Matters of the Heart: Immigrant Griffon

"Hey there, cutie." Sandbar greeted as Gallus came around the corner. They nuzzled beak to snout for a moment before walking towards the front entrance together.

"So what took you so long?" Sandbar asked.

"I was talking with Headmare Twilight. I already knew I was staying here for the summer, but I also asked her about something a little more permanent. I asked her about the official process of immigrating to Equestria."

"Wow, really?" Sandbar asked.

"Well, yeah. It's not like I want to go home after all this, especially after meeting you. She said I had to figure out what I'd like to do here, as getting sponsored by an employer is the fastest way to citizenship." The griffon replied as they stepped out into the afternoon sunshine. Winter had passed, and the days were becoming warmer as spring took over. One of the most interesting field trips for the students had been right here in Ponyville, as they participated in Winter Wrap Up.

"So what do you think you'll do?"

"Well, when it comes to the past school year, I've enjoyed the cooking classes the most. Headmare Twilight has invited me to volunteer in the castle kitchen whenever I have time. I think I'll try that tomorrow, you and I didn't have anything planned anyway."

"Sounds great. Me and my family were planning on going for a hike in Whitetail Woods tomorrow. So, chef huh?"

"Well, maybe. Chef, baker, pastries... There's so many different kinds of cooking, I have to figure out what I like best, and the school classes aren't extensive enough. I figure I'd try getting those varied experiences over the summer."

"Well I'm certainly looking forward to trying whatever you cook up. And if you want to stay here, that's great. But I still want to visit Griffonstone with you, you know."

Gallus shot him a half annoyed look as he tried to hide his frustration. No matter how often he tried to drop the subject, Sandbar always brought it back up, days or weeks later.

"I'm not sure why you do."

"To see where you came from. See where you grew up."

"Did you read Professor Pinkie and Rainbow's friendship mission report? Remember my story of the Blue Moon Festival? It hasn't gotten any better. Trust me."

"I do trust you, Gallus. It's just that I've never been outside Equestria before, and I'd like to see some of the world beyond our borders."

"I can think of a dozen better places. Well, except maybe Klugetown. That sounded just as bad. But it's not like you have a leg to stand on here, Sandbar. We've been going out for a couple months now, and I've never even seen your family. Have you even told them about us?"

That last question brought a pause to Sandbar's gait.

"N-no. I haven't. But you have a point. So why not? Do you want to come over for dinner on Sunday? I think it is finally time to introduce you."

"Sure. I'd love to. What are we having? Should I bring a side dish?" The griffon asked.

"Sunday is carrot dog night. Just think of what goes along with that. My family eats nearly anything."

"Deal. I'll see what I can come up with. Now, what do you say to an early dinner right now?"

"Sounds great. Where to?"

Gallus was still getting used to the white chef's coat buttoned around his chest as he stood in front of one of four simmering pots of stew in the castle kitchen. He had just finished stirring, and now he had to see if it was seasoned correctly, and so he slowly lowered his right claw towards the pot.

"Ah ah ah!" Grubber interrupted, coming up to him and standing on the step ladder next to him. "When you're cooking small meals with close friends or just for yourself, that might be considered acceptable, but in any professional kitchen, you use those." The hedgehog told him, pointing to a glass jar filled with more than two dozen silver spoons.

"Tasting spoons. You use them only once. If you have to re-taste after more seasoning, grab a new one." He instructed his newest volunteer, who had just started today. They were preparing lunch for the E.U.P. day shift. Today's menu was hot vegetable stew with fresh oven-baked rolls.

"Tasting spoons. Got it." Gallus repeated, absorbing all the information he could.

The timer next to the oven let out two beeps followed by a longer one, and that was the signal to check the oven. He opened the downward swinging door, reached in with a pair of pot holders, and came out with two trays of four dozen risen dinner rolls. He set them on the center counter, and immediately put two more trays in, closed the oven door, and set the timer for another 20 minutes.

Grubber stepped up on another step ladder at the center counter to inspect the rolls; which were the griffon's first. He clearly had a bit of experience with dough.

"All of these look fantastic. Excellent job, Gallus." Grubber said with a smile of satisfaction before grabbing a bowl of melted butter with a brush and began giving the hot rolls a fresh coat of butter, and they would be ready for serving. The second set of rolls currently in the oven was the last part needed for the lunch, and they would be ready in 20 minutes.

"So, next part is, getting trays and bowls ready out on the buffet tables. You'll probably be able to carry considerably more than I can. Just follow Commander Thunderlane." Grubber said, motioning to the charcoal-coated pegasus, who had started carrying serving trays, plates, and cups out to the dining room. He frequently came in from patrols to help with meals, as he loved to cook, a hobby he had picked up in the Wonderbolts. Three trips later, the two of them had enough dishes and utensils set out for the entire E.U.P. with some to spare.

"Everything's all set." Gallus reported upon returning to the kitchen.

"Great. They'll start filing in here in about 15 minutes, the second set of rolls will be out in just under 20. So, you said you wanted some advice on a side dish?" Grubber asked.

"Oh yeah. I'm going to a small dinner tomorrow night, the main dish is carrot dogs. I was wondering what can go along with that, and is doable by somecreature of my skill level."

Grubber twiddled his claws only for a moment.

"Well, you can't go wrong with fresh hay fries. All you need is a little oil. They deep fry in just a couple minutes, super easy to season, and you can top them with all manner of ingredients. Cheese, chili, chives, the list goes on. Best to keep it simple for your first time."

As he hadn't yet had lunch, Gallus almost began to salivate at the thought of fresh hot hay fries; a favorite of his from meals at school.

"That sounds great. I'll start looking up recipes tonight." Gallus replied.

"In the meantime, get a little bit of a break in. The guards will come to eat in two blocks, and then I can show you one of the less pleasant parts of running a kitchen." Grubber told him.

"Dishwashing?"

"Dishwashing."