Hunger Pangs

[Raize de Sardet]

De Sardet was having a bad day. He didn't notice it at first. It started pretty normal. Waking up a little late after his latest night patrol, working out his aches and pains, consuming enough calories for three people at breakfast, a few hours in the library, making a social call with a fellow noble who also enjoyed chess (of course the young man won, but going over the game in his head he realized there were a number of moves where he had been sloppy and his opponent could have beaten him had he noticed) and then it was off to the castle for training and his orders for the day.

Only apparently he had missed the memo that practice started an hour earlier today. So he'd gotten chewed out for that and forced to run extra laps and running...was...hell.

But he took it in stride and with the characteristic determination and stubbornness of his family name. Of course he had to make up time somewhere and skip dinner. And then...he was paired with not just anyone for sparring, but his sister.

He'd grown up fighting with her and against her, as siblings often do. Not usually over anything serious. But when it came to being a soldier...they both had a lot to prove for different reasons and de Sardet sort of wished they could prove themselves to other people instead of each other. But fine. He was a big boy and his sister was a big girl and neither of them were about to back down. He only wished his stomach wasn't growling painfully at him.

More to do with starving and less to do with his sister, it was a bad day.

Raina de Sardet

[Raina de Sardet]

Her twin didn't have to say anything for her to know something was wrong. All she had to do was look at him more than half the time, and when his face looked extra grumpy, she knew she had to tiptoe around things. Or, you know, be a good sister and annoy the living hell out of him. That all depended upon her own mood, and today, she was in a very good mood. It seemed the de Sardet twins were often always opposites, which is perhaps why they got along so well even still.

Right now, she stood across from him with the biggest, cheekiest smile upon her face, struggling not to tease him mercilessly. Raize was having a bad day, clearly, and she wasn't sure if she should make it worse. Being paired against her, again, was probably doing that job well already.

Fingers tightened a little on the hilt of her sword, flipping it around once to adjust her grip while dark eyes never left him. "Fancy seeing you here again, dear brother..." she began. "Can't spare a smile for your own flesh and blood? What even happened to you today?"

[Raize de Sardet]

Conversely, his twin didn't have to say anything for him to know she was in a great mood. Whether that was because she was being given the chance to show off her skills AND beat up her brother or she was having a great day for some other reason, he had no idea. Still, he wasn't annoyed at her, just...grumpy.

"Hey Raina," he sighed softly, watching her smile and prepare herself. Belatedly, he drew his own weapon from his belt. Swords were all well and good and he did know how to use one, but he preferred a two sided war axe. He smiled a little suddenly at her words. It was a mirthless smile, one that didn't reach his eyes, but it was a smile nonetheless. "Can't 'spar,'" he said suddenly. "It would have be objectively funnier if you made it a pun and said 'Can't spar a smile for your own flesh and blood.'"

So maybe explaining the joke wasn't funny.

"Late, hungry," he shrugged. "Maybe hitting you will make me feel better?" The question was hopeful and sad, considering hitting things had never made him happy. Sure, wrestling with his siblings in a play fight did, but that didn't make him any less hungry, which was largely the problem.

He raised his axe and squared up to his sister, nodding that he was in fact, ready for her to kick his ass. The other soldiers were already lost in their own practice spars and he would rather not get yelled down to twice in one day.

[Raina de Sardet]

For a moment, she looked a little annoyed at how unenthusiastic he seemed. Well, okay, more than usual, that is. This fight wasn't going to be fun if he didn't put any damn energy into it!

Then, her face fell flat as he pointed out her lack of pun. Inside, she was amused, because he was right- that would have been a good one. However, there he went explaining a joke when he could have just corrected her with one. Raina could have facepalmed right then and there. After a moment, she chuckled...if only because she found it adorably pathetic, and he'd probably know it.

At the mention of being hungry, it made her pause for a moment, considering something. Raize might understand that pondering look on her face, and note that it usually wasn't a good thing. But, he wasn't going to be very good at fighting on an empty stomach. "You know it's going to be me hitting you...and it's no fun if you're not trying your best while getting your ass kicked." Well, if she was anything, she was honest.

