Genesis of Apotheosis

[Malon]

To mask her identity Malon is taking on a different appearance, shown below. She will remain in that form for the duration of the thread.

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Well, this was a problem.

In retrospect, she should have thought of it far sooner, really. Especially since it was Tearen organizing the event and, from what she had understood, he had posted a general invitation on some sort of board where a lot of people would see it.

Of course people from Dante's Abyss, bearing a grudge against them, would be coming here to take their revenge on Tearen, knowing where he was and that he wouldn't be going anywhere for a while. They knew not where she was but if they found her here she could imagine that some of them would happily attack her as well. So, it was time for a disguise.

This time it was Malon the eleventh - whom she took to calling Chef - that lent her her body as well as a different voice. Coupled with a short-sleeved shirt suited for cooking, a short skirt, an apron from Tearen's kitchen and a little recoloring of the characteristic brown hair that all Malons seemed to have, she was hardly recognizable. She could only hope that none of the attendants were able to see past her disguise, or if they did that they didn't call her out on it. Or recognize her. Funny... as she progressively remembered more of the life she'd had before her demise in Dante's Abyss as well as of the other Malon incarnations she felt like she was missing something. Like she couldn't remember someone or something important. She tried to think of it as best as she could but whenever she thought to have a firm grip on the memory it slipped through her fingers like water. How frustrating!

On the plus side, the cooking was going really well. Chef not only let her use her appearance, but her knowledge and personality also bled into Malon's. She felt better now, as if this kitchen was her domain and the steam coming from the pots, the bubbling sounds of the boiling waters, the dozens of smells filling the air from burning coal to black pepper, were creating a symphony for the senses and she was the dirigent. Granted, the sudden appearance of Tearen's friends - especially that of one of them snagging a ladle and tasting the unfinished curry stew! - threw her off but she regained her focus after a while. It was a good thing that she'd made some extra... these guys looked like they were hungry.

She was just checking the naan bread's consistency in the oven when she heard shuffling as the tent's "door" flap was moved aside. "Malon, how are... oh."

"Tearen? Come in!" she called without turning around, but recognizing him by the sound of his voice.

"I see that you changed your looks again?" he asked. "Hmm, and I smell delicious curry."

"That's right. No tasting before it's ready though! And yes." She pushed the naan back into the oven and stood up to face Tearen. "I don't feel too safe with my real form until some dust settles over the whole Dante's Abyss thing."

"Are you worried that people might come for you?"

"No. For you, rather - and that I might get caught in it if they recognize me." She gave him an awkward smile while toying with her long braid. "I'm sorry if this sounds cold, but I'd rather live instead of joining you in death again. That's Assassin's pragmatism speaking."

Tearen waved it off. "I fully understand, and you need not justify yourself. But if it were to come to a battle I'd make it my priority to help you get away if things get hairy... and you've shown that you're a strong fighter in Dante's Abyss. You can look out for yourself."

"Thanks... I appreciate it." She tasted the curry then took out a teaspoon, filled it and gave it to Tearen. "What's your opinion?"

"Mmh... delicious! Should I call the others to seat themselves?"

"Please. It's still gonna take some five minutes before the naan is ready but they're probably not finished showering yet. Do you know them?"

"Oh, yes. Strazio and I met during Dante's Abyss after... well, after we two were separated. I've heard of him before that though. I've only just met Gamzee and Karkat though."

"Who's who?"

"Strazio is the human one without horns, Gamzee is the troll with the bigger horns and Karkat's the other one. They'll probably introduce themselves though." He smiled reassuringly. "Strazio is a nice guy despite what he may sound like, and Gamzee and Karkat... well, they don't seem hostile at least and if they're tagging along with Strazio they're probably okay too."

"Alright... I'll stick to these looks while we're here though. Just as a safety precaution."

After Tearen left she grabbed the large pot of curry with two oven gloves and put it on a cart that she had previously readied. Better dispense the portions at the table rather than here in the kitchen. The rice was ready too, so she put it on the cart as well, followed by the dessert and finally the naan. When she carted everything out to the long table that Tearen had summoned into the camp Tearen and the others were already waiting with more or less impatient slash hungry looks on their faces.

"I wasn't sure as to what preferences everyone might have, so I've prepared a few options", she explained as she placed the pots on the end of the table. "The main course is Gerudo Chicken Curry with lemon. It's on the spicy side, but if you prefer a milder taste you can add coconut milk from this jug. Also, there’s crushed almonds in this small bowl which you can sprinkle over your curry if you like. As a side we have naan bread or rice depending on your preference, though I personally recommend the naan. And for dessert I've made a fruit salad with strawberries, pineapple, dragonfruit, starfruit and banana. If you like you can add vanilla ice cream as well." She pointed out a wood box whose insides she'd lined with large ice blocks. In the middle was a bowl with the ice cream, kept this way so it wouldn't melt for a few hours.

"Also, I should probably introduce myself. I'm Ma-... Maru. Maru of Kakariko."

"Motherfuckin’ delicious! Both the food an' the girl!" the one that Malon believed was Gamzee shouted. For that last comment he earned himself a glare from the other two. Malon could feel her cheeks flushing to the color of tomatoes again. "But, how d'you want us to get it?"

"We should line up", said the one with small horns - Karkat. "Like for a buffet. Right?"

"Yes, I was going to propose that. Just take your plates and help yourselves to what you want." She was about to move around to get her plate, but the one without horns picked it up and brought it to her as he got in line behind the two trolls.

"Nice to meet ya too, Maru", he said with a disarming smile. "I'm Strazio Rockwell and those two are Gamzee and Karkat. You a friend of Wover?"

"Mhm. But I'm here for the course, too."

"Nice. Well, I'm lookin' forward to some good time together then!" After that Gamzee moved forward to the next pot and Strazio could start helping himself, so the conversation ended there for the time being.