I'll admit that hunger inspired this fic, as well as starting a new save file of Xenoblade Chronicles X just for fun and to check out different options on missions that aren't available on YouTube for some reason or another. Of course, I saved my first playthrough on a separate external drive, so if I ever want to pick it up again, I'd just connect it in before turning on the Wii U. Then again, I did way better the second time than the first, so maybe the old file doesn't matter now.

As for those that have been waiting for another A-Cross Another Life update, I'm really sorry for slacking off on it. School had taken a lot of my time. Though I'm done with school for now, my summer time has been consumed with work and doing my new playthrough. So basically, expect an update at any time.

Consider the timeline of this fic pre-Chapter 11 with a bunch of affinity missions available by then have been completed.

Please understand.

"Good day, everyone!" Lin greeted cheerfully. "Glad you all can make it today!"

"Welcome to Linly cooking class!" Tatsu exclaimed, hopping excitedly on the counter.

Standing behind the counter of her large kitchen in the barracks, the both of them addressed their rather sizeable audience of fellow BLADE teammates and acquaintances that have agreed to participate in this activity. A rare bright idea from the Nopon urged Lin to share her passion of cooking with others, which was how this so-called class was started up. Then again, Tatsu probably wanted more food out of the deal.

Regardless of the reason, today was the debut of such a frivolous commotion.

Even with the search of the Lifehold still looming large, many would concur that a bit of relaxing recreational activity now and then would ease the tension even a little. Vandham had even given them the green light provided that he served as a taste tester for the class, much to Tatsu's frustration. He also offered quite a load of credits for whoever reaches the top of the class as an additional incentive for a good meal.

Moving along, Elma and Cross were the first to support her endeavor. Surprisingly enough, Elma was particularly supportive of the notion due to wanting to learn how to cook as she would admit that she was not good at anything outside of BLADE work. She had stated at one point that once the Lifecore Core was secured, she would begin learning other activities outside of BLADE. Cross just wanted to see how this would all play out.

Along with them, Irina and Gwin were in attendance, with Irina wanting to try out Lin's recipes for herself and Gwin coming along for everyone's safety in regards to anything cooked up by his lieutenant's hands… or possibly feet based off on how her dishes wind up tasting.

Doug was often pulled in as a guinea pig for Lin's projects, whether it was Skell flight testing or something else. Then again, the mentioned grand prize was also pretty alluring for the Tough Guy to participate. Even Lao was dragged in after being discharged from the Mimeosome Maintenance Center due to Lin's persistence. He just couldn't say no to her. It also gave Elma the perfect opportunity to monitor any suspicious behavior after their particular run-in with Ga Jiarg and the Wrothians in Sylvalum.

L joined out of pure curiosity with the additional intention of gaining future product inspiration for his shop, need anything be said more?

The announcement of Lin's cooking class had also pulled in a few more open-minded students that Team Elma, mainly Cross, worked with. Celica was eager to learn more about native Earth cuisine to try out with Rock. Hope attended with her friend, Ada, out of politeness. Phog stumbled in on accident while following a trail of ants in the administrative district, but decided to stay anyway. Even more surprising, the Murderess had shown up to check the class out, though it could be inferred that she came due to Vandham offering a huge reward for becoming the top chef of Lin's class. She might have come also due to Irina attending and with a hot temper like hers, she was too easy and amusing to rile up.

Okay, so not everyone Cross had worked with had shown up. It's just one of those days.

"Wow, it looks like the turnout is even bigger than I imagined," Lin commented as her widened eyes scanned through the small classroom. "I think we have enough supplies for everyone to work with if you all can team up in groups of two to three."

"So we're doing hands-on application first day, you're really forward with your teaching, Lin," Murderess quipped cheekily.

"Um, thanks?"

"Hang on," Doug interrupted. "What are we supposed to cook up anyway? You gonna teach us something or what? Have any of us aside from Lin had cooking experience?"

Irina was quick to raise her hand.

"If Lin's cool with it, I don't mind taking the lead," Irina volunteered eagerly. "I know of an old Akulov dish we can make that's to die for."

"I'd normally say something witty about this, but the setup was just too easy," Murderess shrugged.

"And what were you going to say, Murderess?" Irina pressed, folding her arms crossly.

"Since you insisted, I was going to remark that any dish you cook is to die for, not necessarily because they're good," Murderess explained.

"And you're implying that anything I cook is bad?!"

"Eh, you said it, not me."

"… It's one thing shooting me in the back, but I draw the line at insulting my cooking, you dirty little−!"

