voidtreckerexpress | the voidtrecker cafe is now open? ☕ a november catch-all!

Entry tags:

the voidtrecker cafe is now open? ☕ a november catch-all!

Who: Roland Crane x OTA!
Where: Various places, specifically/primarily: the Kitchen and the Gym.
When: Spanning most of early Imagination, from Imagination 1-12 (pre-mission weeks).
What: Join the train's resident president as he explores various degrees of hobby-making, training, and whatever else comes between work and sleep.
Warnings: Self-indulgent Barista!Roland as the primary prompt. No apologies given!!!

01 - good to the last drop?
It's your sense of smell that's engaged first. Walk upstairs unto the second floor of the Kitchen, and it's impossible to miss. Its wafting aroma may even reach below the floor, enticing you to come up out of curiosity. For those who come from Earth in particular, it's a smell that feels fond and nostalgic, invoking busy work days and people-watching by busy tables.

Almost true to the designated name of the month, there is an invitation to be swept away by the roast of coffee beans stirring the imagination. The air around here is unbelievably fragrant, almost sweet. And the amateur roast master for as long as supplies last is a dutiful figure - Roland Crane, in a simple polo shirt and an apron tied to his waist, standing behind the steel counter with an open crate of supplies from his recent purchase at the store. The communal coffee maker is there too, but his spread is more meticulous this time around. Two bags of coffee beans labeled 'hazelnut creme' and 'dark arabica' to one side, with batches already ground up. The portable grinder is small, but it matches the moka pot for espresso. Hot water already reaching the boil, with bottles lined up like they're ready for service: a couple of syrup selections, bottles of milk, cream, sugar, then finally the hero of the month: honey in various containers.

He's reading a book from the counter, head tilted down, but don't let that stop you from approaching. He's got something brewing, in more ways than one. In fact, as soon as he notices you, he'll offer a small smile, abandoning the task of reading altogether as he goes for his tools. Cups and mugs within reach, but he'll pretend to write something on them with his pen. An inside joke that may or may not connect, but he commits to the immersion anyway:

"Hey, welcome back. Don't worry, I remember you. And what you ordered last time. Heh."

Kick back. Relax. Have a cuppa of honey and coffee and let Roland the barista hear your tales of woe. Or joy? Whatever you're willing to share. He'll listen. He's got the experience, trust him.

(The tip jar to the very end of his work station is absolutely fake.)

02 - a moving target.
[ At the Gym, some time before mission information goes up and Roland heads straight into his usual business mode, you will find him with his pistol. But for those who have seen him in action already, there's something decidedly different this time around. The gun in his hand, although already more futuristic and magical in its design, is looking more spruced up. An extra barrel that makes it bulky, and the muzzle shaped odd. There's something there that was not there before.

And the only time you will see this for yourself is when he takes a deep breath...and aims at the makeshift targets from a distance. They're staggered, purposely left in random formations. When Roland shoots, his left hand holding the trigger, the usual sound of a gun firing filling the car...Until it stops and suddenly a grappling hook comes out instead. A weird combination, but it fires just as fast as the bullets and there's a struggle to reach the farthest dummy.

Unfortunately, it doesn't quite catch. And so Roland retracts it back, the fiber cable making a sharp whizzing sound as it returns to the gun. ]

[ He sighs. ] This is going to take some getting used to before I even think about making new moves.

[ Approach him here, for training, and he'll be a happy partner. ] Say, got something small I can use to try and grab with my new toy, here? I promise I won't break it. [ Roland nods, jokingly but also, how could he lie to you with such an earnest face? ]

03 - Wildcard!
[ For anything else you may want to do! Am on Discord < Titallenial#7701 > for plotting ideas. Am always open, and will follow your lead! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ What is up with that determination suddenly coming from Roland. Inigo knows that look in the guy's eyes by now, okay. It means he's got some sort of plan. And Inigo isn't sure what kind of plan to expect in this context - what, is Roland going to start a zoo to educate Tidus?

Inigo chooses not to question it though. Roland probably just wants to do something nice for the other - he's just like that. So instead Inigo eats a bit more before Tidus starts on the smoothie talk again, making Inigo curiously blink at him.

Especially that last statement. ]

Really? [ It's not like he could know. He knows about as little about smoothies as Tidus knows about horses. Even with Roland's educational video levels of explanation a few moments ago, it's not like Inigo has gotten to experience said smoothies for real yet. ] I mean, I trust you when you say it! But can those really replace other food?

