3.35 – A Canadian Meal

The moment Aurora stepped inside Smoochie’s Poutinerie, she was met with a wave of warmth—both from the heaters and the restaurant’s cozy atmosphere. The place was small but brimming with personality, every inch packed with an eccentric mix of décor that practically screamed Canada.

Framed hockey jerseys lined the walls, featuring names Aurora didn’t recognize but who she assumed were legends in the sport. Antlers of various sizes were mounted between them, alongside playful signs like ‘In Case of Emergency’ on a glass case with a spoon and a display of one of Smoochie’s bowls of poutine, ‘Hug a Moose’ and ‘Maple Syrup: The True Lifeblood of Canada’. One particularly large chalkboard listed the day’s specials in loopy handwriting, its border covered in maple leaf stickers and doodles of smiling beavers.

The tables were sturdy, rustic wood, slightly mismatched as if they’d been collected over time rather than bought in a set. Red-and-black plaid cushions covered the chairs, and the booths were deep and inviting, with thick blankets folded neatly over the backs—probably for when it got extra cold. String lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over everything. The air was thick with the scent of crispy fries, rich gravy, and the faint sweetness of something maple-based sizzling in the back.

Mistral led the group to a booth near the back, where a reserved sign marked their spot. She stretched out, letting out a pleased sigh as she unfastened her cape. “Smoochie makes the best poutine in town. You’re in for a treat.”

Akari flopped into the booth across from her, immediately pulling the blanket down and wrapping it around her shoulders. “This place is adorable! Woe, it’s so cozy!” She rocked side to side happily. “And I can smell the French fries already. I’m starving!”

Asami slid into the seat beside her, far more composed but quietly scanning the menu as though analyzing her options with military precision. “I have had poutine before,” she said matter-of-factly. “It is… tolerable. You will probably like it, Akari.” 

Her doll sat on Asami’s shoulder. “Yummy! I would like to try something good too!”

Akari gasped in exaggerated horror. “Tolerable?! That’s not the level of enthusiasm I expected from you, Sniper! At least Dolly makes up for it.”

“Yes.” Her creepy doll grinned.

Asami merely adjusted her glasses. “I will be ordering a salad. Little Sammie will have…”

“Poutine!” Sammie said. “I would like to have that with everyone!”

Asami sighed and eyed Sammie with crinkling lips.

Aurora choked on a laugh as she settled in next to Mistral. “A salad? So Sammie was your doll’s name? You never told us before! Anyway, I find it funny that since we’re in Canada, you’re ordering leaves.”

“It is a Montreal-style smoked meat salad with a side of butternut squash soup, to be precise, not maple leaves,” Asami replied smoothly, closing the menu. “A perfectly reasonable choice.”

“Soup is acceptable,” Akari muttered. “But I’m getting the biggest, cheesiest, gravy-soaked mess of fries they have. It sounds very interesting!”

Aurora laughed and nudged Mistral with her shoulder. “What about you?”

Mistral hummed, flipping the menu over dramatically before smirking. “I’m going classic—large poutine, extra cheese curds. No one does it like Smoochie.”

At that moment, a faint shimmer of blue light crackled on Aurora’s shoulder before materializing into Holly’s elegant, doll-like figure. She perched gracefully, her hands clasped in front of her pristine uniform.

“Mmmm… if I had my old solid light holographic body, I would have noticed the scent of food, the warmth of good company,” she sighed dramatically. “A perfect setting for friends to spend time together, if only I could partake in the meal myself.”

Akari pouted. “Oh, that’s so unfair. You should be able to enjoy good food too, Hostess!”

Holly let out an elegant, digital giggle. “I appreciate the sentiment, Pyrodancer, truly. I do lament that I cannot summon a feast for you all myself—though, I imagine it would have been exquisite had I been able to. Alas, I must simply enjoy the evening through all of you.”

Aurora smiled, reaching up to tap Holly’s tiny hand, without making physical contact. “You are enjoying it with us. Just in a different way.”

Holly gave a small nod, her teal eyes shimmering softly. “That is true.”

A server approached then—a cheerful-looking woman with dyed green hair tied up in a messy bun, a bright red plaid apron over a black sweater. “Welcome to Smoochie’s! Mistral, long time no see,” she greeted before glancing at the group with curiosity. “And this must be your out-of-town entourage?”

Mistral chuckled. “Something like that. Smoochie, meet Aurora, Akari, and Asami. We’re all members of the Sentinels.”

