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

[leekspins]

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.

Comments

[dramaticals]

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.

[leekspins]

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!

[dramaticals]

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.

[leekspins]

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!"

[dramaticals]

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.

[leekspins]

"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!

[dramaticals]

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.

[leekspins]

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.

[dramaticals]

...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.

[leekspins]

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!

[dramaticals]

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?

[leekspins]

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.

[dramaticals]

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."