[Video]

[mypartnerintime]

[The video opens up to Max standing in the kitchen, smiling halfheartedly at the camera. A small streak of flour stains her hoodie's shoulder.

Yup, it seems like Max has hit a not-so-uncommon phase among residents: baking.]

So, uh, I made a cake.

[She pans the camera around to said cake. Is it the first attempt she's made? You bet it isn't! Is it nice and moist inside? No way! Did she give up on decorating it, smear chocolate frosting all over it to cover up her mistakes, and bombard it with star-sprinkles as a distraction? She sure did!!]

This is a little beyond my stomach capacity, so... if anyone wants any, you can come nom on it here.

[She pokes it with a fork, because that's what you do to cakes, right? Especially when they're the suspicious sort.]

I just can't promise that it's actually chow-downable.

Comments

video

[fulllifeconsequences]

Golly, Max! Is that chocolate?

[Of course it'd be chocolate that catches their eye. No comment on the sprinkles - rainbow stars aren't theirs, and it's been so long. So long, they really shouldn't be allowed to still miss Asriel, right? They should be over it by now.]

It doesn't look half-bad, for an amateur attempt!

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[mypartnerintime]

[Okay, first of all, does the cake look so bad that it's not even clearly chocolate? Max eyes it with a slight frown to try and figure it out.

Secondly, when was the last time Chara talked to her, and how badly could this possibly go? Max eyes the cake to avoid looking at Chara.]

Uh, thanks. The world could always use more chocolate. [She glances at the screen.] Do you want any?

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[fulllifeconsequences]

Of course I do! Have you ever known a kid who would turn down free chocolate cake?

...Oh, wait. Unless you're still buying into the "demons don't taste anything" thing. Did we ever go over that? If we didn't, then you won't have to worry about if it came out right or not, will you? If it tastes awful, I wouldn't be able to tell!

private text

[postictal]

[He hasn't forgotten the dreams. Nor has he forgotten their last conversation. Probably benefits everyone if he keeps it all quiet, keeps himself quiet.

But after that last event, whatever the hell happened with that machine thing, he feels - better, almost. Clearer of head. Like he could do things, so he should.]

how you been doing?

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[mypartnerintime]

[The dreams are definitely still a thing. As is their last conversation. She's surprised that he texts her, and wonders if she shouldn't be.]

i dunno

i figured cake could only ever help you know?

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[postictal]

yeah.

[What's he say? "So you were in my dreams the other night"? Yeah, that should go over great. But there's still that needling in his gut, in his chest, in his...soul? That he apparently has?

Something urging him to keep going.]

it's never really easy.
losing someone.

action;

[uncaging]

[Elizabeth peers round the kitchen doorway to check whether Max is still there, then comes all the way in, raising her hand in a sort of half-wave.]

I heard something about cake.

action;

[mypartnerintime]

[Okay, of all the people that could possibly show up, Elizabeth is one of the best. Surely the other girl will be nice about the whole cake thing, regardless of taste and digestion.]

Hey Elizabeth. Yup, cake galore for everyone.

[She waves her fork in the air.]

Or just cake. Galore is debatable.

action;

[uncaging]

It looks lovely. [She gets herself a plate, cutting a generous slice.] I didn't realise you baked.

[video]

[punful]

[It's a tired Sans. When is he not tired? The answer is never.]

looks pretty good. i like the sprinkles.

[video]

[mypartnerintime]

...The sprinkles are probably the best part.

[Because she didn't make them herself! She pulled them out of the fridge and tossed them on.

There's a tinge of hesitation in her voice.]

You're welcome to try it- [She stops and stares.] You... actually do eat normal food, right?

[video]

[punful]

real colorful.

[The cake itself looks pretty good. Chocolate is nice.]

uh...well. if it's not monster foot it tends to, heh, go right through me. but the mansion plays pretty fast and loose with what counts as monster food, so.

[Shrug?]

text.

[arks]

It looks good.

( the choice of words is interesting, though - chow-downable. he hasn't heard that one before. )

text.

[mypartnerintime]

Never judge a book by its cover.

That isn't me being self-depreciating, it's just the truth.

i've actually gone past the choco layer.

[arks]

It's probably better than anything I could do, to be fair.

( whilst he managed to survive college relatively unscathed, jay isn't exactly the best chef. or baker. or much food related, really. he could probably burn water. )

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[boilover]

There's no such thing as not having a big enough stomach capacity.

You just gotta try harder.

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[mypartnerintime]

heh

in the words of a great teacher

"do or do not. there is no try!"

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[boilover]

True but geeky words.

I bet you can finish that cake. Easy.

[charlastan]

Eh - free cake is free cake. Everyone knows free is the best flavor there is.

[Stan isn't particularly picky, especially when it comes to sweets.]

So, what's the occasion anyway? Birthday? Bat mitzvah? Get divorced recently?

[mypartnerintime]

[Okay, all that's pretty funny, but Max only gives a small smile. She knew a question like this might come up, and she practiced what to say!]

It's my, uhh-...

My best friend's birthday.

[Yup, totally smooth!]

Well, like a week ago, but, you know... event. So.

[charlastan]

Ah. Right. Wonderland shenanigans do tend to get in the way of that sorta thing.

[He pauses, wondering if he should mention it, but...hey, she left all the pieces there to put together.]

So, I'm guessin' whoever it is ain't here if you're offerin' it to everyone else, huh.

[action]

[mourning_ghost]

[Nageki greets Max when he enters. He hadn't checked his phone in time to see the announcement before he entered the kitchen, so the cake is a surprise to him.]

Is there a special occasion?

[The kids at the Hatoful House used to make a cake on the anniversary of the day that a chick came to live there and he wonders if Max is doing something similar.]

[action]

[mypartnerintime]

[Max seems a little glum when he comes in, but seems to brighten as she catches sight of him.]

Hi Nageki! I haven't seen you in a while. It was my, uhh, my best friend Chloe? It was her birthday like a week ago.

[She sighs.] I would've done this sooner, but there was an event, so...

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[justmakeroom]

Looks pretty good. Special occasion?

[ Not that she has to share that information, of course, but she's curious, if she's willing to divulge. ]

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[mypartnerintime]

Uh, yeah. [Max pauses, looking away for a moment before turning back to the screen.] It was my best friend's birthday about a week ago. I didn't really know what else to do, so... voila. Cake.