[Right right, Pyra. That was the name he'd heard tossed around lately. What with the sleepover (girls only, ugh, so rude) and everything, he's seen her around. She's not exactly hard to miss, considering the number of people that have been allowed into their living space.

She hurries over and Taako continues his almost lazy transmutation of another peach into the right shape and color, setting it into the same bowl.]

Not surprised he's bragging about living with the best chef in this place.

[The "and" was probably followed y "Lup" anyway, and he knows his sister talks about him. Probably to complain about how he's become a house gremlin lately.]

Is the coding all that different? Because I'm hoping to launch this baby ASAP. I- [Need the money so badly] - really want to help everyone.

[A week or two? Oh shit, that's so much faster than Taako was expecting and he's thrilled. The faster he can start making money the better his chances at paying off this place. He stops transmuting the fruit and sits up in his chair, pushing the bowls aside with one hand while he motions to the bar stool like-chairs with his other.]

Well then pull up a chair, Coding Wizard, and let's get this show on the road. You familiar with anything like Tindr or Grindr?

Natch, that's what I'm here for - sharing my brilliance with the world.

[He snaps his fingers to create a minor illusion in the air, showing an image of the communicator enlarged. On it is a simple Tindr-like profile, scrollable pictures, and a small profile.]

I'm making a matching app - meant to match you to someone else in this place so you can make friends or find lovers or just find someone else looking to make some cash by holding hands for an hour.

[He picks up a silicon spatula from the vase of utensils and uses it like a pointer as he indicates the different parts of the app.]

Each person who signs up will get a profile where they can upload flattering or not so flattering pictures of themselves. Underneath they can write about themselves, their likes, dislikes, what they're looking for, weird shit they wanna tell people about if that's their dealio.

When you log in, the app'll check the area, see who's nearby, and then start sending you the profile picture, name and age of whoever that is. You can swipe right if you're interested in learning more, or swipe left if you're all "nah, pass." If you and the other person both swipe right, it's a match and you can see their full profile and start talking with them.

Two models for payment via the app that I haven't decided on yet. Either a monthly subscription fee, or a pay per match system.

[He snaps his fingers and gives Pyra a wink, shooting her a pair of finger-guns.]

Hell yeah! That's what we're gonna need - anything attached to the Taako name has to be sleek and stylish.

[As for the matching process itself?]

We can probably set it up to do either. Location first, then preferences. You don't want to be looking for someone quick and find out your first match is in the ass-end of town. And you don't wanna be lookin' for a dude and get matched with nothing but girls.

No offense.

I mean, sure. [He snorts and laughs.]

I'm not gonna police how people want to use it. You want friends? Boom, the app'll work for that. You want someone to just hold hands with you for an hour? Yup, our app'll do that, too. You want a booty call at 2AM after some drunken bender post break-up? We got the app for that.

See? I'm being super magnanimous here or whatever. Just trying to help my fellow kidnap victims find their perfect match!

[He waves the spatula and the illusion dissipates as he grins.]

And yeah, doubt that'll happen, but you never know. Maybe my tall, dark, and handsome'll show up. Maybe not.

Everyone here is literally either a baby or taken, or some weird floating ball. And Taako's into a lot of weird shit, but that ain't one of them.

[He shrugs and while she works, he turns back to his work. The peaches are done, so time to start converting the berries into actual strawberries.]

Or female. Which again, sorry, but that's a non-starter for me.

[He snorts indelicately and starts dropping purple berries into a bowl, each one turning red and plump as soon as they leave his hand.]

Hardly. He knows what a little weirdo he is and he probably likes it.

UGH no please don't even joke about that.

[He sighs dramatically, falling onto the counter like Scarlett O'Hara in the midst of an episode.]

And I guess, not permanent unless you swipe left more than once. Just because you're looking for one thing one day doesn't mean you might not change your interests later. Humans are fickle.

Some may.

[His predilection for humanoids is not one of them.]

But that's what I'm hoping it'll do. Get those homebodies and shy ones out and about, get them meeting people, strengthen the community, yada yada, the whole shebang. [And money for him, plz.]

So, you think it's doable?

Sounds like a plan.

[He gives her a thumbs up and then picks up a peach, tossing it her way.]

Here. Consider this a down payment or a perk or whatever of workin' with Taako.