[ you can't do that right now. ]

[spellsteal]

Who: Belthazar and you!
Broadcast: Y
Action: The Goldstone.
When: After the shuffle

[action; bridge]
[This is kind of old hat to Belthazar by now, but he's still startled to be deposited on yet another ship. He hasn't been on this one before. Two long pointy ears stick straight out of his messy hair, just as strange as his glowing eyes. It's weird to have all his memories suddenly there, and he's a bit disoriented by that.

He also hates dealing with change. Dreadfully so. He takes a moment to straighten his collar and regain his composure.]

It appears I'm your new cook. You're welcome to the pudding, but a word of warning: even rats won't eat that, if given the chance.

[action; kitchen]
[One of his first acts as the new cook is to completely reorder the kitchen. However people were eating before, that is about to change. Walking in, it looks like something out of Matilda-- flour, sugar, and starch all marching along to their assigned spaces in the cupboards; pots and pans neatly slotting together and sliding into yet another cupboard; and the beginnings of a stew simmering warmly on the stovetop. Belthazar dictates all of this with one hand while the other measures some spices into the broth.

Whatever he's making smells really good, but the cook himself doesn't seem to notice anyone else walking in. He's a little too engrossed in enchanting the colanders and cake pans.]

-----

[broadcast; video]
[Once he's had dinner started (because Light knows these people have probably never had a decent meal in their lives), he sorts out his new room and his personal shopping list. If he's going down to whatever planet they're docked at, he wants to make sure he gets the necessities-- cooking utensils, meat for the freezer, fresh vegetables, spices, and whatever else they can possibly grow on their own.

As always he's doing twenty things at once, but he pauses because he really needs to see how much time has passed and if anyone he knows is still here. He fidgets a little with the device until he can turn it on again.

He hasn't grown up too much since he was last here, with a healthy amount of baby fat still in his cheeks, but his eyes are a bright gold instead of their old radioactive green.]

My name is Belthazar. I was here, once, but between all the time that's passed at home and coming back, I haven't figured out how long it's been. The food still tastes like a different four-letter word, so I suppose things haven't changed all that much.

... I feel as if I'm waking from a very long dream, but I'm not sure which one's the dream. [He runs a hand through his bangs.] Er, right, my list. [He fumbles a bit with a pen and paper and tries to pretend he isn't a graceless creature.]

Does the Iskaulit still have a greenhouse? And, is there a place in this system where I can shop for a kitchen?

[He has more questions, but food is always a good place to start.]

Comments

[spellsteal]

[Yeah, he'd rather take the Blue Fish than this hunk o junk, but the people seem nice enough so he's sticking around for a while.]

I wish we had met under better circumstances, but this will do. Do you think you'll go back to being a captain?

[unbearablynaive]

[Whereas he hadn't hesitated before transferring back to his old ship - or what was left of it, anyway. That a significant portion of his old crew were still there had made a huge difference.]

My ship has two captains at the moment, which is more than enough, I think. I--did like the responsibility, however. [It had given him direction and a welcome purpose, even if as he'd told Loki the title was entirely superficial.] Perhaps I'll apply for first mate.

[And then he smiles just a little.] Er, and I gather that you like to cook? I've an outstanding request for chocolate from one of my friends. If you find it, do you think you could let me know? We've a small garden here on my ship, and I'd be willing to trade quite a bit for it.

[spellsteal]

You actually liked that responsibility? Personally, I don't have the patience to babysit grown adults. [He's barely one himself, which he's not too afraid to admit... nowadays, anyway.] First mate is a good compromise, though.

[His expression brightens.] What kind of chocolate? Just the candy, or something chocolate flavored?

I'll keep an eye out for it, but if it's the latter, I may be able to help you.

[unbearablynaive]

[He lets out a short breath of laughter.] I've never been without responsibility. A ship is much less demanding than defending an entire planet, in either case.

[And his eyes lose focus for a moment as he tries to recall.] The flavor, I think. Some kind of dessert - the chocolate-flavored protein gel is apparently "just not right".

[spellsteal]

Oh. Yes, definitely. [Vision sounds like he has quite the day job.]

It is definitely not right. I'll see what I'm able to find. It may not be a chocolate bar, but I think I can scratch that particular itch.

[unbearablynaive]

[It can get harrowing at times, for sure.]

I'd appreciate that very much.

[spellsteal]

[He offers a tentative smile and doesn't quite look at the camera.]

I'll do my best.

I'm always looking for rosemary, if you have some.

[unbearablynaive]

I'll see if we have it, or something equivalent. Exact matches for Earth plants can be difficult.

[spellsteal]

Woe is me for getting a taste of Earth spices in my last prison.

There are so many wonderful things about that world that I only read about after they were gone. I would like to visit if it were... not under duress.

[unbearablynaive]

[That gets a smile, because in spite of everything he's still very fond of Earth.]

Should I ever be in charge of the interdimensional portals, you'd be welcome to visit my timeline.

[little does he know]

[spellsteal]

[The corners of his mouth lift.]

Any timeline is better than what Exsilium gave us, I'm sure. Whatever I lived in is apparently a mere ruin of what London should have been.

[unbearablynaive]

That is a shame. London is a beautiful, chaotic mess of a city in my timeline, and one of the largest and most influential in the world.

Regardless, I'll see what I can do for you in regards to herbs and spices.

[spellsteal]

So I've heard. And I saw the archives, some of them, whatever was edited and finally distributed to us... I should like to see such a city, someday.

Thank you. I'll look into my conjuring as well.

[unbearablynaive]

I hope you get the chance. Granted that we run into large cities on these voyages as well, but it's hardly the same as something to which you have context.