I Just... Don't Want You To See Me Like This

[charming_freckles]

[Little Sue hasn’t told anyone in Mayfield this, but… she’s actually well versed in losing people in her life. Her parents passed on when she was very young, and her surrogate uncle, Justin’s father, too. She had to separate from Justin and Feena back home after becoming physically exhausted by their journey and go home after crossing the End of the World. Since her arrival in Mayfield, she’s lost two good friends to droning, and now, Sunny…

Sunny… hurts even worse than the others. With Sunny, it was easy to momentarily forget about their situation, their kidnapping from home and inability to escape from Mayfield, and just be a young girl. They played together, baked together, had an impromptu sleepover during the last trial Mayfield threw their way. Sunny was like the younger sister Sue always wanted. She was her best friend… and she misses her.

But Sue is adopting her usual method of dealing with loss in three steps: keep busy, fake it until make it (being happy, that is) and appreciate the people still with her. She’s not alone… and it’s imperative that no one think that she’s just a child. People have enough to worry about, she doesn’t want to add herself to anyone’s list. She just hopes that they won’t notice that her smile is a wee bit forced and that she seems a bit quieter than normal…]

[Action: 1486 Kramden Road]

[Sue has made a biiiiig breakfast for everyone. There’s an excessive amount of pancakes, waffles, and French toast, and a sliced up a grapefruit for each of her housemates. It’s alright if you can’t finish it all, Puffy can eat whatever is leftover… really. For such a small creature, he’s got a big appetite! She hopes you’ll all enjoy it!]

[Action: Library]

[Sue is searching for a dessert cookbook that will allow her to expand her cooking horizons. She likes making cookies, but making them without Sunny… it’s just not the same. Time to try something new…]

Hmmm… this looks good. But would it be too difficult? Do I have everything needed to make it?

[Action: Park]

[On her way home, Sue stops at the park with Puffy to run around and get some exercise. But she’s grown used to seeing Dia and Lax there and she misses them sorely too. After a few minutes of chasing Puffy gamely, she sighs, plops down on a bench and pulls a charm out of her pocket, looking at it almost longingly for a while.]

[Later, Phone]

Hey, everyone, it’s Sue! I decided to try and expand my cooking skills, so I made something I don’t usually bake: a cake! It’s chocolate with chocolate frosting! Maybe that’s too decadent, but I figure everyone should be allowed to indulge in something heavy in calories sometime! Would anybody like a slice? I taste tested it myself, it was yummy! I wouldn’t offer anyone something that I didn’t enjoy myself, after all! And Puffy gave it a seal of approval too!

Oh, and if anyone has any recommendations on good treats that I could try to make, I’d appreciate it! I’m always looking for new recipes to try out!

Comments

1486 Kramden

[infourbooks]

[Neville gapes a bit as he walks into the kitchen]

Wow, Sue, did you make all this?

1486 Kramden

[charming_freckles]

You bet! I hope you brought your appetite this morning, Neville!

...and uhm, that I made stuff that you like.

...I did, right? I mean, who doesn't like pancakes? Although, I COULD have added chocolate chips or blueberries to the batter now that I think of it...

Re: 1486 Kramden

[infourbooks]

No, no, pancakes are terrific! It all looks amazing, I can't wait to try it.

1486 Kramden

[charming_freckles]

Really? I'm so glad! Please, help yourself!

[And not to be creepy here or anything, Neville, but Sue is going to watch VERY INTENTLY as you sample the breakfast. She just... tried really hard to make it, and she REALLY wants everyone to enjoy it!]

Re: 1486 Kramden

[infourbooks]

[Neville takes a fairly generous portion, being a teenage boy and all and digs in.]

This is really good.

1486 Kramden

[charming_freckles]

[Sue smiles brightly.]

Help yourself to as much as you like! There's plenty and a good adventurer always eats when they can to keep their strength up!

Is this the sort of thing you'd eat for breakfast back home? I'm always looking for new things to try, so if there is something you'd like, don't hesitate to let me know! My goal is to be a master chef by the time we escape here, so I can help my aunt with her restaurant even more!

Re: 1486 Kramden

[infourbooks]

Sometimes. We'll have porridge and eggs a lot. And bacon, sausage and kippers.

[He takes another bite]

I bet you're great at the restaurant.

1486 Kramden

[tsukihime]

[Arcueid...looks near tears...when she walks into the dining room.

The...the decadence! The...oh God...it's so beautiful.]

Did...did you do this? DID YOU CREATE THIS??

1486 Kramden

[charming_freckles]

[Oh, Arcueid. If Sue hadn't been living with you for months and months, that level of enthusiasm might have come off as scary. But she has, so she just laughs happily.]

Of course! Sit down and dig in while it's still warm! Can I get you a drink?

[tsukihime]

[Despite Sue's act, being the will of the planet certainly provides some perks in reading the current state of human beings.

Still, if Sue is hiding it that means Arcueid shouldn't really bring it up. Besides, there's breakfast to be had, so Arcueid does as instructed and sits down.]

Sure! I'll take a beer!

[Yep, bad influences have caused the woman to enjoy drinking even this early in the day. She won't drink a lot...but she's found that beer can even go well with breakfast.

Hey, if she wants to be a typical 1950s alcoholic she will! To be honest though that's all she could think of at the moment. Like hell she'll ever touch Mayfield milk again.]

[charming_freckles]

A BEER?

[Sue had honestly anticipated coffee or something... And, and didn't you have an episode trying out alcoholic beverages in recent history?]

Does... does beer taste that good?

[tsukihime]

It's okay. Sometimes it goes really well with certain food, though.

I bet a lot of people don't like it, though. It's got a weird taste.

[Though, after making her statements Arcueid can't hold back anymore. DESTROYING THIS FOOD.]

[charming_freckles]

...

[Sue dutifully retrieves a beer from the fridge, looking at it questioningly. She hasn't even learned how to appreciate coffee without extreme amounts of sugar and cream yet... Beer is probably beyond her understanding. She brings it to Arcueid and smiles as she watches her hard work be consumed.]

Is it good?

phone

[freakinblur]

No such thing as too much chocolate, if ya ask me!

phone

[charming_freckles]

[Sue laughs.]

I'd agree with you if I didn't have to worry about my girlish figure! You know what they say: "A minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips"?

How about I bring you two slices? Then I don't have to worry about scarfing down too much and getting pudgy?

[freakinblur]

No way, you don't gotta worry 'bout that yet! Yer young! But if ya insist, I can eat as much as ya want.

[charming_freckles]

Alright! I'll deliver then right away! It'll be nice to catch up, it's been a bit since I've seen you!

But remember, you've gotta give me an honest opinion on the cake! I think it's great, but I might have room for improvement!

[freakinblur]

You can trust me. I'm at 1451 Mitchell, then.

[charming_freckles]

Alright then! I'll see you soon!

[About a half hour later, Sue runs on up and knocks the door, Puffy perched atop her head.]

Phone

[busy_fists]

I'd never turn down a chance to trade cake recipes.

Phone

[charming_freckles]

Oh, are you a baking enthusiast? I'd love to get an opinion from a cake connoisseur! I'd be happy to bring you the recipe I used along with a slice! Can I meet you somewhere?

[busy_fists]

My family has a long, proud baking tradition. If you'd like to stop by, I live at 311 Miller Street. Look for the giant wizard statue on the front lawn, you can't miss it.

[charming_freckles]

I'll be there quickly! With cake and the recipe! Look forward to meeting you!

[And sure enough, Sue comes a-trotting to the location, flying bird creature Puffy along with her. She stops and examines the wizard statue on the lawn briefly. Is that some sort of totem or something? She'll have to ask. She knocks on the door, holding her basket in front of her.]

[busy_fists]

[Dad answers the door with a smile, already wearing his baking apron.]

Welcome! C'mon in. I'm Mr. Egbert.

[charming_freckles]

Hi, Mr. Egbert! I'm Sue! [She points to Puffy, hovering next to her.] And this is Puffy! It's nice to meet you!

That's a really interesting lawn orniment you've got there! Is it an artifact, or a totem?