driftfleet | Dumpster World Mingle

I see...

[He tucks the spoon under his arm and starts taking notes, because learning about new beings is totally his jam. Since those are tuned to his resonance, though, they're still invisible. He'll have to be careful that the spoon doesn't share that fate, lest he be an accidental thief.]

There's just two of us. There used to be more, but most have been sent back to our world.

[Taako has no qualms with stealing and while the measuring cup bobs in front of him, he picks up a ring of dry ingredient measuring spoons. After a careful inspection, he switches then to his far hand and pretends to put them back on a different shelf in a utensil drawer.]

Earlier you said "elemental arts," right? What kind of stuff can you pull off with that?

Not much that I can do in here without making a big mess.

[Considering it's water, and they're surrounded by merchandise... he doesn't want to get them kicked out. But since fair is fair, hmm.]

I've been working on something for a while, hang on-

[He tucks his little notebook away and reaches up his hands to touch his face, frost spreading out from his fingertips. It follows the curves and contours of his features, tracing out the shape of his outline, spreading further and further until Taako is facing what looks like a hollow ice sculpture version of Mikleo. Except it's moving, one hand on his hip, lips curving into a smile. The long sweep of his ponytail is missing - he's not going to wreck his hairstyle with frost, thanks - but it's surprisingly detailed otherwise.]

This might make things easier.

[Like most elementals, he send to have complete control over his assigned element - water, including ice apparently. Taako watches as a hollow ice statue appears before him, curious to see how it moves. This is closer to the elementals he's used to.

Unfortunately a fellow patron turns a corner at the end of the aisle, sees this and shrieks, running out of the store.

Taako bursts out into laughter.]

Oh Istus! That was perfect!

[...Whoops. Mikleo sighs and presses a hand to his forehead, mumbling.]

And that's why I don't usually do this in public...

[He laughs and goes to clap the ice outline on the shoulder, but things better of it. He'd rather not have a cold, wet hand.]

That is exactly why you should do it. Think of all the shit you could get away with.

[The ice glistens as Mikleo quirks a brow upwards.]

Get away with...? I'm just as likely to get shot at than manage anything devious. People can often get violent when it comes to the spooky stuff.

Yeah but you're not fully in this plane, right? Would getting shot at actually hurt you?

[He can physically interact with things so maybe?

Still. It'd be worth it.]

If I let it hit me, then yeah, it could. And I'd really rather avoid that.

[He's a little curious as to what Taako means, though. Definitely sounds shenanigans-y.]

Easy solution - don't let it hit then.

[He's an elemental that isn't in phase with the Prime Material Plane. It shouldn't be that to come up with some crazy antics to get into with that ace up his sleeve.]

Also most people? They're not going to shoot a ghost, just run from them like that lady. You could've been pranking the shit out of these fools this entire time!

Antics are fine, but I'd prefer just to be able to shop, thanks. Not that I don't love a good ghost trick once in a while...

[If Edna were still here, she'd probably have a field day making the humans scream. It's not quite his style.]

If I were a ghost, I'd be doing it all the time.

[Not that he wants to be one, because then it's likely he'd end up dragged to hell or whatever. No thanks, even if the Grim Reaper was a hottie.

Taako picks up a rolling pin and spins it in his hands.]

But what were you shopping for? Do you even eat?

[Mikleo sighs faintly - because he's not a ghost, but he did bring that one upon himself - and sets down the spoon, returning to the shelf to browse for what he's really after. Now that he's made himself visible, he doesn't need to carry anything around unnecessarily.]

I don't have to eat to survive, but I enjoy it, if the food is good. And since that's rare these days, I wanted to stock up.

[Taako snickers as Mikleo moves away. Exasperating people is one of his hobbies here and so far he's been batting 300 or whatever the number was. He wasn't a sports guy. After spinning the rolling pin a few more times, he puts it back. The weight is off in it and it'll roll funny. Not a good choice.]

Mm, I've noticed. Whoever thought protein gel was an appropriate substitute needs to be dragged out into the streets and Scorching Ray'd a thousand times.

[He rolls his eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh.]

I have to transmute almost everything in the kitchen to something that even comes close to my standards. It's exhausting.

Edited 2018-10-18 04:45 (UTC)

Agreed. I've been here for a few years now and I've yet to bother eating the stuff. It took nearly that long just to get steady supply of milk and eggs.

[He glances sidelong at the elf, suddenly curious.]

What do you mean by "transmute"?

[Again - that length time pops up. Taking has to work hard at tamping down the panic that rises. Magnus and Merle need him back there sooner than that. As much as he appreciates the vacation, he's in the middle of some stuff that can't really wait a few years while he galavants around on galactic television. He picks up a set of metal cups, testing their weight to distract himself until he's able to focus on the present again. Then he scoffs and looks offended.]

How they expect us live in these squalid conditions is beyond me. I would have rioted long before that.

[And then he channels energy into the cup in his hand. He holds it up Mikleo to see, changing it from cheap tin to heavy brass.]

And that's what I mean by transmutation. I change that disgusting slop into real food.

[what

WHAT

Mikleo gasps and leans in immediately, reaching out to grab the cup so he can stare at it, turning it this way and that, examining every inch. He taps a finger against it, the chink of ice on metal a different octave than expected. Sure enough, it's not the same material.]

That's... that's amazing! And you can do that with food?

[Let the accolades begin. Taako lets the cup go, watching in bemusement as a man made of hollow ice gushes over the impossibility of something as simple as transmuting metals.

He smirks and twirls a loose strand of hair and his finger.]

Why do you think the First Breath eats as well as does? I'm not about to let anything out of my kitchen that isn't first class.

I wasn't aware it did... so you're a cook, then?

[The wheels are turning in his noggin now.]

Former celebrity chef, but yes.

[It's weird being able to claim that again. It wasn't his fault. It hasn't been his fault at all. He'd had to give up something he loved because of that asshole and he sure as hell is going to reclaim it now that he can't exactly be an adventurer here.]

My crew has no idea how good they have it.

[WHEELS. TURNING.]

...Are... you looking for a reprise of that, by any chance?

[Everyone has their own way of getting by in the fleet, and while he has no idea what it means to be a "celebrity" chef, it sounds more or less like someone famous for cooking, so...]

[Taako's ears twitch slightly and his first reaction is to refuse. It wasn't that long ago that he learned the truth. He lived so long with fearing that anything he cooked could kill someone he cared about that it's hard to rid himself out the fear.

But it wasn't his fault.

His recipe had been flawless.

There's a moment's pause and then a show smile spreads across his face.]

Depends on the pay.

[Yes, yes, yes]

Well... maybe I should explain, first.

[Hopefully no one else stumbles upon them and starts screaming again, because this isn't really the place.]

The restaurant on the Iskaulit used to be run by a human named Jarvis. He was an accomplished chef, and I started working there to give myself something to do, but my cooking skills are more... specialized? For obvious reasons I'm better at making desserts and cold treats than cooked meals. [He shrugs.] Jarvis has since returned to his world, and we were left without a main chef, so I opted to take over since we had no one else. The food's... not as good as it used to be, as a result. Except the desserts, of course.

[It's not his fault! It's just against his very nature to recognize how heat works the same way he can perfectly chill a batch of ice cream. Flavour is one thing, but his timing's all wonky.]

If you're as skilled at cooking as you say, and you wanted it, you're welcome to take over Jarvis's old position.

[Why the fuck don't people tell him these things immediately? He had to find out about the goddamn spa on the network and now a chef-less restaurant? One that's floating in space no less.

His ears twitch again, and he can feel a buzz of excitement start up in his mind. An empty kitchen where he can cook for an audience, for guests. He's leaned more heavily on his magic since Sizzle It Up ended, but the desire to cook for was always there. He just refused to cook for people important to him. Since coming here, he'd been branching out to cook for his crew, but none of them really cared that much for food. Haggar was just barely coming around to salads and soup.

And he could leave Mikleo to cold (obviously) desserts.

Maybe he could get someone in as a sous chef.

He--

Taako coughed and leaned casually against the shelves, inspecting his nails to keep his hands busy.]

Do you doubt I'm as skilled as I say I am?

Edited 2018-10-18 06:23 (UTC)

I don't know if I'd call it doubt, I've just never seen you in action. People can claim a lot of things until they have to prove it.

[Nothing against the guy, but he already comes across as a bit arrogant. He could be all talk, even if the transmutation magic is impressive.

Okay maybe it's a little bit of doubt.]

You're free to make use of the kitchen if you want to demonstrate your skills, cook something up. Like a... what's it called? An interview?

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