Page 98 of Beyond the Storm

Raiden:Man. I love cinnamon rolls.

Baxter:Of course you do. [grabs a cookie] To start off the interview, tell me what you and Titan have been up to since the end of the war.

Raiden:Why are you askin’? You see us, like, every day. We live on your island.

Baxter:Answer for the readers.

Raiden:Oh! Right. Um. Well, Ti and I have still been training with Nico and some of the other warriors. The war’s over, but it’s good exercise. And the kid has a lot of energy. He’s been living with us too. It’s nice. Oh, and we’ve been gardening a lot. We have a tomato plant I’m really proud of. Biggest, juiciest tomatoes ever. Perfect for grilled chicken sandwiches. Burgers too.

Baxter:Talking to you is refreshing. Your brothers have been… less than cooperative. One conned me, and the rest threatened to kill me at least once.

Raiden:I’ll only kill ya with flavor. But your taste buds will be happy.

Baxter:I have no doubts. So, you’ve started making cooking videos. How’s that going?

Raiden:Really good! It’s fun. Daman gave me the idea because he sent me a few funny videos of other people cooking. With Ti encouraging me, I made one, and it took off. I have a lot of followers now. But I see them more as friends. We all love food.

Baxter:I’m sure it’s not only the food they love. [eyes his huge biceps and silly smile]

Raiden:Huh?

Baxter:Nothing. All right. Let’s see… [looks at list] Oh, this one is interesting. Someone wants to know if there’s a food youwon’teat. Is that even possible?

Raiden: [brow furrows as he thinks hard] Um.

Baxter:Don’t hurt yourself.

Raiden:[starts to laugh] Okay, there’s not a food I can think of that I won’t eat. But there’s one that makes me giggle.

Baxter:What is it?

Raiden:Geoduck. It’s a large clam that has a long neck and looks like a dick. Like, no lies. It looks like a big pecker. I laugh every time I see one. It tastes amazing though.

Baxter:You have the humor of a twelve-year-old boy. It’s a good thing you’re cute. Next question. Would you ever like to have your own cooking show? And if so, what would you call it?

Raiden:I’d freakin’ love to have a cooking show. The name would be… [thinks] Raiden’s Kitchen. Simple, but it fits me. I’d share my favorite recipes that bring the family together. Breakfast coffee cake. Tahini sauce burgers. Chicken and dumplings. Some of those made from scratch buttery and flaky Southern-style biscuits too.

Baxter:Is that noise your stomach growling?

Raiden:[blushes] Yeah. Sorry. Talking about food always makes me hungry.

Baxter:You should eat a few pizza rolls before you keel over.

Raiden:Good idea. [shoves three into his mouth and talks as he chews] What else ya wanna know?

Baxter:I think that’s all.

Raiden:Cool. [grabs a cookie and stands up] I’ll leave the snacks here. Eat all you want.

Baxter:I appreciate your cooperation.

Interview Notes:He’s a goddamn ray of sunshine. Not much more to say.

Alastair:

Pride Tells All

Baxter:Before we start, I want you to know that I have one more interview after you. So none of that ‘saved the best for last’ bullshit.