Nan's Cozy Desserts Private Finished

Reducio

@Griseldis Edelhardt

Alan was ever constantly shifting his eyes towards the entrance of the shop and out the small window overlooking the street. From time to time Alan occasionally saw a passerby causing him to sit upright as if one were to pop into this cozy little shop. The young lads Nan peered in through the back and called out, adjusting her little spectacles at the boy "Still nobody Al? don't worry someone will chime in...they just need to follow the smell" Alan shook his head until he caught a glimpse of a familiar girl running around the street as if lost. With a little smile on Alans face, moving his head back down towards his potions notes as if pretending to look busy. The young lads Nan caught a glimpse of the boy's sudden change in expression with a cheeky grin she pulled back behind the counter to finish up a fresh batch after hearing a loud bell ringing. Alan patiently waited for the girl to finally figure out where she was.

As soon as the little bell hanging over the door chimed Alan's eyes shot up immediately towards the entrance with an excited expression across his face. Almost instantaneously Alan stepped off his post and ran up towards Griseldis, wrapping his arms around the Gryffindor girl saying with the utmost joy in his tone "Gris! you finally made it! I'm glad your here!" Pulling away slightly to give his best friend some room to breathe and take it all in the Young lad babbled on "I knew I recognised you wondering around I just knew it! my holiday is complete my friends here!" Calling out to the back Alan yelled: "Nan we got Customers!"

Peering out from the back once more a tired-looking old woman, small in stature limbered out of the back and moved behind the till offering a sweet loving smile towards the two children as she said "Hello there, hope you'll find yourself cozy in my little shop and...oh my" A cheeky grin came across the shrivelled up lips of Deidre as she spoke with strong suggestive ideas about Gris "You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend Al...she's a cute one to certainly know how to pick'em" Alan blushed in front of Gris as she quickly snapped his head towards his Nan "No she's a girl that happens to be my friend Nan!" Alan leaned in to whisper towards Gris speaking apologetically still blushing up at the girl " Sorry...she's like this...I don't know" The young lad seemed pretty embarrassed by this whole situation.

Reducio

@Griseldis Edelhardt

Alan felt a little re-assured from Gris catching his best friend blushing he couldn't help but feel at ease in her presence. With Alan's Nan in the room making her jokes about them being a couple, he felt at ease that Gris stepped up and said that her Nan was sweet. All that embarrassment upon his slightly red cheeks faded. Nan watched Griseldis as she gave the old lady a bow and compliment feeling flustered herself or at least pretending she commented jokingly towards the two young students "Polite, knows how to compliment and most certainly has a taste." Nan placed both hands on her hips, with a cheeky grin across her partially flour-covered face as she said: "Are you sure this isn't more than just a girl who happens to be a friend." Alan's face turns red again as Deidre waved her hand dismissively "Oh, don't worry children Nana is only teasing." Alan in the meanwhile let out a deep sigh of relief that his Nan could see as he watched over Griseldis giggling it he couldn't help but catch a little case of her laughing as the young lad began to snicker himself "She can be pretty funny at times."

Nan watched the two exchange words to each other as she replied to the young Gryffindor "Glad to see someone pays attention to young Al here, boy doesn't have many friends, and he had been so excited to see you. he was jumping for joy when he came into the shop today" Maintaining her grin Nan said, "Oh did he now?" She shoots a glance at her grandson "well lucky for you I whipped up a batch just give me a minute" She held up a finger as she turned around "I'll add the finishing touches" The old lady waddled her way to the back of the small cafe, the sounds of clanging of pans and trays echoed through in the background.

