Cookery Chaos [Open: Micah, Yuru, Collin, Gao]

[LuckyBlackCat]

Beyond the cliffs flanking the path, Micah's destination came into sight.

His steps slowed in the sand as he took in Lurelin Village, a sense of awe sweeping over him. Round wooden huts and flickering torches gave the place a cosy, humble air. The sea, which he'd only heard of before in stories, lapped and foamed at the shore as the afternoon sun gleamed off of it, the swelling waves completely unlike the subtle rippling of springs and lakes in Death Mountain. A scent of salt carried on the wind, as did various intermingled cooking scents from eateries along the coast, sweet and savoury alike. Gao hadn't been exaggerating.

As Micah wandered past the gateway poles and towering trees, much taller than inland ones, something in a patch of grass caught his notice. Some kind of green, hard-shelled fruit. He picked it up, turning it over, examining its smooth casing. Was it edible? If so, did people eat it with the shell on? How did they cook it, if they did so at all? He considered taking it to the chefs to inquire about it, but decided otherwise, placing it back at the foot of a ringed trunk. What if these fruits weren't wild but cultivated, and taking them would amount to theft? Whether or not the naturally growing food here was for anyone to collect would be yet another question to ask at the restaurants.

Nerves began to overtake his sense of wonder. He surveyed the area, mouth twisting into a grimace. How would he go about this? Would the chefs laugh at his lack of knowledge? And everything looked so breakable, built for people much smaller and lighter than himself. He glanced over the steps leading up to the huts, wondering if they'd support his weight. There was no way he could risk testing the sturdiness of the walkway over the sea, from which vendors hawked their wares.

As his attention drifted from the path, his leg knocked against something, which clattered over. "Ah!" Alarm jolting through him, he looked down. At first glance, he feared he'd broken the log bench, but a moment later it became apparent the seat had been purposefully carved into three stools. With a sigh of relief, he leaned down and set them back upright with the gentlest of touches, each one tiny in his hands. He really would have to take utmost care here...

He jumped, almost knocking the seats over again, at a sudden barking sound. Turning round, he cringed as a dark grey dog backed away with another startled yelp.

"Ehhh, sorry if I scared you, little one!" He tried to make his voice as soft and soothing as possible, despite its deep gravelly tone. The dog at Lakeside Stable had reacted this way too when he'd reached out to pet her. "Here! Consider this an apology." He took a box from one of his leather pouches, opening it to reveal his latest cooking attempt. A smoky smell emanated from it.

The traveller who'd taught him how to grill meat skewers at the stable had given him the constructive criticism that they'd turned out just a tad tough and overcooked. Not one to let his efforts go to waste if he could help it, Micah had held on to them in the hope that he could salvage them, mix them with other ingredients that would complement the taste and texture. And now he'd found someone who maybe, just maybe, would appreciate them. Taking a skewer and removing the chunks one by one, he set them on the ground.

The dog sniffed at them, let out an indignant whine, and scampered away.

"Sorry again!" Micah's shoulders drooped as he watched the bundle of dark fluff disappear behind the huts. Well, this wasn't exactly a great start.

[Sav'saaba]

It was said a child of Hebra would never shed the chill that would settle itself within their bones.
Well, not Yuru. He felt positively toasty right about now, as the surf crashed into his bare calves, his toes splaying with the wet sand lodged between them.

In Hebra, on sunny days, the snow shone like diamonds, and all those reflected sun rays would have you sunburnt in a jiff.
Even if those bright, sun-soaked days had vastly outnumbered those with milky skies, gelid winds and teeth-chattering sleet and snow, fuck ever returning to that shithole.

That particular memory had taught him a lesson however, and were it not for the blue shirt with white lobster print he had picked up as a souvenir from some local vendor to shield his poorly pigmented hide from the sun's assault of the quaint seaside village and all that reflective water from dawn to dusk, he would surely have turned the shade of an even riper radish than he already was.
His untied hair danced on the salty breeze, and he was glad for bringing the khaki shorts he sported.

Doctor's orders were to get ample sunlight complimented with a strict diet, and so Blademaster Yuru had been put on leave for a little vacay, to get himself into prime shape again sooner rather than later to join the bunch of greenhorns currently holding down the fort at Akkala branch.

At first, Yuru had considered returning to HQ, but a sandy shithole really wasn't all that different from a snowy shithole, not to mention they would probably saddle him with doing administrative tasks for the nerds of R&D. He was in no condition to train recruits while suffering a case of lingering gloom this bad. Lurelin and its balmy beaches was turning out to be a much better choice.

He took a sip from the straw that was inserted into the hole in the palm fruit that he cradled in a hand, taking care to avoid poking his own eye out with the little paper umbrella. 
Goddessdamn was he sick and tired of the copious amounts of sundelion he'd been consuming, the ingredient cooked into every single dish he partook of. Sunny this, sunny that, and all he really drank lately was sundelion tea – at this point he'd rather stuff a banana down his gullet than anything containing that fucking flower.
For a very long time, the moose meat pastries that his old man would bake and which had been his absolute favorite had not crossed his mind even once, but right now he'd trade his left kidney for one.

What if he allowed himself a cheat meal today? He was well on his way to full recovery, and besides, this was a holiday.

As he reasoned for committing that particular sin, he pulled something that faintly glowed blue and orange out of a back pocket, and activated it by flicking his thumb across its surface. He stretched his arm skyward and angled the device just so until its screen displayed Yuru himself in the viewfinder, the palm fruit still sitting in his other hand.

"SNAAAP!" he said as he looked up at the gizmo. When he lowered his arm again, the slate showed a still image of himself beaming what looked like a crooked grin as he stood calf-deep in the turquoise waters of Lurelin's bay.

What a great toy.

Taking over the Akkala lab had been worth it for the blueprints to this thing alone, even if it supposedly was only a prototype.

The network really was not to be used for frivolities such as this, but see if he cared. He pulled up the communication feature of the device, and sent the picture it had just taken to his colleague Blademasters and other higher ups, adding some nonsense about how he wished they were there. Fuck if he knew how it worked, it just did.

With a long drag, he emptied the palm fruit of its remaining contents as he watched a porgy float languidly past his legs. He should probably go and see if flirting with the innkeep would garner him another three nights of free-of-charge lodging before the inn was full up for the day. Although, if that really came to pass, he was sure she'd happily invite him to her own bed.

[AmJanky]

Collin

Lurelin. Sweet, sweet Lurelin, the second best place to be in Hyrule, according to none other than Collin himself. The fresh sea breeze a welcome change from the humid and heavy air of Faron's jungle. By Hylia if that trip hadn't been worth it he would have forewent the whole ordeal and would have perchance been at his first favourite place.

But of course he visited Queen Zelda's Dondon sanctuary. The beasts were... so, so precious. He even got the chance to feed them their favourite thing to snack on. What a day! And the next day had only been better.

