truth_is_cold

075

[Public | Audio]

I'll resume my dinner duties whenever I'm settled. I'm greatful to whoever covered for me. [And he's considerably less angry, now.]

[Private to Friends | Audio]

I brought you some things. It has been only about a week, I presume? [They're small things. Something for Lua, Wanda, Tosh, Dylan- that he's already unfortunately delivered-, Ben, Kozak, and Perry.] I'll drop them off whenever would be suitable.

[Private to the people watching Ben | Audio]

How is he doing?

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[Rhade knocks shortly afterwards. He has a pot with a flower under one arm, and a box in the other. The flower is out of the ordinary; fueled by accessory pigments that make the stems red rather than green. It comes from his world, and it's lovely.

And what he doesn't know? To a dog, it smells like something that very much should be marked. But at least the intention is good and he's careful with it as he juggles the items in his hands.]

[Kozak's inquiry goes pointedly ignored; it's the same question every evening, in spite of the fact that his heightened senses mean he's well aware of the ingredients and the dishes Perry'd known by name had long since started to dwindle. He's a good cook, but it comes from a lifetime of self-sufficiency, not any real academic interest in the craft itself.

Instead he answers by way of setting the table-- the knock at the door comes just as he's finished setting one place 'too many'. Perry excuses himself, still without explanation, to answer the door, stepping aside to allow Rhade entry. The armful of plant and package prompts him to forego the more traditional niceties in favor of the more immediately functional:] Anything I can take off your hands, there?

[Kozak turns in his seat but he knows who it is the second the door is ajar. He's out of his seat and soon a couple steps behind Perry. That's when he notices that Other Smell. He follows it, ignoring the pair for a second, moving comfortably closer to Rhade, and his nose leads him to the odd flower. There he takes a long whiff.

If asked to describe the smell, he'd simply define it as 'floral' or the less eloquent 'nice'. But his dog senses have picked up on that Other. He knows a second too late what that Other is and steps back, mentally shutting all of that down immediately.]

Ah, yes, hi. Sorry. New plant life, you know how it is. [Awkward cough and anxious rubbing of hands as he gets tangled up on his usual social awkwardness.] It's good you're back. I mean, it wasn't that long ago, but. Still. How have you been?

I know you're a geneticist. I thought having something unknown to Earth would be interesting. I know it's easier to access here- [But there's the personal touch of actually giving the gift.

For Perry, his box contains a very nice suit from Rhade's time. High collared, dark, and simple design. Why? Because Rhade got clothing for earlier eras, and he knows sometimes the ship docks in future ports.

He goes to see what he's cooking.] I wasn't aware you could cook.

[Given Kozak's sudden reluctance to come near it, Perry takes the plant to set aside somewhere for him. He follows Rhade to the kitchen area after that and the other box are taken care of, going about setting the rest of the table.]

I thought it was a universal constant that all gay men can cook. [He answers dryly, though it isn't without a self-deprecating note. It doesn't linger long.] I didn't think to ask; anything you don't eat?

It's... certainly something. Not entirely unpleasant, I do appreciate it. I think I'd like to study it. [First priority: deactivate its odd trigger to his senses.] Thanks, Rhade.

[He's definitely not getting into the personal aspect of the plant at all beyond the friendly parameters, or considering how rarely he was ever given gifts before the Barge. Instead, he simply follows behind the two at a leisurely distance.]

I can probably eat more than you can. [He's a braggart, yes. Those genes let him enjoy some stuff that would usually kill most people.]

And sadly I'm from a breeder culture and men that entirely prefer the company of men as familial partners are few and far between. [He doesn't sound biased, though. "Entirely" being the operative word. He's coming to grips with one of the people that he loves now leaving his life again, and not liking it.] So on all counts, feel free to surprise me.

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