act36side

Amiya! That's him! That's the guy I was telling you about!

He's no patient, he's one of those... 'guests' we found waking up on the deck!

He-he-he's been asking us all sorts of dreadful questions, over and over again!

Ah... What sort of questions?

He asked us if our children would be half-cat half-dog!

He asked if Liberi could lay eggs, and if he could eat them!

(Hiss)

Oh, my, what a magnificent one. You're called Mon3tr, right?

Can I touch you?

(Piercing cry)

(Nimble motion)

Wh-Whoa?!

Wow! How do you keep your hair so golden and shiny when you spend most of your time in a dangerous dungeon? Without any good haircare either!

Heheh! It's all because of how important hair is to a magician. I store some of my mana in it.

Here. This is one of my favorite hair creams. It has perfume and herbal extracts mixed in, and it'll keep your hair moisturized and protected.

The only reason my hair is as sleek as it is now is thanks to frequent application!

Wow, it smells great!

If you'd like a change of pace in your hairstyle, I've got lots of braiding tips I can show you!

Where. Do. You. Think. You're. Going?

I was just—

Whoa!

What were you doing with my flames?

Uh...

I said, what were you doing with my flames?!

...Roasting some chestnuts...

Roasting.

Some.

Chestnuts!

Roasting some chestnuts.

The lass driving the tractor gave me a bushel of raw ones, said they were the first harvest of chestnuts she managed to grow on Rhodes Island.

You manage your farms well. Chestnuts make a mighty fine snack. They get soft and sweet after roasting, and their shells become easy to peel too.

Pity the fire coming off your body was too hot! Ended up burning 'em all. I said I'd cook a meal for you, but I never expected to waste perfectly good ingredients like that. Real shameful behavior, if you ask me...

Skyfire, please calm down!

Ahh! Shaw, Shaw! Come quick! Skyfire's catching fire again!

Mister, <i>please</i> don't cook anything else on her, <i>especially</i> not those kebabs!

*gulp*!

Not half bad.

Phew. Anyway, like I said, I'm not a Durin.

Wait, you're not?

You're not a child then, are you?

Mind sitting down when we talk? I can't see your face.

I <i>am</i> sitting down.

Care for another?

My thanks.

Are all the men here this tall? Even Laios seems a bit short compared to you guys...

(Whispers) This guy covered in silvery-white hair... If Laios saw him, I bet the only thing he'd be thinking about is asking him if he'd like some help combing it all...

Ah, whatever.

A drinking party? Without me?

I know it's been a while, but did all of you really forget to ask me?

Hmm? Hey, what's with the kid? Kids shouldn't be drinking.

Uhh...

*gulp*

*sniffsniffsniff*

(Something smells really good!)

(Maybe they finished cooking?)

(Tasty food's here!!)

Let's gooooo!

My back—

(Uh-oh, I hit someone...)

Sorry!

Vulcan told me if I ran into someone, I have to say sorry.

Sorry, Mister Beard! I ran into you 'cause I was hungry!

It's fine, come help me put it all on the table!

A meal made with the ingredients and memories given to us by the folks we met along the way. 'Tis done!

Come have a bite. Do they all taste like they did before?

Hmm... I wanted to ask earlier while we were preparing the ingredients, but why <i>are</i> we making the exact same dishes we had on our journey?

Does repeating the same recipe make you feel better?

...That, I can't say for sure. But if it's got the same taste, then I'll think back to the first time I had it, and what was going through my mind at the time.

Like if I said 'scorpion hotpot,' what's the first thought that comes to mind, Marcille?

...The first time I met you in the Beginners' Plaza.

Walking mushroom feet are both edible and tasty, with a unique aroma.

Scorpions are a pain to cut into bits.

What about that basilisk?

You saying you had to cook the antidote herb with the chicken for that adventurer so it'd taste better...

Basilisks are really cool!

Marcille finally getting to eat that chicken she was craving.

Then, mandrake?

Very unique heads!

Marcille and that big bat—

We can skip over that one, okay?!

See? That's what I mean.

Food is connected to memory. When you eat something you've had before, your brain automatically goes back to the other times you've had it.

It's the same when I cook. I think of the people I first made the dish with. Why did we choose to make it? Did we learn anything new while preparing the ingredients? Any happy smiles after we were done eating?

This way, the aroma and flavor can recreate the scene in your mind, bit by bit.

As for the meal we're about to have? That gets to be a new memory, to be brought up during future dinners.

Wow...

You've always had a way with words, Senshi.

Alright, enough prattle! Let's eat!

Chow time!

Mmm. These carrots are perfect! Would you like to try some, Doctor?

Are you sure you don't want any roast Originium slug? Really? It's delicious.

Not even one shell?

Wow... Can I really eat this?

Of course!

All of it?

All of it!

Yippee! You are so kind!

Oh, right... 'Doctor,' was it? Just noticed you there.

While we were cooking, the operators told me you're often so busy with work that you forget to eat.

And when you do remember, it's some hastily-thrown-together slop, on top of unhealthy wake-me-ups or empty calories just to fill your stomach.