Alan moved a little closer to Gris and took the girls hand leading her over towards a nearby table next to the till and offered her a chair to sit on as the boy asked: "Want anything to drink?" The boy said a little confidently not a hint of a stutter as if he was comfortable with Gris. "It's on the house Nan usually is lenient to friends we have those muggle drinks over there." he pointed towards a brand labelled soft drink looking refrigerator "And some special wizard ones too if ya fancy." Upon sitting down, Gris should be able to see the glass counter with a large assortment of baked kids ranging from savoury pies to sweet cakes and muffins. Alan moved towards the entrance and flipped the sign which read "Back soon we be baking!" Walking back, he gently tapped one of the wooden counters tapping it with his palm and says "Nan's special please." In that instant, an assortment of obscure pastries also came to be on display the kind you'd find in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, special wizarding cakes and confectionary foods "If you want a sample to feel free to ask ok?" Alan kept an excited smile on his face.

Interacting with: @Griseldis Edelhardt

As Alan was going over the variety of drinks for Gris to try, searching in particular for 'Otter's Fizzy Orange Juice.' The young lad couldn't help but blush from the comments Gris said earlier. Lucky for Alan he was ducking into the muggle brand labelled to conceal his face as he muttered: "I'm really lucky I got such a great friend...h-hope she didn't hear me". On the outside, it appeared to have displayed the muggle drinks. Pulling out his wand, he tapped each of the letters of the Coca Cola label on the side of the refrigerator whispering "Special Drinks Please." From watching nothing appeared to have happened but as Alan pulled open, the glass door was an assortment of wizard drinks being freshly brewed.

Alan grabbed the requested drinks from within placing the fizzing bottles onto the table as the young lad eagerly smiled at his friend. Before Alan had a chance to speak the boys, Nan poked her head out in a typical nagging fashion yelling "Al, did you offer the nice young lady drinks and specials?" Shaking his head, he groaned out "Yes, Nan I did that!" His Nan shot a glare at the young man, like a Basilisk petrifying its victim the boy froze and replied shivering nervously in fear of the stare "I-I-I mean yes I did Nan." Nan pulled herself back into the kitchen once more with a grin on her face knowing full well what her Grandson is thinking. Reminding the old lady of her son Frederick when she brought Alan's mother into the shop sent a satisfying chill down her spine.

Once out of earshot, Alan took Gris' hand gently once more pulling her in for a closer look of the many unique desserts. Gris would notice that he is an entirely different boy when he's just with his friend and not with other students in school. The lad was confident as he pointed out the chocolate eclairs and black forest cakes as Alan said eagerly "You should try these Gris! Nan makes the best desserts! I know you'll like it." If the lady were to notice Alans face a little, he was still blushing from earlier hoping his excitement would distract her.

Interacting with: @ Griseldis Edelhardt

At Griseldis question asking if they were utensils for her to use, Alan nodded and replied: "Of course just give me a second Gris" moving his friend back to her seat pulling out the chair for her once more the young lad walked behind the counter the small boy called out to his Nan "Nana! I'm going to offer Gris some of that chocolate cake is that ok?" The frail stumpy old lady came out with a couple of plates covered in a neat green floral pattern peering down and asking the boy "Which one Al?" The Ravenclaw boy pointed out the well-designed chocolate cake whispering to the young man in a teasing manner "Oh Al look at you showing off to your girlfriend, huh?"

Alan turned slightly red for a moment as he said: "J-Just that one N-Nan ok and we're just friends." Chuckling lightly and rubbing her grandsons head after pulling the chosen cake out and slicing a fair amount for the two, she offered the two plates which had the dessert ready to eat. Alan took them and turned around looking over towards Gris with a smile on his face excitedly to see his friends reaction to his Nans dessert while in the back of his mind he said: "Al ignore Nan just spend time with your friend I mean you have cake!" Nan watched the boy elegantly placing the small green floral plate with the brown chocolate cake decorated with a little edible flower in front of Gris saying jokingly "Dessert is served, M'lady." All in Alan's mind the young lad said to himself "Really proving Nan wrong aren't you."

In the meantime, his Nan watched on with a cheeky grin across her face wanting to hold back further teasing as she knew her grandson well adding more might make him more nervous, Alan wouldn't be able to see it as he moved to sit on his seat. Still, Gris may notice before the frail lady went back into the kitchen. Offering a silver fork to Gris he said: "Bon Appetite I really hope you enjoy it...and don't mind Nan she says it's ok if you want more."

Interacting With: @ Griseldis Edelhardt

The young lad watched in anticipation watching his friend Gris examine the cake. Alan couldn't help by feeling nervous at how the Gryffindor girl was to react, and she hadn't even tasted it yet, in the back of the boys mind it was racing with doubt as well as positive thoughts which caused confusion in the young man's thoughts. One part of Alan thoughts was panicking speaking in his head "She's not going to like it, you blew it, Al, you had to be a gentleman, huh?!" Keeping a straight face, his thoughts lingered on the positives "Hey, free food can't go wrong now...just means a weeks work of dishwashing for you right? besides, it's all for her, and that's what matters." Alan is seen visibly nodding to himself as agreeing to his current train of thought.

The reassuring giggle and excitement on Griseldis eyes as she took the first bite seemed to be the typical reaction, the same one his Nan gave him as he offered the cake to her earlier today. Anything in Nan's shop was catered to make the customer feel relaxed as what Gris is experiencing now is her own journey as the taste helps her explore several flavours. A satisfied smile came across Alans face with the added verbal confirmation he chuckled cutting himself a slice as he had yet to try his own recipe for himself. Carefully taking the knife, Alan cut a rather thin piece, placing it onto his plate as he replied feeling a sense of relief in his tone "I'm glad you liked it, Nan's Desserts does send one on a flavourful journey."

As the pair were enjoying the desserts, Nan took the opportunity to poke her head out watching proudly at her Grandson as she muttered: "Al's finally got a friend good for that laddie." Alan pondered for a moment as he looked at the cake "Nan typically has everything enchanted to her liking but as she taught me the heart of baking is by doing it with your hands as I did today." He looked at the cake before the two "I'm just glad I was able to meet Nan's expectations when I made this cake" Alan smiled as he shyly looked away a tad embarrassed for the moment before looking back towards his friend Gris.

Interacting with @ Griseldis Edelhardt

Alan stood to wait for Gris reaction after the young lad confessed about the origins of the cake. All that went through the Ravenclaw's mind was doubt and worry, which frantically spiralled in his thoughts. "She's not going to believe you, Al, I mean come on no one can match Nan's work. You did it wrong, and you know it!" Inside his mind were all negatives with a small rational, positive voice lingering in his mind said: "You made this with love and cared regardless stand tall Al I'm sure she'll like it." even when the boy's Nana wasn't by his side her words carried weight in the young lad's thoughts.

When Gris almost dropped the fork, Alan was about ready to cower away until the Gryffindor smiled and said that it had impressed her, complimenting him on his ability that was more than just solving problems. His pounding chest was settling calmly Alan said recognising a face that indicated she wanted more "Gris I could umm...give you a box of assorted desserts, free I mean if you want to of course heh." Alan felt exhilarated his confidence boosted from the positive feedback, particularly for what the boy considered a close friend at this point. Unbeknownst to the pair, Nan found herself celebrating quietly as the pots, pans and baking trays bounced around the kitchen dancing in rhythm to her wobbly dance moves as she muttered "Yes he did it Al I knew you had it in you! you have my talent!" The old lady felt a crack in her back wincing a little but laughing "Oh...not as young as I used to be".

Alan went silent for the moment as Gris requested that the boy teach her how to bake a chocolate cake. The Ravenclaws nerves kicked in again wondering if he would make a good teacher for Gris, leaning forward Al spoke "Wait... you want to learn? f-f-from me?" Although baking the chocolate cake was quite the task, he didn't feel confident in his abilities. Seeing the Gryffindor blush made Alan's cheeks turn slightly red as he replied nervously "S-sure I can teach you, i-i-if it's you I-I-I d-don't mind heh." Griseldis brought up the idea of teaching him in return; smiling Alan finished "I-I-I would be h-happy to learn from you w-what was it called?" Having never heard the name before it was clear he had difficulty pronouncing it, but he made an effort anyway.

With one final thought, Alan called out looking towards the kitchen entrance "Hey Nan! can we use the stove? I want to show Gris how I made the cake!" The Old lady peered out with a curiously cheeky smirk "I could, only if you do the dishes afterwards" Waddling out she says by the till "Might close early today, feeling quite tired you see." With an eager smile across his face, Alan walked over to Gris offering his hand "Come I'll show you the kitchen now!"

Interacting With: @ Griseldis Edelhardt

Alan, ecstatic with today's events as it was all unplanned and to his Nans advice did everything naturally. The young lad's friend Gris had been easy to read, given her expressions were wholesome and genuine. Alan, caught by surprise by Gris invitation didn't know what else to say. Terrified at first wondering if he'll get the same warm welcome he gave his friend to which caused him to reply nervously yet excited by request. "Of course I'll g-gl-gl-gladly come over and try your mums cooking, bet she's as cool as you huh? and I do like food heh." Alan pondered for a moment never having tried Chinese food in his entire life, so a chance to experience something new in the company of a friend caused him to speak out loud slightly embarrassed "I-I never tried Chinese food before so it'll be fun heh."

Alan attempted once more to pronounce steamed pork puns in Chinese after a couple of times it came out shakingly correct "Oh it's Char Siu Bao." Curious of the language the boy wondered if he could learn of Gris seeing as it was a chance to learn. With the permission of his Nan, Alan began to teach Griseldis the basics on how to make a delicious chocolate cake. Alan wrote up the recipe for Griseldis should she want to try again at home. The teaching session was nothing the boy had done before, most of the time was Alan guiding Gris hands though to his amazement the Gryffindor had a knack for baking which drove the young lad's curiosity. Midway through having slapped the cake into the oven, the pair got into a little food fight hurling flowers and chocolate at each other in good fun until Nan caught them in the act. Nan was glad her grandson was having the time of his life, but the mess created irritated her, letting out a deep sigh. Although she scolded Alan and Gris, particularly her Grandson, Nan was still a big softy only telling them to clean the dishes while she handled all the mess herself because she could tell Alan was having the time of his life.

With the cake ready, Nan took a moment to inspect the cake Gris, and Alan had baked together for a final verdict drawing a ten out of ten with her wand praising the Gryffindor. "You certainly have talent Gris, tell you what I'll box this up your parents will love it." Nan began boxing the cake herself, suddenly the sounds of the glass gently tapping caught the attention of Alan, moving over was a man who looked to be in his mid-forties. Gris immediately came to the door recognising the man, introducing him as her Uncle. Alan was a little nervous at strangers but with little experience manning the till the young lad let the man in. Introducing himself as Jarvis, he shook Alan's hand thanking the boy for taking care of his niece, but it was time for her to go home now. Wanting a little more time, Nan stepped in greeting Jarvis who seemed to take a liking to a man half her age, assuming it was Gris father at first and corrected the two adults chatted about the day's events so much as offering him a free bite to eat with tea.

While distracted Alan took the time to prepare a couple of boxes of assorted treats for Gris as well as the chocolate cake they baked together. Alan allowed the Gryffindor to pick whatever she liked. After a short while of decision making, Jarvis was ready to leave, thanking Nan once more who he now addressed as Deidre for taking care of Gris for today to which the old woman snickered "You should be thanking little Al over there he never left her side." Jarvis approached Alan once more thanking him for taking care of his niece as the pair were about to leave. Alan hugged Griseldis and whispered "See you back in school or...at Bridgwater even" As Alan watched her step out of the shop he quickly said, "Owl me if you want more I'll send your favourite desserts!" Nan placed her hand on Alan's shoulder muttering "You have a nice friend Al, be sure to treat her right from now on." Alan blushed shouting "Oh stop it, Nan" causing the elderly woman to giggle.

OOC:As said in the previous post Thanks to Griseldis for giving permission to God emote her characters for a short moment, Thanks, Gris.

We finally conclude this thread after so long!