[SIDESTORY] Morbit Oneshots

[A_Mi_Manera]

Comfort Food - a Crankshaft Short Story
 

---

Your friend gives your plate a intense look.

The potato effigy in front of you exhausts a warmth akin to the flesh and blood you're made of. For most this would be deemed a food crime, but for you it's precious hearty material for your bruised and tired body. You sparred, you got whooped. You need it, and she has to watch you munch away until you're done, much to her dismay. 

Lex: I feel like I could've done better you know? Like... I dunno. I get drained too easy. My footwork is good, I can grapple alright but... I get tired easy. Don't think I could ever go the distance for a win on technicality. You get me?

Dotty: You're also doing a round robin event, nobody does round robins outside of little local circuits you know. It's bad for you to do four fights back to back like that.  

Lex: Like... I guess. Always look forward to doing brunch with you after though. Makes it easier to get through. I used to choke and bail early a lot of the time you know?

Dotty: You never told me that.

Lex: Eh... I didn't want to look like a weenie around you. 

You poke down at the potato mass with your fork. 

Lex: You're good at fighting. I wanna be on your level one day.

She tries to cover up a smile but you notice. 

Dotty: Yes well.... Duels aren't just about fighting, Not really at their core at all... it's about being flexible. Good at many, many things and having the guts to go through with it. 

Lex: I guess.  

Dotty: You should probably take next week off of going though, neglected wear and tear will retire you early.  I'll show you some tricks for that. I mean, if you don't mind skipping out.

Lex: It doesn't hurt much...

Dotty: Playing tough also isn't good you know. Tapping out when you think things are going too far is important.  Besides, you seem cool for it.

Lex: Yeah... I might take that up I think. 

You take another mouthful of mash.

Dotty: So uh.... how is it? The... thing.

Lex: The potato?

Dotty: Is that what it's supposed to be?

Lex: Yeah! What'd you think it was?

Dotty: Not food. 

Lex: I've been eating it for like, the past 5 minutes.

Dotty: I thought it was one of your old witch things.

Lex: I mean.... I guess it kinda looks like it huh? Don't do that anymore though. Weirdly uncanny coincidence. 

Dotty: I think you got the wrong order.

Lex: Nah. You know you should try it. 

Dotty: Eh.....

Lex: You need a different fork actually? I can get you one 

Dotty: No just.... it has a weird face.

You rotate the plate around.

Lex: Do it before it catches on. It's already worried that someone's plotting against it.

She snickers.

Dotty: Still can't unsee it. Might be pretending not to notice.

Lex: Give it a shot. It won't bite.

Dotty: Yeah well... what's in it for me? I'm about to take down this potato hommuculi. 

Lex: Uh.... you'd be doing the world a favor?

Dotty: Fuck the world, if this gives me food poisoning I want to know I died for something. Something real.

Lex: I'll hook you up with a shake, something smooth to down it after. 

Dotty: A real shake. None of that melted ice cream stuff.

Lex: Yeah. Easy.

Dotty: One that comes with a spoon.

Lex: Any size.... but

You hesitate.

Lex: But... you have to walk me home after too.  I'm a witness and I could be unsafe.

She shifts her eyes back and forth, pretending to weigh her options.

Dotty: Fuck it, I'm not a coward. 

You hand her your fork. She digs it in.

Lex: Big scoop or it doesn't count.

She gets a chunk full and works away at it. There seems to be a hesitance to swallow. 

You pat her shoulder to give her encouragement. 

She manages to down it.

Dotty: That's... way too salty. 

Lex: It's a bit of an acquired thing. You grow up on it.

Dotty: Yeah... I can tell.

Lex: You okay?

Dotty: If you grab me some dessert, I might just make it through the day. Maybe.

Lex: Can do.

Dotty: Get it to go... I kinda want to spend some time hanging around the boardwalk if you don't mind. Not ready to headback just yet.

Lex: Yeah! I mean, sure yeah.