driftfleet | Open: July Starstruck mingle log

[Ochako's not exactly the most attentive person in the world, nevermind the ship itself, but it would be hard not to notice Peggy spending an excess of time in the kitchen, especially since Ochako herself spends a lot of time there herself, messing around with the flavour combinations- force of habit from before the ship gained a cook.

She's tried not to push - she figures it's hard, with Mr. Rogers sleeping so long - but seeing Peggy lurk in the kitchen with just cups and cups of tea gets concerning the longer it goes on. So, one morning, she steels her willpower and at last speaks up-]

Ahhh, that tea smells really good! What kind is it?

[ peggy'd wondered how long it would take the girl to say something. day in, day out -- on each morning -- she'd watched the desire to broach the topic (any topic, maybe) build within ochako's expression. and day in, day out, peggy refused to make it easy on her. either she would pipe up in her own time, or she never would.

turns out today is her own time.

peggy glances up from her mug -- nodding. ] It's a white variety, I believe. Or whatever passes for one in space.

[ the blend does smell wonderful, even if the taste is a touch too fragrant for her personal taste. doesn't matter; she adores it anyway. ]

Can I try a bit?

[Because...! Bonding, over tea flavour!? Or something!? She just wants to keep the conversation going, Peggy sorely looks like she needs a distraction or something.]

[ she betrays a visible note of hesitation. dismay, maybe. any other waking body on this ship, and a sharp 'no' would have been the easiest answer she could ever give. things are always a bit...different with ochako. peggy feels that duty-bound inclination to be a smidgen nicer to the girl. even if that niceness can't help but come across as forced.

peggy eyes her cup. then she eyes the girl. ]

A sip, perhaps. [ she snaps a finger and points at the cupboard where the mugs are held. ] Bring one over and I'll pour you a splash.

[ but just a splash. ]

[Oh dear, she really doesn't feel like sharing, does she? Ochako looks even more unsure than before, but she doesn't want to back off now, so she fetches a mug as instructed and sets it down on the table for Peggy. She then sits down around the corner from her. Even if she only gets a scent, she can still enjoy the familiar scent of tea, and she's still worried. Maybe moreso than before, in fact.]

[ ordinarily, she might notice the effect she's having. she might notice that such hard lines and forceful gesture do nothing but alienate those around her -- even those with the best of intentions. nevertheless, her composure stays steely as she pours what can actually only ever be described as a splash of tea into the mug. it's pitiful, really. barely enough to hold the delicate straw colour of the tea. with a crinkle of her nose, she adds a second splash.

and then she nudges the mug back toward ochako. ]

The blend got picked up back on one of the posher asteroids in the last system. Before all the unpleasantness on the Marsiva.

Oh... yeah. So it's like a real alien tea!

[that is the saddest amount of tea to taste in the world, but Ochako accepts it without complaint. She takes a single sip, intent on making it last, and smiles hesitantly at the taste.]

Ahh... it is good. I can see why you're, um.

[Hoarding?]

[ ochako doesn't finish the sentence. but perhaps she doesn't have to -- peggy can taste the (rightful) judgement from across the table. so, clearing her throat, she deigns to explain it. ]

The boxes I've got were a gift.

[She's not trying to judge, it's just kind of... unexpected. Though it probably shouldn't be. Not everyone is fine with sharing their limited supply of indulgences. Truth be told she'll never get used to having indulgences, so maybe that's why it's weird.]

Got it... you could've said no, though. It's okay.

[She sips at the rest of her tea, meager as it is, and goes to refill the cup with water, instead. No point in guilt-tripping, that would be mean.]

I could have. [ she allowed. ] But I didn't.

[ then, she adds: ] I thought about the look on Steve's face if he learned I'd turned you down outright.

[Ochako blinks in surprise at that, then ducks her head with a quiet giggle.]

That's a pretty good reason, I guess. He does have that kind of face.

[When he's being stern, that is. He's plenty nice most of the time, but ohhhh, he sure can be a proper adult when he feels the need.]

Not unlike a scolded puppy, at times.

[ because apparently peggy isn't really thinking about his stern face, just now. ]

He's a pretty big puppy.

[Especially to petit teenage girls, tbh.]

I can keep an eye out for good tea when we're on different stops, if you want. I didn't know you liked it this much.

He wasn't always -- [ such a big puppy.

peggy pushes onward, though. she knows she shouldn't entertain too much conversation about steve. it'll only send her back into another funk. ]

That's very kind of you. Honestly, there's no need to fuss on m account -- but if something catches your eye? [ peggy's head bobs a moment. ] I wouldn't say no.

[Ochako takes note of the avoidance and makes a mental note not to bring him up again. No wonder she's unhappy- he's still asleep, after all. She probably misses his company.]

It's not really a fuss or anything. I like tea, too! And I miss the real stuff sometimes. And I bet it isn't just us, either.

-- Max'll have a cup from time to time. But only if stolen from someone else, I suspect. The brute will never make it for himself. [ a beat. ] What of your teacher? Does he drink tea?

Oh, he does! But he's not really fussy, he'll drink whatever's in the kitchen. Coffee, tea, juice, pure shots of adrenaline...

[She's joking on that last one, probably.]

I can't decide if that's better or worse. [ than someone who just drinks coffee, perhaps. ] Alright. Because it's on account of a good helping of the crew, and for more than just ourselves, you're free to source as much tea as you like for the kitchens. Lord knows we'll never really have a surplus.

[ ...as if she ever needed peggy's permission. ]

[She didn't, but it's nice to have anyway.]

Aye, aye, captain! I'll do you proud.

-- Of that I have no doubt.

[ it would be sentimental, maybe, were it not delivered in an iron tone. ]

Oh, but -- have you found the lounge to your liking? It's a bit of a shame we didn't have a proper change to enjoy it before we were all whisked away last month.

Yeah, I really like it! It's super cozy, and it's nice to have a place to hang out and see everybody. Before it was just the kitchen, or everyone hid out in their own rooms... it felt kind of lonely.

The furnishings leave a bit to be desired -- but I think our Max is already working on changing that fact. Turns out he's handier than he sells himself to be.

Ooh, he can build stuff? That's really cool! I wonder if he needs any help... my parents work in construction so I know a few things, myself.

I'd say there's no harm in asking. But this is Max we're talking about.

....I mean... he's not incapable of accepting help, is he?

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