Does Daroach in your AU know how to cook and or bake at all?
He sure does! When it comes to necessities like chores or meals or even small repairs, everyone on the Squeak Squad airship is expected to pitch in wherever they’re able. The kitchen is largely the domain of resident-gourmand Storo, and, while he will enlist help from Spinni or the older Squeakers on occasion, he really only trusts his captain with full reign of the place when he’s otherwise engaged. (At least he knows to clean up when he’s done. And doesn’t try to steal Storo’s cutlery all the time.)
I wouldn’t call Daroach the best cook on the ship (though he’s not above talking a big game if he wants to impress someone), but he does enjoy the process and knows his way around a kitchen better than folks might expect. He can bake bread from scratch, flip a whole stack of pancakes without burning them (most of the time), and whip up a mean stir fry in a pinch just to name a few - all with the handicap of managing a kitchen full of sticky-fingered rodents scurrying underfoot.
He’s got his ma to thank for that. Learned a whole heck of a lot from that woman in his misspent youth, including all of her recipes. He probably didn’t appreciate it much at the time (mouthy little miscreant that he was), but times were tough back then, and, in a single-parent household, she made damn sure her eldest boy pulled his weight where it was needed, especially when it came to keeping the whole family fed. These days, Daroach understands just how hard his ma worked to keep them afloat all, to ensure her babies would survive the worst of the world had to offer… and he makes sure she always knows just how grateful he is, be it though a long-distance video call or a biannual care package. 🍪 💛✨
Notes started 10/17/25, sketch started 10/19/25, finished 10/21/25. | Kintsugi AU Masterpost
💘 How did Keke and Gryll meet each other in the first place?
(Ooooh, heck yeah, time for some crackship rarepair self-indulgence, let’s gooo, hehehe… ahem, anyway, shall we?)
1. 💘 What was their first meeting like/how did they meet? Was it love at first sight or did they not like each other at first?
In the CFAU, Gryll and Keke’s first meeting takes place some time between the events of KDL and KSS/KSSU, occurring not on Popstar but on an unnamed planet elsewhere in the galaxy (far enough away that the various intergalactic mishaps that happen with alarming frequency on that bright ringed star don’t even make the news, haha).
As a space-traveling witch and a nerd down to their bones, Gryll is a big frequenter of gaming conventions and similar events from all over the galaxy and beyond. This particular convention was one that they’d been looking forward to for months, having managed to score a VIP ticket for themself (and their three onion familiars, Salt, Pepper, and Sugar) as well as an entry in the Star Stacker competition taking place there. They had a blast wandering those packed and vibrant aisles, chatting with vendors and taking selfies with cosplayers, admiring walls of neat art and referential shirts and vintage tech. They saw panels featuring their favorite actors and game devs and fellow witches, even got a few autographs. They also bought way too much overpriced swag, arms piled high with discount comics and bootleg DVDs and enough cute sticker sheets to adorn their whole wardrobe of witch hats. It was a grand time all around, and that was only the first day.
Passing by the concession stands the next day, something caught Gryll’s eye: the familiar cover of one of their favorite mangas, set beside a white-haired witch with cat ears and a swirly hat talking animatedly over her salad. Always ready to talk shop with a fellow geek, Gryll walked right up to the young woman’s table to ask about her book, curious to know her thoughts on the story, the themes, the movie adaptations, etc. The woman - introducing herself as Keke - seemed perfectly happy to converse with this random stranger covered in stickers and stinky little onions, gushing about what turned out to be her favorite manga as well. The two of them got along famously, diving into a long and engaging discussion of all manner of topics both nerdy and mundane all through lunch. Salt observed Keke with idle curiosity. Pepper eyed her with jealous suspicion. Sugar slept through most of the conversation.
Eventually, the two witches took their conversation to the showroom floor, walking down the aisles together with the onions trailing behind. Here it was time for Gryll to gush about their favorite game: Star Stacker, explaining excitedly to Keke how they’ve been playing it and other games like it since they were a kid, even going pro with it. To their shock, Keke seemed… unimpressed, saying with a shrug that she’s not all that interested in Star Stacker, unable to see the appeal in “piling a buncha blocks around.” Gryll - not about to let that stand - turned on the spot and made a determined promise to show Keke just how cool and exciting their favorite game was, even betting that they’d win first place in the tourney that day. Keke was skeptical but decided to indulge the quirky little witch anyway, even sweetening the pot by offering to take Gryll on a coffee date should they both impress her and win the competition (like there was any chance of that happening).
… Well, one thrilling rise through the Star Stacker high-rank league later, Gryll stood before a thoroughly surprised Keke, a confident smirk on their face, a first-place trophy in their hand, and another heart-pounding victory under their belt. Feeling brazen, they’d give her a wink and asked, “Soooo, about that bet?” Keke scoffed at the other witch’s extremely dorky bravado… but could not hide the smile that tugged along her lips, nor keep from admitting that they did indeed make piling a bunch of blocks around look pretty fun.
(The date goes well, in case you were wondering - the first among many. From it sprouts the buds of a sweet and genuine friendship, not perfect but not needing to be, with love blooming slowly and comfortably alongside it over time. 💕 )
Sketch started 06/25/25, sketch finished 06/30/25. | Kirby Ship Ask Game (made by @/sweetandglovelyart) and alternate questions | Childhood Friends AU Masterpost
