[Open] Hey, hey, what's cooking?

[distinctive_guy]

CHARACTERS: distinctive_guy and OPEN
DATE: Oct 9th (Backdated Day 13 - Night)
RATING: PG... assuming no fights break out.
SUMMARY: In the Cafeteria kitchen, musing over exit tokens and making gourmet food.

Comments

[distinctive_guy]

"Hardison!" Eliot wasn't surprised to hear someone approaching, he was merely startled when he discovered the identity of the visitor. He turned at the sound of the hacker's voice, pot of soup still in both hands. Marking the moment with a glare, he placed the pot back on the stove and turned off the heat before spinning on the hacker again.

"What're you doin' here?" He was glad that Hardison at least had the sense to bring a weapon and dress up for the occasion.

And since he knew that the question would just come again, he answered it anyway. "Chickpea rice soup, sautéed vegetables with oregano, butternut squash, and..." he gestured proudly towards the oven, "rosemary garlic chicken. It won't be ready for a while."

[not_plan_m]

Hardison didn't acknowledge the glare. Maybe if he kept Eliot distracted enough he wouldn't get the lecture he knew was coming. What? He could handle himself around the compound.

"Got hungry. Besides, listening to all the repetitive 'get off the beach' chatter got boring. It's like watching summer tv, man."

[distinctive_guy]

What could Eliot do besides exhale in a frustrated growl? It wasn't like Hardison didn't know the risks, the hacker merely chose to ignore his warnings anyway. "It's dangerous for you to be runnin' around at night. It's not a bad night, doesn't mean monsters aren't around."

He sighed shortly afterward and nodded at Hardison to draw up a seat. "I'll get you some soup and you can start on the vegetables. It's good for you," he stated pointedly before the hacker could protest. "How's the new arrivals this time?"

[not_plan_m]

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, mom." Where was lassie when you needed her? Hardison eyes the vegetables like any kid would stare down brussel sprouts. At least the soup smelled good. He was mostly wanting that chicken. He had smelled it well before he had seen or heard Eliot.

"Just as oblivious as ever. Standing around out on the beach asking questions no one knows the answers to. I put up a message for the lot of them. Sent it to all devices on the network. Should take care of a few of the newbs at least." Nevermind that he had been just as oblivious on his arrival at that ominous rocky beach.

[distinctive_guy]

Eliot rolled his eyes as he grabbed a bowl and ladled a healthy portion of soup into it. After a moment of thought, he got himself a bowl and repeated the motion. The chicken won't be ready for a while, they could eat while they wait.

"We can't help everyone out there," he said pragmatically as he settled the two full bowls on the counter. By now he knew the kitchen well enough that didn't have to look where he was going to grab plates and utensils. He took two sets and dragged up a stool beside Hardison. "Gimme a heads up if you notice anythin' useful. Were there any kids?"

[not_plan_m]

Even while they sat there eating, Hardison was busy with his phone. Every now and then it scrolled through the network posts, little post-it like notes and various alerts on the different names. He was doing his best to keep track of the people who came and 'went'. Though he still refused to admit that Parker fell into the latter category.

"Just one. Some crazy girl who thinks she used to be a pony."

[distinctive_guy]

Eliot's eyebrows rose to meet his hairline just before a snort he couldn't hold back escaped prematurely. Yet considering the strangeness he saw since arriving, he wasn't as quick to judge anymore.

"Guess they pick up all sorts. How young?" Crazy or not, if the girl turned out to be some kid, Eliot might just keep an eye out.

"I'm thinkin' of headin' back into the forest again sometime." The last time he went was during the mission and the areas explored were seriously limited. There were still areas to cover, and if Parker had wandered into any of those areas... "Durin' the day."