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TAG WITH @orion

POSTED ON Sept 21, 2022 23:19:37 GMT

□

He should not be this nervous.

They're just baking. Hell, it had been Orion's idea to invite Tam Fawley over to the ranch when they'd got to talking about Tam's practice of making meal kits for the less fortunate citizens of Hoenn during the supply shortage. Orion's got a bunch of fresh ingredients and produce from his own ranch and the kindness of his neighbors, because he didn't have the heart to tell any of them that he wasn't the best cook. This was a great solution to both ensure it didn't go to waste and to help Hoenn in their time of need.

Except, well, Tam is coming over.

He hasn't forgotten what the captain had said when they'd gone back to his apartment for the first time. Ignore the mess, of which there hadn't been a mess, and so Orion's spent the previous night and most of the morning frantically tidying the organized chaos of his space so that his captain-and-friend won't judge him too harshly.

Orion's Espeon is the one to answer the door, stirring from her favourite napping spot on the deck's rocking chair to open the door with her PSYCHIC power. She brushes up against Tam's leg in greeting, twin tails flicking him playfully before she returns to her snooze.

Orion leans over the kitchen counter to call out to him.

"Hey! Come on in."

The interior of the ranch is largely open-plan, a kitchen-and-dining space adjoining a small living room with an unlit fireplace. A set of stairs lead up to his loft bedroom, from the vantage point of which Altair's red eyes blink down at Tam.

The kitchen is the largest part of the space: ironic, seeing as Orion could hardly utilize it.

mission: great hoenn bake-off
valor: helping hand

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Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

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Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

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part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Sept 22, 2022 3:11:43 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

Tam isn’t nervous.
[break][break]
Why would he be? They may rarely spend time together outside of work, he may have never been to Orion Lykos’s place before, and there may even be certain implications to the fact that it will just be the two of them together alone, but of course, as should only be expected, none of these things cross the captain’s mind when making his way to Verdanturf.
[break][break]
It’s a nice day, and when he arrives at the ranch, he also finds it to be a nice place. Calm. Completely different from the chaos and noise that seems to define Slateport City at all times. Being that they’re in the countryside, Clover seems even more excited than usual – perhaps because when he takes her to places like this it usually means she ends up herding.
[break][break]
Sadly for the Yamper, no activities like that await her, but she does still rush inside when the door is opened by the Espeon, going directly to happily greet Orion.
[break][break]
As per usual, Tam is much more paced, and he even gently scratches the Espeon’s head when stepping into the ranch. Sky blue eyes scan his surroundings, but unlike what Orion would perhaps expect, there is no negative judgement.
[break][break]
”Hey, Altair.” He passingly greets the Absol on his way to the kitchen, following after Clover, and one there, he meets Orion’s gaze. ”Hey. Nice place.”
[break][break]
Clover barks up at Orion, wagging her short tail.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Orion Lykos

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
VALOR: Helping Hand [break]
Mission: Great Hoenn Bake-Off 🌟

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orion

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thirty

august 9th

lilycove

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TAG WITH @orion

POSTED ON Sept 22, 2022 4:23:26 GMT

□

Clover serves to immediately soothe some of Orion's mounting anxieties, a genuine smile breaking across his expression as he bends down to scratch her behind the ears.

"Hey, Clover."

Altair lets out a soft bark of greeting toward Tam and Clover both, and the click of his nails on the wooden steps soon follows. He nudges Clover with his nose, clearly pleased to see his Slateport HQ bestie all the way out here at the ranch.

Tam compliments the place, and Orion ducks his head.

"Thanks."

Only part of it can be chalked up to him. Most of the furniture was his, for certain, but the large kitchen and the Sawsbuck chandelier hanging over the dining table were courtesy of the old woman who'd owned the place before. So, too, was she responsible for the temperamental old Gogoat and Camerupt whom Tam had likely seen grazing in the pasture on the way up the long road.

"I'm putting you in charge," Orion insists, gesturing around at the kitchen with his metal arm. "Pantry's over there, and anything in there or in the fridge is fair game for whatever we're making. All of it's fresh."

