[He looks at Akira then, really looks at him. And...well, he's trying not to do the thing with his face where people remark he looks scarily like his father - it's the expression that seems to say "do you take me for an idiot", and he hates unleashing it on people he has positive opinions of. So, the expression on Dwyer's face is schooled neutrality with a hint of disapproval. But maybe he just disapproves of these nasty 'shrooms.]

I did. You need to know what you're working with in order to cook it...but logically, mushrooms should soak up the flavors of whatever they are prepared with. I'm really hoping I can make them, at the least, palatable.

[Takes a breath, goes back to his prep.]

Are there really fire beetles around here...? I hadn't seen any.