Still, that humidity was a heinous crime and he wasn't about to do mold a favour. Wearing a yellow shirt with the Lurelin crest on it - Ashley would definitely reprimand him for being so basic - he bought it more out of necessity, being in the process of airing out everything he owned on a small fence near the settlement's main gates. When a Goron came sauntering into through the main entrance. Entranced by a coconut and trying to make peace with a dog after startling it by knocking over some seating arrangements. The dog sadly wasn't having any of it.

Goron weren't a rare sight on the road, but for as far as he remembered he'd never seen one in Lurelin. He was about to make a remark about the world just not accommodating to the larger peoples of Hyrule when he noticed the dog wasn't the only one making a swift getaway. So instead he didn't get past the apologetic wave before his gaze trailing towards another large creature on its merry way to wreak even larger havoc if left unchecked.

"Oh, what the... Fox! I swear you will be stew tomorrow." He nimbly jumped the fence and quickly made his way after the prancing penalty pony.

Looking past the ass of a horse Collin could catch a glimpse at what the animal was stalking at. It wasn't hard, the shoulders of the man standing with his feet in the bay were practically broader than the entire horse. Honestly, that's too much for that shirt to take, hon. He was starting to build a tan like a lobster in a boiling pot, not a healthy look. And perhaps the bigger offender, the guy was blond.

The biggest offender in it all was still the fricken horse stalking on this prey.

"Bonjour, Crimebag." He denounced, while catching the horse at the halter. Fox still pushed on and took a long loud sniff of the blond's back. "I was not made aware that horses were predators. You must smell particularly good to him. Do not worry, he is now an ingredient for tomorrow's dinner."

[El]

"Don't you think it's odd, that he went before I did?
I always thought I'd be the first one to go:
Hylians don't live as long after all."

"She-... she's still struggling to eat.
Sorry, Gao. I've managed to get her to have one
meal a day at least, but she still
can't stand the smell of food...
That soup you suggested is really helping though!"

"Oho~? What's this?
My Baby Boko is up raiding the pantry again?!
You think your Daddy wouldn't catch you?!!"

"...He had so much more life to give.
The fact that we didn't even get a chance
to properly say goodbye, it's-...
It happened so quickly. Too quickly."

"You were right. I was really hoping not...
But, well... Thankfully I caught her in time!
Don't worry, Gao, I'll make sure she doesn't try again.
This WON'T happen again. ...I'll make sure to put the knives somewhere
more hidden - or even keep them with me for the time-being.
Until she's more-... settled."

"Ha! Maybe one of these days you'll cook
as much as you eat, kid! Get back in that kitchen!
Before your Ol' Ma finds us slacking and
whips us with that dastardly spatula."

"I keep wondering: why did he insist on staying?
I know our life's work - our blood, our sweat,
our precious memories - were all in that building
but-... A life is a tall price to pay for
just a stack of wood at the end of the day.
...We could've rebuilt. We can always rebuild.
But what use is all that when... when..."

"She wants to sell the restaurant, Gao.
I know it's really not my place to interfere but
are you sure about this..? REALLY sure?"

"I hope one day you'll inherit this place, kid.
I know you've been attached to those 'monsterkin'
of yours ever since they did us a solid and took
care of you: heck, I probably would've been too,
that was one hell of a nasty accident and it took us
way too long to find you. You must've been
so scared, kid. I'm so-... so sorry.
But know there's always a place here for you
- there always has been, always will be."

"Gao came by again...? No. No, I really
don't want to see him. He reminds me too much of his father and the way
he looks at me-... I just can't, Surani. ...I'm scared of myself.
Terrified actually, ha... I love him. I love him so so so much, he's all I
have left of Kiwano... But this damned, incessant obsession with those
savage monsters...? Even after what they DID to his father?!"

"I'm sure she'll come around, just
give her a bit more time, Gao.
And thank you. I know I insisted that I didn't
need to get paid for looking after your Ol' Ma
- we're neighbours after all - but I do really
appreciate it. It helps out more than you know.
...Hmn. ...Though this is still too mu-... No,
actually, y'know what- nevermind! I know this
 is just your way of showing you care.
Thank you. Really."

"You have some true talent, son.
Are you sure you don't want to take up a few
more shifts? We barely see you these days
and you'd be a bigger help than you realise.
Y'know... I've actually started to miss your
pantry-raids, ha! ...Er. Don't tell your Ol' Ma
I said that though - those cost us more than
just a pretty lil' red or blue."

"Sometimes I think... that maybe, just perhaps,
the reason why he stayed behind was
because Gao had put thoughts in his head.
He was so, so proud of his son - our son.
He really respected what he was doing.
Maybe he wanted to put Gao's lessons to
some use, so he-... hm."
Y̷o̷u̷ ̶g̴a̴v̷e̸ ̸h̸i̷m̴ ̴t̶h̴a̵t̸ ̷i̵d̷e̵a̸

"OH! O-oh... You... you heard that.
I'm sure she doesn't mean it, Gao!
Grief makes us say and do so many silly
things we don't actually mean.
Put it out of your head, OK...? It's not true."
P̷l̷a̸y̸ ̵d̴u̷m̵b̷,̵ ̵l̷i̵k̸e̴ ̷y̶o̴u̴ ̷h̷a̴v̷e̴ ̵a̷l̶l̵ ̵t̵h̵i̸s̵ ̸t̴i̵m̴e̷.̴ ̴A̷c̵t̸ ̵l̷i̸k̸e̵ ̶i̷t̴ ̵n̶e̵v̸e̶r̴ ̷h̴a̵p̵p̷e̵n̸e̴d̸,̷ ̴r̸i̵g̵h̶t̴?̶

"I got to thinking the other day, y'know.
About me and your Ol' Ma and how we met
an' all that. ...-HA! Don't pull that face! Sappy
shit aside I'm being serious here: I hope you settle down soon, Son.
Get yourself a wife or-... well, a husband, if you're into that, that'll love
you once we're both gone."
I̸t̴'̷s̴ ̶t̶o̶o̴ ̸l̶a̵t̸e̸.̵

"Gao was always such a loving boy. Maybe-...
a little too loving. If I'm entirely honest... it, well...
it makes me feel sick to the pits of my stomach knowing that he's
protecting the same monsters who killed his father."
O̶n̵l̴y̸ ̷a̶ ̵m̷o̸n̵s̸t̴e̸r̵ ̴w̷o̶u̸l̸d̸ ̸c̵a̷r̷e̸ ̶a̵b̷o̸u̶t̷ ̴m̴o̵n̷s̶t̴e̶r̷s̵

