driftfleet | Twin Roses Mingle

We'll find it. It has to be somewhere on this level.

[And to be honest, she's not in any rush, either. Nothing about this experience is 'normal,' but this might be the closest they're going to get. She can almost pretend they're just at a really weird-looking mall.

And Wanda never once lets go of his hand.

It's not just that it hasn't really occurred to her that she's been holding it for quite some time. She actively wants to hold on to him for a little longer. Just don't ask her if it means anything; her feelings for him are Strange and nearly impossible to pick apart or pin down.

One of the doors they pass is simple - it's labeled 'Meditation Room' and has a few decorative chimes outside the door, but other than that, she could have gone right by it. It's dark inside in every sense of the word - no lights, no minds. Wanda pauses.]

They really do have everything. [And this could be the perfect place for a witch who frequently needs a quiet place to hide away to keep in mind, especially since she's temporarily lost what refuge she had in Vision (whatever it is, she'll wait until he says it's all right).] Do you mind if we look?

I don't mind at all.

[The meditation room. Had he ever been here before? He doesn't think so, which means if he had he didn't attach any particular significance to it.

He pushes open the door and turns on the lights. Inside, there are shelves with a few unlit candles and mats and pillows on the floor. One of the walls has a painting of an avian he thinks he recognizes from the forest planet they'd visited long ago. Shutting the door behind them closes off much of the sound of the rest of the ship, leaving only the deep thrumming of the engines (he's not sure if the average human can even hear that, but he does).]

It's quite peaceful, isn't it?

[For Wanda, it's nothing but sweet silence and the first real peace she's had in weeks. She takes a deep breath. The only thing that could make it better is some form of psychic shielding.

Wanda closes her eyes and takes a quick moment to reinforce her mental walls. It's a little easier here than elsewhere in the Fleet.]

It's nice to have a place like this. I'll have to make time to come back soon.

[She opens her eyes. On closer examination, a fine layer of dust has settled onto most of the items on the shelves - someone might have been in here recently, but the room's seen better days.]

But it seems like no one's been cleaning it. Maybe the owner left?

[If he had any idea how to make psychic shielding, he'd make it a priority (and offer some for her bunk), but that's something he didn't learn from the last telepaths he'd met here. Alas.]

It's likely. I remember someone holding daily lessons in here, but it was some time ago.

[He squeezes her hand lightly.]

You could make it a project of yours. I'll be doing the same with Wrath's mural, actually, so I'll likely be over here on a regular basis. It would be my pleasure to share the shuttle ride.

[She squeezes his hand back automatically. Yes...that could work. Give her something to do that she understands, not all this technical ship stuff that is laughably over her head. She's trying not to feel ridiculously out of her depth, but there's no denying that she is ridiculously out of her depth.

She could apply for an implant upgrade but she's had enough of people playing around with her mind to last a lifetime, thanks.]

I'd like that. And maybe you can join me when you're done.

[She smiles brightly, newly energized now that she has somewhere to direct her efforts.]

Did Wrath teach you to paint?

It would be my pleasure. [Why not? He knows his mental presence won't disturb her while she's meditating, even now while he's keeping some secrets from her (which won't be forever, he just has to work up to them, he thinks). And meditation is a good skill to have.

He laughs lightly at her question.] Oh, goodness, no. I haven't the faintest idea where to start, although I think there is an art studio in here somewhere. But she'd always planned to do more, and Bucky kept her notebook when she left. I'd like to do what I can to continue it.

[Wanda smiles, happy that he's happy and picking up new hobbies. This place seems to suit him, odd as it sounds.]

You have a better memory than any of us. You might do better than you think.

[And, well, it's hardly an unforgiving medium - he can just paint over it if he does make a mistake.

They leave the meditation room shortly and resume meandering through the concourse of the Iskaulit, hand in hand. Eventually they come upon the restaurant and get a table.]

Here are the desserts... [she begins, flipping the menu over.] Do you see anything you want to try?

That is an entirely separate skill from artistic talent. [~~But he probably has a few episodes of Bob Ross stored in his long-term memory that might help.~~ That is, he is at least meticulous about practice, and having an outline to work from should help immeasurably.

There is a little flash of regret in his expression when he finally has to let go of Wanda's hand so they can sit at a table, but he perks right back up when they get menus. It's so refreshing that they can go on a date and he doesn't have to disguise himself--

Not that this is a date. He quashes that thought and sends it to the back of his mind, instead focusing on how nice it is to show his friend (friend) around a new ship. He's never tried sharing anything with Wanda while he was keeping something from her, so best to assume she'll at least be able to read surface thoughts. And maybe--maybe it won't be too long before he doesn't have to keep anything from her at all.]

I'll assume there's been some quality assurance from the chefs before putting anything on the menu. Perhaps the "cream cake with berry topping"? [It promises it's inspired by New York style cheesecake made with available ingredients.]

[This feels remarkably normal - going somewhere nice (if on a weird alien spaceship) with a close friend. Wanda can't help but think that this must be pretty similar to what a date feels like. Not that they're dating or anything. They're just really, really close.

Close enough that it feels bizarre to have that...whatever-it-is that Vision doesn't want her to see yet hanging over them. They've never kept secrets like that from each other before, and Wanda's not sure if trying to keep to Vision's surface thoughts will negatively impact their efforts here.]

That sounds good. Let's try it.

[But to go with it...hmmmm.]

It would probably be good with tea if you like that. [If the warmth isn't uncomfortable.]

Tea and cake, then. [The heat doesn't bother him at all, actually; he can drink very hot coffee without burning himself. Since he can manually regulate his body temperature for the most part, neither heat nor cold are concerns to him unless they get more extreme than most humans can handle.

He orders two dessert sets from the waiter (who looks vaguely familiar, but then all the employees are Fleet residents anyway, and Makie works in the kitchen somewhere) and leans back in his chair.]

What do you think so far, Wanda? It's not quite like public areas you might find on Earth, but the Iskaulit does help break up the monotony you might otherwise find on a single ship.

[And it's good for taking a long walk or using one of the various exercise rooms, but--it's missing somewhere to fly. That's one freedom he's become quite used to.]

It's nice. More room to walk, and we've passed some interesting places.

[But nowhere to fly, and nothing can replace the simple pleasures of sunlight or the wind in her hair. She'll have to wait for their next stop for that.]

I hope the next place we stop is a little better. The last planet would have been nice for flying, but the mist...

Edited 2018-08-31 14:06 (UTC)

[He nods, frowning slightly.] The mist and the magnetic side effects. I shouldn't like to have that kind of interference without knowing exactly what it might do to my abilities - or yours, for that matter. Having a controlled environment to work with would be one matter, but flying about is something else entirely.

[But then the frown turns into a smile as he meets her gaze.] I'd happily fly with you, if the next system has a suitable space.

One of them has to someday.

[Especially if this is meant to be an entertainment show - wouldn't they like to show some picturesque locations eventually?

The waiter comes back with their food fairly quickly. The desserts for the day were already prepared and tea is simple enough with the help of a hot water dispenser. Wanda grins and reaches for her fork.]

Are you ready? I will try not to reach too deep into your mind.

[It's not anything to be worried about, if she does - his thoughts are all of her right now, a fond affection and not his intermittent deeper longing.

He loads up his fork and looks at her, an amused twinkle in his eye.]

Ah, do we eat it at the same time?

I think that would be best.

[Wanda loads up her own fork and pauses, closing her eyes. She hasn't tried this before, but the concept seems simple enough: link her sense of taste to his mind and hold the connection while they eat.

Her eyes are glowing a dim red with the effort when she opens them. It might be a little unsettling to some, but she knows Vision won't mind. It's such a delicate balance, diving deep enough for this to maybe work but not so deep to risk accidentally invading his privacy.]

On three? One, two, three--

[--it's really good, and Wanda's careful to chew slower than she normally would so Vision can properly savor the taste. Is it working? Does he like it?

She really hopes he does.]

