Courtney
◆ "But, yeah, like I was sayin', hun... Onions are easier to dice if you keep the golden ratio in mind! Like... I was watching a video from J Kenji Lopez-Alt, and he said it's, uh..." Audrey's voice dulcetiously flowed off her tongue as she grasped an onion firmly and chopped it in half, thankfully sparing her vine-wrapped skin the trespass of a bloody nick. "The one-point-six ratio, I think? I think!"

□ And, as if to demonstrate her point, she began to eye the onion down from the side, tip of her tongue poking out of the corner of her lips as she focused. She had a point to prove, and though she usually didn't care for proving herself right – thanks in no small part to her self-sacrificing tendencies – she felt obliged to show Gabe this revolutionary method for dicing onions. So, she began to slice in, from the side, then from the top. She aimed each strike with intention, and a gaze focused on a point somewhere beyond the cutting board, and to her own dull surprise it worked out beautifully.

▪︎ A surprised giggle left her throat.

◆ "Oh my gosh, it actually worked! I mean." An abrupt snicker ruptured through the tiny gaps in her teeth. "Kenji is a good guy, but like... I didn't think it'd be *This* Easy! Anyways, here ya go, hun."

• Now, what oh what were they cooking?
Lonnie
Gabe scooped up the onions from the aforementioned cutting board, deftly adding them into the simmering mix roasting in the pan. 

"Wow, that— that's pretty well done. I've been cooking for a while, but I've never heard of *That* Before." He wipes an onion-caused tear from his eye, and drizzles some oils and spices into the pan. 

"Hey, d'ya like it spicy?" He asks, dangling a red-hot mix of pepper over the cooking concoction. "I can always make it hotter, but I can't take away spice, so choose wisely." Gabe's voice is low, yet the sing-song nature and teasing smile made the *Genuine* Enjoyment shine through his eyes. 

Audrey was nice. This was nice. He let out a laugh, his *Kiss the Cook* Apron swaying with the movement.
Mary
He was wandering, and found himself pointing walking towards the kitchen. He's hungry. However, it is extremely obvious someone else is in there.

He pauses outside the entrance to the kitchen, a little out of sight, listening. Making sure the "Coast is clear", whatever the hell that means. It then becomes extremely obvious he doesn't recognize either voice. He really shouldn't be *Surprised* By that fact, but here we are.

They're having fun in there... And he feels like a creep. He inhales, about to turn and leave the area. Now would be a great time for someone else to show up!!
Melvin
Sergio was *Starving.* Not in the "Lost in the middle of the woods wishing he stayed at the scouts" Level. More of the "It's already getting around dinner and I forgot to eat for every other mealtime today," Level of starving.

Moreover whatever was being made in the kitchen was *Not* Helping. The rippling of the pan in the distance and the aroma that whatever the earliest kid in there was making made Sergio's stomach groan in discontent towards the boy's eating habits. He looks down, trying to reassure the organ. Maybe he'll make a second bowl of cereal today.

As he takes the final corner towards the kitchen, he pauses. What's with the person just trying to look inconspicuous as they peek out into the kitchen? He strides up to the one who watches in contemplation, watching them in curiosity as they determine their next exit route.

It'd be pretty funny to ruin this introvert's ability to run. 
If it was on purpose.

"Are you also here to find out what's being made there?" He pipes up, now in a good talking distance to Mamoru, giving a small smile.
Courtney
◆ "Not too spicy, please." Audrey anxiously enunciated, as if she were expecting to be lambasted or ridiculed for her lackluster spice tolerance. "I don't mind heat, but gee, don't blow my face off, alright?"

□ Laughing softly, she kept her eyes fixed on the hot peppers dangling over the stew pot. One pepper would have likely been enough for her, but the thing about Gabe was that he was a New Orleans native, and if she knew anything about the south it was that they liked their food spicy, for whatever reason. Perhaps she was wrong to assume that, but she hadn't been corrected. So, rather than shy away from the peppers she gingerly picked one and chopped it up to sauté with the onions and garlic and whatnot.

▪︎ Then, she overheard a murmur.

◆ "Oh, hiya, you two!" Audrey beamed towards the doorway, her porcelain teeth contrasting beautifully against her sun-kissed skin and its thickets of vines. "What's up? Just scent shopping?"
Lonnie
Gabe's eyes widened at Audrey gently plucking a pepper from its stem, letting out a small whistle at her bravery. The oil sizzled as it dropped into the pan, making a loud popping noise.

"You know those are California Reapers, right?" Mock shock blossomed on his face, his jaw hanging open in a perfectly-acted stupor. 

He'd done this routine with his sister often— whether or not it was letting out a dramatic gasp when she'd poke him with a plastic knife, or pretending to be in shock when she'd play dress up with her assortment of princess gowns. Gabe enjoyed the spotlight, yes, but there was nothing more fun than letting other people feel as if they were part of the show. 

"...Kidding. But I almost had ya goin', didn't I?" He winked, before turning towards Audrey's gaze. 

*...Oh, look, two other people. I kinda wanted to be alone with her...* A small, sullen voice in his head sighed, the disappointment immediately disappearing in favor of a wide and cheery grin. 

