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[ruevealing]

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[apuckalypse]

[He's fine with non-committal (not like he expected them to go out and frolic in the wild right now, and he's fine if they never want to, so long as the offer is on the table), pausing mid-bite to watch them slide the syrup over. The butter he's familiar with, but the other is new.]

It's already delicious...

[It can be even better?? With syrup?? Give him a moment to spread some butter and syrup on, take a bite, chew thoughtfully with eyes growing increasingly wide.

...And then he pours syrup onto everything on his plate. Waffle, quiche, fruit, everything is now sugar. IT MUST BE TESTED, IT MUST BE CONSUMED- sweetness is an understatement.]

-Ish sho good...!!

[ruevealing]

[Okay, so maybe that is a LOT of sugar, but let the teen have a little treat today. He can crash from the sugar rush after, it's fine.]

Isn't it so amazing how just one simple addition can so wildly enhance the whole experience? I have been trying other things as well! Putting fruit in pancakes and waffles has been a great success, but I want to try chocolate next.

[apuckalypse]

Chocolate...

[Mmmm. He'll learn how to moderate later, today is the time to indulge. He stuffs a good three forkfuls of the sugary mess he's made into his mouth before he remembers - he'd decided to slow himself - and sits back, setting his fork aside and chewing thoughtfully until he gets it down. The mixture of flavours is almost overwhelming, and the syrupy sweetness is only adding to that, but it's really good, still. Food genuinely is so good here.]

I think I like learning how to cook. It's making me slow down and figure out what things taste like... not just together, but on their own. It's helped a lot. [He pokes a piece of waffle around in the syrup on his plate, trying to collect as much as he can in the grooves.] Do you like cooking, or is it something you just know you have to do?

[ruevealing]

[The owlbear's expression brightens at that, a flash of understanding in their big eyes.]

Yes! That is exactly how I have felt as I've begun to learn! It makes me wish I had begun sooner, but at least I can do breakfast quite alright. And a few baked goods that Donnie approves of. [Adorably bland.]

I admit, when my Hob and I first arrived to Massachusetts, I found the food there generally quite unappealing. So used to excess of the Feywild as I was. But now I realize more and more that it was because we frequented the work cafeteria and the food there was just terrible on purpose.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey nods along thoughtfully. What a strange idea, making food bad on purpose. It doesn't even take that much effort to make food bad.]

Why would they make it that way? Don't they want people to eat it?

[ruevealing]

I don't quite know!

[Why would they?]

Perhaps because it was easier to make bad food in bulk with cheaper ingredients? Maybe it was all made in advance and heated up poorly after? Whatever it was, I am grateful to be far away from it.

[apuckalypse]

Oh. [ADI, zero points. Modern, non-apocalyptic Earth clearly had a world of options for food. Should've done better.] They could've used a lecture from Uncle Tello and Master Michelangelo on how to store and cook food, then.

[ruevealing]

[ADI sucks, 0/10 would not recommend.]

Your Michelangelo, he was quite the chef, wasn't he?

[apuckalypse]

Well... I'd always heard he was. He used to talk about recipes and what kinds of foods were good in the past. I never got the chance to try his real cooking, though.

[ruevealing]

[There really is no way to make rats more appealing.]

What kinds of foods did he talk the most about? What were his favorites from before? Perhaps we can replicate them together.

[apuckalypse]

[There really, really isn't.]

He talked about his risotto a lot. His soup was supposed to be among the best. And of course pizza- they mostly ordered it, but he made great homemade pizza, too. I'd have to think about the others... I've forgotten most of the names. It was years ago.

[ruevealing]

[Committing those to memory as Rue takes a little slice of quiche for themself.]

I have not tried making either before, but it could be quite fun to try them out together. If you'd be willing to put up with my subpar cooking skills.

[apuckalypse]

No, no! I mean, yes, but you're not subpar at all. All your food is delicious.

[Again, truly the lowest of bars for this kid, but he's sincere about it.]

I'd love to try and make those foods with you. I don't know what his should taste like, but... I'm sure he'd be happy if I got to try them.

[ruevealing]

[Honestly, low bar or not, Rue looks so pleased with the compliment.]

