=011= [Voice / Action for HazMat Crew]

[willwork4sugar]

[There's the sound of someone inhaling very deeply before releasing a long, satisfied breath.]

Almost there...

[It may be early morning but when you have a hankering for some peanut brittle, it doesn't matter what time of the day it is. Besides, with all the restless nights of zombie attacks, he is getting his sugar fix, dangit.

The sweet peanutty scent should be strong as it wafts from the galley, and there's the sound of a metal pan being set down on the table.]

Don't tell me I'm out of sea salt. [*Clatter, shuffle*] ....they didn't get in here and make a mess, did they... -ah-hah!

Comments

[occupational_hazard]

[A bulb nose sniffs. Follow your nose, it always knows!

Although still a bit drowsy, Hiccup totters his way through the ship, poking his head into the galley. He does laugh a little when he sees Gaius puttering about for the salt.]

Whatever it is you're making? Smells great.

[willwork4sugar]

[When Hiccup slips in, he'll find the thief sprinkling a pinch of the stuff over the still soft peanut brittle.]

'Course it does. When do I not make something that smells great and tastes even better?

[occupational_hazard]

Well, okay, you got me there.

[He sidles over to watch.]

Then again it's been a while since I last tried anything you made.

[willwork4sugar]

[Gaius grins, setting down the pouch of sea salt before grabbing a plate to help fan the peanut brittle so it cools faster.]

That's right, huh. What's this place coming to? I haven't gotten around to making sweets in a while. ...well there was Broomstick's birthday cake but other than that, it's been regular food and battling undead.

[occupational_hazard]

[The viking snorts, shaking his head.]

Broomstick. I almost forgot that was Draco's nickname! Ahh, but you're right, living dead things and sub-par food is the worst combination ever.

[willwork4sugar]

Yep.

[He hands Hiccup the plate.]

Here, keep fanning that, will you?

[occupational_hazard]

–Hey.

[He sighs, continuing the job. Fan fan fan.]

I better be getting paid for this.

[willwork4sugar]

[Gaius goes to dig around in the drawers and cupboards before coming up with a mallet. He gives it a twirl as he steps back towards the table.]

Hey, if you're planning on partaking of this brittle, it doesn't hurt to help it along, right?

[He gives the edge and the center a poke with his finger.]

Still a little warm but it's getting there.

[occupational_hazard]

...Okay, I can accept that kind of logic.

[He continues fanning the brittle, yawning as he goes.]

Augh. Maybe I should try to take another nap after this or something.

[willwork4sugar]

Naps are good. Or just try getting some sleep in general. At this rate, we may as well learn how to be nocturnal.

[He shakes his head, reaching out to take over the fanning.]

...hope this doesn't last long.

[occupational_hazard]

Oh, joy. At least Toothless won't have a problem with that.

[Hiccup lets Gaius take back the plate. He knows where the sarcasm ends and the seriousness comes up.]



There has to be a reason for it.

[willwork4sugar]

[Gaius waves the plate back and forth as he props his head up with his other hand.]

If there is, I don't know what it could be, and no one's been exactly forthcoming in information either.

[occupational_hazard]

So no one knows where this is all coming from? That's no good...

[willwork4sugar]

Tell me about it.

[After a while he sets the plate down, giving the brittle another poke before he folds his arms, resting his head over them.]

...wonder how much longer it'll last.

[occupational_hazard]

Hopefully not too long.

[A hand props his chin as he slouches down.]



...Did it set yet?

[willwork4sugar]

Let's give it a couple more minutes. Won't work that well if it's still chewy in the middle.

[occupational_hazard]

Okay.

[anelegantmyth]

[Oh look, he's making sweets again, AKA how to summon Cynthia without saying a single word. Actually, he didn't even have to move an inch from where he stood. If cartoon-ish smoke fingers that beckoned people to sweet treats were a thing in this world. Cynthia would have been literally floating towards the galley.

But no, she just poked her head in like she usually does whenever Gaius was in there.]

That had better be enough for the two of us.

[willwork4sugar]

[He smirks over his shoulder.]

If three pans-worth isn't more than enough for two us, then I dunno...

[anelegantmyth]

So one pan each and one for everyone else? Sounds good to me!

[She waltzes in an takes a seat near the pans. Of course, she knew better than to actually touch hardening caramel. Cynthia was hungry, but she wasn't crazy.]

Are you still going to shape these guys or should we just crack and go?

[willwork4sugar]

[He's so glad he doesn't have to explain. And no one else is here to question whether they may be joking or not.]

I think it's fine as is. Once it's cooled off we can just go at it.

[anelegantmyth]

[Really, with how Cynthia and Gaius' sweet tooths work, would anyone in the Hazmats even question their one pan each system? It's been a year. These two obviously don't joke about sugary things.

Cynthia feels the pan with the back of her finger. Yup, still hot.]

So what made you want to make peanut brittle? Stress cooking again?

[willwork4sugar]

What can I say, sometimes you just feel like something sweet and peanutty.

[anelegantmyth]

And deadly when used properly. Just imagine, if those zombies come for us, we could always break off a sharp piece of of brittle and go stabby stabby. We could even make a fresh batch and pour it over them like molten tar.

[She feels the pan again. Still hot, but tolerable to the touch. She'll give it a few more minutes.]

Could you even imagine using candy as a weapon?

[willwork4sugar]

Oh, I wouldn't say it wasn't possible, but why waste perfectly good candy?

[anelegantmyth]

Well, if worse comes to worst, at least we'd have another thing to keep us from turning into zombie bait. Speaking of zombies, how's the apocalypse treating you? Should I be expecting more stress treats or is this it?

[willwork4sugar]

This isn't stress. This is normal. Except that we have zombie parties every night.

As far as I'm concerned, they can just stop bothering us now. I think we've all had our fill off dealing with them- but then that probably could've been said from the first night.

[anelegantmyth]

I swear, those zombies are going to be a factor in my soon to be heart attack. They're the reason my pokemon are in twenty four hour patrol, and now Kitty thinks my room isn't safe.

[She touches the brittle one more time. Warm, but hard. That should be enough. She takes the pan and bangs it against the counter. Smiling as it breaks into little brittle pieces. That was usually her favorite part in the brittle making process.]

[willwork4sugar]

It hasn't been good for anyone. It's just making us all paranoid. You can't relax well even in the day. I'll be glad when it's over.

[Whenever that may be.

He lets his attention be drawn to the crisp shattering of the brittle, which brings a grin to his own face.]

Perfect.

[anelegantmyth]

More than perfect.

[She takes a piece and munches on it. Oh sweet sweet sugary goodness.]

Makes me wish I could take you home with me. I don't think I'd last long without your sweets to keep me going.

[willwork4sugar]

[Gaius reaches over to take a piece for himself, nibbling happily on it.]

I'm sure you'll get on just fine.

....I wonder if it'll be any different if we manage to get ourselves home on our own terms.