Whimsical Contemplation's.

Casual Role-Playing & Various Fancies.              Feel free to converse with me via the "Confabulate" button.

[baker-kuroi]

“Poetry is something I like to dabble in now and then when I have an inspiration. I’ve also been interested in Philosophy, Sociology, and Psychology. Caring about others and retaining integrity is one of the few things I can do consistently. I make mistakes at times, but have committed myself to constant reflection and betterment of the self.”

He chuckles once again, rubbing the back of his neck and shaking his head.

“Of course, anyone can simply say these things, it’s only through consistency and constant proof that one can be believed or trusted, but being subject to that criticism and constant trial is precisely what drives me. A dream I had recently inspired a piece of writing I rather enjoyed.”

The panther clears his throat and takes a deep breath.

“I am weak, yet I am strong.

My mind is shallow, yet it is deep.

My will is glass, yet it is steel.

My heart quivers, yet it also sings.

My anger burns, yet empathy prevails.

I am beaten, yet I am not broken.

I am weak, yet I am strong.”

“That’s rather quite an intriguing poem — Forgive me if i’m mistaken, but it seems to touch on the duality of life, and how someone can be weak of nature but strong of mind; how one can both be shallow minded in terms of geneneral interest, yet deep in that it thinks through, and about, every little thing; How we can both be scared, or angry, yet even still we may choose to give away our love and compassion in the moments it’s needed most. Rather beautiful, if you ask me.” Shin responded.

Shin pauses for a moment, then says, “You must forgive me, for it is I who is rambling this time around. Your words really put my mind to work.” Shin then takes another sip of his drink.

“Mm. Nothing like a warm drink on a cool, rainy day, to warm the body, and some insightful poetry to warm the soul, no?” he says with a smile.

[ittybittysparklekitty]

“Something like that, it’s a good interpretation on its own. We know so very little, and yet we can learn to understand almost anything. We can be easily discouraged from things that are too hard, and yet persevere despite it. We can be emotionally overwhelmed by heart ache or self loathing, and yet still find so much to love in the world. We can be upset and over react, and yet we can act with reason and logic to find a better solution. We can feel as though all is lost or hopeless, and yet still we remain. A person can lack so much, and yet they can still be impressive and worthwhile as individuals. Myself in particular, I spend so much worrying about what I want to be, that I sometimes forget to actually be those things, whereas if it’s what I truly value and believe in, It shouldn’t be something I need to think about, I could use to trust myself a little more to do the right things naturally, and simply take responsibility and fix my mistakes when they happen.”

The feline waves to the staff to order another drink, sitting back in his chair and rubbing the bridge between his eyes a bit.

“Philosophy, Sociology, and Psychology have been topics of focus for me lately, not just for their practical uses, but for my own self maintenance as well. Education and understanding can help lead to a lot of discoveries regarding the self, those three fields have assisted me in figuring out a little more about the world and where I stand in it.”

Paying for his drink, he turns to look at the rain and sips. Letting out another content sigh.

“I’m glad you’re finding interest in these things. Development of the self is something I’ve taken a lot of pride in. I have to agree though that the warm beverage and comfortable setting certainly help. As for the insight, I think that’s up to an individual to decide. I took something away from my dream that I feel happy with, but another may not agree. Philosophy is all about making your own interpretations from the thoughts of others, finding a place in the world and yourself with bits and pieces of what you and others have experienced. Just as well, a Philosopher never remains on a single interpretation, it’s a never ending, ever changing pursuit. To stagnate is to deny yourself growth, and I feel as though that’s a tragic shame for a person to fall in to.”

[baker-kuroi]

“Heh, fair enough. Quite the romantic, aren’t you? Your speech carries somewhat of a poetic nuance to it. I think you’ve summed up the rain rather nicely.”

Don folds his hands under this chin, looking up at Shin. Ears flicking idly.

“I appreciate the credit you’ve given me regarding my ramblings.. For someone claiming to be shy, you’re carrying yourself quite well. If you insist, I’ll keep your offer in mind. A few hours to burn is it? If you’d like me to stick around, I’d be open to suggestions, I haven’t any further obligations today myself. Do your friends or other acquaintances often visit you here?”.

“I suppose you could say that”, Shin replied. “I enjoy looking for the beauty in the little things. It helps one remain at peace with the world, I think.”

