Baking by Touch (Finished!)

[Dark]

Minh considered the young blind woman, wondering how much was safe to say concerning her own experience in regards to rank prejudice. Asha seemed like a trustworthy enough girl, but she still wasn't sure how Aiolos or Jani would appreciate her openly discussing the specifics of their particular business relationship with a near-stranger.

"You know...I might know somewhere that might be willing to take you on--it's a bakery/cafe that's just getting on its own legs, and I know they're looking for someone who specializes in breads and the sort. I don't think the owner's are as prejudice of rank as most, and I might be able to put in a good word for you."

She smiled pleasantly, and took another bite of bread to encourage the girl. It really was a shame so much negative energy was directed towards Ace-ranked individuals, but they could only make the best of it. Maybe Aiolos would be willing to help. Though she doubted it.

She tried to keep the frown off her face.

((Xenon, if you want to do a closing post, or just close it, then this thing is a wrap. <3))

[Kiki]

Dark, Kasatsu and Xenon receive 1 token each, to be redeemed in Ashwin's Shoppe. This will automatically be added to your recorded totals in the shoppe. Congratulations, and keep up the good RP!

[Kasatsu]

Eating her piece of bread she simply remained silent while watching the interaction between her mom and their host. This bread really was quite spectacular, some of the best she had had in a very long time if ever.

Her mother knew someone who was about to or had just opened up a café and bakery? That did indeed sound very interesting and was very cool. There was a chance that Asha might be able to get a job there also? That was even better!

“Oh, that is a wonderful idea Momma! I am sure that this bread would be in very big demand! It really is extremely delicious,” She said with a big nod before grabbing another slice. “Momma you should definitely put in a good word for Asha if she is interested in the job. If they are not prejudice against rank then it would be a very good decision for all around I am sure.”

[carcinoGeneticist]

The blind woman's eyes widened slightly at Mihn's words, her small and rounded ears lifting slightly with a dawning recognition of what, exactly, had been said. A bakery that would be willing to take someone like her? It didn't seem possible, but... Her father had spoken in great lengths about the woman, and she just didn't seem the type who would say something without considering it quite a bit.

Asha knew that people who did not follow normal rank prejudices existed, but it was seeming to her that they were extremely rare. All the same, it was hard for her to keep her over-excitable heart from nearly skipping a beat just at the thought.

"R-really?[/b]" she finally said, a small smile gracing the corners of her muzzle. Hope bubbled up inside of her, a small feeling that she would keep safe within herself for as long as she could, like a beautiful butterfly held safe within a glass ball. As pathetically sappy as it was... It had been a while since the girl had felt hope like this. "That would mean the world to me. And.. thank you both so much for your kindness. I've... only really ever cooked for my family before.[/b]" she said quietly, her smile spreading quickly across her face.

[Dark]

Minh polished off the piece of bread, and with only the slightest twinge of conscience reached for another, “I’m sure you’ll manage smashingly, though I have to warn you that the owner can be a bit…prickly…at times.” Minh smiled as she thought of Aiolos; ‘prickly’ didn’t even begin to describe the stoically homicidal darling. He wasn’t anywhere near the rail-thin, shifty-eyed animal that she’d brought home, and she felt he’d made significant progress in curving his natural impulse to kill (and not ask questions later), but he wasn’t exactly overly friendly, either.

Asha seemed to be the type that could manage the sort of thing, though, and Minh felt rather positive about her current scheme. It would all turn out for the better, for everyone involved; if Asha could survive Aiolos’ rapid mood swings that is.

First, though, there would be the matter of introducing them, and Minh puzzled over the best way to coerce Aiolos into doing what she wanted.

[carcinoGeneticist]

Asha found herself taking a piece of the bread at long last, feeling satisfied that she hadn't rushed into it too quickly. It was something that she didn't easily admit, but she did love her cooking and took a fair amount of pride in it. For teaching herself, she felt she did a damn good job of it, and when she sunk her teeth into the still warm bread it was with a small smile. She considered Mihn's words carefully. "I can... probably deal with prickly,[/b]" she replied after a moment, waiting until she was finished chewing to speak. "My sister Ceren was rather... irritable when I was younger.[/b]"

It wasn't that Ceren was a bad sister, it was that she had a number of issues coping with what Asha was. The skunk hadn't been able to blame her, either - for a girl with as many ambitions as the sparrow had, having a sister with Asha's... issues was sure to be quite a troublesome thing.

That was all in the past, and Asha cheerfully tossed the last bite of bread into her mouth, letting out a soft and content sigh as she finished it. There were much more interesting prospects at hand for the girl now. "If you're willing to put in a good word for me, Miss Mihn,[/b]" she said, thinking carefully. "I can bake up some samples... I mean, if you're sure they won't have an issue with... my conditions.[/b]" Her being blind was difficult enough, though those who knew her also knew that she had little trouble getting around it. Being an Ace... was a much bigger issue.

[Dark]

Minh felt the beginning of a tick—isn’t that what she had just said?—and fought down the impulse to flee the premise. She wasn’t emotionally equipped to deal with Asha’s insecurities; she had never pretended to be good with people, and comforting them was just not something she bothered with. Ever. It never turned out the way she hoped, and generally it was more trouble than it was worth.

Asha made delicious bread, and Minh thought she would do well by herself at the café, but self-doubt wasn’t going to get her anywhere and Minh honestly didn’t know what the girl wanted her to say. Minh had made the gesture, offered to put in a good word, but that was all she could do. Ultimately, Asha’s fate rested with Aiolos. He wouldn’t care about her rank, but he would care if she acted like a sniveling coward.

“Don’t worry about it too much; your bread speaks for itself.”

[Kasatsu]

Elyse ate more of the delicious bread while Asha and her mother talked business. Or at least it had the makings of buisness. She was sure that her mother would help out the realm-mixed skunk out.

Giving another nod of her head she backed up her mother's comment once again. “This really is delicious bread, Asha."

The three of them sat and small talked for a while longer, enjoying the company. It was a little while later that Elyse happened to glance out of the window. Leaning over she nudged her mama softly and gave a small wince.

“I would really hate to cut our enjoyment here short but Mama, since miss Kel has not arrived yet, we should probably head out. Otherwise we are going to miss the shop for our supplies before it closes."

She gave an apologetic smile to Asha before she realized that the female would not be able to see it. “It was really nice to meet you Asha, I hope that we can meet each other again in the future."

[Dark]

Minh nodded, absently aware that the gesture was lost on Asha, and glanced at her pocketwatch. Elyse was right of course—and they really did need to pick up those supplies—but she couldn’t help but wonder how such a level-headed child had come from her womb. Especially considering the sort her brother had turned out to be, the little rascal. So perplexing, genetics.

“Right you are, dear. We had better get going,” she stood, stretching, “It was a pleasure, Asha.” Mostly; sort of; or maybe it would have been if social engagements weren’t the equivalent of pulling teeth in the Minh-centric universe. “I’ll leave directions to the café; I suppose you can ask your mother? I’ll speak with Aiolos this afternoon, so feel free to drop by anytime.”

She waved her daughter towards the door, “Off we go. Poke your mother for me, will you?” Minh escaped.

[carcinoGeneticist]

((wow this took forever >> sorry guys))

When her attention was drawn to the rapid passage of time by the sweet Elyse, Asha blushed darkly under her fur and laughed. How easy it was to lose track of time when there was good food and good company to be had? The skunk's ears flipped back slightly, embarassed by how late she'd kept them, but she smiled all the same. "Oh, dear! I'm so sorry for keeping you so late,[/b]" the Ace said, giving them another smile. "Thank you so much, Miss Mihn, Miss Elyse, it was a pleasure to meet you both![/b]"

Asha walked the pair to the door and opened it for them, giving them another small bow and smiling at Mihn again. "I really appreciate it. And I will. She and Theofilus must have had a late dinner-meeting... I'm sorry you couldn't see her tonight.[/b]"

After the guests had left, Asha stood in the doorway and waved in the direction she thought they'd vanished into. Then she went back inside, feeling her way back to the table and sitting down, a thoughtful expression on her face.

What should she make for dinner?