"Hm? O-oh! Yeah, she's doing well.
She eats much better these days, though I have
to stick to more foreign cuisine.
Hopefully you can both have a proper
conversation soon...?"
S̴e̵e̸?̴ ̴S̸h̶e̸'̸s̸ ̷d̴o̶i̶n̷g̷ ̴b̶e̷t̷t̴e̵r̴ ̷n̵o̵w̸ ̶t̴h̶a̸t̶ ̴y̷o̷u̴ ̴r̴a̶r̴e̴l̷y̵ ̵v̶i̴s̷i̷t̷.̶ ̵S̵h̸e̷'̵s̵ ̸b̵e̴t̸t̶e̸r̸ ̴o̴f̷f̶ ̶w̴i̶t̷h̶o̵u̵t̴ ̶y̵o̸u̸.̵

"Oh... off again, h∟h? ..Hrmn? N◌! Nah!
Not at all. S█e you next week the□, s◌n,
I'll mak█ ▐ure to whip up a fea▐t of y◌ur favo∟rites."
Y̸o̴u̸ ̵s̸h̷o̴u̸l̷d̶'̴v̵e̶ ̸s̴p̵e̴n̸t̸ ̵m̶o̷r̵e̴ ̸t̷i̶m̸e̴ ̷w̵i̷t̸h̸ ̶h̷i̶m̵.̶

"...I miss him so much."
I̴ ̷D̸o̴n̶'̴t̴ ̸B̸e̵l̷i̶e̴v̷e̷ ̷Y̵o̷u̵

"You're leaving already? Wait!
Hang on I'll-... oh. He's gone."
J̴u̵s̴t̵ ̸L̴e̵a̵v̷e̸ ̵A̷l̷r̶e̵a̶d̵y̷

"I lo▌█ y◌∟, ▐o□."
I̶t̸ ̷W̶a̸s̸ ̴Y̷o̷u̴r̷ ̴F̶a̶u̴l̵t̷

...

Sun glistened off a sweltering brow, the dark skin coated with a hard day's work. It was barely even noon and yet Gao had accomplished much, pillaging the village of every menial and laborious chore he could get his antsy, rough fingers on.

It had started with helping to haul in the morning's catch - the Razorclaw Crabs were huge this season! Then he'd moved onto patching up some of the old thatching on a few of the elders' roofs, so they could savour the last of their ailing backs. One home, with a single mother and five scrambling children desperately needed some firewood to warm tonight's baths, so then Gao had trekked off a short distance (so as not to damage their own scenic palms) and got to work felling then chopping a fresh trunk. And now? Now the Sheikah was assisting in distributing sacks of rice to each household, from the latest delivery Mubs, Chessica and Rozel had arranged: three stacks piled high upon his right shoulder, while another three were securely bundled under his left arm.

Lurelin was no Kakariko, but community was still of great importance to its people. Whenever - on the rare occasion - Gao returned home, he made sure to pitch in and do his bit. It wasn't just because of the way he was raised, or because he genuinely cared about all these familiar faces, but also-... also because he really wanted to keep his mind busy. NEEDED to keep it busy, on anything and everything else. Nothing helped revitalise the spirit quite like some exercise, and all the better if you were rewarded with grateful smiles - and delicious snacks! - by the end of it. There was something about the mundane that could be so soothing, especially after all Hyrule had been through.

He had met his mother earlier, but the meeting had been 'brief'. Tense. They'd sat awkwardly at her kitchen table, fiddling with cups of iced, minty hydromelon tea and barely exchanging a word as the cubes melted. It was the sort of silence that was pulled so taut - stretched so frail - that it almost hurt to swallow. Eventually Gao couldn't stand the look of discomfort on her face anymore and made up a lie to excuse himself. He wouldn't return there again today.

But this fresh, salty breeze? The familiar hush of the tides across sands and the rustling whispers of swaying palm trees? Nature really had its way of offering comfort, if you actually stopped to appreciate it.

Apparently the village was actually quite popular today too. It was a fairly common tourist spot - for those brave enough to venture through the volatile tropics of the Faron jungle at least - but Gao had already spotted two fresh faces today during his labouring treks. Both were men and assumedly travelling solo - separate of each other, that is - and yet, from what Gao had glanced in his peripheral as he rounded the back of another wooden hut, they'd found each other's company nonetheless.

Their attire had brought a wry, warm smile to his face, though he worried about the paler one's skin - that did NOT look like it'd been appropriately smeared with lotion. His hair shone like the shores under moonlight, an unmistakable signature platinum blonde that caught Gao's attention a second longer than it perhaps should've. Given his physique this was likely the 'princely hunk' of a man Chessica had gushed on about this morning while fixing her lipstick in a handmirror. The other one...? Judging by his midnight-blue locks and the stubborn steed he was currently chastising, that must've been 'Collin'. Rumour was he came by here every now an-

"ARF! ARF! ARF!!! RRRRRRaaar!!!"

"And an ARF-arf to you too, you fluffy nutter." Slapping down the last of his load at a sandy back doorstep, Gao remained crouched so he could wrangle the unruly mutt who came charging at him.

He growled and snarled as was usual, all hot slobber and bared fangs, but rather than indulge in their usual play-greeting the grey hound artfully wiggled free of the burly biceps which restrained him. Bemused the Sheikah watched as he stamped upon his front paws with a huff of a snort and then-... turned tail? No, not quite. Gao had barely managed to quirk an eyebrow before the dog looked back and started yowling again, making sure to punctuate the gesture with another arrogant bark. "Aaah. Something to show me, eh?" With a laugh he hefted himself upright. "I swear if this is another catch you've poached off poor Rozel while he had his back turned, you're in for sooooo much trouble."

The dog wasn't listening. Or maybe it was just pretending not to listen. Either way he impatiently pitter-pattered across the sandy grass verges, his body language quickly becoming more concerning. His hackles bristled. His belly pressed deep to the floor. Low, rested his ears, hugging tight to his fluffy scalp. The humour that tingled in Gao's throat was very close to fizzling out before he realised - with a loud guffaw - exactly what was the cause of the dog's concern.

"MICAH!" The Sheikah bellowed, raising an arm in a large a-hoy of a greeting. "By Hylia's Grace, you actually came! It's great to see you, Bud." He began to close the distance between them in long, eager strides, the pup at his legs grumbling out growls of uncertainty.

"Oh hush now, boy. Just because you're jealous of his size doesn't mean he's a threat." Gao brought down a large hand upon his fluffy head, giving it a rough ruffle. The look of abject disbelief the hound shot him had him roaring out another laugh.

[LuckyBlackCat]

"Oh! Gao!" At the booming voice calling his name, Micah looked over, his dejected expression brightening into a smile as the familiar warpainted man approached. "Good to see you too!"

The dog, rather less cheerful as the growls indicated, trotted at Gao's side. Despite the twinge of envy as the Lurelin villager displayed his knack with animals by ruffling the hound's fur, a slight chuckle rumbled in Micah's throat at the joke. "I, uh, may have caused offense just now." His smile became a grimace as he gestured towards the charred, leathery meat chunks in the tufts of grass. "Considering he must be pretty pampered with Lurelin quality food, can't blame him." Trying to appear less intimidating, he bowed his head, drew his shoulders inwards and bent his knees as he turned his attention back towards the picky pooch, as if about to curl up into a ball. "Don't ya worry, little guy! I'll make it up to you at some point!"