The area was full of sparring soldiers, and Raina couldn't help but wonder if they'd even be noticed if, well...you know, they by chance disappeared? There was only one way to find out.

"So, I have a plan-" she stated in a low voice so no one else would hear. "Just follow my lead." Before Raize could even question it, his sister charged forward to attack; jabbing and swiping with the blade as her feet shifted her around him to place her back towards the exit. No, the plan wasn't to beat each other up, exactly, but ever so slowly drift towards the gates of the training grounds.

Her brother was hungry, so she was going to get him some food.

[Raize de Sardet]

De Sardet wasn't generally a very outwardly enthusiastic person unless food was involved. And since food was negatively involved at the moment, he was outwardly unenthusiastic. He had considered worming his way out of part of practice to steal a snack from the kitchens, but not good moment had presented itself.

That he didn't receive a punch (playful or otherwise) to the face for his lack of tact and lack of humor was a little surprising. Not that he expected his sister to hit him, he could just feel the lack of amusement and pity for him rolling off her. Her face suggested that she couldn't believe they were related, at least a little. He simply shrugged, as if it was obvious and it was her own fault for missing the pun in the first place.

"So, you're saying you would find it more enjoyable to beat the shit out of me if I wasn't resigned to my fate? Yeah, I suppose that would make it a sport." Rather than sibling cruelty. "That makes sense," he agreed, attempting to puff himself up a bit and forget about the grumbling claws in his stomach. He always appreciated Raina's honestly and didn't take it personally. Honestly, she had put up with him for their whole life, accepting her was the least he could do.

He narrowed his eyes as she suggested she had a plan, not sure what to expect. Certainly he expected more of a 'plan' that just 'follow my lead' but he did trust her enough to go with it. Well, really she didn't give him time to react, slow as he was, so he had to trust her no matter what. He blocked her blocks, wilds as they were, but he could tell Raina wasn't aiming to hit him or even make it difficult on him but to do...something else.

That something else was entirely lost on him at the moment, but since they were sparring, he could at least follow that. He turned his axe on her, not swinging too heavily so that he could shift his momentum more easily to either move or shift defensively. De Sardet did take a step toward his sister, 'following' her in that manner though not yet realizing it.

[Raina de Sardet]

When they were younger, the need to pick on him being "a sport" wasn't crucial. Nowadays, however, she needed to up the scale. Raina didn't and never wanted things handed to her on a silver platter, even if their mother would give it to her should it be something the woman agreed with. One didn't approve or learn if things became to easy, and she constantly had to challenge herself.

Raina wanted to be better. She wanted to be the best at everything she tried. Maybe it was an endearing trait...or possibly an annoying habit?

As they began to spar, her blows weren't as strong and harsh as they normally were, and being as she was the one drifting backwards towards their exit, it would be Raize who would appear to have the upper hand. He couldn't say she never did anything for him- right now, she was attempting to even make him look good. He was welcome.

"Theeeere you go," she egged him on, a grin crossing her face. To be honest, Raina wasn't sure if she felt her twin knew what was going on, and she didn't exactly want to blurt it out in the training yard, considering they shouldn't be leaving in the middle of training. But she didn't always play by the rules.

So, to speed things up a bit, she charged again, interlocking their weapons before she gripped one of his wrists, urging him to spin and change positions so that his back was now towards the exit. Then, she was shoving him before advancing once more for another flurry of light attacks. "You have to work on that footing, brother. Faster now!" Raina pursued, trying to push him further back until they were out of sight of any higher officials before finding an opening to shove him with her shoulder against the gate.

"Time to get you food so I can defeat you properly."

[Raize de Sardet]

As smart as he was, he had never been very good at reading people. Even his twin, who he was certain he was better at reading than others, left him confused sometimes. Still, he was trying, distracted as he was, to fight back. Raina might be the overzealous one, but de Sardet too sought to be better.

He was aware she was taking it easy on him. Which was sort of annoying and hypocritical of her but thankfully he wasn't a very harsh critic and he was a bit amused. As they moved across the yard, however, he realized they were going somewhere. He frowned in thought. His scowl wasn't any judgement on her plan or whether they should be leaving, but simply his attempt to figure out what was going on.


