Nods.
“They killed a buddy of mine…. virtually dissected him infront of me…
killing him while he screamed then died after removing a few of his
organs…..I would have been next but I was able to escape when they had
some power malfunction…”Edwardo looked at him, frowning sympathetically. “You have said,” he responded with a careful and calm tone. “I am truly sorry that has happened to you… I can’t even imagine that.”
“But I’ve found terrans who…. are really good people. You and your sons….. I’d like to call you a part of my family.”
Edwardo was a bit surprised by Yondu’s statement. He smiled and gave a soft chuckle. “That’s… I think that’s alright, Yondu. You’ve been good to me and my boys – especially Carlos. He seems to like you and trust you well enough. I think we’d be honored for you to consider us ‘family’. Friendship knows no distance, I believe.”
Yondu nods to him and smiles. “Aside from peter and kraglin and three others on my crew Oblo, Tullk and halfnut.. I don’t have anyone else. So this is nice.”
Mr Ramon nodded. “Right,” he agreed with a smile. “Want to help me start lunch? You can tell me more about what Carlos and you all have been up to.”
“Sure! I’ll even split this bag of the best snack in space. Carlos loves them too. Beastie worms!” Pulls out a a bag that looks suspiciously like a alien version of a Cheetoes bag.
Edwardo just looked at it. “What… what is it exactly?” he asked. “I heard you boys trying to explain it, but I don’t know if I understand…”
Grins and leads him to the kitchen. “Best thing ever. Just… don’t think about what your eating. Just eat it.” Opens the bag and pulls out a wiggling orange worm like thing.
Edwardo stared.”Carlos has been eating those?” he asked. “I’m surprised – usually he’s not very adventurous when trying new things.” He reached out and took the worm, examining it curiously.
The worm was wiggling around and actually tries to crawl around on his fingers leaving orange dust in its wake.
“Well in space he had to adapt. No terran like food out there really. I had to honestly convince him to eat one. Then he liked them. So we would pass a bag around at times.”
Edwardo hummed and nodded. He closed his hand around the worm to keep it from escaping. “You know, it’s arguable that it’s cruel to let them remain alive as you eat them. How do they stay alive in the package anyhow?”
“I honestly have no clue….. all I know is they are fresh and delicious.” Pulls one out then knocks it back with a crunch then swallows. “Carlos wanted to keepnsome as pets…. be interesting…. harvest them as unlimited source of beastie worms. Snacks forever.”
Edwardo looked at the trail of seasoning the worm left. “In theory… but you’d have to find out the recipe for the seasoning.” He smiled slightly. He sniffed at the seasoning with a hum. “It smells cheesy.” He opened his hand again and, with the other hand, picked up the worm between two fingers. “It’s sort of cute… I can see why Little Carlos wanted to try keeping one.”
Yondu chuckles. “Cute and delicious. Carlos at first thought it was cruel to eat them alive too but… if you kill them or dry them or something other then fresh they taste nasty….”
“Hm… maybe there’s a decomposition process that happens when they die.” He then smiled at Yondu again. “This wouldn’t be my first rodeo, eating a live animal. I’ve had the opportunity to have live octopus before.”
“Live oconopooos? What the hell is that?” Sets the bag down so the worms couldn’t wiggle out as Eduardo played with his food. “Hope the boys have fun.”
Peter watches as buildings go by in the car. “Been so long since being here….. it’s so strange….. almost like I don’t belong here.”
“Oh… um… it has a soft, round bulbous main body, and has eight tentacles that come out of the bottom of it like a skirt. It lives in the water. It’s really good with some spicy sauce, though you have to chew quite a bit to make sure to get it down safely.” Edwardo looked at the worm again. “I’m sure the boys are fine… It’s just a trip to the supermarket, after all.”
–
“I can’t believe I still remember how to drive,” Carlos said. “It just feels like it’s been so long… And I have to pay so much attention to the road.”
“You’re going the speed limit, so I think you’re fine,” Mikey reassured his brother with a grin.
The Perfect Scientist 