|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:14 pm
Perhaps a more normal creature wouldn't reminisce over attempted exterminations, but one would hardly use such a term to describe the likes of Amarante. "Oh~ Having a beautiful otherworldly creature after your lunch isn't something you remember with fondness?" She hadn't forgotten the unpleasantries between that moment and the present, but found no reason to delve any deeper into them at the moment. Her thoughts seemed to be tied up in thinking over the incident in question anyhow. "In retrospect, perhaps I should be more cautious and not overlook obvious dangers when in pursuit of food." It was one thing to say that and another thing to actually follow through, though. All the better reason to make excuses! "But it's not as if I actually took it! And it led to something nice, right?" There was no point in overselling it, but 'nice' wasn't out of line as far as she thought. And the bright smile that went along with it probably didn't hurt. That smile couldn't help but be relaxed a bit as she sought to ease his worries. "I can't really say that I blame you for being cautious, at least at first. The world has its share of infernal idiots. With quite the infestation of that riffraff around these parts, hnn?" Amarante wasn't one of those self-hating demons. She refused to be associated with anyone's nonsense but her own, however. Her irritation faded and was replaced with warmth as she did her best to assure him. "You were willing to listen to me and that's what matters, yes?" For some reason she felt the need to both sit up a little and attempt to take up less space somehow. "Hopefully it was worth the effort?" What logic there was in attempting to look more presentable to influence his decision, well... there probably wasn't any. A silly reflex at best. Once she realized that, she started to relax. "I mean~ I don't claim to be 'different.' Or 'good.' Only myself. And if you accept me as I am, then..." Only to trip up again. Hearing it phrased that way made her a little too happy. Her face was quick to meet the surface of the table. "I mean. Your consideration means a lot to me." She was muffled by the table but hopefully the point made was still fairly clear.
Being comforted was enough to get her to remove herself from the table. And needless to say, she was pleased with the way it was done. "Eru~" There practically was audible hearts and sparkles in the way in which she addressed him. That silliness aside, it was difficult to behave when his hands were within snatching distance. That wouldn't be so bad, right? Ah, no good. Had to behave. No need to creep him out or discourage him with her odd cat affection habits, after all. She folded her arms and showed her appreciation in a different way. "Thank you." Between the soft way in which it was stated and the kind smile that accompanied it, hopefully at the very least he'd feel encouraged by it.
Oh, he was being cute again. In a different way, but still. She bore a sly grin but decided to not provoke him further for the time being. "Worry not. While I am kind to you, I am still quite selfish!" Yet again, another thing not to be proud of realized after the fact. With a sigh she clutched on to one of her hair tails in exasperation. "You get what I mean, surely."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:38 pm
"Certainly not after my lunch." He retorts back with a flat look. "I only make so much for myself anyway, next time ask and I'll make an equal portion for you as well." If 'equal portion' meant anything, it was going to be an avalanche of as much sweets as he could make if Amarante was involved.
Though, the only reason why he'd actually stopped to listen was because of prior run-ins - that place certainly had more than its fair share of people that were certainly a lot more different from their covers. Or aspects that he didn't dare touch, let someone figure all those out. And of course, clerical job or not, he still stuck with the 'do no harm' clause as best as he could. There were exceptions, of course, and he certainly had his reservations about attacking someone close -
- no. Stop. That was a lie and he knew it. He knew that too well. -
- "Seeing as you aren't that quick to try and bite my head off anyway, I suppose I'd rather this. It could have gone worse, after all." Now, acceptance was an easy thing. He was not in a position to judge fairly, never was. It could be taken both ways, he supposed.
Oh, um. Hmm. A "You're welcome." should be in order, then. Good thing he could clear off the blushing that followed with the topic of cookies again. Phew.
"If it means eating all the cookies, then yes. If you can finish them, that is. I'm convinced you can't." Was that a dare? And to bake so many cookies at once, wouldn't it alert both the roommate as well as anyone else on the lookout about the strange little household? Maybe he should regret saying that, but teasing her on the spur of the moment made him feel amused. Strange...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 4:02 am
"But, didn't take!" It didn't seem to occur to her that having the idea of stealing someone else's lunch still wasn't good even if she didn't follow through with said idea. Her ridiculous pouting was interupted by the idea of sharing. "Oh~ We should go on a picnic sometime! Lots of sharing that way, yes~" She seemed to enjoy thinking of ways to monopolize his time, the honeyed quality in her voice showing her excitement.