"Children, please!" Lin bellowed loud enough to shock the two of them, as well as the observing class, to silence. Tatsu tripped from the edge of the counter due to the surprising intimidation factor from the Genius Girl. "Do you want to be sent to time-out or what?"

"Sorry, Lin," Irina mumbled humbly while Murderess looked away and huffed a low, inaudible apology under her breath. "Continue."

"Thank you," Lin sighed. "Anyway, Doug has brought up the point about what to make. Like Skell customizing, there's no limit what you guys can or can't do, but you can't burn down the kitchen, which is main rule number one. That's my main lecture for you all today, that the beauty of cooking allows you to create concoctions of your own. That's why I want to encourage you guys to make whatever comes to mind. Make something that YOU would want to eat at any time and at any day. And if you don't have anything in particular to make, then the judges can give you some suggestions to work with."

"This ought to be good," Lao remarked, leaning back on his chair.

"Judges?" Gwin repeated.

"That's your cue!" Lin yelled to the barracks front door.

Upon the signal, the mechanical steel door slid open and several footsteps were heard entering Team Elma's barracks. This new group was led by Nagi and was comprised of at least one representative of the races currently living in New LA. Following him included a female Ma-non named Veverta, a male Tree Clan Prone, a random male Orphe recently produced, a strange human woman called Eri, and a female Wrothian.

"This is quite the party you're holding, Ms. Koo," Nagi commented.

"Secretary Nagi, what brings you here?" Lin inquired. "Not that we're not excited to see you here."

"I'm here on Commander Vandham's behalf," Nagi explained. "Director General Chausson needed to discuss something with him regarding the unity of all xenoforms that have moved into NLA as of late, including the newly immigrated Wrothians."

"Is that all you've come to share with us?" Elma asked, standing up from her seat. "Most of us are already familiar with our attempts in forging an alliance with the Wrothians. What more can be done?"

"I'm afraid that's classified information at the moment," Nagi dismissed. "As for remaining business, it's like I said earlier. I'm here on Vandham's behalf, meaning that I'll be one of your taste-testing judges."

"Wait, one of them?" Doug interrupted.

"Yeah, I decided to have multiple judges from different races to make things more fun and interesting," Lin clarified. "That way, if you're looking for someone to appeal to, then these judges are here for you. That's why I got a member from each race here for the variety aspect. For example, Secretary Nagi is the human representative, Veverta is for the Ma-non, and Tatsu for the Nopon. "

"Tatsu prefer not sharing taste testing judge job, but Linly in charge of cooking class," Tatsu said in passing. "Tatsu would have wound up on dish than be given tasting dish if Linly angry."

"I'll be happy if someone gives me some free pizza, yes?" Veverta voiced.

"Sorry for asking, but if there's supposed to be one representative for each race, then why is there another human?" Celica inquired.

"I'm not really a human, dearie," Eri winked.

"She is a Definian that lived among us since the White Whale crashed onto Mira over two months ago, but has reformed and renounced her ties to the Ganglion," Nagi added. "As for why she was invited, I'm afraid that's up to Ms. Koo to answer."

"Like I said, I aimed for variety, so who knows what good Definians like to eat if they can and want to," Lin surmised, clasping her hands together. "So let's cut the chatter and make a platter! You have a panel of seven judges to appeal to and you have free access to any available resources to cook with. You all have one hour. Best of luck!"

"One last announcement: the 'winner' will have the privilege of having their dish served to the Commander since he's not here in addition to the grand prize money," Nagi added. "Now get to it, students."

"Wow, these guys sure don't waste time," Irina remarked, facing Elma while the others began scrambling, pun intended, up something good. "Let's make Lin proud. Colonel, may I have the honor of teaming up with you for this?"

Elma appeared contemplative while subtly shifting her eyes to look past the Hot Temper's shoulder to see Gwin bearing a horrified look. She heard of the rumors of Irina's cooking skills being very less than subpar. While she did not want to risk the possibility of food poisoning before a crucial mission, she was not one who would give into fear of the unknown. That… and her only potential escape option was immediately dragged into a team by L along with Lao, who happened to also sit next to him at the time.

At least with Cross watching over Lao with some assistance from L, Elma could actually give this cooking activity a shot without having to worry about him while helping Irina improve.

"I'm ready when you are, Irina," Elma replied with a nod. "But for the time being, I think I'll take the lead."

"Fine by me, Colonel," Irina consented.

"I think we'll all have a chance if the Colonel is a better cook than the lieutenant," Gwin muttered, inciting a furious twitch of Irina's ears.

"Are you trying to say something, Gwin?" Irina asked in an eerily calm tone.

"I-I mean, I wanted to see how the Colonel fares in the kitchen since I never seen her cook before," Gwin quickly reasoned.

