001 First Halloween - Video

[hallowedqueen]

[ Someone is definitely in a cheerful mood. Chad is a new face on the network--he's never talked on it, since he arrived here when there wasn't one, and he's been a little too busy learning to live again to sit in his room feeling sorry for himself and chatting on the network. That and he finally has something to show the network. Five pumpkins the size of soccer balls sit on the desk in front of him. ]

I know, they're not much to look at, but it's not just size that matters.

[ This is where anyone who knows Spock well ought to be tripping over their own jaw. He has Spock's face, without a doubt, but Chad is about far away from Spock's manner as it's possible to be. Starting with the smile, but also the liveliness of his delivery, one hand hanging lazily over the top of the nearest pumpkin, and the other elegantly gesturing to them as he speaks. ]

I've never grown anything in my life, but I couldn't bear to let the seeds go to waste. Turns out it's easier than I thought. Now-- [ He raises a knife off the table. ] I finished one of them. The question is what to do with the others.

[ The lights flicker and then turn off, with nothing more than a particularly heated glance, but Chad is still lit up by the orange glow emitted by one of the pumpkins. He turns it around to face the screen. ]

Any ideas?

Oh, and while I'm at it, I need more ideas for things to do around here. Things that aren't carving pumpkins or improving my sex life. I have those sorted.

Comments

voice

[triedtobe]

[ He's not saying nothing, nope. But there's a reason this is voice. ]

Could try taking your artistic talents elsewhere.

voice

[hallowedqueen]

I could. But then I might just have less time to use my artistic talents on you.

[ Hiding? Whatever for? Just in case Chad is impossibly embarrassing? But that would never happen! ]

voice

[triedtobe]

[ Someone's sleeping on the proverbial couch tonight. ]

Thought you were looking for other things to do.

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[onsilksheets]

Drinking. That's a thing you can do.

[This coming from the woman currently holding a glass of scotch.]

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[hallowedqueen]

Drinking would be a lot easier if everything on board wasn't as bland as cheap plonk. I'm guessing you wouldn't know where I can get a decent white wine?

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[onsilksheets]

Have you tried the kitchens or the bar yet? [There might be some wine. Unless someone squandered it already.] Excellent taste by the way.

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[heltersskelter]

Halloween is over.

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[hallowedqueen]

[ Snappishly. ] I've been reliably informed that Halloween is wherever you are.

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[heltersskelter]

[ugh hayden. tate's unflappable, and his head cocks.]

No, you idiot, it was like two months ago. We went trick or treating and everything.

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[goldshirt]

[LOL WAIT. HOLD THE HELL UP. jim flicks the video on because this is PRICELESS.]

I'm sorry is that-- [Jim can't keep the smile off his face] is that Spock?

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[hallowedqueen]

No, dear. I'm Chad; Chad Warwick.

[ He pats the pumpkin in front of him, cat got the cream smile over the top of it. ]

This is Spock.

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[goldshirt]

That's what I meant.

[and he squints a little, leaning closer to his communicator, that wide grin still on his mouth.]

That's pretty good.

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[gazeboed]

Wow. [ she's not even going to comment fu-- yes she will ] You could pick up a new hobby.

Literally, anything.

For the love of God, get a new fucking hobby.

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[hallowedqueen]

I could cut your hair and miss. That sounds like a fun new hobby.

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[gazeboed]

Oh, please. And risk getting blood all over those delicate little hands? You'd never, you don't have the balls.

voice|

[firstofficer]

A curious hobby.

Does your work extend to designs beyond our shared facial features, or will we find ourselves with a surplus of gourd portraits?

voice|

[hallowedqueen]

You think so? Hmm. I enjoy doing portraits, they're more of a challenge. It's easier to make a cat look like a cat. People are less sensitive to them being wrong somehow.

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[became]

You even got the ears. Not bad.

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[hallowedqueen]

Not bad implies it could be better.

voice;

[leaps]

[ OH MY GOD. ]

Now that's something.

voice;

[hallowedqueen]

You'll have to be more specific, sweetheart.

[darkforce]

Aren't they meant to be eaten?

[really now, chad. pumpkins are food not toys]

[hallowedqueen]

[ There's a bowl of pumpkin innards that Chad picks up off the floor by his feet and shows to the camera. ]

If you can find a way to cook pumpkin pie without cinnamon or butter, then be my guest. I had to make soup last time, and I hate pumpkin soup.

voice

[harriedosborn]

[ Oh great, jack o'lanterns. Just the kind of thing he wanted to see. ]

You could always go with the classics. Ghouls and goblins, et cetera.

voice

[hallowedqueen]

Mmm, I could, but they're a little passe, don't you think?

It's January by now. Maybe in anticipation of next month, I should be working on something more romantic?