How Green Becomes Wood

"What about watermelon and summer squash? They're gourds, aren't they?" Alec asked. "Summer squash are, surely. But... are watermelon gourds?"

"Nah, no way are they gourds," Xander said confidently.

"But they have a hard rind and soft inside," Alec pointed out. "And they are rounded and have seeds inside. It's just like a pumpkin."

Xander hesitated, confidence shaken. "But... No way. Watermelon rind is way softer, and the inside doesn't have a cavity like pumpkins. And pumpkins and squash have similar texture and color."

"A banana is a berry, and it sure doesn't look like a blueberry," Alec pointed out.
 
"Berries? What? That's... How?" Xander demanded, thinking about it despite Cooger's warning.

"I guess that means there are gourds available for cutting even in summer, then!" Alec said cheerfully.
 
"I don't know botany," Cooger shrugged, "Look it up if you're curious."

"I suppose so," Dark replied, going to taste Cooger's stew without permission while Daizi came downstairs with Ivy who was now nice and clean.

"It sounds like you're finished with your pumpkin, Goose," Daizi said.
 
"It looks really cool, Mama. Do you want to come see it? I can show you!" Alec offered, holding out his hand to her.

Xander looked at Daizi. "Watermelon and Pumpkins are related. They shouldn't be," he said flatly.
 
Xander shook his head. "That's a little easier to believe, but... No. Nope. I don't like this." He shook his head and walked away.

Alec giggled and led Daizi to Dark's pumpkin. "Careful. There's a candle inside, so don't go too deep."
 
Daizi ran her fingers over it, "Oh wow, Goose, this is phenomenal." She ran her fingers over the back, "Is that Medusa?"

"Yes, and Perseus is in the front," Dark replied, taking Ivy so she didn't accidentally grab the pumpkin and ruin his delicate work, "It is nice to see you so clean again, tifla."
 
"The shield is really well done," Daizi praised.

"I put Perseus on the front so it looked like he was avoiding Medusa's glance," Dark explained.

Cooger also hadn't seen Dark meddle with his stew, "Thanks kid. It should be ready soon."
 
Soon after Xander had set the table, the stew was ready. Because Cooger never measured, even after tasting it, he had no idea the stew had been altered without his knowledge. As he said, "Mm, it came out really nice this time," while they ate, Dark stayed perfectly silent and let him believe. If he hadn't altered it, it would've been fine... it was just better now.
 
Alec made conversation with Cooger over dinner, asking about his work and how it was going. He liked chatting with his uncle and hearing the stories about strange customers or jobs, and he ate heartily while listening.

Xander didn't talk much, content to focus on eating and listening. The stew was pleasingly good! He wondered what it would be like to do some kind of more "homestead-style" meals for a while. Would it be fun to live on a homestead? His thoughts wandered off as he let himself imagine a scenario where he lived like Cooger, but with the ability to cook.
 
It was nice anytime Cooger came over. It made Dark more relaxed, a little bit more down to earth. He worked hard to be lighter and sillier for his kids, even though it was unnatural for him, but it was easier to find in himself when his brother was there. It fulfilled whatever small part of him yearned for a childhood. Cooger had a blast talking to Alec and Daizi while teasing his brother and occasionally making silly faces at his niece.

After they finished eating, he got up and brought out the pumpkin pie, "I baked this all on my own, it's my Nana Lucy's recipe. Was gonna bring it over later but got called in early. Also got cool whip for it."
 
"Really? A full-blown pumpkin pie?" Xander asked, surprised and pleased. "That looks fantastic! Especially with cool whip."

"Brilliant!" Alec cheered. "That looks fantastic, Uncle Cooger!"
 
"Thank you," Cooger grinned, setting the pie down and slicing it up, "Ivy, kitten, now that you're allowed sugar, even you get some of this pie."

"A tiny bit," Dark cautioned, moving to cut Ivy's piece himself before Cooger shooed him off, huffing.

"I also brought over apple cider, y'all should microwave it so it's warm."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top