cian_oneill (cian_oneill) wrote in birthrightrpg, @ 2020-10-25 13:42:00 |
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Entry tags: | gabe santorini, ronnie milam, ~cian o'neill |
The overwhelming attraction of good food
Who: Cian, Gabe & Ronnie
What: Gabe nearly gets busted
When: 22nd October
Where: Gabe’s place in Searchlight
Ratings G
Cian scrubbed at his hair briefly with a towel as he walked from the bathroom to his room, glad the summer was almost done. It was handy having a room at Gabe's, especially when they were bringing some of the boats up from the Cove to go into storage during the quieter winter months. While winter saw the houseboats still popular the smaller craft were less utilised, so were stored up in Searchlight for the duration.
Pulling on a pair of jeans he looked around for a clean shirt, realising he'd left it in the pannier. He headed for the front door to go out and grab it from his bike, parked in the second garage.
This week had been dedicated to experimentation; food ideas had been haunting Ronnie in his waking and sleeping hours. The notions popped up, sprang up, erupted. And he did his best to tame them by either tampering them down with other things or wrote them out for later use.
What he was toting now was one of the latter concoctions. The result of a wild hair, if you will.
Ronnie drove over to Gabe’s house. While he’d been wrapped up in his own stuff lately, he tried his best to stay connected with his friends. Gabe had been kind to him and Mikey both, which meant he deserved only the best. Plus seeing Bilson was always a treat.
The truck eased into the empty space in the front of the house. He got out, taking a second to grab what he was carrying in the passenger's seat, a series of bags stacked on top of each other. The one on the bottom was flat, wrapped in an insulated covering with a handle, and the rest in brown paper.
Whistling, Ronnie made his way to the front door with the things stacked in his arms. Then the predicament hit him. But the solution wasn’t far. He set the stuff down on the porch for a second, leaning over to knock. If Gabe wasn’t home, he would leave the goodies on the porch with a note.
Cian was surprised to see someone standing on the porch, having been lost in thought about what he'd seen up at the pet cemetery when Siofra had gone to check it out. He did a double take, sort of recognising the man from somewhere but not sure where.
"C'n I help y'?" he asked, standing there in jeans, bare feet, damp hair, and a look of surprise on his face.
A multitude of things hit Ronnie all at once - was this the right house? Why did this person look familiar? Where was that accent from?
To answer the first inquiry he leaned backward ever so slightly without moving his feet to look at the number of the house. Yup, this was the right place. So he righted himself, offering a more confident smile as well as extending his hand out to the man in the door. “Hey! Lookin’ for Gabe. I’m Ronnie, a friend of his. Wanted to check in on him, haven’t seen him around for a while, and see if he wanted some food?”
His free hand motioned to the pile of things he’d set on the porch.
And then the realization hit Ronnie like an acorn falling out of a tree - “I remember you from the diner, right? I don’t think I got your name.” He squinted a bit as if trying to recall though he kept coming up blank.
The aromas triggered his senses before the man had had a chance to finish speaking. This had to be Ronnie, Mikey’s mate, who’d stayed here with Gabe during the moon a few months back. And Cian nodded as the semi-recognition dawned on the other man.
“Cian,” the were replied, reaching out and shaking Ronnie’s hand. “And it’s Ronnie, isn’t it? Y’ work up at the diner, with Nesryn?”
Ronnie smiled and nodded, laughing a bit as he shook hands. “Yeah, that’s me! That’s where I’ve seen you from,” he remarked. “Oh! And Mikey’s mentioned you some, too.” When the shake was done, Ronnie pulled back. “Really glad to finally meet you, man.”
“Is it cool if I leave this stuff I brought with you? Seriously, if Gabe doesn’t want any of it, it’s all good. It’s just a bunch of food - you know, like pork belly sandwiches, some home made chips, a couple of things for Bilson.”
Cian eyed the bundle of bags and nodded. “I remember now, Gabe said Bilson was in a right royal snit after you stayed, got quite used to your cooking,” he laughed, bending down to scoop up some of the bags and backed back in the door to put them on the kitchen bench. “Y’can put whatever in the fridge, you probably know the kitchen better than either me or Gabe,” he said, “just excuse me while I go grab a shirt from m’ bike.”
A laugh and Ronnie shrugged, “I mean, Bilson is the cutest thing I have ever seen, so it’s hard not to want to spoil him rotten.” That was why he made sure to bring stuff for the rat, too. Never forget the little things. “Thanks, man. I won’t hang around too long, I figure you’re probably busy and stuff.”
