[Network Video]

[doubled_speed]

Hey all!

[Are you shocked to see Tommy? Probably not. Someone said something about cooking, of course he's going to weigh in. At least the video is a rather stationary thing, his comm clearly propped up on a counter in the diner's kitchen.]

I don't know about you, but I'm in for the idea of us getting some good food in us. Maybe we can talk too when we're there? If we're going.

Anyway, gonna say that the diner is pretty stocked up and I'm happy to be prep assistant on any cooking in the Diner. Just remember Diner Rules. Don't be a dick and all of that.

And anyone cooking has to promise to help carry their own shit to the thing.

[Says the guy currently, on screen, cutting a tuber with enough speed that his hands are a literal blur.]

So, uh, food time? We could use it?

Comments

[text]

[in_extremis]

No one told me there were rules.

[doubled_speed]

Rules were implemented when that asshole smoky-scientist-prick decided to threaten to pluck Harry's eyes out and I almost blew up a table in my anger.

[in_extremis]

I don't know why I thought the rules were going to be the complicated part of this. Do you have a newsletter?

[doubled_speed]

As someone who doesn't live in the gossip columns, I'm not big on that sorta stuff. Build a robot for it.

[in_extremis]

As an expert on the medium, I regret to inform you that you are the biggest game in town. I don't hear nearly as much about everyone else as I do from you. Maybe cooking isn't your calling.

[art_of_war]

There are Diner rules?

[doubled_speed]

Oh my fucking god yes! No murder or torture attempts, no scientific experimentation, No fucking Wilson allowed. Neutral zone, so no violence unless I'm throwing you out on your ass for being an asshole.

[art_of_war]

...I take it this Wilson person is extremely violent.

[ Understatement thy name is Thrawn. ]

[doubled_speed]

Threatened to pluck a kid's eyes out. For experimentation.

[art_of_war]

What possible experiments would one want to run on a severed eyeball...

[ Please note that Thrawn seems more legitimately curious than appalled. ]

But very well. I would also ask if you have need of assistance at the Diner?

action

[quark_assassin]

Dustin doesn't answer Tommy's post directly - he doesn't want to broadcast his intent or location to literally everyone with a tablet, nor does he necessarily want to admit that he's looking forward to the idea of free food that he can stash away for winter like the world's grumpiest squirrel - but he does show up at the Diner some time later. He skulks around the inside perimeter to avoid interacting with any guests and immediately makes his way to the kitchen. Presumably Tommy is still back there, or will be once he realizes he's got company; either way, Dustin doesn't wait for him to start rifling through the food stores for supplies.

This isn't really unusual behavior for the guy around the Diner. What is weird is how determined he seems, and the sheer amount of food he's putting aside on the kitchen counter. Normally Dustin just makes small snacks for himself and keeps them simple, but the potential flavor palette of this concoction seems needlessly elaborate.

[doubled_speed]

Of course Tommy is still back there, because he's still doing prep work. And yes, he does notice Dustin and doesn't comment, at first. It's not until he sees just how much is getting set out that he sighs.

"Okay, you've got to tell me. What the fuck are you up to?"

[quark_assassin]

Dustin barely looks up; he's too focused on the spread of food in front of him, chin pensively cradled in his hand.

"Cooking." It's the simple truth. After a moment, Dustin grabs a couple of vegetables and sets them aside, then resumes his quiet study of the main pile. "Not sure what yet."

[doubled_speed]

Seriously? Not sure yet? Tommy comes over and considers the pile, after setting his knife aside of course.

"That sounds pretty dangerous, man."

[quark_assassin]

That manages to get a look out of him - a skeptical, single-eyebrow-raised glare, passed out of the corner of Dustin's eye.

"Nothing poisonous," he says, because surely that's what Tommy meant. "Narrowing down based on ideal combinations and available resources. I'll put it all back later."

[Video]

[fatedsacrifice]

I don't know what's going to be served, but I'm in.

[doubled_speed]

Bring me the biggest edible fish you can.

[fatedsacrifice]

[The king nodded.]

I'll bring as many as I can, especially if you're feeding a lot of people.

[doubled_speed]

[Well, Noctis gets some serious credit there.]

Yes, that sounds like a great plan.

[fatedsacrifice]

Alright, I'm on it. I'll let you know when I'm back.

[And he planned on bringing Gladio along. The more food they could gather for Tommy, the better.]

Video

[crystalmaster]

Oh, I am definitely making something. Or multiple somethings; I don't trust that Replicator thing. It's kinda cool we get to have a Thanksgiving kind of holiday.

[He intends to do all he can to ensure it will be a happy experience.]

[doubled_speed]

Never had an issue with the replicator before. I use it to get supplies like flour and sugar.

But man, shocked more people here know Thanksgiving. A lot of us aren't Earthers.

[crystalmaster]

Really? You mean it does it right?

[That's a surprise. Usually devices like that always go wrong in fiction.]

I guess the idea of Thanksgiving is pretty universal, even if the origin stories are all different.

[doubled_speed]

Well, I haven't had a problem with it before.

[It's always been perfectly reliable. Except for that time it broke down because someone tried to make a weapon by a tricky method.]

I mean, I don't know that it is, but okay?

[crystalmaster]

Huh. Well, maybe I'll try it sometime. I'm still planning to make my own food to bring, though.

[He smiles.]

I think it's pretty cool. I really like learning about other cultures. So many things are similar.