guess what? chicken butt

“No, shrimp for sure have brains, jellyfish don’t but don’t even get me started on those things. They are some of the coolest little guys, did you know that jellyfish were brought up to space to see how they would react and all they did was multiple right? When they got back down to earth scientists realized that those jellyfish born in space didn’t know how to deal with gravity. Poor dudes right?”

“They do? Then ... why do you not see the brains when you eat them?” He furrowed his brows in confusion. “They had alien jellyfish babies in space? Well, I don’t know if it’s correct to call them alien - but, since they were born in space, aren’t they? Geez, that really sucks for them, but - no brains, so no emotions, right?”

“mhm- what, you never had one before? I was debating putting jelly in the center for more flavor.. since they’re usually not too sweet- despite being a cookie and all.” she added with a smile, “-you’re the best- if these turn out being good i’ll make you some chocolate chip cookies- I promise.” she insisted; holding out a cookie for the male to take.

“I don’t know, I mean, I probably have, but the word ‘shortbread’ doesn’t ring a bell.” He didn’t have the best memory, so if he had tried one before he probably forgot bout it. “Jelly would be cool. What if you made a little PB&J sandwich out of them?” He suggested, it sounded like a good idea to him. “I’m the best? You’re the one giving me a free cookie. You don’t have to - but I’d definitely eat them all,” he chuckled, taking the cookie from the blonde with a smile.

“Yeah, but one can’t really surf in Vesta. I mean, the waves coming into the lake shore aren’t quite rolling enough in my opinion.” Nodding, even though she didn’t lift her head off the ground. “A cheeseburger sounds amazing. Maybe in like 20 minutes when I get the use of my legs back.”

“That is very true. Sometimes I do wish I lived on the coast,” Mitchell remarked. “Well, I don’t want to disturb your ... resting, but if you need a hand up, let me know.”

“We ... am ... Groot!”

“Oh, let me think. There’s been a lot of sketchiness, let me tell ya. One time a group of guys didn’t have enough change for a tip so they offered to smoke me up instead? Took a lot of willpower to say no.”

“Pizza ...?”

     “Me? Having competition?” She questioned, taking a moment to think over the notion. “I guess it’s always nice to try new things. Bring it.” Her shoulders lifted in a shrug before she let out a laugh of her own. While she didn’t entirely believe his his reasoning, she didn’t know much about the subject to disagree.  “If every man in their twenties jumped off a bridge would you?” A typical phrase heard while growing up that she couldn’t resist bringing it up in a mocking tone. “Easy, you’ll take one side, i’ll take the other and we just use our fingers to rip pieces of.” She explained with a shrug. “Think they’ll sell us a very necessary roll of napkins?”

“I like that attitude,” he laughs genuinely, sticking a hand in his pocket absentmindedly. “We’ll find a time to duel someday,” he promises, clearly joking as his smile shows it. “Oh come on, you sound like my mom now. Maybe if I drank a few too many I would,” he teased, taking another sip. “Well - sounds like a plan to me. My hands are clean,” he waved his free one, wiggling his fingers, “-but we should probably get some napkins, yeah.”

“With a napkin or a handkerchief or something. And not holding it near other people’s expensive clothing.”

“... Oh.” He hadn’t thought to grab a napkin. “I’m really sorry. I wasn’t going to touch your dress, I just wanted to tell you it looked dope.”

     It was a pretty good deadpan she’d give him back. Though she’s grateful for the laughter that follows, she was surrounded by people who were just a little too serious. Herself included. It was a nice change of pace. “Well you’ve got me fooled.” She teased. “Nourishment? For the soul? That’s a lot to unpack, that we could get to the minute we find that lemonade stand.” She said with absolute, beginning to lead them to walk aimless down the many rows of booths. “Oh! And maybe one of those huge turkey legs…— i shouldn’t eat one by myself though. Halfsies?” 

“Really? Wow, guess I’m more talented than I thought. Careful, I just might be your competition,” he chuckled, shaking his head at her teasing. “Wha-? No, it’s not like a problem, or anything, I just like beer. Doesn’t every man in their twenties?” Okay, maybe that was a bit of a stereotype, but in Mitchell’s experience it was mostly true. “I’m game for a turkey leg,” he shrugged, he’d rather eat a whole one, but he wouldn’t tell her that. “How are we gonna split it, though? It seems a little ... messy.”

Niji’s mouth juts about hit the floor. She whipped her head down to her dress, taking a step back from him. “Just because this is a fucking Renaissance Faire doesn’t mean you have to eat like a barbarian.”

“I-I didn’t touch it!” He raised his hands in defense, one still holding the leg. “Well, how else am I supposed to eat it? I thought that’s what the bone was for, holding it, you know.”

“You can say that again… I’ve dealt with enough of that bullshit this year. I don’t need to add any more problems to my plate,” she remarked casually with a wave of her hand. She started down the stupid kid for a few more moments before turning back to Mitchell with a smile on her face. “I could go for some wine!”

“Oh?” He raised his brows. “I’m sorry about that.” He figured it best not to pry, now didn’t seem like the time. “Sure, uh - wine it is!” He exclaimed, a little surprised at her quickness to go from pissed off to jubilant. “I think the wine is this way ...”