[ They kind of sounded like just drinks! THEN WHAT WAS ALL THAT 'HEY INIGO SHOVE SPECIFICALLY SOME FOOD INTO YOUR MOUTH' HARASSMENT HE'S RECEIVED FROM PEOPLE ABOUT. ]

[ It's a smoothie or a dry pack of MRE again, Inigo. PICK WELL! ]

Yeah. It definitely can. In fact, plenty of items from the modern world have done the job of replacing full meals, though that's not to say you shouldn't eat the real deal. [ Roland nods sagely for a second before he picks at another oyster and chews on it thoughtfully, the edge of the fork resting against his lower lip. ] ...we have meal replacements right now, in the supply stores. They're not smoothies, but where I come from, I know of people who drink it instead of eating food. [ For reasons. He doesn't say though. ] It's nutritious but it's no freshly cooked paella.

[ Speaking of - ! He swallows down the oyster and turns to Tidus for a quick second, eyes suddenly wide and his hands grown still over utensils. ]

Hey, so. What's the verdict? Among the three of us, you're the guy cooking up a storm all the time. [ Roland takes a moment to glance at Inigo, as if meeting his eye to say this is it! The final judgment! ] Did we get it right? Does it taste, erm, good?

[ Tidus eating it without complaint is one thing, but Tidus actually giving feedback is something else altogether! ]

[ rip their MRE and nutrition drink orders :(

It's a fun conversation: not exciting, but thoughtful, maybe even good for a guy like Inigo. Wondering if something like smoothies would work for him than having to sit and eat, but even then, they'd need to have the right ingredients for such.

But then the attention is put on him, the question asked before. Tidus lifts his eyes, forgetting even he was meant to - or should - say anything about the food. A quick affirmation leaves him, ] Yeah, sure, it's good!, [ but he does lower his gaze, looking...sheepish when he has those few more seconds to reflect. And to see the spread before them of the food, the drinks.

Three plates on a table for those eating. Three plates... ]

I... I haven't gotten to eat like this in a while. I wish I could show you some of Zanarkand's recipes! And the spices- I'll have to order in sometime! Pay you both back.

[ But that's distracting him from what he wants, and means to say. A flickering glance at the two of them, 'til- ]

That is... thanks, you two. I really appreciate it.

[ After Roland gave him that look, of course Inigo is going to nudge the other's side with his elbow when Tidus gives that answer. There's nothing verbal added to it, not with how quickly the mood shifts a bit afterwards, but there's definitely an see, I told you it wasn't bad!! kind of implication to his nudge, especially with the smile he gives Roland. Don't be so worried about it! They did their best together, didn't they?

But Inigo's attention definitely shifts back to Tidus the moment he realises the sheepish quality to his words. At first he isn't too sure where this is going, what exactly is hiding under Tidus's words. What's making him so sheepish about all of this in the first place.

'In a while', huh.. How long? What exactly is Tidus thinking of? Eating with his teammates back home? Would that really get the other so weirdly emotional?

Inigo quietly contemplates it for a moment, but when he realises he can't quite figure it out with his single braincell, he just smiles sweetly - genuinely so. ]

Hey, it really is no problem. We can eat like this as often as you want, if you like it. [ It's a relatively low price to pay for Tidus's happiness. And the latter is priceless. ] I mean, I had no idea you'd like it this much. You should've told us.

[ Because Inigo knows Roland well enough too that he knows the other would have done this with him the moment they knew Tidus would need it or want it. They're both invested in his happiness. ]

[ If he were the type to let out a 'phew', he absolutely would. Instead, Roland nods quietly at Inigo to express his silent congratulations at a job well done.

But his attention is pulled immediately at the way Tidus says his thanks, the words catching on a little faster than what they might be implying. Roland smiles a little wider, happy that the surprise ended up the way that it did altogether. He's aware that Tidus's happy-go-lucky exterior was also prone to its own bouts of loneliness, and nobody could blame him for it. Certainly not Roland, not from what he's seen either. ]

That's right.

[ Might not be the best instance to take another bite, so he withholds. There's a point to be made here, and he's ready to lend that support when Inigo sets the bait. Invested indeed. ]

It's not something Inigo and I did just so you can pay us back. Besides, more than just the three of us eating, why don't we make it a kitchen to dinner project? You've got two willing assistants here, pro. Get those Zanarkand recipes up and we'll get our aprons on. It'll be served before you know it. Heh.

[ He's also never tasted dishes from other worlds before, sans Evermore, but that no longer counted. It's exciting! ]

[ Their words don't make him feel any less awkward, goofy, touched by their kindness, both the gift and what they say. It's just one of those things to put up with: a good thing, nothing bad about it. What's horrible about having friends be kind?

Even if it reminds him of home; the invitations to dinners, the faces of those who lived nearby. Fans, but neighbours too. Even he can still experience a familiar warmth like this.

Something he shouldn't be able to anymore, but... ]

Alright then. I'll get a book! [ Ahh- ] I need to write down everything I say I'll get... wasn't I supposed to get you something, Inigo?

[ Now that he thinks about it... another book? He thinks... ]

[ When he hears those words from Tidus, laughter spills across Inigo's lips before he even realises it. ]

Roland told you literally a moment ago that we didn't do this just so you can pay us back, and here you're already asking that?

[ Not that Inigo minds, really. He just seems amused. It's just nice to see. Tidus's natural attitude, his generosity. The infinite kindness that is only thinly veiled at best by the constant teasing - and huffing, when it comes to interactions with their favourite old man. ]

How about you get me a Tidus who won't complain when I hold his hand? [ At least this time it's very, very obvious he's joking. They went over the whole thing, after all, and Inigo knows that Tidus genuinely doesn't mind the affection - just has to get used to it. Hence why the saying comes with an obvious tease to his tone, Inigo's nose wrinkling up in his half-amused half-cheeky expression. ] Just kidding. I really enjoy the three of us eating together like this too. It sure makes coming to dinner a whole lot more rewarding.

[ Once upon a time, watching three eat by a dinner table was Roland's regular dining experience too. Granted, the child by his side then was much younger...but he can't help but drift to that image in his mind too, listening to them talk, Tidus and Inigo enjoying the company and the food laid before them. Yes, yes this was rewarding wasn't it? It reminded him of what was at stake; what he needed to protect.

He chuckles as soon as he swallows his food, pausing for now, feeling himself bloat already from the rice and the fish tacos. ]

A smoothie recipe book? [ Roland supplements, leaning back to cross his arms and sits content to watch them relaxed. ] Or the ingredients to one? Maybe both. Don't worry, I'll help you keep track. I'm the auditing guy, remember? Listing might cramp your style, heh. [ The joke comes easy enough, his smile turning into a smirk. ]

And speaking of the food too, do you have a favorite so far, pup? Taste testing them was one thing, but having a full serving will probably tell you more about the dish.

[ He turns to Inigo then, ready to take note of what he likes too. Things he would remember about them both, small but significant nonetheless. ]

Hey, I'm talking about before this! [ he says right back! ] There was a book, but I forgot! That's got nothing to do with feeling like I owe you for this, I get it.

[ He gestures out to the food, half a taco in one hand and few bits falling out as he does. A finger used to pick them back up and suck them off from there - five second rule!! ]

We'll need the ingredients for smoothies -- we'll make it the next meal. I'd buy a book, [ and he's already shaking his head, ] but how many of the right ingredients do we get? I'll take a look - we can make somethin' easy without a book anyway. Long as you have a blender, you're done in no time!

[ But yes, don't forget to answer audit daddy, Inigo. ]

[ Inigo shakes his head, this time his tone at least without any kind of (joking) scolding. ]

Well, if it's important, I'm sure it'll come back up. [ And in the meantime he sure isn't going to sweat it. Inigo isn't a picky boy! He's fine without a book. And with trying out smoothies.

And with any food, apparently, since Roland's question just makes him shrug a little at the other. It's not an indifferent shrug though, since something about Inigo seems thoughtful, but-- ]

I think all of this tastes pretty good, but I feel that way about pretty much everything on the train.

[ Despite.. his dumb eating habits.. Look, those have nothing to do with the quality of the food, it's just habit! ]

I haven't had fish that often before though, so that's nice! [ Even though he's not sure he'd call it his favourite. Does he even have one? ] It's certainly different than bear for once.

I see. I need to try more bear dishes some time. Expand my own palette.

