Intro Overflow: May

[moustre]

Intro Log: May, Overflow

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[reenforces]

[Mikleo blinks.]

Of course! I like eating and sleeping but I've never needed to. Seraphim don't get hungry or sleepy.

[He rubs at his temples.]

This is going to take some adjustment.

[usurpers]

[ interesting! the idea needs some adjusting, he always flies over the concept of spirituality and forgets that it might actually be a thing. he has so many questions? and he isn’t sure if they’ve been answered, somehow.

eren is a curious thing, though. ]

You can start now. [ he’d lead them over to a booth that’s been serving something akin to a crepe. it looked good enough, the smell creating a line of people in front of it’s making. salty crepes, with cheese, meats in the middle. ] What keeps Seraphim alive, then? Nature and prayer?

[reenforces]

I probably should. Any advice that I probably wouldn't know from watching another human?

[Mikleo inhales as they near the crepe booth.] Hmm, that smells very good. [His stomach shifts a bit in response, followed by a low rumble only he can feel. Mikleo makes a face for a brief moment.]

Oh, ah-- yes. Something like that. The food we eat is processed into magical energy or mana, which is what we're made of. The mana that flows through a world doesn't die, but it ebbs and flows; so long as we stay pure, we could live infinitely.

Without prayers, we need to dwell inside another seraph's domain or else find a vessel that can keep us pure. We can wander without those things, but it's dangerous and... we must have a strong will. I've been doing that for a while now.

[usurpers]

[ seraphim biology only isn’t weirder than titan biology. eren makes a sound, confirming his understanding and watching the crepes being made as he asks for two. it’s actually neat? he’s never seen it done either. ]

I noticed. [ it’s an acknowledging complement. strong willed people to strong willed people. it’s pretty easy to spot amongst those who, well, don’t have the same touch. and as for the advice . . . he actually has to think on that? his stomach groans while they wait. ] . . . But I might have to learn with you.

[ his smile is almost, almost apologetic. he has nothing to offer because he’s always eaten . . . bread, and potatoes, or crackers. or fucking yeast and there’s no cosmic secret to eating those. marley soldiers only started cooking for them recently.

brain freezes and extremely hot foods are an enigma. ] I’m not used to food like this.

[reenforces]

[Mikleo blinks at that compliment, but then something curls his lips and he glances back at the chef. The reason he had to learn is a bit sad, but it's okay. He's fine.]

You're not? Is it the size of it or the cuisine?

[He curls his hand beneath his chin.]

I'm actually used to cooking. Maybe I'll introduce you to a few things like this.

[usurpers]

Both . . . [ yeah idfk how he managed to be ripped when he’d realistically be malnourished af. titan biology, man. ] You’ve seen things like this?

[ and they get their crepes: delicious and oozing cheese. ]

[reenforces]

[Mikleo half-hides a smile behind his hand. Eren is too adorable.]

I've made crepes before. It seems like some things truly are universal...

[He holds his carefully, trying to keep the cheese still in the crepe.]

This smells absolutely divine. Thank you. [He blows on it for a minute so he doesn't burn his tongue, and takes the most delicate bite one can imagine. His eyes pop open and he swallows.] Oh! It's good!

[usurpers]

[ he is a beast that should be FEARED

as ever, eren acknowledges the thank you with a nod, taking a careless bite out of his in stark contrast. a lot less delicate, unfortunately, and he’s so hungry he had full intention of pulling a full serving between his teeth and to his mouth.

it’s hot. too hot. melted cheese feels like lava and while it’s delicious and he wants to taste— he sort of can’t when it’s burning his tongue. fast chews don’t work, but he’s trying his best to huff some air into his mouth while cupping his lips with his free hand until . . . he’s made a mess with stringy, sticky cheese still stuck to the crepe.

(distressed grunting) ]

[reenforces]

[Nah, Mikleo's the scary one here. Eren just doesn't know it yet.

He glances over at his companion to see what his thoughts on the crepe are, only to see this disaster unfold in slow motion. Too much of a bite, and not anything to wash it down with, and he's just. Stuck. It reminds the seraph of someone else so plainly that he can't help but grin.

Mikleo's shoulders shake as he tries to hold in laughter. He doesn't say anything, he just breaks off for a minute so he can pester the food cart guy for some water and take some napkins. It's free, so it's whatever. He comes back and offers them to Eren with a knowing look.]

And what did we learn?

[usurpers]

[ fighting with stringy cheese that continues to stretch no matter how many times he pulls and gets forced to put more in his mouth, it’s . . . a torturous cycle.

he manages only with help, and swallows regardless if the cheese has cut off; it will, once he swallows a good two or three gulps of water. and almost gasps when his mouth is free. water bottle in one hand, bitten crepe in the other.

eren’s ears are the first and only things to go red when he lies horribly— that or when he’s touched my some sort of embarrassment. there he stands, in full uniform, with flat eyes and cherry ears, wet lips pressed together and more words in his expression than what he could vocalize at the moment. the laughing gets a frown that looks more ruffled about not knowing how to eat crepes than the tease on mikleo’s face, but. it’s a close second. ]

I was hungry.

[ leave him. ]

[reenforces]

[Mikleo sees the sullen look and the telltale signs of embarrassment, but that only makes it harder to keep in his mirth. He's trying very, very hard, because he doesn't want Eren to feel like he's being made fun of, but that was just-- ridiculous. He readies a napkin and almost leans in to dab at Eren's face, pauses... no, okay, he's gonna do it anyway since Eren doesn't have any free hands.]

You should blow on your food if it's hot so you don't burn your mouth. [It's a very gentle admonishment, really.] ... Sorry for laughing. Your face just reminded me so much of my partner. He's like that too. He'll work up the biggest appetite and try to down all the food before it's cooled off, and then he can't taste anything for a week.

Cheese is definitely the worst offender. When it's melted, it just gets everywhere.

Want to sit down?

[usurpers]

[ his hands are— busy, and there he goes. napkins to dirty mouth. there is no pulling back as there is a subtle flinch followed by a still eren, grunting.

grunt. that means yes, he’ll sit, swerving around in search form a bench. with one close by, he leads the way. ]

You don’t have to be— I’ve never eaten cheese. [ a rarity! ] . . . It looked too good.

[ THATS WHY

HES SO UpSET ]

[reenforces]

[Mikleo's expression falls somewhat. He's taken cheese and milk for granted. Eren might be like Cain, where such things are a luxury.]

And it betrayed you, huh? [He tries to keep his tone light.] You'll have the chance to eat a lot more cheese from now on. On my world there's at least a hundred kinds.

You'll have to tell me what kinds of things you like to eat-- salty, spicy, sweet.

[usurpers]

[ his tongue is a little . . . stingy, but but the bulk of the heat has passed, enough for the food to cool. he hopes. eren touches the cheese with the tip of his finger, and when it doesn’t feel so dangerous, he returns his attention to the crepe. His mouth tests it, and after a few cautious touches, he goes in for the kill: taking a bite so large he only leaves the bud of it in the paper wrapping.

god, that’s. good.

there’s definitely less creases on his face to make him look so much older than he was, and full cheeks are more of a plump pink. ]

I’ll have to taste them. I’ve only had rations. [ he knows the word but, ] How’s spicy?

[reenforces]

[Mikleo is like, three bites in when he sees Eren all but eat his crepe whole like a starving bachelor attacking a Hot Pocket. He's dumbfounded for a second.]

You shouldn't-- you're going to choke one of these days, doing that.

[Five Lords. This boy is a mess. But there's something... strangely endearing about it.]

I'll be doing most of my own cooking, so you're welcome to come find me when we're all settled. I always make too much.

[Spicy? He's never had spicy? Mikleo hums in thought, pale fingers curling beneath his chin.]

Spicy is like... it makes your tongue and lips tingle, and the flavor is... bright? If it's hot enough, it makes your eyes water and your nose start running. It's not my favorite flavor, personally, but spicy stuff is better than no taste at all. And it can complement bitter very well.

[usurpers]

[ eren almost laughs in disbelief. ]

There’s no way you can make too much. [ he doesn’t even know what too much food means, far less what it looks like! wild a thought, indeed, and with him around, you’ll probably. never have too much.

the rest, or what’s left of eren’s crepe is gone in a matter of seconds, with a few crunches until it’s dead for good. he’s heedless to mikleo’s earlier warning, at most giving an expression that seemed to throw question marks, but the spice . . . the spice description looks fun. ] I’ll go next time you make something, it doesn’t matter what. I can help with side chores.

[reenforces]

[That's true. He feels sorry for Eren, but he's not sorry for all the good food he's going to inflict on him and Cain at this rate.]

Maybe not, with a bunch of hungry guys around.

[He smiles at that, a bigger one, bright eyes and a lightly-teasing grin. He's certainly made a friend now, and that... that feels good.]

Are you volunteering for dish duty? I could arrange that.

[usurpers]

[ the twist: he actually doesn’t mind it. you are telling a man who said HEY LETS HELP BUILD TRAIN TRACKS IN 104 DEGREES ]

Dishes, peeling, gathering wood — I can do those.

[ he wants to help and be useful. he knows how to leave a room spotless? and make beds like a nurse, it’s sort of weird.

but all good meaning. ]

[reenforces]

I'll try not to overwork you, then.

[The edges of his eyes crinkle.]

I appreciate the help. It's been a while since I cooked for other people. I'll just... have to figure out how to do it without using magic, first.

[usurpers]

[ that is impossible, he was born to work? ]

I can take it. [ a smile that’s . . . a little warmer? right back to him. ] You just make a fire with your hands and let it cook.

[ note: don’t let eren cook ]

[reenforces]

[That's... a surprisingly cute smile. He glances away and takes another bite of his crepe.

Wait--]

I wish it were that simple, but if you eat burned food all the time you get pretty sick of it. You need spices, preparation, presentation...

I use ice to help regulate the temperature of the stuff I'm making, or to make cold things like ice cream.

[usurpers]

[ ]

You can make cream with ice?

[reenforces]

[Mikleo expected this reaction. He smiles a bit more mischievously. Oh yes. He's definitely going to be making it when he has a handle on cooking again.]

It's heavy cream with an egg yolk and sugar base. By cooling it and stirring it, you get something very smooth and sweet and refreshingly cold.

[usurpers]

[ . . . huh. so there’s no ice beyond chilling what’s already cream. shouldn’t it be called chilled cream, then? it’s so misleading. eren cracks a smile, his eyebrows quirking into a mildly questioning glance. ]

You look like you have fun with it.

[ cooking, he means. ]

[reenforces]

[Eren should never be put in charge of anything cuisine, it is known.]

I-- [His cheeks pinken a little.] Well, someone had to cook for Sorey, and he gave himself food poisoning on more than one occasion. So.

But I do like it. It's chemistry. It's no different than making potions or salves. You learn to bring out the true worth of each ingredient, and then it becomes a spectacular dish.