[ While in the kitchen area, He Ming has reheated his fries and mixed the tomato-based sauce with a little extra salt and vinegar before sliding into the canteen. ]
Hi-hi. Fries. [ He sets them onto the table and flops into a chair. ] Eat!
[ It shouldn't surprise Ras any more just how much space He Ming manages to take up with his presence. The strategist looks up from his tea, one eyebrow already raised with some kind of remark waiting surely but--
But then there are fries and what smells like vinegar and Ras is just too many levels of curious to bother with his usual level of dismissal.]
I mean, they don't look sentient I guess....
[ Okay, so maybe he was still gonna make one comment. Who can blame him? He snags a fry, just one thank you, and takes a bite.
He doesn't spit it back out right away so that's a win. ]
[ Tomatoes are difficult to get at most ports, as they're not able to grow in most areas. But maybe, with the right kind of light... ]
Well, they don't taste like this. But it's closer than how this sauce started. If we get some dirt and tomato seeds, you know, we could grow some on this ship. What about the fries?
Mmm, no. Not really something readily available where I'm from.
[ Maybe they had something similar on his home planet, but honestly Ras mostly ate meats and sweets because he was a spoiled brat. And those gross health pods that he was forced to consume so that he was healthy. Ew, space vitamins.]
You honestly think that we could grow something here? [ He isn't sure that he has the same level of confidence as you there, He Ming.
Ras shoves the rest of the fry in his mouth and chews, shrugging a little.] I'm not a fry connoisseur honestly but could be so much worse.
Light? [ Right kind of light.... he vaguely remembers talk about plants needed specific light rays from certain planets but -- that wouldn't help him charm a kind or figure out how to outmaneuver an enemy so Ras really didn't pay as much attention as he should have in those lessons.
There is a poorly hidden almost smile as Ras shoved another fry in his mouth, watching He Ming as he looks so proud of his fry discovery.]
Or you just found the one person who has so little experience with fries that anything seems decent...
[ Congratulations, you have made Ras laugh. Openly. Not necessarily loud laughter or very big in that sense, but it is honest laughter that has Ras almost choking on the fry shoved in his mouth.]
I have taste buds, despite the rumours, I am not actually an android. [ Android was the nicer thing to be called really. ] Though I guess this is a good foray into earth food, thanks.
[ The laughter is gone, but Ras looks-- a little less serious that he might usually look. ]
For the most part, I stuck to sweets and meats. We were given heath packets daily, vitamins I think you would call them? You didn't really need to eat if you didn't want to, but... yeah, sweets were my favourites.
[ He Ming laughs, because yes, of course Ras would try to just eat the most enjoyable foods and nothing else. He responds to the question with a tilt of his head and a smile. ]
I like lots of kinds of food. I like stuff that's... spicy?
[ Something like that. He Ming's smile stays wide. ]
Why didn't you just eat the vitamins and nothing else? You still wanted to eat food?
[ He was the definition of spoiled brat growing up, no one is surprised.]
Spicy? Like full of flavour or hot kind of spicy?
[ There were some meats that ran on the spicy side back home, but Ras didn't each much of that. Mainly because, well, sweets.]
Mmm, well you would take a different packet if you didn't want to consume food, still need calories after all but-- I enjoyed food. It was plentiful, so why not enjoy it.
[ Food is necessary to them even now, but the rations that are most commonly available at ports aren't the best. These vitamin packets that Ras is describing would be great. ]
Because you could spend the time doing something else. I don't think about eating for fun.
[ Sorry, Ras might make a little bit of a face at that. Mainly because, well, he never could handle hot spicy things. He tried, really (not really), but there was too much pain involved for his liking. ]
Really? Don't you find you can't eat much then? And eating isn't fun but-- enjoyable. Also usually involved friends and gatherings I guess, it was as much social as it was for sustenance.
Eating is enjoyable, but it's not as fun as some other things. I just rank them and decide... [ He Ming finishes another fry and begins gesturing with his hands, drawing out the layers of a triangle. ] Do I want to spend time eating food or exploring somewhere new? Or going on another mission? Or spend time with a friend?
[ Spending time with "friends" is at the top of that hierarchy. He Ming sits back in his seat once more, poking through the pile of fries with his fingers until he finds a suitable one. ]
But eating with friends, that's pretty good. That's what we're doing now!
[ Please don't get ketchup paste on his face while you fling that fry around like that. Or on his clothes, he just cleaned this and it's his favourite shirt. ]
I guess that makes sense when you put it like that. It was never a choice for me though, not really.
[ Eating was a break from training, from learning etiquette or politics or history or languages, eating meant something else. He also wasn't always forced to eat with his family, there were a lot of times when eating took place with the guards that were also training, other officers in the palace.
In other words, nothing like what He Ming was used to.
Ras watches with a faint smile as another fry is found, reaching in to find and consume another of his own. Tries not to choke on it with how pleased He Ming says when they are friends eating together. Not that Ras didn't consider them friends, just-- it was something else to hear it from He Ming.]
