Challenge #04480-L096: One Thing in Common

Interest groups, they need somewhere to meet, and talk and do their thing. ranging from 'Stitch and Bitch' in a friendly coffee shop, through small rooms and spots in Public Libraries even 'the equivalent of 'Car Boot meets' Some one or being who shares your interests and sometimes has stuff to swap or sell or you just prop each other up. -- She Who Knits

Humans, it is well-known, need their packs. Those packs don't need to be Human,as it is also well known that they will pack-bond with anything. They do prefer to pack-bond with beings that can converse with them, all the same.

And what do they converse about? Shared interests.

Some are specialists, most are multifaceted. They group together according to their tribal allegiances and share with each other. And depending on the shared interest, they may also share an argument.

"That is too much hydration. You might as well pour it into a cake mould."

"If you focus just one more line further, you'll see that the recipe calls for chia seeds."

"I don't like chia, it's too crunchy and gritty."

"Not if you soak it in the 'excess hydration'."

"Don't you dare air quote at me. I never said those words in that order."

"For the fifth time, I don't air quote your words, I air quote your meaning. You certainly meant, and here is a direct quote, that there was 'too much hydration' in the recipe."

"Oh so_now_ you're air quoting me directly. Pick a lane!"

"Oh my sweet merciful Powers... Can we stick to the topic?"

"Yes, oh glorious taskmaster," one amongst the meeting genuflected mockingly. "Has anyone actually tried to do the hydration math on this one? I tried it with plain flour and it came out... uh..." they cringed, "...a bit sloppy."

"I told you there was too much hydration," crowed the initial objector.

"This is a recipe that calls for wholemeal flour... as well as chia seeds?"

"Uh guys? I think something's wrong with the beginner's instructions? I had to throw away my levan because it was getting bubbles in it?"

"It's supposed to get bubbles in it," sighed the leader. "Okay everyone, show of hands. Who actually followed the recipe and instructions as written?"

The assembled Humans in the group looked nervously around. Not a single hand raised.

"I didn't even try it," said the primary objector. "There was too much water."

The mandatory comedian in the rear recited, "I didn't have potatoes, so I substituted rice. I didn't have paprika, so I used another spice. I didn't have tomato sauce, I used tomato paste. A whole can, not a half a can--I do not like to waste. A friend gave me the recipe, she said you couldn't beat it!There must be something wrong with her --I couldn't even eat it."

"Hardy har har," deadpanned the objector. "You're the reason why these meeting rooms are soundproofed."

"Me? You're the one doing all the shouting, my friend."

The local sourdough aficionados meeting broke up shortly thereafter.

[Photo by Vicky Ng on Unsplash]

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