[Network Video]

[doubled_speed]

[The video opens on the ruins of the attempted brick oven. It does not shift to Tommy at any point, but rather circles the thing as he sighs.]

So, attempt one at a wood-fired brick oven to bring the wonders of pizza and really good grilled fish and the like went... Well, can we say 'poorly'? I was hoping to add some charms of home to the awesome shit that Radley's helping me make and that whole menu he's cooked up for the old place. Mostly that means 'those things are delayed while project is approached from another angle.' Or other business words.

Which means new project time. Come on, what other foods would you like to see? Maybe Radley can help me figure them out, dude's amazing in the kitchen. Honestly, the increased step up in food quality lately is all him, so applaud him if you see the guy around. Radley, if we had money, you'd be getting the biggest raise, not gonna lie.

Also, I'm thinking about making a patio area out here. I know there's other stuff going on, but damn, everyone talking about projects or doing stuff makes me want to build more things here for comfort when eating. You're all making me feel like I'm slacking off. And it's not like I can solve the storms or get the ships to take us into space when we want them to, or any of that stuff, so I need more work to do.

[Says the guy sleeping only four hours in every thirty, spending all his time harvesting and drying and smoking and preserving and all that other stuff.]

That's it. Message me if you have, like, foods you want us to try. I might be able to get the Agrii to get us supplies too, if we promise to try and give them tastes or something. And do you think a covered outdoor patio would be nice? I could line it with berry bushes or cyanana vines or something.

Comments

[doubled_speed]

[Tommy was already at a table, sorting out several measuring bowls and checking the status of the bowl he'd probably use to serve it.]

[crystalmaster]

[Radley went over with a smile.]

Hi.

[He set his stuff on the table.]

[doubled_speed]

Hey, oh man of impressive cooking skills.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley looked pleased by that greeting.]

Hey yourself. It looks like you're right on top of organizing things.

[He explained what he'd brought and how it all went together to make the food.]

[doubled_speed]

When a minute for you can sometimes be like a week to me, there's a lot to think about. Organization helps keep me sane.

[Anywhere around Tommy that is a mess is often so because of a deliberate choice.]

Okay, that all sounds not too complicated.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley winces.]

That sounds really miserable.

[He smiles.]

Yeah, they're pretty easy to make.

[doubled_speed]

I mean, my brain handles time way different from other people, and it is miserable at times.

[Most of the times? All of the times?]

[crystalmaster]

I get that.

[He'd always found Sonic the Hedgehog arrogant with his impatience, but maybe he's not so much. Radley had never considered speedsters might actually interpret time differently.]

Do you feel like you're a lot older than you are because of that?

[doubled_speed]

[Most people don't realize that being like he is, like his uncle is, perhaps like other speedsters even, is troublesome. Life could be so complicated for them.]

Nah. Just... that years are longer?

[crystalmaster]

That sounds pretty awful.

[Particularly if one is missing loved ones.]

[doubled_speed]

[Of course it was. Every stretched out moment of time was almost perfectly lonely. The few times Tommy had been graced with the company of artificial lifeform friends had been a pleasure, because they could converse by text at higher speeds and he didn't have to be quite so alone.

But even then they were often limited by what technology could try to offer people like them.]

Congratulations, you start to get a glimpse of it. Most people don't.

[crystalmaster]

I guess it would be a hard thing for some people to grasp.

[doubled_speed]

Most people. My job back home, I work in five minute shifts. But I go fast, so it's like weeks alone for me.

[crystalmaster]

... Oh wow. That would be hell for me. I hate being alone.

[doubled_speed]

[Yeah, so does Tommy. More than people even begin to understand. For a moment his jaw tightens because yeah, he gets it a lot. He hates it. He hates remembering it, his personal hell. And then he nodded.]

Yeah, it's nice not to be here alone.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley nods.]

So ... you wanna see what we can do with this food?

[doubled_speed]

[Yeah, he does. A lot. Tommy smiles.]

Let's do it, bro. We've got a sad He Row to help out.

[crystalmaster]

[Radley starts in putting some of the ingredients together and leaving a good amount for Tommy to do as well.]

Handwave to an end?

[doubled_speed]

[Tommy is more than happy to follow the other man's direction, focusing on handling any chopping and mixing for the guy. Soux chef is his calling apparently.]

Sure.

[crystalmaster]

Soon they have quite a few done. Another successful food mission!