Chapter Three - Progress Reports - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"Okay, everyone, gather round," Gandalf said.
"It tried to eat me, Sam!" Frodo exclaimed, as they took their seats. "Why would anyone write a book about eyes in the first place?"
"It was a book on optometry, Frodo. Don't worry, it's back at the library where it won't hurt anyone." Sam reassured him.
"Before we get started," Gandalf sighed, "Merry wants me to remind you all of his special needs this time around. Although how anyone who lives with 7 other people can get his social levels sunk into the red is beyond me."
"It's not my fault. You're all so busy and you need to pay attention to me. I'm a Social Butterfly."
"So social the aliens came to abduct you once again." Gandalf sighed as they took their seats.
"Lucky thing," Pippin muttered. "I wish they'd take me for once. Why is it always you?"
"I don't plan it that way," Merry said indignantly. "And at least there's no alien baby this time."
"Anyway," Gandalf said, breaking up the old argument about whether the last baby had been nephew or cousin before it could start, "let's begin with the skills. It's been ten days now. How are we doing? Who has the list?"
"I do," Gimli said, fishing out the paper. "So far, Legolas, Pip and Gandalf don't have a skill yet, Frodo is doing well with the cooking, Merry is fishing now, as well as his 'other activities', I'm working on handiness and Sam and Aragorn both have two skills each, Sam with the gardening, of course, and fishing, and Aragorn with Logic and Charisma."
"Well done, Sam and Aragorn!" Pip cheered.
"Thanks, but tell us, how are you managing to work at the diner without any cooking skill at all?"
"It's not easy." Pippin told him.
"Since we've got the sleeping arrangements worked out, well done, everyone...
I would like to add that sleeping in front of the facility door is frowned upon."
"It was only once." Gimli grumbled. "I'd like to add that due to complaints from the neighbours, all of us, but particularly my elf friend here, are asked
not to be running around in our sleepwear all day."
"It wouldn't be an issue if we could get that dresser. We've got a little money now, how shall we proceed?" Legolas retorted. "My vote is for decent clothes! Please!"
"There are a few other things to consider, Legolas. We did have the unfortunate kitchen incident." Sam said quietly, hoping Frodo wouldn't over react.
"Right!" Gandalf said briskly, forestalling Frodo's gibbering. "And what did we learn?"
"No one leaves for work while cooking waffles." The group chorused. "Or anything else."
"And Merry's solution to the crisis..." Pippin added,
"Isn't always a good thing."
"Since we need a new stove, I vote we get a bookshelf as well." Legolas said.
"Sam has generously offered to use his LTR points on Bookshop Bargainer and we'll stock up on skill books." Gmili pointed out. Everyone gave approving smiles to Sam, who blushed a little.
"You'd all do the same," he said, as Frodo hugged him. "But Frodo did bring up a good point last night. Has anyone else noticed the heat?"
"As a matter of fact, yes." Aragorn said, breaking out of his brooding stare. "Are we working with Seasons on? We're going to get snow?"
"We are." Sam said. "And we also now have horses running through the park while we're trying to sleep. You would think all the snoring would scare them away, but it seems not."
"Like sleeping in bloomin' Rohan all over again." Gimli said.
"Walls, then. We get the stove, the bookcase, and start preparing for winter. I don't know if we'll all be done by the snowfall, but better to be safe than sorry." Gandalf said. "Is there any other business?"
"Just when and how Boromir will incarnate." Aragorn said.
"He will." Gandalf told him. "Not to worry. Carry on and well done, gentlemen."
