Soup's on, but who's cooking it?

[greatcleavage]

[After a productive day out in the fields earning money, Roy heads back down the streets of Mac Anu, his arms laden with sacks and piled high with -- groceries. Did he really expect to eat them all by himself? Of course not -- he had guild members to feed!]

[But the fighter Edge Punisher had a faint frown on his face as he made his way carefully to the @Home...]

I hope someone can figure out some way to cook all of this...

Comments

[tank_sniper]

Mm. Right.

I can show you as I cook and write down the instructions afterwards. Will that work?

[greatcleavage]

Your guess is as good as mine. Normally if I wanted to improve my cooking skills, I'd go out and earn some XP in a dungeon.

[tank_sniper]

If that turns out to be the case, we'll both have to do some level grinding.

[greatcleavage]

It's not a very flattering statement about my life choices that I consider that both reasonable and substantially easier than actually learning to cook, is it.

[tank_sniper]

It's really not that hard, you know.

[greatcleavage]

It can't be, or else the human race would have starved to death, but... Combat and tactics? That I understand.

Skills and Powers, on the other hand, I'll never comprehend how that got released.

[tank_sniper]

It's all formulaic. If you follow the instructions, there shouldn't be any problems. Think you can do that at least?

[greatcleavage]

[There's something of a mental ping as it falls into place and Roy looks up, brightly.]

THAT'S what bothers me about it!

Sure, of course I can handle it. Now that I know why that's been nagging at me I feel a lot more confident suddenly.

[tank_sniper]

...What, because it's formulaic?

[greatcleavage]

Precisely, and in that one respect it resembles wizardry enough that I was unconsciously associating the one with the other.

Now that I realize it, I recognize that's silly and I can put it aside.

[tank_sniper]

You really hate wizardry that much?

[greatcleavage]

Oh, don't misunderstand me, I don't hate wizardry itself. But it IS a path I've explicitly and repeatedly rejected. Despite certain pressures on me to do so, I have absolutely no desire to learn it.

[tank_sniper]

[She considers this a moment before shrugging.]

As long as it doesn't impede you, I guess.

[And they have probably reached the kitchen by now.]

So, ready to start?

[greatcleavage]

Yes!

[From a side cabinet, Roy produces -- a large chef's hat, which he promptly dons. It looks fairly comical, to be honest.]

[tank_sniper]

...

Is that really necessary?

[For her part she'll be bringing the ingredients to the cutting board and grabbing a knife large enough to chop everything properly.]

[greatcleavage]

...what, no good?

[It's not like SHE has to wear one! He just thought this would be stylish and appropriate!]

[tank_sniper]

It's just...

[...She just shakes her head.]

Never mind. Do you think you could help me chop these up? Try to keep the slices about mid-sized, like this. [She indicates with her hand.]

[greatcleavage]

[Happy to oblige, Roy begins chopping merrily away, even humming as he does so. As one would expect from a fighter, his knifestrokes are swift and precise, and his handiwork of quality!]

[Also the hat totally looks good on him!]

[tank_sniper]

[...You keep thinking that, Roy.

Once everything's been chopped, she starts up the stove and gets out the pot, pouring enough cooking oil in to cover the bottom. Once the stove is hot enough, she puts it on, waiting until the oil begins to bubble to begin putting in the meat, and later the sauce.

Once she's done with that, she lowers the heat and puts the lid on.]

We'll have to stir it every so often, but it should be done in about an hour.

[greatcleavage]

Hmm. Is the purpose of the cooking oil for flavor, or to provide a more even transmission of heat to the meat?

[tank_sniper]

It's just to prevent the meat from burning. You can use it to flavor things, too, but that's not what we want for this recipe.

[greatcleavage]

Gotcha. [He nods.] So it's just a matter of 'apply heat, know the correct time, season to taste' at its essence, then.

[tank_sniper]

I did say it was a simple recipe.

[greatcleavage]

True, but everything starts simple, and builds up from there. Understanding the basics is vital!

[tank_sniper]

[Shrug.]

Whatever you say.