De Sardet was surprised when she grabbed him but pushed away the instinct to shake her off and let her continue to take the lead in their sparing dance. "My footing?" He at least had the confidence and sense not to just look at his feet like an idiot. "You said to follow your lead?" he objected in confusion. Was she a better fighter than he was? Probably, but even on an empty stomach, he was letting her boss him around quite a lot. For her to then make fun of him for it was...well, it being Raina, he knew she didn't mean anything by it but playful banter.

He barely dodge some of her blows but most of them he had to turn away with his axe. Light as they were, she wasn't able to push him that much. But...she had said to follow her lead so he relented and gave in more than he would have. The gate too, surprised him though, not quite aware of his surroundings and he grunted as she shoved him into it, opening his mouth to retort something about how violently affectionate she was when she mentioned food and his attention refocused.

They weren't in the main yard anymore, no one was really watching them, they kitchens were just around the next building and then inside and down the hall, and whatever else Raina had said after that didn't matter until after. "I get it," he said belatedly. "You're a proper evil genius, sometimes, sis," he added with a smile before shoving her playfully off of him. He took another glance around and then moved to the edge of the building. "You coming?"

[Raina de Sardet]

It was quite possible that she was purposely being vague, and not just because she had to be in case they were overheard. Sometimes it was fun to watch him get all confused and flustered- what kind of a sibling would she be if she didn't keep him guessing, huh?

Raina knew her brother would come to the final conclusion at some point, though. Despite how she teased, he wasn't really that dumb. The poor thing was just having a rough time at the moment and needed some nourishment. It was a good thing she was so willing to look after him. It was either that, or she was bored out of her mind with training and wanted to possibly test the patience of any higher-ups. Maybe she didn't even know the answer to that.

Dark eyes rolled into white as he objected, but she kept going, trying to silently urge him towards the gates of the training grounds. Finally, they were there, and she literally had him shoved against it. Did he understand now?

Once Raize realized what she had been trying to do all along, that wide, conceited grin plastered itself across her face. 'You're a proper evil genius...' "Thank you very much, brother. I do my best," she replied before giving another quick look around to make sure they hadn't been noticed. That was when he was shoving her, and she back-stepped a couple times with gentle laughter.

"Lead the way!" she exclaimed quietly and followed behind him.

[Raize de Sardet]

Her best? He sort of hoped this wasn't her best. If her best was defying commands and shirking duty, then perhaps that's why she hadn't been promoted yet. Well, there was the fact she was female too, which seemed to rub people the wrong way. He decided in one of his more understanding moments it might be better not to saying anything. Sure, their presence likely wouldn't be missed, but it certainly meant they wouldn't be noticed for hard work either. Which, if de Sardet was being honest, was about the only way he got recognized. He wasn't a particularly good fighter, but he certainly put in the effort and the hours and made himself available. But...well, now wasn't going to be one of them.

He smiled back but pressed a finger to his lips at her words. Quiet or not, they could certainly still be heard. De Sardet had developed a warm enough relationship with some of the castle cooks to be welcomed warmly enough, but they still needed to get to the kitchens without stumbling into any direct superiors or ideally any of their comrades either.

After checking the coast was clear, he led the way around the side of the building to the servant access door and considering there were no windows or peek holes, there was nothing for it but to open it and proceed with the consequences. "We should just be able to walk there..." he suggested quietly. He was not a very subtle person and as such, wasn't much for stealth either. So hopefully they could indeed just walk there without the need for stealth or fast talking.

[Raina de Sardet]

Of course this was her best! When it came to sneaking around and trying to take care of her idiot brother, of course. He was hungry, therefore, he needed food. Otherwise, she was going to whoop his arse too easily, and there was no justice in that, or so she told herself. Regardless, one time wouldn't hurt. It was near impossible for her to get noticed here anyway unless she threw an absolute fit...and that was not the attention she was seeking. At home, perhaps, but not here. No, here she was trying to make a name for herself. Still, family came first. Raina honestly didn't like seeing her twin cranky and miserable.

