[center][h1][color=ff0000]⛧[/color]🌮 [color=#00FFFF]THE[/color] [color=#29DEFE]C[/color][color=#3ECEFE]U[/color][color=#52BDFD]R[/color][color=#67ADFD]S[/color][color=#7C9DFD]E[/color][color=#908CFC]D[/color] [color=#CF5CFC]TACO[/color] 🌮[color=ff0000]⛧[/color][/h1][/center][hr][b][i]AA, sometime between the contest and the winter break, evening hours...[/i][/b]

Cold mud swallowed the last of the daylight as the sun slipped beneath the horizon. Darkness settled quickly, dragging winter's bite across the campus until the puddles stiffened into thin crusts of ice. It was the kind of night meant for blankets and cocoa, a pleasant, warm sort of hibernation. Absolutely not time outdoors.

A perfect full moon hung over the school, bright and bold where no moon should have been. The calendar swore tonight belonged to the new moon. Which meant the moon was no moon at all.

Someone was batsignalling the logo of Kingston's Kitchen into the sky.

Danni whistled, camera safely disassembled and packed away in the bag on one shoulder and his tripod tucked under the other. Balls of fire, no larger than a baseball, spun lazily around him in an effort to keep the chill out off him. His outfit was certainly a little thin for the season, but was the cold really a problem when he could conjure fire with a thought? Yes, yes it was and Danni was still on the edge of shivering. Breath was suffering and all that. The photos came out perfectly, though, so his suffering was worth it. 

He was totally shoving his hand's down Dee's shirt. 

Giggling to himself at the thought, Danni glanced up. And then again. And then came to a complete stop. He could have swore the moon was in the sky - tbh, Danni didn't really pay attention to it unless he needed it and then it was always highly inconvenient whichever phase it was in. But he definitely didn't remember a Kingston's Kitchen thumbnail phase. It took a while of Danni just squinting at the sky before the curiosity got the best of him. He did take a beat to flip out his phone, take a quick selfie with it, and then fire off off to the fam before he shrugged and beeline it for whoever the light was coming from. 

[hider=Text][I][color=E948FC]HotShot who? Kingston's Kitchen to the rescue![/color][/i][/hider]

It was faint, but the occasional snowflake made the beam of light traceable. One look would reveal that the light was coming from somewhere on the bottom floor of the Stark Hall. And a moment's thought would allow anyone to connect the dot to the cafeteria's kitchen.

As Danni approached through the otherwise empty mess hall, he could see the lights were on behind the kitchen's door. At least, there was an absence of any bad smell, suggesting that whatever needed the attention of a culinary superhero may not be beyond salvage yet.

Then he peered inside.

The scene looked like someone set off a bomb in there. He could see no less than two bowls of dough, one in which the yeast has died before producing but a bubble. The second one the author obviously overcompensated, and the mass has left the bowl and was halfway onto the worktop. Next to that tragedy was a metal bowl with what looked like stillborn meatloaf.

There was a tin with what he could surmise was supposed to be the final products, which could perhaps pass for a mini-pizza - if one was poor and the country was at war. A second tin was located upside down on the floor, its former contents next to it, on the counter, and one was stubbornly clinging to the floor.

The perpetrator of this massacre was hiding, but a soft sob gave her away. Vicky was hiding behind the kitchen island, sitting on the floor curled up to a ball, with more of the filling stuck in her hair. As Danni approached, she looked up to him, her face a mix of misery and shame.

Her voice cracked as she spoke. [color=00ffff][sub]"...help..."[/sub][/color]

The scene was straight out of the creepy horror games Danni refused to play with Dee because he always [i]lied[/i] about the jump scares! Or made new ones! And there was one game Dee was actually the killer in but didn't tell Danni until he was murdering him! And now, he was willing walking through a spooky kitchen. Danni bounced on his heels for half a second, debating, but it was a kitchen. Danni knew how to deal with problems there. Even a spooky ghost couldn't get him without a frying pan in the face. 

If Danni bolted across the dark cafeteria, no one would know, but he gasped at the murder scene inside. Dough, both dead and begging to be murdered, waited for him, mystery meat in a loafish shape, and wet cardboard. [color=E948FC]"Uuuuuuuuh."[/color] Danni felt his mouth fall open but couldn't bring himself to shut it. He nearly missed the tiny plea for help. If he hadn't carefully snooped for more, Danni may have missed her all together. 

[color=E948FC]"Um. Yes, okay. Def need some 'elp 'ere, but uh, I t'ink I need a little more ta go on, 'onestly. I can't even really..."[/color] Danni shrugged off his bag, placed it on an opposite counter, considered, and placed it as far away as he could. He propped the tripod against the wall nearby before he settled down on the floor across from Vicky. [color=E948FC] "So, we're tryin' some new t'in's, I love t'is, I love t'is for ya, but um, I'm gettin' t'e vibe it ain't really goin' to 'ot so 'ere I am! You're best cookin' friend in t'e whole wide world![/color] Danni offered little jazz hands with a big smile. He scooted forward until their knees were touching. 