[It's odd, distinctly odd--he's experiencing a sense he's never really used before, or at least never really used in the typical human fashion. Compared to what Wanda's feeling, he decides his own sense of taste is extant but extremely mild. It's nothing like the burst of flavor he gets from her.

Given that, it's absoultely delicious. He gives a small hum that does sound a bt like "mmm".]

It seems to be working.

[And it's easy enough to present her with a burst of gratitude and simple joy, and to nip in the bud the longong fr a deeper connection that comes with it. Oh, he's missed having a comfortable link with her--

--but in its place, space cheesecake is a perfectly adequate substitute, he tells himself.]

Thank you.

[She may sense nothing but gratitude and joy from him, but it's still enough to make Wanda duck her head as she feels her cheeks heat up. He's just...so happy. And Wanda can't keep her own joy at his happiness from shining through the link.]

I'm glad.

[She's missed this too. It's been hard to keep her psychic distance.]

Do you want to try some of it with the berries next?

[It's a bit of a relief, actually, to be able to share something with Wanda again. Yes, it's self-imposed, and yes, he still thinks it's necessary on some level, but he still finds a part of him relaxing that he didn't even know was tense.

He takes up a forkful with some of the berries as well as cake and crust. More complex flavors, but he's confident she can share it just as well.]

On three again, then?

[Wanda adjusts the berry count on her fork to make sure she's matching the piece Vision cut. She wants him to get as accurate of a taste as she can give him, and it's important that this be as enjoyable as possible.]

One, two, three--!

[Mmmm, the berries definitely make the cake.]

It's very good.

[And it is subtly different than just sharing her emotional state while she's eating. He doesn't really have the vocabulary to describe it subjectively, but tangy and sweet he can separate out by the different textures, and the difference the berries make between the first and second bite are obvious even to him.]

The synchronized eating may be a bit awkward, but I'm receiving it very well.

[And once again there's a burst of affection for her that she can no doubt sense, because she's generous and wants to share something she likes with him, and what's not to be grateful for?]

[Wanda's practically beaming. Oh the possibilities...now if only she had access to all the spices she needs, she could make some proper Sokovian food for him.]

Do you want to try some of the tea next?

[She leans over her cup and sniffs, and the link very helpfully provides both the sense and the words for Wanda's impressions. It's a black tea, obviously, but there's something else - citrus, although Wanda can't tell exactly what.]

I think this is something like Earl Grey? I don't know what that smell is.

[Getting some of the spices will be easy. The rest...might be a task.]

Yes, let's. It's not too hot, is it?

[He won't burn himself, but humans are widely variable with how hot they can take their beverages. Wanda seems to want to proceed, though, so he takes a sip in sync with her after a deep smell.]

The smell is a mild citrus. Yuzu, or something like. Is that the flavor as well?

I don't think so? [But just to be sure, she tests it with her finger first. Burning her mouth is definitely not something she wants to share with him.] It's fine.

[The taste is pleasant, but whatever the flavoring is still eludes her. Maybe it's some kind of weird alien tea.]

It isn't lemon or orange. I don't think I've had this kind of tea before, but it's nice with the cake.

[Given that tea in this place is either dispensed from a beverage machine or made manually with herbs and leaves from alien planets, it's probably weird alien tea. There are definitely a few plants on the Twin Roses that can be infused into a beverage. Perhaps they could share a few drinks in the lounge later.]

I like it. Or I sense you like it, which is approximately the same in this case.

[Up until this point, for him, it's been mostly texture-based on the occasions where he's tried to eat. It was a good day when he discovered he could eat without any bizarre consequences, though he's never needed to.]

Now a bit of everything all together? [Crust, cake, berries, followed by a sip of tea. Excellent.]

If we do this more often, you'll find more foods you like.

[Her happiness is a steady warmth shining through their link - this is nice and she hopes they get to do it again. And maybe one day with food she's cooked.

They seem to be making progress to the point they don't need to count off each bite (which is good, because that would have just been awkward.]

Tell me the next time you see something you want to taste.

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