“While I’m admittedly quite shy, the way you’ve carreid yourself is rather quite approachable. Based on your seemingly inquisitive and helpful nature, you allow yourself to be easy to talk to.”, Shin responded. “I rather wish more people were like that… But no matter.”

“Since you’re here, and I’ve rather enjoyed our conversation, let’s continue on, shall we? You mentioned poetry; is that something that you are deeply in to, or is it a passing interest?”

[ittybittysparklekitty]

“Poetry is something I like to dabble in now and then when I have an inspiration. I’ve also been interested in Philosophy, Sociology, and Psychology. Caring about others and retaining integrity is one of the few things I can do consistently. I make mistakes at times, but have committed myself to constant reflection and betterment of the self.”

He chuckles once again, rubbing the back of his neck and shaking his head.

“Of course, anyone can simply say these things, it’s only through consistency and constant proof that one can be believed or trusted, but being subject to that criticism and constant trial is precisely what drives me. A dream I had recently inspired a piece of writing I rather enjoyed.”

The panther clears his throat and takes a deep breath.

“I am weak, yet I am strong.

My mind is shallow, yet it is deep.

My will is glass, yet it is steel.

My heart quivers, yet it also sings.

My anger burns, yet empathy prevails.

I am beaten, yet I am not broken.

I am weak, yet I am strong.”

[baker-kuroi]

“I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better about your situation, I do wish you the best in finding something that works for you.”

Don bows his head momentarily.

“Regarding the dessert, you don’t have to worry about treating me to anything. Admittedly, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, a dessert for me would have to be quite low on sugar. I’m just happy to be of some help.

If there’s anything else you would like, let me know. if I’m around and able, I’ll give you a hand. I don’t really have much to do when I visit here, it’s just… a place I’m drawn to.”

The feline pauses for a moment, looking back outside, and sighing a bit.

“You know, the rain is nice in some ways. It can be a little dismal, but it can also bear opportunities, especially if you have somewhere warm to curl up for a while, like here. I may not have happened across this cafe without it. Little silver linings, discovery lead by a random circumstance-”

He shakes his head a bit, stopping himself, and chuckling.

“But… I digress, I’m just starting to ramble now, my apologies. If you have other matters to attend to, don’t let me keep you from them.”

“Rain check, perhaps then? If you ever feel the need for something sweet, even if it’s light and delicate, just stop by and I’ll ensure you get something on the house.” Shin responded.

“I’m not terribly busy, now that I have a plan of action. I’m not actually on the clock at the moment; I took off not too long ago so I could focus on menu improvements. Seeing as that’s taken care of, in a sense, Im free to enjoy myself for at least the next few hours, barring the case of my staff needing any help around the place. — I always try and pick up the slack, so that no one may feel like we’re understaffed. It’s quite an unpleasant feeling after all.”

Shin looks back out the window. “The rain is nice, isn’t. The melancholy that it brings somehow manages to bring the color out in the littlest things, making you notice that which comforts you so much more — A warm crackling fire, or perhaps your favorite book. It’s rather peaceful, perhaps a bit sullen, but it’s greatly underrated within todays world. It manages to make one appreciate the little things for once, and it’s soothing sounds as it pitter-patters against the buildings, the streets, the ground, are like a whisper inviting you to relax.”

“Don’t appologize for rambling. I rather quite enjoyed it. Like the rain, your so called ramblings are peaceful, gentle, casual. Your words may not cary an excess of weight, or draw any particular attention to themselves, but it’s in that which makes them delightful to hear. It allows one to listen so much more, and to process each spoken word with care. Casual conversation is at it’s best when it is calm and amiacable.”

[ittybittysparklekitty]

“Heh, fair enough. Quite the romantic, aren’t you? Your speech carries somewhat of a poetic nuance to it. I think you’ve summed up the rain rather nicely.”

Don folds his hands under this chin, looking up at Shin. Ears flicking idly.

“I appreciate the credit you’ve given me regarding my ramblings.. For someone claiming to be shy, you’re carrying yourself quite well. If you insist, I’ll keep your offer in mind. A few hours to burn is it? If you’d like me to stick around, I’d be open to suggestions, I haven’t any further obligations today myself. Do your friends or other acquaintances often visit you here?”.

[baker-kuroi]

Leaning back in his chair, Don rubs the back of his neck and also looks out the window. Picking his drink up with his free hand and taking a few sips from it.

