, but I made such a big mess that I decided to ban myself out of the kitchen,” Cain said cheerfully. He leaned closer to the Duchess and said conspiratorially, “I even burned the water that I was boiling for the potatoes and everyone got quite sick the next day… well, save for Isaak, but then again he has some tricks up his sleeves.”

“Anyway, we should discuss your rank in the Orden. Why don’t you tell me how you can contribute to RosenKreuz Orden before I decide on the rank, hm?”

[milanbutterfly.livejournal.com]

Caterina covered her mouth politely as she laughed in mirth at Cain's description. "Than I do not feel so badly about my culinary failures."

And inclined her head, demeanor going serious, "I think you know how I can contribute, Mein Herr. I am the head of the AX organization, my brother is the Pope, there is nothing in the Vatican that goes on out of my range of knowledge."

Then, the icing on the cake, "And of course, it is my word that controls the actions of your brother, Father Nightroad."