genessia | It's a piece of cake to bake a pretty cake

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It's a piece of cake to bake a pretty cake

WHO: Adam Taurus, Orihime Inoue
WHAT: Orihime's noticed her neighbor is being a frowny clowny, so she brings MORE DESSERT. Time to see if he'll actually talk to her about personal stuff yet.
WHEN: April 21, 2014
WHERE: Garden Park Apartments

There were many reasons why Orihime was standing at the door to apartment 106, rapping sharply with one hand, and balancing a cheesecake slathered with strawberries in the other hand. She was bothered by Dean's absence, and didn't want to think that he'd left. She knew he had, and that it might have been good for him since he'd been aching for his home for a long time. But it still felt lonely to know he wasn't around right now.

So she baked to keep herself busy. When she noticed that Adam had grown more reticent and unhappy as well, her mind was made up: best to share a dessert instead of eating it alone.

Orihime's cooking didn't appeal to most people, she knew. But no one had ever complained about the quality of her desserts, except to state that her baked goods were too fattening. A dessert that was low in calories wasn't doing its job, so she was proud of such remarks. This meant she was fully comfortable sharing her culinary delights with her neighbor, and it meant it was all she shared. Adam was so mistrustful of humans to begin with, she could easily imagine him taking a look at Orihime's version of curry and accusing her of trying to make him suffer. So she played it safe and stuck to the things she knew she was good at.

Ordinarily she just left them on his doorstep, to be eaten or discarded as he saw fit. This time, though, she wanted to see how he was doing, and see if there was anything she could help with. If she could, then maybe she'd feel a little less lonely and melancholy in return.

"Adam-san! It's me, your neighbor!" she called out, just in case he feared he was being visited by the paperboy or something.

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Orihime blinked, her fork halfway raised. She wasn't well acquainted with Blake, or many of the other people who hailed from the Vale, but if she had to guess, he sounded a little like a frustrated suitor. She laid down her fork, listening to him quietly. He sure had a lot of anger pent up, and if he needed to vent, she didn't mind listening.

"From everyone? Is that why you haven't come by to visit yet?" She smiled a little, then ate her bite of cheesecake.

A suitor? If she ever brought that up, Adam would have actually laughed at the thought. They had history together, but thanks to Blake's actions he was less than willing to be on her side anymore. In fact, they hadn't been on the same side for a long time, apparently.

I haven't come to visit because I have no need for you yet.

...Is what he wanted to say. The Faunus turned to look at her, another glare from behind his mask. It was seriously a good thing he was wearing it, he might have scared her off by now, "I've been doing other things."

Being alone and searching for more answers, basically.

"Apparently, Blake doesn't even trust me enough to go near her right now. I'm... too much of a danger," he was so overly bitter about this.

He'd learn eventually that Orihime didn't scare all that easily. Most of her friends were professional brooding frowners. She shrugged a little, grinning at his response, feeling no need to chide him for it. Honestly, it would have surprised her if he had paid a visit.

"Is she right?" she asked, using the tines of her fork to slide through another piece of cheesecake. "I mean, I haven't seen you fight or anything, but you don't seem like someone harmless." Just what kind of danger did he mean?

Either way, he was talking to her, and that made her a little happy. Even if it wasn't much, it was nice to think she might be helping him out.

He exhaled heavily, just trying to sort out his own thoughts. Adam poked at the cheesecake again, his appetite dwindling the more he thought about this. There was a moment where he remained quiet, trying to figure out the best way to word this. Why was he even talking to her in the first place....?

Maybe he had been lonely. He didn't have anyone here. He didn't have Blake, he didn't have the White Fang, and he was surrounded by humans. There was even a human beside him, but he knew he could at least take care of her if she tried anything. She might have seemed harmless, but she was still a human.

"...Blake and I see things differently now, that's what she's most afraid of. She's.... more on the side of the humans, wanting to protect them and the Faunus without hurting anyone. Me, I know what needs to get done in order to make things change. I would much rather have the humans fear us than harm us like they used to."

Adam looked up from his cake and over to her, "however, I know I can't just go around killing anyone I see. I'm... outnumbered here, that wouldn't be wise at all. And I haven't done anything either- I could have...."

