Week 1, Wednesday - Sandalphon

[fragileprophet]

[Ion's been waiting around in their room for Sandalphon. It's gotten so cold outside, staying in has been the easiest way to keep warm. There's the paranoia too, of course, but he hasn't been moving, so throughout the day if Sandalphon checked on him, there wouldn't have been anything to worry about.

Except, suddenly, when he's back again...]

Before you get upset!

[He turns toward the door and there's a series of scars running down the side of his face. There were definitely not there just earlier in the day.]

Nothing happened!

Comments

[melancoffeea]

[Passionate, huh.]

Hm . . . Have you ever drank coffee before?

[fragileprophet]

[Gay.]

No...I haven't. Caffeine was discouraged from being a part of my diet.

[He looks a little more determined all of a sudden.]

But I'm sure it couldn't hurt to try your coffee! There's nobody here to say I shouldn't!

[This is it, the height of his rebellion to date.]

[melancoffeea]

I don't meant to dissuade you from trying it. Only, the taste might be a little intense if you've never had it before.

[Correction: it tastes like mud water to an immature palate, and he knows it.]

[fragileprophet]

[Don't underestimate his ability to find good things to say about basically anything. This includes mud water.]

That's alright. Everything anyone tries has to be a first experience at some point, right? Even if I don't like it right away, what's important is just that I took the chance and tried something new.

[melancoffeea]

[That makes Ion that much more genuine than Sandalphon on his first attempt at ingesting that aromatic monstrosity.]

Then I hope you won't find it too strong for your taste.

[He pauses here, like a thought has occurred to him.]

Speaking of first experience, what are your favorite foods?

[fragileprophet]

[This is the second time he's been asked this, so he doesn't have to think about it this time. Ion's answer comes quick enough.]

I like parfaits with lots of fruit!

[melancoffeea]

[Sandalphon's brow furrows in confusion.]

Parfaits . . . ? I don't know what those are.

[fragileprophet]

It's a dessert where custard and fruit is put into layers...it's really tasty! It's sweet, but refreshing. And if you use yogurt and granola, it can be a breakfast, too!

[I hate this.]

Maybe we can ask Sanji to make some!

[melancoffeea]

Sounds excessive.

[That is a lot.]

But I wouldn't be opposed. There's great deal I've never tried before.

[fragileprophet]

[Shut your mouth it's delicious.]

That's great! We'll try each other's favorite things!

[He really sounds the most like a child that he has since they met, honestly. But it's not just the idea of the food--he finally feels, for the first time, like they're really getting somewhere with one another. Maybe that's dangerous, in a game like this, but all he feels is joy.]

[melancoffeea]

Heh . . . I look forward to it.

[Part of it is his going through the motions, saying what's polite and returning what's given to him in kind. Then there's the other, smaller part that thinks this could be something more meaningful—and dangerous. He'll have to be careful.]