The word 'cook' fell into the clearing like an unfamiliar stone, drawing confused looks from every direction as if Aurora had just spoken in an entirely different language. Several brows furrowed, a few heads tilted, and even the murmurs died down for a moment as they tried to process what she had just said.
"Cook…?" Calix repeated slowly, the word rolling awkwardly off his tongue as his attention fixed on her without his usual sharp hostility. For a brief second, he seemed to forget who he was speaking to as curiosity momentarily overpowered prejudice.
Aurora noticed and decided to use the chance.
She didn't hesitate, didn't give them time to retreat back into suspicion. Instead, she straightened slightly and kept her tone calm but deliberate as she spoke, "When the Beast God blessed me with the power of fire, it wasn't just the flame itself."
That line alone was enough to pull every bit of attention toward her.
