driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: Natasha Romanoff
Broadcast: video
Action: SS Vanquish
When: now or later

[Natasha's face appears on the video, looking tired but focused. Thoughtful. She also looks like the image she presents, insofar as she can control it, is intentional. She's in her quarters, but the camera is angled to reveal little aside from a blank ship wall and the edge of her bunk behind her face and shoulders. There's no fumbling.

When the video starts, she flashes a slight smile.]

As announcements go, this one's a bit late. As of the end of calibrations, I've been the listed captain for the Vanquish.

[It's not an announcement that comes with any pride, or any sense of authority.]

It has had me thinking. I know different ships treat the titles differently, take them more seriously—or less. Most of the time it hasn't mattered to me all that much.

Not like there's any qualifications for it.

[The 'but' in her words is heavily implied in the pause that follows, the slow way she sighs through her nose.]

I've been wondering lately how people would like it to be. If you had a say in it—hypothetically unless you're my crew I suppose—how would you like captains to treat their job? And what would you say their job is.

[She leans back a little, visibly waiting for a response before the video cuts out.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She can guess, though she can't say they're on nickname terms.

It's not hard to put together.]

Answer too is a strong way to put it, but I suppose that would be me now. You're a friend?

Ehhhhhh you could-- No, I--

[Fuck. Why is it so hard just to say "Yes, he's a friend"?]

Guess you could say that, sure. We've been adventuring together-- well, before coming here, that is, for uh...a few months? Almost half a year? ...No wait, more than that.

Whatever. I know him.

Was just wondering what his ship and crew were like. He hasn't just stripped it down in your common room yet has he? If not, maybe he's still behaving himself.

[Maybe it's hard because Taako's here to absolutely wreck his reputation.]

So teammates. [Natasha can accept that. It also says something about the attitude.

Her lips quirk just slightly, noncommittal in response to the question.]

I suppose not you can find out. Sorry, I didn't catch your name?

Mmm that works, sure.

[And Taako? Taako's seen Magnus strip before. He's just wondering anyone else has had that particular sensory experience yet.]

And how about I trade you mine for yours, huh? Can't go around calling you Captain Captain. I already know- well, knew one of those.

Seems equitable. [Dryly. But then, Natasha's delivery is usually dry.] Natasha Romanoff. Hopefully you haven't already known one of those too.

Can't say that I have. Aren't you lucky? You get to be the very first!

[He snickers to himself at his own dumb joke.]

I'm Taako, wizard and chef. Recently the owner of the Melting Pot - which, honestly, I should probably change that name, but rebranding is such a pain.

So that's you. [She's familiar with the restaurant, and the previous owner.] Did you have another name in mind?

That's me!

[And for another name?]

But nah, not yet. Like I said - rebranding is a pain in the ass. I'd have to redo the menus, get new napkins and shit in. Redo the decor. I might be making a modest little profit but that doesn't mean I wanna sink everything I have into this.

Besides, I got a corner on the market right now. It's not like there's another restaurant serving up the best cuisine on this rust-bucket fleet.

You could look at that as a reason you're free to rebrand, if you wanted. Not like you'd have to worry about losing business due to confusion.

[Shrugging.]

But like you said, a lot to redo. And you strike me as someone with better things to do with their time.

Oh yeah, 'chaboy's got a looooot of better things to do.

[Like keep tabs on Magnus, paint his nails, go shopping, sleep, sometimes with Kravitz. A million different things, honestly.]

And who knows how long I'll be here - why waste the time in rebranding if I'm not here to enjoy the windfall?

[Very important things to be doing, indeed.

She arches an eyebrow, lips twitching.]

It's a strong reason to make the best use of your time.

Though it does raise some questions.

Oh? Like what kind of questions? The fun variety or the responsibility one? Because, let's be real here, I'm not answering the second kind.

Why take on the Melting Pot in the first place? Isn't that a responsibility.

Money.

[The answer is quick and flat as anything.]

Also? I was only supposed to be the chef, not the whole damn owner, but y'know how shit goes in this place. One day you have a partner, the next day they up and disappear.

Definitely a danger entering into business ventures here.

[The disappearing part. The money part is true everywhere, more or less.]

You could always get a new partner.

[He snorts indelicately.]

Sure. Point me to someone who I can trust not to fuck up in the kitchen, who has impeccable business sense, and won't just up and fuck off when it's most inconvenient.

I'm not the one running a business here. If you were interested, though, I imagine there'd be ways to track someone down.

Could always put out a call for resumes, but that's more work.

Oh yeah, I mean, I'll find someone and I've got a few in the wings, but, y'know.

[He waves a hand dismissively.]

I'll figure it out. Eventually.