#crystalburdened

[holyxvi]

@crystalburdened​ - can he... can he have that salt back, though? He kinda needs it

“No.”

[madamhatter]

He won't say the occasion- in fact, he won't say anything at all. Instead, he just hands her a homemade chocobo potpie, fresh out of the oven, it seems.

The Hatter’s smile is one fitting the befuddled stats she’s in, holding the plate where a plump, steaming potpie rests on. One simply doesn’t hand the Hatter something without needing something, that much she knows. Judging from the long stare Layle was giving her, his cockiness is strangely absent and even more strangely missed.  

Holding the pie towards her chest level, her wide-eyed gaze went back-and-forth, exchanging between the chef and his creation. She softly nods, lips parting for a moment, as her eyes remain on the potpie. Ah, now she understands.

Golden crisp on its shell with several flaky cracks over the exterior, no doubt that this creation was fresh out of the oven -- a well-heated oven, at that. Goodness, what I would do to have one like that, or just simply a usually functioning one at that. Memories return; her adolescent body squeezing into the stove-top oven, grumbling to herself. Her scarred and small hands reaching out and messing with the interior workings, figuring out why it hadn’t ignited as intended. All against the clock before she’d singe her brows while fixing the problems. 

A whiff of the inside wasn’t a stranger to her nostrils. Comforting and hearty scents of vegetables greet her -- roasted potatoes and carrots were nostalgic as they were delicious in her imagination. Though, given the size of the pie, and this unfamiliar meaty odor to it, Sophie reasons that the protein inside the pie was responsible for its size. 

Her hands quietly exchange responsibilities; right hand now flat to hold the pie and left hand new freed to move. “Layle, what a spectacular job--” Her finger hovers over the crust. “Not a crack around and nothing is spilling out, it is a flawless transition between the two and it doesn’t even look like they were separated at all!” 

Another sniff, she couldn’t help it as it accompanies a content and audible hum. “And you can’t miss any of the vegetables and stock you used for the pie. That’s all I could recognize,” she wrinkles her nose, now her curiosity legible on her face, “asides from the meat. Which I hope isn’t something too foreign or expensive.”

 Though, she leans closer to him, cracking a sly smile. Her index finger curls slightly, pressing down his chin, as she whispers, “Unless your other occupation has been helping you with your budgeting lately.” 

Such a mischievous tune disappeared as the Hatter boots that side of her out of the conversation. Expression softens, familiar concern in her eyes, and she lifts his chin. She whispers again, “Don’t get too intoxicated with all newly acquired wealth. Save up all that you can.” 

Her hand retracts its touch, voice at its normal volume, enthusiasm returning. “With the surplus of extra pie dough there can be,” she explains, “you have so much plain space on top of the potpie that you can use the spare dough to decorate it.” She hums, making out simple shapes, finger still hovering away from the pie. “One of these days, whenever you like, come to the home and use my kitchen. I can equip you with the right tools like a paring knife to make intricate shapes like flowers and leaves to decorate your crust. However, knowing your skill, you’d probably create something as beautiful to look at that is unique to your style.” 

“Layle, you did amazing,” Sophie nods her head, smile brimming with pride. Carefully, both of her hands return to holding the plate. “I’m surprised you haven’t considered making a small business out of this. Not a permanent one, of course, but it’s a smart idea for a pop-up shop whenever you...” A forceful swallow happens about the impending future. “Return to your travels around the world.” 

Gingerly, the pie is returned to Layle’s hands and her scarred palms shortly then flatten the creases of her apron. 

“Enjoy your work, Layle, you rightfully earned it.” 

Sophie waves at Layle and tucks her hands into the pockets of her apron. “I need to get back to work. Let’s discuss baking and cooking later on whenever you’re available, alright? I really want to know your process!” 

And, never one to flounder or ever be late to her duties, the hatter jogs back into the store. 

[nicholas-wolfwood]

crystalburdened replied to your post: “Huh… What is that song the little lady was asking...

“Hey, think about it this way. It’s pretty skilled to make a song from /three notes/.”

“It’s three notes repeated over and over again! How is that skilled?!”

[ladyloving]

crystalburdened replied to your post

He’d like to see you try >:V

If we were you, we wouldn’t toy around with the fate of your ass like that.

[benevolentmaiden]

Gushes quietly over small child.

[rawnderer]

@crystalburdened ask

Rawn nearly jumped out of his skin when he was called- that fluffy piece of tuff over there wasn’t a critter after all, it was a full head of hair, attached to a full body of person!

“Goog....goggles?” He repeated, thoroughly confused. Was that the name of a flower? There were a couple golden flowers around, but most people didn’t loose a flower, they picked them. 

“Rawn no see...googles? Gog...” Too late, he lost the word. He polishes off the sentence with a shrug instead. “What that?”

[angetoile]

“.......”

“HAHAHAH! That’s so cute! By all means, walk by again!”

[madamhatter]

@crystalburdened​ -  "This is not an answer toward what I asked, Soph."

“It’s not the answer you wanted to hear, but the answer you should listen to. What more do you want besides my answer when I have already given it to you?”