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[takethat]

[Phoenix is enjoying the cooler air outdoors now, curled up beneath a tree out on the castle grounds; he poses a question to the castle at large.]

Let's say I hypothetically want to cook a really great meal to impress someone--any suggestions? What's the most impressive dish you can think of?

[And, in a few minutes, he adds some filters.]




That thing we were talking about the other day? ...that isn't for everyone to know.






Maya? I'm... thinking of starting up a law practice again around here.

...I don't know if you're interested, but I could still use an assistant if I ever get that off the ground...

[So nervous about asking this...]






If there's anyone still out there who remembers a girl named Trucy... Maya told me a little bit about her, and I'd like to know more. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

Phoenix

[thebutz]

Oh, okay! My lips are sealed!

[probably...]

Larry

[takethat]

Can I get that in writing?

Re: Larry

[thebutz]

Uh...

[He writes "my lips are sealed" in paint on the journal page. Clearly he's distracted by something else...]

How's that?

Larry

[takethat]

Not good enough. Write that you promise not to tell any of my secrets, and... sign your name, too.

Phoenix

[thebutz]

[He paints on the page again, and it comes out looking something like this.]

How about now? I'm kinda busy, man...

[commandsthewind]

That would depend if it for a banquet for you and someone else?

[takethat]

Yeah, I guess so. Two people, me being one of them!

[commandsthewind]

Then perhaps not a full banquet, a food you both enjoy. Venue no doubt is important.

[Because... well you don't want to know just how huge a feast is to her.]

[takethat]

Oh, man, I didn't even think about where this meal would be served....

/rubs self all over the action choice.

[wheatdos]

[Sorry if I have really slow replies... I'm not really around till the 5th.]

[As Nick would be sitting at the tree, the Lanky pain in the ass scientist poked his head out from behind the tree, looking over his shoulder at his journal. Don't mind him and his wily grin...

He was just being a little nosy... who he was trying to impress?
Because he was willing to help his friend with anything he could.

Don't let him help you oh god no.]

Ehe... Wh-who are you going on about?

[takethat]

[Refusing help from Wheatley: check.]

Ah!! ...It's nothing--nobody! Don't worry about it.

Where did you come from, anyway?

[wheatdos]

I'm always around mate!

[He says, a bit too enthusiastically. In a swift motion, he plops down onto the grass beside his best friend and continues to lean over to look at his journal.]

Oh, come on! Who izzit?

[takethat]

I can promise it isn't you, if that's what you're worried about.

[And he closes his journal a little to hide his list of food options from Wheatley.

BUT WHAT IF IT'S GLADOS, THEN WHAT]

[doublethefun]

[there might be a small shower of leaves and a couple of twigs, as a pony lands neatly on a branch.

Oh, and maybe a giggle too.] A large cake perhaps. Chocolate, if I may.

[takethat]

Hm... not a bad suggestion, but I have to be sure it's not a really messy cake.

[He writes "big chocolate cake" in his journal.]

But what makes a chocolate cake impressive?

[doublethefun]

[and she finally hops off the branch (initiating another shower of leaves) and lies down comfortably next to him.]

A cake with multiple layers doth always look impressive. [hmm] I do recall tasting an exceptional cake that utilized mocha mascarpone buttercream as frosting.

[takethat]

[Okay, so Phoenix doesn't really understand any of that, but he nods fervently anyway.]

Coffee flavors always go well in a cake, huh? So a huge... chocolate and coffee cake...

[Which he may or may not set on fire, given Wheatley's suggestion.]

But I can't serve just a cake!

[yay_heiress]

Ooh! First, you should start off with a crab patte topped with caviar. Then, for the main dish, you should have lobster! Women love lobster. And for dessert, finish it off with an expertly executed crem brulé topped with seasonal berries!

[takethat]

[Have a lengthy (sweaty) pause before he clears his throat and speaks up...]







That sounds both expensive and... hard...

[yay_heiress]

Hey, you asked for impressive.

[takethat]

Guess I can't argue with that...

...unfortunately you probably hit the nail on the head with exactly what this person would be impressed by, too.

[Why does this have to be so complicated]

1/2

[optimystic]

[really? Oh that's such great news! Maya is estatic and of course she wants to be his assistant, but... Okay, that would be too sappy, so she'll give him a hard time for a moment first]

2/2

[optimystic]

I can't believe you even had to ask! I'll always be your Ace Assistant, Nick!

Although, for thinking that I might say no and hurting my feelings, I think you should double my salary.

[which doesn't exist]

[takethat]

I guess I can afford to pay you zero times two, sure.

[A laugh, then]

...truthfully, I just... didn't know if you were still interested in that kind of work. You really have your own life here, and I don't want to...

["Be the reminder of what used to be," maybe; or simply that he doesn't want to get in the way.]

[optimystic]

Wait... you seriously thought I wouldn't want to?

[:(] Sure I've been doing stuff on my own, but I love being your assistant! [And... Nick will always be her best friend. Of course she would want to work with him.]