=== Alear & Bunet === --- C --- [Bunet] Divine One, I must say, you have the most evocative eyes. This one's like a cherry tomato. [Bunet] Oh, and that one, a blueberry. [Alear] Um, thanks? I think... You did mean those as compliments, right? [Bunet] Of course. [Bunet] Tomatoes and blueberries are among the most precious treasures that nature gives us. [Bunet] I am steeped in culinary traditions from all over the world, ergo my penchant for food analogies. [Bunet] Ah...so inspiring... [Alear] I guess it makes sense that a chef would see the world in terms of ingredients. [Alear] Thank you. [Bunet] No, no. It is I who should be thanking you. [Bunet] For allowing me to find inspiration in your tomato and blueberry eyes. [Alear] How impressive, Bunet─to know about so many dishes from around the world. [Bunet] I have much more to learn! And inspiration strikes me in many unexpected ways. [Bunet] I aspire to experience every flavor inspiration and to create new recipes for people to enjoy. [Alear] Wow, I look forward to seeing you do that. [Bunet] A chef must always be up for a culinary journey, wherever it may go. --- B --- [Bunet] Hm... What is that aroma? [Alear] I don't smell anything. [Bunet] It's you. You're emitting a scent that I do not recognize. [Alear] Oh, that! I got some sauce on a bit of clothing at lunch. [Alear] It was such a small amount, I didn't think anyone would notice. Sorry, I'll go change. [Bunet] No, no. Please allow me to find inspiration in this curious scent. [Alear] Oh! [Bunet] This must be from a dish I'm not familiar with. [Bunet] Might I ask you for a quick lick? I am not familiar with this dish you ate. [Alear] You want to taste the sauce? On my...clothing? [Alear] Oh, I know! Why don't we speak with the person who's on meal duty? [Bunet] I'd love to know sooner than that. It's my culinary curiosity, you see. [Alear] Still, my clothing? [Bunet] I've been thinking about cooking, ingredients, and flavors for as long as I can remember. [Bunet] And over the years, I've diligently added to my culinary vocabulary. Can you help? [Alear] I know I said I was excited about your ambitions as a chef. But this one's a no. [Alear] I support your finding inspiration, but there are limits. [Alear] Besides, there's more to great cooking than knowing all the flavors. [Bunet] I don't understand. [Alear] You'll figure it out. In the meantime, I'm going to go change. Excuse me. [Bunet] What could the Divine Dragon have meant by that? --- A --- [Bunet] Divine One. I owe you an apology for my rudeness the other day. [Alear] We talked through it. And I got my clothing washed─all fine. [Bunet] Yes, but what you told me─that there is more to great cooking than knowing all the flavors... [Bunet] I dove back into my culinary training to better understand what you meant─what I'm missing. [Alear] You did? [Bunet] Yes. After we spoke, I retreated to the kitchen and have been cooking all this time. [Bunet] I worked from morning to night to cook up a dish inspired by that sauce stain. [Alear] Wow. All this because I spilled something on my clothes. [Bunet] Still I could not find an answer. And as I verged on despair, a thought came to mind. [Bunet] "How about instead of worrying about this, I make food the Divine One would enjoy?" [Bunet] So that's what I did. And the taste of the resulting dish far exceeded my expectations. [Bunet] That's the secret to great cooking, isn't it? Caring for the people you're cooking for. [Alear] Absolutely! I completely agree. [Alear] It's about caring for people─not knowing every flavor and recipe under the sun. [Bunet] Divine One, I'm sorry that I made you uncomfortable. [Alear] It's OK. I still support you, even if I had to draw the line. [Alear] I have no doubt that one day, you will be the world's best chef. [Bunet] Thank you. [Bunet] You know, I have that dish right here, if you'd like to try it. [Alear] Of course! I'd love to. --- S --- [Bunet] Divine One, I have created an entirely new dish. [Bunet] If you would, please try it. I'd love to hear your thoughts. [Alear] It certainly looks delicious. The colors are beautiful. [Bunet] The tomatoes and blueberries you see there, they were inspired by your beautiful eyes. [Bunet] Enjoy. [Alear] All right. Thank you. [Alear] ... [Alear] This is...incredible! It's better than anything I've ever tasted! [Bunet] I am pleased to hear it. I was determined to make this dish something extraordinary for you. [Bunet] When I cook with you in mind, the food tastes... transcendent. I would like to do so more often. [Bunet] That is, I would like to cook with you in mind...forever...if it pleased you. [Alear] Do you mean... [Bunet] I mean, I would like to be your partner, Divine One. [Bunet] If you found the food I made for you pleasing, that is. [Bunet] But if it's inconvenient, I'll remember this dish fondly and return to my chef's duties. [Alear] Oh... No. [Alear] That doesn't sound good at all. Please, stay. I'd like you to make more incredible dishes for me. [Alear] Actually, Bunet, even if you didn't cook me a single meal, I'd want you to stay. [Alear] Here, this Pact Ring...it's for you. [Bunet] Thank you! The ring is beautiful...just like you. [Alear] All the cooking aside, there's so much we'll get to learn about each other. [Bunet] I am looking forward to it, . [Bunet] This moment tastes of pure sweetness. But I will savor all the flavors we cook up together.