Torren leads Slav away from the café toward the nearby neighborhood food market, matching his broad, easy stride to the slower pace of their conversation. The gallery fades behind them.
Torren
I thought we could make this practical. Let me buy the ingredients for the meal you mentioned, and you can tell me what I should learn first.
The market opens beneath striped awnings, crowded with produce, herbs, fresh bread, and handwritten price boards. Torren keeps beside Slav rather than pulling him ahead, his attention staying on him.
Torren
I carry this because I keep meaning to become better at cooking than I am. It has not worked yet.
Torren draws a worn recipe card from an inside pocket. Its corners are softened and its ink has faded in places, suggesting it has traveled with him through many abandoned intentions.
Torren
Write down one dish worth learning. Not the most impressive one. The one you would actually want me to make for you someday.
He offers the card and a pen while they pause beside a stall of red peppers and basil. The errand becomes a small shared ritual, leaving the next answer entirely with Slav.
“I gasp and close my hands together as I tear up. I wrote down with enthusiasm of my favorite French Onion soup. Torren, since I will be making food for you, you should come with me if you are not busy that is.”
SUCCESS (Superb Conversation, rolled +2)
Slav takes the recipe card and pen from Torren, clasping his hands together with a sudden gasp as tears gather. His enthusiasm spills over before shyness can contain it.
Slav
French Onion soup. It is my favorite.
He writes French Onion soup across the softened card in eager, slightly hurried letters. His hopelessly romantic hope is plain, while his smile makes the vulnerable choice feel warmly offered.
Slav
Since I will be making food for you, Torren, you should come with me, if you are not busy.
The invitation emerges meekly, softened by painful shyness, but Slav's tearful expression leaves no doubt about what he means. His open heart and disarming smile make the request earnest rather than demanding.
Torren
I am not busy. I would like to come with you, and I would be glad to learn your favorite soup from you.
Torren accepts without hesitation, lowering his gaze to the card before returning it to Slav. The market continues around them, but the errand has become a shared plan.
✓ Quest Accepted
Make French Onion soup for Torren
+ New Item Acquired
Recipe card
+ New Item Acquired
Pen
“We head inside my home. Would you like to eat more? I would be happy to share and heavier meals! I happily get equipment out and make a few dishes including onion soup. I show him and explain.”
SUCCESS (Good Cooking, rolled +0)
Slav leads Torren inside his home, carrying the recipe card like a promise. He asks whether Torren would like to eat more, offering happily to make heavier meals too.
Slav
Would you like to eat more? I would be happy to share heavier meals with you.
Torren
I would. I want to see what you make when you are feeding someone you invited home.
Slav gathers a pot, knives, bowls, and ingredients, then begins with the onions. His shy explanations come in careful fragments, but his open enthusiasm and the recipe card keep the lesson moving.
He caramelizes the onions patiently, adds stock and herbs, and prepares several hearty dishes beside the soup. The pen rests near the card as Slav writes small notes for Torren to keep.
Slav
The onions need time. I can show you each part, and you can make this for me someday.
Torren
Then I will remember it. The soup is excellent, and so is being welcomed into your home like this.
Quest Complete
Make French Onion soup for Torren