Smoochie grinned. “Nice to meet ya all, and welcome to my little corner of Canadian cuisine.” She pulled a small notepad from her apron. “So, what can I get ya for?”

Akari shot her hand up first. “The largest poutine you can legally serve me, please.”

Smoochie snorted. “I like you, hahaha!”

Asami, still impossibly composed, gave a polite nod. “Montreal-style smoked meat salad and butternut squash soup.”

Mistral smirked. “Large poutine, extra curds.”

Aurora grinned. “I’ll go for a classic poutine too. Can I get a maple soda with that?”

“Oh, good call,” Akari said, perking up. “I’ll take one too.”

Asami merely lifted a brow. “Water here, please.”

Smoochie scribbled it all down. “Got it! Drinks first, food shortly.” She turned on her heel and disappeared toward the kitchen.

Aurora leaned back against the booth, stretching her legs out slightly. “This is nice,” she murmured. “Good food, good people. The best way to end the day.”

Mistral reached for her hand beneath the table and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Yeah,” she agreed, her voice softer. “It really is.”

The warm hum of the restaurant settled around them as Smoochie returned with their drinks, setting them down one by one. The maple sodas fizzed in their glasses, the rich, caramel-like aroma mingling with the scent of sizzling fries and melted cheese. Asami sipped her water without a word, while Akari eagerly reached for her drink, taking a long gulp before smacking her lips in approval.

“Mmmm! Oh, that’s good,” Akari said, eyes sparkling. “It’s like cream soda and caramel had a baby!”

Aurora grinned, lifting her own glass and taking a sip. The taste was smooth, rich, and unmistakably maple. “Yeah, it’s got that deep, buttery flavor. Canada, you’re doing sodas right.”

Mistral chuckled, stirring her straw lazily in her own drink. “It’s the best soda in the world, hands down. And yes, I am very biased.”

Asami, however, merely raised an eyebrow at their enthusiasm. “It is… overly sweet.”

Akari gasped in mock horror, dramatically clutching her chest. “Sniper, you wound me.”

“I prefer my drinks to be less… saccharine,” Asami responded simply, before taking another sip of her water, thoroughly unimpressed.

Holly, who had been listening with an amused smile, let out an exaggerated sigh. “Ah, if only I could taste it for myself. I imagine I would find it quite delightful. My condolences to you, Asami, for your lack of appreciation for sugary perfection.”

Akari snickered. “Right? Even Holly knows good taste when she hears it.”

Asami rolled her eyes but didn’t argue further.

Smoochie returned shortly, balancing a large tray loaded with steaming plates. “Alright, feast incoming!” She set the first dish down in front of Asami—a perfectly arranged smoked meat salad with a small bowl of golden butternut squash soup beside it, just as she ordered it. The rich, velvety scent of the soup was immediately inviting. “Salad and soup, for our sophisticated lady. And a tiny bowl of poutine for the… um… little dolly?”

“Much appreciated,” Asami said with a nod, inspecting the plate before delicately picking up her fork.

Next came Mistral and Aurora’s classic poutines, the large portions stacked high with golden fries, cheese curds, and thick, rich brown gravy. The aroma was intoxicating.

And then, finally, Smoochie hefted what could only be described as a monstrosity of a poutine onto the table. The dish was nearly overflowing, a heaping pile of fries absolutely drowning in cheese and gravy.

Akari’s eyes went impossibly wide. “By the Kami,” she whispered, reverent.

Smoochie laughed. “There you go, kid. The Mega Moose poutine. Usually reserved for eating challenges. If you can eat it inside thirty minutes without vomiting, you’ll get a nice t-shirt and your picture on the wall there.” She gestured at a wall with a scattering of pictures of those who had successfully beaten the challenge. “Good luck.”

Akari wasted no time grabbing a fork. “Whoa. I didn’t expect this… but um… I’m going to demolish this food! Itadakimasu!”

Mistral smirked. “You do that. Just try not to cheat. I’ll be watching you for the sake of Smoochie’s reputation. Plus if you pull off eating that pile of food, yours will be comped.”

Akari paused, considering the challenge. “I could toast the cheese a little more,” she mused, tiny flames flickering at her fingertips.

“No open flames at the table,” Smoochie called from the counter without even turning around.

Smoochie set down a clock on the table near Akari. It had been ticking down for a few minutes now from 30 minutes.