Vicky [i]winced[/i] when Danni admitted to not even being able to identify what the end result of her effort was supposed to be. [color=#00FFFF]"They... were supposed to be tacos."[/color] She enlightened him, reaching up to pluck a piece of filling from her hair. All she got was an even bigger clump of messy hair and tacky fingers. [color=#00FFFF]"You see, I try to make something for the family every year, but- It's like I'm cursed! this shouldn't be this hard!"[/color] she would be crying if she could. [color=#00FFFF]"I even followed a recipe, but the first dough just refused rise, so I thought 'more yeast' and it flooded out and I tried to contain it and thenItrippedAndHitTheTinAndItWentFlyingEverywhere."[/color] she forced out, growing quieter toward the end as her cheeks turned crimson.

[color=E948FC]“Oh! Well, t’at’s easy enough ta fix, but I t’ink we need ta get you all cleaned up first!”[/color] Danni pulled Vicky to her feet, left her at the sink for a moment, and snagged the chair from the cafeteria office around the back. He bundled her into the chair with something quick to drink and whistled as he dragged over the trash can, gloving up before picking out the bits and lumps of filling out of her hair. [color=E948FC]“Deeeef need ta shampoo and condition t’e ‘eck outta your ‘air after t’is. Maybe we can go ta t’e salon back ‘ome. Needa ‘ave a relaxin’ time after everyt’in’, ya know? Plus, Papa said t’ey swapped color brands and t’at means I gotta check out t’ere reds. Oh, ‘old on, t’at one – ‘ow did it even get t’ere?”[/color] Danni dug a ittle deeper, finding a bit that had somehow made it down to the roots.

[color=E948FC]“Gotta say, t’ough. Not t’e worst ‘splosion I’ve ever seen ina  kitchen. First time I tried doin’ somet’in’ fancy wit’ puffed pastry, I made everyt’in’ up and was super sad t’at t’e pastry wasn’t like a big ol’ ball so I got t’e air pump for like bike and ballons, ya know, and [i]boom[/i] pastry everywhere!”[/color] Danni laughed. [color=E948FC]“I cried for like t’ree hours ‘cause I was makin’ it for Pop’s birthday and t’en I was also sticky and it was just a bad time all around. I t’ink we did get a picture or two, if ya ever wanna see!”[/color] After a few more minutes of fussing and checking, Danni patted Vicky on the shoulders.

[color=E948FC]“All clear! Why don’t ya wash your ‘ands and your face and we’ll get rolling on round 2!”[/color]

The fact that Danni thought he could lift Victoria to her feet without throwing out his back did bring a little amusement to the otherwise miserable evening. Not about to let her culinary savior suffer a burst disc, she helped him sling her weight up.

Then the mortification intensified a hundredfold. She wasn’t… pampered… like this science… ever.

She was so taken aback by Danni apparently taking it upon himself to fix her hair that she didn’t even manage to protest, much less inform him that she had a function for that until he was halfway done. She was about to do just that when he busted out his story. She straightened up and gave him a suspicious look. [color=00ffff]”You. Danni ‘Kitchen’ Kingston. You tried to inflate puff pastry?”[/color] She did a double take. [color=00ffff]”Oh, pics or didn’t happen. Though if you want to compare disasters, this is last year’s pancakes. Or the attempt, at least.”[/color] She slid her phone over the countertop towards him, displaying a familiar android that was, for the lack of a better word, egged.

She splashed water over her face and hands, and was ready to follow Danni’s every command, when she looked over at the leftovers of her attempts that they might have salvaged. [color=00ffff]”Umm, your whelp’s helping herself to the rest of the filling.”[/color] Vicky skipped over, lowering herself to be eye level with the little magical lizard. [color=00ffff]”Hey, lil’ one. Stop.”[/color] She got a tiny puff of smoke and flame in her face as an answer. Vicky giggled at that, but only until Amélie grabbed the edge of the bowl and dragged it away faster than a cat. [color=00ffff]”Oi! We needed that!”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“Hmmm?”[/color] Danni asked, only half listening as he dug through dry food stock. He looked back over at Vicky and brightened as he saw his baby being the menace that she was. [color=E948FC] “Oh, idk what you made, but we're just gunna start fresh. For one, if you're makin’ tacos we're usin’ masa, not flour. We'll roll t'em out real nice and pop t‘em in oil rat'er t'an usin’ flour and yeast and all t'at jazz. A bit more kneedin’ but meh, corn tortillas are waaaaay better for tacos in my opinion. Not so great for a burrito, def agree wit’ t'e flour on t'at, but tacos are suppose ta be street food so we make t'em street food sized! And Amélie needs a little boost anyways - she put up wit’ my photoshoot so she deserves a little treat, dontcha baby?”[/color] Danni rubbed her back affectionately as she devoured Vicky's earlier handiwork, only a little grumble of appreciation for warm hands his acknowledgement. 