There was an amused sound that arose in her throat in response to his 'could have gone worse' answer, but she decided to say nothing and simply smile. Were it any other subject it would be tempting to be coy about it. But as it was, it wasn't a situation that was the least bit convenient for either of them. Hopefully he didn't have to endure too much. If if came down to it a simple flash of the brand on her wrist would tell them all they needed to know. He'd have to see it eventually, she supposed. Worst she had to tolerate on her end was the constant teasing. Friends annoying her with teasing or cocky exorcists trying to kill her. She disliked the idea of both pretty equally. But it was simple enough to forget about both while in the company of someone that made her happy, for certain. Worth it.
Why was she blushing? It wasn't as if he was actually hitting on her, after all. She did her best to play it cool with how ridiculously and probably unintentionally dashing he was being by challenging her. With a playful tilt of her head and flutter of her eyelashes, she was ready to respond. "Heh. Oh~? Are you really so sure? Anything you'd care to wager on that?" She couldn't help but be generous by letting him decide and pick the terms if he so desired. She'd already be getting something he made especially for her, after all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:00 am
"If you can't finish it, means that you're going to end up resting in bed until that stomachache wears off, that's all." Quick return, huh. Like a stomachache was enough to deter her? Eh, he was guessing not, anyway. Spur of the moment and he presses a little more into the socializing!
"And if you finish? Why don't you decide that, then."
Oh, the loopholes, the loopholes! The normally cautious him would have clamped up at even the thought, not completely disregard any sense of safety! What if she decided on some weird punishment? Or worse? No, wait. Amarante would not do that.
Oh hey, he realized that he was starting to trust her. A little. The insignificant assumptions and the looseness. Or he could also just stop overthinking it and just see what happens, hmm?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 10:48 pm
She should've figured that he'd simply reverse it on her. It was worth attempting, anyway. With both a sigh and a laugh she admitted utter defeat. "Aaa~ Pushing the responsibility back on me I see. Luckily for you anything of a, let's say, more fervent nature I wouldn't accept unless it was of your own volition to do so." It was her statement, indignantly said even, and still she found her face hot. Her sentimentality often got the best of her but that was hardly a bad thing. But definitely an entertaining and unusual quality to find in someone that had spent the majority of her long life as an infernal warlord, to be sure.
"How about a date? Pretty harmless thing to ask for, yes?" Had the times they'd gone out before counted as that? Didn't matter really. Semantics were an unimportant aspect of the matter. It seemed to be a good-natured request, anyhow, being as there were no hints of an ulterior motive to be seen. Just a sweet smile that probably also looked to be pretty satisfied with her decision.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 3:45 am
"A-A date?!"
What a thing to ask! How was he going to explain this to the roommate?! That he, the frosty antisocial fellow had managed to land a date?! Or that he had no idea how to date someone, for that matter?!
Well, always a first time for everything. And maybe a little amusement too, for the parties that decided to take the audience seats. More awkward socializing then? But he could not back out either, that would be extremely rude - and not to mention it might tick her off. So... A date, a date...
"Okay then." At least he was determined to keep his end of the little dare, disregarding the little puffs of condensation that appeared around his head. "A date it is if you manage to finish all the cookies and not fall sick from that!"
After the initial shock, however, he found himself not upset over it. Not terribly upset or panicky at all, just a small tinge of happiness. And lots of awkwardness too. Better not embarrass himself on that potential outing, oh no. What to do, what to do, how should he fret over this? He was going to need some advice, or tips, or help, something, then. Later.
Or he could also just let that weird oven flood the kitchen with cookies to give him a good chance of winning. A little on the evil side, forcing someone to have an upset stomach... Nah. Play fair.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 2:52 am
Oh, he'd accepted! Without complaining or teasing her, either. She bit back her bottom lip. She pretty much had to be smiling too much over it, didn't she? Didn't stop her from commenting on it, however. "Now I really have to win, don't I~" Her usual mellifluous voice was almost unbearably so. Most of the nervousness could wait until after she'd actually won, after all. On one hand, for the time being, her mind took a wide breadth from the conditions of a victory. Even if she held a great amount of certainty and confidence about winning, nothing was guaranteed after all. And though she was hardly one for fair fights, he of course was an exception. So many exceptions with him. She probably looked a little frustrated for a moment as her mind got stuck on that point again. Would still take more time to get used to it seemed. Then, of course, on the other hand, she was already wondering what she should wear and what they'd be doing. The only thing she'd worn that he'd really reacted to was the nurse costume, and that was hardly a thing to be worn on a date. That could be saved for a different sort of occasion. Hmm. Would definitely take some more figuring. The complications that arose from a possible victory!
