#big wing

“On our first measuring cup, pour 1 cup of white sugar in it.”

Crystal scooped an overflowing amount of sugar from its bag. However, she swept a portion back in the bag to fulfill the 1 cup requirement.

Valentina also directs Todd to fill half of another empty measuring cup with brown sugar. He also took out 2 sticks of unsalted butter from their box and removed the wrappers coating the sticks.

Synchronously, both Crystal and Todd poured their sugars and the butter sticks into a mixing bowl. The drill Super Wing picked up the electric mixer by the counter and started blending the ingredients in the bowl together until Crystal noticed the mixture becoming light and fluffy.

Afterwards, she grabbed the final measuring cup and poured a quarter of milk in it. Then, Crystal cracked one egg and let the yolk drop on the bowl, followed by a tablespoon of vanilla extract.

This time, Todd grabbed another bowl and equaled the portion of flour and baking soda on each of the two bowls. He put a tablespoon of salt in each mixture, followed by the butter mixture.

Todd proceeds to mix the bowls until Crystal noticed the flour is combined.

Valentina volunteered in the session by pouring a cup of marshmallows and a half a pound of chocolate chips in each bowl. Todd continues to blend until the contents are just mixed.

Then, Crystal grabbed a spoon and scooped ping pong-sized balls of s’more cookie dough on a tray covered by a baking sheet provided by Todd earlier.

When all of the balls are placed comfortably apart from each other, Crystal grabbed the tray and set it next to the stovetop. She preheated the oven to 350 degrees and waited for a few minutes before opening the appliance’s door. The snowboarding Super Wing slid the tray of s’more cookie balls into the oven and closed its door shut.

Finding a seat, Crystal carried it near the stove and sat on it. She put her hands on her lap and watched Valentina lie on their belly to watch the cookies come to life in the oven. They kicked their feet and hummed an upbeat tune.

Which would take 12 to 15 minutes and the need to pass time is highly recommended. Valentina offered to be the time keeper by keeping a holographic timer open.

“Sooooo,” Todd placed his palms on his hips, “have you two heard about the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand?”

Valentina gasped, “The Waitomo Glowworm Caves of New Zealand?!” They rolled on their side to face Todd. “I really, really want to go there!”

“I think I heard about it? I remember hearing tourists at a ski resort mention going to a glowing cave for vacation but I don’t know what cave they’re referring too....” Crystal rubbed behind her head.

“Well, you can find the caves at the Northern King Country region of the North Island in New Zealand! I actually went there myself—“

“What’s it like what’s it like?!?!” Valentina covered their mouth with the back of their fists while kicking their feet rapidly. Crystal watches intently to ensure the royal Super Wing doesn’t cause something hazardous.

Todd continued for Valentina’s excitement. “It’s beautiful! The caves have rivers and I read that their seabeds have fossilized corals, shells, fishes and other marine animals. The caves have stalactites, stalagmites and other formations thanks to limestone and they are decorated by insects called glowworms. When you go there, it’s like Christmas lights!”

Valentina audibly awed at Todd’s description of the caves.

Crystal added, “Are there other animals in the caves too?”

“There are!” Todd confirmed. “I saw fungi and cave flowers during a tour in there. Eels too, but you can only find them in the cave’s lakes and, if you squint, you may find ants and crickets crawling around.”

As the drill Super Wing recalled his time in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Valentina’s holographic timer chimed. Turning it off, they bounced up and turned off the stove.

Crystal sat up and grabbed a pair of oven mitts hanging by a hook on the wall holder. After Valentina opened the oven’s door carefully, the snowboarding Super Wing hissed uncomfortably at the escaping heat. Regardless, she forced her hands below the tray and took it out of the oven quickly.

The s’more cookies were now flat and golden brown.

Valentina was about to take a cookie, but was denied by Todd since he insisted the cookies to cool down completely before the Super Wings can enjoy it.

Which gave Crystal an idea: setting it on a plain counter, she mentally counted the cookies on the large tray and concluded that it can feed the rest of the Super Wings outside of the kitchen.

However, after the cookies cooled down, Crystal took a bite of one and found it delectable.

“Hey guys!” Valentina and Todd, who were beginning to clean the kitchen, turned to Crystal. “After you two take one cookie, we should give the rest to the other Super Wings. These cookies are really good!”

Her colleagues tested her claim and agreed when they tasted the cookies themselves. Valentina nodded furiously. “We should! They’ll love it, trust me.” The royal Super Wing hung their head, “But I wanted more too....”

“I think we have enough ingredients to make another batch, so a second cookie is not impossible to make.” Todd reasoned otherwise, making Valentina’s face brighten.

“Let’s meet with the team in the dining hall and we’ll come back here for Valentina’s request.” Crystal offered.

The royal Super Wing jumped with a cheer and skipped with Todd and Crystal to their destination.