The Grand Mistress

The girl's father brought the two kids to an eatery around the corner. It was a small one and jam packed. Because of lack of space, the owners put up tables outside the store where additional customers can sit and enjoy their meal. At first glance, Hawk did not like such a set up because it looked untidy to him and besides he had never eaten in an eatery before. However with the aroma of fresh hot soup that his nose caught and the sight of people enjoying their food thoroughly, he set aside his prejudices.

"This is Mr. Wong's eatery," The girl for no reason whispered in his ears as if she was trying not to tell everyone that it was Hawk's first time there. "They served the best food in the village," ​​

"It must be so delicious because it is obvious you like it so much," Hawk answered also in a whisper. The girl's father caught their secret conversation and just smiled at it. Then he cues the girl to find a table for them as he goes to the counter to order food. The girl then grabbed Hawk to an empty table and sat beside him.

"My mother and father met here," The girl was talkative enough to not open a conversation once they were seated. "That's why this is my papa's favorite place too,"

"Then is your mother joining us?" Hawk asked.

"Nope," She shook her head and acted composed as if the question didn't bother her. However it does in so many ways but she was a happy kid and things like that only slipped in her head for a moment and fades just minutes after, "She's not coming,"

"Well your dad sure is a good company," Hawk complimented, not able to catch the split second change of her mood. "It must be fun to be with him all the time,"

"Sure he is," The girl widened her eyes at Hawk's words, "But he can be really annoying at times,"

Just then, the girl's father came with two bowls of soup. He placed the first at his daughter then the other to Hawk. He then went back to the counter and came back a minute after with another bowl of soup for himself. When he sat down, he asked the girl to take the lead in prayer and she did. Hawk just simply imitated the girl, not making it too obvious that he had no idea of such rituals or formalities, whatever they call it.

"Dear Father, thank you for your food today. Bless it to our good we pray, thank you for your loving care that others may way always share. Amen," She said her prayer in rhymes to Hawk's amusement. However, he could see how sincere she was and so he dared not to laugh at it even in secret.

"Okay chop! Chop!" The girl excitedly yelled just after she said her prayers. Then in a hurry, she started digging on her soup.

"Easy lad," Her father tapped the girl's head, reminding her not to be overly excited about the soup, "The soup won't run. Besides, we have a guest right here. Try not to be so messy,"

She answered by nodding her head because her mouth was full. She also turned to Hawk and flushed an overpleased face, encouraging him to try his bowl immediately before it turns cold. She swallowed whatever was in her mouth in one gulp and said, "Try it. You won't regret it."

Hawk looked down in his bowl of soup. It was certainly not as appealing as all the soups that he was used to but he can tell by the aroma of it that certainly is something worthy to be tasted. Hawk with grace, raised his spoon and took a small sip.

Seeing how Hawk was eating in such a formal manner, she dropped jawed. "Whoo! That is not how you eat a delicious soup lad! You look like one of those city boys right there,"

Hawk turned to her surprised only to realize that he indeed was acting like a city boy. He immediately put his spoon down and thought of something before he replied, "My papa trained me how to eat properly saying I need such graces in the future,"

"Your papa must have big dreams for you lad," The girl's father uttered pointing his spoon to Hawk. In a minute he turned it toward his daughter's direction "I had been teaching this little girl how to act properly too and yet she never learns,"

The girl's father took Hawk's explanation well. Most of the villagers dream to send their children to the capital when they reach a certain age with hopes that they can get their way into the upper echelon of the society. So it was not new for parents to teach their children how to act right and dine properly.

"If you want to be a successful ballerina, you need to know good graces," he added, eyes on her daughter.

"Of course, I heard prima ballerinas are always invited to big events in the capital," Hawk joined in lecturing the girl, "You should learn table etiquettes now so it would not become hard in the future,"

"I can just easily say no to those events, I'm not interested in any of it," She said annoyed that the two males were picking on her. It seemed that her father had found a good accomplice in pestering her raw manners.

"You won't get much sponsors if you will always say no," Hawk brushed her reasons away, "If that's the case then it will be hard for you to get a big break and have your own solo concert,"

"I don't want to become a ballerina so I can have my own solo concert, you foolish!" She gave Hawk a glare. Hawk back off in an instant.

"Look, I just want to learn ballet for one reason only. I want to have a license to become a ballet teacher, buy back the dance studio my grandmother used to own and teach ballet like my current teacher does. That's it"