1 pickled silk anolifruit
1 powdered crescent shrew tail
A hair or sample from the subject
Honey to taste
Instructions:
In a small cauldron, bring the water to a simmer. Steep the nixgrass until the water becomes fragrant and deep brown. Remove pulp and cool.
In a separate bowl, soak three broadleaf gelatin sheets with a splash of cooled nixgrass tea. Wait 10-15 minutes until the gelatin has softened.
Dice one silk anolifruit and grind the crescent shrew tail into a powder. Prepare the sample from the subject. When the water is boiling again, add in the broadleaf gelatin. Let it fully dissolve before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Stir clockwise twenty times until it has reduced to a syrupy consistency. Color may vary depending on the subject. Stir counter clockwise fifty times. Take it off the heat and let the antidote cool. Add honey to taste.
It read like a recipe. I had never tried my hand in the kitchen before, but how hard could following instructions be?
“Very well,” I said. “Let’s get started then.”
I tied my hair back with a ribbon I found in the apron pocket as Giselle pulled out a multitude of herbs and vials, mixing bowls and measuring spoons, and a small black cauldron in which she began to pump water.
Bennett hopped onto the counter, with increased nimbleness I noticed, and let me pluck a hair from his body. I set it into a mortar and pestle.
“Here you are,” Giselle said, passing over the cauldron by its thin iron handle.
The water sloshed within as I gingerly carried it over to the low cast iron stove.
“Bring the water to a simmer,” I read from the book.
Giselle nodded encouragingly.
I blushed, realizing that I hadn’t a clue how to boil water. The thought was rather humbling. I looked to the stove. “How does this work?”
Giselle pressed her lips together, a smile trembling at the edge of them. Thankfully, she didn’t laugh.
“These are the burners,” Giselle said as she removed one of the heavy metal disks and set aside. There was wood in the space beneath, which she lit with a match through a small grate at the bottom of the stove.
“And then just wait for it to heat. The front two burners are hotter than the ones in the back,” Giselle said, shrugging as if it were the simplest thing in the world. “Add more kindling and keep the damper wide open if you need it hotter.” She patted the long black pipe coming out from the stove.
“Uh...very well.” I looked at the stove nervously as she replaced the burner and set the cauldron on top of it. I was starting to understand why Bennett had a fear of fire. He had opted for a perch furthest away from the stove, on top of a wooden shelf of books and other knick knacks.
Bennett gave an encouraging meow.You can do this, Cissa.
I pulled on a smile for his sake, then took a deep breath. This was all for Bennett. All would be well once he turned back.
When the water began to simmer, I dropped in four sprigs of nixgrass.
“You’re doing great,” Giselle said, peeking over my shoulder. “I’ll be back at sunset! I have another client to attend to.”
“Wait, you’re leaving?” I grabbed her sleeve. “You can’t leave me alone with astove!”
She waved her hand in the air. “Oh, you’ll be fine. My roommates will be here soon. They’ll make sure you don’t burn the house down.”