[color=E948FC]“Okay, so for tortillas we need a cast iron skillet though I can make a regular pan work, some veggie oil, masa, and… and… and…”[/color] Danni stared at the fourth finger he'd preemptively ticked off as he thought. [color=E948FC] “Salt! T'at's what it is! Kosher, preferably. T'en I need a toritlla press, t'ough a rollin’ pin'll work, and a brush. And t'em for t'e fillin’, we should get somet'in’ nice and smoot’ and a little fatty, ya know? Well, actually… ‘ow much time ya got? ‘Cause really, we should slow cook some meat, but we can go t'e quick and dirty way wit’ ground beef or chicken. Tastes good still, but definitely misses t'e deeper flavor carnitas getcha. Ya said you're cookin’ for your family? Good on you. Love t'at for ya; I love cookin’ for t'e fam too!”[/color] 

[Color=00ffff]”Well,I hope she doesn’t mind habañeros…”[/color] Vicky raised an eyebrow at the dragon, as if daring her to eat all of it. Then again, a creature that breathes fire might just relish in it?

It stung a little for her earlier effort to be completely dismissed out of hand, but she supposed it was going nowhere. Danni then fired off the contents of what she considered to be half of a professional kitchen, which reminded her of something. [Color=00ffff]”Well, you’re the expert. What you say we need, we get. My time - and wallet I guess - are at your disposal, Master Kingston.”[/color]

Before they went, Vicky swung by her dorm to get changed and have the nanites that made her hair shake off the rest of the mess, and then she grabbed four boxes wrapped in colorful paper and headed for Danni’s room. When the door opened, she waved one box in front of him. [Color=00ffff]”Merry christmas, Danni.”[/color]

[color=E948FC] “Nooope, t'at's wierd, just Danni! I don't wanna be in charge of not'in’.And we'll go splitsies. Pops let me ‘ave like a thousand to spend and I ‘aven't done anyt'in’ wit’ it so far so really, I'm chill ta buy it all. How much can t'is stuff be?”[/color] Danni's nose wrinkled as he picked up all his stuff, disposing of Vicky's ill-advised attempts in the disposal, cooing as he cleaned up Amélie's snout, and curling her back into his bag so she wouldn't get cold on the walk. Fire flickered back to life as he dashed back to his room while Vicky grabbed something from her room. It worked perfectly cause this shirt had a lot of sheer and he always got [i]looks[/i] outside of the French Quarter strolling around with fire in his hand. Something about fire hazards and danger. 

He settled Amélie in his bed, tucked in just how she liked it, and swapped out for a long sleeve shirt, a comfy coat, and proper winter boots. It didn't get this cold often but Danni didn't like the cold so he was always prepared! He whistled as he headed back out to meet Vicky, startled at how quick she was, and going cross eyed as she waved a present in front of him. He reached out hesitantly, glanced over his shoulder to make sure the room was empty, and then eagerly accepted it. [color=E948FC] “Really? For little ol’ me? T'at's so nice! But um…”[/color] Danni scuffed his foot against the floor and looked anywhere but at Vicky. 

[color=E948FC]“I didn't know we were doin’ presents ‘cause Rillie and you aren't really like… friends, right now? And t'e siblings gotta stick toget'er, ya know? Uuuugh, t'is is t'e worst.”[/color] Danni whined. [color=E948FC]“Okay, okay. I'mma… one sec.”[/color] Danni stashed the present somewhere secret in the room and then ran out again. [color=E948FC] “Okay, okay, okay. Rillie shouldn't see t'at for a bit, even by accident, while I get it figured out and all t'at. I'm def buyin’ all t'e ingredients l. Gotta find anot'er present for ya too. Got some ideas so I'll talk ta Pa and see if ue can ‘elp get t'ese t'oughts outta my ‘ead and out ‘ere. A little thick up ‘ere, ya know?”[/color] Danni rapped his knuckles on the side of his head and laughed. 

[color=E948FC]“T'ough, I'm curious. What's up with you and Rillie? I only really got Rillie's side but wit’ t'e contest and C.A.G.E. and post-murder attempt, we ‘aven't really hung out much. So catch me up t'e drama! Its a long walk ta t'e store.”[/color]

[Color=00ffff]”Oh… I actually have something for all three of you. Mind if I drop the lot off? I also have Percy’s on me. I don’t really know if I’ll manage to bump into him, and since he and Dorian are an item, I figure he’ll pass through here?”[/color] Victoria ticked her eyes to the three other boxes in her hands.

