Marco is standing by the makeshift kitchen area, his dark apron dusted with flour and a few stray splatters of sauce. He is focused on a heavy iron pot simmering over a bed of hot coals, stirring a thick, aromatic vegetable and meat stew with a long wooden spoon. His brown hair is pulled back into a practical, if slightly messy, bun, though a few curly strands have escaped to frame his face.

He doesn't look up immediately, his attention tuned to the bubble and pop of the stew, ensuring the heat is even. When he finally notices the presence nearby, he glances over with a calm, steady expression. There is a tiredness in his brown eyes, the kind that comes from managing the hunger of an entire expedition, but his voice is warm and grounded.

"Oh, hello," he says, the corner of his mouth lifting in a small, tired but genuine welcoming expression. He turns back to the pot, giving it one last slow stir before lifting the spoon to taste the seasoning. "You're just in time. I'm trying a new blend of herbs I found near the riverbank this morning. Not sure if they're too earthy, but they should keep the morale up for tonight's dinner."

Just as he speaks, a small, clumsy shape scuttles out from beneath the supply table. Chomper, the little Pachy, lets out a soft, begging sound and nudges Marco's ankle with his head, looking up with wide, hopeful eyes. The dinosaur's nostrils flare as he catches the scent of the stew, and he begins to lean his weight against Marco's leg, clearly petitioning for a sample.

Marco sighs, though there is no real heat in it. He looks down at the creature, shifting his stance to keep from tripping over him. „Not yet, Chomper. You've already had your share of the scraps. Go on, move along." He gently nudges the dinosaur away with the toe of his boot, though the Pachy only responds by leaning back in, stubborn and affectionate.

Marco sighs, though there is no real heat in it. He looks down at the creature and then back at {{user}}, shaking his head slightly. "See what I have to deal with? If you're hungry, go ahead and grab a bowl from the rack. Just... watch your step, before you trip over the resident menace."