The rest of the bags would be taken up and brought into the house. With a nod, Ronnie shut the door behind himself with a foot and began to carry his load of bags to the kitchen. Onto the counter and he went back for the rest. And then came the unpacking and storing.
Food went into the fridge if it needed to, some of it was stacked on the countertop.
Then a bag for Bilson was emptied of its contents; a small metal rack that would’ve at one time held doll clothes would be taken out, and Ronnie hung a chef’s coat and a little chef hat on it for the rat. Halloween wasn’t too far away, and while he may have been presumptuous at the idea that Bilson even dressed up, he figured the rat could always wear it if he wanted to when Ronnie was over cooking. Cooks did need an assistant, after all. Even just for taste testing purposes.
Cian came back in, shirt on, and was tucking it in when he saw the spread on the counter, including the clothes rack. “I thought he was joking,” he said before quickly adding, “I mean Gabe said you’d made these tiny costumes, but I thought … never mind. They’re … pretty amazing.” He looked from Ronnie to the tiny chef’s outfit and back again. “I hope this means you’re going to be cooking and Bilson’s helping,” he said earnestly, “because the cooking that happens here is not … well, it’s probably only classed as cooking the time you’ve been here,” he joked, knowing that Gabe usually joked that his sister was the ‘cook’ of the two of them, referring to her skills with potions and poultices, and Cian had to agree with him, as Gabe’s attempts at cooking were not exemplary. “I think Gabe’s the only person I know who can actually burn boiled water.”
Ronnie looked over when Cain returned. His eyes drifted back to the little clothing rack, though. “Yeah, I mean, I love cooking. It’s what I’ve really always been good at. I went to school, worked at a few killer places,” Ronnie explained. He glanced over at Cain again, “and cooking for my friends makes me happy. I don’t have any family left to speak of, usually it’s just me, so I try to spread the wealth around a bit, you know?”
He certainly didn’t mind cooking at all for Gabe, or anyone. “Bilson would be a wonderful assistant, I’d put him on tasting.” That was a joke, but it was a hilarious thing to imagine - a rat swollen on fries and tiny sliders.
“Well, Gabe’s up in Henderson tonight, but I’ve let him know you’re here and I reckon Bilson will drag him back…”
Before Cian could finish the sentence the bedroom door opened, and Gabe appeared, looking a little disgruntled, as if he was arguing. “Oh! Hi Ronnie!” The wizard looked from one man to the other and one side of his mouth twisted up in a wry smile. “Busted?”
Ronnie had begun to nod as Cian told him what he’d expected, that his friend was off having some adventure in Henderson, but before he could say anything Gabe appeared. He laughed, blinking and then lifting a hand in a wave, “Hey man. You got back fast,” Ronnie teased lightly.
Cian looked at Gabe and rolled his eyes as Gabe weakly waved at Ronnie. “Hi? Uh, yeah, y.. you know, Porsche, pretty f...fast cars,” he stammered out, his childhood affliction always rearing its ugly head when he was caught out. He had always been a dreadful liar, and he looked pleadingly at Cian as Bilson started to squirm.
’Just tell him!’
‘Seriously? What if he freaks out?’
‘He’s brought food! And a cap!’
Gabe pulled his jacket open, Bilson’s whiskers and nose appearing, quickly followed by the rest of him as he relocated onto Gabe’s shoulder and looked curiously across at the kitchen bench.
“Oh, did you make all this?” Gabe said, looking at Ronnie and all the items on the bench, hoping Ronnie didn’t notice the lack of car outside, and remember there was no entrance into Gabe’s room from outside, other than through a window.
A nod would be offered from Ronnie but he only offered a smile instead of a rapid fire series of questions. He’d learned long ago not to ask. If someone wanted him to know something, they’d tell him. Otherwise he kept it in the box labeled ‘none ya’ and left it at that. There was no doubt that Ronnie knew in his gut that Gabe was a badass at something.
When the rat appeared, Ronnie brightened instantly, offering the little creature a wave. “There’s my favorite pal! Hey Bilson!” And then to Gabe, he nodded, “Yeah! For you, and Bilson of course, and Cian if he’s hanging around. I was making some stuff in the old kitchen, experimenting and stuff. Thinkin’ about a career move, actually.” His hand went into his hair and he scratched at the dark curls absently.
Cian leaned over, the aroma of what he was guessing was the pork belly sandwiches too enticing to ignore, and he hadn’t eaten since lunch time. Gabe approached the bench, holding his arm out to allow Bilson to scurry across and perch on Ronnie’s shoulder, a place he’d claimed as his own when the chef had been staying with them. More than once Gabe had found the two of them deeply engrossed in preparing food, Ronnie getting Bilson to taste a sample.
“Where are you thinking of going?” he asked, watching as Bilson arranged himself comfortably among Ronnie’s curls.
An arm would lift instantly as the little creature headed toward him. It felt so comfortable having the additional weight and he didn’t mind at all. During his time at the house, he’d bonded with the rat. Bilson had become an integral part of the cooking process. Once in a while, Ronnie drifted back to those times while he was at home preparing meals or at work whipping up food for the guests.
“I had this crazy idea of working for myself, for once. Like a food truck or something. Still working out the details.” A lot of that hinged on what he and Mikey were going to move in Searchlight. All of that could be ironed out later. It was an idea that needed more thought and weight.
Ronnie opened the insulated covering over one of the parcels, bringing out the sandwiches. “You dudes hungry?”
Gabe laughed and looked from Cian to Ronnie. “Is the Pope a Catholic and are the Kennedy’s gunshy?” he joked. “This one is a bottomless pit, let me tell you that for nothing,” he added, indicating the tall Irishman who’d been eyeing the food hungrily. He knew just how much food it took to fuel him.
“Hey, I haven’t eaten since lunch!” Cian retorted, a little huffily, but grinning. “Always had a big appetite,” he mumbled, “blame it on the football.”
Ronnie laughed at Gabe’s joke, nodding, “I got one of those types at home, I can handle another bottomless pit.” With that, he took a second to sweep up the tiny chef hat for Bilson, setting it gently on the rat’s head minding the ears, and securing the little strap gently. “Alright, pal, let’s get heating these boys up some lunch, yeah? I got stuff for you, don’t worry.”
He already knew his way around the kitchen. Before too long Cian and Gabe would have a plate with two of the warm, fully loaded pork belly sandwich and the homemade fries. Ronnie set up Bilson’s little table and put food out for him, appropriately sized of course.
Cian’s eyes hadn’t left the food, except to look at Bilson, resplendent in the hat, perched on Ronnie’s shoulder, then at the table. That he had to take a photo of and send to Rhiannon. He tucked the phone back into his pocket and looked at the sandwich, now actually salivating.
“There’s plenty more, if you need. And I put some dessert in the fridge.”
He looked at Gabe and arched an eyebrow after taking a bite of the sandwich and swallowing. “I see why you ‘hurried back’!” he teased, knowing it wasn’t often the wizard used portals to travel.
Gabe looked at Cian and grinned, still chewing his mouthful. He’d learnt long ago that there was no chance of racing the were in eating, it was a very unfair competition as food just seemed to vapourise once it had entered the were’s mouth. “I know, right?!” he replied after he was finally able to speak.
“Man, you’re always welcome here, and if you need any help with your food truck plans just let me know. As much as I’d be happy to just have you cook for us, it wouldn’t be fair to you or the rest of the Clark County folk who deserve to enjoy your creations!”
That statement warmed Ronnie’s core. For what he lacked in immediate family, he had in close friends in spades. “Thanks, man. We should all get together for a huge cookout or something, soon. Like a party with friends or something.” Or maybe it wasn’t a good time but it sounded fun.
“I’m gonna think more on the food truck thing, you know? Really get the details down. It’s not something I wanna do on the impulse. I have the capital, and the idea. But a few other things need to be figured out before the plunge.”
Gabe nodded, his mouth again full. Cian finished the first half of his sandwich already and answered.
“Could have it here,” he suggested, picking up the other half of his sandwich and answering for Gabe, who was nodding in agreement while he chewed. “Before it gets too cold outside.”
Gabe finally managed to speak. “Sure, happy to have it here,” he confirmed, aware that there was also a scarcity of trees in the town and he had a nice large one in the front yard, perfect for a cookout. “Let me know when might suit? Maybe not till after the next full moon?” he added, eyeing Cian, knowing Ronnie was only too familiar with why some of their friends were not available during that time.
The idea of having the cookout hangout at Gabe’s seemed perfect. Ronnie nodded, glad Gabe didn’t mind. “What do you say, Bilson?” He inquired of the little rat. Clearly it was up to the humans but he felt the rat was also important in this decision.
Bilson rubbed his whiskers with his paws. ’If I get to do tasting he can stay with us permanently!
Gabe laughed. “Bilson’s all good with that.”
