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As if it was second nature, you peeled back the sticky petals and breathed in the sweet scent that the flower released. You raised your hands to the pink stamens that rose up from the pistil, allowing the squishy appendages to coil around and between your blue fingers. Then, you lowered them towards the liquid pooling at the bottom, and an immediate reaction occurred as soon as the tip of your finger touched the surface.
The liquid began to glow a soft, rose pink color, and the squishy seeds that rested at the bottom of the ovule started to detach and rise up to the surface. In the simmering light of the sugary soup, the seeds shone like jewels. At that point, you didn’t need much convincing to plunge your hands into the soup, scoop up a handful of seeds, and bring them up to your mouth.
—------------
You blinked several times, staring around in confusion for a minute. You were…yourself, right? For a moment there, you felt like you were someone else. Were those…Van’s memories? Did she just share them with you?
You stared at her, but she was currently getting ribbed by Blackjack about having “fallen asleep” at the table.
Still feeling a bit shaken, you repeated what you had seen during your vision and brought a cluster of seeds up to your mouth. To your surprise, you found that the seeds tasted like a mix between a pomegranate seed, a sour grape, and a kiwi. It was actually sort of delicious.
Somehow, the act of scooping cold, syrup covered, fruit-flavored seeds into your face was surprisingly calming. Before you knew it, you had run out of seeds to chew through, and you were considering upending the plant bowl and slurping up the contents when you remembered that there were other people in the room.
You returned your attention to Van, only to find her watching you with an amused twinkle in her otherwise empty eyes.
<span class="mu-b">“Did you enjoy your meal?”</span>
You nodded, wiped your mouth and pulled your mask back over your face.
<span class="mu-r">“It was actually kind of nice. How’d yours turn out?”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“I very much enjoyed it. I’m surprised that our chef was capable of replicating the dish to such an extent.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“Yeah, it was alright.”</span>
Blackjack added, leaning back in his chair.
Lynx elbowed him hard in the ribs. It looked like it hurt, but the rabbit barely let it show on his face.
<span class="mu-r">“Don’t be rude. They’ve given us hospitality by feeding our entire crew, and they’re not charging us docking fees.”</span>
Blackjack panned his gaze around the room, taking in the sight of his crew eating to their heart’s content, and laughing merrily. A small smile crept its way onto his face, and he let out a satisfied hum.
<span class="mu-b">“Not too bad for a random pit stop, eh?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Quick question: What exactly does the Black Bunny Brigade do?”</span>
You asked. Blackjack focused his red lenses on you, his smile fading slightly.
(Cont.)