“You could say that I’ve… been around. Not really an expert or anything. It’s different for every place, depending on what you’re trying to sell, and who you’re selling it to. If you want to take some risks, but aren’t keen on interacting with a ton of people, the suggestion box idea might be good for you. Could also take a wander around and observe what else is selling and doing well in the area. I’m a bit of an introvert, so I can sympathize with the shyness. Fortunately when it comes to collecting information, there’s plenty of non-direct methods you can use. If you have some folks you could trust, you could always get them to advocate for you as well. Word of mouth is a good way to gain attention in small towns.”

The feline chuckles a bit and glances back towards Shin.

“Don’t feel too bad about it, people are unpredictable. Owning a business isn’t easy. Do your best, trust your gut, use the resources available to you to learn about your clients, and above all else, make sure you take care of yourself. The stress of trying to figure out what people like and keeping your business afloat can wear on someone pretty quickly, you sometimes forget that you’re a person too. This is… just my ten cents. The decisions are something you’ll have to ultimately make yourself, but hopefully some of what I’ve rambled about might help you in your story.”

The Panther raises his glass and drinks back the last of his Chai, letting out a content sigh, and stretching out some.

“Anything else on your mind you’d like to talk about?”

Shin listens to Don’s insightful advice before taking another sip of his drink. “Yes, that all does sound like very good ideas. Perhaps I’ll spin-off your suggestion box idea by having guests fill out survey; They can write down their favorite desserts, or perhaps a dessert they’ve always wanted to try. I can then use that to craft up a series of new desserts which I can trial with the public; whichever one hits it off with the public best would therefor be my new dessert!”

“Thank you, Don, for the splendid idea. You’ve been ever so much of a help. Allow me to treat you to any dessert, on the house!” Shin said, politely, with a smile; Don’s advice seems to of put him in rather a pleasant mood.

[ittybittysparklekitty]

“I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better about your situation, I do wish you the best in finding something that works for you.”

Don bows his head momentarily.

“Regarding the dessert, you don’t have to worry about treating me to anything. Admittedly, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, a dessert for me would have to be quite low on sugar. I’m just happy to be of some help. If there’s anything else you would like, let me know. if I’m around and able, I’ll give you a hand. I don’t really have much to do when I visit here, it’s just... a place I’m drawn to.”

The feline pauses for a moment, looking back outside, and sighing a bit.

“You know, the rain is nice in some ways. It can be a little dismal, but it can also bear opportunities, especially if you have somewhere warm to curl up for a while, like here. I may not have happened across this cafe without it. Little silver linings, discovery lead by a random circumstance-”

He shakes his head a bit, stopping himself, and chuckling.

“But... I digress, I’m just starting to ramble now, my apologies. If you have other matters to attend to, don’t let me keep you from them.”

[baker-kuroi]

Don takes a sip of his latte as he listens to his companies responses. Purring softly as the Chai relaxes his nerves and warms his core. Setting it down and folding his hands under his chin as he looks toward Shin.

“Mm.. clientele are always tricky. You’re always at risk regardless of what choice you make, half the time they don’t even know what they want. There’s also the random consumer effect too though, where one week something won’t sell at all, and the next you won’t be able to keep it in stock from them buying out.”

“You could try taking suggestions from the people for things they’d like to see, or flip a coin and go for something relative to other popular items around town. If you’re lucky, you might be able to craft something using flavors particular to this area that the population may find both tasty and endearing, culture and heritage and the like. The old fashion types tend to love things like that, and if you can net younger generations on the flavor as well, it’s a double win.”

“To be honest, I’ve always found simple palettes much, much harder to please. The less ingredients something has, the harder it is to master. Take a slice of french toast for example, there’s not a lot to it. Have one, and you’ve likely tasted it from dozens. It then comes down to how well it’s prepared, and if the maker takes a risk to try to add something to spice it up, which could result in devastating failure as much as revolutionary success.”

“That being said, why don’t we take a look at the kind of clientele you serve? What have you observed from them, the kind of tastes and presentations they go for? If you gather enough data on their preferences, you could perhaps then look at how to apply them in a way that makes you happy as well.”

“You do seem to know what you are talking about. Part of the trade, perhaps?” Shin said with a smile. “The locales mainly enjoy simpler treats; cakes and tarts, and the likes. That’s why some of my more-elaborate desserts are still a cake or a pie, at heart. Honestly, though, I’ve probably played it a bit too safe, as i’ve yet to really explore what others may enjoy.”

Shin looks out the window pensively, taking a sip of his drink. “I know my friends enjoy almost whatever I make, and guests were always a fan of my treats when they came to visit as a child. However, I’ve never really paid much attention to what some of the other locals like to enjoy. I’ve always been a bit of a shy individual…” Shin stops himself. “No matter the reason, suffice to say, I’m rather lacking in the knowledge of just exactly what might ‘hit it off’ with the local public. There are a number of more traditional families in the area, however, so I’ve thought, perhaps, that I should look into a traditionally-inspired dessert that would wow the crowds, while being pleasant enough for older generations to enjoy.”

[ittybittysparklekitty]

Leaning back in his chair, Don rubs the back of his neck and also looks out the window. Picking his drink up with his free hand and taking a few sips from it.

“You could say that I’ve... been around. Not really an expert or anything. It’s different for every place, depending on what you’re trying to sell, and who you’re selling it to. If you want to take some risks, but aren’t keen on interacting with a ton of people, the suggestion box idea might be good for you. Could also take a wander around and observe what else is selling and doing well in the area. I’m a bit of an introvert, so I can sympathize with the shyness. Fortunately when it comes to collecting information, there’s plenty of non-direct methods you can use. If you have some folks you could trust, you could always get them to advocate for you as well. Word of mouth is a good way to gain attention in small towns.”

The feline chuckles a bit and glances back towards Shin.

“Don’t feel too bad about it, people are unpredictable. Owning a business isn’t easy. Do your best, trust your gut, use the resources available to you to learn about your clients, and above all else, make sure you take care of yourself. The stress of trying to figure out what people like and keeping your business afloat can wear on someone pretty quickly, you sometimes forget that you’re a person too. This is... just my ten cents. The decisions are something you’ll have to ultimately make yourself, but hopefully some of what I’ve rambled about might help you in your story.”

The Panther raises his glass and drinks back the last of his Chai, letting out a content sigh, and stretching out some.

“Anything else on your mind you’d like to talk about?”

[baker-kuroi]

“Certainly. I most often go by the name ‘Don’, I’ve never really been fond of the full pronunciation of my name. I hope the abbreviation will be acceptable enough. I appreciate the invitation to your table.”

The feline gives a slight bow before taking his offered seat, setting his drink on a clear corner of the table.

“So, may I ask what you’re working on? If you’d like someone to bounce ideas off of, I’d be glad to lend you an ear. I travel in and out of town now and then, I believe this is my first time coming to this Cafe. Have you been here long? Or are you relatively new to the business?”

“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Don.” Shin replied with a smile. “My, you sure do like to get right into the questions. Alright, well, to start off, this café has not been here too terribly long. It is my first time, actually, running a place, and as you can see it’s not rather big. As far as my residency, I’ve lived here since I was a kitten, if you will. It’s become my hometown, of sorts.”, the cat replied.

“Now, for what I’m working on is a revision to our menu. I want to find something absolutely spectacular to add to the dessert case, but I fear whatever I may introduce may not cater to the simpler tastes of the locale. — I’m already pushing the limits with some of the desserts over there, such as the Opera Gâteau.” He said as he motioned his hand to the case. “I have to be careful not to introduce anything that I may be wasting my time on.”

[ittybittysparklekitty]

Don takes a sip of his latte as he listens to his companies responses. Purring softly as the Chai relaxes his nerves and warms his core. Setting it down and folding his hands under his chin as he looks toward Shin.

“Mm.. clientele are always tricky. You’re always at risk regardless of what choice you make, half the time they don’t even know what they want. There’s also the random consumer effect too though, where one week something won’t sell at all, and the next you won’t be able to keep it in stock from them buying out.”

“You could try taking suggestions from the people for things they’d like to see, or flip a coin and go for something relative to other popular items around town. If you’re lucky, you might be able to craft something using flavors particular to this area that the population may find both tasty and endearing, culture and heritage and the like. The old fashion types tend to love things like that, and if you can net younger generations on the flavor as well, it’s a double win.” 

“To be honest, I’ve always found simple palettes much, much harder to please. The less ingredients something has, the harder it is to master. Take a slice of french toast for example, there’s not a lot to it. Have one, and you’ve likely tasted it from dozens. It then comes down to how well it’s prepared, and if the maker takes a risk to try to add something to spice it up, which could result in devastating failure as much as revolutionary success.”

