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While Cere and Greez had gone out to collect some last-minute supplies. Leaving the three remaining members of the crew to watch over the ship until they returned. Cal was fiddling with some small piece of machinery sitting in between Merrin, who was reading something off of a holopad. And Arty, who was reading an actual book that nobody had any idea how she found at the Market earlier that day. It was relatively quiet aside from Cal's tinkering. When Merrin set down the holopad she'd been so engrossed in and asked "What's Cake?"
Cal paused in his work briefly glancing at the holopad in Merrin's lap and wondered if she'd stumbled upon some pastry recipes.
"In what context?" Arty asked. Slowly bookmarking her page and setting the book down. Giving her full attention to the conversation.
Now Cal was confused. Because he could have sworn last he checked cake was a pastry. So why would context matter?
"I heard someone say Cal had cake when we were walking around the Market earlier."
Arty had already burst out laughing before Merrin had finished her sentence. Cal hadn't been wearing his signature poncho all day since it was in the wash. Cal by this point had put two and two together and was turning a lovely shade of red.
Taking a deep breath to try to rein in her laughter. Arty responded " When someone says that someone else. Got that cake. It usually means they got a thick ass."
"So Cal's th-."
"Can we talk about something else?!" Cal interjected. Full-on beat red now. Arty's smile said 'no.'
"So it is a compliment?"
"Yes," Arty quickly replied. Shit ass grin on her face.
Cal groaned. Running a hand down his face. Shooting Arty an imploring look. Much to the two women's amusement. Arty decided to take some pity on him and decided to try to steer the conversation away from Cal's ass.
"Any other weird slang questions?"
"Twerking?"
Arty's eyes slightly narrowed and the smile she wore just moments ago had completely dropped. If asked about it later. Merrin and Cal would swear that it had dropped a few degrees in the ship that day. " You haven't been in my stuff. Right?" Arty questioned.
"No. I overheard it said during one of the songs that your music player was playing. When you were bathing by the waterfall." Merrin answered quickly and calmly.
Efficiently calming Arty down. Merrin and Cal made a mental note to never mess with Arty's stuff. Now appeased Arty went ahead and answered Merrin's question. " Twerking is a style of dancing."
"Bathing by the waterfall?" Cal asked as he tried to remember which planet she could have possibly done this at and when she found the time.
"I was skinny dipping. Pretty sure ya'll already know what that is."
"Of course," Merrin said, a matter of factly.
"We should all go swimming sometime. It's a good way to unwind."
"Yes, I would like that." Agreed Merrin.
The two women looked at Cal expectantly, who blushed and sputtered out."W..will we b..be skinny dipping?"
Arty slid right next to him. Hooking a leg over one of his and pressed up against his side and whispered into his ear. "We can. I am curious to see how far down that blush goes."
Before he could react she'd pulled herself away from him and stood up from the couch. Scooping up her book and headed towards her room. Shooting Cal a coy grin, adding "We'll have to get some suits if we get the chance on the next planet until then."
Cal went to look at Merrin's reaction to see if she'd heard what Arty had whispered into his ear. But she'd already picked the holopad back up and nodded in response to what Arty had said. Poker face perfectly in place. That's when Cere and Greez made their grand return. Holding a few bags in tow.
"We miss anything?" Cere asked. dropping her bags onto the small table. Where Cal gathered up his forgotten project and started to make his way to his room.
"We were just talking about cake," Merrin informed her, not looking up. Cal groaned in annoyance as he disappeared around the corner. Cere watched him go confused by his reaction.
"Oh! I know some great cake recipes," Chimed Greez from the kitchen. The only response he got was a cackle from Arty from her room. This only furthered both of the older adults' confusion, but they decided to not question it as they busied themselves with the supplies they'd brought back instead.