[ Then they just rank eating as a pleasure differently. He Ming enjoys his fries, still. But—he gets the most enjoyment from seeing Ras fluster a bit. ]
Right. [ He Ming moves close enough to nudge his knee against Ras'. ] Now eat up.
[ Like he thought before, you are clearly here to test him. Ras is fairly sure it is impossible to know He Ming and not find him strangely endearing despite the levels of idiocy that also seem to happen around him. There were times when Ras might actually find that idiocy entertaining, but like the void he would say that out loud.
Ras huffs, pushes his knee back against He Ming's before grabbing another fry to swirl in the ketchup.]
I liked these snacks you could get at convenience stores. [ Do they have convenience stores in other sectors of space? He Ming continues regardless, letting the touch of Ras' knee be unreturned for now. ] They're like, crispy rice sticks... but really spicy, and they come with this extra sauce tub you can dip them in. The sauce is spicy too.
[ He brings his fingertips together repeatedly, as if there's something stuck to them other than a bit of salt from the fries. ]
Makes your fingers sticky and all red. Then you lick them clean and feel your lips burn even more, haha.
[ Do you see the confusion on Ras's face? It is equal parts because he has no idea what a convenience store is (but can extrapolate based on the word) and partly because, well, that sounds not great? Sticky? Burning? Yeah, no thanks.
But yeah he might be a little curious still.]
So was it the spice that you enjoyed more or the sauce? Or the combination of both together? [ He shoves the last bit of a fry into his mouth before grabbing another one completely unthinking.] I feel like the rice sticks could be pretty delicious on their own honestly....
Fun? [ If he sounds skeptical it is because he is, highly. That sounds a little too uncomfortable for him to call it fun.
Though with the way that He Ming continues, Ras isn't quite sure they are talking about food anymore. Slowly, Ras finishes chewing his fry (and grabs another, what is this witchcraft) before he answers, furrow between his brows.]
I'm not sure, there wasn't a lot of things that were spicy when I was growing up, and what was available wasn't really my favourite. Though I suppose I can see how that kind of thing would be addictive.
[ It's fun to have some pain with the pleasure. Exciting.
Yes, addicting. ]
Then I'll cook you something spicy, sometime. And it's the thrill of it!
You've never done something kind of dangerous just because it'll be fun?
[ He Ming leans forward now. He wants to poke that little furrow in
his brow. Instead, he taps his shoe against Ras' and grabs another fry for
himself. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-11-29 03:26 am (UTC)[ While in the kitchen area, He Ming has reheated his fries and mixed the tomato-based sauce with a little extra salt and vinegar before sliding into the canteen. ]
Hi-hi. Fries. [ He sets them onto the table and flops into a chair. ] Eat!
no subject
Date: 2019-11-29 03:47 am (UTC)But then there are fries and what smells like vinegar and Ras is just too many levels of curious to bother with his usual level of dismissal.]
I mean, they don't look sentient I guess....
[ Okay, so maybe he was still gonna make one comment. Who can blame him? He snags a fry, just one thank you, and takes a bite.
He doesn't spit it back out right away so that's a win. ]
...did you put vinegar on them?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-29 04:05 am (UTC)[ He Ming grabs one of the fries, drags it through the ketchup, and munches. ]
No, just some in the ketchup, because it wasn't ketchup-y enough. I like it a little more sour... like real tomatoes. What do you think?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-29 04:09 am (UTC)Still, Ras grabs another and dunks it into the mess being passed off as ketchup.]
I don't know, I've never had real tomatoes.
[ At least, he is pretty sure he hasn't. Is that what you were asking him? ]
no subject
Date: 2019-11-29 04:13 am (UTC)[ Tomatoes are difficult to get at most ports, as they're not able to grow in most areas. But maybe, with the right kind of light... ]
Well, they don't taste like this. But it's closer than how this sauce started. If we get some dirt and tomato seeds, you know, we could grow some on this ship. What about the fries?
no subject
Date: 2019-11-29 04:23 am (UTC)[ Maybe they had something similar on his home planet, but honestly Ras mostly ate meats and sweets because he was a spoiled brat. And those gross health pods that he was forced to consume so that he was healthy. Ew, space vitamins.]
You honestly think that we could grow something here? [ He isn't sure that he has the same level of confidence as you there, He Ming.
Ras shoves the rest of the fry in his mouth and chews, shrugging a little.] I'm not a fry connoisseur honestly but could be so much worse.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-29 04:42 am (UTC)[ He is the master of reheating fries. Leaning back in his chair, satisfied now, He Ming thumbs a bit of salt from the corner of his mouth. ]
I told you, drunk-me makes good decisions in stashing fries.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-30 03:17 am (UTC)There is a poorly hidden almost smile as Ras shoved another fry in his mouth, watching He Ming as he looks so proud of his fry discovery.]
