"Don't give up."

Infected? Well it wasn’t exactly a lie, but not with some mundane medical symptom. Though going around telling people he was a walking corpse wouldn’t help anything. 

“I’m ‘healthy’ to say the least. I would be more concerned if my eyes were glowing blue rather than red.” Which would mean something very, VERY bad was happening within his body. “Magic eyes? No not really, this is my natural eye color. It only glows like this when my Blood Code or Blood Veil is activated.” 

Ryuu knows that glowing eyes can be a confusing pain in the ass. That’s why he’s feeling a connection with this guy right away- they’re at least similar in one way. 

“Glowing blue is worse than glowing red? Who would have thought.”

She can understand that. “I remember when I was living with people too, I didn’t really talk to anyone. Kinda felt like I was he only one that lived there. Do you feel that way?” She was lonely there for sure. Now with her house being a full house she didn’t have to feel so alone and she’s super grateful for that. 

“YOU can come hang out with us whenever you like then! Badou reeeeally likes you and I do too! Maybe you’ll get to meet Sanzo and Asher too!”

“Eh.” He shrugs. “I guess I feel more like I don’t live there. I like to stay out and about, you know. A lot of places here are pretty safe, so I do a lot of walking.”

It eases his mind to be able to move around- that’s why he’s always preferred the city. Nobody will care if he’s outside or not. 

an endurance challenge, huh…

“I see.. what method of endurance are you measuring..?” he’s trying to come up with the reason on his own. unfortunately, sandalphon falls flat in a lot of different ways when it comes to - ..humans? non-primals rationalizations.

as far as missing his friends go—yeah, a bit. “I.. don’t believe they’d share the sentiment of referring to me as their friend, but I do hold them in good regard.” though he does have a few he would call friends, were he the type to out loud. but he pauses, blinking in surprise because the offer isn’t.. bad?

“Are you?” - he’s joking. “..I would enjoy the company, so, yes. You may come along with me. I’ve procured a few ingredients already, but I am looking for what’s referred to as the Basii Fruit. It resembles… … ..” he furrows his brow, he’s not entirely sure how to describe it? he’d know it if he saw it; maybe he could just sketch a picture of it…? hm.

“The ability to stick it out when things get rough, y’know?” He doesn’t know. He’s completely bullshitting. “It’s a good lifeskill to have!”

He’s not sure how to get into that. The relationships from this guys home world must be a little bit rocky- it’s probably for the best that he doesn’t ask too many questions. Especially if the person is already homesick. He doesn’t want to dig up any bad memories.

“We got plenty of space.’ Well not anymore, now that they had all the rooms occupied. Sanzo, Asher, Badou, and then herself took up all the space, BUT it’s lively and that’s what she loves. “We’ve been together for a WHILE. He’s from back home and he’s SAVED me soooooo many times!” Man, Kachina already misses him. I don’t know how old I am. Asher and I met when I was 5 years old though if that helps any.” Oh, Kachina. 

“What do you do? You don’t have roomies?” Was he lonely? She’s going to start thinking of something to help with that! Gotta look out for her MAIN SQUEEZE.

He’s glad that they’re from the same world. Trying to pursue a relationship in a place like this really ups the chances of heartbreak. 

“Well, shit.” He feels a bit insensitive having asked for her age out of nowhere, so he quickly drops that part of the conversation. “I’m glad you guys are reunited! And you have your own lively little family to come home to.”

He scratches the back of his neck. Awkward.

okay, he’s.. completely lost, now. if there were an avenue of ‘you may be lost’ and ‘you are lost’ and ‘youre so lost you cant tell up from down’ he’d probably be the third. sandalphon’s not good with tones, it seems. understanding subtle jokes? sandalphon? sorry ryuu.

“I..I see.” he doesn’t. he’s very far away from seeing the point of it. “Is that not a waste of resources..? Or are you still going to eat it?” 

but, as far as what sandalphon is trying to cook, he doesn’t do a lot in the whole.. experimenting, thing. “I’m.. attempting to recreate a dish from the skydoms. There’s many of them that the members of the crew I was—am in enjoyed. They may not all be here, but.. making the dishes helps.” helps him feel less homesick, rather. “Despite adapting to this place, I still wish I were back where I’m needed. It’s a bit of preparation, I suppose. Though I doubt I’ll be doing a lot of cooking whenever it is I am able to return.” 

“I’ll probably eat it.” How can he explain his habits without looking like a weird loser? “Consider it an endurance challenge.”

She’s been here long enough to know some people never return after they leave and others….Do. Ryuu just happens to be one of the few people who do return. SHE’S excited, don’t get her wrong. Kachina missed her friend! As if that wasn’t evident though. 

Kachina snickers, “Bleu the GOD!” She exclaims. Literally, what if he were one and they just never knew? Bleu is just one big dog. “I think he may have stopped growing? WE shall see.” She shakes her head and brings both her hands together, “MY favorite person in the whole wide world, my fiance came back!” Well, He was here, she’s not sure if he’s still around. “I have NEW roommates. Asher, Sanzo, and Badou lives with me! It’s a FULLLLLL house and it’s always a fun day over there. AND THEN you’re BACK TOO SO THAT’S EVEN BETTER!” There will be no details left out.

Given all the curveballs this new world has thrown at him, he wouldn’t be surprised if Bleu did hold some magic capacity. But, if there’s anyone he trusts to take care of a magical pet- it’s Kachina.

“Ahaha, yeah. I pray for your apartment space. And your clothes- dog fur can be rough.... Wait- your what?”

To be too tired to do much, yet - somehow - too tired to sleep either, was a dilemma he still didn’t know how to handle correctly, despite the regularity. He’d reckon being outside a bit might help, but sitting here by the bench, all he’s feeling is a headache plaguing him, a droning noise in the background.

Squeezing eyes shut & keeping it so for a brief moment, he’d grumble — not noticing anything ‘till his eyes shot open upon the sudden new weight. A yelp, and Clive didn’t process much before pushing the teddy bear off his lap, senses suddenly woken up to an alarmed state, — only for him to freeze after he hastily stood up, taking in the sight of what’s actually happening.

… what. No, seriously, what in the world —

He didn’t say anything, but the perplexed expression was quite telling in itself. Hesitantly, he’d pick up the teddy bear off from the ground, placing it on the bench. “… Do I know you?” asked out of genuine confusion.

Maybe he was a bit too sudden. Nobody would take well to a stranger suddenly dropping things in their lap. The concept of social politeness has always meant very little to Ryuu, though. His concern for the strangers well being trumped convention.

Obviously, he isn’t going to show it.

“Hm... I don’t know. I feel a connection to you, somehow. Do you think we were sworn allies in another life?” Definitely not. He was just people watching and ended up thinking a little bit too hard. He pushes the sweet in his hands towards the stranger. “Take the fucking crepe.”

He sits down on the bench beside him, effectively forcing his way into Clive’s life. This is how all of his friends got close to him- as far as he’s concerned, this is how people always make friends.

oh, wait, maybe that was kind of rude? sandalphon wouldn’t know if it tastes any good, it doesn’t sound like it would, but, he could be wrong?

“I… apologize, I’m not very experienced with.. these, kinds of matters. I don’t cook often. I’m better equipped with coffee than baking or cooking — so, might I try it?” he’d like to see for himself, mostly. but it could be overstepping..

‘new, like a little baby’ is… definitely new. he knows the bare minimum about babies to begin with. he’s not sure how he feels being compared to one. is he being compared to one…?

“As far as I’m aware, that’s a good trait to have..? ..Maybe. Though I’ll experiment with things I’m comfortable with, I’m not as adventurous with those outside of that. You’d know what works better than I would.”

“Wait, really?”

He hadn’t expected this person to take that much interest in his dish, which would certainly taste like garbage. This little joke might have gone on a bit too long... Shit.

“You.... Probably don’t want to do that. I mean, there’s no way this will taste good. It’s, like, I’m going out of my way to make it taste bad. Experimentation or whatever.”

Sure. That’ll do. He doesn’t want to subject this guy’s poor tastebuds to his strange sense of humor.

food is food… he.. guesses that’s true, “I’ve… never heard that before, no. Though I suppose there’s some truth in that statement… Food is food. I was under the belief that … people prefer it to taste good, though.” he doesn’t need to eat, so it.. didn’t cross his mind much. whenever it is he does eat, he also would rather it taste good. but - well, “Perhaps.. bad is an acquired taste.” … kind of like how it was when he’d first tried lucifer’s coffee.

because.. chocolate veggie tofu platter does not sound good, and sandalphon doesn’t do a very good job at not looking confused.

“‘Chocolate, veggie, and tofu platter’…? Have you tried it before?” and he nods once. sandalphon works, but it’s.. basically only because he just wants to make coffee.

“What do you mean? Are you making some sort of thinly veiled jab at my carefully picked out ingredients? Nah.... You’d never do that.” He says with a short laugh. He considers himself a decent good when he’s actually trying, but there’s something funny about seeing people’s reactions to his strange creations. “Anyways, it’s all about trial and error. Nobody’s born bad at stuff. You’re just new. Like a little baby.”

He looks down at the bag, and back up at him.

 “That is not important right now.” but he does fly with his little wings, though this body is but a stuff animal. Would it boost sales? the sales wars happening during celebrations is…intense. 

 “Clicky clack tick tack. Come my steed! I need to boost sales in this war of …sales!”

 “You can buy a copy of me for a good price!” he pinches the other ears and points to a stall full of …stuff versions of him! 

“Ah. I see. You’re using your incredible cuteness as a business tactic. That’s pretty smart, you know?”

He knows exactly how troublesome this will be, but he allows it to happen anyways. The fluffy man is placed on his shoulders.

“Yes, I… suppose I must be.” a chef, but he’s not sure he would call himself that. he is looking to restock somewhat. it’s become more routine than he would have realized. but, right, this man is.. also a chef? 

“Are those all within the same dish?” he would assume.. no, because of the chocolate syrup. but the way he phrased it makes it sound like they would be, and he’s a little concerned. but - right, he should try to be friendly. practice, practice. “Do you work in a shop as well? Or are you here on personal regards?”

“Of course. As long as you cook, you’re a chef. It doesn’t have to be good or bad. Food is food, right?” He says with a smile, friendly and reassuring to this stranger. Then, it goes right back to being mischievous and goofy. “Did that sound cool?”

“Yep! It’s all part of my chocolate, veggie, and tofu platter!” It sounds more like he decided to buy a bunch of ingredients and use them all as quickly as possible. “Nah. I don’t work anywhere. Total free bird, baby.”

“Oh-hoh! Another chef looking for ingredience I see!”

Ingredience? What?

Ryuu seems to have found a kindred soul as he was wandering the Star Trail. From a culinary standpoint, the market is a goldmine. From an otherwordly perspective, he can make some really funny and fucked up dishes.