“That being said, why don’t we take a look at the kind of clientele you serve? What have you observed from them, the kind of tastes and presentations they go for? If you gather enough data on their preferences, you could perhaps then look at how to apply them in a way that makes you happy as well.”

[baker-kuroi]

A barely audible chime echos from door as a being steps in to the cafe. Strolling up to the counter, he appears to be a black panther, height of 5′5″, weight of 110lbs, white hair, long bangs in the front, and cut short behind his ears, and brown eyes. His attire consists of a hooded black jacket, with a belt slimming around the waist, black slacks, and black cloth moccasins. Ordering a chai latte with a touch on cinnamon sprinkled on top, he scans around the cafe periodically debating where to sit. Noticing the small black cat in the corner with papers upon their table, his curiosity gets the better of him as he approaches.

“Pardon me, I’m hope I’m not interrupting anything. You seem to be in a somewhat contemplative state. If you would not be adverse to company, would you perhaps like to sit together and talk?”

Shin looks up from his paper and notices the Panther standing before him. “Hello there.”, he starts off. “It’s always been a pleasure to talk with my guests, so I wouldn’t be adverse to the company at all. My name is Shin, and I am the proprietor of this quaint little establishment.” “May I ask who I have the delight of speaking with?”, he asks politely, motioning to a chair across from him, on the opposite end of the small table at which he sits.

[ittybittysparklekitty]

“Certainly. I most often go by the name ‘Don’, I’ve never really been fond of the full pronunciation of my name. I hope the abbreviation will be acceptable enough. I appreciate the invitation to your table.”

The feline gives a slight bow before taking his offered seat, setting his drink on a clear corner of the table.

“So, may I ask what you’re working on? If you’d like someone to bounce ideas off of, I’d be glad to lend you an ear. I travel in and out of town now and then, I believe this is my first time coming to this Cafe. Have you been here long? Or are you relatively new to the business?”

[baker-kuroi]

“A Rainy Day In A Little Town” [Open Story feat. @ittybittysparklekitty]

It was a quiet afternoon. Rain was pouring down overhead, pitter-pattering amongst the roofs of the buildings, and the sidewalk which sat below them. The occasional car passed through the small village street, splashing water upon the sidewalk with a solid “sploosh”. The air was crisp, and cool, but otherwise not terribly unpleasant.

Inside a small café, pinned amongst the scattered shops lining the village street, the smell of delicate desserts, and freshly ground espresso, fill the air from end to end. A small pastry case can be seen on the far left wall, housing everything from individual slices of Opéra Gâteau, to a frangipane apple tart, sliced into triangle-shaped pieces, with a diamond-pattern crust on top, underneath the warm casing lights. Quiet chatter fills the room, no so much as to be bothersome as it is an accompanyment to the rain, as if it is playing harmony to the rain’s own melody. Espresso machines and coffee grinders chime in intermittently within this strange symphony, almost making the actual music, playing ever so faintly from an overhead speaker, pointless for anything other than atmospheric noise.

Over in a corner, a particular black cat can be seen, sitting by the window. He is dressed in his usual attire, except that his sleeves are rolled and he is adorning a black, cloth apron to protect the front of his clothes. In one hand is a cup of coffee, or perhaps a tea or latté; it’s difficult to tell from a distance; and upon the table he sits at is a pencil and some scattered documents, sitting atop a clipboard. He has a calm, yet perplexed expression upon his face, as he sips his drink so delicately.

[ittybittysparklekitty]

A barely audible chime echos from door as a being steps in to the cafe. Strolling up to the counter, he appears to be a black panther, height of 5′5″, weight of 110lbs, white hair, long bangs in the front, and cut short behind his ears, and brown eyes. His attire consists of a hooded black jacket, with a belt slimming around the waist, black slacks, and black cloth moccasins. Ordering a chai latte with a touch on cinnamon sprinkled on top, he scans around the cafe periodically debating where to sit. Noticing the small black cat in the corner with papers upon their table, his curiosity gets the better of him as he approaches.

“Pardon me, I’m hope I’m not interrupting anything. You seem to be in a somewhat contemplative state. If you would not be adverse to company, would you perhaps like to sit together and talk?”

[baker-kuroi]

Open RP: Serenity

[baker-kuroi]

“To be honest, not much has gone on, really. Me and Amaki-san have been baking, as usual. Life is the same as it’s always been” Shin replied. “I’m sorry to hear about your nightmares. Those are never a pleasant ordeal.”