With a growl and a huff, the dog backed away behind Gao's legs, hackles raised, wary eyes trained on Micah. How did people at the stables befriend them so easily, he wondered. Most of them had no trouble getting dogs to play or roll over for belly rubs, especially if a steak was involved.

"Ehh, well that could've gone better." He cringed as he put the skewer back in the box. "I see what you mean about this place though! Looks like there's quite a sense of community going on." Raising his head as much as he could without startling the hound, he swept his gaze over the area once more. Children played on the beach, while workers on the docks chatted as they reeled in fish with pole-and-line devices. At the seafront, people hauled bags and boxes to the restaurants, their banter and laughter carrying on the salted wind. Ahead of them, a blue-haired man cracked a joke as he held back a wayward horse from sniffing at someone who relaxed with his feet in the water, sipping from one of those green fruits - so that was how people consumed them. No matter how different Lurelin Village was from the environment he knew, the camaraderie reminded Micah of Goron City. Could he expect a warm welcome from the (non-canine) locals after all? Even if he messed up again?

"So, uh, where would you say the best place is to learn the local cuisine?" The thought of simply wandering up to the nearest eatery and asking filled him with dread - this place looked busy enough as it was, so could he really expect professional chefs to find the time to teach him? Would he just be a big, boulder-shaped burden on them? Yet Gao's presence helped put his mind at ease. Someone who knew the place well would make this easier. And if anyone needed any odd jobs done that involved hefting items around, Micah would be up to the task.

[Sav'saaba]

A warm breath ghosted across the skin of the nape of his neck and was joined by the velvety tickle of what Yuru recognized as a horse's nose. The sensation jolted him from inattention almost as jarringly as the words that followed it up. Crimebag? Excuse you?

He'd been nothing if not a model citizen ever since arriving at this tourist trap of a village. The prices of everything here, now those were criminal. Hundredtwenty rupees for a shirt? It didn't even fit around his shoulders quite right. Yuru would have admired the collective scam these locals were up to, were it not for his own significantly lightened purse. With a tilt of defiance to his jaw, Yuru raised his eyebrows as he turned to face the Hylian.

Oh, wait, the guy had probably meant the horse. What five rupee carnival shat out this pair? 

Before Yuru stood a physically rather unimpressive bloke that was clad in the t-shirt printed with Lurelin's porgy emblem which Yuru himself had declined to buy because its fit had been even more snug on him. Yuru's fellow tourist must have missed a spot while shaving for several days in a row.
The steed the man now held by the halter wasn't quite so punily built as its handler was though, nor as hairy on the chin.
The draft horse was the warm colour of the sandstone walls of HQ and it had a broad blaze on its face, the defined bumps and dips of its musculature something to admire with silent envy.
Yuru patted the animal on the neck, taking care to keep the equine muzzle that still attempted to prod and nudge him at bay.

"I did wash this morning," Yuru jested in reply to the man's comment about the horse's olfactory preferences, not  understanding why the beast of burden was taking such a keen interest in him. They wouldn't, usually.

"That's a waste. Means you would have to walk everywhere. Besides, there's a ton of great cuisine here that would beat leathery horse jerky anytime. " Or so it was said, and the smells that wafted from the huts when dinner time neared certainly rallied his stomach to a groaning revolt every time.
Balls to that gloom recovery diet. 

"Better keep him away from me, I could probably eat a horse right about now. I'm starving." he joked, though like Lurelin's bay, the remark harbored an undertow.
Yuru brought two fingers to his temple and flicked them away again in greeting as he moved around the duo to sashay back to the beach, and finally try out some of that traditional Lurelin grub himself.

When the Yiga had reached the village and was halfway up to the first huts by the shore, the sound began as a soft, familiar cadence, but to Yuru's alarm it soon grew to a resonant rumble.

As he swivelled around, he found his sense of danger had not been an overreaction.

The horse was making a beeline for the village, its handler apparently having lost control of the animal again. For a few beats, Yuru watched the animal trot through the shallows and kick up a spray of seawater, the blue-haired man in tow, until it dawned on him that it wasn't exactly the village the nag had set its sights on.

No.
No, it was after him, Yuru realized to his terror.

The horse accelerated to a canter then, stomping its massive hooves through the sands as it steadily closed the distance. While horses generally were not quite as mean as some of the moose he had been accustomed to for a mount during his youth, he still knew better than to attempt to stop a charging equine with muscle alone, and he would definitely blow his cover if he were to use the Earthwake technique to spook and chase it off.

Yuru dropped the palm fruit as he wheeled around and broke into a dash, up the steps of a walkway until he reached an incline overgrown with beachgrass, the horse still not letting up as Yuru bolted through the dense tufts. He held no delusions about being able to outrun a horse of all things, but there, up ahead, was an enclosure where the villagers kept a herd of Hateno cows, right nearby that hulking local he'd noticed busying himself around town and a Goron.

Yuru's heartbeat thundered in his ears as he leapt and cleared the fence that kept the cows penned in, the horse now close enough to nip at his heels if it so pleased.

Or so that was how it was supposed to have gone.

Yuru had not accounted for still being under the gloom's effect. While the ailment had dwindled to a minor case by now, it did not mean he was back to full physical strength, yet that very strength was something he unconsciously took for granted, it being the natural state of things in his world. His foot hooked behind one of the fence's boards and with momentum suddenly gone, gravity saw its chance and down Blademaster Yuru went, face first into the pen as he doubled over, his ass skywards.

He was at the beast's mercy. The Yiga could hear the animal snort and snuffle, its soft nose muzzling against and up one of his legs. 

Horses had mad teeth. Teeth he didn't ever want anywhere near his nethers. Trying in vain to thrash himself free, he suddenly stilled when he realized that the horse had backed off, and mentally put the puzzle together of what it had been after all along.

Fucking sundelion.

He'd stuck a bundle of the plants in the backpocket of his shorts after finding he'd brought too many to cook into his lunch, but he had been unable to just discard of them with all these people everywhere. What run-off-the-mill, innocent tourist would need to consume sundelion on a constant basis?
The flowers had still peeped out of his pocket, his shirt keeping them from view, but clearly not from this equine's sense of smell.

This thief of a horse had managed to wrest the plants from his person, and it stood blissfully chomping its loot. Yuru looked up at the face of the horse's owner floating into view above him. Apparently he had finally seen fit to come collect his hellbeast.

"Sausage, is my suggestion," Yuru groaned, his ego more wounded than the rest of him as he twisted himself around and pushed himself up on his elbows as he pulled his foot free from the fence, "Or tournedos. The sweet, somewhat gamey taste of horse meat goes well with carrots and mushrooms, or so they say. I try not to piss off the horse god."