Apart from the fresh Gogoat milk and a few berries from the little orchard out back, the rest is courtesy of Orion's neighbours. They'd trade ingredients, and thus he's ended up with honey, eggs, and assorted crops. The only thing he doesn't seem to have is meat — no doubt to Tam's disappointment.

mission: great hoenn bake-off
valor: helping hand

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played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

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part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Sept 22, 2022 4:52:46 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

When Altair approaches her, Clover’s attention immediately turns towards him, her wet nose gently touching that of the Absol in greeting. She’s clearly pleased, and the fact that she hadn’t had a clue who they’d be visiting today probably has to do with it – yes, Tam hadn’t mentioned it.
[break][break]
Tam never mentions a lot of things. Like the fact that a mere glance at the Sawsbuck antler chandelier had brought back memories of the herds of them that had been a permanent presence at his family’s estate when growing up. He sees no point in sharing such things. Instead, he focuses on his reason to be at the ranch.
[break][break]
”Sure. You have berries, right?” He doesn’t wait for Orion to answer before heading towards the fridge, ingredients being calmly selected and placed on the kitchen island. ”Figured we can make some poffins, maybe even some basic poké puffs… Altair would probably like those.”
[break][break]
Clover barks at the mention of some of her favourite treats, because even though most of what they make will be for pokémon that are truly in need of such things at times like these, Tam isn’t heartless enough not to spare some for his and Orion’s teams.
[break][break]
”Ever made anything like that?”
[break][break]
He does remember Orion isn’t great at cooking, but generally speaking, Tam is not one to make assumptions.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Orion Lykos

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
VALOR: Helping Hand [break]
Mission: Great Hoenn Bake-Off 🌟

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orion

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thirty

august 9th

lilycove

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elite

'cause baby i can burn you if you get too close to me

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TAG WITH @orion

POSTED ON Sept 22, 2022 6:25:50 GMT

□

"Yeah, got a couple trees out back. Nothing fancy."

Alongside the typical assortment of Oran, Aspear, and Pecha, tart Nomel berries and juicy Tamatos can be found. The latter were Altair's favourite, though the well-behaved Absol makes no attempt to steal them from the counter.

"Yeah, he loves poffins. Especially the spicy ones."

If the Absol's sharp tail could wag, it would.

"I've tried to make them before, but they've never turned out." He was a defeatist in the kitchen, and so he'd not tried again after the first batch were such a disaster. All his poffins and puffs were store-bought. "Not opposed to trying again, though." Not when Tam was here, and Orion wanted to impress him. "What do we need, Chef Fawley?"

He offers a teasing smirk.

mission: great hoenn bake-off
valor: helping hand

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played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

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part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Sept 22, 2022 11:59:41 GMT

Orion Lykos likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

He had decided on poffins because they’re just about the simplest yet most nutritious thing they could make when it came to pokémon food, but apparently Orion struggles with even those. Tam isn’t sure how that’s even possible, but to his own surprise, instead of finding this knowledge to be disappointing he finds it be kind of really endearing. It makes him want to tease him.
[break][break]
”Hm… Try not to burn these, I’d rather not have HNN headlines saying Slateport Rangers are poisoning the pokémon of the less fortunate or whatever.” As per usual, his tone is as neutral as it is placid, bearing no hint of a joke, but while he washes his hands and grabs utensils, his gaze meets that of Orion for a short moment. ”You’ll be fine, just trust me.”
[break][break]
He had offered to teach Orion how to cook, after all.
[break][break]
He had meant it.
[break][break]
”Wanna chop the berries while I get started with the batter? I’ll walk you through it as I go.”
[break][break]
For Orion’s sake, Tam had decided to give him the easiest job possible. Surely no one can mess up chopping, no?

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Orion Lykos

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
VALOR: Helping Hand [break]
Mission: Great Hoenn Bake-Off 🌟

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thorn

orion

he/him

thirty

august 9th

lilycove

homosexual

ranger

elite

'cause baby i can burn you if you get too close to me

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i'll wreck this if i have to; tell me, what good would that do?

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TAG WITH @orion

POSTED ON Sept 22, 2022 23:18:50 GMT

□

"You think HNN needs a reason to start shit?"

He laughs, but it's only half a joke. He's never been a fan of the media, less so after his stint on the council.

He assumes (read: hopes) Tam is joking, but the reassuring glance and placating words as both unexpected and appreciated. He's not too worried about burning the food so much as messing up one of the steps but the captain's skills seemingly surpass his own.

"Sure, I can do that."

Thank goodness he'd lost his left arm, not his right.

Apart from squishing a few of the berries by applying too much pressure with the metal limb (he was still adjusting to fine motor skills), he manages the task of chopping well. He slips Altair and Clover a couple slices so as not to torture them with all the smells.

mission: great hoenn bake-off
valor: helping hand

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played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

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part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Sept 23, 2022 4:38:46 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

At first he simply watches him. Not because he’s worried that somehow Orion will cut a finger off or something while attempting to chop the berries, but in case he needs to make a correction or two.
[break][break]
After a short moment, his attention turns towards the ingredients on the counter, beginning to sift things into a bowl:
[break][break]
”You’ll want to put all your dry ingredients first.” Tam explains, and although it's subtle, to every action there’s a methodical level of care. Cooking is an act of patience and Tam is rarely a man who is in a hurry.
[break][break]
”Then eggs, milk, and everything else. Once it’s all mixed together, you can add the berries.”
[break][break]
It’s as if he has done this countless times before, which he has, of course.
[break][break]
”Wanna take over?”

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Orion Lykos

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
VALOR: Helping Hand [break]
Mission: Great Hoenn Bake-Off 🌟

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played by

thorn

orion

he/him

thirty

august 9th

lilycove

homosexual

ranger

elite

'cause baby i can burn you if you get too close to me

437 height

i'll wreck this if i have to; tell me, what good would that do?

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part of

TAG WITH @orion

POSTED ON Sept 23, 2022 4:51:18 GMT

□

"Hm. Maybe that's where I went wrong."

He had a habit of simply taking all the ingredients and throwing them together with the assumption that if they were all in the final product, it shouldn't matter what order they go in the bowl. He's also far less patient than Tam.

But, with the other for company, he finds he doesn't mind the ordinarily tedious task of cooking quite so much.

Tam asks him to take over, and Orion nods.

"Sure."

He pops a slice of Nomel into his mouth before tossing the berries into the mixture, puckering his lips with the sour taste.

"Shit, did we preheat the oven?"

mission: great hoenn bake-off
valor: helping hand

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played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

awards

518 posts

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part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Sept 23, 2022 5:03:57 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

”Orion.” There’s something ever so mildly reproaching about his tone, but the slight smirk that tugs at his lips marks it as teasing. ”Yeah, probably… If you don’t sift your dry ingredients you’ll get clumps, and if you don’t mix them all together first, you’ll get uneven amounts of one or the other in the batter. Believe me, I learned the hard way too.”
[break][break]
It had been trial and error, really.
[break][break]
It had been reading recipes, watching videos, and having a whole lot of patience.
[break][break]
Despite Orion’s jokes, Tam is no natural chef. He had learned to cook out of necessity, but through it, he had ended up realising he actually kind of enjoys it. It’s nice to be able to make something good.
[break][break]
”I’ll take care of the oven. It’s good to cover the batter and let it rest for a bit anyway… hydrates the flour and what not.” It’s said nonchalantly while approaching the oven, as if this is the sort of thing that is more than obvious to him. "I'll set a timer."

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Orion Lykos

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
VALOR: Helping Hand [break]
Mission: Great Hoenn Bake-Off 🌟

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played by

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orion

he/him

thirty

august 9th

lilycove

homosexual

ranger

elite

'cause baby i can burn you if you get too close to me

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TAG WITH @orion

POSTED ON Sept 23, 2022 5:38:04 GMT

□

Cheeks flush under Tam's teasing, but he finds he's not offended. The other's smirk offsets any potential for miscommunication.

"You're supposed to let it rest?" Well, that had been another step he'd definitely skipped. "Do we leave it on the counter or like, stick it in the fridge or something?"

He pours himself a glass of Gogoat milk, about to put the glass pitcher back into said fridge before he pauses and glances at Tam.