[ He's still on his eating break, taking it slow and letting the moment tide over him nicely. For once, it doesn't feel like he has to rush anything, or he has to eat fast because there's work to be done. Tidus and Inigo both now have reminded him time and time again - the work of his previous self, the one in charge of millions, did not follow him here. It's new. It's jarring. But it's nice, all the same. Just talking like this, experiencing a meal with kindred spirits looking for a reprieve where they can find it. ]

...Have either of you tried snails yet? [ He'd say frogs too, but this one might be more common among the three of their shared universes. Roland leans forward a bit, offering a sense of conspiracy; a quirk of one brow, a slight smirk to his smile. ]

[ Tidus catches that tone! ...or think he does, but the question perplexes him. The small bite of his taco left put to the side as he picks up his drink of mead, but yet taking a sip. ]

Snails? Sure, the small ones anyway. Stick a skewer in them and take out the meat? [ Like that? ] What about them?

[ Here's Tidus anyway, a little interested but not that concerned about the topic of food for one's dish. What about you other there, Inigo? ]

Snails?

[ Inigo grabs one of the oysters, kind of looking at the meat in it.. Wondering if snail would be a little like this too. Shells, little snail houses.. They're just about the same thing, right?

Before putting it into his mouth, he speaks again with a slight shake of his head. ]

No, we don't eat those where I'm from. [ But he doesn't seem particularly disgusted with the idea either. When you've been desperate for food before, that sort of reaction doesn't occur really naturally anymore. ] Are they tasty?

[ There's another pause, and right as he's lifting the tasty bit of oyster up to his mouth, Inigo turns to look at Tidus with a frown. As if he's only now realising: ]

Wait, small ones?! [ How big do snails run back over in Spira, dude!! ]

[ Roland throws a mildly surprised look at Tidus, if only to confirm that half of him wasn't expecting that he'd know about it given how little of earth animals Spira or Zanarkand actually had. The incredulous tone coming from Inigo isn't lost on Roland either.

He takes his fork and slowly pushes remaining grains around idly. ]

Wow. Here I thought that might freak either one of you out a little bit. Heh.

[ Roland tilts his head to the side slightly, in thought. ] I...don't know how big the snails in your world got, but the regular sized snails from earth were cooked in sauces while the meat was still inside the shell. I've had it once or twice when I flew abroad for diplomatic missions. Had to get someone to teach me how to eat it, unless I was ready to embarrass myself over the dinner table.

[ Though if that wasn't the freakiest thing on a plate they've heard, maybe it's something else? He stops scraping with the utensil and rests his hand under his chin again. To more important matters - ]

So how big did they get? [ He asks for both his and Inigo's sake at this point, curious eyes watching Tidus. ]

[ Tidus blinks at Inigo, more confused than surprised. He didn't figure they would get into a thing about snails - and out of all the animals. Have any other shared animals come up between them? Maybe they weren't even talking about the same creatures in the end!

Listening to Roland, it doesn't sound unreasonable to hear about them in sauce. Tidus rests his elbows on the table with a slight thoughtful frown, his cup put down but his fingers still holding on. ]

You can get small ones, like this? [ He lifts his hand but needs a moment to make an accurate size- forefinger and middle crooked together. ] And then some of them can be this size - [ he flashes a palm ] or about the wrist. Depends what you get! Not a lot people like them - they're like squid or octopus. They're kinda rubbery.

[ Ah- realisation flashes over Tidus and he looks at Inigo. ]

You've never been around the sea, right? A lot snails have these big shells... but they all live in the sea!

[ Actually- ] What do snails look like to you?

[ If Inigo hadn't already known Roland for as long as he has now, he'd be surprised by that idea - Roland having to learn how to do that sort of thing, being worried about the kind of impression he'd be making. He's a president, after all, a king-- and kings don't worry about that kind of thing!

But it's still Roland. And considering some of the things Inigo has seen from the older man, he's very willing to believe he'd be worried about whether he was or wasn't being polite over eating snails.

But in the middle of his thoughts this whole snail discussion catches him off guard. Especially that last part Tidus says. What? ]

Snails don't live in the sea! [ He even makes A Face as he says it, like Tidus is trying to convince him the sky is actually green. ] You can find them everywhere on the land! Especially after it's been raining, but sometimes also just regularly among the plants.. I remember Frederick throwing a huge fit when a bunch of them had eaten up the cabbages on the palace grounds!

[ And it's not like that was in the middle of the sea. ]

[ Let it be known that Roland was able to curb a diplomacy issue, just by administering the right kind of snail-eating technique at a fancy dinner party. Politics moves in mysterious ways.

Thankfully, their discussion on snails now, wasn't as high stakes. ]

Hm. Maybe Tidus is speaking of something closer to sea slugs? But the ones on earth don't look anything like snails. In fact, they don't even have shells. That might be different than what we're used to seeing, Inigo. Wow. As big as your whole hand...That, that actually sounds scary.