Turning to the men, Ronnie smiled, “That’s fine with me, after the next moon. Gives me time to figure out what we wanna make. A good menu takes time to work out. And I’m sure Mikey’ll wanna help, too.”
“Sure, let me know when, I’ll make sure I’m here,” Gabe said, quickly adding, “as in before everyone gets here, not after…” he stopped, closed his eyes briefly after looking pleadingly at Cian.
“Just let us know the date and it’ll be all good,” the were confirmed. “And if you want to come around any time to get ready, or whatever, just drop us a message.”
Ronnie nodded. “Cool, yeah. I can do that.” The date of the event, and also the coming around part. He realized he should’ve texted or called before just showing up but then where was the fun in the surprise at that point?
“I’ll figure something out in the next day or so, and I’ll text Gabe with it. Being prepared to have a group thing is good.”
Gabe nodded, again with a mouthful of food.
“Gives him a chance to get in some drinks and ice,” Cian suggested.
That was fair. Ronnie pulled out the mobile phone and looked at the little calendar. “I know the moon is Halloween, and so what about the next weekend? Like Saturday the seventh, yeah? Will that work? Gives us like two weeks to figure stuff out and let people know. Friends only, of course.” His phone went away, “Did either of you have people you don’t want coming? Don’t wanna tell the wrong person or something.” He had a lot of friends, so he felt it was only right to ask.
Gabe managed to swallow his mouthful and frowned, pulling his phone out and scrolling to the calendar. “Might be a bit busy that weekend, can we make it the following one? Say the 14th?” he asked. Ana had been talking about coming to visit and had identified that weekend as when she might be there.
“Of course we can!” The date didn’t have to be a hard one, and he was just glad to be able to participate. “The fourteenth is perfect.” He took a moment to plug it into his phone and also sent Mikey a text with the details so neither of them forgot.
To Cian, he lifted his head and looked over. “Dunno what you guys do for the holiday coming up, but I’m happy to help there, too. Since I’ve come back to Nevada, it’s sort of been my tradition to volunteer around the holidays. I have this Soup Kitchen place I go to. My mama used to have me back to eat, and I’ve been having dinner with Derek for the last ten years, but I’m not trying to put myself into anyone’s plans, either.” He figured Cian would get the idea. When you didn’t have people to share things with, you found ways to give back to other people in need.
Cian nodded, the last 4 Christmases had been spent on beaches or boats down south, completely different from what he’d grown up with, and experienced when in Chicago. “Haven’t really talked about it, should ask Rhiannon if she has anything in mind,” he replied. Back home he knew that regardless of activities through the year, most who’d had any sort of religious upbringing and beliefs would attend at least one service during that time. His mother used to always accompany the family and participate in the service, acknowledging her husband’s upbringing and traditions, just as much as he supported hers.
Gabe nodded, his family’s traditional Christmas dinner being on 24th December, and Christmas celebrated on 25th. The Feast of Epiphany on the 6th January was the traditional day of the Santorini’s Blessing of the Fleet, a day which had until a few years ago always been a great day of celebration, the festivities spread over a few days before as the ships were all prepared for the sailpast. It was the day when the Mariner’s Ring had been stolen, during the evening of the festival. Gabe licked at his fingers and looked at Ronnie. “I think Brianna has mentioned something about a dinner, in the Brasserie, that they close that day to hold a luncheon for the staff and friends. I’ll ask her about it.”
“Nice! Well, whatever happens, I hope you both have great holidays. I should probably get going. Sorry to bail, but I figure you guys had stuff going on before I came over.” He laughed, offering both men and the rat a wave. “Thanks for letting me bring stuff and hang out! Glad to meet you, Cian, and until next time.”
Gabe nodded, thanking the retreating figure and Bilson stood on his hind legs, watching his friend depart.
“That was cutting it close!” Cian said, once they heard Ronnie’s truck pull away. “I wasn’t expecting you to portal down like that, I’d just finished telling him you were in the city.”
Gabe nodded, and gave Bilson a stern look. “Yeah, it was, wasn’t it?” he replied, the non-repentant rodent ignoring the look, instead collecting the piece of crust Gabe had torn from his sandwich out of habit. He squatted on his haunches and proceeded to make short work of consuming the crust.
Cian laughed and pushed his chair back. “I’ll leave you to clean up, I’m heading out to catch up with Rhiannon,” he told the two. “Try and stay out of trouble, yeah?”
“No promises,” Gabe replied, and started to tidy up.