It&#x27;s Never Easy

Chess Play | Adore

theodoreanderson-phd:

“Delicious.” He chided in the same tone he’d given her– falsified happiness. Sitting at the table, he waited for her to bring the serving his way… and she gave him a hefty scoop… one that he knew he’d refuse to finish.

She began to speak of last minute plans before autumn, but Theodore simply shrugged. “I-I’ve been working throughout the summer… n-not much is going to change once autumn sets in. You?”

He picked at the pilaf like a child that refused to eat his veggies– but Theodore’s appetite wasn’t very prominent at the moment. The worst of it all was the fact that with Adrasteia in his presence, he felt the need to indulge in her cooking. She’d always been a great cook; and although his stomach did churn at the thought of taking even one spoonful due to the substances he’d put in his body earlier that day, he forced himself to take a small bite– one that made it seem as though he really couldn’t take it all in. Chewing for awhile, he listened to her… then quickly reached for his glass to sip at it.

“Y-Y’know… I, uh…” He hesitated, but having her sit directly across from him at the kitchen nook, having a home cooked meal from, well, one of his favorite people in the world, he had to say it. “I-I-I miss this. Not just the food and the competitive trivia challenges and whatnot, but… you.” Again, he picked at the food with his fork, his other hand holding his glass close.

She pretended to not notice the fact that he was playing with his food, lacking the enthusiasm to actually eat the pilaf. Adra couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong nor does she even want to in the first place. Instead she simply closed one eye and concentrated on scooping her own share, eating it as if she was in her own house and not in some giant house.

“I was thinking of exploring the outskirts of the town... you know somewhere I can actually stargaze.” She missed doing so. Back in the states, she had never missed it -- going to the countryside or somewhere remotely away from the city lights and enjoy the starlight once in every two weeks at least. Even just the mere thought of it would cause her to glow and smile like a child getting a present on Christmas morning. “Do you know a place by any chance?”

Try as she might, she couldn’t ignore the fact that he just took a small bite. She was about to ask him what was wrong -- if her food was putting him off but then he spoke. Setting her spoon down, her cheeks flushed slightly. Adra couldn’t help but feel the twinge of guilt in her chest. She did wonder if the fact that she was in New York at the same time as he was would ever be revealed. “I missed you too, Theodore.”

#para:theo #chess play

Chess Play | Adore

theodoreanderson-phd:

“N-No… not much. A few boxes here and there, and a few furniture pieces, but it was pretty empty.” He answered. When she asked him if he’d set the table, he nodded and promptly began to gather plates, glasses, silverware, and cotton napkins to set the kitchen table with– there was no use in using the dining room. It was far too large. Then, how would he engage in pleasant conversation if she was at the foot of the table, three chairs down?

After filling a glass pitcher with water and the two glasses with ice, he poured them, giving an innocent, yet simultaneously melancholic half-assed smile in Adra’s direction.

“There…”

While he was setting up the table, a small smile formed on her thick lips as she remembered their first time at dinner -- how they had argued over where the salt and pepper have to be on the table. Adra stirred the pot some more, shaking her head slightly as the memory flooded her. That Adra was no longer present -- the positions of cutlery didn’t bother her anymore.

“One serving of pilaf coming right up!” The chirp almost sounded fake -- if not forced. Truthfully, she’d crawl back to her house and hide beneath the covers if she truly follows her instincts. There was just something pulling her back, forcing herself to appear “normal” in front of him. Whatever normal means. “Summer is ending soon,” she started, picking up his plate and scooping up the pilaf. “Any last minute plans to do before autumn comes along?”

#chess play #para:theod

Chess Play | Adore

theodoreanderson-phd:

Theodore blinked, over analyzing Adrasteia in the moments of silence just before she attempted to divert the awkwardness of it all. Nodding slowly, Theo raised his brows.

“W-Well, this was previously the home to a family in the late sixties, however, I-I-I’m the first to live here– since then.” He tapered off, looking down. “The previous owner passed away in the master bedroom, but…”

Directing the majority of his attention to helping prepare the meal, he shrugged his shoulders before slouching as usual. He would rather sit in silence rather than force small talk with Adra of all people. It should have been more natural– why wasn’t it anymore? He pondered, pressing his lips together to form a straight line.

Used to staying in smaller apartments and houses, Theodore’s home seemed like a castle to her -- a somewhat ancient one. She pondered over the fact he had just told her and Adra made a face. “Since the sixties.. geez. Does this mean you had tons to clean when you acquired the estate?” She cringed slightly at the morbid fact, shaking her head.

Cooking was second nature to her -- same goes for her other talents. Adra usually finds herself making more than needed and end up giving food away to her neighbours and that habit has followed her all the way to England of all places. It did garner her a little fame. The episode prior to this lingered in the depths of her mind although she forced herself to concentrate on the ingredients in front of her. Soon the pot in front of her was bubbling, aromas filling up the kitchen. “Are you going to set the table?” she asked innocently.

