[video] is it cheating to use sample intros? because I'm totally cheating.

[chromatose]

[So... phone. That's this world's version of a GHS, huh? Seems to work more or less the same; at least that's a plus. The concept of mass communication is new, admittedly. The average person doesn't have access to that where Ludger's from.

Might as well try it, though. What can it hurt? It's not like he's going to get many answers working on his own. He learned that pretty quickly when life started shooting him in the foot the last couple of months back home. And really, this isn't that unusual of an experience for him- he visits strange worlds all the time. They're just usually more familiar, that's all. He just has to stick with the usual format- ask around, meet people, destroy the diverg- well, okay. Not that part, this time.

That's the part I'm good at. Dammit.]

Excuse me, sorry to interrupt whatever you're doing. I'd like to know if anyone out there has heard of, or is from, either Elympios or Rieze Maxia. Barring that, uh...

[Crap, he doesn't really have another plan here. There's about a hundred questions he could be asking right now, and none of them are really useful when addressing - essentially - a crowd.

How the hell do I get out of here?

Nah. Probably gets asked a lot already.

The usual?]

What's your favourite place to eat around here?

[The usual.]

I'm a bit of a chef myself, so I'd really like to hear about the local food. Maybe we can trade recipes? I'd love to try something new. And hey, if anyone's looking for a cook... I mean, technically I was given a job already, but-

...I'm not exactly sure what a 'community youth advisor' does.

[Except. Advise youth in the community, probably.

He'll just be over here trying to memorize a new city and figuring out how technology works without spirits to power it. That'll be step one, with step two being "find some allies", since he's already finding himself to be a mess when he runs solo.]

Comments

text; I'm sorry someone had to

[maime]

advise youths in the community
pretty self explanatory

[There's a long pause before he apparently decides to only be mostly unhelpful. He's not much help on the actual questions.]

You say things like
stay in school
don't do drugs
etc

i actually spat out my water thank you

[chromatose]

[Uh.]

That sounds... really oversimplified. Not that I'm ungrateful! But isn't that kind of thing usually for parents?

I'M GLAD

[maime]

[Maine isn't at all offended by this unsure reaction considering that he wasn't particularly trying to be helpful.]

Some kids don't have parents

[chromatose]

Yeah, I know.

[By personal experience, actually.]

I meant more generally. Parents, guardians, the local education system, whatever.

[maime]

[Yeah but you have your brother-dad.]

Guess you're the whatever

video

[corviform]

Sorry, neither of those names sound familiar to me.

[ The chef comment is what grabs Gil's attention. ]

What do you like to cook?

[chromatose]

Honestly, I'll cook almost anything. My specialty is recipes with tomatoes, though.

[corviform]

[ His interest is renewed quickly. ]

Which Porter city are you currently in? If you're in Heropa, there's a number of seafood dishes I can recommend.

[chromatose]

It's Heropa, yeah. I take it fish is a major produce in the area?

[The area's so close to the ocean - something he hadn't see too much until his recent world-traveling job - so he kind of assumes it's common.]

[video;]

[hoboagogo]

[SOMEONE ASKING ABOUT FOOD AND TALKING ABOUT COOKING?? Time to actually talk on the network for once.]

Heropa's got a few decent places, depending on what you want. There's some diner called Astro's that's got a weird space theme and some greasy western food. I usually just make shit myself, though. Let me know what kinda recipe you want, I'll dig one up for you.

[And then there's a pause, as he considers leaving it at that-- but decides to tack on another thought, also.]

I figure a youth adviser is a kinda counselor. You talk to kids and teenagers 'bout their problems, help 'em figure out what they wannna do in life, and give 'em the info so they can go apply for school or get a job, or whatever else. I used to do something similar when I lived down that way- they should train you pretty good on the job.

[video;]

[chromatose]

[He knew that talking about food was the right decision. It's a universal ice breaker.]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll add it to the list. Know any recipes with tomatoes?

[Julius would love if he came back with something new, assuming he can track his idiot brother down at some point.]

And yeah, that... makes sense. As long as I do get trained, I might be okay. I have no idea why they thought I might be qualified for something like that.

[hoboagogo]

[He nods, and folds his arms over his chest, considering for a moment.] Shit, there's a ton. If you want it to be mostly tomatoes, then chop up some've those little plum tomatoes, peel and chop some cucumber, onion, feta, and basil, then mix it all in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

[A shrug. measurements and increments are for losers, obviously.]

I dunno. I dropped outta high school, and they had me counseling the kids with shitty lives and drug issues for a while. I figure they stick us pretty much anywhere.

[chromatose]

[Bah. He's a chef, he can probably figure out how to put something together with a list like that. He mulls it over as he considers the combination, then hums in thoughtful approval.]

Yeah, I can try that. Could make a good stew, too.

[Double specialty! Yeah, this was definitely a good idea. And it's taking his mind off of things, too. That's a nice change.]

Oh, you think it could be random? The jobs we get?

video;

[promotional]

Another newbie here, but if you want a test dummy for free food, sign me up. As for the job, that kind of position is whatever you make it. All you have to do is say a couple inspirational phrases and make sure nobody ends up skag-feed.

[See? So nice. Rhys is truly someone you'd like to feed.]

[chromatose]

[What the heck is skag-feed?]

I'm not sure I'm well-stocked on inspirational phrases these days. Maybe I can look them up or something.

I wouldn't mind feeding people, though. Kind of had an open-door policy back home anyway, so why not?

[promotional]

Try Google. There's a treasure trove.

[Rhys already checked.]

Any specialties?

[chromatose]

I cook best with tomato-based recipes, but I can probably make almost anything with enough practice.

[He doesn't brag (much), but he's actually kind of awesome at it.

And he's definitely writing "Google" down.]

video

[fastballspeciaaaaal]

I like IHop. They have pancakes with faces on them.

[Ripley; reportin on the important stuff.]

[chromatose]

[Food appearance is totally important, okay.]

That sounds pretty cute. I know a little girl who'd probably love that. I'll check it out!

[fastballspeciaaaaal]

They're delicious too!

Of course they are, cause, y'know, they're pancakes.

[chromatose]

Are pancakes a favourite of yours?

[Makes sense, if so. Kids like fun, simple meals.]

video

[booyahh]

Sorry, I don't think I've heard those names. [ She gives him a small smile. ] Which may not mean much, I mean we never know. [ And a very brief pause. ]

What about teaching other people to cook? Do you ever do that?

[chromatose]

It's okay, I didn't really have high expectations. Still, I had to try.

[He'd be a lousy friend if he didn't. And, selfishly, he's lonely.]

I haven't tried that for a long time, actually. Last time was a few years ago with my brother, but he was so bad I ended up just making everything myself. I guess if people are interested, I could try it?

[booyahh]

Maybe they'll show up eventually? A lot of people from where I'm from come and go here.

[ She gives a small smile. ]

Jeez. Was it the kind of bad that gave people food poisoning or just tastes terrible bad? [ A beat ] I was kinda asking because I might like to learn more than I know. Currently it mostly consists of stuff someone living alone could make cheap and fast.

[chromatose]

[Well, he won't hold his breath, but he does appreciate her encouragement. The people here are surprisingly nice.]

All I can say with certainty is that nobody died. [Although they caught Rollo licking the plate later and had to rush him to the vet. That was the end of Julius's cooking lessons.] If you want to learn, though, I don't mind showing you the ropes. Cooking is easy once you find your groove.