ic contact.

[arcanepower]

[What is this strange goblin technology? Why is it not blowing up in his face?

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[arcanepower]

[Belth slips the casserole into the oven and shuts the door. He doesn't say anything for a long moment, just looks down at their mess. How could Sorey hear that and want to know more?

But his heart will feel better for the telling, he knows.]

Ah... [He isn't sure where to begin, so he just starts stacking bowls into the sink.] My home was taken by the Scourge before I saw my seventh summer. Most people died or went missing. The few of us that survived were left to fend for ourselves. I was used to living on a little, but not on nothing. Even rats are scarce when the undead have poisoned everything...

[The sound of the faucet is calming in comparison to his memories, so he lets it run for a while to wash off bits of vegetables and flour.]

After the city was rebuilt-- the hierarchy didn't change. I stole books until I learned enough to get a job in the kitchen, but the pay wasn't enough to live on. I just read whenever I was hungry. Eventually I stopped noticing.

[monolike]

[Sorey comes over to lean against the counter as Belthazar talks, pulling utensils and dirty dishes closer to the sink.] And that was so even all the way up to showing up here? You just taught yourself not to eat?

1/2

[arcanepower]

Mm-hmm. I ended up in Exsilium, which was -- [shitty] -- a little like the Fleet. Food was a little easier to come by but still rationed, so I tried not to be too much of a burden on the people I lived with.

[He scrubs at a pan.]

[arcanepower]

Then I came here, and I could finally cook like I wanted. [Even he can't help the way his expression lifts.] I used to dream about making twenty different kinds of food and-- and sharing it with the people I liked. Or just having friends in the kitchen while I made things, like this.

It doesn't get old, not really.

[monolike]

[Another reminder that while the Fleet might be a horrible place for him, a lot of people are coming from worse situations. Not everyone resents the free food and lodgings.] ...you know what you really might enjoy? A potluck. [Sorey's actually never done one before either, but he's read about them and he's always been excited to try.]

[arcanepower]

[The little elf gasps, delighted.]

A potluck! Have you ever been to one, Sorey? My father had one at home, once, and--

[His eyes are practically sparkling, but before long his excitement begins to wane.]

Ah, but... there would be so many people... I-I'd be so nervous...

[monolike]

You could invite just a few people to start. Why not just do a handful of friends first? Then as you get more comfortable with it, you can try asking more people to join in.

[arcanepower]

[His ears pin against his hair as he considers. A handful of friends, Sorey says, like Belthazar has the luxury.]

Would--

[He clears his throat.]

Would you like to come?

[monolike]

[Sorey leans a little closer so he can knock Belthazar's arm gently with his knuckles.] Of course.

I can't promise anything I make to be any good, but I'd love to come.

[arcanepower]

[He's not used to physical contact, so the little bop to his arm earns a squeak.]

R-really? You'll come? You don't have to make anything! Unless you... want to?

[oh my god, tsun overload. look at him, he's about to melt.]

I, um, I don't have a lot of friends, so...

[monolike]

[Well he's got one less now, too. Doesn't he?

Sorey's smile fades for just a second before he pulls it back up, folding his arms.] Not a problem. You let me know when you're ready, I'll ask around and see if anyone can attend. I'm sure we'll find plenty of interested parties.

[arcanepower]

[Belth's bottom lip quivers in a telling way until he bites down on it and nods.]

You-- you are very kind, Sorey.

[He turns back to their mess, ostensibly to pull more mixing bowls down from the cupboard. The truth is that he doesn't want his new friend to see just how embarrassed he is.]

Right! So, while that bakes, I thought we would spend the next half hour making dessert. No-bake recipes are quick and easy with a mage around. Do you like chocolate?

[monolike]

Sure, who doesn't like chocolate? [deviants, tbh] What're you gonna make?

[arcanepower]

I was thinking a four or five layer cheesecake. [Without raw eggs in it, obviously.] All right. Here's a bowl of cookie crumbs. Do you think you could melt a little butter in the microwave and stir it all together? That will form the crust.

[monolike]

In the... [uhhhhhhh] Um, sure. [this is getting into complicated territory tho, especially with the introduction of the microwave] Let's see, melting butter... [should probably use something metal since metal conducts heat]

[arcanepower]

[... Sorey, you've been here how long--

Thankfully, Belth glances over and sees him grabbing a metal bowl.]

Wait, no! The glass one! The glass one!

[monolike]

[why would he touch that black magic device if he doesn't have to]

Aaah! What'd I do?! Why glass?!

[arcanepower]

Metal makes things explode in the microwave. [Ohhhh my GOOOOOOOODDD] You didn't know that?

[monolike]

No! I've never used this [cursed artifact] thing before. Mikleo always- [M'KAY. Just. Turning around now. Give him a second, give him a moment, he'll turn back around and get the glass bowl and transfer the butter over.] ...thanks for telling me. I mostly only use the stove...and I don't cook much.

[arcanepower]

[-- oh. Well. That... that makes sense. When Sorey turns back around, Belth is looking at him with wide eyes.]

I-- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell, I just... didn't want the microwave to explode again. You've done very well so far, I promise.

[He lifts his arm as if he might reach out, but he stops himself. He's really awkward when it comes to physical contact, and he isn't sure how to learn.]

[monolike]

Oh- gosh no, I've been terrible. [all he did correctly was cut up an onion buddy] You don't have to do that, really. I know I'm not a great cook. I can make, um...curry. [........................that's it that's the list]

[arcanepower]

[Belth scrambles mentally to salvage this.]

No, no, curry is important. It's filling and-- everyone has to start somewhere, Sorey. I can't tell you how much food I burned or ruined before I knew what I was doing.

[monolike]

...you know, you're a very kind person. [Sorey plucks up a utensil from the drying rack and locates a towel to start helping out with putting the dishes away.] I'm really glad you left me that letter. Plus the cake was amazing.

[arcanepower]

[screaming internally]

I-I-I'm not nice! I-I'm actually really, really mean!

[monolike]

Oh? [The microwave beeps and Sorey peeks in to check on the butter.] Sorry, I guess I misunderstood. I'll keep that in mind for the future.