unilaterallydisarming

[He kinda loves the basket of potatoes. But...he has to pick up the purple potato, marveling at it.]

This one is a real potato? Where does it come from? It almost doesn't seem real.

[Look. He would not be surprised if John had potatoes from other plants in his pantry.]

[ He nods immediately. ]

Yes. They're more commonly found in South America. I like the color. And it has more vitamins.

It tends to turn a little more pink or darker depending on how you cook them.

Truly? I had no idea.

[It's marvelous. Potatoes he didn't know about!]

I wouldn't be able to find it at home but- this might be good for the teenagers on board. They're still growing- they need all the vitamins they can get.

Maybe we should make one of each so you can try them. And then you can decide one for the soup?

Oh! Yes! That'd be fun!

Just a- steamed potato, maybe? To make it fair for all the potatoes?

What about one steamed, one boiled... since we're making a soup, after all. Give you an idea of the texture and the flavor.

Oh...

That's a wonderful idea. Shall we get started then?

[ He nods, kisses Oscar atop the head, and picks out two specimens of each to cook up for testing. He went for smaller ones, just to hopefully cook them evenly in a short span. ]

I found a lentil soup recipe you might like. I don't think the spices were too difficult and it was still very tasty. I'll have to let you try some a little later.

Edited 2025-07-19 16:57 (UTC)

[Oscar feels himself melt a little, but moves back, giving John room to move around- but he does take a moment to give John a gentle stroke on the back.]

Lentils? That'll be a good soup to try.

[And it could work in the soup kitchen. It was...very cheap currently.]

What book did you find it in?

[ John is just as happy for the touch. But he'll take a moment to pull the book off of a shelf to hand over to him. ]

It's in here. A lot of the recipes might be good for you.

[He clearly needs to offer John more touches. He leans against him, since his hand is full when he takes the book.]

Oh, it's very colorful. A colored photograph...Thank you John. I may have to borrow this for some bedtime reading.

[ He nods. ]

You're welcome to borrow it for a while. I found it in a shop a few ports back. I thought it might be helpful just to make me rethink cooking in case we're low on supplies.

It's a good idea. I thought about that when wanting to work in the kitchen.

[He drifts over to a stool, and sets the book on the counter.]

But it was in better shape than I expected, with the freezer and all. The good big man there doesn't care for my type so...I decided to leave be for now.

Red?

[ He and John are very close, after all. ]

Yeah, he's mentioned. But if you ever need supplies, I keep my own store here. I don't mind sharing.

Him, yes. I know the good folk don't like being named, especially by a Christian.

[Leaves a bad taste and all that. He gets it.]

I appreciate that. I'll modify my cabin to have a proper kitchen one day.

It still feels...strange, John, I admit. How things...work here.

Which part?

[ There's a lot to being here that could throw someone off. ]

Right now, the exchange of goods and services.

...though there is an inmate that particularly disturbs me, but that's a different conversation.

[ That gets a pause as he tosses the first of the potatoes into the boiling pot. ]

Who?

Mahito, the curse.

[He considered and:]

I even considered doing one of those...warden posts. Have you spoken to him?

Ah.

[ Zero percent surprised.]

I talked to him pretty early. What's your concern?

[ John has an idea of what's going to happen eventually. But it hasn't happened yet. And he knows that beings like that have enough trouble; assuming they're going to go fucking buckwild when they're frustrated is one thing but announcing it to other people is another and can make things worse. After all, if no one believes you can be better, why would you even try? ]

It's...perhaps the best way to think of it is his regard to humans.

Yes, they're a fuel source which is- much like the vampires on board. And there are degrees. I'm quite fond of Sam, for example.

But people aren't...people to him. In a way of how small children don't see people being anything but living extensions of themselves, at best.

[ He nods. ]

At best.

[ He knows that perspective. He's lived that perspective. ]

At best. From what I understand...the fear of people created him and...feeds him.

[John would understand that more than anyone.]

So...that is why I am...concerned.

[ Hmm. ]

Is that really a reason for concern? Or is it something more specific?

[ He glances over at Oscar. ]

A viewpoint isn't, itself, much of a reason. But... that viewpoint plus something else, some reason to cause trouble...

Do you think he has a reason?

I know I'm being...close minded. And I know you'd understand better than I would.

[He sighs, rubbing a hand over his hair.]

I don't think he has a reason, but I'm not certain. He mostly...gives me the chills.

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