The Greatest Place on Earth

Xiaolan had some good points and ideas for Zuqetta to take in when it came to how she could better herself as a ruler. She knew of Derry, and knew of the mans treachery. She considered him a clever man, and that was true up until the point he'd been caught. Now that his deception had been found out, the snake wasn't likely to show his head again, but Zuqetta would forever harbor doubts that he was gone for good. Long had she put her forces to work investigating him, his little visit to Plant and battle alongside Amara had caught her interest, so much so that she'd considered using him to sew chaos amongst the humans...

But that was a different time...

Being reminded of that time by Xiaolan caused a bit of pain to come to both Zuqetta heart and head. The person she was back then wasn't who she wanted to be, but even after her year of mental anguish, cut off from society, she couldn't be sure that her thoughts were truly her own. So long as she was having fun, then she didn't think it mattered... but the different part of who she once was, considered different things "fun".

Zuqetta did her best to snuff out the thoughts, focusing instead on a more positive idea, the libraries! Of all the things she thought of doing, she was surprised going to one of Earth's libraries wasn't the first thought she'd had. "Heheheh, don't worry, I can read Earth literature just fine!" She'd say both happily and proudly, thinking back on how books from Earth had been her first point of reference when it came to her education. On the contrary, it took her much longer to learn Sadalan, but she didn't want to admit that.

Xiaolan helped greatly in distracting her from the previous dark feelings that had been elicited as he went on to explain the complexities of the bento. To Zuqetta surprise and excitement, a bento could very much be purely a dessert item, it had simply been that ice cream alone wouldn't be enough! To keep the surprises coming however, Xiaolan went on to explain all the different kinds of dessert items he had in mind before bringing forth a disconnected kitchen from a capsule like some kind of impromptu cooking show.

"I know what cake is!" Zuqetta would remark excitedly, her eyes sparkling as drool dripped down the side of her mouth, "I like ice cream, but I absolutely LOVE cake!!" she'd remark, wiping the drool away before suddenly gasping with further excitement, "XIAO!!!" She'd yell, her gaze near manic, "Do you have ice cream cake!?!" she'd ask, rushing the kitsune with a wide eyed, hopeful yet starving gaze, "I dunno what none of that other stuff is, but if you have ice cream cake then PLEASE-!!" She'd yell, attempting to grab the kitsune by the collar of his garb to pull him closer, "PLEEEEEEEEASE!!!! You. Must. Share it!!!"

Zuqetta was completely oblivious to her little outburst, unaware of exactly how much she changed at the thought of ice cream cake of all things. Such a change was known to her crew however, battle scars within the ship still present from her outburst during a past altercation involving the treat. Whether she knew it or not, a secret mandate had been issued by Zuqetta's Head Caretaker, Madam Maitake, stating that neither cake nor ice cream cake would be allowed on the ship or in the possession of the fleet again. Zuqetta was still unaware of such a mandate, but the horrors the crew experienced back then would never be forgotten, and the secrets would be taken to their graves before they ever let the girl find out.

"We can MAKE some!?" Zuqetta would exclaim excitedly, her eyes filled with stars as she moved to hug the kitsune tightly around his abdomen before quickly releasing him, "Yesyesyes! Let's make some!!" She'd say, jumping like a child as Xiaolan moved to bring forth the necessary ingredients.

The bento mission the two had undertaken had gone a bit off the rails, but who was to say that ice cream cake couldn't have been included in the bento? How big could a bento be anyways? Zuqetta wondered if perhaps the two could pack all kinda of things into the bento, giving the people of konats a veritable sweets buffet of a bento! Before any of that however, was the ice cream cake, which Xiaolan seemed to be getting rather excited about himself. He listed off the ingredients before asking an incredibly difficult question, exactly what kind of ice cream cake would be good to make?