He growled in frustration, taking a hand away from the plate and adjusting his mask, "I could have forced answers out of any of the humans here. I'm expected to simply adjust just like that? Impossible... but I'm trying, and yet I'm still the one regarded as the beast. Told to stay away, even when I was worried about her-....!"

He grit his teeth, attempting to swallow his own anger but it was starting to rise up again.

Edited (wow icon) 2014-04-22 21:13 (UTC)

Orihime remained quiet, leaving her cheesecake alone. He had a lot more to say now, and they were starting to get to the heart of the matter. He'd told Orihime before why he disliked humans so much, and she couldn't blame him for that. But she couldn't tell him one way or the other why Blake asked for more distance between them; she didn't know her very well. Or at all.

"It would be hard to adapt to a place like this, coming from the place you did," Orihime admitted. "And maybe I'm biased, being human and all...but I appreciate that you're making that kind of effort. It's definitely a lot better not being tortured and killed!" she beamed, before her smile faded into something quieter.

"But you're not a beast, Adam-san. I think it's really nice of you, to respect her like that." She heaved a small breath. "It's hard to be patient with things like this. But if you give her space, I'm sure she'll reach out to you soon enough. Until then, if you want to yell, you can go right ahead! I'm your only neighbor on this floor, and I don't mind, so feel free to cut loose!"

Okay... calm down, he kept telling himself to just calm down. Adam has always had a fierce temper, and generally Blake had been around to tame it. Now that she wasn't here he was free to be as angry as he pleased, and he knew he couldn't let it run wild just yet.

But this strange girl... just what was her angle? Adam brought his hand away from his mask, looking off at nothing in particular, "you're odd...."

At least she got him to relax a little more with her weird attitude. He was confessing that he would be fine with killing humans, and yet she was still sitting here beside him, "and I'm not the yelling type. I haven't done that since I was little."

And he was much different back then, "....you might be one of the only ones that doesn't think I'm a beast, however."

"Oh, well!" Orihime laughed, tickled at his remark. "You gave me a chance to find out for myself, so I can't take credit for that!" Her hand fell from the back of her neck to rest on her lap beside her plate. "There are lots of people here who would probably feel the same way if you give them a chance. And I know that isn't easy, but...well, you're trying. That's pretty brave."

She picked up her fork again and beamed. "I need to try harder too! I used to have no problems talking to new people and making friends. It's not like me to keep to myself," she said, making a determined fist. "If you weren't here, I'd probably just read and bake all the time. That's no good!"

The real issue was that he obeyed and yet he was still treated like the enemy. Sure, they had different ideals but he knew in the end they both still wanted that equality. He wasn't a beast, he wasn't an animal, but he knew that with the way he acted it was hard to see that.

...Oddly enough, he found himself curious as to why she wanted to be alone too. Adam picked his fork back up too, bringing more of the cheesecake to his mouth. He slowly ate now, his gaze directed back to her.

"Why have you kept to yourself?" he swallowed, deciding to add- "...and this is good, by the way, Orihime."

He never was one to remember the names of humans, but for whatever reason he had recalled hers.

"Really?" Her face lit up with pleasure at his compliment. It was probably the first time he'd complimented her. First time he addressed her by name, too! She couldn't have been more delighted. "Thank you! I worked hard to make sure it turned out right. I don't usually make cheesecakes, so I'm glad it worked!"

His other question, though, that was more difficult to answer. She rested her chin on her knuckles, thinking it over. "I haven't really thought about it, to be honest," Orihime replied, looking at the wall across the room pensively. "I've changed a lot since I was awakened from my home world. It's been three years. Hard to believe sometimes." This summer, it would be four years. In September, she'd be twenty years old. Thinking about it made her feel oddly disconnected, like that first drop on a tall roller coaster.

"I guess...there are just times when I don't feel like my old self anymore. And I'm not really sure how to feel about that, ne?" She smiled a little at Adam, but there wasn't any real mirth in her expression. "I've seen friends I knew arrive, and leave. I've made a lot of new friends too, and eventually they leave as well. It used to depress me. And I do feel a little sad sometimes," she admitted, looking down at her plate. "But it's more...just the feeling that I need to be patient and wait. Sometimes they come back. All I can do is wait for the day when they do."

Adam listened to her quietly, eating his cake as he did. He felt no sympathy towards humans, majority of the people he knew had always just been a liability to him. It wasn't that he was fully intrigued with her life, to be honest, but listening to her did help him think about other things.

"Three years...." the Faunus spoke to himself in the middle of her story, simply trying to imagine what that would be like. He wanted to return back home as soon as possible, back to Remnant, and continue what he had started with the White Fang. However, Blake did bring up a good point to him before, there was no rebellion group here. There were no Faunus and human wars.... but... being away from everything he knew for that long... he couldn't even see that.

"...How can you not feel like they've just left you behind?" for once, there were no signs of Adam being irritated or angry. He was asking her a genuine question, and it seemed to have to do with him as well.

"Leave me behind?" she laughed, and looked up at Adam with an honest smile. "Why would I believe something like that? It wouldn't make me feel better, and it'd be kind of insulting to think our friendship was that shallow. They'd at least have enough manners to say goodbye if they had a choice about it!" She grinned, eating the last bite of her cheesecake. "It's just the way life goes sometimes. Paths come together and paths diverge. I'm just happy for the times we walked together, you know?"

She stood to her feet and held out her hand for his plate. "And if I wait long enough, we'll probably get to do it again. That makes it worthwhile. Would you like another piece?"

...Saying goodbye.

At that realization Adam slowed, eventually swallowing his last piece of cake as well. He stared down at the empty plate, his eyes narrowing behind that mask of his. That's right, she had said goodbye. She didn't just leave, she stayed and watched him go. She chose to leave him, she didn't do it against her will, something inside of her told her that she needed to get away from the White Fang, from him.

...Was.... his ideals really so horrid now that he scared off his own childhood friend?

Ah, right she was talking to him. Adam stood now, shaking his head and turning his back to her, walking over to the kitchen to put his own plate into the sink. There was a moment where he still stayed quiet, staring down at the dish, but then he turned to look back at her.

"Before arriving here, the last I saw of Blake was... a train that we were hijacking. It was a simple enough mission, go in and grab the Dust. We did it just fine, we never did have to talk to one another on missions, we know how each other works pretty well. As instructed, I was getting ready to blow up the train. Blake was... concerned for the humans that were aboard, I wasn't. Following orders came first, the lives of those humans didn't shake me."

Adam looked down, seemingly puzzled, but it was hard to tell from behind that mask of his, "I suppose... that was the last straw for her. We were attacked by a large robot, I managed to keep it away from Blake and told her to get to safety. Once I turned around and ran to her, she.... stared at me. She said goodbye to me. Then she cut away the train and I remember reaching out to her but she just.... left."

The Faunus brought his hand in front of him now, staring down at his glove, "I let her go, too. I knew it wouldn't have been right to drag her back if she chose to.... to leave. But...." Adam laughed bitterly to himself, "knowing someone chose to leave you is far worse than waking up one day and knowing it wasn't something they wanted to do."

If Orihime had known, she would have chosen her words more carefully. Though she couldn't see his face, the way he stood, the curve of his shoulders, both told her far more than words could. Whatever she'd said had been the wrong thing, she knew. But she followed him into the kitchen nonetheless, quiet at his heels.

The whole situation stank, for both Adam and Blake. He was being kind to present Blake's side fairly. A lot of people would refuse to see the other person's point of view. He really cared about her, didn't he...? No wonder he was so upset.

"I think you're right," she admitted glumly. She leaned back against the counter, looking down at her feet. She remembered how much it had hurt her when she'd found out that Ichigo had returned to sleep. He probably didn't have much of a choice, but it had felt like a rejection when it came on the heels of her confessed feelings for him. Orihime had said it wasn't necessary for him to return her affections, she just wanted to keep being friends. That was what mattered most. But when he disappeared, she felt as if even that was asking too much.

"I wish I could say the perfect thing that would lift your spirits. I really do." She looked up at his back, then exhaled as her gaze fell back to the floor. "But words don't matter much in situations like this. I can't offer much at all...just cheesecake, and listening to anything you want to say. But whatever you need, it's yours."

Adam sighed heavily, his gaze falling back and he stared up at the ceiling now. She was right, there really wasn't anything else she could say to make this situation any better. The truth of the matter was.... Blake and him would never see eye to eye about this matter. He just couldn't understand her, why she would want to protect humans so badly. They hurt the Faunus so much, they were the reason they even had to protest in the first place.

They were the reason Adam had both physical and mental scars.

...But this woman, this strange human, she was talking with him like what he was saying was entirely normal. Like what he thought was okay, like his words about killing humans and his distrust in them was fine to her. Why? She was a human, there was no doubt about it, and yet she didn't shy away from him. In fact, she had followed after him and was even so close to him now. He felt on edge about that, seemingly tense, but he kept telling himself to relax. The Faunus might hate humans.... but there was an odd feeling when it came to Orihime. Intrigue? That was the best way to put it.

He shrugged now, a hand going up to rub at the back of his neck. He thought to himself about what else to say... but honestly, he felt better telling someone.

"I...." well, this grew awkward quickly. Adam hadn't wanted anyone else to know about this side of him, the vulnerable side that he rarely showed. "....I don't think I can be as optimistic as you, about these sorts of things," he's never really been the type, that role always fell to Blake when they were growing up.

"Once again, you're an odd one.... but I suppose that helps as well. It's a little amusing," with her offerings of cheesecake and all. And for now, this was the best thanks he could muster.

"I get that a lot," she admitted with a sheepish grin. His reactions and kindness continued to both surprise her and warm her. Even if she hadn't done a great job of it, he still said she'd helped. That was something she could be proud of. "I can bake other things if you have any requests in the future. Just let me know!"

If she thought he would be okay with it, she would have put a hand on his back or shoulder to encourage him to stand straight. But given his history with humans, that was probably a bit too much for him to tolerate.

She tucked her hands behind her back. "If you feel up to it on Sunday, do you want to go look at the cherry blossoms? Or would that be too many people for you to feel comfortable?"

Adam glanced over at the cake on the table, remembering how good it had tasted. She did always offer him food from the very beginning, and he hadn't exactly been the best at taking care of himself either way... so having her around to make him things was wanted.

At her request he did stand up straight, mostly because what she said interested him, "look at the... cherry blossoms?"

He'd heard of people doing something like that before in Remnant, going on these little picnics to stare at something or another. He hadn't ever gone though, either no interest or he simply had no time for such luxuries. Once again, with no rebel group here to think about he did have more time.

"....I could go," it would be a lot of people, but he figured he could handle them by now.

Orihime's head lifted sharply, and her entire face lit up. "Really?! Awesome!" Both fists shot into the air as she beamed, completely thrilled. She'd kind of wanted to go when she saw the announcement appear, but it would have looked pretty pathetic if she went with a giant picnic basket all for herself. "I'll pack all sorts of good things! Ne, what are your favorite foods?" she asked, hunting left and right for anything to write on. Too bad his apartment was so neat! There wasn't even anything to write with. She'd just have to remember.

"I think a cake is necessary, and probably sandwiches and dango. I haven't gone to one of these in a long time!" she grinned from ear to ear.

This was pretty nice of him. Or bold. Or both! Either way, she was glad he was willing to take steps in a new direction. That was kind of awesome!

Hm. Adam made an amused sound in his throat when he saw her suddenly grow so excited. It had been a gloomy atmosphere, and while he wasn't totally recovered either, he could at least be entertained by her. The Faunus walked over to a random drawer, opening it up and grabbing something. He then walked over to her, handing her a piece of paper and a pen, he figured this was what she wanted.

"I'm not too picky, so whatever you want the most, I guess," he was never one to turn down food either way.

"Were you... going to go with anyone else?" Or would it be just them? He was just wondering if he would have to be prepared for a big group.

...And despite his grumpy attitude, there was the faintest of smiles on his face.

Ooh. Orihime looked down at the paper, then up at Adam. He was a mind reader! She grinned, glad to see he was more perceptive than she was when it came to reading people. Or maybe she was just that transparent. So be it!

She held the pen, poised to take down a long list of food preferences...and got 'whatever' instead. Orihime blinked. "...That's it?" There had to be at least one thing he really loved. Right? ...Maybe not.

At his question, she shook her head. "I hadn't really planned on going at all until just now, and it popped into mind! I could see if Sam-san and Mary-san are still here, they're pretty nice." And probably missing Dean even more than Orihime was. "Unless you'd rather keep it just you and me, of course!"

So sorry Orihime, Adam was used to not even having much food growing up, he'll take anything he can get. But... fine, he would at least give her something to work with, "maybe something spicy," good enough, right?

Adam didn't really want to go with a big group, he had barely agreed to go alone with her to begin with. He shrugged though, crossing his arms as he spoke, "just you and me is fine."

It's all he's willing to do right now, after all. He huffed, "I'm not in the mood to put up with more people than I have to," it seems like every time he tries and be alone someone pulls him into something. It was rather annoying, but he did want to see these... cherry blossoms with her.

"Spicy! Got it!" That would be easy to remember; Ichigo loved spicy foods too, if she remembered right. Some spicy tuna rolls might be good then, and maybe some curry bread. She could work with this!

When he made his decision, Orihime nodded quickly. That was understandable!

"Just us, then," she agreed, peeling off the top sheet of paper and putting the rest away. "And don't be afraid to speak your mind once we're there! If you want to go home, just say so, and we'll pack up." Orihime knew she had a tendency to linger around places she loved, and a peaceful temple garden sounded really nice.

It might make the stupid voice in the back of her head shut up. ...Probably not, but she could hope!

Ohh if only he knew about those voices.

With his arms still crossed over his chest, Adam nodded at her words. He had been moping around here long enough, he figured, and getting out and doing more things might help his mood.

"Ah.... Orihime-" he was quiet for a moment after that, his gaze going to the floor. He never did know how to say thanks in these kinds of times, especially to a... human. He didn't want to ever be nice to her kind again, but being cruel to her almost seemed... wrong. She was so overly happy, it bothered him but amused him at the same time.

"...It's appreciated," is all he managed to mumble after thinking this over.

Orihime smiled. There was still so much about Adam that she didn't know, but it felt like he wasn't completely against letting her in, little by little. There was pain and anger, but beneath that, she believed there was warmth and kindness too. It would take time to find it, but in her opinion, he was worth it.

"I'll leave the cheesecake with you. Just bring the plate back later whenever you're finished!" she smiled, putting away her list in the thin pocket sewed into her skirt. "I rented a comedy from the store. I don't know if it's your style, but if you want to come watch it, that would be fine! Or you can borrow it when I'm done," she shrugged.

...A movie?

Once again, that's something he never really got into when he was growing up. Ever since being in the White Fang he had other things he had to do, other missions, he didn't have time for anything like movies or other mundane activities. He hadn't grown up normally at all, when he thought about how others his age acted.

"I could check it out," he is curious, after all. Adam would be fine with watching a movie, quietly, instead of having to talk anymore about things he would rather not think about.

But hey at least he gets to keep the cake.

Once again, he succeeded in completely making her day. She didn't like thinking about him being lonely, and she didn't exactly enjoy being on her own either with only her thoughts for company. How long had it been since she watched a movie with someone else? Way too long!

"Yay!" she replied enthusiastically...then paused, her mouth forming an 'o'. "Wait...did you mean you wanted to watch it together, or borrow it?" She shouldn't get excited about the wrong thing!

Well, he was pretty vague about his answers, he knew that much. Adam exhaled, turning and walking out of the kitchen. While she had taken off her shoes, Adam had kept his on the entire time. He never knew when he would have to leave suddenly, he was always too cautious, so he was already ready to go. The Faunus headed towards the door, his hand on the doorknob, now waiting for her.

"Let's just watch it," that was clear enough for an answer, right?

He actually wanted to spend time with her! Yay again! She had no idea how he would respond to a comedy. Would he lineface through the entire thing? Would he crack a smile?

What if he actually laughed?

"I was hoping you'd pick that one!" she laughed, scooping up her shoes and carrying them with her as she scurried to keep pace with the taller young man.

Perhaps she hadn't lost her touch at making friends after all.

Him laughing will probably not happen!!!

Adam just opened the door for her, waiting for her to go through it before he closed it behind him. Alright, off to her apartment now!

"If you chose the movie, then it's probably pretty strange too."

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It's a piece of cake to bake a pretty cake

Just say yes, and we'll move on!

HAY!! how bout this mad cow disease!!!

....yeah, it was here, in the media, and then it was gone.

that's why my friends calls me whiskers

I thought they called you Whiskers because you're curious like a cat.

i like the sun, i like it cause it's like the KING OF PLANETS

The sun isn't actually a planet.

..... /shakes .......

/Jeff Goldblums

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