driftfleet | Dumpster World Mingle

Were you? [She must not have been confident of her ability to stay safe around it - but now she has an alternate way out, thanks to her powers. Besides which, the Vision would never let her drown. Also, the safety precautions on this little float harness are actually pretty good.

He takes the container and ponders the snacks inside it. With the way Wanda is sitting in his lap, it might be hard to toss one without messing up his grip, but maybe if he uses his abilities a bit--

--There. He phases the part of his arm that might smack her and makes his hand more dense, so the treat gets a good distance. The creature snorts happily and starts heading for it.] There we go. It's a shame these are too big for a ship, isn't it? Perhaps there's a souvenir carving or something like.

If I fell into the river, Pietro would have come after me, and then what would we have done?

[Not that she was ever at much risk of falling in - they'd stopped playing there after their parents had died. All Wanda could do was worry and her mind got very creative in thinking up awful things that could happen to Pietro and leave her completely alone in the world.

Going most of your life not knowing how to swim does instill an instinctive unease around deep water, powers or no, but this feels safe. And Wanda has absolute faith in Vision.]

I'd like that. Or maybe they make plushies? I want something to remember today. [The creature makes another funny snorting sound and Wanda laughs.] Our first date off the ships.

[She doesn't know if he's done anything like this with her in her past here or their future at home, but for them as they are...it's still a first. And that makes it extra special.]

Rivers are not the friendliest to new swimmers, certainly. This is much calmer.

[And the harness is surprisingly well-designed, for a society that apparently has no overarching government to enforce safety regulations. Then again, it is a tourist attraction, and they must be used to people who don't know how to swim at all.

A little plushie sounds adorable, and the Vision laughs along with Wanda. As a matter of fact back home they never had gone out on a copper-tinted lake being towed by a friendly beast, so no matter how you frame it this is a first. He rests his chin on her shoulder and closes his eyes, content.]

I won't have trouble remembering it. A souvenir would be good, however.

[He does remember one of the booths had some small junk sculptures, and there was at least one with some painted tiles and other ceramics of the lake scenery.

They're starting to get low on snacks for their ride, though, and soon they start heading back to the shore.]

What shall we do next, my dear?

[She'd say that she could never forget this, but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be in her control. But either way, it's nice to have things around to remind you of where you've been, and just like at home, Wanda wants to collect something special from each place they visit.

All too soon, the treats run out and their new friend slowly returns them to shore. Wanda gives the creature a parting hug and trots back to take Vision's arm, grinning the whole time.

Already she misses the close contact from the harness, and so she walks as close to him as she can. She won't even try to pretend that the crowd has anything to do with it.]

Anything you want. Do you want to go back in the water or walk around here some more?

Let's see if we can find something to take home from here. Then we'll be hot enough to find the cool water pleasant, I think. [There he goes, slipping up and calling the ship "home" again. And yet it is. It has things and people he cares about, and he's unofficially moved in with Wanda there. What more could he want from a home?

Regardless, they walk together over to the stalls set up. Little bits of sparkle catch the eye from various trinkets and carvings, and several of them are very lovely - all made from scavenged items, of course. He pauses at a display of scrap metal jewelry, eyeing a hair clip made of beaten copper shaped like a stylized bird.] Would you wear something like this, Wanda?

[Mikumo had told him that he should spend all his credits on hair products if he ever got a girlfriend. So. There's that.]

[The Twin Roses may not be 'home' yet, but what she has with Vision is...different. Warm. Safe. Maybe the ship could be one day, although it had taken months for her to slip and call the compound home.

They walk together, Wanda dazzled by all the shiny wares at the booths. There are some lovely wind chimes and wall hangings made of scavenged metal and colored glass that catch the light and the jewelry is just as unique. It's amazing what they've done with what was probably once trash.]

I would wear anything you gave me, Vizh. [She picks up the bird and smiles.] It's cute. And it reminds me of us.

[Some of her favorite times with him: namely, flying. It's something only they can share, needing nothing but their own will to hold themselves aloft.

And it was on that flight on the moon that she'd first realized she loved him.]

Then it's yours.