"Come on over! There's enough for you, if you'd like ta' taste."
Mary
Oh *Good* So much for his plan to leave. "I- yeah? I don't-" He's a bit panicked for a second, before Audrey notices them. *Ughhhh*..

He's nervous, to be honest. He doesn't have the best streak with people here. They.. Tend to not like him. Because they catch him at a bad time. Sure, they have reason to not like him.. But still. He just wants to fit in.

But Audrey seems nice.

"..." He panics a bit internally, not knowing how to respond to Gabe. Considering he heard the word "Spicy" Used about this, he's not 100% certain. 

He looks over at Sergio. He'll just... Go along with whatever Sergio says. Easy.
Melvin
Sergio tilts his head, looking over to the other two, huh. This was the most action he's seen the kitchen have.
And also the most aromas. Usually he would just smell the spare boiling noodles or even the boldly crafted pancakes. But, this... Was different to him.



Sergio looks over to Mamoru, gives another grin, and quickly turns into the kitchen. "Hell yeah! I'll help too!" He was already beelining it to the sink, rolling up his sleeves and washing his hands. "What are we making?"

You did it. You're now stuck with him. Good luck.
Courtney
◆ "Stop it, you!" Audrey laughed, gently pushing Gabe's shoulder with a shallow motion. "As if I'd believe such a lie. Gee..."

□ A grin on her face, she pressed the small of her back against the counter, her dress caving in lightly as she did so. They had company now, so she felt she needed to face towards them instead of bantering with Gabe endlessly like they tended to do. Able to read a bit of apprehension off of the verdant-haired lad's posture and conflicted facial expressions, her eyebrows knit themselves into a worried mat.

▪︎ This wouldn't do. She had to make sure this lad would walk out happy he'd stuck around.

◆ "Well, alright then! The more the merrier, even though we already kinda have all the cooks we need." She warmly spoke, waving the pair in with enthusiastic yet tempered motions. "You two can definitely sit around and chat with us, we don't – I mean, I don't bite, I dunno about Gabe." Audrey giggled. "No offense, hun. So don't worry! Also, we're making a nameless late summer stew; lots of fresh veggies from the farmer's market and stuff I foraged myself out in the woods."
Lonnie
Audrey's touch was nice, and the soft little push instantly back memories of being home. A fond smile worms it's way from his mouth, and he reciprocates her laugh. 

...And Audrey had decided to enlist the two onlookers. *Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too upset about it— they do seem new, after all.* He swished the thought around in his head, eyeing the two new people with suddenly clear, analytic eyes. 

The blond one seems jovial and friendly. The green-haired one seemed... Well, similar to Mattias and Blanche— standoffish, apprehensive, and a bit rough around the edges. 

*No sweat. Plenty of experience with socially awkward nerds.* Gabe rolls his sleeves up, waving the two over. 

"Don't worry, I only bite during the full moon. You two are fine, yeah? If you want to help... Well, you can help us by eating some of it. I already ate, and I'd be shocked if Audrey could eat this by herself."
Mary
Oh. Good. He forces on a strained small smile as he enters the kitchen. He's not a happy person, in his defense- He doesn't smile as much as he'd like to.



Nameless summer stew... Cool. Fresh veggies. Cool. 

"Uh- yeah.. Uhm- does it have meat in it?" He's a vegetarian. He's apprehensive about the *Spice* Aspect. But technically, unless he was listening in like a *Weirdo,* He shouldn't *Know* About that.

Good. Great. He has no idea how to feel in this moment, but... Being sour won't get him anywhere. So, he sucks it up, and forces himself to approach the counter, pushing a strand of hair behind his ear.
Melvin
Sergio flicks the water off of his hands into the sink, turning to Audrey. "I mean if you all have it by now, I won't try and force myself into the cooking line." He raises his hands as he talks, in feigned defense. "But I am gonna need to know what all is in it." Lowering his hands to their normal place again, he makes his way over to one of the chairs nearby, spinning it backwards and sitting, legs now straddling the back of the chair.

"Oh. Also your names would be good to have, all three of you if you don't mind." He smiles.

Now thinking about it. This warm lady has been very welcoming to Sergio and the green haired fellow. Compared to a lot of others in this facility, it's almost unnatural, but, also a refreshing pace? He couldn't get a read on the other fellow. Gabe, was it?

"Right. Maybe I should introduce myself. Name's Sergio, I was sent here pretty recently." He gives and outwardly wave to the three in front of him.
Courtney
◆ "Alright, suit yourself, hun. Anyways... Yeah..." Audrey hummed, "I doubt I could eat that much in general, honestly... Being solar-powered kinda kills your appetite, y'know? Since there's always sunlight hitting my skin."

□ Shrugging, she turned her attention back to the other ingredients of the stew her and Gabe had been working on. Robust veggies sat in one bowl, already chopped and ready to be sautéed – an end which she quickly banished the bowl, dumping it all in – as aromatics and tender vegetables sat in another. Center-stage, however, were the mushrooms she'd foraged, and it was clear that ultimately this was sort of a mushroom stew. 

▪︎ Hopefully nobody minded mushrooms.

◆ "Oh, no worries, it's vegetarian! I'm vegetarian myself – pescatarian if we're splitting hairs – so there's no meat in here. Heck, we wound up making our own vegetable stock so we could avoid, like... Chicken stock." She spoke, her gaze mostly fixed on the newcomers. "I'm Audrey, and I've been here for... A few months? Time's kinda been blended together since I got here." She rubbed the back of her neck thoughtfully.
Lonnie
I FORGOT ABOUT RHIS

"And I'm Gabe, although I believe Audrey beat me to my introduction. I've been here a while, but... Heh, there's a lot of things in my busy little life, so I tend to keep a bit of a low-profile." He gives a wink to them both, smoothening stray strands of hair back into place. 

Gabriel Darius Trahan, a *Low-profile*. Words never before spoken about him, and yet... It was true at the Cradle, his homesickness manifesting in a complete refusal to do anything besides work. Enjoying his time at the Cradle seemed almost a betrayal of his family back home.

Still, slowly but surely, he'd begun to remove his head from the sand. There were people here who he liked, people who's company was good enough to justify skipping a workout or reviewing homework. 

Imagine that. Gabe smiled. 

"Sergio, then? Well, you seem to be pretty useful in the kitchen, considering the fact you're leaping to action. I'd love to see your chops, if you'd like to join us." 

The other one, the Jolly Green Giant (as Gabe had dubbed him), seemed rather... Morose despite his made-up nickname. He elbows the other in the ribs slightly, his firm arm muscles feeling like a brick wall more than anything. 

"Come on, take a seat. What'dya come down here for, anyway? Just following your nose?"
Mary
"Mamoru.." He says, in response to being asked his name. He nervously glances at Gabe after that. Gabe is one of the people who have definitely been witness to him embarrassing himself on the intranet. 

Audrey being vegetarian eases any concerns of Mystery Meat being in the food. "I've been here a few weeks so- not long."

*Low profile? Gabe? Seriously? No.* He doesn't say that out loud, though. No need to drag up drama.

Gabe didn't elbow him harshly, but he still winces, clearly shrinking away from it. "Don'ttouchme.." He murmurs quietly. He doesn't like just anyone physically making contact with him whenever they want. It makes him feel weird. 

It's fine when some people do it, just not Gabe.

"Er- right. Yeah." He rubs the spot that was targeted as he sits across from Audrey. This could have been his chance to be seen as a nicer, more sociable person, but that may not happen.
Melvin
Sergio shrugs. "I've actually barely cook myself, save for the prepackaged stuff." A genuine, yet what would be depressing statement for someone with standards for themself. "I was just wanting to help since you offered even letting me have a taste."
"But, yeah I genuine did just find you three from the smell, I was coming down for food anyways."

A pause, and his gaze goes back to Gabe once more.

"Wait are you the guy that has the whole 'link to patreon' thing in his intranet name thing?" He asks, realizing who Gabe actually is. "What does that even mean? What's a patreon? Should I get one?"

"Oh no. Was that important for the Cradle?"
Courtney
◆ "Oh, did I? Sorry, hun."

● Meekly commenting, Audrey tried her best to not interrupt Gabe as he spoke, but how successful she was would be a matter of attention spans – mostly, at least. Gabe wasn't exactly a background character, what with his imposing height and proud body and confident self, so she should have been fine, but as the others talked she couldn't help but worry slightly. Unfounded worries bubbled in her chest, a cauldron of uncertainty, and unless distracted it'd be likely to boil over.

▪︎ Thankfully, she was distracted by a little conversation between Sergio and Gabe.

◆ "Yeah, right? That kinda confused me at first too." She spoke up after a few minutes of quietly humming to herself and tending the stew. "But heck, I guess he's got big dreams; I can respect it, dude! Anyhoo..." She continued to stir the pot and listen. "I don't *Think* You need one. It's more for, uhm... People with followings and stuff. Yeah! That's the term. I doubt most of us need one, but... I dunno either of you yet, so. Who knows!"
Lonnie
Mamoru *Flinched,* And Gabe immediately took a step away from the other. He'd spent enough time around Matti to understand and respect people's boundaries— especially the ones shy nerdy types tended to have. 

"Sorry about that," He sheepishly said, and stuck a spoon in front of Mamoru's face. "Wanna taste test, as an apology?" 

He felt bad. *Really bad*. As bad as he felt, though, Gabe didn't want to make a big deal of it— lest he seem like he cared or anything. 

At the recognization of his Intra handle, Gabe straightened his back. *I guess I haven't been keeping as low of a profile as I thought...* Then again, Gabe's measures for attention have always been skewed out of balance. If he wasn't being hounded in the halls, it was considered keeping his head down in his eyes. 

"Ah, well— uh, you don't need to worry about it, Sergio." 

"I'm an actor and an influencer, that's why I have it that in my handle. Actually, I tried to put the rest of socials in my handle but it got cut off." 

He continued mixing the ingredients together, whistling a low, obnoxiously loud tune. 

"Hey, if I'm going to have an online presence, might as well have it with my full chest. Not a lot of room to play coy when you're trying to make it big, yeah?"