"Want some?" He'd just milked Capella this morning, so it was fresh. Something teasing enters his gaze. "Or is it too vegan for ya?"

mission: great hoenn bake-off
valor: helping hand

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played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

awards

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part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Sept 23, 2022 23:53:28 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

Tam notices the blushing, but in itself, this is no rarity. He has noticed it before too: how Orion often seems to end up blushing when they spend time alone together. Tam doesn’t mind it. If anything, there’s something rather cute about it.
[break][break]
Weird. Since when does he think things are cute?
[break][break]
”Fridge.” Tam responds then, right back to looking and acting as stoic as can be. Even his smirk had been fleeting. But, then again, they always are, aren’t they?
[break][break]
Leaning against the counter, he watches Orion, and at the teasing question, an eyebrow is raised.
[break][break]
”I thought vegans are the ones who don’t drink milk? …Or is that the other ones?” The joke goes right over his head. It’s a serious question; he always gets them mixed up. Vegetarians are vegetarians, and Tam has never had much reason to care for all of that. ”Sure, though. I don’t mind milk.”

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Orion Lykos

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
VALOR: Helping Hand [break]
Mission: Great Hoenn Bake-Off 🌟

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thorn

orion

he/him

thirty

august 9th

lilycove

homosexual

ranger

elite

'cause baby i can burn you if you get too close to me

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TAG WITH @orion

POSTED ON Sept 24, 2022 1:37:19 GMT

□

The joke goes right over Tam's head, but that only serves to amuse Orion further. "Vegans don't drink milk," he affirms. "Don't worry, I'm vegetarian, not vegan."

They've joked about it before but Orion's never explained the reasoning behind his dietary choices. He's been vegetarian as long as Tam has known him, and thus the other ranger might have cause to believe it's a choice he'd made in his youth, and not as little as a year ago.

He pours a second glass of the milk before putting both the pitcher and their mixture back in the fridge.

"There's also pescatarians, and they only eat fish or something."

mission: great hoenn bake-off
valor: helping hand

close tab

played by

Azul

Tam

He/Him

February 14th

Icirrus City, Unova

Does it matter?

Slateport Ranger Capt.

Ranger Captain

166 height

Don't know, don't care.

awards

518 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @tam

POSTED ON Sept 24, 2022 2:05:28 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","twt2"]

[attr="class","main"]

Eyes as blue as the sky narrow, as if he were assessing Orion along with his explanations.
[break][break]
”People care too much about giving names to things.” Tam finally declares. Vegan, vegetarian… Why can’t they just say they don’t eat meat or drink milk or whatever? Some people really have a weird need to attach as many labels as possible to themselves. Tam cannot relate.
[break][break]
Is Orion like that, though?
[break][break]
Apparently, since he goes on to mention even more names for people’s dietary choices.
[break][break]
”...You’re kidding, right?” That has to be a joke. Fish is nice and all, but why would anyone decide to only eat fish? Don’t vegans refuse to eat meat because they don’t want to hurt pokémon or whatever? Fish are pokémon too, so…
[break][break]
”Ugh. People are too damn complicated.” Tam sighs, giving up on even trying to understand all of that.

[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Orion Lykos

[attr="class","notes"]

notes

[break]
VALOR: Helping Hand [break]
Mission: Great Hoenn Bake-Off 🌟

close tab

played by

thorn

orion

he/him

thirty

august 9th

lilycove

homosexual

ranger

elite

'cause baby i can burn you if you get too close to me

437 height

i'll wreck this if i have to; tell me, what good would that do?

awards

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part of

TAG WITH @orion

POSTED ON Sept 24, 2022 2:45:04 GMT

□

"Don't look at me," Orion insists, laughing, "I didn't name 'em."

Beyond his laughter, there's a hint of anxiety. Tam didn't think he was ridiculous, did he? Orion had a perfectly good reason to identify as vegetarian and certainly shouldn't be getting so worked up about it, but...

Tam assumes pescatarians to be a joke, and though his anxiety continues to stew, Orion shakes his head.

"Nah, it's for real. Even I don't get that."

He didn't eat fish either, though he suspects it wouldn't turn his stomach quite so much as the sight of meat did.

mission: great hoenn bake-off
valor: helping hand