Zuqetta froze at the question, completely unsure; her way of thinking was as simplistic as could be, she loved ice cream cake and loved eating it, but never had she imagined how to make it. in fact, she'd never thought to much on how to make anything; the power of the zeni was enough to get her the things she wanted that her physical power couldn't, and as such, her culinary skills were zero. Xiaolan had a suggestion however, and as he spoke, Zuqetta would brighten up further and further, salivating near uncontrollably at the mere thought of the perceptual ice cream cake that Xiaolan had envisioned.

"Yes, that!" Zuqetta would cheer, "Let's make that!! Chocolate, vanilla, strawberries, it all sounds delicious!" she'd say excitedly as further thoughts came to her head, "Mmmnn, if only we could put pineapple bits too for a bit of tang!" she'd add, enraptured by the thought before admitting her tastes, "Ahhhhh, sour and sweet things are my favorite!"

Xiaolan had gotten to work, stocking up his kitchen and bringing forth the necessary utensils needed for their culinary endeavor. Zuqetta couldn't have been more elated if she tried, the only thing that could have made her world right now better would be if all of Mount Puccino was replaced not merely with ice cream and other assorted sweet snacks, but with ice cream cake alone! Still, while this couldn't be, she could at least enjoy the upcoming ice cream cake her bento buddy was quick on preparing.

Snapped from her dreamy, ice creamy hypnosis, Zuqetta was surprised to be presented with a pineapple and knife in had. As Xiao had stated, the idea to add pineapple was hers, so she should do the honors. What confused her however was what exactly Xiaolan had meant when he said to "decorate" it; did he mean the pineapple? Was she to decorate the fruit, or did he mean to decorate the cake? It couldn't have been the cake, the cake wasn't even ready yet! Not only that, but Xiaolan had mentioned adding the fruit to the batter itself rather than using the fruit as a topping. It made sense to Zuqetta as well, it had been what she wanted so she was happy to know that the two of them were on the same page, but that still begged the question, what was she decorating?

Xioalan had dived headfirst into getting the spongey, chocolatey goodness of the cake prepared, so she hesitated to bother the kitsune with what might have been a silly question. There was only one recourse that made sense, Xiao had requested the pineapple to be decorated! This was what Zuqetta believed firmly, and not wanted to let her fox friend down, she got to work. Though a knife was hardly suited for the task at hand alone, and so with her magic materialization, Zuqetta would get to work decorating the pineapple. How would one decorate a fruit however? She wasn't too skilled when it came to anything artistic, yet at the same time, so long as she could perceive it in her mind, it shouldn't have been too hard to bring to life with her magic. Of course, she couldn't materialize anything with a prior life force, making it impossible to materialize food or drink like Jinx could, but she wouldn't allow this to stop her from her task!

Thinking of the "decorating" of a pumpkin that she'd done with Zerori, Zuqetta fabricated in her mind exactly what it was to be done. In a swift motion, Zuqetta would toss the pineapple into the air before summoning forth an assortment of knives with her magic. Time seemed to slow before her as she focused on what it was she wanted to bring to life, then with Xiaolans knife in had, she would strike! While the summoned knives moved forth with terrifying precision, cutting the pineapple to bits, Zuqetta would use the knife in had for the more delicate and fine details of the ecoration before her. The pineapple would be carved up in mere moments, then, dispelling the knives Zuqetta would then materialize an outfit fitting for the carved pineapple.

With a skirt here, and bikini top there, the masterpiece was finished! Before Zuqetta was the carved pineapple sculpture of a hula girl, not so ironically in her own image considering she herself was the easiest thing to picture. The bits that had been carved away from the pineapple sculpture remained collected on a nearby plate, before Xiaolan's words would suddenly catch the girls attention, causing her to flinch excitedly.

"Huehuehue~!" Zuqetta would chime in rather proudly, "I'm MORE than holding up, I've finished!" She'd announce excitedly, turning to the kitsune, revealing the sculpture to the fox with an incredibly proud expression, "Behold! The pineapple decoration you requested!" she brimmed with enthusiasm, completely unaware of the fact that she'd misheard and misunderstood the kitsune entirely thanks to a single unfamiliar word.

As humorous as Xiaolans reaction had been, and as grateful as Zuqetta wanted to be for the compliments, she couldn't help but to be embarrassed by the whole ordeal. She was glad Xiaolan liked the sculpture, but the fact that she'd messed up such a simple task in such a magnificent way was no less embarrassing. Furthermore, Xiaolan saw fit to accept and capsule the creation, intent to use it as the centerpiece of a future chocolate fountain. While the thought was initially flattering, Zuqetta couldn't help but to focus on the fact that it'd been carved in her own image; the thought of strangers possibly admiring the sculpture at some party made her blush far more than just a tad, though she had no intention of stopping the fox either.

Instructions had been clearly given for a second attempt, along with a follow up task that even Zuqetta was capable of following. While she might not have been a chef herself, it wasn't as though she was a complete klutz. While Xiaolan got to work on his next task, Zuqetta would get to work peeling the pineapple without delay, before dicing it into properly sized triangular chunks. The task was made even easier thanks to the pineapples own natural inner shape; she'd sans the firm core, placing it upon a plate to be disposed of however Xiaolan saw fit, before she'd then take notice of the extra bits of pineapple from her previous carving.

She'd grab the batter, ready to... wait... "He said cubes!" She'd remark to herself, quickly covering her mouth in the hopes that Xiaolan wouldn't hear her.

How could she have made such a mistake!? And a ridiculously silly one at that! While he'd specifically stated cubes, she'd gone and made triangles, mini pyramids really. Perhaps it'll be fine! Zuqetta thought, choosing the merely flip the pyramids over and insert them into the batter point first. With the flat side of the pyramid shaped pineapple bits facing up, one could hardly even tell that they weren't cubes. Her time ran short as the ding Xiaolan had mentioned sounded off; with precision and grace, Zuqetta would apply the rest of the pineapples within the batter as instructed, before quickly returning her attention to Xiaolan and acting as though not a thing was wrong, contrary to the bit of sweat trickling down her brow.

"Pineapples, battered! Err, batter.. pineappled?" Zuqetta would remark, before giving a shake of her head, "Anyways, I did the thing!" She'd exclaim, presenting the batter with pineapples to Xiaolan, "Does this go in the oven now?" she'd ask, as she turned her attention towards the ice cream, becoming a bit distracted by its name, "What makes it old fashion? What's new fashion vanilla like?"

Zuqetta would release a held breath, relieved that Xiaolan either hadn't taken notice of the misshapen pineapple bits in the batter, or at least didn't mind their lack of cube contour. He'd given a quick run down of the steps at hand, and a curious response in regards to the ice cream situation. Zuqetta was colored surprised by the fact, even if it was a rather casual thing for Xiaolan. To think that there were eggs in ice cream at all; again, she was no chef, but if she'd been asked to labor a guess before now as to the ingredients that made up ice cream, eggs wouldn't have been part of the equation. Milk, sugar, some kind of flavoring, perhaps bits of fruit or chocolate depending on the ice cream, but not eggs. She'd have likely been even more surprised to find out the actual ingredients in most ice cream, but for now the task Xiaolan presented would begin to move forward.

Zuqetta was ready to add the batter to the oven, secretly taking a few quick nibbles from the plate of pineapples nearby from the sculpture mishap. She'd jolt slightly as Xiaolan suddenly donned her hands with a pair of oven mitts, causing her to stare blankly for a few moments. While cute, they were ultimately unnecessary, though she'd refrain from telling the kitsune that. She'd give a laugh at Xiaolan's thoughtfulness to her well being, but her magic made her practically immune to temperature changes, regardless of how hot or cold the atmosphere or a surface might have been. It did raise a curious question in Zuqetta's mind however of what exactly Xiaolan might have been feeling, Mount Puccino was well known for its deathly cold temperatures after all, such was why efforts to make it a tourist attraction were so slow. She figured he may have been employing a similar trick of his own though, and thought nothing more on the matter.

With the pan successfully in the oven, the two would be onto their next step, preparation of the ice cream. "Heheheh, you really ARE a culinary connoisseur, huh?" she'd laugh, remarking on his educational expertise amidst the chaos of his cooking, "If I don't become the next Saiyan leader, maybe you'd like ta come join my fleet! Madame Maitake would love you!" she'd continue, taking hold of an ice cream spade of her own and following Xiaolan's example. She nearly shook as she awaited what was soon to come with bated breath, holding herself back to the best of her ability so as to not just plain snack on every little bit of ingredient the fox had been procuring.

Xiaolan was a mysterious little, big, fox guy; from the form of a cute little fox, to his more humanoid shape he currently donned, Zuqetta had maintained a continued intrigue. He was a culinary expert, clearly magical, apparently practiced martial arts, and despite being a goob, or perhaps because they were a goob, they were rather gentlemanly. The entire trip to Mount Puccino had been a rather incredible change of pace for Zuqetta, and what would have merely been a quick visit for some sweet eats had turned into a miniature adventure for her. This trip would be a story to share with her crew, and she owed it all to her new bento buddy, Xiaolan.

Zuqetta's expression softened as these thoughts and more came to her, finding solace in the fact that Xiaolan hadn't once judged her for... well, anything! Was he merely too engrossed in his work to care? Hardly, he'd given a proper response to each and every thing she'd brought up. Heck, he'd even answered her completely random question about old and new fashion vanilla ice cream, something that was more of a rhetorical question than anything. He wasn't distracted, he was simply, good. He didn't care that she was a Saiyan, he didn't judge her poor manners or criticize her future goals. Maybe it was because he found it all beneath him, that could have always been a possibility, but Zuqetta wanted to believe in the feeling that opposed her usual senses, Xiaolan was good, and that was all.

"Hehe, happy ta hear it!" Zuqetta would respond with a bright smile, her tail flicking about happily beneath the coat she wore, "Can't say Sadala has much in the way of culinary refinement, but guess that's what you'd be for!" She'd encourage, "When you go to Konats, we should meet up and stop for ice cream! When I was participating in a tournament, I had some of the best ice cram there once!" she'd continue excitedly before rushing to Xiaolan's side, ready to continue the task at hand.

Xiaolan's free spirited nature was endearing, though, it brought a small tinge of pain to Zuqetta's heart. She wished that her people, the Saiyans, the residents of Sadala could be more like Xiaolan was. It wasn't as though they weren't free spirited, but it was less of having an open minded nature and more of, they simply refused to be controlled. Sure, Sadala had its fair share of cooks and butchers, but it was seared meat or nothing there... well, raw meat, but Zuqetta wasn't about to test the might of her endurance with that. She didn't like the word, but the truth was, everything in Sadala was rather... primitive. If Xiaolan truly joined her in the future, then perhaps he could help change things; already the equipment he used was rather advanced from what she could tell, but she'd also never gotten to be in a real kitchen before, so wasn't entirely sure of the vast differences between his equipment and what you'd find back on Plant.

"Got it, leave it to me!" Zuqetta would exclaim excitedly, knowing that even she couldn't screw up portioning ice cream; as she did so, equal parts excited and anxious for the cakes completion, she'd continue to speak, "I dunno about the castles kitchen, but I think you'd love the kitchen onboard the main ship! It's an Arcosian ship, so everything is super advanced and top of the line!" she'd explain, not entirely sure of herself since she never checked, but Madame Maitake's cooking was great, so it had to be a good kitchen!

Globs of creamy vanilla ice cream were added to the cake, and as per Xiaolan's instruction, she'd allow him the chance to even it all out. Luckily, against her inner desires, she hadn't made it an overbearing mound of ice cream, but rather a decent and fair amount. Perhaps it was a bit on the heavier side, but not too far off from a usual ice cream cake. The scent of the baked cake mixed with the vanilla, filling the air with a delicious sweetness and just a hint of the pineapples tartness. Zuqetta took a deep breath, her cheeks brightening with delight as the long awaited ice cream cake was soon to be in her maw!

"After the topping, do we have to do anymore waiting? Does it need to be stored in a cooler or something?" She'd ask, smacking her lips as she attempted to hold herself back from drooling. Admittedly, she'd have been a bit sad if they had to wait even longer, but she would endure! She didn't expect ice cream cake today, so she was already getting a treat, and they could at least finish working on the bentos for the Konatsians while they waited.

Here it was, glorious in its splendor before them, the long awaited ice cream cake! Though Xiaolan's actions of preparation had led to a small bit of a mess, he'd chosen to delay the cleanup until after the taste testing of the delicious looking cake. A wise choice, as Zuqetta had become transfixed on the object, ignoring almost all other things around her in anticipation for a bite. In a flashy move, the fox would conjure a pair of spoons in hand, prompting a small clap and bewildered ooo-ing sound from Zuqetta. She hadn't even been able to sense him use magic for the materialization, causing her to think it was yet another top notch skill to his already impressive arsenal.

"Well, I wouldn't say that-" she'd remark in regards to Xialans mention of martial arts, taking a spoon from the fox, her hand shaking as she tried to contain her excitement, "I'm actually not too good at fighting, I can put a good deal of strength behind a punch, but if one was to ask if I had any technique? Heh, sorry, but no." she'd admit a bit bashfully, rubbing the back of her head shamefully before perking up with another fact to note, "Oh, but if luck's a skill, then I might have that! My partner and I won third place after all!" she'd say with a small laugh, excluding the exact way that luck of her worked back then.

Now, the time for speak was over, but just for now, because now, it was time for cake! Zuqetta took a deep breath, using all her might to refrain from digging in to the freshly prepared ice cream cake. It'd be her first time having one out of the oven, all the other times in her experience being store bought confections straight from a cooler. Zuqetta used the dining etiquette instilled in her from her old mentor Blizzard, and carefully scooped a spoonful of the ice cream cake. She expertly drove her spoon in just such a manner to get each layer of the cake, balancing it precariously atop her spoon; though once near, her eyes would brighten before she'd open her mouth surprisingly wide to engulf the spoonful in a singular bite.

Her initial reaction, joy as the ice cream trickled down her taste buds; though this was immediately followed up with a brief pause as she opened her mouth to take a few breaths. Puffs of steam released from her mouth as she cooled down the cake, surprising her a bit as she hadn't known that her magic to regulate temperature didn't extend to within her body. The ice cream quickly helped to cool the cake however, and within seconds, Zuqetta was in a state of bliss, holding her cheek in a reactionary manner while she slowly enjoyed the treat.

"Mmmmmmmnn~!" she'd sound out joyously, finishing off what she'd eaten before returning the spoon to her mouth to finish off the remnants, "Xiao!" she'd exclaim, spoon still in her mouth, "It's delicious! A complete success!" she'd say happily, holding herself back from claiming another spoonful, "You've gotta try it too, c'mon, c'mon!!" she'd insist excitedly, her tail swaying rather rapidly and in much wider strokes. The thick richness of the cake perfectly blended with the creaminess of the ice cream, and the fact that the chosen flavor of cake had been ice cream was merely a bonus! Yet, within the rich and creamy flavors, was the smallest bit of tartness that lent to a sudden sting. Not a painful sting, but a small surge upon her taste buds like a brief and tiny party. It might have been a crude explanation, but it was the best way the girl could describe it at all. Once Xiaolan had had a bite for himself, Zuqetta would be quick to continue her enjoyment of the ice cream cake, devouring as much as would be allowed by Xiaolan.