Private Can I eat that?

S'Mores · May 4, 2020

After a first day of new, very different experiences, there was one thing that was actually familiar to Gray; being hungry. Back at home, it was pretty much the same thing everyday: a different selection of food their creator had lovingly dubbed 'Nutrition Paste'. Of course, as they had expected, it was pretty filling, and it was definitely edible. They liked it, and it was there usual. Gray had even found themselves preferring. . .which flavor? Well, they all tasted good anyway, it didn't matter if they liked one over the others. They were all equally good. Except, that was now the problem.

There was plenty to eat in the cafeteria, dozens upon dozens of things they've eaten, never eaten, and didn't even hear of until they read the signs or labels. They could eat one new thing everyday and still only probably clear out half of the total items by the time they reached graduation. Even if their creator was working at learning how to make meals at home, Gray was now not at home, and they didn't exactly know what they were meant to eat. There were obvious things like not eating things that came from someone else's body, not eating things off the floor, and not eating random plants--all previous things their creator had scolded them endlessly for doing just a few days ago--but the things the staff served seemed more. . .attuned for 'not-humans'. And no, they weren't exactly human.

But if they accidentally ate something they weren't meant to, their creator would probably yell at them and send 214 instead, and Gray wasn't about to let that happen.

Which is how they ended up staring at a vending machine for twenty minutes trying to figure out what a chocolate bar was. To some creatures, chocolate was just about toxic, and it'd kill them in high enough quantities. So maybe they were better off with the wax bar; wax could be good for people. Or maybe they could just go with blood packet. They needed blood. Or actually, that's not how restoring blood worked; their creator had told them numerous times that the body does that by itself.

So what were they supposed to eat then? The oatmeal bar? They aren't a horse.

@PixelatedGlory

PixelatedGlory · May 8, 2020

Erione had been cheerfully eating his own lunch for a little while before he noticed another student just staring at one of the vending machines. Looking very, very lost. Or confused. After a couple people walked by them without offering to help at all Eri got up and carefully made his way over.

"Hiya!," He called out from behind them. Keeping a nice friendly smile on his face. "I know, sometimes it's just so hard to pick what you want. So many interesting options. Can I offer some help?"

S'Mores · May 8, 2020

Gray blinked when they heard the random voice calling out specifically for them. The cafeteria was loud naturally, but they recognized it almost immediately. Well, it was obvious considering that not that many people were busy staring at their options for food but they were. Gray turned around to observe the boy that now stood before them.

His hair was pink, just like 214's; and yet Gray still stared at it. Among the hundreds of strange students they had seen so far, this new boy was rather. . .average. He was shorter, yes; but he looked like a typical human; and that was just wanted they needed. They gave a short nod.

If anyone knew what they should it, it would be a human.

"Yes," Gray stated. They turned back to the vending machines, still eyeing the bar of wax. "What do humans eat?"

They pointed to the wax bar. "Wax?"

Is wax even healthy?

Even if it was, eating it might be strange; but considering at least some people were eating things they had once thought to be inedible, it probably wasn't the worst possible thing they could put in their mouth.

PixelatedGlory · May 8, 2020

Erione blinked and then shook his head with a small suppressed laugh. "Oh no, humans don't eat wax. I don't think it would hurt but... it wouldn't taste good or give you what you need if you're a human."

He slipped the small red glass marble he'd been unconsciously rolling around in one hand into his jacket pocket for safekeeping and gave Gray another friendly smile. "I'm Erione. I could show you what i'm eating today if that helps. Or I can go up with you to the lunch line and help you pick something? I really don't mind at all."

A lost soul. That was the distinct impression he was getting from this person. At the very least he would offer help and see if they wanted it or not.

S'Mores · May 8, 2020

Wait, humans don't eat wax?

Well, they had never seen any distinctly human students eating it, so perhaps he was right. Gray turned to face the stranger again, though it was only halfway. They gave another nod, though they still eyed the vending machine.

Erione.

It was a strange name.

"My name is 130," Gray said, turning to fully face him. "But you can call me Gray."

Gray noticed Erione's smile, then blinked hard. Their creator often smiled, but Erione's was different. Usually when she smiled, it was right before she got into a rant that Gray had often tried hard to understand. Except Erione wasn't breaking into a rant, he was. . .warm?

Gray nodded again. "I would like to see what you're eating for lunch, Erione."

If they just mimicked what he was eating today, they could manage for the rest of their time at school and leave it at that; they would never have to talk to each other again, and Gray would be better off from their interaction.