Mimicking him by pressing a finger to her own lips (for once she would actually stay a little quiet), Raina followed her brother as he led them around the building and through a servant's door. She really didn't know where they were going, but she would trust Raize's judgement, considering he probably knew where every kitchen in Ethion was. 'We should just be able to walk there...' "Aye, right behind you." It was just a matter of being all casual-like, right? Shouldn't be too hard, but if the need arose, she was often pretty good at thinking quickly on her feet. Usually.

Or she was just a very fast runner. Whatever the need called for.

"Why are you so hungry? Did you not eat?" Didn't seem like him, but she couldn't help but wonder if maybe he had gotten so busy with other things that he forgot? Raize forget food? Hmm, she wasn't sure about that.

[Raize de Sardet]

He rolled is eyes at his sister playfully mocking him. Fine, he'd accept that in exchange for food. All thoughts of their fight aside for the moment, he led the way through the castle. While smell was a major factor, he did in fact have a sort of sixth sense when it came to food. Especially when he was hungry.

As for every kitchen in Ethion...well, he didn't like to brag, but he had eaten at nearly every inn or tavern at least once. And that was only public kitchens! It was sometimes difficult when on patrol in the city to keep himself focused when walking through residential areas near any sort of meal time. Or even other times, considering soups were common to be cooking for a while.

He kept an easy and confident pace, because they were allowed to be here and he did know where he was going and this was technically official army business. And if anyone asked, Raina was here. His job was to be as direct as possible. He pursed his lips. "I was late and the captain made me run laps, so then I was extra hungry but...I had to skip dinner. Cause of the laps." He was clearly annoyed. Like the world (himself included) had conspired against his stomach to make him miserable.

"Through here," he said, opening a door that led to a side corridor. "One of the mess halls is at the end. And the kitchen should be through that," he explained the route, holding the door open only for a moment before continuing. As they neared the end of the hall, the smell of baking bread and some sort of roast meat and maybe...pastries? wafted down the hall. He tried not to drool but couldn't stop his stomach from growling loudly.

[Raina de Sardet]

When it came to Raina and food, she was almost the complete opposite of her twin. Where she did actually love food, she often forgot to actually eat. There were days she was always on the move, whether it was with training or meeting up with people, or simply wanting to get away from whatever predicament she was in, eating was usually the last thing on her mind. That is, until she started drinking because then she was wondering why she was getting tipsy far too quickly. Oops.

Raina made sure to remain behind her brother as they casually strode towards the kitchens, because if they were questioned, she had every intention of turning around and high-tailing it out of there. Sure, they were allowed to be there, but technically they were supposed to be out training. In all honesty, though, who was really keeping track of all of that?

"Well, why were you late?" she questioned, purposely just trying to be pushy. Because she could be, that's why. Biting down on her bottom lip, she suppressed a giggle as he was opening a door to a side corridor. Raize was attempting to explain where everything was, but the moment she smelled the food, she was realizing just how hungry she actually was. And all logic went out the window.

"Uh huh," she murmured before she pushed ahead, blindly rushing towards the kitchen to fling the door open. Every person in there seemed to suddenly stop and regard her with slight surprise at her random appearance. "Um, hi?"

[Raize de Sardet]

De Sardet never forgot to eat. Eating was an enjoyable privilege. A need greater than breathing. For him, missing a meal wasn't physically frustrating, but mentally so, as his sister well understood. He was also aware that his twin didn't have the same focus. Which was fine because it meant more for him. Though he did sometimes remind her with a snack here or there when she was busy conquering the kingdom. Or when they went out for drinks. He could drink a ridiculous amount. Somewhat helped by food, some of it was just practice.

Raina apparently asked the million dollar question because he paused and looked at her a moment, even putting off food to figure out his answer. "I was on night detail again. They changed the time training started only because I wasn't at the barracks in the morning, on account of the night detail, and then was out during the morning like usual, I...missed that." He wasn't the only one who was late for a similar reason. But...he probably should have checked in sooner.