But maybe, just maybe, he'd make a second exception today.

[AmJanky]

Just as the horse had poked his nose in business that wasn't his there was a flinch that didn't entirely belong with the big jerking turnaround the sunburnt Sheikah made in response to the nose hitting his backside. It was immediately followed by an up and down look and a raised eyebrow.
Though he didn't care much for the look the Sheikah gave him, Collin put on his best serviceable smile. His years had taught him saying anything against it was a fool's errand, he'd be the short guy going 'Meep meep beep!' to their ears. That expenditure of energy hadn't always left him able to confidently say 'You should see the other guy.'

While the big blond patted the horse in a friendly manner and made smalltalk about the cuisine in Lurelin being the best, Collin took note of how Fox kept trying to get to the man's back pocket.

"It's not all that hard to beat jerky, to be honest." Collin shrugged knowingly, keeping his tone level. He returned the salute with a nod, "Have a good rest of your stay."

And with that Collin watched the Sheikah walk off to probably go eat the best in Hyrule's cuisine. The horse longingly craned his neck after the enticing scent, but to his credit didn't move from his spot. As Collin held onto the reins, the beast stayed put. The rider wouldn't have gotten where he was with the young spunky tank of a horse if the nag wasn't under his control. Only when there was something particularly tasty within reach it realized it had free will.

Apples and carrots were a given, but there had proven to be one thing the horse liked beyond all others. And only after Fox had taken a big literal bite out of Collin's profit, had he started working on one vital command.

There was a time, a fair lot of blood moons ago, when the earth had rumbled and ruptured. People within range of the holes that had opened had found themselves sickened by the substance that surrounded the gaping maws. It had since become clear to be a little more careful around the vicious goop around the holes to the netherworld of Hyrule.
But at the time very rare flowers had been found to be the only cure and had been in high demand. The Sundelions would have fetched an unreasonably high price if Fox had not eaten all three Collin had been able to find. Without remorse.

Collin, forever curious to a fault, wondered if - and why - the Sheikah would be in possession of the gloom blooms; only one way to find out.

"Hey, Fox?" The satellite ears on top of the horse's head swiveled in his rider's direction. The anticipation of the release word visible in Fox's primed stance, he snorted loudly, a muscle twitching in his hind legs. "Treats."

Fox didn't stalk this time, he sprung into action.

"Oh no, he broke loose." He said casually to himself before strolling his way up after the pair, seeing time aplenty to wave another friendly wave towards the Goron. Who'd been joined by yet another big bloke, apparently it was big-guy-o'clock in Lurelin and he was the only one that hadn't gotten that memo.

When he found the horse and his unfortunate target, the horse was happily munching on the tell-tale golden stalks of the rare flower, that checked out. At the same time the Sheikah lay face-first in the cow pen, he checked that out too.


"Sausage, is my suggestion, or tournedos. The sweet, somewhat gamey taste of horse meat goes well with carrots and mushrooms, or so they say. I try not to piss off the horse god."


"I'll let you take that up with the big guy himself then." He held out a hand in an attempt to seek peace. "But while we decide on how to butcher, can I at the very least offer a drink?"

[El]

A gruff rumble of a laugh shook Gao's frame, "Yeah, he's a bit of a snob." He agreed. "The scruffster doesn't really have just one family and he takes full advantage of that, if you catch my drift. Sneaky bugger." Playfully he nudged the fluffy hound with his leg, grinning at having successfully broken his 'big bad dog' persona - if only for a second. The retriever's raised hackles startled, only for a growl of miffed displeasure to quickly follow: the punctuating snotty snort did not prevent the hulking man from giving him another scrubbing pet however.

"A'ight, off you go, you lovable twat." The Sheikah dismissed, a tone of authority hardening his voice as he jerked his chin towards the other end of the village. "You're dismissed. Go resume your beggar's patrol elsewhere." After giving him one pungent side-eye, off the dog finally trotted, leaving a trail of the most adorable pawprints in the sand behind him. Yet, within no time at all, Gao spied the flick of his tail, a delighted animation returning to his gait no doubt after catching whiff of something promising up ahead.

"Ah! Don't take his attitude personally though," The local quickly added, as his attention returned to the Goron. "He can be very picky about what he fancies on the day - he turns his snout up at everything at some point."

As much as Gao could ramble on for days and weeks about his animal acquaintances and all their quirks and charms, that was not why Micah was here though. And sure enough, as soon as the Sheikah gave enough pause in his blather to allow an interjection, the burly lad seized it, promptly turning the subject towards culinary pursuits. "I admire the eagerness," Gao laughed, warmth in his wide smile. "-but surely you've only just arrived? Take some time to soak in the atmosphere some more and unwind first, mate.

"Do you even have a place to stay ye-"

And then it happened. Chaos.

From behind them it erupted, a few yelps and screams of the startled locals preluding the increasing volume of a fervent gallop. A rampaging horse, and a sprinting madman, were taking turns gallivanting through the village over hurdles and hills. Admirably, the blonde Sheikah did not scream. Nor did he stumble! But at the end of it all it hadn't mattered - not his attempt at cool composure or the desperate bid for escape - the steed proved himself successful. Smug and satisfied, the creature stood over the man, basking in his humiliating defeat while golden petals and stems were chomped down an eager gullet. The comical position the Sheikah had found himself in would've usually cracked a laugh from Gao... but he was in no mood for humour.

Eyes hardened into a stern glare, quickly the Lurelin lad looked over the livestock pen. The cows were startled, but hadn't visibly injured themselves during the scare - good. The fencing itself didn't appear to be damaged either - good. Concern eased, his expression softened - just a smidge.

Given the blasé manner of that Collin guy, who took his sweet time to saunter up to his companion and its prisoner, Gao had a sneaking suspicion this hadn't been an accident. Either that, or he was almost completely indifferent to the disobedience of his horse and the damage he could cause. Neither sat well with Gao. Especially not in his hometown.

"Sorry, Micah. One moment-" Raising an apologetic hand and forcing out a wonky smile, Gao temporarily bid goodbye to the Goron and turned. With wide, sure strides he made his way towards the pair of tourists. Thankful that these few moments of travel allowed him enough time to reign in his riled temper and soothe the hot blood with civilised restraint.

A few kids were peeping from around a doorway. An older woman shakily resumed taking down her laundry. Somewhere from atop a palm tree a cat mewed. But when Gao caught the eye of their wizened mayor - at whose side the retriever had settled, suddenly disinterested in his half-butchered fish - the Sheikah gave him an assuring, firm nod. That signal was enough. Rozel returned to minding his fishing rod upon the pier. The giggle of playing children resumed.

"Landed yourselves in a spot of trouble?"

