driftfleet | Just Keeping Swimming

Just Keeping Swimming | March Planet Mingle

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: If you want!
Action: Anywhere on Mafik
When: The month of March

[Welcome to Mafik, the water world! Hope you brought your best swimming gear and don't have a paralyzing fear of water, because that's all that's here! So get out those wet suits and enjoy life under the sea!

In other words, it's a mingle! ]

> System Information

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Meat works. I drank a lot of protein shakes before, too.

[Meat, fish, chicken, beef, pork, beans, tofu, whatever was available. Food is amazing when you're just learning about what "taste" is.]

But uh, yeah, I guess I am? I never really asked any of the other swords what they liked 'cause we all were learning about food together.

Hm, well, I like sweets. But vegetables and sandwiches are good... [She's thinking about this ver seriously.] Ah, but they need to have the right texture and taste, too.

[Then an idea hits her!] Well, I'm a cook on the Paisley. You're welcome to come over so you can try some things! I'd be more than happy to whip up some dishes.

[Human mouths are picky. As long as something isn't too spicy, he'll probably eat it. Spicy hurts.]

Uh...I don't have a lot of money to pay you back for that.

[And he isn't about to sell his gold troop ball. Even if that would rake in the cash like nothing else.]

But I can do some work if you need payment.

[Again with the surprises.]

What? No. I'm offering-- I don't need anything in return. You seem like you'd be interested in trying things, and I like cooking.

[He is not Tsurumaru, but apparently he is full of surprises right now.]

....

[So this is free?

Aw hell yissssss]

Oh, then sure. I'll eat whatever you decide to put in front of me as long as it's edible.

[Never forget when the older swords decided iron ore belonged in a hotpot. RIP their dinner.]

As long as you honestly tell me what you think of it. Things shouldn't all taste the same.

[She seems very adamant about this. Finding favorite dishes is super important.]

[Okay, but...food is...food??? He doesn't really know the difference between good food and bad food. He just eats whatever is put in front of him.]

What if I can't tell the difference? Taste is still a pretty new concept to me.

Then I'll be sure to make them different enough that you can tell. Don't worry about that at all!

[Throughout the conversation, Asuna's very excited at the very idea of it all. Still, since making food in the real world takes time...]

Oh, but you must be hungry right now. We can stop somewhere for food if you'd like.

[Of course, now he is a little worried because sword concepts of what constitutes food can be really skewed. Like putting iron ore into a hotpot or eating wild berries and puking in the woods because they didn't know any better.]

I guess I could eat?

[He isn't sure if he's hungry so he stares down at his stomach. It's hard to tell with the wetsuit covering everything.]

My stomach isn't in pain so maybe I can wait a bit.

[And yes, that's how he tells he's hungry.]

Are you hungry?

I am. And that's not a good way to tell if you're hungry at all!

[Jeez, she has her work cut out for her! She sighs a little.]

Come on, I know a place nearby that's pretty good, it'll be my treat.

Well, how else are you supposed to tell?

[Asking honestly because most of them just eat on a schedule and if he missed it, he'd just wait until his stomach hurt to go find food....]

But you don't have to pay for me. I'm pretty sure I get paid for existing here.

[No idea why though.]

We'll discuss that more once we sit down to eat. [Because figuring that one out requires fuel for her own brain.]

No, I don't have to. But I will because I want to.

[She looks at him again.] Uh, would you rather swim properly this time?

[Swimming is so tiring. He's bad at it, has a lot to juggle, and he tends to just sink to the bottom and Struggle.

Instead, he looks from his bagged up sword to Asuna and then holds it out to her.]

No, it'll take me too long to follow you. Just take this and go ahead.

I'll be there when you arrive.

[She blinks as he holds ~~himself~~ the sword out to her, hesitating before she takes it.]

How does that work exactly? I mean, can this... uh, do you feel anything when someone holds this?

Not really.

[But it still makes him uncomfortable. He shifts from one foot to the next and then looks away.

This is easier than swimming and he is nothing if not practical, even at times like these.]

Just be careful with it. And don't drop me.

[And it suddenly dawns on her exactly how much trust he's placing in her here. Asuna nods resolutely. Leave it to her!]

Of course. You'll just know when we arrive, then? If there's nothing else I need to be aware of, I'm ready anytime.

I'll get a sense of it.

[He stays vaguely aware of his surroundings even when he doesn't have a physical body anymore. It's just...harder here. Everything is harder here. The more he does this, the harder it is every time to go in or to come back out. He'll probably need to cool it for awhile, but this is the easiest way he can think of to show people that he's not like the rest of the humans here.]

Whenever you're ready.

Okay. I'll see you there.

[With that, Asuna takes off again, propelled forward by her wings. Speed is important, seeing how uncomfortable this was for him.

~MAGICAL TIME SKIP?~]

[He waits until she's on her way and then closes his eyes. It's getting so much harder to do this every time, but soon he vanishes.

Let's Do the TIIIIMEEEE WAAAAAARP AGAAAAAAAAIN

And when they arrive at their destination and she's resting, there will be a bright burst of light and cherry blossoms that spontaneously appear. And suddenly he's just there, looking around and a little disoriented.]

So this is it?

Ah-! [The sudden appearance of the light, cherry blossoms (?!), and him again elicit a small shout of surprise. After a deep breath, she nods, regaining herself and answering him at the same time.]

Y-yeah, it is. [Asuna goes to take the sword to hand to him, but stops short of actually picking it up again.] Are you all right?

[He jumps when she shouts, but only a little. He keeps forgetting that it's weird for people to see them remanifest.

He drags a hand through the water around him, clearing the cherry blossoms away as best he can before rubbing his face.]

Thanks for bringin' me. And yeah...I'm fine I think. It's not a big deal.

[He's just tired and a little dizzy, but that'll go away soon, right? Totally.]

Of course. [But since he doesn't sound convincing at all, Asuna stands and walks over to him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she guides him over to the table she was just at and has him sit down. His sword-self is laying on said table right in front of him.

With that, she steps back to look at him better. A quick moment is all she needs to make a decision.]

My bet is you're still learning what "fine" actually means. Just sit right here, and I'll be back in a few minutes with something to eat. I have a feeling that'll help you feel better. If you move, I'll know.

[She is super serious about this.]

[Okay, see? This is why he can't have nice things.

Here he was, minding his own business, getting beaten up by fish and now his ability to take care of himself is being attacked - attacked!!!! - by a girl who doubts him. He'd be affronted if he knew what the hell was going on.

He tries to protest, but she's moving him along and all he can do is look shocked for a minute and then be forced to sit.]

I know what "fine" means - it means I ain't dead.

[But since she's serious about knowing if he moves, he sits where he's been told to sit. He doesn't know what other weird powers she has along with those wings and the ears and everything.

That doesn't mean he can't be a petulant child about it though, so he leans back in the chair and crosses his arms over his chest.]

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Just Keeping Swimming | March Planet Mingle

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