13-The Kitchen

[Busterbugs]

A room for the preparation and storage of food.

[Warning]

[New reply following this post: https://ecchidreams.com/community/topic/5874-16-the-medical-bay/?do=findComment&comment=133415]

Florence frowned as her attempts didn't bring fruits. He was right, though. There was something interesting about SRK being the little warning fluffball even if her intents and purposes were for now unknown. At the very least, she didn't try anything weird or even to escape. She was just there for the ride, trusting them or not. Probably for the sake of ARA as well, who the wolf girl promised herself to wake up as soon as possible. But oh well... For now, she had to keep this one alive for longer to succeed to wake the other one as well. And so when suggested, Florence headed to the kitchen area with them, the little black one seemed to follow. At least for the time being. That... didn't take very long to change and while Florence didn't notice at first, SRK made it easy to tell.

Upon being picked up, the little frame did well to panic or at least show disapproval. "WARNING! Put this unit down this instant. None of my functions involve being picked up and hugged. Besides, you are not permitted to do so. This unit is more than capable of walking on her own!". Florence turned around only to see this happening and she could hardly hold her laugh. Seeing Archer struggling to keep hold of this little anthroid was one sight to see. "Please calm down, we're about to have some food when we get to the kitchen and I think all of us need it. But yes, Mr. Reed. I believe it would be better to have her walk on her own. She might have been asleep for a while.", she assumed, wondering. SRK did well to answer. "This avatar has been offline for... 2623 days or so."

Florence almost choked as she heard the numbers. "So you've been lost and unconscious for years... Do you remember the circumstances of your shutdown?", she had to ask. If they had means to recharge power then surely there had to be a reason but anything could have happened in space. "Negative. No memory found of the days of shutdown. Access to database unavailable. Access to Nebula unavailable.", SRK simply answered and this did not mean too good for them. They may have been lost for a long time. Their communication were completely unavailable as well. "Well... This is unfortunate but it's good that we found you. We will see if ARA can help us with these issues later... For now, both of you stop goofing and let's go eat, already.", she told them.

Edited November 15, 2023 by Goddess Aurora

[Gardsorm]

"Wow, she really pipes up when she's taken out of her element." Archer noted with a smile as SRK went into full panic mode with her warnings. However, in the course of doing it, she unveiled a few noteworthy pieces of information... Namely that she knew enough about her own programming to know with confidence none of her functions involved being picked up or hugged. She also noted that he wasn't 'permitted' to do so... Read another way, it meant that either she or someone else could choose to designate someone to carry them if she wished. The anthroid's fidgeting was highly cute, but he could tell he wouldn't be allowed to carry her for much longer like this... At least Florence got a good laugh out of it though, small victory! "Fair enough... Guess even people like you need to get a little exercise, huh? Down you go." He gingerly set SRK down, but not before giving her a little friendly headpat and ear rub. She was definitely going to protest, but at least it didn't last as long as carrying her.

"I can't imagine sleeping for nearly five years... It's even more unfortunate there isn't anything that can potentially tell us why you two went offline or... Well, much of anything before that. It's good that we got you online, but now we're still stuck at square one... But you're here so we can revel in that small victory." Archer opted to look at the greenery side of the grass. They may have still had their mysteries, but SRK and soon ARA would hopefully help them take small steps to uncovering their past... Even if they couldn't, they had a chance to make a new living for themselves here. When Florence called for them to stop goofing around, he shrugged. "Hey now, you can tell her not to because we both know she isn't a good, but being a good is practically in my blood! I just have to control it because some people can be total hardasses on this ship. Asses should just be nice and soft, or a little firm at best." He squeezed at the air playfully, before following the pair along to the Kitchen.

It was here the magic would happen: The making of food, good or bad. "Welcome to the kitchen, SRK! I don't know what you eat, but I'm probably going to whip myself up a quick sandwich or something. Just can't beat a quick, old classic... Can you remember what it was you used to eat?" He asked, turning around to look towards SRK, before his eyes went to Florence. "Come to think of it, I don't know what you eat either..."