[ittybittysparklekitty]

“Aye. The nightmares tend to come and go. Mostly caused by me worrying about certain things, or if a particular event shakes my nerves.”

*He glances about, looking to shift the subject away from his problem, he looks down at Shins book.*

“May I ask what you’re reading? I notice you tend to have a book with you whenever you’re resting in private.”

[baker-kuroi]

Open RP: Serenity

[baker-kuroi]

A few moments pass and Shin starts to awaken. He stretches his arms and lets out a soft yawn, before something catches his attention from the corner of his eye. He looks over to see who else but Don, resting against the very same tree.

“Don-san?” The feline inquires. “What are you doing here?”

[ittybittysparklekitty]

*Don slowly glances over as his waking friend, being considerate not to startle him with any fast movements.*

“Good afternoon, Shin. I was taking a walk and enjoying some tea when I came across you resting. Being a little ways outside the village, I decided I’d rest a bit myself and watch over you, ensure some safety to your nap. I hope you don’t mind.”

*He sips at his thermos again and glances up at the clouds.*

[baker-kuroi]

“I see. That’s very considerate of you, Don.” Shin responded. “Domo” Shin picked up his book, which had fallen into the grass beside him, and brushed it off, before closing it and setting it gently back down. “How are you, Don?” the feline inquired. “It has been a while since we last talked.

[ittybittysparklekitty]

“I’m doing well enough. Not too much has changed. I’ve been having some... unfortunate nightmares lately. So I came out to clear my head. The quiet solitude of the nature in Minasato is usually a good escape.”

*He sets his thermos on the ground beside him and looks over at Shin. He scans the feline with his eyes for a moment before stretching.*

“How about yourself? Have you been up to much this last while?

[baker-kuroi]

Open RP: Serenity

[baker-kuroi]

A few moments pass and Shin starts to awaken. He stretches his arms and lets out a soft yawn, before something catches his attention from the corner of his eye. He looks over to see who else but Don, resting against the very same tree.

“Don-san?” The feline inquires. “What are you doing here?”

[ittybittysparklekitty]

*Don slowly glances over as his waking friend, being considerate not to startle him with any fast movements.*

“Good afternoon, Shin. I was taking a walk and enjoying some tea when I came across you resting. Being a little ways outside the village, I decided I’d rest a bit myself and watch over you, ensure some safety to your nap. I hope you don’t mind.”

*He sips at his thermos again and glances up at the clouds.*

[baker-kuroi]

Open RP: Serenity

We open to find that shin is sitting underneath a tree in a clearing, a book laying against him as he quietly rests, the gentle breeze acting as a natural lullaby.

[ittybittysparklekitty]

*Sipping tea from a thermos, Don wanders about the nature of Minasato. During his walk, he notices a figure against one of the trees. In curiosity he heads towards it, realizing it’s his friend Shin upon approaching. He makes a small waving gesture at the feline, taking another drink of his tea before whispering to himself.*

“Hum. It seems he’s resting. I probably shouldn’t bother him, at the same time though, I wonder if he’s all right out here by himself."

*After pondering for a moment, he quietly sits against a tree across from Shin. He lightly sighs and looks up at the sky, continuing to drink his beverage.*

“I’ve been walking for a while. Perhaps I won’t be blamed for taking a rest here myself.”

[baker-kuroi]

[RP] Open Story: Tea & Cake

[baker-kuroi]

“Go ahead, Kician-san. Please, help yourself.” Shin said. “Now where was the conversation last?” Shin inquired.

[ittybittysparklekitty]

*The panther looks contemplative for a moment before turning to Shin again.*

“Everything you’ve prepared today has been quite delightful, and It has lead me to have a bit of a curiosity, if I may. Does baking run in your family Shin? Both you and Amaki-san seem to be quite taken with the trade. You could quite easily run a shop with products of this quality; have a chance to share your love of baking with Minasato on a bit larger scale, perhaps even the occasional tourist. You could likely suffice with just one or two helpers, or even just making a handful of things yourself. One of your treats and a spot of tea makes for a delightful refreshment. I think it would be nice if more people had the opportunity to enjoy the experience. It’s something that’s played on my mind a handful of times lately.” 

