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[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?

[That sounds like doubt to him - and a challenge. Taako straightens and jabs a finger toward the icy figure a confident smile. This is child's play. ]

Then ready your taste buds for a freaking party because Taako is a fucking sage in the kitchen. You name a time and I'll be there to rock your world, Ice Boy.

Ugh. It's Mikleo, not Ice Boy.

[Always with the nicknames... but okay, this sounds like a free meal to him, which is just fine. After a moment's thought, he nods.]

I'm free tonight. Come to the Melting Pot on the Iskaulit before it closes. You can make whatever you want, and if it's good enough, the restaurant is yours.

[Ooh, testy about his name, huh? Taako's smile grows imperceptibly wider and he nods.]

Sure thing. I just need to make a meal for my crew first, then I'll be by this "Melting Pot."

[What a name.]

Oh and it's when it's good enough, not "if." You'll be eating that doubt when you get a taste of what I whip up.

[He can't help a little icy smile at that.]

Then I hope that doubt is tasty.

[He takes a step back, ducking his head in a very slight but polite bow.]

Now if you'll excuse me, I ought to finish my shopping list. Some of these supplies are for what the restaurant still lacks.

It's going to be one of the best meals you've had in your life, my man.

[Hopefully. He's usually pretty good at guessing people's tastes, but an elemental is tricky. Taako nods and is about to leave when he pauses and snickers.]

Yeah, good luck with buying that when you look like the Haunting on Hill House. Why don't you give it to me and I'll get what you need.

[That makes Mikleo blink, genuinely surprise.]

You don't mind? I hadn't wanted to inconvenience you.

[They'd only just met, after all. But hey, if he's game, he'll just go ahead and dig out some money.]

[If they're going to be working together, he wants to make a good impression before he utterly ruins it.]

I'm already shopping for things [And using Mikleo's ghostly appearance as a distraction to slip silverware and spoons into his pockets and bags] so why not? As long as you have the gold or credits or whatever they call them to afford it, I'll do the transaction.

In that case, I won't refuse. I'd rather have this stuff sooner than later, and my usual method would require an extra trip.

[And Sorey can get distracted in shops that have so many weird knick knacks sometimes. Better to take care of it now.

He drops the icy appearance and wanders up to the front of the aisle, checking around for any witnesses, and fetches a little shopping basket. It only takes a couple of minutes to pluck a number of random cookware from the shelves to fill it up, and at last he returns to Taako and offers it out to him, alongside a little pouch containing enough credits to cover what he thinks the items are worth.]

They'll probably still try to overcharge you. How good are you at negotiation?

[He waits, inspecting his nails as Mikleo goes about his haunted shopping spree. People are avoiding their area of the store which is getting the attention of the storekeeper. He's eyeing them now and Taako waves at him. The shopkeep rolls his eyes and looks away as the basket is handed to him. He turns his head toward the source of the voice and waves a hand.]

Oh, no worries on that, my dude. Are you sure this is everything you wanted though? Nothing else?

I think this is all I can get here. It'll do- I didn't need much to begin with, and I'm used to working with better materials.

[He's kind of a snob when it comes to cooking as well, and his standards are too high to fully appreciate Garbage Town.]

Oh I know. Other than supplying the base materials, this planet is a total dump.

[Offense intended. He swings the basket onto his arm though and drops a few more items into it that Taako needs in his kitchen. Most of it is just scrap or a base item he can change into something else, but he needs something to start with, even if it's crap and ugly to boot.]

Give me a moment or two and I'll be right back.

[As he walks toward the register, he notes anything else of use in this place and begins tuning up his spell, his hands moving with practiced ease. By the time he deposits the basket onto the register, he casts it and the shop owner beams at him.]

We'll be taking all this off your hands, you don't mind do you?

Not at all! Just happy to see you back here again.

Everyone needs a little sunshine in their lives, my man. I'm just here to provide. If you could throw in that heavy bottomed pot you have behind the counter though? You know the one. I'd be so thankful.

[The shop keep cheerily nods and brings out a stock pot, putting it on the counter. He leaves half of the credits that Mikleo gave him, then dumps all of the things he's just "purchased" into and gives the man a winning smile.]

I'll be sure to tell all my friends about this place. You'll be swimming in business.

[Then with a friendly goodbye, he hauls the pot back to where Mikleo is waiting and jerks his head toward the door.]

Ready to go?

[Mikleo watches all of this with fascination; he's seen a fair bit of negotiations take place on this planet, but that's... not exactly what just happened, here. He's shaken out of his stupor when Taako calls on him, and with a final glance at the shopkeeper, he follows the elf outside.]

Was that... that was magic again, wasn't it? I've never seen that before.

[Once outside, Taako hands him the things he'd chosen in a cloth bag. He's tempted to keep the other half of the credits and see if Mikleo even notices. ....Yep, gonna do that. He'll need the money to pick up some of the harder to procure ingredients anyway and it's almost like Mikleo is buying his own dinner then.]

I'm betting most of the things in my repertoire are things you've never seen before, huh?

But yeah, that was magic. I wasn't planning on going back in there anytime soon, so it shouldn't matter what happens when the spell wears off in about an hour.

[Mikleo does notice the lack of money exchanged, but he makes no comment, accepting just the bag with a skeptical expression. It's not as if money means that much to him anyway, and he'd been prepared to spend that much, so... whatever. He can keep it if he likes, Mikleo has plenty.]

I've definitely never seen that before. Or- well- maybe something similar. He was enamoured with you, wasn't he? And he did whatever you wanted.

[He waits a second to see if Mikleo complains about the money, but nope! Looks like he's in the clear.]

Charmed, technically. Unfooortunately, he'll remember what I did later so I can't go back there.

[Not really a loss, actually. He had the stockpot he wanted.]

Charmed... huh. That's similar, but it's not quite the same. There are artes where I'm from that can cause a similar enchantment. It's, er, not that peaceful when it happens, though. Usually.

[He's never seen it used in such an innocent, albeit dishonest, manner before. Cool.]

More Mind Control levels? Yeah, I don't mess with that stuff too much.

[Yet. Maybe ever. Charming someone isn't as harmful as actual control, and Taako isn't really about taking away people's full free will.]

Mine's harmless. He'll feel happy and predisposed to do what I want for awhile and then wake up and be pretty pissed that he basically let me rob him.

[He shrugs, then laughs.]

Same old, same old.

Harmless aside from the monetary loss.

[Maybe he should have asked for his change back, after all. Ugh, whatever. He's not supposed to interfere with the lives of mortals anyway, for good or ill.

Doesn't mean he can't judge.]

Hey, I paid him what it was actually probably worth.

[Which means not the full price tag because people here loved to jack up the prices on junk they found lying around in their backyards. The stockpot not included, at least he got paid for all the things Mikleo wanted.]

Besides, you wanted me to haggle, didn't you? I just exceeded your expectations with my excellence.

Haggling usually involves the other people being a willing participant... but I see your point.

[Again, he's not in the mood to argue about it. Means to the same end, blah blah blah. But he's glad Taako just did it instead of asking first, because he'd rather not be directly involved.]

Regardless of your method... thank you for the help.

[Tomato, tomahto. Taako shrugs because the end result was the same - he got what he wanted and that's all that matters. At least Mikleo is also implicated in this so he can't exactly go crying to the police about it. He grins and waves a hand dismissively.]

Not a prob, my dude. I'll just see you tonight when I blow your taste buds away with my audition. Then you can really thank me for the delight of having me working as the new chef.

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