[Warning]

As soon as she was freed, SRK seemed to calm herself. Closing her eyes for a bit to regain composure, she was going to move on her own but felt the headpat which triggered a sort of alarm in her head as she turned to Archer. "WARNING! Refrain from headpatting this expensive avatar!". Florence just watched them, almost sighing by the interactions but said nothing about it this time. "Mr. Reed, we might not be too advanced but I think we're on a good step by having her awake. It does not mean that she will not remember much. Perhaps she is even restricted from telling her too much. At least this is how I think that it works." Florence then looked at the both of them, as he tried to explain his point on goofing. "I... don't think we should tell her that... Besides...", she started.

SRK seemed to look at the both of them then at Archer. "Hard asses are not good. Thankfully, this is not a problem with our avatar. Both ARA and this unit have been made with softness in their design.". Florence just stayed there, staring in shock at what SRK could be implying with this. "W-what? You're not saying... I mean... N-nevermind. We have to eat already...", she blushed, wondering about things that she should not. Whether she liked to admit it or not, SRK and even ARA were at least designed with female proportions in mind and she was also sure that there was more to them than she was willing to think. Could they both have been created like this as well? A part of her mind screamed for answers but she couldn't let it get the best of her, heading away.

SRK simply followed, not going back on that topic unless specifically asked about it. As she was asked what to eat, she seemed to give it some thoughts. "Anything that you humans consume will be acceptable. I need a lot of energy before I can properly recharge myself, however.", she said. Florence who finally could think straight looked at SRK then Archer. "Uhh... Anything, I don't mind... As long as it's edible. Are you one who can cook, Mr Reed?", the wolf girl asked curiously, not usually being the kind to pay attention to cuisine. She did not mind a fine meal if he could prepare one however. "Please do your best, I will be eating what you will be making. I would not mind having some time for a break.", Florence finally said, sitting somewhere while observing SRK who waited.

Edited November 17, 2023 by Goddess Aurora

[Gardsorm]

"Wh- Come on, I can't even headpat you?! But your head and ears are so soft! You make me sound like a bull in a china shop or something... I didn't headpat you THAT hard." Archer frowned as SRK issued a warning against his gesture. "Not giving a headpat should be considered criminal... Ah, no offense Florence, just... Come on, you see her ears, tell me you don't want to pet them!" He deflected the conversation to the engineer, but ultimately he could tell this was going to end with his defeat. Well, at least this was just how daily life went for Archer. He never truly took offense to the times he found himself beaten in any capacity, but he certainly liked to win more than lose. With Florence reminding him that, as SRK was a state-of-the-art anthroid there might he a chabce she was blocked from divulging certain things, the redhead could only sigh and fold his arms. "I shouldn't be surprised, that's a practice even we do, to keep sensitive data from falling into the hands of enemies. I guess I can't blame her if she didn't want to, or couldn't, share that kind of information."

"Hm? Why not? If we're going to be working together, it wouldn't be right if I faked my behavior around her. It's better if they know what I'm really like so they can determine if they want to work with me for any reason." Archer wasn't the sort to hide his aspects, good or bad. However, much to his surprise SRK managed to chime in on his remark, practically making his eyes light up. "Hahahah! There IS a god up there listening to and answering my prayers! I wish I could meet your maker so I could personally thank them myself." Archer cheekily replied to the little anthroid while Florence seemed to be besides herself coming to terms with SRK's admittance. The poor she-wolf... Archer reveled in his debaucherous behaviors, but she seemed to try so hard to hide them. It was honestly rather cute and endearing in a way, and he hoped these anthroids could bring out the best in her.

Now in the kitchen, Archer wasted little time in locating the bread and various cold cuts he liked to eat on a little sandwich. No veggies right now, he'd get his own helpings of them later. Right now he just wanted a snack... But when it came to SRK and Florence, he felt like a deer in headlights. "... Uhhh... Well, I can certainly cook, but I'm not exactly a master of cuisine. More like I just know how to sustain myself with a few easy meals I read off the HoloNet... Let's see, maybe I can whip up some more stir-fry, it turned out pretty good last time. This might be a while though... You two mind munching on something else in the meantime while I prepare it?" He didn't forsee himself making food for others, otherwise he would have had it prepared ahead of time... While additional sandwiches weren't the most glamorous culinary delights, they were simple and effective to make in the short term. A nice little sandwich on sourdough bread would hopefully hold them over while he started on the bigger meal of beef stir-fry.

"While I'm doing this... Hey, SRK. Is there anything else you can share about your past that might be worth hearing? It doesn't need to be super sensitive information, just... Maybe personal things, sort of help us get to know you better. Like now we know not to call you certain names or do certain things with you." the redhead hummed as he located his prepared vegetables for the meal, before pulling the beef out. "It'd be much easier to build trust by hearing you speak than just infiltrating your databanks for things. Feels kind of impersonal like that."

[Warning]

SRK seemed to be an odd fellow as specific rules determined her warnings but she didn't seem to hate the headpats anyhow, regardless of what she warned against. Florence looked at her, pondering. Perhaps that would be a way to get her used to it or ARA could help with her. And then there was the whole thing about keeping sensitive data hidden. What did SRK hide? Or what did ARA have in store? For now, the worries of Florence were elsewhere and SRK didn't make it too easy with her going along with Archer's goofing. At the same time, the softness of SRK was not really arguable. Her creator or even ARA's did not shy on make thing nice to hold onto or touch. And this was a thought she didn't want to get again. Was SRK's body really fully designed? Or ARA's. Blushing a bit, she shook her head to shake the naughty thoughts away. A part of her was sure that they were and she did not really think about checking. That would have to wait.

Florence smiled to Archer for now. "I am pretty hungry so I would not mind a snack. Also no need for master of cuisine. Something edible is fine. But sure, let's pick a little something to eat before the big meal later.", she said with a smile, looking forward to eat. SRK seemed neutral about it, probably because she was not going to eat for the pleasure of eating but rather for energy collection. At least she did not look unhappy about it but she clearly was outside her usual element. It must have been nothing but the fact she woke up after so long, if the time gap even affected her. As the shortie was asked about her past, she actually looked like she was thinking about it, thankfully without screaming warning this time. "It is difficult for this unit to tell. ARA and I were two units aboard the K-ship and we were busy a lot. ARA... likes to take showers.", she said with a pause and wondered if they followed so far but soon continued. "She showed me how to take baths."

Florence blinked, having more questions again. But at the same time, it also meant that these anthroids were not affected by water. A bath or a shower did sound nice, though. She did not get one yet that day. Too much work and the anthroids were required to be worked on again. A mistake she would correct later to make sure she doesn't gain unwanted scents. "So... Do you enjoy these showers or baths...?", she asked cautiously. SRK looked at them then seemed to think of her answer again as her eyes wandered before she nodded. "I think they are not bad. This fur must be kept clean and ARA had the best idea. This unit once ate soap however and I do not suggest for humans to do the same. The effect this avatar was not dramatic but it left me in a strange state for days.", she said, fully seriously but also looked annoyed by the memory. Florence could understand why she would try it, considering SRK's nature but she was right. Soap was toxic to them.

Edited November 26, 2023 by Goddess Aurora

[Gardsorm]

Well, as long as Florence understood she wasn't getting a master of cuisine, that was all Archer needed to hear. Muchike the sandwich he'd made for himself, he moved to pull extra ingredients to whip up two more for both SRK and the engineer. He wasn't used to making food for others, but given how often he made his own food, it wasn't difficult to whip up extra servings for the others... The only issue was if there was anything they were allergic too... Well, at least Florence. He didn't imagine SRK had anything close to resembling food allergies. In a few short minutes, two more sandwich plates had been whipped up, offering ham, lettuce, and tomatoes among other ingredienrs to the sandwich. "Easy and effective enough for even a monkey to make. May not be the most glamorous but it should hold you over until I can finish the beef stir fry." Archer clapped his hands before rubbing them, moving to the sink to wash his hands before getting started on the food once more. 

"... Is that so? I know Biobots aren't quite as susceptible to water as traditional machinery and electronics, but I'm surprised to hear your friend liked to shower." Although Archer pondered other things... Namely, did her fur poof out when she dried herself off? This was a very real question in his mind, although he got the idea they expected him to ponder other things... Which he did too, to be fair, but Interstellar life wasn't just about wondering how compatible species were with one another, even if one was artificial. "It's good to know youre both on top of keeping yourselves clean. Most of us are like that as well, so it's nice that space races consider cleanliness as important to them as it is to us." Well, most of us. Not everyone kept on top of it but he was the sort of person who would shower at least once a day with how often he was physically active.

Wait, you are soap? Youre pretty hardcore for a half-pint then... I remember when my aunt would threaten to wash my mouth out with soap whenever I cursed. She never did it, but after I tasted what soap was like, I made damn sure to never risk it." He laughed quietly, getting a couple of pans out to oil them up, before setting them on the stove. One for the beef, and one for the veggies. 

"Honestly, it sounds like you do a few things similar to us other species. I wonder if intelligent life out there really was just that far ahead of us, or if they watched us and learned a few things... Hm, did you or ARA ever get bored?" Archer asked, pausing as he began to start heating both the meat and veggies of his meal. "Like... There had to be a time you or her felt like... There was nothing to do, so you just found some other way to pass the time. Or were you both so busy you never got a chance to just take it easy?" He found himself asking as he moved to start making the sauce on the meantime. "Like, when I'm bored, I'll play a game, or go to a shooting range, or hang out with friends, or... Well, you get the idea. How do you handle your boredom if you get it? Heck, Florence, this question applies to you too." 

[Warning]

Florence observed Archer doing his work for the time being. When she was brought the sandwich platers, she smiled as it looked pretty good for a simple snack. "Thank you, Mr. Reed. SRK, this is yours.", she said while offering a plate to the little catgirl, who picked the plate and seemed to analyze the food before she started eating it like anyone would. Meanwhile, the catgirl looked toward Archer. "It might be surprising for an avatar like us but we are still trying to learn from humans. Cleaning our frames are part of our requirements but ARA has tried a human method. As a result, she has introduced me to baths.", she explained. Though the story about soaps was not one of her proudest, it was still factual in her history. "Ingesting soap, as a possibility that it was food, has resulted into terrible consequences. This unit will spare you the details.". Florence thought about that but also Archer's story and she could only agree that it would not be worth the risk. Soap was toxic.

The sudden question about if anthroids could be bored had left SRK in thoughts, or at least for a few seconds. As he precised his question however, she simply shook her head. "Both ARA and this avatar's tasks require us to be alert at all times, even as we do other activities. Thankfully, our memory capacities allow us to put our main tasks aside during times when they were not priorities." Florence listened well but what she was explaining made sense, in a way. These anthroids were made to work in a specific or special kind of manner. Even if they were gifted with an interesting AI. "I am curious about this as well... If you can be bored, I mean. We find normal to be bored when there's nothing to do...", she commented but when Archer finished his talk and even directed his question at her, she was left a little surprised and pondering about it. Being smart and a hard worker in engineering, she hardly could remember when and how often she had a time for herself to relax.

SRK was the first one to speak. "Since Humans like to do activities to pass the time, we were brought to try the same. Even watching movies... The act of eating exploded seeds while watching a screen is one of the oddest activities of humans but their entertainment is without doubts real but it appears that it produces varying levels of results.", she said and Florence could only stare for a bit until she realized what she was talking about. It was fancy to see these anthroids try to understand human cultures. Still, looking at Archer, she had her own opinions about this. "To answer you... I guess I solved this issue with this little one and her other friend. But before that... I don't actually know. I try to keep myself busy. If I don't repair a broken part then I try to create new things. If I can get my hands on scraps for it. You know...? Make machineries or useful gadgets. I am so busy with engineering that I use engineering as a mean to not be bored. It... works, right?", she said then asked him.

Edited November 27, 2023 by Goddess Aurora