driftfleet | Dumpster World Mingle

[Wow, this guy did not care at all that he just stole. Cool?

When Vash bounds away, he pauses, then grabs a few other things, Reduces them, and shoves them in his pocket, too.

Then he's out the door and walking after Vash at a slightly slower pace. He's curious about donuts, but he's also kind of worried that the powder Vash was holding was not donut powder.]

I'm gonna guess you're a sugar fiend, huh?

[Nope. Not in the slightest. There were more important things for Vash to worry about, like getting this thief a donut.

Comes with living on his planet for so long. Stealing isn't a big deal to him. He just won't do it himself.]

Hm, I think I may be more of a food fiend then a sugar fiend.

Buuuuut are you happy on the First Breath? Because the Twin Roses is always happy to get more crew!

We have bacon flavored kelp! [Yes he's trying to steal a chef. What of it?]

...That is disgusting.

[Why would that be a feature? Actually, no, that's probably more of a plea for help.]

If you pay me, I'll cook a meal or two for your crew, but I've got a...favor from a god pending on my ship. It's kind of hard to reneg on that, so Taako's good here.

[Or rather, there, but whatever. Besides, he just moved all his stuff onto the First Breath after that heist he and Lup pulled, and it's a pain in the ass to get resettled.]

What possessed someone to make bacon-flavored kelp?

Someone who can't get real bacon when stuck drifting out in the middle of space? [Vash takes a little offense to the insult of his ship's kelp.] When you run out of fresh meat during a drift we'll see how you feel about our bacon kelp then, but I do admit, hard to beat out a favor from a god.

[Gods, this place needed Taako like burning. He's going to turn out to be their Culinary God. They'll worship in kitchens across the Fleet to him, and hopefully give offerings of money.]

Trust me, my man, running out of food? Is not going to be a problem on Taako's ship.

Example?

[As they're walking, he plucks a weird-looking alien fruit off some poor fool's stand while their back is turned. He shows Vash the fruit in his palm of his hand, then focuses and with a little flair and showmanship, a wave of his hand and a toss in the air? The fruit comes back looking like a completely normal orange instead of the spiky puce-green thing it used to be.]

[Vash stops to watch as Taako works his magic. Clearly impressed by the end result he claps excitedly.] That's amazing! So you can turn food into other food? Can you turn our bacon kelp into real bacon!? And if you can what god was it and what kind of favor? [Because if Taako can do that Vash wants him on his ship now.]

[Yes, yes, lavish on the praise, please. Taako pops his wrist with his other hand and tosses the orange over to Vash.]

I can do a lot more than that, but yes - I could. [For a price.]

And I'm sorry, my dude, but I came here knowing this. I wagered my captain for a favor in order to spruce up our ship. Which I was going to do anyway. Have you seen the First Breath? That place is awful.

Exactly! [Vash easily catches the orange and starts to peel it. He's curious to see if it will taste just like an orange.] That's why you should come to the Twin Roses! We have one of the most upgraded ships in the fleet! And if it's missing something you like I'm sure we could get that fixed quickly.

Tryin' to poach the chef when he's only just arrived? [That's actually hella smart. Or would be if Taako wasn't already stockpiling shit on the First Breath for the necessary spells.

Still, he'll pretend to mull it over in his head, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Ever the businessman, he'll hear this offer out anyway because it might be better than what he's got now. If Vash eats the orange, it'll taste like an orange should - juicy and tangy with the right amount of sweet. It's an orange picked and readied at its peak.]

What sort of...perks? Can you offer.

Ahhhhh... we have a pinball machine? Oh! I work at the Space Bar! I can get you discounts on drinks!

[By paying the other half of Taako's drink because otherwise he's not sure how Nami would feel about him giving a discount to someone just to get a better chef on his ship.]

How about you pay me and I'll cater a few meals to your crew. [When he feels like it.

Because drinks? He bets he can con someone into buying him a few - most likely Jim Kirk.]

I'll consider it, but I still think you'll be happier on the Twin Roses. We have a much cooler ship name as well.

[And they've arrived at the bakery! Vash heads in and immediately asks for two dozen of their freshest donuts.]

[Twin Roses sounds more Merle's style. He's into all that plant shit. First Breath? Well, it's a little dirty in his mind, but he can get behind that.

Taako shrugs and follows Vash inside, checking out the display cases on hand. Two dozen seems like a lot, but while they're preparing the order, it gives Taako time to see what sort of things this world can make. He's been so busy restocking his wardrobe and the kitchen that he hasn't really had time for this. There are cakes and pies, some cookies, a...weird looking thing he can only describe as a disaster, and round rings of-- Ah, so those are donuts. The shop staff lifts a few from the case to put into a box and Taako straightens, putting his hands on his hips.]