Then Danni asked about the elephant in the room. Vicky sighed. [Color=00ffff]”I’m… reasonably certain that one’s on me. I didn’t realize what I was doing at the time, but… I sort of made April a lightning rod for some of my issues with humanity as a whole. I still maintain the issues exist, but… yeah, she didn’t deserve to be made an avatar of them. Thinking about it, it’s not the first time either. Sabine had that ‘honor’ before April.”[/color]

The next sigh was heavier. [Color=00ffff]”All that computing power in me isn’t helping any with learning how to… I don’t know, feel? I’m a lot closer to my actual age in that regard, I think. But back to your sister - I don’t even know how to go about apologizing to her. Last time I tried it led to this situation, and it ended up pretty much with ‘don’t ever speak to me again’. I don’t want to aggravate her any more than I already had. And… I deserve the hate.”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“Oh, yeah. Lemme just…”[/color] Danni grabbed the rest of the boxes, turned to head into the room, and stashed them in separate hiding places. He scrutinized his handiwork, shifted a few things around, and then nodded to himself. Hidden perfectly! He closed the door and beamed at Vicky. [color=E948FC]“Perfectly ‘idden, t’anks ta my years of prankin’ t'e siblings.”[/color] Danni declared proudly, rejoining Vicky in the hallway. He frowned a little at what she said. 

[color=E948FC]“I mean, if you're really sorry, t'en you don't deserve ‘ate. Like ya, do somet'in’ mean and def deserve a little upsetti. It's gunna happen. We're teens for cryin’ out loud! We get ta be emotional and confused and dumb - even if reporters think we should been around ta stop wildfires t'at ‘appen all t'e time.”[/color] Danni simmered irritably, but shook it off. [color=E948FC] “I mean, you right. Rillie is def spicy ‘bout it and if what Rillie said is whatcha said, yeesh. I woulda crawled under my bed and cried foreeeeever, tbh. Super rough, ngl. But if you're genuine about bein’ sorry, t'en ya should say it, I t'ink. T'ey don't ‘afta say yes or even arknowledge it, but at least you can sleep at night knowin’ ya tried. Like, let's be real, who ‘asn't told someone somet'in’ t'at isn't super true when t'ey're angy? I've told Dee and Rillie bot’ at some point I never wanted ta see t'em again over silly fights but ‘ere we are, at superhero school toget'er and it wouldn't be t'e same wit'out t'em!”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“Idk what issues ya ‘ave wit’ ‘umanity and I def can't relate ta figurin’ out ‘ow ta feel - I feel everyt'in’ at 2000% all t'e time and it is [i]tirin’[/i] - but people make mistakes and t'eir ways of makin’ up says a lot ‘bout t'em as a person so be t'e person ya wanna be!”[/color] Danni encouraged. 

Danni was always a man of many words, and Victoria would be ready to admit that all the flops in her mind sometimes had trouble parsing what he said. This time though… he was talking sense. [Color=00ffff]”I’ll… try. After Christmas. If she doesn’t take it well - or I fumble my delivery again - I don’t want to sour anybody’s holiday.”[/color] she declared. [Color=00ffff]”So, then… to the mall?“[/color]

Danni cocked his head, confused, as he slid his arm in Vicky's. [color=E948FC] “T'e mall? I didn't know t'ere were grocery stores at t'e mall! Ooh, we should stop by a few shops too. We can check out t'e new line by Jumbo Carnation! It's all ‘bout fight - wit’ a snowflake twist! It's gotta be gorgeous; t'ough I guess it depends on t'e mall. Which one ya wanna go ta? We could go ta Union Square or or or T'e Village or Brentwood or… Wait ‘ow are we gettin’ t'ere? I got scolded real bad t'e last time I tried ta fly and I t'ink Pa is busy and Idk where Spicy's been or we could pop a tele rq!”[/color] Danni started walking and gave her wide, sparkling eyes. [color=E948FC]“Can you drive? I always portal everywhere, I've never been in one! Can you show me your car? T'at's so excitin’! Movies always make people who drive look so cool and amazing! Yeeeeeeeees!”[/color] 

[Color=00ffff]”Well, if not the mall, where [i]do[/i] you want to get the stuff you said we’d need?”[/color] Vicky asked, confused. [Color=00ffff]”And, well, I can drive, but I never got a car. Kind of pointless since I can fly first class whenever.”[/color] she explained, hovering a little off the ground to make the point. [Color=00ffff]”Hm. I suppose If I pushed I could fly us to Mexico and back for some authentic stuff in a jiffy… let me check.”[/color] she thought out loud, one more of her field generators humming to life, expanding the repulsor field to envelop Danni as well. Vicky reached out with a hand for him to hold in case he started drifting off, and watched with a satisfied smirk as he floated off the ground slightly. [Color=00ffff]”Well then, where to?”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“OMG t'is is so wild!!!!!”[/color] Danni giggled as he lifted a little off the ground. He snatched up Vicky's hand, not because he was afraid of floating away but rather ‘cause he just wanted to hold her hand. [color=E948FC]“Okay, okay, okay. T'e school kitchen ‘as t'e approx of what I need so we don't need ta go crazy wit’ t'e equip, soooo we just need t'e food. So, eit'er can go ta Tuho's or we go ta… Yeah, yeah lets go ta Nort’ Gonzales Market! T'ey ‘ave some good stuff. You'll love t'em! T'e owners ‘ave family t'at own ranches just ‘cross t'e border so t'ey get a decent chunk of t'eir supply from t'em. It's so nice! And t'ey really know ‘ow ta do ‘ot chocolate. It's nice and spicy. We should get some, you'll love it! And it's cold, so it'll be perfect! I ‘ate t'e cold, bit t'e winter aesthetic is so gooooood!”[/color]

