o p e n p o s t

[quasaar]

o p e n p o s t

Comments

[quasaar]

Would you be able to teach me how to cook something spicy?

[ Because he is trying to expand his repertoire, also he just likes learning things honestly. Also, it might give him a little bit more of an understanding on just how spicy is spicy.

There is a raised brow at the question, the implication of 'seriously, have you met me' clear. But still--]

Not in a long while, not since-- not since I was a teenager really. [ And he learned that lesson quick. ] But I guess I see your point.

[quatrain]

I could try! [ He Ming laughs, because right now he's feeding Ras fries for the first time in his life. He's not sure if they're going to succeed in cooking spicy regional dishes from his hometown.

But yes, they must try. ]

You're not so old yet. You still have time to try things. And you're around us—we're fun. Or at least, I am.

[ He Ming raises his eyebrows a bit, though he doesn't name any names. ]

[quasaar]

[ The fact that Ras is eating fires is one hell of a triumph really, and him learning something in the processes is going to make it all the better for him. If there was one thing that Ras did enjoy it was learning, one of the things that he didn't hold bitterness towards in his past.

There is a snort while he finishes the fry, absently licks the ketchup that made its way onto his thumb before nodding.]

I still have well over a century left, sadly. [ He actually looks a little upset about that oops. There is an amused smile at that though, well, twitch of his lips. ] Fun? That how you describe yourself?

[ Look at that, you've unlocked Ras's almost goodnatured teasing as well. ]

[quatrain]

Yeah. Isn't it obvious? [ Because he's always doing things and "being himself". That's fun in his book. Still, he knows he sounds exaggerated, and he shrugs to dull the effect somewhat. ]

You don't think I brighten your day? Look, what would you be doing if I didn't invite you to eat with me?

[quasaar]

[ Well, you have a point there. Ras hums as he lets his fingertips drill against the tabletop, the almost smile still curling at the corners of his lips.]

Probably reading honestly.

[quatrain]

[ He Ming returns the smile. With a movement of his foot he hooks it behind one of Ras' ankles and tugs lightly. ]

Nerd. But that's okay. I'll invite you to do more stuff so you can get out of your room once in a while, 'kay?

[quasaar]

[ There is a flicker of surprise on his face at the contact, something Ras still isn't completely used to despite everything.]

I mean, nerd is better than idiot isn't it? [ He isn't pointing a finger at you, honestly. Others who shall not be named. ] Hey! Who said I don't get out of my room!

[ Everyone, Ras. Literally everyone, unless there are actual things to be done, Ras is in his room.]

[quatrain]

We all know you barely come out, even for food.

[ He Ming laughs and jostles his foot again. ]

It's okay. I'll keep bugging you to make sure you're not dead.

[quasaar]

[ It speaks volumes that Ras doesn't pull his foot back, just nudges back as best he can and rolls his eyes.]

Hey that's what the nutrient packs are for! Now, at least. Less so before. [ A beat before, quieter:] But thanks.

[quatrain]

You're welcome.

[ He Ming might sound a little too pleased with himself. The smugness dissipates, after a moment. ]

Now eat up. I'll clean up after.

[quasaar]

[ rolling his eyes now wow. but he is still grabbing another fry and the smile hasn't quite faded from his lips so yeah okay maybe you are allowed to be smug.]

Mmhmmm, I can help clean up. Oh, you want some tea?

[ he gestures to the pot on the counter, possibly a little strong at this point but Ras is pretty sure that He Ming will be okay with that. ]

[quatrain]

Tea? Sure.

[ Not really something that goes with fries and ketchup, but He Ming is not picky. He gets up to fetch some cups. ]

Is this tea you made earlier?

[quasaar]

[ in his defence he was making tea beforehand. it was a ritual thing that he did in order to keep himself calm and centred and from overthinking as he was prone to doing. that and it gave him a reason to come here that was more than 'meeting He Ming'. like he needed an excuse.]

Mmm it is. Might be a bit over-steeped but still decent.

[quatrain]

Okay then, I'll take some.

[ He pours some into each cup and slides into his seat again, holding his drink with both hands as he takes a measured sip. ]

Mm. Where did you get this? What kind is it?

[quasaar]

[ there is a pause where Ras takes a sip of tea, measures his words against the truth.]

Spiced tea, from the Eta Carinae system.

[ home. or what used to be home. ]

Found some at a marketplace a while back, decently priced.

[quatrain]

Huh. Is it expensive?

[ A longer slurp. ]

I don't know if it's supposed to taste fancy or not...

[quasaar]

Mmm not really the most expensive or fancy, but it has been harder to get things exported out of the system as of late.

[ blockades. a tightening of the System Lord's grip there. ]

It is a fairly common tea there, hot or cold. There is a whole planet that just grows the plants used to make it.

[quatrain]

Have you been there? [ A planet of tea... it must smell nice. He Ming can't imagine that. ]

I don't think I've been anywhere with that many plants. Or even grass.

[quasaar]

Mmm a long time ago.

[ there is more he could say, but perhaps another time. instead he takes a sip of his own tea and raises a brow.]

Really? No jungle planets for you at all?

[quatrain]

No! I've never been. When I go to planets, I don't always have time to even leave the ports, and when I do, it's to get more supplies.

[ A slight pout is emerging. ]

And we can't just go and explore as much as we want. Not unless we want Orion to go gray early!

[quasaar]

[ Ras is quite, takes another sip of his tea as he looks into the middle distance.]

I can plot a few out for you, if you want. We should have some time coming up in between missions where we can take some more time planet side. Make it useful, maybe take Jan and let him get eaten by a man eating plant. Would be useful, wouldn't it?

[ he likes Janus, honestly. he does, but-- sometimes.]

Or even just for you to have when you're doing whatever, good places to visit when you can.

[quatrain]

You'd do that for me?

[ He Ming is almost ready to jump completely over the need to "have some time" or wait to have time "between missions". Can't they go now? ]

I won't get rid of Janus for you, though. I like him. You'll have to take it into your own hands.

[quasaar]

[ Ras raises his brow, lips twitching as he takes another sip of tea.]

Mmm, of course I would do that for you.

[ come on, despite you having questionable taste in food and friends (well, Janus), Ras kinda likes He Ming.

snorting into his tea before he puts it down, Ras gives a heavy, and dramatic, sigh.]

He would like that too much, I guess he gets to live a while longer then...

[quatrain]

Oh, yeah, he'd like having your hands on him in any situation.

[ Giving him a slightly lascivious eyebrow raise, He Ming kicks back, very satisfied with himself. ]

Let's do this again sometime, when you're free. Hang out and gossip.

[quasaar]

[ Ras snorts and then makes a face because, well, He Ming is certainly not wrong with that statement. it was something that Ras has still not quite wrapped his head around, either way. there were some people he figured, that simply existed to confuse and annoy him.

Janus was certainly one of those people.

tipping his cup towards the other, Ras smiles. ] Gossip? What gossip? This is intelligence trading I will have you know...