The many thoughts over the matter didn't seem to weigh too heavily upon her though, as some excitement still managed to make itself known. "So~ We'll be seeing each other after everything's been cut and tested, and then over books, and then with a possibility of a bonus scene!" She was looking entirely too amused with herself. Admittedly, she seemed quite capable of both devising and collecting as many excuses as she could to see him again and again. The hands left holding her severed puppet strings sometimes ended up feeling both impressed by her tenacity and amused by their own ineptitude of doing the same task. Anyway. "And cookies! Oh~ But you still need a recipe, don't you?" She caught the eye of the manager, who only needed all of a nod to understand the request she was given. A book was procured from behind the counter and brought over, and Amarante presented to him with no special effort. "Surely it would be in this French pastries book." The probably unfunny joke about her being the gardener of men and demon of knowledge seemed to be sticking. Books everywhere!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:03 am
"Just don't stress yourself over it. That's an automatic lose-lose for the both of us if one falls sick after eating all the cookies." And also he had a feeling that Miyabi would be coming after him if that happened.
Well, have to hand it to the coffeehouse owner to have a pastry cookbook stashed somewhere for those wanting a bit of snack with their drinks! At least if anyone came in craving for exotic orders, she probably wouldn't have a problem fulfilling those, then. He flips open the book curiously, looking up and down the contents page for the relevant recipe and taking out his notebook to make a summarized scribble version. That should do it, and he returned the book to her.
"Thank you. I hope they wouldn't be too sweet. It's already been proven that no one wants the coffee I make, hopefully that doesn't extend to food as well. " Awkwardly trying to turn that flaw into a joke, and no it still doesn't sound right. But hey, if anything it made sure no one stole his coffee at work or home, not even the ants want a drop or two.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:35 am
"Not so much stress as... incentive? Because I want it. I do!" Stating it so blatantly led her to feel more than a little unsettled, but her mind had already moved on to overthinking things. "Though~ Losing such a prize and being unable to finish something you made specifically for me? Too sad, too sad~ I must persevere!" A lot of nodding followed, even if it was mostly just to herself.
"Hnn. As long as you follow a recipe it should be fine, should it not? Unless... you also have problems with, well, exaggeration?" That was one way of putting it. "I, well, exaggerate cakes, at times. Can you believe that some people do not appreciate cakes as tall as their house?" How she managed the pans and ovens for such a task was anyone's guess. "They get all mad that you're wasting cake when they don't even try to eat it... hmph." Her moment of discouragement didn't last, however, as even the tiny awkward opportunities for her to haphazardly attempt to woo him were too tempting for her to resist. "Heh~ Even in jest you've no need to say such a thing. Not to me, at least? Even if you were some sort of fantastical creature that burned or otherwise ruined everything you attempted to make, I'd still eat everything that you made for me. I would!" She was being noble again, but without a grandiose presentation or the implied reason stated outright it came across almost casually. Just a matter-of-fact statement. It was almost as if she was learning to be less obnoxious about the matter. When she could afford to be, anyway. Her blunt words were at times a weapon of necessity against his defense of density. "Though perhaps I should draw the line at things not actually meant for consumption... or dangerous things?" She was either disregarding or forgetting about losing consciousness thanks to candy that he gave her a while back. Maybe a little of both. "Well. If it would amuse you, in all likelihood I would comply. But I still prefer eating things that were at least intended to be edible, let's make that clear!" Even if the conversation was getting a little strange, it was clear that she was having fun. Taking a breath and opening her mouth it was as if she meant to say more... only to decide against it, ducking her head down a bit with a content smile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 6:24 am
"I won't make anything non-edible, then. That can be saved for poisoning more... intended targets." Ah, oop. He had not meant to say that! Next time, he should really think things through before saying them. And, of course walls might have ears, no need for people to pick up on whatever nasties the doctor had in his little scheming head.
"... Not crunchy burnt biscuits, at least." And no poison. Certainly no poison. Not poison at all! That was to be saved for a certain someone else!
"More like 'made for human consumption', then. I don't really want to try cross-testing your digestive system with the things that end up in the house all the time."
Careful, he left out the specific parts about making 'too much'. Trying to stuff a cookie as big as a plate would be disastrous for transport on its own, and certainly the overflow of cookie dough would alert the neighbors or perhaps anyone in the unfortunate vicinity. But there was going to be a lot. Even if the oven had been fixed, he was still set on making as much as he could.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 08, 2014 11:26 pm
"Oh~ Sounds like you're doing something fun without me." Any dismay found in that statement was purely of the ridiculous kind, of course. Not nearly as ridiculous as the accompanying statement, however. "Poisoning. Not being poisoned." One might question if that was something that really needed clarification, but she did have some unusual hobbies after all. But nah. No passing out from being poisoned.
"Hnn? Not interested in testing such a resilient and endurant body, herr doktor~?" No accidental innuendos on her part this time. Definitely intentional. "Sorry~ Couldn't resist." The blithe quality to her voice was quickly smothered with what followed. "Hopefully... hopefully what's been arranged with Miya's help will be... satisfactory, for you." There was a great deal of nervousness in those words. And if it wasn't? What then?
Her behavior was a bit peculiar, for certain. "Mnn~ Am I keeping you from something?" She really hoped the guilt that had resulted from her request wouldn't linger much longer. Being considerate was one thing. That was simply a consequence of having any bit of her affection. But she found herself nervously studying his face as if it would answer her question. Even though she knew the futility of said action in the first place. Completely ridiculous! She wrung her hands and sturdied her courage. No falling into the role of being a useless romantic heroine, nope. "Ah~ That would be too good to be true. To keep you all to myself~?" It was an entertaining thought offered in jest, of course. Back to being ridiculous and greedy, hurray!
(( Can move on to the test results, I mean, unless there's more to be done with this scene. XD ))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:20 am
His hands went up as with that tiny fear most amateur pranksters had with pulling one. "I-It's not fun, really. At least, the 'meeting the business end of the other's blade' part isn't. Not for me."
Another round of applause to the innuendo that flew right past his head. A few confused blinks later, he nods. "It would help quite a bit, yes. Would probably open up quite a few more things once those can be cleared out of the way.... H-Huh? Oh, no! Not at all!"
That was only partly true, he had no shift today or outstanding procedures to rush at the moment. The obligatory chores were always there, and never mind those, cooking would not need to be done until the little kid came home.
"But I do apologise, if I'm keeping you here. I suppose you have work and all to tend to?" A glance is cast at the counter. How long had he delayed her shift, then? Better not then, in case someone comes yelling at the both of them to get back to work. He gets up and pushes his chair in.
"Thanks for your time, then, and sorry we have to go through with such things. Even if you'd like the rewards involved, anyway. See you again, Ama?"
He gives her a friendly wave before stepping out of the coffeehouse and into thin air. A-huh? Thin air? But... Oh dear, someone figured out where he went. So what was supposed to be a normal exit ended with a surprised cry and a loud crash, before the blue ellipse on the floor right outside blinked out of existence.
((XD Was the conversation getting awkward? Sure thing, of course~))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 6:20 am
(( Not at all! :3 I just get a little paranoid about things going stale on my part because she'll want to keep him around as long as she possibly can, every time. rofl But she's getting a little more understanding and I'm getting better at handling it, I think. XD Just need to keep working on it. ))
"Oh~ Are you doing it wrong?" It was a natural question but she came to her own cheerful conclusion quickly enough. "But you don't seem to enjoy fighting as much as I do either, so~ Different levels of enjoyment, surely."
She couldn't help but smile a little. It felt nice to have at least one insecurity quieted. Even if she'd unintentionally disrupted things in the process. She looked shamed for a moment, but it wasn't a feeling that persisted. She was still learning. Not a fatal error, and definitely not a finality. "I'll just... go back to sleep, probably..." Somehow being honest also felt shameful. "I'm going to need a lot of energy to heal afterwards! Couldn't hurt to get a headstart on that..." Ah, lazy logic.
"Don't be--" For some reason it was difficult to speak again, her eye wide as she suddenly found herself out of words. "I'm the one that should be--" And again. "I mean, I--" Same thing as before. Pesky feelings. With a sigh, she hoped she could at least see him off without incident. "See you again soon, Eru." Her smile was apologetic, but a smile nonetheless.
She eventually found her way to her usual napping place at the bar. Something lingered in her thoughts as her head leaned into her folded arms that rested upon the counter. "'Rewards,' huh."
==
An anxious lab rat had arrived early for a previously arranged meeting. It was difficult to sit still, though, as Miyabi fidgeted without really meaning to do so. Adjusted her tie like so. A dry cough from nerves. Wrung her gloved hands. Had her bag always been so heavy? Couldn't be. Had to be what was in it. Stupid emotional heaviness.
For all intents and purposes they were both her clients for the study in question. It was a process she'd perfected in the few years it'd been part of her lab duties. Don't ask questions. Complete reports with the information as given, placeholders and variables included as necessary. And on a case by case basis, destroy any evidence afterwards if instructed to do so. But every one of those forgettable faces had been strangers. It felt very strange to combine the flesh of a precious person with... whatever she'd been given. It was both personal and impersonal. She'd completed the tasks with ease as she always did, but the unsettled feelings made themselves known if she wasn't careful. Along with the occasional flushed face, from thinking a little too deeply into the matter. One of her hands made it under the frame of her glasses to rub at the bridge of her nose upon remembering that part. It was all insignificant in comparison to what had made her unquestionably accept in the first place. Even if she really had no idea who that man was, her trust towards Amarante was strong enough for her to proceed without further consideration.
There were some comforting nudges into her sides from that which she'd blocked out with glasses for the time being to prevent any distraction. "I'm all right. You have to be quiet today no matter what, okay?" She extended a hand out to seemingly nothing, to feel an airy nuzzle meet her palm. A solemn smile eventually came forth. Even during times of emotional unrest, it was assuring to know that in a bodily sense she was always safe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 8:35 pm
((Perfect excuse to keep him from home, then! XD And he'd probably much rather that than getting flung into the next morning. 8'D There there, though!))
He had somehow made it to the coffeehouse without accident. Well, without much. Getting out of the house was easy enough, it was strange to have both the other occupants out at the same time, one on her usual routine and the other who-knows-where. Not like he could really be thinking about that now, he had other things to be worried about. Like getting there on time, for example! Curse the alarm clock for not working below a certain temperature! Getting that tangle of limbs out the door without taking a tumble down the road every few steps was easier planned than done.
But he got there eventually, flustered and slightly out of breath. Probably should take a few minutes to recompose himself.... There. Then only he goes in, giving a nod to Miyabi as he walked over to her table. His mind was clear today, with a slight air of cautious politeness to it. Funny how it changes like the weather.
"Hello, Miss Miyabi. I trust that the tests went well?"
'Well' referring to 'did not accidentally create a monster out of poison', of course. It was enough to have one person having dangerously reactive blood in a friendly spar.
Of course, nothing can ever go right for once, can it? Someone else, a curious little someone else, had let himself in a little way behind, audio sensors set to an 'eavesdropping' mode. Very out-of-place, as what kind of customer goes into a store when they can't even have anything that the store sells?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 11:15 pm
(( XD That's good to know! And I'll try to worry less haha. orz ))
It was as if wearing the glasses again brought some of Miyabi's younger nature back to the surface. She found herself a little startled, for no reason really. Though she had been focused on her spiritual guardians just a moment previously so it wasn't entirely random. Unseen to most they'd swirled back to their usual position of looming over her.
With a voluntary breath taken to settle her nerves, she gave him a formal salutation. "Greetings, Mr. Erhard." Her answer came with a solemn nod. "Mm. Nothing out of the ordinary on our end, as the report shows." She pulled out and pushed over a black-covered folio; the 'name,' date, and laboratory name neatly printed on a label. "Umm, 'pathogen x' is certainly different." There wasn't really a need to elaborate, as the pathogen itself wasn't the subject nor her concern. "Even so, infernal cells are not so easily fooled. Because, of course, they have no need for any sort of viral interference for genetic diversity as that's gleaned from other humanoid species." A rather morbid view of the issue, to be certain. "Anything that cannot lend itself to a zygote is summarily destroyed. This was no exception." That statement was presented pretty coolly for what it was. She didn't think much of it, looking to have more just disinterest in that fact than anything else. Referring back to the report itself made her perk up a little, though. "Pretty much everything you could want to know has been documented completely. Prints of images included. If you still had questions I'd be glad to answer, however."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
