Welcome to Gaia! ::

Every once in a while, Argent needed a break. Ever since the expedition with Aren, he had really focused on training, but some days, doing something else was nice. He had met a few children playing in the dome. While he wasn't one for fun and games, he had spent some time with them, even explored the dome a little with them. There was a peculiar aquatic native who was especially friendly, but had developed a uniquely useful skill: the boy knew how to fish. Argent spent time with him, learning as well.

The last few weeks had proven very fruitful. Exploring the dome with the children, and ocassionally he ventured out to the surrounding forest, he had found several interesting, edible plants, plus the fish he'd learned to catch. But what to do with them? Well, that was why he was in the mess hall. He couldn't use traditional recipes that they had on file because the foods on this planet were wildly different. So, he was experimenting.

Argent had figured out how to filet one of the fish species he caught. Another was proving more difficult. So while he waited for a pan to heat up so he could attempt to cook one, he was slicing and sampling the herbs and fruits he had found. He heard someone enter the mess hall, but figured it was a child looking for lunch.

So it wasn't a child. "Hello Ghost." He tried not to blush when the operator got close to look around his shoulder. He swallowed and schooled his expression. "I'm not sure what I'm making." He said honestly. "The edible plants I've found so far are vastly different from anything we have on file. I've done testing to make sure nothing is poisonous, but if we're going to survive, knowing how to prepare foods is important." Argent turned his head so he could look at Ghost.

"I've found some very interesting foods." He set down the knife and stepped aside, inviting Ghost closer. He picked up a small spoon, and reached for what looked to be half a melon. "This one is very unusual." He scooped out a chunk of moist purple flesh, then offered the piece to Ghost. At room temperature, the melon seemed to have just a hint of spice, the sort of spice you feel in the back of your nose, but the fruit itself was slightly tangy. He then reached for the other half of the fruit which was sitting in a bowl of ice. He again scooped out a piece of the purple fruit. The second piece, chilled, was very sweet and had a creamy flavor.

"Depending on how warm it is changes how spicy it is. I was going to try cooking it with this... fish like creature." The melon had left his fingers purple with it's juice, so he licked them off. Would... Ghost like to help? Or try what he cooks up? Oh no. Why did that make him nervous?

He blushed a little when Ghost offered to help. "Sure. I... I'd appreciate it." His eye scanned what he had laid out. "Would you like to chop these herbs? You could... sample them too. Tell me what you think. Which you like." He had an assortment of leafy plants with all shades of green from nearly yellow, to bordering on blue or purple.

"Hm... I think the pan should be heated enough..." he murmured to himself before sliding a slice of fish onto the heated surface. It gave a satisfying sizzle. "The types of food we have available may be different, but I hope techniques are largely the same..." he glanced at Ghost again.

He shouldn't have been surprised that Ghost quickly figured out the best way to chop the herbs. When Ghost pointed out the thought Argent put into this, his cheeks reddened and he cursed himself for it. "Of course. It's important to know what's safe to eat..." he tried to sound practical. "When we are able to scout the lands more, we might not always have rations." He was silent for a moment as he scooped up some warm melon to grind up into a paste. "And... everyone needs a way to relax. This is... fun." Was that the word he wanted? Cooking was relaxing and practical.

"Mmmh, not completely. There are some very adventurous kids who found some of these plants. And the strange boy who lives in the lake taught me some fishing techniques. He knows a lot about the fish in the lake."

"Yeah." He actually laughed. "Kanja is a good lad. He seems quite friendly." He was one of those kids that... Argent didn't want to see get hurt. Much like Dash or Amy, Argent wanted to fight so they wouldn't have to. He wondered how Eden was doing. The native was mad at him last time they saw each other.

Argent was pulled from his thoughts when Ghost moved closer. "Oh... yeah. I hope so..." he added a few of the herbs to the pan so their flavor could mix with the fish. He tried not to focus on Ghost staring at him... but Ghost was staring at him. After a moment, Argent used a small fork to break off a piece of fish and turned to Ghost. "Care to try?" He offered the bite to him. Oh mother, please let it taste good!

Argent held his breath as Ghost leaned in and took the bite. Please be good please be good please... success! Ghost said it was good and Argent relaxed, exhaling softly. "There... is enough for 2. Would you care for..." wait, what time was it? "Lunch?" He slid some of the fish onto a plate and added some of the spicy warm melon on the side to dip the fish in. It should taste good, right?

"I think the chilled melon might make an interesting desert..." he prepared a plate for himself as well. "I was thinking... it might not be a bad idea to invite everyone together for a meal..."

Ghost's question made him pause as he cleaned up a little and turned off the stove. Was he... what? "I guess? I did offer you food... I'm not about to tell you to leave." Wait. Unless Ghost meant like the... erm... courting ritual? Had Argent just asked Ghost on a date?! Argent moved to join Ghost at the table, sitting beside him.

"I think... everyone could use a chance to relax. You in particular. You work so hard. It would be nice to sit outside and eat."

Argent ate a few bites in silence. The spicy melon was good on this fish. Finally, he answered honestly. "I'm going to worry about you, though." Everyone would, he was sure. "As a soldier, I want to keep you safe. But as a-" what relationship did they have? Ghost was the operator, he was important. "- as your friend" he finally decided to play it safe "I want to make you happy and see you are healthy." But Ghost asking if they didn't spend enough time together was curious.

"We train together on occasions... but I would enjoy spending more time with you." But doing what? "We can... explore more foods."