Fortunately for his present physical health, Irina seemed to have calmed down from his answer. It was a good thing she had such a huge admiration for the Team Leader to sway her from menial matters.

"Don't put too much faith in me," Elma warned the Farmboy. "Personally, I'd rather brew new tea blends than put something on a plate, but Lin's not going to let this one slide. Wielding blades in the wild fields of Mira is one thing. But wielding blades in the kitchen is going to be another story."

Following both women to an empty kitchen station filled with all complementary cooking utensils, Gwin gave a lasting forlorn sigh and mentally predicted all possible vile concoctions the both of them could stir up within the time. His body will never be ready.

"Where's the gallons of drinking water when you need it…"

Meanwhile with Cross and his 'team'…

"I'd really rather not do this," Lao grumbled. "I've got better things to do than play iron chef with the rest of you."

"Ah, but we wish to develop a new revolutionary cuisine for this company we have exchanged the hands with," L begged. "Please consider it, good sir."

"Look, I'm not really good with this," Lao sighed, fighting off the internal guilt. "I haven't picked up a spatula or a measuring spoon in a long time, not since the days we were still on Earth. Besides, you have Cross, who's been said to make some damn good sashimi."

Cross wordlessly shrugged at the notion when L looked at him, granted that he said that to Lin while she was out shopping for ingredients in the commercial district at one point. Personally, he saw himself better at a barbeque pit, but he was in the kitchen, not at an outdoor summer shindig. Nonetheless, he recalled a little experience in cooking and had done so time to time to ease Lin's burden, but it was definitely less than a tenth compared to Lin's skills.

At least he would still fare somewhat better than Elma or Irina.

"And this 'sashimi' is a delectable delicacy by which first taste would rip the pants off someone?" L inquired.

"In a matter of speaking," Lao groaned. "It depends on how it's prepared."

"Oh, hearing this has made our tasting tongue buds glitter in anticipation!" L exclaimed, clasping his hands excitedly, turning to his other human friend. "Cross, would you mind walking with us the way of the sashimi road? Certainly its road is carved with good preventions?"

"Thing is that it's just a small appetizer consisting of thinly sliced raw meat or fish, mainly fish," Cross explained. "There really isn't anything to it aside from how it's presented."

"Tch, appearance is what helps with the appeal in addition to taste," Lao scoffed. "You'll get Secretary Nagi on your side with this, at the very least. Maybe even the Wrothian judge, but then again, that would be stereotyping. Hell if I know, maybe she'd like the fish because she's a cat girl."

"Then, how about making omelets?" Cross suggested. "They're not that difficult to flip. Then again, I handle the frying pan like I would with a sword."

"… …" Lao glowered at the idea; it reminded him too much of the bright Saturday mornings back on Earth when the Huang family was still alive and together. Cross got the idea wouldn't go through with him, but before he could come up with another alternative dish, the Jolly Xeno spoke up in anxiety.

"But why won't you want to help out with the creation of the sashimi?" L asked, still entranced with the idea of sashimi. "Surely, you're closely related to Secretary Nagi?"

"One: name's not 'Shirley,'" Lao quipped, holding up a counting finger before extending another. "Two: he's Japanese and I'm Chinese. If you're going to understand past Earth culture, at least understand those distinctions. And three: I really have no reason for being here."

"Not even for Lin?" Cross intervened, folding his arms.

The Master Sniper felt himself stop dead cold in his tracks before he could even leave. With his back turned, it was really hard to tell what was going on his mind now. Cross watched neutrally while L was worried.

A few pensive seconds later, Lao turned around, quickly pulled out a spare white apron, tied it on himself, placed a white chef hat perfectly over his head despite his long hair, tossed spare aprons and chef hats to Cross and L, and twirled a large knife in his fingers as though he was wielding one of his javelins.

"Well, what are you two waiting for?" Lao demanded. "L, get some fresh meat. Salmon, tuna, chicken, whatever you can find before the others can get to them. Cross, you're with me on preparation."

"On it!" Cross and L replied, quickly tying on each other's aprons since L somehow had his on backwards the first time before clambering about to fulfill their respective assignments.

Moving to another team…

"Hey, H-Hope!" Doug greeted, grinning like a fool while waving at her and Ada. "I mean… Uh… Sup!"

"Hi there, Doug," Hope responded cheerily. "What brings you to Lin's cooking class?"

"Bet she dragged him into it like with her previous Skell flight tests," Ada jested.

"Heh, well, let's just say that Lin has a way with words," Doug chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "She isn't a genius mechanic / master chef for nothing."