You are far too kind. Thank you, Casey. I have much improved certainly and I no longer burn everything I touch, but I still want to be even better. It feels very good to no longer set the microwave on fire anytime I use it, but I suppose that is less to do with cooking and more my understanding of how that machine works now.

[apuckalypse]

[He grins at that.]

You've got lots of us around to steer you right with tech now, at least. And lots of mouths to feed if you want the practice.

[A whole gaggle of teenage appetites that need filling.]

[ruevealing]

I am so taken care of on every end by all of you. After a lifetime of being alone, it can be so overwhelming at times. But it is always overwhelming in the best of ways.

[It thrills them a little to see how the family has grown since ADI.]

Would you like more coffee? Or perhaps some water to wash all of that syrup down with?

[apuckalypse]

[He's a breath away from apologizing for the overwhelming part, but holds his tongue as they finish. The best of ways? He can't possibly apologize for that.

He picks up his mug to check if all of his coffee is gone (it is) then reaches for the water jug instead.]

Water's a good idea. If I drink any more coffee I'll end up like Uncle Tello.

[eyebags for days, up all night, muttering to himself about this or that project in code lingo.]

[ruevealing]

Your Uncle Tello was quite the coffee addict?

[It isn't difficult to see, though it seems so silly considering their Donnie seems much happier with a juice box at this age.]

[apuckalypse]

He was when we had coffee.

[Not a guaranteed thing in the apocalypse, but somehow Donnie had his ways.]

He ran all of our security systems- and I mean all of them. It meant he was usually getting up at weird hours to handle problems before they became, uh, situations. [He says each in such a different tone they might as well be night and day. Problems can be managed. A situation is very bad.] You know Donnie, he's really particular about his work. Hard to get him to delegate something that's supposed to protect his family.

[ruevealing]

[It sounds so much like their Donnie that Rue can not help the soft adoration that brightens their expression. Hearing about the turtles of the future, this family that must be so proud of Casey for how far he has come, Rue is so very grateful that he finally feels free to share these memories of them. In a way, it keeps their legacy alive within both of them now.]

Some things never change, hm?

[Rue's own eating is much slower, tiny, polite bites for their size, slow and thoughtful and always giving every flavor a chance to settle on their tongue.]

Casey, I do not know if I thanked you for sharing these memories of your family with me. It means a great deal that you trust me with something so precious.

[apuckalypse]

[He's trying to emulate their speed, though he's slowing down in part because he's getting full. Definitely not adding anything to his plate now; three quiche slices and the fruity waffles make for a hefty stomach.

He glances over at their comment, brows lifting at first, but his expression is quick to soften, a shy but pleased smile crossing his lips.]

You don't have to thank me for that... but you're welcome. Thank you for listening. It's... really nice to be able to talk about them again. It's been kind of tough keeping quiet about everything.

[Kind of. His poor tongue, getting bitten all the time.]

[ruevealing]

[It's so nice to see Casey looking so fully open like this, not having to hold himself back in the slightest. Memories like these should be shared and treasured with the world.]

And I would like to hear about all of them. [And because he is slowing down-] There's plenty of food to take home too, so don't feel that you must stuff yourself sick.

[apuckalypse]

[It'll take some getting used to, after months of keeping so quiet, but he'll be glad to share more stories over time. Although today may have been overwhelming, it's still such a good feeling.]

I know! I'm gonna clear my plate and then I'm done, promise.

[He would die a little bit inside if any food was wasted because he got too greedy shovelling it onto his plate, okay. A few more bites and he's done anyway.]

And I'll clean up, too! You made everything, and since you're sending some back with me, it's only fair.

[ruevealing]

[dishes!? they have a son who does dishes???! rue has been BLESSED.]

You do not need to do that, Casey, but the offer is so very kind.

[apuckalypse]

[No room to slack off at the end of the world, Rue!! Everyone does their part. He swipes the last bite off of his plate and pushes away from the table, eager to help.]

Don't worry, I've got this! You just relax and finish up whenever.

[With how quickly he eats, he'd rather not rush Rue when they said they prefer a relaxed pace. Now watch him go! Collecting dishes like a boss. This kitchen will be so clean.]