Velocityquest IV

[Velocity]

"It was strategic. I wanted information but they didn't know anything useful. They would have been on high alert anyway because... because that's the sort of thing they do and that didn't make any sense outwardly and you've made me confuse myself with thoughts of other people and NOW I'VE FORGOTTEN WHAT I WAS SAYING!"

[DraconicDescendant]

Everybody jumps back at your sudden exclamation.

"Tower," says Clyde, "just don't go off on your own like that. We need to work together if we want to survive. And we can't afford to lose you."

[Velocity]

Calm down a little.

"How can I avoid going out on my own when none of you can even fly?"

[DraconicDescendant]

"Well, do you have to fly?" asks John. "It's almost like you don't want to work with us..."

[Velocity]

"Walking is inconvenient and makes it very easy to get caught, especially when you can't remove your scales. I don't know why we're staying here instead of doing something, either."

[DraconicDescendant]

"We've already done something today," says Steve. "I mean, we're not machines, we're exhausted!"

"There must be some way you can occupy yourself without causing destruction," says Clyde.

[Velocity]

Look at him for a few seconds, confused.

"...Like?"

[DraconicDescendant]

"Maybe sitting down and enjoying a meal with us?" asks John, offering a spot at the table to you. "I mean, here's a ration. You can have it if you want." He sets down a ration onto the table.

[Velocity]

Turn into Justin, and clothe myself, sitting down at the table. Slowly open up the ration with a tentacle, and prod at it.

"...Huh..."

[DraconicDescendant]

It seems quite dry.

"You have to add water and stir," says Steve. "Here, I'll help." He sprays some water from his water bottle into the powdery mix. There's a spoon that you can use to mix it sitting next to you.

[Velocity]

Hold the spoon in my hand, and make circular motions with it, stirring the ration. Try some of it, cautiously.

[DraconicDescendant]

You shovel a bit into your mouth, tasting it carefully. You fail to see the appeal in it, however, as it tastes bland, is unpleasant to swallow, and contains low nutritional value. The package claims that this is "jambalaya," but you are quite sure that jambalaya would not taste like this!

[Velocity]

Swallow it reluctantly, and put the rest down.

"This could only be more terrible if it was poisonous, and it probably is in large quantities."

[DraconicDescendant]

"It's better than what we've been eating before," says John.

"What? I enjoyed the rats!" says Steve.

"Unlike you, Steve, we still have human taste buds," says Anna.

You think that it would be more interesting if everyone was talking about something you would like to talk about. You should try some of this "human conversation."

[Velocity]

Try to be normal.

"Rats are nicer than this. People are much nicer, though. I wish you could try them the way I eat them."