002 | [ video/action (?) ]

[alionsheart]

[ Robin doesn't use his device too terribly often; not because he doesn't understand how to use it - he's caught on well by now - but he'd still much prefer to speak with someone in person, unless of course they really only need to ask something briefly of each other. It serves a purpose, he won't deny that.

And today, he's decided to step outside of his comfort zone and deviate from how he normally conducts himself, posing a few questions and observations to anyone who might be listening.

He's in the dining room at the moment, giving some thought as to what he wants to eat, and his face is rather perfectly centered as he speaks. ]

Before my arrival here in Wonderland, I had a brief stay in a small village by the name of Storybrooke. Everyone frequented Granny's diner, so I presume the food was extraordinary there, but I regretfully didn't have much time to sample it all.

[ He thinks for a moment, trying to remember some of the menu items: ]

I enjoyed the burger I was able to try, and the grilled cheese.

I was curious about something called buffalo wings. Does anyone know much about the buffalo? It must be rather small, based on its wing structure.

[ He's familiar with chickens, and the meat that comprises burgers, but buffalo is something new to him. ]

I've come to understand there's a particular type of food unique to diners, and while this place isn't a diner in the strictest sense, we can certainly acquire any of the food normally found there. I'm not sure what I should try. Any suggestions?

Comments

[sorryitasedyou]

[Hooooooooly crap on a cracker.]

Wow, um... Wow. Okay. Awesome.

[She returns the smile with a small laugh.]

I'm Darcy. Nice to meet you. If you're free right now, I can meet you in the kitchen.

[alionsheart]

[ He'll never really tire of the way people react to hearing his name. It's a bit like being famous. ]

Of course, I'll be there shortly.

[ And since he's already in the mansion, it takes him less than five minutes to get there. ]

[sorryitasedyou]

[She makes her way up to the kitchen from the lab in the basement, already pulling different types of sauces and the ingredients for her own special sauce when he comes in, the counter quickly filling up with bottles and ingredients.]

Hey - So I figure we start a little more tame and go from there depending on what you like and what you don't like.

[alionsheart]

[ He's already enjoying this, intrigued by the chance to try something completely new, and get to know someone a bit better in the process. Standing beside her, he examines some of the bottles, trying to make sense of ingredients he's never heard of before. ]

That sounds reasonable. Is there anything I can help with?

[sorryitasedyou]

If you want to grab a bunch of smaller bowls, that'd be great. Do prefer bone-in or boneless chicken wings?

[She starts arranging the bottles by heat level and separating out the ingredients for her own mix. She has the oven preheating, not sure yet if she wants to bake them or broil them - all depending on his answer.]

[alionsheart]

[ She seems far more at ease in the kitchen than he's likely to ever be, though he is trying to adapt to all of this. ]

Bone-in, if that suits you as well.

[ He grabs a small stack of bowls, setting them down beside her. ]

[sorryitasedyou]

Bone-in, can do.

[She moves to the fridge, pulling them out before arranging them on the pans before popping them in the oven. There were definitely more than enough for both of them and then some, but taste-testing was serious business.

She smiles and gives him a small thanks for the bowls, starting to set up the sauces.]

How long ya been here?

[alionsheart]

[ She moves so quickly, and he's impressed, though she's probably quite used to kitchens like this. He hasn't spent enough time in the kitchen, really, and he should. It's not a necessity here, given how easy it is to acquire food, but he likes the learning experience it would provide. ]

Only a few months. I've spent so much of my time outside, I thought I should amend that a bit. It's not easy to meet people when I'm alone in the woods.

[ He smirks to himself. ]

What about you?

[sorryitasedyou]

[She gives a small tilt to her head at his words, not hiding the smile. She knew a few basement dwellers that could benefit from that logic.]

I've been here about four months - it's definitely been anything but boring.

[She's used to moving at a faster pace, especially when dealing with Jane - the only way she can keep up with her most of the time while her brain juggles a million things at once. The joys of being an intern.

She could probably benefit from slowing down... Eventually.]

[She checks the wings in the oven before returning to the counter, grabbing some pretzels out of the cupboard on her way back. She continues to mix up her own sauce before opening the bag of small pretzel sticks up and dipping one into it to test it out.

She adds a few more things before turning to him and handing him a pretzel.]

Test that out and tell me what you think - let me know if you think it's too spicy or not hot enough.

[alionsheart]

The strange...events certainly keep things from being dull.

[ He stays in good spirits, though, really. He's productive, he helps when and where he can, he's not at all idle, and he just takes things as they come. No sense in being miserable here all the time.

When he takes a bite of the pretzel, he's silent for a moment, letting his tastebuds really absorb the flavor, and then he smiles and nods. ]

Oh, quite good.

[sorryitasedyou]

Yeah, I could do with less strange.

[Her friend turning into a polar bear in this very kitchen coming to mind. Although the idea of making wings with Robin Hood didn't exactly fall under the normal category.

At his approval, she smiles, setting the sauce aside before checking the wings again. She wasn't sure how much of it was the magic of Wonderland, but they were perfect. She grabs some mitts, pulling them out and starting to drop them into the bowls to get coated in the sauce.]

Alright, so this has a tendency to get messy.

[And with that she smiles, grabbing a stack of napkins before starting to go from bowl to bowl, gently tossing them in the sauce.]

I recommend starting less spicy and going up from there.

[She grabs one out of the bowl at the end, smirking before biting into it.]

[alionsheart]

[ Turning into a fox was a strange thing, although he did get closer to some of his friends when he'd believed they were actually cousins.

He's glad Henry was spared from that, though there's sure to be quite a bit awaiting him that's not terribly pleasant.

There's little need to dwell on that for the moment, though, so Robin simply grabs one of the mildest wings first, taking a large bite and nodding his approval. Then, he moves to the next bowl once he's finished with that wing entirely. ]

These sauces are delicious, I can't thank you enough.

[sorryitasedyou]

No problem.

[She smiles, skipping a few bowls to move onto the spicier stuff. She fans herself slightly, moving to the fridge.]

I'm gonna grab something to drink, you want anything?

[alionsheart]

[ He's pacing himself, thinking it's not wise to delve into the heavily spiced sauces without a slow transition, plus it's too delicious not to savor a bit. ]

I'm always fond of a good ale with a meal, but...perhaps something different today.

Does...soda pair well with this sort of food?

[ He honestly has no idea... ]

[sorryitasedyou]

Depending on the soda, yeah.

[She grabs a couple options just to be safe. Today was all about variety. Putting them on the counter, she goes back to grab a few beer options as a back-up.]

Do you prefer something a little more sweet or refreshing? [Holding up the cola and the lemon-lime sodas respectively.]

[alionsheart]

[ The more options, the better, and he's glad she's already thought of grabbing a few different things, since he's not familiar with soda and he already trusts her judgment quite well by now. ]

Refreshing, I think.

This is not at all like any meal I've ever eaten before, yet I find myself wanting it again.

[sorryitasedyou]

[She hands over the lemon-lime soda after opening it, giving him a knowing smile.]

They're addictive. That's why people tend to order them by the pound. I'm glad you like it, though if you're super curious about buffalo you should have a buffalo burger sometime.

[It's a thing. Not really her cup of tea, but she's all for life experiences.]

[alionsheart]

[ He nods and smiles in gratitude as he sips the soda. It's obvious by the way his eyes widen for a moment that he appreciates the flavor. There's a crisp edge to it, and it's most certainly refreshing. ]

I have a new favorite meal.

Do buffalo burgers taste very different from burgers made with beef?

[sorryitasedyou]

I'm glad you like it.

[She can't help but dip her head slightly before grabbing another wing.]

If you ever need anything I'm on the seventh floor, room 27. I like cooking and I don't really get a chance to do it back home -- no time. Also, the dining room kinda creeps me out so if you ever get a craving for something or wanna give a new thing a whirl, hit me up.

[If she didn't know how to make it, it'd be a new thing for both of them. That's what recipe books were for.]

And yes, they're different -- something that's easier to try than describe.

[alionsheart]

I'd like that. Perhaps next time, I can introduce you to a few of the foods from my world. If we're feeling adventurous.

[ He smiles in obvious appreciation, though. ]

I'll extend the same courtesy to you, m'lady: should you ever need anything at all, I'm to be found on the eighth floor, room 26.

[sorryitasedyou]

Oooh... That could be fun. I'm actually helping a friend with his wedding plans and we're looking for foods from people's homes so if anything comes to mind let me know. I'm all for trying it.

[She makes a mental note of his room - never know when something like that might come in handy.]

[alionsheart]

I will, certainly. Does your friend happen to be Kíli?

[ There can't be that many others getting married, and he's sure he would have seen that on the network, unless it was someone else and they preferred to keep things quiet. ]

[sorryitasedyou]

He does.

[She moves one of the bowls, hopping up on the counter to sit.]

I introduced him to the wonders of lasagna - next thing is corn dogs.

[She holds up a hand, hoping to prevent a similar misunderstanding.]

No- they're not made of dog in case you were thinking that.

[alionsheart]

We had an interesting conversation only a few days ago, when he was broadcasting the good news.

I explained to him how very different the dwarves in Sherwood Forest are. Quite a lovely fellow, I must say.

[ It's a good thing she clarified, because he had been thinking that... ]

And what is a corn dog, exactly? What's it made from?

[sorryitasedyou]

[Hmm... Differences between dwarves... That sounds interesting.]

He's great.

[She gives him a knowing smile, taking a drink of her soda.]

Corn dogs are hot dogs dipped in a corn meal mixture and cooked to perfection. It's kinda like a modern sausage wrapped in cornbread. It's good stuff... Although I'd recommend getting it the old fashioned way rather than going to the closets... You might not like the results.