“Damn,” Akari muttered. “This is a challenge.”

Aurora chuckled, twirling a forkful of poutine. “This is gonna be great. Let’s dig in. Tell me, how have you both been doing since the Kitchen, Asami and Akari?”

“The Japanese government has offered me a job with them. I have been enjoying Japan. In several more months, I will return to Berlin.” Asami said, clasping her hands over her salad.

Akari had already started eating. She swallowed and blushed. “Um… I have been working with Asami for a little while. It’s been interesting. I have been working on drilling the Sentinels’ laws into her, but she doesn’t care much.”

“They are unreasonable. What is important is completing the mission. Sometimes difficult choices must be made.” Asami said.

“Mhm… that’s what she always says.” Akari said as she took another big bite of fries and cheese smothered in gravy. “Oishi!”

Everyone settled into their meals, the conversation flowing easily between bites. Aurora moaned happily after her first taste. “Ohhh, this is dangerously good.”

Mistral grinned. “Told you.”

Akari had already stuffed her mouth full of fries, barely pausing before giving a muffled, “Mmmmph.” She was giving it her all.

Asami, meanwhile, was eating with her usual composed elegance, taking careful bites of her salad and dipping her spoon into the soup. She couldn’t help eyeing Akari with faint interest, however. Her eating challenge amused her a little. She helped Sammie hold onto her little bowl as she stuffed herself with poutine, finishing with a messy mouth region. Aurora wondered if she would be stained.

Holly sighed wistfully. “If I had a heart, it would surely be aching with longing right now. This moment is so wonderful.”

Aurora nudged her lightly with a finger, failing to make contact. “You’re here with us, Holly. That’s the important part.” It made her a little sad that Holly couldn’t physically be a part of things.

Holly smiled, her shimmering teal eyes glowing just a touch brighter. “Yes… and I am enjoying myself. Even without the ability to eat, the company is quite fulfilling.”

Akari, having finally swallowed around half of her mountain of food, pointed her fork at Holly. “You know, I keep thinking there has to be some way to make it happen. Like, what if someone invented a taste simulator? Or you got a robot body that could actually eat?”

Holly’s expression turned thoughtful. “An interesting idea, but I doubt that robotic technology could make an artificial girl half as cute as I am. I would still be unable to eat.” She shrugged.

Akari nodded seriously. “Okay, true. But still—it would be worth a shot to see how much better life could be, right?”

Asami, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. “Holly, I have noticed that you have changed quite a bit since last we saw you. These months since the Kitchen have treated you well.”

Holly inclined her head. “I will take that as a compliment.”

“It is,” Asami confirmed simply before returning to her meal.

Mistral smirked, watching the easy camaraderie between everyone. “This is actually kind of nice,” she admitted. “I don’t usually do group meals. I’d go out and have a meal sometimes with Garou, but back then we never did much small talk. Tracking down Black Angel before she destroyed another town or city was our biggest priority.”

Aurora looked at Mistral sadly. She hadn’t indulged much in socializing as a superhero. Finding that out surprised her. She was beautiful and personable. “Well, I hope that this is the first of many evenings spent out with our peers and friends.” She raised her maple soda to offer a toast.

After a moment, everyone raised their glasses.

“I hope so as well.” Mistral chuckled.

“Me too!” Akari grinned. “I would like to see more of the world.”

They continued eating, laughter filling the small restaurant as the snowfall drifted lazily outside. The warmth inside was more than just the heaters or the food—it was the company, the shared experience of a battle won and a well-earned rest.

For now, they could just be together.

The meal stretched on with easy conversation, the kind that only happens when people share both good food and mutual respect. The scent of gravy, melted cheese, and warm spices filled the air, mingling with the occasional bursts of laughter from their table.

Akari was fighting her poutine. At some point, she had leaned back, patting her stomach, looking positively betrayed by how much was still left. “How… is there still more?” she groaned dramatically. “I feel like I’ve eaten half my body weight already.”

Aurora smirked, nudging her plate. “Tapping out?”

Akari sat up immediately, fire rekindled in her eyes. “I never tap out.” She took another determined bite, though slower this time.

Asami, finished with her meal long ago, simply raised an eyebrow. “Gluttony is an unbecoming vice, Akari.”

Akari waved her off, mouth full. “Shh, let me suffer in peace.”