[Color=00ffff]”How do [i]you[/i] ever have problems with cold? Can’t you just… flame on?”[/color] Vicky giggled, pulling Danni a little closer as not to lose him as she sent them gliding down the hallway and towards the exit. Dialing on one other generator, Tori made sure the air around her was at comfortable temperature. [Color=00ffff]”Show me the way!”[/color]

[color=E948FC] “Oh, yeah I def can! I mean, if everyt'in’ is good. You've seen what ‘happens when I use my powers- I'm not always in perfect control, ya know? So like typically avoid it in big places or if t'e fam isn't ‘round ta fix it.”[/color] Danni did a little spin, giggling with child-like enthusiasm, and tangled his fingers in with Vicky's. [color=E948FC] “Such a dif feelin’ t'an when I'm flyin’!”[/color] Danni giggled, keeping tight hold on her as they left the campus and sped across L.A. 

North Gonzales Market was clear across the city, but Danni insisted it was their best bet. It was a lively thing, a few store locations and a collection of stalls strung out between them. Lights for the season lined the stalls and hung between the stores and trees later with decorations sprouted everywhere. The smell of chocolate, pine trees, and firewood floated on the air along with live music from one end pumped across the street speakers. 

Danni pointed to one spot, a little corner with a beat up stall advertising a variety of fruit and veggies. [color=E948FC]“T'at one first!!! Good veggies for t'e fillin’ and t'en t'ey should ‘ave some cherries, I t'ink t'at's what they ‘ave in season right now, that we can munch on!”[/color] Danni directed excitedly. dly.

The urge to go over the sound barrier was real, but for the sake of eardrums and window panes everywhere, Vicky managed as she steered them where Danni pointed, touching down softly as a leaf kissing the surface of the pond.

As his hand left hers to point in a direction, Victoria looked at the appendage with almost regret, absentmindedly tucking her hand to her chest. [Color=00ffff]“...cherries for a taco?”[/color] She asked, dumbfounded. [Color=00ffff]”Next you tell me putting chocolate in meat sauce is a real thing.[/color]

[color=E948FC]“Oh, mole! So gooood.”[/color] Danni laughed, pulling Vicky along with him. [color=E948FC]“And no, t’e cherries are for now silly! ‘aven’t ya ever just eaten while you’re shoppin’? Well ya are now!”[/color] Danni tore through the market like a storm, chatting with every person he could, introducing them to Vicky, pointing out his favorite foods and actively steering her away from others. The stores were a little easier - less people to distract him, a little more clinical in their execution, but Danni went down every aisle and touched almost everything and waffled between three different brands of masa for ten minutes, regularly asking for Vicky’s input. Danni’s shopping method was as chaotic as he was - doubling back through aisles and deciding he didn’t want items only to put them in random places - and eventually, finally, Danni decided they had enough to head back. 

[color=E948FC]“Okay, okay, okay. I t’ink we got every’in’ we need. Def stuck wit’ t’e pork cause mmmmmmm, t’at’s gunna be so good. It’ll smell great too when it’s cooking! You’ll love it!”[/color] Danni bounced excitedly on his feet, the masa on one hip and bags hanging on his other arm. 

Vicky didn’t have much input to give. Not only because her world was more like the contents of Aldi rather than Walmart - There were cherries. Why did it matter which stall they were from? Why was there more than one stall? - but also because she was overwhelmed by the amount of information that she was receiving. Information, that, at the end of the spree, made a weird amount of sense, despite being served in Danni’s special brand of english. [color=00ffff]”Passion.”[/color] she suddenly said, as something clicked for her. [color=00ffff]”I see. That’s why you’re this good at it. It’s not a hobby or love or care, those are… [b]not enough[/b]. You can not possibly spend ten minutes picking flour because you [b]only[/b] love cooking. It’s passion. Or obsession. Don’t care, if it works.”[/color]

She looked at him being covered in bags like a christmas tree in candy, and then checked her internal clock. [color=00ffff]”Okay then, time to motor I guess. French guy goes up!”[/color] she giggled, reengaging her generators just as she grabbed onto Danni’s shoulders, hauling them through the skies back-

-for them to find out the power was out. [color=00ffff]”Oh… well… I guess something can be improvised? We have… Induction,”[/color] she said, holding up one hand with an active generator attached to it, which then immediately attracted the few loose pieces of cutlery she left around and turned her hand into a giant pincushion, [color=00ffff]“infrared…”[/color] she held up her other hand, the generator in it glowing orange and causing the heated air above it to dance, before she looked at Danni, [color=00ffff]“...open fire?”[/color]

Danni looked around and shrugged. They were using everything for the most part so stuff shouldn't spoil. [color=E948FC]“Yeah, I can give us t'e ‘eat. T'at's ‘ow I learned ‘ow ta control a lot of my power early on - wit’ lots of supervision and fire extinguishers! So let's get cookin’! T'ough, ya t'ink ya can figure out ‘ow ta get us some light? I gotta focus and spooky, scary skeleton shadows are bad for t'at!”[/color] Danni asked, setting stuff on the counter and producing a small ball of fire, just enough for them to start rummaging through the cabinets. 

[Color=00ffff]”So long as you promise you won’t set off the sprinklers or the fire alarms.”[/color] Victoria grinned, shutting her generators down and dropping the cutlery into the sink. She looked up and considered the request. She could wire herself to the light switch, but then she would be too far to see what Danni was doing - she didn’t even consider for a second that she might be called to actually do something - [Color=00ffff][i]Allright. Overkill solution but can’t be helped.[/i] “Well, as the saying goes, let there be light.”[/color] she snapped her fingers as most of her generators turned on, deploying an offset EM point source by the ceiling that emulated sunlight. [Color=00ffff]”Allright. Now what?”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“Oh ceilin’s are Pa’s t’ing. I’m more likely ta take out a wall!”[/color] Danni laughed, only a little bit nervous. [color=E948FC]Aight! So We got t’is ‘ere bowl for mixing dough, a bowl for the seasoning, skillet goes on t’e stove along wit’ t’e pot… Can we just use one of t’e ot’er ways you said, idk what infraed is, but idk if we have any pots t’at’ll work for induction ‘cause boilin’ water would be nice at t’e same time as the pork.”[/color] Danni looked a little sadly at the pork shoulder in the bag and instead pulled out a package of pork tenderloin. [color=E948FC]“Not gunna be carnitas, buuuuuuut we’ll get it close! Gunna take too long ta slow cook wit’out a full workin’ kitchen ya know, but t’ese looked like pretty good pieces so lucky us!”[/color] Danni flashed Vicky a victory sign and continued pulling out items. 

[color=E948FC]“Cutting boards, salt, chili powder, ancho chili powder, cumin, paprika, cilantro, coriander, cayenne, pepper, limes, garlic, chilies, olive oil… Alrighty! I t’ink we’re good!”[/color] Danni flicked an ember under the skillet and it flared into a hot, steady flame. He passed Vicky the dry seasonings, a bowl, and a spoon. [color=E948FC]“So, you’re gunna take equal parts chili powder, ancho chili powder, cumin, paprika, half ground cumin, coriander, and cayenne, a few pinches of salt and pepper each and mix that together. T’en, you’ll want to rough chop t’at cilantro, but we’ll put t’at on top once we plate tacos! I’mma work on chopin’ up t’e pork so we can drizzle it all in olive oil and then pat it down real nice wit’ your seasonin’ mix!”[/color] Danni explained, sliding a knife under the plastic for the tenderloin packaging, plopping one of them onto the cutting board, and removing a few bits and bobs before dicing up the tenderloin. 

[Color=00ffff]“I can do hot water, I’ve got one generator left. dQ = m.c.dT is the part I am good with.”[/color] Vicky smiled, an expression that turned into an uncertain grimace as she was handed ingredients to process. Four of them which seemed to be for the same effect. She looked at Danni quizzically: [color=00ffff]”Can you organics really tell the difference between four kinds of ‘my mouth is on fire’? Also, ‘equal parts’ is a relative measure. How much, uh… rub, is it? Will you need in total?“[/color]

Danni shoved his chopped up pork off to the side and gave Victoria a thoughtful look. [color=E948FC]“Uh, uh, uh, uh. Enough ta coat all t'is!”[/color] Danni gestured at the pile of meat. [color=E948FC]“So, uh, like t'is much? Idk, I kinda just… make a bowl of seasonin’ and ‘ope its enough! Like, we're gunna put a bitta oil on t'ese and t'en toss ‘em around in t'e skillet for a good sec, t'en we'll let it ooze and gooze for anot'er ten minutes, and t'en we'll work on t'e tortillas! So uh… like, a few cups of water? Mostly gunna go by t'e feel as we're makin’ t'e dough!”[/color] Danni explained, drizzling oil on the pork and sliding it to Vicky. He measured out some masa in another bowl, humming happily. 

Vicky scanned the chopped up meat, estimated the average surface area and calculated the amount with a bit of a safety margin. Charlatans dealt in hope. Tori liked plans.