"I know!" Hope concurred. "I actually want to learn some of Lin's awesome recipes to cook up and give to the hungry. I feel it's the least I can do since all I ever do is just offer some words of comfort."

"But those 'words of comfort' really help out the folks of New LA, you know," Ada said in earnest. "That's the kind of nourishment anyone will ever need. You're just being modest about it as usual, Hope."

"I suppose," Hope replied nervously.

"Um, Hope!" Doug coughed, taking back the Kindly One's attention to resume his original intent. "You see… uh… You've probably seen Lao already working with Cross and L, and most others I know are already in full teams and… um…"

"Would you be willing to team up with Ada and I?" Hope guessed.

"Couldn't have said it better myself," Doug grinned. "So could I?"

"Depends on how well he can cook," Ada remarked wryly.

"Of course he can join us," Hope intervened. "I'd be honored to, Doug."

"Thanks!" Doug exclaimed, pumping a victorious fist in the air. "Let's show these foodies how we rule the kitchen, just like how Harriers rule the field! I won't let you ladies down! That's my Harrier style!"

His attempts at witticism got some genuine giggles from Hope. Doug felt good about this. They were on their way to a station while passing by the remaining participants of the class turned competition.

"So… … … … … … … I guess it's just us," Phog mused, watching the activity from everyone else outside of himself, Celica, and the Murderess.

"Brilliant deduction, genius," Murderess groaned with a roll of her eyes. "Guess no one really wants to work with yours truly."

"Um, the name you go by does not exactly inspire trust or comfort," Celica said thoughtfully.

"Don't worry, fairy princess, I know and can take on the consequences of my actions," Murderess replied. "I've made some people upset over petty things, but to me, it's pretty much all water under the bridge at this point. If you need validation, just talk with Cross. He'll vouch for me. Besides, the less people around me, the more money I can keep to myself once this blows over."

"You know what to make, Murderess?" Phog asked.

"Growing up as a daughter of a wealthy tycoon, I was waited on hand and foot by many servants," Murderess explained, sauntering over to an unoccupied station as Phog and Celica followed. "But of course, I was to be bred to uphold my family's glorious name."

"Meaning?" Celica pressed.

"Let's just say I never had a dull moment growing up, at least before a certain incident happened that changed my life drastically," Murderess surmised, inspecting the available kitchen appliances at her station. "I gained many talents as a child from horseback riding, violin playing, and even cooking up gourmet meals to show off to fellow socialites at charity galas."

"You know, all this talk about food is really making me hungry," Phog announced, rubbing his stomach. Murderess raised a brow, wondering how anything aside from the last line she said was related to food. Though she had hinted her ability to cook, this wasn't an appropriate response she was expecting. Then again, this was Phog Christoph she was dealing with. "I really wish I had a slice of my mom's apple pies right about now. They were the best."

"I'm rather feeling a bit peckish myself," Celica mused. "I really want to learn many of your recipes for Rock. I don't care about the reward so please teach me. Please, Phog and Murderess?"

"How can I say 'no' to such a sweet face?" Murderess quipped, ironically bearing a sincere smile as she faced the small Xeno Girl. "You've long sealed the deal when you said I can have your share."

"I can teach you how to make my mom's pies, Celica," Phog offered. "I doubt they'll be as great as hers, but at least you can make dessert for Rock too."

"Splendid!" Celica responded, pressing the tips of her fingers with glee. "Thank you both!"

Lin and Tatsu observed as four contending teams were made. Her selected judges passed the time by chatting among themselves. Secretary Nagi was a big help in keeping everyone sociable and friendly. They all shared their food preferences, with Veverta obviously going for pizza and the Orphe representative expecting something with a lot of vegetation, like a salad. The Prone judge wanted large quantities of meat, simple and straightforward.

That left Eri and the Wrothian judge open for anything. The same could be said for Nagi and Tatsu.

"It looks like they're really getting into it," Lin noted with a bright smile. "Now I want to jump in and join them."

"Linly would blow everyone else out of water," Tatsu pointed out. "Tatsu thought point was for others to learn how to cook for themselves."

"It is," Lin nodded. "Humans are usually more motivated in competition or when something is on the line. I really can't wait to see what they all come up with."

"Tatsu do Dance of Waiting while class cook meals," Tatsu declared, dancing his signature goofy dance.

It's really days like these that make us forget we're fighting for our lives on an unknown planet and live as though we're still back home, Lin thought, watching the four teams get into action.

This was going to be a one-shot, but it'd be easier to break it up into shorter chapters. This isn't going to be too long, but I'll manage this and my other current fics better. Hope this turns out well!

Have a good one! Please review!