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He wasn't much good for reading a recipe, but if it was one thing Alec could do it was prep work. Chopping, stalking and organizing the kitchen was a big deal. Especially with so many hungry mouths to feed, most of them having spent long hard days in classes, or doing training work outs. Food had to be ready on time, least the wrath of hundreds of cranky humans be over ones head. The preparation of meals meant a lot of vegetable cutting work, making salads, and putting together entrees. Trusting the red head not to cook was perhaps wise, he at least could take directions and get things together in a semi neat, and orderly fashion at least.

Alec was pretty sure he wouldn't be the only one in here. Between the food chopping, they also had other duties. Like dish washing, food storage with leftovers, emptying trash bags etc (the list was rather long the more he thought about it). If they were short handed staff wise they might even have to run food out to the tables for dinners to enjoy. Not to mention avoiding the angry man in the kitchen was always a job all unto its own. As long as things were consistent and even, Alec could avoid the mans ire at least. Everyone had to do kitchen at some time and point, (or frequently depending on ones luck and skill) and while it wasn't exactly the red heads idea of a great time the 15 year old didn't complain. He'd much rather be working out, tending to animals or 3dmg care but he also wouldn't fight an assignment. The last thing he wanted to do was get in trouble.

Humming quietly, potato peeler in hand he was carefully peeling several hundred of the small pale brown tuber vegetables, working tediously at the small task. Peering up momentarily hearing a rustle from behind him, he halted the blades progress glancing over his shoulder. He couldn't help wondering if he'd heard some one near by.

A woman had just entered from the mess hall. "Oh! Hello there!" Alec greeted cheerfully, a smile pulling at the corner of his lips at the face he didn't recognize. She had pink hair, purple eyes and a bit of freckles. Hopefully she would be easy to get along with, he was sure he could manage either way of course..

Alec didn't want to look like a smiling creep, but he was relieved she was friendly. Thankfully, she seemed very gentle and easy going. Although, the red head hadn't meant to scare her. He looked apologetic briefly when she jumped a bit, inclining his head to her.

"Sorry, I guess I should have gotten your attention or something first heh." Yeah. She seemed alright, the pink haired girl was soon standing next to him and introducing herself as Harper. While he had to listen when she spoke, as her tone was soft it was easy enough to work beside her.

As they stood side by side it wasn't hard to miss she was nearly a good 5 inches taller but that didn't surprise him even if she was female. When she glanced at him asking his name he remembered his manners and spoke up.

"Oh. I'm Alec! It's nice to meet you Harper." He would have shaken her hand perhaps but seeing as they were both working a potato peeler it would have to be excused. That name was easy enough to remember, Alec peered back at his peeling and gave a few more swipes depositing the peelings into a small pile.

Some of the work was spent in silence, but at one point Alec tilted his head at her pausing his task long enough to talk.

"Have you been enlisted long?" That was a safe topic to start to get to know her he figured. He had asked quizzically, making small talk over their shared task. Orientation had gone by fairly quickly, and he didn't remember which house she was in. Not his, as he was just now meeting her he reasoned. Perhaps they'd exchange reasoning for joining not everyone was up for sharing so it was hard to say. She may have been a stranger to him, but getting to know more people seemed to come like a second nature. (trusting they weren't awfully dis-tempered) He would much rather pass on the janitorial work so for now the food prep was plenty enough for him.

At least she wasn't angry, in fact Harper seemed like she was enjoying herself. It was hard to feel gloomy about the tedious task with her pleasant humming which had him in a rather pleasant mood to match. While he didnt hum along with her he kept pace, steadily doing his chore."Me either really, Just a few days ago! I enlisted with a friend, and am still getting settled in." This meant he wasn't the only one, Alec took heart in that knowledge. It meant they were in this together essentially and that in its self was comforting in all honesty. Curious to hear more about her he kept their quiet chit chat going.

"I've wanted to sign up since I came of age, took me 3 years but I'm here." His gaze flickered to her, chuckling a bit. "Guess its better now then never." If Harper wasn't careful the red head would ramble, especially if she was fine with trading information. "What brings you to the military?" Alec asked casually, hoping it was a safe subject.

"I think after we get all these friggin potatoes skinned we can worry about the mutton.." He gazed at the task a small groan escaping his lips despite himself. It would be a wonder if he didn't cut himself by the time they got to the meat perpetration. He could only hope and pray to the walls he didnt do so in front of his (potentially) new friend.

