Now or never.
Marron Louvel stood between the two cooking stations. There was no Mokko or Lucy to help reduce the pressure of the Council.
Two dishes and four ways to prepare them.
I'm good enough, Marron thought.
It felt like she was lying to herself, but she moved forward with confidence she didn't feel.
[STATION ONE - LEGENDARY TOOLS: SOUP]
The Copper Pot went onto the Food Cart's fire plate first, and Marron felt its familiar warmth bloom through her chest—not controlling, just... present. Acknowledging. Ready to work.
She added oil to the pot and reached for the Precision Blade to prep vegetables.
The knife settled into her hand like coming home. The weight of it, the balance—perfect. She began dicing onions, and the blade guided her cuts with that familiar whisper of optimal angles. Not forcing her hand, just... suggesting. Showing her what perfect could look like if she wanted to reach for it.
The onions fell into uniform pieces, each exactly the same size.