*The panther continues happily enjoying his slice of cake after paying his thoughts, looking at Shin with mild curiosity to his inquiry.*

[baker-kuroi]

[RP] Open Story: Tea & Cake

[baker-kuroi]

“I see.” the cat replied. “I personally have been here as always with Amaki-san. What about you, Don-san? What have you been up to?”

[ittybittysparklekitty]

“Nothing too exciting I’m afraid. I’m in the process of re-evaluating my life and trying to decide what I want to do. A lot of soul searching and trying to figure out what I believe in, where I want to go, if anywhere. The bakery has promising value as a future, but I’m not entirely sure if it’s what I want. I’ve been attending various counseling sessions discussing it and trying to piece together my thoughts and wishes. It’s something that’s been due for quite a while now, I imagine I’ll get along fine as I always have though. I’d like to put all of that aside for now and enjoy your day with you and your company. *Don smiles softly at Shun* “So far, most of your friends have proved pleasant company, in one way or another.”

[baker-kuroi]

[RP] Open Story: Tea & Cake

[baker-kuroi]

The door is opened by Amaki, who informs Don that Shin is in the living room waiting for the guests to arrive.

“Hello, Don-san” Shin said as Don walked into the room. “How nice of you to join me this evening. I’m pleased that you were able to attend. Though I hope you are not the only one who is to be visiting me today, as I feel, in that case, there will be more cake than the both of us ourselves can consume.” Shin said in a semi-jokingly manner, as he gestured towards the tea and cake on the table by the Window. “Amaki-san has offered to serve the guests, yourself included, and guests are also encouraged to help themselves if they so desire. It’s entirely up to you.”

[ittybittysparklekitty]

*The panther bows to Amaki-san, thanking him for showing him inside, then proceeding to turn to face Shin with a smile.* “Felicitations, birthday boy. I’m glad to see you looking so chipper on your special day.” *He glimpses around the room at the various treats that have been laid out.* “I’d feel a little guilty digging in to the food so early in to the gathering, though everything looks and smells delightful. You and Amaki-san always seem to put so much care in to everything, it’s rather heart warming. Perhaps we could enjoy a spot of tea together for the time being?” 

[baker-kuroi]

[RP] Open Story: Tea & Cake

In a village far away by the name of Minasato lived a black cat and his caretaker in a manor on a hill. Today was a very special day, as it was this particular cat's birthday. Why, how lovely!

The cat, who goes by the name of Shin, was busily prepping for visitors who would be joining him for a relaxing afternoon of tea and cakes. How very quaint.

“Amaki-san, has the tea been prepared yet?” Shin asked, to which his caretaker, Amaki, responded that it had. “Lovely. Guests should be arriving soon, and I do not wish to be rude and make them wait. I shall set the cakes out on the table by the window, so if you would be so kind, could you bring the tea and set it out along with them?” Shin asked. The cat proceeded to set two different cakes out on a small, wooden table by the window in the living room, which was usually used for afternoon tea, as his caretaker, Amaki, set the tea cups and the tea pot beside the cakes.

As for the cakes, the first one was a simple shortcake, with a number of strawberries adorned upon it, sitting in a lovely glass cake dish. The second cake was a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting which Shin had taken the time to decorate with various frosting tips, which was place on a cake dish slightly taller than the first. Both cakes had been pre-sliced as to assist in the serving process.

“This seems adequate, don’t you think?” Shin asked rhetorically as he gave a faint smile. “I suppose all there is left is to wait for guests to arrive. I must say I am at least faintly curious as to who shall arrive first.”

[ittybittysparklekitty]

*Don strolls up to the Kuroi manor wearing his customary attire; a blue dress shirt, black slacks, and a black suit jacket accompanied by a black trilby upon his head and black moccasins for his shoes. He knocks lightly on the door and waits patiently, being unsure whether the gathering was taking place in or out of the house.*

[ittybittysparklekitty]

Nineteen years we were together. Seems like forever, and yet I wish I had more time. Laying across from you on the bathroom floor crying like a baby, you didn't have the strength to stand yet still reached out your paw like you were trying to tell me it was okay. We didn't always get along, we weren't always beside each other, but I hope you knew just how much I loved you. I did everything I could to make your final hours as comfortable as possible... Sitting in the vet as you slipped away in my arms, I played a lullaby to carry you to the other side, I know it was scary, but you don't have to suffer anymore. I'll miss you, my best friend, and dearest love. I'll cherish your memory till the day I can see you again. Farewell Rikki, we had a good run...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHGcNg18Ix8