Can I help you find anything?

Toris sat down in front of Mack once he’d placed a warm bowl lf food in front of her; jasmine rice topped with warm stew that consisted of meat, potatoes and carrots, some onions and green peppers. It was his mother’s recipe; the taste was comforting and reminded him of home. “If you don’t like it, of course, you don’t have to eat it.” He said with a sympathetic smile. “But if you do, please, help yourself.”

“Don’t be silly. It looks delicious.” She gave him a pointed look, amusement on her face. She blew lightly on it so as to not burn her mouth before taking a bite and chewing slowly. After a short moment she seemed to relax fully, her shoulders drooping and her eyes shutting. It was comforting and it definitely felt good to have something to eat that didn’t come out of a bag. “It tastes better than it looks and it looks good.” 

"Thank you." He replied a bit bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's my mother's recipe -- I make it when I start to miss home a little. Stew over rice was a favorite of my younger sister and I, growing up. My mother taught me how to make it before I left home." As the words lapsed on, he noted that the aftereffect of being able to take care of someone that needed it felt warm and inviting. He wished he could see that expression on her face more often..

It wasn’t long at all before the rice was strained; the stew was essentially done, and by the time the rice was ready, it could be put together. With a determined expression, he strolled toward the table; in his arms he skillfully carried two bowls, and the wooden cutting board that held the rye bread, along with a dull cutting knife. Back home, and when Audra was little, she would applaud every time he did it without dropping everything to the floor.

Her brow arched as she watched him carrying everything and she was half tempted to get up and help him but her own curiosity as to whether he could do it or not kept her seated with the cat resting on her legs. When he set everything down on the table she smiled and clapped lightly. “Bravo. That’s actually impressive, Toris.” 

Toris sat down in front of Mack once he'd placed a warm bowl lf food in front of her; jasmine rice topped with warm stew that consisted of meat, potatoes and carrots, some onions and green peppers. It was his mother's recipe; the taste was comforting and reminded him of home. "If you don't like it, of course, you don't have to eat it." He said with a sympathetic smile. "But if you do, please, help yourself."

It wasn’t long at all before the rice was strained; the stew was essentially done, and by the time the rice was ready, it could be put together. With a determined expression, he strolled toward the table; in his arms he skillfully carried two bowls, and the wooden cutting board that held the rye bread, along with a dull cutting knife. Back home, and when Audra was little, she would applaud every time he did it without dropping everything to the floor.

With a warm smile, he unlocked the door, and pulled the clunky contraption open. “Welcome!”

“What’s on the menu for the night, chef?” 

[whoa whoa what][oh it’s him][looks in the bag, her face lighting up for a moment before she looks at him] … Do jello shots count. 

[clears his throat] Well, then, hopefully my food will suffice. [smiles] [toris NO]

[reaches into his messenger bag for a notepad and pen] Here. I- you probably already know where, but I figured this would be more proper. [he scribbles his address and a time down in immaculate cursive handwriting and then hands her the paper] If you get hungry. You- you don’t have to come if you don’t want to. [rubs the back of his neck] But I worry about you, Mack.

[whoa whoa what][oh it’s him][looks in the bag, her face lighting up for a moment before she looks at him] … Do jello shots count. 

[clears his throat] Well, then, hopefully my food will suffice. [smiles] [toris NO]

[whoa whoa what][oh it’s him][looks in the bag, her face lighting up for a moment before she looks at him] … Do jello shots count. 

[whoa whoa what][oh it’s him][looks in the bag, her face lighting up for a moment before she looks at him] … Do jello shots count. 

[whoa whoa what][oh it’s him][looks in the bag, her face lighting up for a moment before she looks at him] … Do jello shots count. 

Ah– h- hELLO HOW MAY I–

“Fun”, huh..

Sorry to cut your answer short, but no time for “yes”s and “no”s! Can you take me to a fire emergency exit?

[quickly, he leads him around the front desk and to the window of the second floor]

With a smile, Toris scanned over the book, and placed it neatly atop the pile of books that needed to be returned to their shelves later. “I’m very well! And yourself? Did you enjoy your novel?”

Ah– h- hELLO HOW MAY I–

Can I help you with anything else?

[looks to Toris] So, do you want to be my hostage for a while? It’ll be fun, don’t worry.

“Fun”, huh..

Ah– h- hELLO HOW MAY I–

Officer: Sir, have you seen a strange man in a suit run in here? He had lighter brown hair and hazel eyes.

Can I help you with anything else?