Across the Universe Found

Grub vs grub...

We were led to what was obviously a galley by the Commander and both Shade and Shadow. Whatever governing body funded the Epslion sure spared no expense in outfitting the common eating area. While it was definitely a galley, it was the sort one would expect to find if rich people had been in their own military. The girls and I gawked and fawned aloud to each other over every overly ornate bit of decor we came across. Was it really necessary to have precious gems embedded in the highly polished wood paneling? I mean, they weren't dripping with them, the stones were sparsely scattered and only inside engravings... but still. A bit excessive for a glorified cafeteria is all I'm saying. The tables and attached benches were some kind of high quality wood that was all shiny like it had just been waxed. The benches had cushions tied to them at intervals to give each diner plenty of elbow room. The wood grain was a color that brought to mind what would happen if someone was able to grow cherrywood that had gold flakes melded into the whorls. It was amazing to see. I found myself just staring at the table we were seated at, and tracing whorl patterns with my finger rather than listening to the descriptions of the foods they had to offer. That was until I heard something rather nauseating.

"Woah, wait up... Did you just say the grub... has grubs?!" I squeaked, hoping I'd heard wrong. A snicker from the Cat Men has me sending them an unamused side glare, that makes them draw their ears back and look away real quick. "Erm, yes? Grubs are highly nutritious and an excellent source of the proteins many species require to maintain muscle mass." The Commander is really trying to sell these grubs when he answered me. I hope my unimpressed look matches how unimpressed I feel. The girls look ready to be ill but are trying to be polite and not saying anything at the moment. "While some humans have, and still do eat bugs for that same reason? We..." I motion to include the girls and myself, "Have never been a part of one of those cultures... we have never knowingly ingested bugs of any kind. Alive or prepared. I can't say I wouldn't eat food that had bugs in it, so long as I couldn't tell." I allowed. "But it is certainly not my preference." I mean really, gross as the idea was? I'm basically the beggar that can't be choosy. I can only hope the food on my plate won't try to bite me back. I give an involuntary shudder just thinking of having to chase my dinner across the plate. I glance around to see similar looks of distaste on the other girls faces making me think they may have the same issue.

The Commander seems to be trying to keep his own mirth at our dilemma under wraps, unlike Shade and Shadow, who are currently grinning at me and the girls like we are being childish. I just decide I'm done with the issue and turn to the Commander as I say, "Okay... so we won't be touching, or eating, anything that is still moving. That is not negotiable. We will not eat anything that is an insect or a sentient being. We will eat only muscle based protein sources. No organs internal or external, no brains or eye balls. We also eat vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and a few other items that will probably require in-depth explanations... but for now, we'll stick with what I've already given you yeah?" I raise a questioning brow at him that's tinged with amusement due to the slack jawed and glazed look I'm currently getting from all three men. I hear snickering from the girls that has me flicking a smug look at them. Shade and Shadow look at each other, then me with twin expressions of determination has them getting up and heading to what looked like a bank of computer operated food dispensers. They crowded around one for a few minutes and then began making several trips to and from the devices carrying tray after tray of promising smelling dishes and carafes. By the time they were done we had quite the array of options before us. I looked at them with raised brows at how far they went to see to our needs. The girls were giving appreciative sniffs and eyeing the various platters, but like me were waiting to be told what was what.

Shadow got things started by stabbing some veggie type morsel on the end of a two pronged eating utensil and leaning across the table to hold it before my mouth with a coaxing brush across my lower lip. I felt uber awkward at the attention, but gamely opened up and took the bite offered. As I cautiously tasted and chewed, the others waited tensely. I didn't draw it out, but I did take the time to get a feel for it before swallowing. Afterwards saying, "It's pretty good, like yucca, without that chewy fibrous thing in the center to worry about." I smiled encouragingly at the girls to let them know I was being sincere. They looked hopeful as Shade took over and began pointing out what category the items fell into in terms of food groups. The girls wasted no time loading up the plates given to us by the Commander while the guys had been running back and forth. Once everyone had a full plate at the table, we got quiet as we stuffed our faces with space fare. Not sure what the flavor profiles were meant to be, but my tongue was perfectly happy telling me the food was just like this Earth food or that one. I just didn't look too closely at which item was going in my mouth at the time. No need for my mouth or brain to realize that the thing that tastes like a peach actually looks like a brussel sprout or something. Nah, I'm good. Best to just enjoy it if it's tasty, yeah? An alarming gagging noise drew my attention to one of the girls, and I could see her looking accusingly at the food on her fork-thing. "Doesn't look like it tastes huh?" I ask knowingly. She glares harder at the bite before grousing, "No, it tasted like avocado, but then I noticed it looked like tomato... I can't stand tomato!" She wiggles the fork till the bite drops off and she shudders a little and goes to stab a different bit of food a little harsher than needed before she keeps eating.

I shake my head in sympathy before looking around to see how everyone else is doing. You can tell which foods are hits and what didn't make the cut by the little piles pushed off to the side of the girls plates. The guys on the other side of the table seemed baffled by the fact that we didn't have the same little reject piles on our plates. I slowly stopped eating as I watched them murmuring to each other and peek at each plate now and then. I puckered out my lips and raised my brow in curiosity trying to figure out what had them in such a tizzy. After looking back and forth at them for a few seconds and not continue eating, they noticed. Shade blinked at me and asked, "Is something amiss Ashling?" I raised my other brow as I asked, "That's what I'd like to know, you've been acting like the fact that we don't like or dislike the same things is strange." They looked at each other in confusion, then the Commander asks, "Is it normal then? To have such different preferences even though you are the same species?"

"It's considered strange to have so much individuality within ones own species you mean?" I tilt my head questioningly as I try to get clarification. He nods an affirmation, making me look at the girls with an incredulous look. "Seriously? That can't be right... so you're telling me, that if you don't like this here brussel sprout looking, peachy thing... your entire species isn't gonna like it? No exceptions?" My question ends on a higher octave just to express how disbelieving I am of this concept. He shrugs before replying, "Not all species are that extreme, no... but they do come close. I merely find it surprising how very individualistic your species is. I couldn't imagine being so varietal." I snorted then gave him more to be amazed about, "You think that's surprising? There are whole families that are just as varietal and live in the same house... imagine the fun during mealtimes at their homes." I smile as my words cause shocked looks and muttering from the guys. Guess the rest of universe doesn't have to deal with picky toddlers and grade schoolers, often at the same time. Fortunately the trays the guys brought to the table included pitchers of beverages, and so while they deal with having their minds blown over something so simple, I pour myself another glass of whatever was in the pitcher that tasted like apricot ginger ale and just enjoyed the strange flavor of it.

Once all that hoopla was over and everyone was stuffed like a thanksgiving turkey, we were led to the guest quarters of the ship. I found this interesting since when we left the poachers rig we had been led to think we might be lucky to get a blanket and pillow, then left to huddle up on the floor somewhere, since they weren't equipped to accommodate civilians according to the Commander. Hmm, wonder what changed? Not that I was about to complain or point out this little discrepancy. The girls kept looking at me like they wanted to talk about it, but I shook my head to let them know it was a bad idea. Once we reached the area, we were once again given the impression of opulence. The hall went from plain metal to wood paneling and engravings. Paintings now graced the walls, depicting strange landscapes and animals. We stared at everything around us in tired amazement. I had gotten close to shuffling my feet I was getting so sleepy. As a result I didn't notice right away that Shade and Shadow had flanked me and herded me to a particular room's door. I almost bumped into it I was so tired. They murmured quiet little words of alarm at my lack of coordination. They took my hands and led me into a cool dimly lit room where I could see a carpeted sitting room, then a sleeping area sectioned off by a thick curtain. They led me to the sleeping area that was made up of a collection of cushions and blankets overtop of a foam platform. I just sighed as I crawled onto it and belly flopped into the center of the mess of cushions. This scent poofed up around me when I did that. It was really nice, masculine though, like some kind of tres-expensive cologne. This had my head popping up and peering about suspiciously, still more asleep though than awake at this point.

My eyes meet two very sheepish Cat Men. "This y'alls bed?" I practically slur, since I'm so comfortable, I'm not too sure I care at this point if it is their bed. They were foolish enough to let me crawl into it, it be mines now. Besides, if they try to get fresh with me? I could always 'accidentally' whack them and say I did it in my sleep. They both smile a bit and nod, I hum in response and then just flop back down. As I'm drifting off I can hear the Commander whispering back and forth with the Cat Men about how they had snuck me into their room without telling me it was theirs. They told him they were trying to get their scent on me as simply a way as they could think of, with me not being the same species as them. And sleeping in their shared sleep area was as simple as it got. My sleepy self had to agree, nothing wrong with their logic there, I would have been resistant had I been completely awake. They then told him they were going to 'officially' ask me to be their mate after the sleep cycle was over, so that it could be documented and they could initiate their species pheromonal 'marking'. I wasn't too keen on that idea... sounded too cliche and supernatural werewolfish shiz to me. If they thought they were sinking those fangs of theirs into my shoulders? I'd knock their teeth out first... just saying.