Who would've thought baking was his thing of all things?
Contains: Baking, Character Exploration, Light Angst, Light Comfort, Established Relationship, Petnames (Darlin', Sweetheart)
Sometimes you just wanna do a cute scene/a character exploration audio, and that's kind of what this audio became in it's production lol. I've always loved the idea of Cassidy being influenced by Hispanic culture (and I cannot tell you how painful it was to not say the Spanish words correctly lol), plus March is also when citrus fruit reach their peak ripeness, and so this little idea just kind of sprang forth from it! I also think that the messages that Cassidy talks about here are important, so I hope that you enjoy!
~Audio Transcript Below~
Cassidy: -Soft whistling-
AH! Goddamn, someone oughta put a bell on you or somethin', Darlin. Bout gave me a heart attack!
-pause-
I'm not gonna insult your intelligence, Sweetheart, but it is exactly what it looks like.....I'm bakin'.....
-pause-
Yes, in an apron, it's what they're for, ain't it?
-pause-
-chuckles-
Well pardon me for not wanting to get flour and shit all over me, Sweetheart.....
-long pause-
Well......it's been a while since I've had the time to do it, but yeah, I do quite enjoy it....
-pause-
And......with—-exhales-—everything that's been goin' on, I guess I'm just searchin' for a.....specific type of comfort.......
Not that you've been lacking in that department, Sweetheart, I assure you.....
-long pause-
-a little shy-
Um....I'm makin' Tres Leches de Mandarina......
-pause-
-chuckles-
Well.....I think it's only right to tell you got into baking in the first place......I mean....if you're interested, that is.....I understand if you don't really care to hear about a grown man's troubled past......
-pause-
-softly-
Thank you, Darlin'......here....why don't you park yourself right here on this stool.....I'm gonna keep makin' the batter while I tell you if you don't mind?
-pause-
Thank you...
-pause-
Now......where to begin......
-pause-
-clears throat-
When I was younger......let's just say that.....I didn't have many outlets that weren't.....well.....violent leaning.....
I was out on the street quite a lot.....figuratively......and literally.....
One day, this little old Abuela caught me trying to steal tangerines off of a tree in her yard......and instead of rightfully calling the authorities or chasin' me outta there herself.....she just marched right up to me and asked me what the hell I thought I was doin'.....
-pause-
-chuckles-
Oh don't you worry, she did cuss me out proper, but not before grabbin' me by the arm, draggin' me into her house and telling me she'd show me how to make use of that tangerine in a way that was much better than chompin' down on it half dirty in the summer sun like a rabid dog......
I was so confused and kind of struck by the reaction, that by the time I realized what was really goin' on, she'd already pulled me into her kitchen and slapped an apron on me and told me to wash my filthy hands before juicing several of the tangerines on the counter next to me.....
-pause-
Of course! There were multiple times where I thought about runnin' outta there and never lookin' back.....because who in their right mind would try to show a scraggly half starved street rat like me how to bake of all things.....
-long pause-
But I didn't....I guess my growling stomach and my fear of her got the best of me, so I just did what she said......
And well.....Tres Leches de Mandarina is what she taught me how to make.....
-pause-
It means 'Tangerine Three Milks Cake'....and as you can imagine from the name, it is not the recipe for anyone who's sensitive to dairy.....
It's got whole milk in the batter, then once you bake the cake, you pour a sauce over it that's made out of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream.....this version also calls for a topping of meringue and tangerine zest.....
-long pause-
-laughs-
Believe it or not, I'm a far better baker than I am a cook......and I have her to thank for it.....
-pause-
Yeah.....she was harsh with me, but I think she knew she had to be.....knew that if she tried to coddle me I woulda ran outta there without a second thought.....think she knew my pride couldn't take too much kindness.....but I could take direction.....
She taught me how to bake quite a few things......but the thing I always remember the most was the first time......
-pause-
When all was said and done and I had had as many pieces of that cake as I could stomach.....she told me to come back the next day, and she'd teach me how to make something else......
I didn't always come back whenever she told me to......but.....well.....at the time....I wasn't about to turn down free food where I knew I could get it, less alone free sweets......so I would go back.....more and more frequently as time passed......
Looking back on it.....she kept me fed......kept me off the streets, and kept me outta trouble......
-pause-
-rueful laugh-
She would always tell me that I ran around too much, that baking and eating the things that you bake forces you to slow down, and enjoy things......
"Run around like a chicken with it's head cut off, idiota!" she'd say......
-sighs wistfully-
So whenever I'm feelin' particularly stressed or out of sorts....or feel like I need to slow down......I make this.....
-pause-
And in the way it always seems to be.....I can still never quite make it taste the same way she did.......even after all these years......
-long pause-
We......well....I lost contact with her........
-pause-
Life got busy.....then life got real busy......and by the time it wasn't......I wasn't able to find her again........
-long pause-
So.....I also make this to remind myself to never forget the people who help us and change our lives......even if in the moment we don't realize it......
Besides.....food from childhood can help bring back memories of an easier time.....and....remind you about the important things in life.......
Like learning how to make something to share with others......
-pause-
-softly-
Yeah.....that's another reason why I wear the apron.......
-long pause-
Ah—you.......-huffs a soft sound out of his nose-
Well.....this is about ready to go into oven already......but.....if you're keen to learn.....I can teach you how to make the meringue......
It's a bit like learning how to run before you crawl when it comes to bakin', but—
-pause-
-chuckles-
Shoot—don't make me blush, Sweetheart......
But yeah, I'll show ya.......here.....even got an extra apron and everythin'......
-shuffles-
-Fade out starts-
Now one of the most important things about good meringue is using fresh eggs.....Abuela had her own chickens, so you couldn't get 'em fresher.....but the little devils were vile to anyone but her, and so—