The words were warm enough, but it wouldn't take a genius to read how incredibly 'polite' Gao's thin smile was as he greeted the duo and their steed. His stance was alert too. Back straight. Feet firm. An undercurrent of tension to his jaw which - very carefully - he made sure did not curl his hands into fists, nor cross his arms just in case they were needed. He stretched his smile wider, but the teeth didn't show.

Now that he was closer though Gao could more accurately assess the situation, his red-eyed gaze sweeping across their environment before returning to his fellow Sheikah a few beats later. Collin was already offering him a hand up, but considering he hadn't bothered to ask after his welfare - or, for the benefit of the doubt, had done so out of earshot - Gao did so in his stead, "Are you injured?" It didn't look like it, but then bruises and fractures didn't bleed. Not the leaking sort anyway.

"A good drink will take the edge off, but take care not to down too many in case you've got a concussion."

[LuckyBlackCat]

So this was how the dog usually acted, huffing and growling even while he let Gao pet him. Still, watching the pampered pup scurry away - probably in search of something appetising - Micah couldn't blame him for turning his nose up at the less-than-stellar snack.

At Gao's suggestion to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, Micah gave a shaky laugh and a lopsided smile. "Heh... I guess I really should. It looks like a good vacation spot after all." Unwinding wouldn't be easy while stressing about how to go about learning new recipes, or trying his darndest not to break anything, but he could at least explore the area, and appreciate its tropical warmth - the temperature couldn't compare to Death Mountain, but the sun's rays on his skin were pleasant. Finding a place to stay with stairs he wasn't likely to damage, though... That would be a real challenge. He'd have to curl his limbs right in just to fit through the doors here. And how low were the ceilings? Would he have to constantly take care not to hit his head?

As he pondered the issue, the calm of Lurelin Village gave way to chaos. He startled at the man from the shore sprinting through the sand at top speed, the ginger horse bolting after him in a flurry of dust clouds, the scene drawing cries and stares from locals. In stark contrast, the horse's owner casually strolled after them and waved to Micah, his cool-headed attitude likely for the purpose of not spooking the already out-of-control animal, who chased the target up the path's steps and over a fence. Micah winced at the thud as the guy went down like a sack of rock roasts.

Although Gao excused himself to check on the youth, from whom the horse claimed its prize of golden flowers, Micah couldn't just stand there and do nothing. What if this man had gotten hurt? As tough as he looked, Hylians and Sheikah were much more easily injured than Gorons, their flesh softer, their bones more breakable. Micah curled into a ball and rolled along the sandy street, unfurling just outside the pen.

"Ah! Are you hurt?" The bulky blond, propped on his elbows, bore no visible injuries, but the horned, hooved animals in the enclosure - what had the Hateno locals called them again? Coos? - lowed and stamped dangerously close to him. Thankfully, the owner of the horse was already reaching out a hand, following up his friendly snark with an offer of a drink as an apology.

It looked like the atmosphere here wasn't always so relaxed after all.

[Sav'saaba]

He had landed, alright. The horse had made short work of its pilfered loot, but Yuru wondered if it had been quick enough for the assembled men to not correctly determine the plant's species. No matter. Should anyone ask, he would tell them the innkeeper gave them to him, which in all fairness, she had, and feign drooling ignorance to the flower's medicinal qualities.

"Only my dignity,' Yuru chuckled in response to both the Lurelinian and the Goron who inquired whether he had injured something as he took the horse owner's hand into his own, the squeeze of it just a bit firmer than socially acceptable and pulled himself back to his feet. A few bruises and scrapes from tumbling over a fence were nothing compared to the ass whoopings -plural- he'd taken from the Hero of Hyrule. That guy was something else.
Hence why the Yiga did not feel in the least intimidated by the burly Lurelin native bearing the poor excuse for a smile to veil the tension to his jaw.

"My head's fine, no complaints. Besides, I'm not much for drinks," Yuru truthfully told Gao. Nothing would negatively impact one's physical performance more quickly than a Noble Pursuit or something akin to it.
As he sized Gao up, Yuru considered that lugging those fishing nets around must be a great workout. When the fishermen would bring in the catch of the day next, he would have to make sure to lend a hand.

"Appreciate it, though I'd rather eat right now. I was actually about to see what's good, if ya still wanna join," he informed Collin, as he brushed the sand out of his hair and eyed Micah and Gao.

"Extending that invite to you two. Locals always..." he started and paused, momentarily thrown off now that he got a closer look at the man who he had initially pegged as Lurelin-bred, before resuming, "...know the best places. Any recommendations? Some hole in the wall? What would you pick?" he explicitly asked Gao, as a way to defuse the tension that crackled in the air.
The Yiga had zero desire to stir shit and draw attention to himself in the seaside resort during his much needed holiday. And what better way to win someone over than by sharing a meal?

"A Goron, here in Lurelin? I take it you're not here for the rolling waves," he said to Micah and displayed a toothy grin, turning the charm up to eleven.
"My name is Yuru, by the way."

[AmJanky]

Collin

It wasn't necessary to feign a softer, more genuine smile to what appeared, it simply came naturally looking at the man that had taken offense making his way toward the two with a briskness to his canter - and a physique and tan that rivalled head-researcher Tauro's. Within seconds they were cornered by a true Lurelin homeboy.

An angry - or at the very least very peeved - Lurelin homeboy.

The man's face painted akin to the many sorts of -blin's gave the frown he sported some extra edge. Collin immediately had a lot of thoughts, however, with the mood already feeling as frazzled as it did, those were questions to perhaps raise some other time, if at all.

When two ruby sparkles caught the light under the furrowed brow, he had to concede to something entirely unrelated. With this spectacular specimen as a possible product, Tauro and Paya could make a good match...

She was right.

She'd always be right. Damn her once again being right. She wasn't even anywhere near to scoff, but scoff at her he would at the earliest convenience.

The convenient thing to do at present, however, was to make this looker of a livid Lurelin lad less likely to lash. By now they had been joined by the Goron, who had looked as puzzled at the coconut as he was now at the cows. A gobsmacked goliath goron, if one would entertain more alliteration.

"My apologies for any undue damages my horse's outing may have caused. He's still young and energetic. I'll make sure to give him a chance to run along the beach for a bit... get that edge off." It wasn't in Collin's nature to vilify the blond Sheikah outright, and since both onlookers had inquired about his well being, Collin took the accusation.
Besides, the horse ate the evidence, lucky bastard. All the same the salty sunburnt Sheikah had to assert superiority with a stiff shake as he took Collin's hand to help himself up.

"You do you, boo," unimpressed, but the smile he sported gained a slight edge for a second, "but I don't have the kid this weekend and I still fully intend to make the most of it, if it's all the same to you." He shrugged.

"Either way, I could eat."

[El]

...After a long, strained pause, a relenting breath of released pressure finally sighed from between Gao's parting lips. The tension eased, his mouth twisted into a wry smile instead.