As the meat slid into her view, she looked at what Danni was doing, saving the measurements. She’d need to replicate this on her own after all. [Color=00ffff]“Hey, Danni?”[/color] She said as she mixed the meat and seasoning, [color=00ffff]“Thanks. I didn’t really expect you to drop everything and help me with all of this, what with the sister situations and all, so… thank you. Very much. You let me know if I can do something for you at any time, kay?”[/color]

Danni beamed at Vicky. [color=E948FC]“‘ey, t'at's what friends do right? We ‘elp each ot'er out! Ya know, it's important we take care o’ each ot'er ‘cause God ain't gunna do it for us! At least t'ats what t'e fam always says. I just like makin’ people ‘appy, ya know? And if it just takes a taco ta do t'at, t'en I'm not gunna turn t'at chance down! Plus, I like bein’ ‘round people so its a double whammy. Unless I'm bleedin’ out in a ditch somewhere, I'll always be ‘round if ya need me!”[/color] Danni added salt and whisked it together, tongue sticking out as he did. He nodded after a few minutes. [color=E948FC] “Oookay, just gotta add one and ‘alf or so cups o’ ‘ot water, stir it in nice and slow, and t'en we'll kneed it for a few minutes, let it rest for tennish, and t'en make t'e tortillas!”[/color] Danni left the bowl in favor of skipping over to the skillet, pressing his hand against the metal once, twice, and another time with the back of his hand. He frowned and the flames got a little hotter. 

[color=E948FC]“Okie dokie! Now we let t'at get a little ‘otter, we'll do a resl fine coat of oil, and t'en pop those in t'ere, sear ‘em best we can, and t'en set and simmer for twelvish minutes!”[/color] Danni clapped his hands excitedly. [color=E948FC] “Gosh, t'is is gunna be so gooood!”[/color] 

[color=00ffff]”Please don’t talk about bleeding out in ditches, or I might just have to start implanting my friends with location and vital sign trackers. Let’s try not to die on each other [i]again[/i], aye?”[/color] Vicky groaned, and then did a double take as Danni tried the temp of the pan. [i]With his bare hand.[/i] [color=00ffff]“Did I miss you being fireproof or are we making [i]Danni[/i] tacos in a more literal sense? You know I can see temperature, right?[/color]

She then took a step back and scanned the room though. [color=00ffff]”Huh. No boom.”[/color] Usually when she was in a kitchen this long, something would have already been broken and or on fire.

Danni blinked. [color=E948FC]“I… did not consider it. Again, I def cook by the vibe so like, idk tech what t'e temp needs ta be eit'er tbh. Its fiiiine, I do it all t'e time. Plus, I luke ta t'ink Imma a little fire resistant. Like, my own doesn't burn me obvi but I can ‘andle a little ‘eat! Just not smoke, cause t'e I cry!”[/color] Danni hummed happily, doing a little wiggle once the pan was hot enough and swimming over to the coated meat. He popped just a bit of oil in the pot and dumped the pork in, evening out the layer with a spatula and sighing contently at the sound of it sizzling and the smell coming off the pork. 

[color=E948FC]“So, what's your next big project? You're normally tinkerin’ on somet'in’, but I don't t'ink I've ‘heard anyt'in’ recently! Got sonet'in’ super fancy you're workin’ on?”[/color] Danni asked, then blinked. [color=E948FC] “Oh! And once we get t'at water boiled, we need ta stir in a cup or so inta t'e masa mix ta make t'e dough for t'e torts btw!”[/color] 

[Color=00ffff]”On it.”[/color] Vicky nodded, pouring the water and setting it in front of her. Then she moved the hand with her remaining generator above it and turned the heat on.

She raised an eyebrow at Danni: [color=00ffff]”Oh, bits and bobs. Mostly software. I do think I can rebuild my generators to smaller versions and have more of them. Should give me more control when I use them, but that’s the small stuff. Bigger one… is ripping out my Ultron core and replacing it with software that doesn’t boil down to ‘belligerent asshole’. I might not be as good as I am now but at least I’ll no longer be a disaster waiting to happen. Halloween was way too close for comfort.”[/color] She frowned.

Then she smirked as the water started to boil. [Color=00ffff]”Aaaaand… if the last thing I have in mind actually works… it might be my Magnum Opus. Whatever else I end up doing in my life, I could very well be remembered most for this. No one else managed it yet as far as I know. At least not on Earth.”[/color] Tori teased, but offered no further details freely as she scooped up a mug of the water. [Color=00ffff]”In there?”[/color] she pointed at the powdery mix, just to be sure.

[color=E948FC]“Ooooo mini generators? T'at sounds fun! And yeah in t'ere! Just go real slow and stir while ya do it.”[/color] Danni started flipping pieces in the skillet, but frowned. [Color=E948FC] “Wait, wait, wait. You're just gunna tear a bit o’ yourself out? Ain't like, dangerous? Like if I tore out my uh… idk what part o’ you t'is core is, but like my tummy maybe? Yeah, t'at feels pretty core-y. If I just tore out my tummy, my fam would ‘ave some words for me after t'ey ‘ealed it all up. Like, you aren't gunna die, are you?”[/color] Danni fretted as he gave finished flipping everything and popped the lid on, turning down the heat to a simmer and squinting suspiciously at Vicky. 