Erione was. . .a good person for offering; and thanks to him, Gray wouldn't have to make a decision and eat the wrong things.

PixelatedGlory · May 8, 2020

"Nice to meet you Gray. I would love to eat lunch with you. That way you don't have to worry at all if you have more questions. Trust me, I don't mind helping out at all." He motioned for Gray to follow him and then carefully led them towards the lunch line instead of the table where his own tray was still waiting.

"How about we get you the same things I did but fresh and new so you can have the whole thing." He chirped as he led the way. Turning a question into more of an explanation of what they were doing instead. "Did anyone ever say you have any food allergies or mention foods you can't safely eat?"

Eri knew some people's diets here were really out there. But they had been asking about 'human food' so hopefully it wouldn't be too bad. Fortunately the line wasn't super long but they had a few moments at least to figure out if there was anything Gray couldn't have.

S'Mores · May 8, 2020

Gray trailed Erione at their own pace, nodding as he explained everything. Except now they were going further and further away from the vending machines and closer to the lunch line. They had avoided it for the sake of something more room temperature, but. . .well, Erione was human, and he was going to help them.

Gray blinked hard when Erione asked about their food restrictions, then they tensed their shoulders.

"My mas-" Gray began, only to stop. Their creator had insisted that they called her 'Dr. Michaelis'; but it was so foreign, and she was their creator--their master--not a 'Dr. Michaelis'. They paused, weighing just how angry she would be if they called her the wrong thing. After a moment, the risk was too severe, and they continued to Erione's side. "Dr. Michaelis told me not to eat anything that's sharp. She says it can get caught in my throat and hurt me."

Gray set a hand on their throat, fingers tracing the scarring that was there. "So I want to avoid that."

Did they ever get hurt from that? How badly did it hurt? . .why couldn't they remember that?

It didn't matter, their creator was helping them; she was always right. And she was right about what they should eat.

They set their hand down, looking back at Erione. "That's all."

PixelatedGlory · May 9, 2020

Erione blinked as Gray cut themself off and corrected the Doctor's name. Clearly there was something a little odd going on there but for the moment it wasn't his business.

The scarring too was worrisome but Erione actively chose not to call any further attention to it. Simply nodding along and continuing his reassuring smiles. "Great, then you should be perfectly fine with what I got to eat today. Nothing sharp at all in that food."

Eventually they made their way up to the front of the line and Erione ordered a simple meatloaf with a dash of gravy, mashed sweet potatoes and mixed vegetables. Nothing fancy and nothing sharp.

He gestured for Gray to hold the tray. "If you don't like something we can just come back and get something else. They change what they have here at this station every day but this one always has food thats ok for humans to eat."

Then he pointed back towards a table where his own tray sat with his, now likely cold, food on it. "Would you like to come sit with me?"

S'Mores · May 9, 2020

The things Erione picked out were strange, but at the same time, it looked much more appealing than the bar of wax. Better yet, none of it was sharp; their creator would be pleased to hear about this. Gray took the tray, and just the smell was already starting to make them much, much hungrier. They nodded, looking at Erione and listening to what he was saying.

So this entire station had food for humans. This would be even better for them in the long run; though they were likely going to just keep picking the same thing day-after-day. Still, it was better than eating things they weren't meant to.

When Erione pointed to a table, Gray saw an almost identically set up plate, save for the already partially eaten contents. They balanced the offer around for a moment. Then they looked at Erione.

Their creator had asked them to make friends; they could start here. Friends ate together. . .right?

"Yes. I would like to sit with you," they said. Then, without another word, they walked over to the table. They were going to make a friend; and then their creator would be even prouder.

They weren't sure about making many more after that, however. They just wanted to make enough to make her happy.

PixelatedGlory · May 9, 2020

Perfect! Things were going pretty smoothly so far. Erione smiled once more as he snagged a set of utensils for Gray and joined them at the table.

"I'm glad you don't have a really specific diet. Some people have a really different taste for what is good. Oh, don't let me keep you from eating. We can talk in between the bites," he chirped as he picked up his own fork. Though unlike the standard recyclable utensils he'd grabbed for Gray his were actually made of bright red glass and translucent.

"I'm also really glad you wanted to sit with me. I like meeting new people-especially ones I can help try new foods." Apparently he didn't stop being cheerful. Even when chowing down on his now cold food.

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Private Can I eat that?

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