They weren't being arseholes - good. And though something about the blue one's attitude still grated his nerves in a manner he couldn't quite pinpoint, (because he was still blaming the horse? No. It wasn't just that.), the Lurelin lad had no reason to keep holding grudges. They were amiable enough. CIVIL enough. And so - as he realised a sensible man should - he brushed down his raised hackles; running a hand back through his damp hair and bracing a hand against his hip, as if he were an exhausted father who'd caught himself too quick to rush to discipline.

All this talk of food reminded him of the violent appetite he'd worked up. Maybe that was it. It was hard not to be sensitive and grouchy when you were starving. If he wasn't such an adoring fan of animals, he'd have cracked a joke about being hungry enough to devour a horse.

Give them the benefit of the doubt at least, Gao. Spending a bit of time to screen them over a meal wasn't a bad idea. If nothing else and his instincts had been riled up for no just reason, he'd at least get fed. And sharing food taught you a lot about a person: it was more intimate and revealing than most gave it credit for.

To rope Micah into this too though...? The Sheikah spared the lovable Goron a concerned sidewards glance. The warm-hearted fella was distressed too, yes, but not for the same reasons as Gao was - had been? It seemed his tender spirit had witnessed only an accident and that was all there was to it.

...Maybe it really was.

...

Hmn.

"Chessica was right," Gao responded with a light but brief chuckle, his eyes flicking towards crimson mirrors of his own. "Your tongue is as silvered as your hair."

He cracked a grin then though, his gaze crinkling in dimples at its corners, in an attempt to ensure that any potential insult was promptly curbed - it wasn't a jab, it was simply an observation. "I'd be happy to recommend an eatery! Pleasure to meet you, Yuru. I'm Gao." With a tilt of his broad chin he motioned towards their Goron companion, slapping a warm hand down upon his burly, rocky shoulder. "This here is my friend, Micah."

WAS the Goron his friend...? Truly? They'd barely even shared five sentences and one cider-flavoured evening together, if that could truly qualify as genuine friendship. But that wasn't Gao's current concern. Whether it was a conscious move on his part or not, it was a mark - a subtle, primal signal - 'This one is under my care. Don't mess with him'. Perhaps it was a fool's errand, to feel protective over a Goron of all people, but the scholar couldn't stand the thought of such a genuine guy's day being ruined by unnecessary drama. Especially not when he'd invited him here. Besides, just because the outside was coarse and tough didn't mean the heart was too.

"And you must be Collin?" Hopefully you can handle your alcohol better than you can your horse.

The mention of a CHILD was honestly a little alarming too - this man was a father? But given the blasé-sweet address he'd given the Sheikah tourist - 'Boo', HA! - Gao was wondering if this was just his-... brand of humour.

...At least he wasn't hot-headed.

"Fortunately the place I have in mind serves ample drink as well as food. You won't be disappointed." He grinned. It was a little smug maybe, but it came from an innocent place - genuine pride. Not that he had any reason to feel that way really, given that the restaurant was no longer under his family's management, but he had every trust in the new chef's abilities to uphold the standard - maybe even surpass it!

"I'll lead on then," Gao decided, turning heel. He spared one last glance in Yuru's direction just to make sure he was back on his feet and steady on them, before taking point at the head of the group and leading them a short way down the beach.

The building he led them to was remarkably unique. Though it blended in well enough with the rest of Lurelin's architecture heavily in part because of the local materials it used, its structure was evidently Sheikahn in character - especially its domed cap of a roof. It employed more rattan blinds than was usual, sequences of large windows dominating much of its wallspace. While vermillion banners and painted, wooden chimes were strung below its swooping eaves. There were ample paper lanterns too, though currently they were dim. And honestly, given the humongous wooden sculpture of a Bright-Eyed Crab upon the restaurant's wooden-beamed arc of a crown, they might've gone completely unnoticed. Crabby Cure, read the name, held proudly between the claws of the silvered crustacean.

"Let's take one of the outside tables," The Lurelin local directed, manoeuvring the group towards one such place. The large wooden table had stubby but wide legs, setting it low to the floor and was surrounded by a collection of coarse, patterned cushions rather than stools or seats. Hopefully it'd prove comfortable for Micah too. Plus Collin's horse could be safely stationed close by. "And don't worry about the price, Micah! I'll cover your portion of the bill."

[LuckyBlackCat]

Micah's worries had, thank Hylia, been unfounded. The Sheikah confirmed with a chuckle that he wasn't hurt, showing no animosity towards the horse's owner, who helped him to his feet. Politely turning down the offer of a drink, he inquired about the restaurants instead, inviting them all along - another visitor intrigued by the local cuisine.

"Sounds good!" Micah replied, shoulders relaxing now the chaos had calmed, although there was a stiffness to his smile. He hadn't counted on a gathering like this - what kind of impression would he make on these two? At least they seemed friendly and easygoing, especially Yuru. If he was forgiving enough to shrug off the havoc with the horse, it would take a lot to annoy him. "In fact, that's what brings me here. You see, I'm learning to cook foods from all over Hyrule, and Gao here recommended Lurelin as a good place for pointers." If Gorons rarely visited the village, Micah couldn't expect any rock-based delicacies, but with any luck there'd be some salt-rich snacks on the menu.

Gao, more than happy to recommend a restaurant and display pride in his hometown's culture, reached up and clapped a rough hand on Micah's shoulder as he introduced both him and himself. A friend already, huh? A feeling of warmth eased Micah's nerves. They'd only chatted over drinks for one evening, but what he'd seen of Gao's earnest approachability reminded him of his brothers back home. And the fact that he seemed to know the horse's handler - Collin - made the impromptu meeting with these two strangers less awkward.

As Gao eagerly led the group down the beach, Micah swept his gaze over the outdoor tables of the seafront eateries, eyebrows creasing together. Would those wooden chairs hold up under his weight? Were there any metal ones? If not, would he have to sit on the floor, and would people here consider that rude? On that subject, what constituted good table manners in Lurelin? Back in Goron City, chowing food down with gusto was considered a compliment to the chef, but the Hylians gathered here ate more delicately, using utensils rather than their hands.

The restaurant they approached stood out from the others, brilliant scarlet banners over sizable windows that made up most of the walls, a large sculpture of a flat-bodied, silver bug of some kind dominating the roof, bearing a sign in its pincers. Crabby Cure, it read in proud lettering. It was with considerable relief that Micah noticed cushions rather than chairs around the tables - that would solve the seating issue.

Directing them to the nearest empty table, Gao offered to cover the bill for Micah. "Oh thanks! Only if it won't be too much trouble though," Micah replied, taking his place and studying the menu. Many of the meals had names he didn't even know how to pronounce, but fortunately, it turned out salted meals were indeed popular here. "Salt-grilled fortified pumpkin? What's that like?" Whatever a pumpkin was, the "fortified" part of the name looked promising.

