driftfleet | arrival

Who: Bruce Banner + anyone else!
Broadcast: Yes
Action: SS Caprine
When: June 18

[broadcast; video]

[He's managed to make the transition to the Caprine without too much difficulty, but now that's he's "settling in", Bruce is realizing just what being on a ship long term means.]

So, this is it. We just play along with this show, act like nothing is wrong, and hope we eventually get to our destination? That's optimistic. How do you manage to live on ships like this for so long? I've never- This is... it doesn't seem like a good idea.

[He smiles uneasily. He has to resist the urge to pick at his own body, making him twitch a bit. At least he hasn't had any issues so far?]

The food isn't very good either.

[Action on the SS Caprine]

[At least he's used to lab work! Bruce is relieved that is assignment is something he's familiar with (although he did manage to fly a ship once...) and he spends a good amount of time poking around at the ship's equipment, testing both what it can do and what knowledge seems to come to him, because he definitely hasn't worked on a space ship like this before. Or worked around people this casually either. Not to mention the enclosed space makes him very aware of how tight it would be if he were bigger.

That's a great thought.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's definitely nervous, but Bruce has learned that trying to run usually isn't going to get him anywhere. Instead, he stays put, being as mild and normal as possible considering the grim reaper (which is the only thing his brain can think at that moment) seems content just to talk to him.]

I... I'm all right.

[He's not sure he really wants to test whether or not he can eat those cookies without ill effects. Are they safe?]

[Death looks down at the plate and then up again. His shoulders move in a shrug and he sets the plate down on a mostly bare table. They're really perfectly ordinary cookies. He follows recipes well!]

IF YOU ARE SURE. THERE WILL BE OTHER SAMPLES OF BAKING IN THE KITCHEN, SHOULD YOU WISH TO TRY SOMETHING LATER. I AM THE OFFICIAL SHIP COOK.

[Bruce looks from plate to skeletal face a few times, wondering at how nonchalant this guy is. He doesn't want to ask, because that just seems rude and potentially dangerous, but he's curious. He wants to know.]

How did you end up as the cook?

[He can't do it.]

THERE IS THIS THING- [He points to the side of his head.] THAT ALL OF US END UP WITH HERE. IT TELLS US WHAT OUR JOB IS AND LIMITS OUR CAPACITY TO INTERFERE WITH THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SHIP TOO MUCH. MINE HAPPENED TO TELL ME THAT I AM MEANT TO COOK FOOD.

They made you the cook? [He smiles like he's trying not to, holding back his expression because he's not sure how it'll be taken.] Is that something you would normally do?

[He's got so many questions now.]

I KNOW HOW TO DO IT, IT HAS JUST BEEN A WHILE. THERE WAS A POINT NOT LONG AGO, I THINK, WHERE I SERVED AS A SHORT ORDER COOK IN A RESTAURANT.

[Okay, that manages to relax him a bit. He's not even sure why, but the image of Death as a short order cook flipping pancakes and burgers is actually nice. It's almost like the thought of the Hulk doing the same.]

That actually sounds nice. You really don't mind it? Cooking?

NOT AT ALL. I PLAN TO FILL THE KITCHEN WITH BAKED GOODS AS OFTEN AS I CAN, AND I WILL CERTAINLY DO MY BEST TO COOK ANYTHING ELSE WHEN REQUESTED.

[Bruce nods, taking that in quietly and mulling over a decision that is apparently weighing on him. He's talking to an animated hooded skeleton and every rational thought is telling him that this shouldn't, can't be possible.

But it is. And Bruce finally comes to his answer, reaching over and picking up a cookie off of the plate on the table, giving it a look before he takes a bite.]

They're good.

[Rational thought can tell a very different story than expectations or even the truth. There's a twinkle in the glow of Death's eyes when the cookie is taken and eaten. He stands perhaps a little bit taller.]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AM GETTING BETTER WITH SIMPLE RECIPES.

arrival

action He is so charming already thank you for this!

action An English grandfather who just wants the kids to come say hi now and then.

action Such a good gentleman.

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