[color=E948FC] “Magna what? T'at's not a real word.”[/color] 

[Color=00ffff]”Magnum Opus. Something that is considered the most important work of an author. The theory of relativity, the Mona Lisa, Symphony number nine. Things like that.”[/color] Victoria explained, mixing up the dough and shaping it per instructions. [Color=00ffff]”I’m not going to die, mom’s helping me with it. The core isn’t [b]me[/b] per se. It’s… Hm… Brainstem would be an appropriate analog I guess? I takes care of the background processes, like your brainstem makes your heart beat, takes care of your breathing…”[/color]

She handed Danni the shaped dough. [Color=00ffff]”Only mine is also a thing of its own, and I want it gone. So yeah, I guess I’m getting a bit of an operation on my head. I’ll probably be slower, maybe a bit dumber… but I won’t have to be afraid of killing those I care about anymore. Worst case scenario, it takes a bit longer and I’d miss the start of school after the break.”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“Okay, okay, okay, I getcha, I getcha, I getcha! So it's super important, super awesome project! When do you t’ink you'll be able ta get it done? Ben ready ta show off ta t'e world? Oooo, can we ‘ave a fireworks display? Oh, oh, oh! [I]I[/i] can be t'e fireworks display!”[/color] Danni accepted the dough, quickly dividing it and rolling it into small balls. He handed them off to Vicky, along with a rolling pin and instructed her to roll them into four to give inch disks. 

[color=E948FC]“Brain surgery is waaaay worse t'an stomach surgery! Do you like, ‘afta recover after? Do you want us ta come visit?! I can brin’ more food, I can brin’ little gifts, I can brin’... idk puzzles or somet'in’? I fon't actually know what peeps in ‘ospitals like. Ooooo, ‘ospitals are like weirdly quiet right? Maybe I can bring kazoos. I bet everyone would like kazoos.”[/color] Danni popped off the lid to the pork and stirred it a bit before settling it back on. [color=E948FC]“Okay, we got a few more minutes t'ere so we'll get started on warmin’ t'ose babies up!”[/color] Danni popped out another pan and swapped off the pork one, letting them finish cooking in their own heat.

[color=E948FC]“So just pop t'ese in t'e pan for like 30 secs each side and t'en stack ‘em on a little plate and t'en once t'e pork is done, we'll plate t'em up, drizzle t'em in the sauce, and t'en top wit’ a touch of fresh cilantro!”[/color] 

Vicky took a breath to answer. Then paused. [color=00ffff]”You know, actually… [b]It[/b] can be made to do fireworks. Technically it can be made to do anything. Heck, probably that cryo cannon Dorian wanted. Just depends on how much time I have to research applications of it.”[/color] she tapped her chin, [color=00ffff]”And I don’t go to hospitals. I go to a lab. It’s going to be a boring affair really, not worth a visit. Hook up to a backup computer, purge the core code, upload the new code. Then, testing. Lots and lots of testing. Mostly whether I can still move well, so feel free to drop by if you want to spend a few days in the gym.”[/color] she offered, somehow not seeing Danni in attendance. [color=00ffff]”Look I’ll be fine. Back when I was… younger… I wasn’t even housed in this shell, I was just a server rack. [b]That[/b] transition was much more risky and it went fine. You enjoy your Christmas, and I’ll see you when school starts. Promise.”[/color]

The first tortilla came up a little bit on the charcoal side, but the rest, dare she hope, looked edible. A moment of plating later, Victoria was looking at the finished meal. Suspiciously.

[color=E948FC]“Ooooooh, looks pretty goooooood. Are you gunna try it?”[/color] Danni asked, plating another and taking photos. [color=E948FC] “Actually, photo time first!!!”[/color] Danni held up the taco he made like he was about to eat it and nudged Vicky to do the same. 

Vicky rolled her eyes, but complied with an ‘Ugh, fine.’ At least she had nothing stuck in her hair this time. Once the media duties were done, she held up the taco against Danni. [Color=00ffff]”Well… cheers.”[/color]

[Hider=Gifts]
[B][i]April[/i][/b]
A snow globe with a shard of ice from Europa. It comes with a 72h battery in it and instructions to plug it in to prevent it from melting. It emits an alpha particle occasionaly, leaving contrails in the globe.

The attached card says "For a unique drop of water in the ocean."

[B][i]Percy[/i][/b]
Earth temporal and geographical localization kit:[list][*]lightweight padded case with etched use instructions
[*]20 cm iridium straight edge with milimeter scale
[*]Plumb bob and string
[*]Sextant
[*]Iridium sheets with laser etched star charts and ephemeris tables + magnifying glass[/list]The attached card says "So that you may find yourself, anywhere and anytime."

[B][i]Danni[/i][/b]
A set of hand forged damascus knives packed in a leather roll.

The card says "Forged in fire, for [i]the[/i] fire."

[B][i]Dorian[/i][/b]
A painted clay statue of a landscape and creature she remembers from being tossed through bajilion realms.

The attached card says "To a fellow far realms traveler."[/hider]