As they continued and she brushed him off, he smiled slightly. Not immune to food, just...forgot sometimes. He entered just behind her, quickly searching for the head cook and tossing the woman a casual salute. "Ma'am," he said in a respectful greeting, his tone similar to what he might turn on their mother.

She folded her arms and frowned slightly. "Raize. I didn't see you at mess."

He shrugged and gave her an awkward smile. "I had to run laps," he said, skirting around the subject of his delinquency then and now. "Madam Walsh. This is my sister, Raina. I - we were hoping for..."

"A 'snack?'" She used his words from before.

"A delectable food concoction in the form of rolls?" He reworked his suggestion.

"Better," she mused, though she likely hardly knew what the words meant, they sounded fancy so she took the compliment. Never one to be too easy, however much she liked the young nobleman, she eyed the pair for a silent moment, eyes resting on Raina as if suggesting she make a verbal offering of her own.

[Raina de Sardet]

When her brother explained why he had been late, she looked irritated. Not at him this time, of course. "Well, that isn't fair...since that's not entirely your fault, now is it?" Why change the time? Or, at the very least, those on night detail could have been informed in some better way. Expecting soldiers to live every hour of their day at the barracks was a bit ridiculous.

Then again, Raina just hated to be cooped up anywhere.

When Raize entered the kitchen behind her, acknowledging the head cook, she eased up a little bit. Especially when the woman acknowledged him by name. Raina grinned faintly- he really was here a lot, wasn't he? She bet he knew every head cook in every public kitchen.

"Hello," she offered quietly in way of greeting towards Madam Walsh, as well as a slight wave of her fingers. Raina was acting quiet and a little shy, and that was unusual for her, but these "weren't her people", so to speak. And now that they knew she was Raize's sister, she didn't want to ruin whatever thing he had going on here with her idiocy.

That might be a one time thing, though, but we'll see.

When the woman's eyes fell back to her, Raina's back straightened a little. "We'd be grateful for whatever you are willing to offer, of course," she said. "If Raize doesn't eat, he gets cranky and can't focus...and if he can't focus, I can't beat him fairly during training, so..." She just trailed off after nudging her brother in the shoulder.

[Raize de Sardet]

Perhaps not every head cook or baker or chef or sous-chef or what have you, but de Sardet was quite familiar with most of the food establishments in the castle and those that were more public. Even a lot of the smaller food stands, though he tried not to spend all of his pocket money on snacks. Just most of it.

In the corner of his mind, he was aware of his sisters sudden shift of personality. It was understandable if surprising. He, on the other hand, was generally himself in all situations. Sometimes he tried to rein things in if he was in his sister's territory, but he liked to harass her sometimes, which is sort of what he had expected from her after the sass while sparring. He didn't really get much chance returning the favor however, considering she was a lot better than he was at most things. Except perhaps knowing where to get the best type of any food and chess.

And then Raina explained their version of why they were here and things felt mostly back to normal. De Sardet winced slightly, but he wasn't all that beat up over the classification of 'cranky.' She wasn't wrong. He let out an oof at her unexpected nudge and then gave the cook a lopsided grin and shrugged in a sort of 'what can you do?' gesture, though whether it was over his stomach or his sister demanding to beat the crap out of him fairly it was hard to know.

The woman snorted a laugh. "Cranky? He's never been cranky with me." She gave him a warning look. One that suggested if he ever did get 'cranky' with her she would rethink how well she liked him.

"Never dream of it, ma'am," he added quickly, nudging Raina back.

"Good," she said with a nod. "I think there are a few left over scones in the back. Contain yourself," she advised, gesturing them in that direction and all but dismissing them from her presence so she could return to work. Breakfast might be finished, but that meant time to prepare for the royal lunch.

"Ma'am," he said in thanks before leading Raina around the edge of the kitchen to the far side where there was indeed a tray piled with leftover scones of varying sorts and a few other breads. Some were broken or a bit burned from the look of it, but that hardly mattered to him as he found a clothe napkin and selected a few, shoving a blueberry one nearly entirely in his mouth with a happy moan.