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

[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?

[busy_fists]

Cute little guy, isn't he? Nice to meet you both.

[Dad looks over to the statue for a moment, smiling.]

It's a tribute to a very powerful wizard named Zazzerpan.

[charming_freckles]

"Zazzerpan"? That's an interesting name. What did Mr. Zazzerpan do?

[busy_fists]

Actually, my wife knows more about him than I do. It's her statue. But rest assured, he is the mightiest and wisest wizard I've ever heard of.

[charming_freckles]

No kidding? Sounds interesting! If I run into her, I might have to ask for some details! But thanks again for responding to my call! I hope you'll like my cake! And I remembered to bring the recipe too!

[Sue holds up her basket cheerfully.]

[busy_fists]

I'm sure it's delicious. Come on in, let's both try a slice together.

[charming_freckles]

That sounds great!

[Sue sets her basket on the kitchen table and fishes out the recipe for him.]

I'm not sure that this won't be a recipe you've already seen... I got it at the library. But I think it turned out well!

[busy_fists]

Well, it definitely smells good!

[He glances over the recipe.]

Yeah, this is a pretty standard setup. You want to cut us each a slice?

[Heading over to the kitchen drawer, he brings out a cake cutter.]

[charming_freckles]

Certainly! How large a slice would you like, sir?

[busy_fists]

Just a small one for now. Wouldn't want to spoil my dinner.

[charming_freckles]

Okay!

{Sue serves up a thin slice of cake. Overall, not much you could fault in the dessert! It's moist and tasty... although if you're not a chocolate-holic, it might be a bit too chocolatey.]

[busy_fists]

Hmmm... tastes like you added some extra chocolate. Not bad, but maybe a little overpowering.

[charming_freckles]

Wow, I did add extra chocolate! You're good!

Maybe I should balance it out with another flavor next time...? Maybe use a different flavor of frosting?

[busy_fists]

Vanilla might be good. Buttercream is always nice, too.

[charming_freckles]

Huh, buttercream... I don't think I've ever tried that before! But it sure sounds tasty!

[busy_fists]

I like it a little better on yellow cake, but everybody's got different tastes.