Chef Gordoy Ramsan was lurking not far away, the foul tempered chef shot the pair a nasty look examining their peeling from afar. They seemed to pass, or at least not earn his yelling at them as he moved further past them, as if he was a roaming shark of some kind. Alec had learned to keep his head down and answer with a swift "Yes Chef, No Chef" no questions asked.

"Careful." Alec quietly whispered to Harper conspiratorial like.

Alec listened quietly to her explanation and continued his task. He didn't need further explanation, some people needed the kind of direction and stability the Military provided. Something about the way she avoided going into detail had him quietly accepting and understanding of the girl. When it was on her own time she'd share what she was comfortable with.It was his turn to share, and just as curious as he had been about her she was of him. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"My dad was in the service. I always wanted to join, since I was a little kid. It just took some convincing on my families part to let me go. I'm torn between the stationary and survey team." He admitted with a small smile now pulling at his lips. It was the first time he'd vocalized his actual thoughts to some one about what branch he might chase. Alec was still undecided.

"I'm looking forward to using the 3dmg gear for sure regardless. It's the closet thing to flying as I'll get." Alec sighed, sounding wistful.

"I met a friend who needed a reason for enlisting, so between us we got the nerve up." He answered Harper honestly, unafraid to share. He'd been called dumb by a few people, the worse she would do is scoff at him too.

Glancing as Chef Ramsan darted off Alec gave a small quiet hmm sound. "I respect him. As long as you do your job he's not so bad." Alec agreed with Harper watching the man look suddenly flustered and found himself mildly surprised. That had been rather unexpected, but he was wise to not call attention to it. Once the Chef was gone, and their exchange about his demeanor had Alec to answer her question.

"I've made a few friends yes. Preacher and Shakuntala being the most recent. Axel I knew from back in Shiganshina. What about you? Have you made any friends Harper?" Once several more potatoes had been peeled, Alec took up a knife, first washing then chopping them to toss in a large bowl before going back to peeling. Hopefully she'd made friends, otherwise he would have to change that. Going without friends sounded awful. Especially some one with such a gentle smile, and calm ease about them.

They were making pretty good progress with all these potatoes, even if it was tedious.

Alec stopped peeling for a second, startled by the clasping on his shoulder but the smaller teen instead only offered her a smile for her kind words. It made him shuffle his booted feet just a bit mumbling as he spoke up. "Thank you Harper..he was a good man" Alec sighed just a little bit, smiling halfheartedly despite the sad admission. Really, he didn't think he was that amazing for making the choice. Yet her words made him stand up a little taller, the praise made him feel about 5 inches taller than he actually was.

Hearing her concern, he gently pat the hand on his shoulder briefly before she removed it. "It'll work out! We have instructors after all. I'm no expert either, but we'll learn how to properly use the gear in no time I'm sure!" The other answered replacing his furrowed brow expression with a happier smile, nodding his head at her in assurance.

He gave pause when she mentioned Preacher. He actually made a half rude snort sound when Harper told him about the conversation. It didn't surprise him one bit she'd laughed. "She is very pretty, but." Alec quickly followed, glancing over his shoulder for a moment then back leaning in a little whispering as if he were afraid Preacher would some how over hear him. "Preacher isn't a classic beauty is why. Rougher around the edges, and doesn't see herself for how she is I don't think. So don't be too worried, nor offended. You likely caught her off guard." He confirmed with a sage-like nod.

Another spud down, onto the next.

"Falke, what about you?" Alec retorted. It was strange, Harper almost felt like some one he knew for much longer than just this initial conversation.

She hadn't really upset him too much, but it was easy enough to just not talk about the matter. The fact she didn't keep asking him questions had earned the pink haired girl his silent, undying respect.

"I hope so." He echo'd her in response, wanting nothing more than for it to be factual truth. looking considerate for a moment before he kept talking. "I'm not sure I've met any Targen's beside you actually."

"You seem nice yourself, if you ever need some one to lend an ear and we aren't like..crazy busy or something I'll gladly spend morning duty with you." He grinned suddenly, making sure she knew she too was equally a kind person.

The potatoes were finally all peeled, leaving only cooking, and chopping a few other things to go along with the eggs. They'd done a considerable amount of work in a short amount of time. Alec was fairly pleased.

"I'd like to go back to Shiganshina and visit with a friend." He answered her a bit shyly. "Otherwise not to sure yet besides hang out, maybe see my family? Do you have any plans?" He wasn't aware of her origins, and waited patiently to see if maybe she'd make mention. Meanwhile Alec had switched to cleaning up their peeling mess, noting the garbage had to be taken out and would do it shortly.