[ Which isn't really, not to Roland who's fought gross slimes and skeletal demons with soft bodies in the second world. No, it just sounds gross. But he'll do with the word play. ]

But what you're saying now definitely sounds like the ones I'm more used to. The garden variety snails can also make great pets for kids, you know. [ Even if they are pests. Or food. ] Like beetles. Heh. Maybe that's what you need to order next. An extreme food crate with a bunch of exotic treats. Make a challenge out of it.

[ A mild suggestion as it comes from him, calm and collected. But hey, why not? ]

[ What is this? What is this! It's the horses all over again! Exasperation leaves his mouth as a noise about when Roland decides to share all his thoughts on the matter. Why did it end up like this! ]

So, what, are you from an Earth too? Are you his great-great-great-great-great-great granddad now? [ Inigo, he's looking at you. Yeah you!! ] How come it's so unbelievable we have sea snails? I know what slugs are - and I know about sea snails too! And shellfish! And crabs!

[ Is he really being treated this way?? Like he doesn't know what he's talking about? But if they're going to sit there in their mutual understanding of what the sea does and doesn't home -

Tidus raises his last oyster up, pointing it at them. ]

You two don't even know what chocobos are! Yeah, that's right- [ he'd been looking between them, but Tidus goes right back onto his pal. A taunt as he confirms: ] I brought up the chocobos!

[ Groan all you want, mister!! Tidus isn't going to care! ]

Hey, how can I help what animals Ylisse may happen to have in common with some Earth out there, huh?!

[ And so the circus begins. Because the moment Tidus starts getting more huffy about this, of course Inigo immediately gets huffy too - in equal measures. And poor Roland is once more trapped here with two overly dramatic teenagers..

Arguing about snails and wildlife, of all things. Inigo doesn't even have the time to feel glad that his and Roland's worlds actually have something in common, since he's immediately full on distracted by this! ]

I've just never seen a single snail swim before! And!! [ He puts down his fork on table. But dramatically so. Just enough so it makes the kind of sound that rings out. ] Something tells me you're trying to overcompensate with your-- your giant chickens!

[ Bringing up his arch nemesis, the chocobos, is a low blow, dude! ]

How am I overcompensating?! They're cute!

[ oh oh oh oh-! ]

Cuter than your dragons!

[ YEAH HE WENT THERE!!!! ]

[ WOW???

Inigo may just be outright slamming his hands on the table now. ]

You take that back! [ Don't insult his literal god with your freakish chicken beings!! ]

[ He's leaned a bit more to the side, watching the spectacle before him with an all-too familiar Look about him. In the meantime, he'll slowly extend his closest hand to the last oyster too...Don't mind him, continue onwards this heated discussion.

Yes, he's used to it.

Yes, he's going to live with it. This is just how it seems to be and that's a fact he's long accepted. Now, for this oyster...! ]

[ OH, YOU WANNA GET UP BRO? YOU WANNA GET INTO THIS? TIDUS IS SLAMMING DOWN HIS HANDS AND GETTING UP TOO. ]

MAKE ME.

[ And here it comes: the come at me hands and gestures. TIDUS IS ON FIRE. COME ON, COME ON, COME ON- ]

[ Inigo doesn't even notice Roland at this point, honestly. If he suddenly became hyper-aware of the other's presence, he'd probably end up suddenly stopping in the middle of this tirade, because this definitely is not the way he wants to look in front of a guy he considers his father.

But he's too far gone. That insult cut just a bit too deep, and Inigo's entire world is now Tidus telling him to come at him.

So he will. ]

You're going to regret those words!

[ He grabs the last oyster right before Roland's hand reaches it, and slings the shell in such a way in his hands that the last piece of tantalizing oyster meat flies right out, smacking Tidus right in the forehead with a wet slapping sound. ]

[ That oyster just slapped him!

And the realisation gets Tidus to gasp, even after the fact. The wet patch left on his forehead once the food is gone. Staring wide-eyed at Inigo in disbelief -- a state that lasts only those first few seconds before Tidus grabs the closest fistful of paella and chucks it into an explosion of rice and else right at Inigo. ]

This is how you have a real food fight!

[ Said, as Tidus is grabbing another lot to rain on the guy. HE'S NOT RELENTING YOU CAN'T MAKE HIM! ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject