How Green Becomes Wood

Inside, Dark was in the kitchen, trying to teach Ivy how to bake. Of all messy play, this was what he found to be easiest to do with her, because even the dog could help clean. Sure enough, Enkidu was lying right by them, patiently waiting while Ivy maniacally slammed a potato masher into a metal bowl her father held steady for her while giving her gentle praise. When the door opened, he turned towards them to welcome them both home, seeming fairly content.

Xander put his backpack near the door leading down, and Alec put his backpack leading up. They headed into the kitchen and watched Ivy for a bit.

"What are you making?" Alec asked with a small smile. "Potatoes?" Now he really couldn't talk about it.

Xander didn't say anything, just leaned against the wall to watch.

"Banana bread," Dark replied, immediately noting from their faces it hadn't been a good day, "I do not particularly like it, but she gets to mash something into a paste and it only needs one bowl so it is perfect."

"I'll eat it," Xander offered. "I like banana bread."

"And he'll eat almost anything," Alec said as cheerfully as he could manage. He wasn't going to upset Ivy. "Are you enjoying squishing bananas, Mini?"

Kiki came trotting into the room and started demanding Alec's attention until he picked her up.