So that's what they are. Little ring cakes? Should be a breeze.

Little ring cakes of honey and pure joy! [He corrects with a matter of fact tone of voice.]

The best way to eat a donut is freshly baked! No day olds unless it's an emergency!

[Vash pays the baker because he is NOT a thief and he wants to be sure not to be banned from this place. He digs out the first donut and perhaps a bit greedily pops it into his own mouth before handing Taako one.]

Here you go! [Spoken with his mouthful of donut.]

[Honestly that's the best way to eat any sweet other than cookies. Cookies are best when left to rest in a cool space overnight.

Also, man, this guy? But also yeah, this guy. He can understand someone who is passionate about food. He takes the offered donut between two fingers and inspects it - baked, definitely; glazed with honey and sugar; cakey consistency; yeah he can probably replicate it given time.

While Vash shoved the whole thing in his mouth, Taako breaks it in two and then pulls a small section off. He smells it, sniffing out any hidden ingredients, and then tastes a bit.

It literally tastes like cake, but harder, more compact, and yet fluffy? Huh.]

Yeah, that's not bad. Give it a few different flavor glazes and I could see myself serving these.

Not bad!? [Vash sounds insulted. How could he think it was just: not bad and not the best thing ever!?]

Hey! Baker-man! Give us two of each flavor of donut you have in the store! This guy has never had any donuts before! [He's going to help Taako explore as many donuts as he can.]

[Whoa, he's angry? Taako blinks as Vash whips around and starts ordering more donuts. He really only wanted to have one and then try his hand at it, but okay, sure. He'll take free food. Who is he to argue?

Hell, he'll take some back to his ship or send them over to Lup. He gives a quick look around and then sends the donut he was just eating to another plane of existence just because he can. He'll eat the other ones and decide which one is best.]

[Vash misses the fact that Taako sends the donut to another existence as he's too busy speaking to the baker. Taking the offered donuts.

Once he has a paper bag full of donuts Vash turns back to Taako. He just assumes that he ate that donut for the time being.] So, clearly, the classic honey flavored one just isn't your preferred flavor seeing as you thought it was just okay. We'll try a few other flavors to find your favorite! Then you'll see why donuts are much more than just okay!

Do you like strawberries? What about lemon flavor? Or how about sprinkles?

Depends on my mood, you feel me? Might as well take a taste of them all and see which one floats the flavor boat.

[Taako is a chef after all. Having a favorite (elderflower, let's be real) is detrimental to putting the best of all foods out there for others to eat.

He holds a hand out for the first of what will likely be many tastings today if Vash's attitude is an accurate barometer.]

That's the spirit! [Vash reaches in and pulls out a random donut. Turns out it's a pineapple flavored donut.] Here you are! Enjoy!

We'll see, won't we?

[He takes the newest donut, turns it over and inspects it the same way he did the one before. Same texture as before, different smell - more citrusy? He breaks a small piece off and pops it in his mouth.

Oh my gods, pineapple? Pineapple? He is not sure if he's okay with this. Pineapple is fine in some things, but as a glaze, he's not so sure. This is a flavor that only a trash planet could come up with. Taako makes a face and hands the donut back to Vash.]

Nope, not that one.

That bad? [Vash takes a large, unafraid bite into the donut. Chewing it around in his mouth for a bit before swallowing. Making sure to savor the flavor for a moment.]

Hm, it's not that bad! Maybe that one is an acquired taste. [Or maybe he'd say that about any donut he eats.] More for me! Let's try another one! [This time Vash pulls out a chocolate donut.] Oh! You're not allergic to chocolate, right?

[Because he heard that is a terrible affliction that some people are cursed with.]

Oh hell no, my man. I think I'd have to die if I were.

[Chocolate is one thing he's pretty sure he can get behind. He's been trying to source good chocolate on this planet for his own creations, but, well, it's a trash planet. Nothing good actually comes from it.

He holds his hand out for the chocolate one to repeat the same inspection.]

Good! [Vash hands the donut over. They will both be a bit disappointed that while it is chocolate looking, it is not very strong or good in flavor. Still, it's better than no chocolate at all.]

[He does the inspection, gives it a smell, and then a taste and makes a face.

Oh no, Vash. Poor, poor Vash.

He hands it over.]

You should see for yourself.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject