driftfleet | (no subject)

[For the most part, Misty spends little time on the ship - she's either out at the hospitals helping the sick Dasioe, exploring the kelp forests and coral reefs, or... she finds herself drawn again and again to the ghost town, that place of death.

However, there are two projects she's working on on the Paisley that require her to be around at least every couple of days. One, with all the healing she's having to do, she has to come back to the kitchen periodically to brew up more potions. The second project is less grim - she's trying to recreate the kelp farm that Vision built on the Windrose, so you'll find her in an unoccupied corner of the cargo bay fiddling with a small tank (no larger than your average fishtank) she acquired from the Co'kal and trying to transplant some of the kelp. If she's successful, she might seek out some engineering help to build more tanks, but for now, it's a tiny operation.]

[As Tina was torn between the idea of potentially being cursed and remembering that Stefan had told her it was a bad idea to just toss stuff out the airlock, she'd tucked away the carton of alleged unicorn meat in a corner of the cargo bay and tried to forget about it.

However, one day, she finally decides to screw up her courage and ask someone else about it, and luckily, the someone she'd first thought of was also in the cargo bay. Tina shyly approaches, watching what she was doing curiously, but she waits to speak, not wanting to interrupt.]

[Tina had had a lot of fun swimming around and exploring on the water planet, but once more, talk of healing the terrible disease sweeping the Dasioe and going off fighting monsters has left her feeling like she's in over her head.

So she does what she does best nowadays- tries to make sure her shipmates are taken care of. She's gathered and bought some of the flavorful kelp growing in abundance on this planet, and in the kitchen, there's a lovingly hand-lettered sign hanging up:

BURGER OF THE DAY
Green Mystery-
You never know what flavor the kelp will be!
Made Upon Request

After being reassured by Misty that the alleged unicorn meat is not, in fact, cursed, an addendum is added to the sign:

OR:
Burger Made From Floot Brand Potted Meat Food
(May or may not contain unicorn)

Because she has to get rid of it somehow, she supposes.]

[She's certainly not opposed to approaching someone while they're in the middle of what looks like important work. She peers at the kelp for at least a couple of minutes before saying anything, though.]

Sooooo... what're you doin'?

[She makes something of a dramatic show at looking over the sign before finally saying something.]

What's chef's choice?

[For a portion of the month, Asuna's spent nights off the ship in an airlocked room she had access to. Sadly, funds are limited, and those rooms are expensive. So for the latter half of March, she sleeps on the ship in between adventuring and assisting with healing and anything else she can help with.

When she's aboard, she can be found in the kitchen making the entire crew a meal for them to have at their leisure, just leaving the tub in the bathroom (sorry if all the hot water's gone), or simply wandering about figuring out something to do. Upon seeing a crew member or visitor, she always greets them cheerfully with a smile.]

Edited 2017-03-20 04:46 (UTC)

[Since they got back to the ship, Kirito's been sort of in and out; his explanation had been some vague "work stuff" that, while not a lie, is certainly omitting certain details. He comes by to visit her once in a while (in part just to see her, in part to steal a taste of whatever she's cooking). If anyone comes looking for him they'll find both his room and engineering locked for the day. He also keeps wandering through looking wet, a sure sign that he's been venturing around outside the ship.

Eventually, by the end of the day, he finishes whatever he's doing and returns to where she is, gently ambushing her with a hug from behind. Hope she's not doing anything important!]

Hey... are you busy?

[Did someone say food!? Yes please.]

I'll take a unicorn burger, Miss Chef!

[Halfway through the day, Stefan wanders back into the kitchen to refill his mug for his third (fourth?) cup of tea. As he once again brews that strong-bodied Assam, he can't help glancing over at what Asuna's been preparing.]

Hey. You need any help?

[Even after a couple of weeks, he's way too used to rolling his sleeves and putting himself to work. His tea needs a few minutes to steep, after all!]

[Misty senses someone watching her and looks up, smiling when she sees who it is.]

Hey, Tina!

[Misty hardly ever minds the company - she spent more than enough time alone for her tastes - so she smiles up at Freyja while she works.]

I'm trying to start a kelp tank! We had some on the Windrose where we could grow kelp for food. But I'm not as good as Vision was with tech stuff, so we'll see how it goes.

[Tina smiles back, then indicates Misty's project.]