Holly giggled, floating beside Aurora. “If only I could taste some of it for you, Akari. I imagine the suffering of facing such a challenge.”

Akari pointed a fork at her. “Thank you. It is hard. Let me focus, though, okay?”

Mistral, sipping her drink, was clearly amused by all of them. “Alright, alright. Don’t die on us, Pyrodancer. You still need to be able to walk out of here.”

“Looks like you might be starting to understand about ridiculous food challenges, Akari. Remember when you criticized me for eating fifteen heat curry back when we were eating at the curry place in Japan?” Aurora giggled.

Akari groaned again. “I can walk, it’s just going to be… very slow. It might simply be easier to roll.”

Aurora stretched with a satisfied sigh. “I’m glad we did this. I don’t often get to just sit and enjoy myself like this.”

Mistral nodded. “Yeah, same. Your friends are very cute.”

The timer went off and sadly, Akari hadn’t finished the whole contents of her bowl. Even so, she continued to determinedly eat, looking a little green around the proverbial gills.

Asami gave a small, approving nod at that, and even Akari—half-slumped in her chair from her food coma—gave a weak thumbs-up.

After a little more casual talk and the occasional teasing remark, Smoochie returned to clear the table. “Well, you lot looked like you enjoyed yourselves,” she said, stacking empty plates with practiced ease. “Feel free to stay and chat a little longer, but I gotta close up soon.”

Mistral smiled. “Thanks for the hospitality, Smoochie. It means a lot.”

The older woman waved her off. “Anything for our local heroine. Just make sure you don’t let this much snow pile up again.”

Aurora laughed. “We’ll try.”

They took that as their cue to start wrapping things up. Asami, ever-efficient, was the first to rise, adjusting the strap of her rifle. Akari took a little longer, groaning as she stood and stretched dramatically. “Ughhh. Okay. That was so worth it, but never let me order that much food again.” She looked somewhat ill.

Mistral smirked. “I make no promises.”

Aurora nudged her. “You chose this, Akari.”

Akari groaned again but laughed.

Mistral paid for their meals considering that they didn’t have any Canadian currency. If Asami had any, she didn’t volunteer to pay. Soon they were stepping out into the chilly night air. The snow had stopped, leaving a peaceful stillness in its wake.

Akari immediately shivered. “Ahhhh, nooo, I miss the warmth in Smoochie’s already!”

Asami pulled on her gloves, her expression as composed as ever. “You will be cold and most likely sick from overeating. You should have eaten less.”

Akari shot her a betrayed look. “Sniper, I thought we were friends.”

“I never said that we were.”

Aurora giggled as she adjusted her faux coat, feeling the pleasant weight of the meal settle in her stomach. “Well, this is where we part ways for the night, huh?”

Asami nodded. “Yes. Akari and I have accommodations at a nearby hotel. We will be leaving in the morning, but I suspect our paths will cross again someday. Perhaps in your San Isidro.”

Aurora smiled. “I’m looking forward to that day. Kinda. Please make it a social call rather than some grave emergency.”

She took their hands and pulled them into a big hug. After a moment, Mistral joined in and Holly materialized long enough to be part of the hug. She found herself face to face with Sammie, who grinned at her.

“Group hug!” Sammie said, delighted.

Akari was the first to speak after Sammie, “Take care, Aurora, okay? And Hostess, I’m very happy that you’re doing well now.”

Holly gave Akari a warm smile. “Thank you. Again, I’m sorry for what I did.” She bowed deeply to Akari and Asami.”

Akari waved her hands. “It’s okay. I’ve accepted what you did and why you did it. It took some time to forgive you for what you did to Apex, but I guess it’s water under the bridge now.”

Asami inclined her head slightly. “Aurora. Mistral. It was good to work alongside you both. And whether you mind it or not…” She eyed Mistral for a moment as she leaned towards Aurora and gave her a kiss on her cheek.

Mistral stiffened, but returned the nod when Asami left it at that. They watched as the two headed off toward their hotel, Akari still grumbling about the cold.

Aurora sighed contentedly, stepping closer to Mistral. “That was nice.”

Mistral hummed in agreement. “Yeah. But now I want to go home.”

Aurora glanced up at her, catching the warmth in her expression, the slight longing in her eyes.

Warmth. Comfort.

Anticipation.

Aurora smiled, reaching for her hand as they started walking. “Me too.”

Together, they disappeared into the quiet night, heading home for the warmth and coziness they had both been craving.