[He pays the seller's asking price without even bargaining, because what is money? Something to spend on people you care about. After the credits are exchanged, he gestures to Wanda to let him slide back a lock of hair so he can clip it in. The coppery color will look good with her usual red outfits, and it looks particularly fancy with her bathing suit. She'll have to take it out to swim, but for now this works well.]

A copper bird to remember the copper lake. Perhaps we should set aside another afternoon for flying, hmm?

[Because he does love it. He loves flying alone but he loves flying with Wanda the most. Sure, many of the others can fly with a bit of assistance, but the two of them only need themselves to take to the skies. And why not take advantage of being on a planet while they can?

There are a few more stalls to look at, as well as some appetizing smells coming from further down the line.]

You're sweet. [Touched, Wanda twists around when he's done and kisses his cheek. They're in public, so physically there's nothing else she can do, but behind the kiss is a psychic caress of love and gratitude.

She catches sight of herself in one of the mirrors: the clip suits her and it's definitely going to become one of her jewelry staples. For not having hair of his own, Vision has good taste.] Thank you, Vizh. I love it. [She can get away with kissing his cheek again, right?] I love you.

[She resumes her previous position tangled around his arm as they resume strolling the market, not caring how clingy she might look. She never has.]

We could visit the cliffs, if you want. They say it's worth the hike, but...we don't need to worry about that.

[She can smell something that is likely fried and tasty. Vision may have little use for adornments when he could dream up anything he wants, but perhaps there are other ways she can reciprocate. They haven't shared senses in a while.]

Do you see anything you want to try?

[There's something that looks like funnel cakes and all the fried things anyone could want: cookies, local vegetables, cheese. Oddly enough, there's even a fried frozen treat, however that works. And that's to say nothing of the advertised drinks: appropriately themed and in corny plastic cups.]

[His expression softens at both the kiss and the psychic touch. Whether it's the ease with which she smiles or her casual but sincere affection, there's something so endearing about Wanda today. The excitement of being on a date? That nobody seems to think it odd they're here together, at least no more so than any other strange couple? There are other nonhumans in the crowd, as well as what are probably modded humans with nonstandard hair and skin colors. For all any of them know, he could just be the height of fashion on his home station.]

I love you too, Wanda. I'd be happy to go visit the cliffs with you. [Why bother hiking when you can fly?

The smells, sounds, and sights around the food stalls are quite a lot for his senses, but he seems to take it all in happily. Is that "Copper Lake Sunrise" different from the ship's green-flavored drink? Deep-fried protein on a stick looks like something they could make themselves. One thing catches his attention in particular, though.]

I'd be curious if the cheese is "real" cheese, or at least close enough you cannot tell the difference. Shall we try it?

[Honestly, Wanda doesn't really care where they go as long as they get to spend more time together like this. It's nice to be able to fly or feel the wind in her hair or sun on her skin, but he is really all she needs.

Then again, she's fallen in love with him three separate times. It shouldn't surprise anyone that she just wants to be with him, whatever form that takes.]

Then it's another date, [she says with a soft smile, gently squeezing his hand.] I have to make sure you don't work too hard.

[She laughs and briefly rests her head against him in affection as they take in the sights and smells of what passes for a kind of food court. It's...a lot to take in, but nothing seems unappealing.]

It's fried cheese. I don't think it can be bad. [Well...okay, but not in a place like this. They're clearly doing business.] Let's try it.

Edited 2018-10-30 19:02 (UTC)

I'll depend upon you to keep me accountable. [Because of course she's right - all work and no play isn't good for anyone, even if the work is fun and he gets to build a giant superlaser for the ship. Even more fun, though, is having Wanda at his side while he enjoys the somewhat unnatural beauty of the planet.

The fried cheese sounds good to the Vision, so he waits in line for a little while and then orders a "deluxe appetizer basket", with cheese as well as several fried veggies and proteins. They're piping hot by the time they're cooked to order, and he finds them an out-of-the-way table under the awning in the nearby seating area. Three different sauces give them a variety of dipping options.]

Which shall we try first?

[He's ready to pick one up and taste it with her.]

I think I can handle that. [She smiles softly. Oh no, she might have to occasionally drag him away from his work to make sure he's taking an appropriate amount of time for himself.