Hey. I had something to ask you, but I can come back later if this is a bad time.

I haven't touched the cans of alleged unicorn meat, so... I'd go with the kelp. The flavor is a mystery even to me, because I might or might not have forgotten to label it...

I take no responsibility for any curses, just FYI. [But she says this with a smile.] Also I cannot guarantee there's any unicorn in it. ... or actual meat, come to think of it.

[Asuna's aware he's working on something, and even though, he was vague when she asked him, she's glad he's keeping busy. The two spent a lot of time together at the beginning of the month, so a little space isn't bad, as much as they love each other. It gives her time to prepare some single serve meals that simply need to be reheated before eating. Something about spending such a long time away from the ship makes her feel a little guilty when she's supposed to be their cook. Well, one of them.

When Kirito approaches, she thinks he's going to sit down and wait for food, so she doesn't turn to face him. Finishing up with washing her hands, she yelps at the sudden hug, quickly laughing at the very welcome surprise.]

Mm, not anymore, actually. [Angling her head allows her to place a quick kiss on his cheek before turning all the way around. She lazily rests her arms over his shoulders.] Was there something special you wanted made?

Oh, Stefan! [He gets a welcoming smile, from Asuna's spot standing at the counter. Her sleeves are rolled up and she's got a stack of plates as well as a roll of space version plastic wrap to one side, while the other has a dew prepared dishes in excess.]

Uh, well, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate some assistance. [She chuckles weakly and steps to the side, pointing to each item as she explains.]

I'm just preparing some meals that can be warmed up quickly in case neither Tina or I are available to make anything fresh. If you're willing, could you help me fill up the plates? I was going to line them up and put a portion of each dish on them, then wrap them up to stick in the fridge for later.

[He offers up a slightly sheepish, almost embarrassed smile in return, glancing off to the side.]

No, I'm fine with whatever's here. It's more, uh. Something back in your room that I wanted to show you, if you're free for a few minutes.

[It smells amazing in here, admittedly, and he'd be happy to eat anything she made, but he's both excited and anxious to show her before she goes and discovers it for herself. For once food can wait.]

[Okay, that has her attention. Kirito turning down food (at least for the moment) is cause for concern in her book. She takes a step back, arms sliding away from his shoulders until both hands are resting there. Her eyes meet his, and they're questioning. Almost worried.]

Yes, of course. Nothing happened, right? You're okay?

What? No, no! I mean, everything's fine! Probably.

[Wait, that sounded bad, too. He exhales through his nose, exasperated with himself, and reaches down to take her hand, guiding her out of the kitchen.]

Just let me show you...

[Instinctively, her fingers intertwine with his, and she can't help but giggle a little at his now apparent nervousness. Asuna squeezes his hand in reassurance as she nods to follow him.]

Of course. I'm just glad you're all right.

I haven't been doing anything dangerous today.

["Today" being the keyword there, but neither of them need him to say that part out loud. He leads her all the way to her room instead of his, pausing outside the door, fidgeting nervously.]

Hey, before you go in... if you don't like it, you don't have to keep it, okay? If it's in the way, or... anyway, just say so.

Hm? [If she wasn't too curious before, she really is now. Asuna tilts her head slightly at his statement.] Sure...

[She lets go of his hand and crouches down to open the hatch to her room, then descends the ladder, expecting him to follow her. Once her feet are on the floor, she looks up at him curiously. And when he's by her side again, she glances around her room.]

[He's quick to follow her down, eager to see her reaction, for better or worse. Thankfully she'd waited for him, and he offers up a grateful smile and points out to the rest of the room- more specifically, the new addition to one corner.

Tucked against a wall, resting on a short table, is a vertical glass tank full of water, with some sand, colourful stones, and kelp decorating the bottom. Inside the tank are two fish.]

[Being in such close proximity makes it easy for him to hear her soft gasp when she sees where he's pointing. The room is lit, of course, but there's a softer, slightly different shade coming from the tank. Asuna walks over to it, almost mesmerized, and crouches down to get a better look at the fish inside. A giggle escapes her.

Eventually, she turns her head to look at Kirito--whether he joined her by the tank or not-- with a big smile on her face, one grateful and touched by his actions. He done did good.]

You did all this?

[She takes a moment to act incredibly deep in thought.]

Let's try the kelp burger!