Or you just found the one person who has so little experience with fries that anything seems decent...
no subject
Date: 2019-11-30 11:51 pm (UTC)[ He raises his shoulders, exaggerating a shrug. ]
I mean, I assume you do. Just enjoy the earth food and expand your horizons, try and have fun.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-01 12:15 am (UTC)I have taste buds, despite the rumours, I am not actually an android. [ Android was the nicer thing to be called really. ] Though I guess this is a good foray into earth food, thanks.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-01 12:44 am (UTC)Hmm, good. Next time I'll make you something else!
[ That said, food from earth isn't necessarily that exciting to He Ming, though admittedly he'd grown up with it. ]
But earth flavors might be kind of boring to you. What kind of food do you like from home?
no subject
Date: 2019-12-01 12:53 am (UTC)Some other earth food, mmm?
[ The laughter is gone, but Ras looks-- a little less serious that he might usually look. ]
For the most part, I stuck to sweets and meats. We were given heath packets daily, vitamins I think you would call them? You didn't really need to eat if you didn't want to, but... yeah, sweets were my favourites.
[ Shocking, surely.]
What about you? What was your favourite food.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-01 01:11 am (UTC)I like lots of kinds of food. I like stuff that's... spicy?
[ Something like that. He Ming's smile stays wide. ]
Why didn't you just eat the vitamins and nothing else? You still wanted to eat food?
no subject
Date: 2019-12-01 01:35 am (UTC)Spicy? Like full of flavour or hot kind of spicy?
[ There were some meats that ran on the spicy side back home, but Ras didn't each much of that. Mainly because, well, sweets.]
Mmm, well you would take a different packet if you didn't want to consume food, still need calories after all but-- I enjoyed food. It was plentiful, so why not enjoy it.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-02 12:31 am (UTC)[ Food is necessary to them even now, but the rations that are most commonly available at ports aren't the best. These vitamin packets that Ras is describing would be great. ]
Because you could spend the time doing something else. I don't think about eating for fun.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-02 12:48 am (UTC)Really? Don't you find you can't eat much then? And eating isn't fun but-- enjoyable. Also usually involved friends and gatherings I guess, it was as much social as it was for sustenance.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-02 01:23 am (UTC)[ Spending time with "friends" is at the top of that hierarchy. He Ming sits back in his seat once more, poking through the pile of fries with his fingers until he finds a suitable one. ]
But eating with friends, that's pretty good. That's what we're doing now!
no subject
Date: 2019-12-02 02:01 am (UTC)I guess that makes sense when you put it like that. It was never a choice for me though, not really.
[ Eating was a break from training, from learning etiquette or politics or history or languages, eating meant something else. He also wasn't always forced to eat with his family, there were a lot of times when eating took place with the guards that were also training, other officers in the palace.
In other words, nothing like what He Ming was used to.
Ras watches with a faint smile as another fry is found, reaching in to find and consume another of his own. Tries not to choke on it with how pleased He Ming says when they are friends eating together. Not that Ras didn't consider them friends, just-- it was something else to hear it from He Ming.]
Y-yeah. Social, like this.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-02 02:08 am (UTC)Right. [ He Ming moves close enough to nudge his knee against Ras'. ] Now eat up.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-02 02:29 am (UTC)Ras huffs, pushes his knee back against He Ming's before grabbing another fry to swirl in the ketchup.]
Mmmm, what was your favourite spicy food then?
no subject
Date: 2019-12-02 03:27 am (UTC)[ He brings his fingertips together repeatedly, as if there's something stuck to them other than a bit of salt from the fries. ]
Makes your fingers sticky and all red. Then you lick them clean and feel your lips burn even more, haha.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-03 07:29 pm (UTC)But yeah he might be a little curious still.]
So was it the spice that you enjoyed more or the sauce? Or the combination of both together? [ He shoves the last bit of a fry into his mouth before grabbing another one completely unthinking.] I feel like the rice sticks could be pretty delicious on their own honestly....
no subject
Date: 2019-12-03 07:55 pm (UTC)Both together! The spicier the better. It makes them fun to eat.
[ He Ming's eyes flick down to the disappearing pile of fries, and smiles, eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. ]
The rice sticks are kind of bland on their own... you don't like a little bit of spiciness? The burn is addicting.
no subject
Date: 2019-12-03 08:37 pm (UTC)Though with the way that He Ming continues, Ras isn't quite sure they are talking about food anymore. Slowly, Ras finishes chewing his fry (and grabs another, what is this witchcraft) before he answers, furrow between his brows.]
I'm not sure, there wasn't a lot of things that were spicy when I was growing up, and what was available wasn't really my favourite. Though I suppose I can see how that kind of thing would be addictive.
[ Maybe. ]
no subject
Date: 2019-12-03 09:17 pm (UTC)[ It's fun to have some pain with the pleasure. Exciting. Yes, addicting. ]
Then I'll cook you something spicy, sometime. And it's the thrill of it! You've never done something kind of dangerous just because it'll be fun?
[ He Ming leans forward now. He wants to poke that little furrow in his brow. Instead, he taps his shoe against Ras' and grabs another fry for himself. ]
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From: