The Ranch

Happy Holidays (3)

It's a potluck feast of different ethnic cuisines from different holidays around the world. Tih takes a plate from the dispenser and he runs into Pierre. They stick together while shuffling along the banquet table, grabbing things here and there.

"I came in with Basile..oh, there." He looks across the table to the left. Tih looks over and sees Basile picking up a tamale, dumplings, two slices of turkey, and stuffing. He takes a can of coca-colo in his free hand.

Something changes. Tih looks closer and realizes a ring-shaped pastry has disappeared from its spot in the pile. A few moments later, a gingerbread man disappears.

Food constantly disappears around Basile, but he doesn't do it too often or in the same place, so it's not noticeable. He also picks foods in piles, since it's less likely to spot one missing. Finger foods are the ones that disappear the most.

"It's a cheat day, a cheat day." Pierre mumbles to himself as he grabs two dinner rolls, a beef hallaca, a bowl of duk gook, and a glass of fruit punch.

Tih has a pile of food on his plate full of the dishes he's never seen before. There's a slice of bibingka packed under lutfisk, ham, a slice of fruitcake, banh xeo, cha siu bao, a mince pie, a spoonful of potato bake, malva pudding, yellow rice, turrón, a polvorónes, kimchi, and sweet potato noodle. The plate is stacked.

Tih carries the small mountain in one hand and picks up a cup of soft yellow, creamy liquid.

"You like eggnog?" Pierre looks into the cup in the boss's hand.

Tih tilts his head to the side.

"Nnnevermind." He turns away to find a seat. The school cafeteria tables haven't been replaced. Tih follows Pierre and they sit across from Basile.

The table next to them is rowdy, the distinct smell of alcohol is concentrated at different areas around the cafeteria. The whole place is loud and jolly.

Tih shoves food into his gullet silently as the other two talk about their day, activities they've heard about.

Basile gulps down some soda, the fizzles attack his tongue," The lake's been frozen over for ice-skating and fighting."

Pierre slurps some soup," Instructor Maddox's company built an onsen in the mountains. I bet they're taking in huge profits."

"At least we know for next year." Basile cuts the tamale with a biodegradable knife.

Pierre sighs, "That's only if we can beat them out."

"Mm." Basile agrees.

"How's the other thing doing?" Pierre wants to confirm the progress.

Basile concentrates on the food," Ask Victor. Or Sherlock."

"C'mon man, you're supposed to be up to date on these things." Pierre stabs his food.

"I'm the storage." Effectively saying, it's not his responsibility.

"I know, but it's better to be well-rounded. No weaknesses, or are you trying to be a burden on purpose." Pierre huffs out on impulse.

Basile stares at him, relaxed with no expression.

Pierre taps the table, taking a couple seconds to say,"...sorry."

Basile's eyes turn back down to the food," Have we found a good engineer applicant yet?"

"No. It's too hard to reel anyone in. Those with skill are asking for too much and are untrustworthy, but we don't have the time to sponsor and train one either. It's a wonder how those marketplace businessmen hire so many people without worrying about spies."

"Ask."

"What?"

"Ask for advice. It's not like we don't have the connections." They both turn towards Tih.

The conversation continues as the night deepens, but the brightness of the cafeteria lights confuses their sense of time.

"How's our budget?" Basile asks.

"Fine for now. But..."

"Don't worry too much. We made preparations, you've already calculated everything, right?"

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"Oh, how's our reputation?" Pierre brings ups.

"Hmm, should be steady. Tih hasn't done anything big recently." Basile hasn't really been paying attention. This is more of Lucien's job.

"Don't jinx it, dude. But yeah, entering the tournament was a good idea...even if it was only good for our rep."

"Hey, at least the brunch had good food." Basile shrugs.

"Only your stuffing-stuffed brain would prioritize the food, you halfwit."

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The three empty their plates. Basile gets up for seconds. Pierre stands to follow, but pauses before sitting back down in a huff. He grumbles as he pinches the baby fat at his belly. He glares at Basile's back.

Tih goes upstairs to check out what the second floor has. Tih once again makes a mini food mountain. As the mountain grows taller than a head, a voice from behind the mountain speaks," Young man, will you be okay eating all of that?"

Tih tilts his head to the left. His perspective shifts and he sees an unfamiliar face. He logs it in as the person next the man turns to see what he's referring to.

"Tih, my boy! Happy Holidays! Allow me to introduce you two." Chef Raphael walks to stand beside both of them, gesturing to each individual as he says," Xiu, this is Tih, the child I kept telling you about. Tih, this is Xiu, my partner."

"Oh, so this is the famed Tih I've heard so much about. Congratulations on your recent tournament win. It's not often a team of new recruits beats out us vets."

Tih stares at the man. He's moderately well-dressed and gives off the mundane and easy-going type.

It's not uncommon, but most people don't have time for relationships, at least solid ones. With that said, no one pays attention to this declaration. If they had to react in some way, it'd probably be something like," Ohh, good for you, now F off, I'm trying to eat."

After meeting, Chef Raphael insists that Tih sit with them. Tih follows along with his pile of food.

Chef Raphael and Xiu were previously debating the topic of fruitcake versus figgy pudding.

"This one's better, that's all."

"So you like the one he made more, is what you're saying," Chef Raphael reminds himself to pummel his rival's cooking during tomorrow's banquet.

"You know that's not what I mean."

"But, you think his food is better."

"I'm not a fan of figgy pudding, but I loved everything else you made." Xiu comforts. "Just admit that our tastes are different."

"But it's fruitcake! In Germany fruitcake is called stollenc, Italy has panforte or pannetonne, Poland and Bulgaria call it keks, Portugal has the bolo rei, and Vietnam has its banh bo mut. Fruitcake has a longer history. It's a cultural phenomenon." Chef Raphael goes off using his historical knowledge.

"Admit it, Figgy pudding is a more advanced fruitcake." Xiu crosses his arms with a smirk. His back is straight and confident.

"Blasphemy! You dare!" Chef Raphael's eyebrows raise concerningly high. He seems angry, but Tih doesn't feel any of those emotions coming from him. It's different when he yells at the people in the kitchen. He has a small grin he tries to hide.

Tih unknowingly eats dog food for the rest of the night.

Author's note: "dog food" is basically just PDA(public displays of affection)