[Sav'saaba]

It could have turned ugly, that much could be gleaned from the way how the man who introduced himself as Gao had carried himself before. Flaring tempers had been dampened by Collin's apology and the invitation to dinner, although Yuru was not convinced that Gao was fully placated, if the protective pat on Micah's shoulder and the little observation to which Yuru had responded with a slight and enigmatic smile was anything to go by. Locals and their incessant gossip.

Still, Gao had taken them all up on the proposal, and had led them to an eatery that looked as much a perfect fusion of two worlds as their guide himself did, and Yuru eyed the paper lanterns and other staples of Sheikah culture with some suspicion as they were directed towards a table.

How very... coincidental. Was this guy actually a promoter for this place or something, and had they just been reeled in like porgies?
Yuru scoffed under his breath.

"So Collin, you're a family man, I hear." Yuru said by way of making small-talk after they had all found themselves a spot at the low table and made themselves comfortable, with the Yiga sitting cross-legged on the cushions, a mannerism vestigial of his upbringing.

The pitter-patter of tiny feet was a blessing which the Goddess had not seen fit to bestow upon Yuru.

Thank fuck. At least, not that he knew of. There had been that horse whisperer at Woodland Stable who had thought his Hebran lilt 'cute', of course.

And Totsie. Or was it Letty?

And that brunette with the bun and bangs, oh, he had liked her well enough to whittle time away with in the derelict cabin, the both of them having been caught out by a raging thunderstorm at the ruins of Fort Hateno. Also those two sisters in Kakariko, driven into his arms by jealous drama between them over some local craftsman who'd played the both of them like a fiddle. Once bitten... Neither of them had been particularly shy, he didn't think.

A sweet smile, a kind word, telling them how special they are, all of it was plenty to render them all as pliable as warmed wax under his touch.

"Your kid didn't want to come along to swim? I bet this place is a blast if you're about yea high," Yuru remarked, indicating a height with a hand, "Catchin' crabs on the beach, collectin' seashells..."

He remembered the shell he had found the day before, and that he had slipped into a pocket, for no reason other than that it was pretty in how its edges curled inwards and the mother-of-pearl that shimmered different colours when turned this way or that.

"Here, I found this one earlier. You should at least bring home some kind of souvenir for them. Other than an ugly shirt, ya know."
It was as much a playful gibe at Collin as it was at himself, and he pushed the seashell he had taken from his pocket over the table towards the blue-haired tablemate beside him.

When Gao kindly offered to pick up the bill for Micah, Yuru was quick to butt in.

"I'm the one who invited you all. Let me handle the check. I'm on holiday, I can splurge a little."

If Gao did indeed belong to the staff and the Yiga had just stumbled into a  ruse with eyes wide open, Yuru could do nothing but concede defeat and applaud a game well played. 
Not that it mattered much. HQ had been rather generous with their stipend for his recovery; it was the least the sons of bitches owed him for the state he had been in.

With nonchalant ease, he pulled back his loose hair as he glossed over the menu and twisted it into a bun, then picked up a pair of disposable wooden chopsticks, undoubtedly there on the table for the more adventurous souls of non-Sheikah descent alongside more standardized cutlery, and shoved the utensils into the bun to fasten it.

The options on the menu all sounded pretty good, and just as Yuru was about to make a choice, Micah wondered about the pumpkin.

"It's a little hard to explain, I think. Maybe just try whatever you're curious about. If you want, you can have a bite or two of whatever I'm getting as well. Rock sirloin must get boring sometimes,"  Yuru offered, half-expecting the others at the table to be of more use in describing pumpkin.

"You know, it's too bad we don't have access to an oven. Perhaps I could have shown you something if you're that interested in cooking. I never quite made it to journeyman, but you can't be a baker's apprentice and not pick up a thing or two about baking."

Yuru's red eyes gleamed with earnesty. It was no coincidence that it was Blademaster Yuru who was in charge of the dough whenever pizza night was held at HQ; his crusts were absolute perfection once out of the oven. And the first of the lads who'd dare ruin that with banana as a topping would have to answer to him.

Banana does not go on pizza.

[AmJanky]

Collin

A lovely little bit of gossip about Yuru - garnering a charming little tweak of a smile on the blond - left the Lurelin lad before he shared his own name to be Gao and laid claim to the Goron. Naming him Micah. All fun and games until Collin had to perk his ears at hearing his own name exit those lips.

"And you must be Collin?"

Gao left a pause there, why did he leave that pause there? Suddenly faced with a possible preceding reputation Collin blinked. Did he run his mouth a little too quickly? More than a little shocked and bewildered, he looked down at himself, checking his hands on both sides too for good measure. 

"Apparently, I still am." He answered with visible relief. He had never wronged anyo- well, yeah, okay, sure, he just sicced a ton of horse on a Sheikah... But he wouldn't have done that if he didn't know what he was doing. Nobody really got hurt, okay, fine, somebody could still get seriously hurt if they decided to get the cat out of the tree. But that truly sounded like a them-problem.

Before they were led to the restaurant, Gao certainly seemed to hold in high regard, Collin saw to leave the horse in the cow pen with the other herbivores. Hoping that the horse would learn how to ruminate, rethinking his actions for once wouldn't hurt in the least.
Perhaps also to give the three other diners the vague hope a big soft nose would be not blowing in their ear would they order any carrots. Collin knew the chances for the curious nose to still make its way over to not exactly be a given, but better safe than sorry. This time.

"Never took the time to stop and eat here.." He casually remarked as he took in the odd but strikingly cute mishmash of Sheikahn and Lurelin styles of the place. And seated himself at the table Gao pointed out.


"So Collin, you're a family man, I hear."

"The whole two kids and a dog thing? If you squint, sure." Collin answered without looking up from the menu, didn't nobody want to see him devolve into a gushing parent. But the blond wasn't done and even threw in a gift and offered to settle the tab for all of them.
Well, ain't you a sweet little unforgettable thing, Collin thought. Silver tongued, indeed. And with those looks, who could blame you?

If Collin was any judge of Sheikahn etiquette, the next move Yuru pulled - although smooth and enjoyable to watch - was one that just was not done in polite society, and about as dumb as brushing one's hair with a fork.

Without a word - and just the slightest sigh - his hand found the chopsticks holding Yuru's hair together and pulled them back out. He shot him a look that could mean 'I'm not mad, I'm disappointed.' or 'Try me, bro.' It was anyone's guess at this point. He then finally put down the menu, expertly took the sticks between his fingers and picked up the shell to look at it.

"But thank you, I'm sure the anklebiter will appreciate this. Sadly, there's schooling to consider."

With that he wanted to leave it for what it was, but even on the subject of cooking his experience involved getting a little kid to taste things they never had. He was nothing as exciting as a baker or an aspiring cook. Though Micah was as far removed from a little kid as he possibly could be, and seemed far more willing to try new things.

"You'd be surprised how many vegetables you can hide in things that should not have vegetables..." He added, defeated.