Wanda goes to get their drinks while Vision orders food, and she joins him at the table with two Copper Lake Sunrises, complete with a slice of golden fruit on the rim and a tiny umbrella in each.

It's really the little things.]

The cheese, [she answers without hesitation. Really, between cheese, vegetables, and protein, there could only be one winner.] But probably not with the cheese sauce?

[...which is, sadly, the only thing Wanda is 100% sure she recognizes.]

I don't know what all of this is, but this one looks like marinara.

[Could taste like anything, but they'll be experiencing it together and that's most of the fun. Gently, Wanda reaches for Vision's mind, inviting him deeper than the level necessary to share taste. She wants to share the soft glow of love, and more than that--

--it's no more than a brief flash of fantasy, a suggestion of something that's appropriate now that they're dating if Vision wants to try: they could feed each other, at least for the first tastes.]

[The little umbrellas are very cute, he has to admit.

He pokes at the different sauces, frowning lightly.] Perhaps you should taste them each first and then decide which will go with which. They may not be as they appear. [Who knows? One of them might be sweet, and that might not go so well with cheese. Better not to be too surprised.

At her invitation, though, the frown vanishes and is replaced with a slow smile. That looks absolutely charming, and she can no doubt feel the surge of affection from him at the idea, riding high over a deep well of love (and, it must be admitted, a low undercurrent of lust, because she is showing a nice expanse of skin in that bikini).]

I believe that could be arranged.

[And so he takes one of the fried cheese balls in his hand and holds it up to her mouth.] Simply tell me when.

[Wanda smiles and leans forward, a light blush staining her cheeks. Yes, this was her idea, but with the swell of emotion she feels from Vision (and especially the undercurrent of lust), she can't help it.

She picks up one of the cheese balls and holds it up to Vision's mouth. Maybe plain is best for the first time, anyway. She knows what fried cheese tastes like, but Vision doesn't.

(And he really doesn't need something awful like chocolate sauce on fried cheese for his first taste of them.)]

On three again? One, two, three--!

[And if her lip brush his fingers when he feeds it to her? Oops, not sorry.]

[It's still rather hot from the fryer, but this is clearly how they're meant to be eaten. The Vision offers up a cheese ball to Wanda on her mark, but he's almost distracted by that totally-not-kiss. Almost. But the molten center of the fried cheese and crunchy exterior alone make for a pleasant experience, and added to her sharing of the taste? Oh, my. He grins, chewing quickly so he can comment.]

I begin to see why this was the obvious choice. Shall we share another?

[And then they can move on to the others, but. Mmm.]

[Love surges in their link to see him happy over a strong current of joy. This is a very good day. Vision's always so full of wonder and Wanda loves that look in his eyes when he experiences something new. Sharing food with him has quickly become one of Wanda's favorite things - it's such an effortless intimacy and seeing the world through Vision's eyes is like rediscovering everything herself.

This time she notices the contrast between the crunchy breading and the gooey cheese much more than she normally would. Sokovian cuisine tends to be quite reliant on spices so Wanda usually tends to focus on flavors.]

Now do you see why people love cheese so much? It's so good.

[She grins, warm and easy, and reaches for another cheese ball. The sauces are still waiting, but they can explore them in a minute. She wants to be sure that Vision has a good appreciation for plain fried cheese before continuing.

Her voice is softer this time:] One, two, three--

[And why yes, she's trying for another not-kiss.]

[And that's a large part of why he finds the taste-sharing process so delightful right there. He loves experiencing things in a new way, but he simply adores the delight Wanda gets out of it as well. Having the mental link only helps the feedback loop, and he hasn't stopped smiling all day.

This time he decidedly kisses her fingers when she feeds him and "accidentally" pictures kissing her a little more thoroughly once they get back to their picnic spot and have a modicum of privacy. It's cut off by the sensation of fried cheese, and he concedes it'll be worthwhile to continue eating first.]

I do see. It's a rather complex flavor, isn't it?

[Enough so that now he wants to try something with the cheesy sauce. One of the vegetable-looking things, perhaps?]

Now this looks as though it may drip. Did you still want to try feeding it to one another?

[What if he drips all over her? He has the feeling that licking sauce off your girlfriend in public isn't appropriate.]

[Oh. Her expression softens further to one of loving awe - it's amazing how well he can anticipate her desires before she's even aware of them. She never would have guessed that handkissing of all things would never fail to make her melt for him. It leaves her with no defense at all for that lovely little image and a soft, almost inaudible sound escapes her as her gaze drops to his lips. She's definitely staring.

It takes her a second longer than it should to nap back to reality.]

It's all right if you hold your hand under it. It is going to drip whether we feed it to each other or eat our own.

[She demonstrates and exactly as predicted, her other hand catches a few drops of the cheese that she is definitely licking off later, manners be damned. It's cheese.]

We just have to be careful, but I think it's worth a little risk.

[Ah, he catches that sound and it makes his grin widen. Funny how they're surrounded by people and yet completely focused on one another. It's such a very human thing, being on a date like this.

His gaze is a little softer, a little more focused on her than before.]

Let's eat these ourselves at first, then. I'd like to try to get the hang of it before drippping on you. On three?

[He's sitting across from her in nothing but a bright yellow speedo. How could she have eyes for anyone or anything else? She's only human, after all, with very human weaknesses. She would have been distracted enough with how happy they both are and his attire isn't helping.]

On three.

[To Wanda's, it's good but not as good as the cheese balls, but she suspects Vision will find the texture contrast fascinating. And the cheese sauce is very good.]

What do you think?

[And he hasn't even got wet yet! But it's not like he can focus on anything else while she's sitting there in a bikini, either, so they must be even.

He chews for a bit, savoring the flavor and texture before swallowing.]

It does break up the richness of the cheese, but by itself isn't quite as good. I find it tricky with the sauce.

[But he must like it well enough, because he's going for a second helping.]

What ought the other sauces pair with, do you think?

Hmmmm... [She's just going to test the other two with her pinky.] This one is sweeter. I think maybe it goes with the protein? And this one is...mmmm, a little like marinara, just spicier.

[She eyes the fried protein. To be honest, she's least excited about that part of the platter, but maybe it's better than what they have on the ship. Considering how cheap Atroma's been...she would not be terribly surprised.]

Do you want to try the fried protein next?

[He knows not everyone is fond of the protein dispensers in the ship, but as someone who doesn't actually need to eat it, the Vision doesn't mind it at all.] Ah, yes. With this sweet sauce, then?

[And it's not half bad with the sweet sauce. A little meatier than the "meat" texture from the ships, and deep-fried it's nice and crispy. The tangy-sweet sauce gives it a nice burst of flavor, and he finds himself trying two or three of them to get the experience down. And then he has to try a cheese ball with the not-marinara, and that might be the winner for the day.]

This has been simply wonderful, Wanda. Thank you for sharing with me.

[Because he certainly could have tried it all on his own, but--it wouldn't have been nearly as fun, and he wouldn't have been able to taste anything correctly. So in thanks, he holds the last cheese ball up to her lips, smiling a little.]

[Wanda's happy to sample the rest of the platter with him. The fried protein isn't half-bad, especially with the sauce. It's not that the protein on the ship is bad, exactly, just that it's always slightly squishier than the food it's trying to emulate. This one still has that telltale squishiness on the initial bite but soon the fried coating makes up for it.

But the cheese balls are still her absolute favorite.]

I'm glad I could show you real cheese. It's one of my favorite foods.

[She grins and leans forward to allow him to feed her the cheese ball, holding Vision's gaze as she kisses his fingers quite deliberately.]

But it is better because you're here.

[His heart feels gooier than the fried cheese when she kisses his fingers like that, and the Vision smiles warmly at her, holding her gaze for probably a little longer than strictly necessary.]

How strange. I was just thinking this whole outing was better because you were here.

[But alas, it's the end of the fried food, and they finish up at the food stall and head back to their spot on the beach. The sun is beating down on them, and the water (green as it is) is starting to look inviting. Time to test if someone infused with metal can effectively swim! Of course, he can always just use his abilities to cheat.

He starts wading out into the water, beckoning Wanda after him.]

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