#para:theo #chess play

mouseylook:

Not too sure about the calamari, but churros usually are about every couple ‘undred feet or so. I could help y’ look, if y’ want!

“Gosh! God bless you. Are you a local here?”

#convo:adalind

these-kinds-of-wounds

#photo

averydavenport:

I don’t know. I feel like every time I talk to you I end up bothering you.

Jesus, don’t feel that way. I’m just trying my best to be a good person.. or a friend at least.

#convo:kylie #casually replies late... ahem

kyliegriffithslaw:

I’ve never heard of a carnival serving calamari…especially on a hot summer day…but I definitely saw churros with chocolate sauce.

I don’t know about carnivals here on English soil. But they do serve it when I was back in the States... or maybe I went to an odd carnival. I do always find myself in odd places all the time.

Wait, seriously? You would do that?

Why wouldn’t I do that? Come on, it’ll be fun! Plus I love it when people eat whatever I make. My mom used to make incredible ones during the Fourth of July.

I’ve never liked doctors a lot.

Had a bad experience or they give you the heebies jeebies? OR both?

“I ate some chicken and… And that’s it. Isn’t feeling dizzy supposed to be normal? I swear I read it in one of my books….”

You should eat more carbs. Protein is good but pregnancy tends to do weird things to your body. Dizzy is very normal too but if it’s too often, unlike morning sickness, you better get yourself checked, dear.

thewritinglair

Ah yes Adra, Good old juxtaposition yeah it’s odd having a nickname; another name other people call me but I’ve grown used to it, as it’s a nickname i’ve had for a while as long as people don’t insult me or swear at me they shall be fine, seriously I mean i’ve had friends with three middle names now that is bloody weird I can tell you now.

I agree with that one Adra, someones first impressions can sometimes stick whether you want it too or not.

Oh seeing as we’re starting over Adra, I’m Medusa some people call me moose and I’ve been around the world pleasure men and causing problems for trouble makers for years and i’ve come back to Blackpool because I wanted to not have to be as nomadic as I was when I was younger. That life was some scary stuff… really scary.

Three middle names... isn’t that convenient for split personality?

Welcome to Blackpool then. How long have you been here again?

#convo:medusa

All I want is funnel cake, and I don’t think they have any.

#ignore text #convo:avery #blacksoulsevent

Oh gosh, I really do miss funnel cakes! I think the Brits are missing out to be honest. Hey, I can make you some, how about that?

Chess Play | Adore

theodoreanderson-phd

Honestly, he didn’t quite know what to do in order to “busy” himself. He wasn’t used to being busy in the homestead unless it had to do with typing up research. Lately, Theodore had missed out on a lot of things– and it was abundantly clear that he wasn’t all there anymore.

Glancing up and towards Adra, he nodded and laughed off her request. “I-I don’t really… cook much anymore.” He paused when she asked if his stomach had growled. Again, he shrugged. Nowadays, he couldn’t feel anything or remember the difference between being hungry or just being in pain from a mixture of mental and physical stress.

“Probably.”

Theo made way to the pantry, the half-assed smile he gave her completely diminished once his back was turned. Pilaf? Pilaf… Rice? He thought to himself as he went through the boxes in the cupboards, taking out a few different spices and a box of rice– gluten free of course. Just like everything in his kitchen.

“U-Uh, here.” He set everything down on the counter with a hefty sigh. God, he looked awful. There was no denying it. She on the other hand seemed a lot better off. Unfortunately, Theodore wasn’t able to notice how terrible he’d let things get. Those dark circles had gotten worse– sunken facial features, and the far from friendly demeanor– but no, everything seemed fine to him. At least as fine as things could get for someone like Theodore.

darien-erik-reed-deactivated201

He ambled away from her searching for... more ingredients perhaps and Adra turned to busy herself -- preparing the things in front of her, measuring the exact amount of the necessary spices for the pilaf. From afar Adra could already tell he was too thin -- a sickly kind of thin, not the one she was used to. His lanky frame exaggerated his scrawny features and something nagged at her. When he turned back, handing her the box of rice, she thanked him and started to pour it out into a bowl.

“I bet at one time, this kitchen was bustling with so many cooks and pots simmering with soup or there’s bread baking in the oven,” she chirped, wanting to deviate away from silence and force themselves to think about something else other than the reminiscing about past pain. “Do you know who stayed here over the past few decades? You know.. since it’s a century old right?”

#para:theo #chess play

Sounds logical enough to say “no, not too much information”; I’d probably do that too… but it depends on a few factors, of course.

No problem, I’m glad I can help you. Somehow I can’t say no to this one, thanks. Yeah, Darien. Darien Reed.