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It's been so long since you've actually talked to him like a real person, and the loneliness was starting to get to you. You didn't wanna go another day without 'human' interaction.
So after hours of planning, you hatched up a plan. A half baked plan, but you had to try something to get his attention.
Would he probably yell at you or break your wrist? Yeah. But you're sick of sitting around.
You sneak into the kitchen, as if you're forbidden from being here.
Rummaging through the cabinets gives you just what you need. You ponder for a second of what flavor he would like. Chocolate? Strawberry? Maybe he likes carrot- no he wouldn't like carrot.
You decide to go for vanilla, you feel like it matches his 'fun' personality.
You grab everything you need, anything that the book you grabbed the other day called for.
You stirred the dry ingredients, cracked the eggs, spilled wayyy too much vanilla extract into the batter, and before you know it you poured it into a pan and shoved it into the oven.
You take a moment to thank whatever is above for all the supplies and ingredients, and thank it for Septem's weird enjoyment for a routine meal.
Looking at the book you go to the next step, and make the filling and frosting, and just as your done the oven dings, telling you its finished.
The smell of toasty vanilla warms your face when you pull it out, and a sense of pride washes over you when you realize you've miraculously cooked it (probably) just right. A little crispy on the edges, but nothing a knife couldn't fix.
You stack the layers and frost it, and decide that you're too lazy to add any decoration.
Then viola, the vanilla cake was done!
You grab whatever else you need and carefully take the cake over to his study quarters, passing through hallway after hallway until you got there.
You creep your head in, and by the way he slumps further into his paper work, he had already seen you. You still keep the cake hidden behind your back, giddy with the secret only you hold.
"Heyyy buddy!" You greet in a rather cheesy manner.
He doesn't reply, still staring at his paper work with no sign of him looking up.
You don't give up on trying to create conversation, "Must be reading something interesting, aye?"
"Just get your book." He waves his hand, dismissing your attempts.
"I'm not here for a book." You admit. You saying that only seems to make him more miserable.
He completely gives up in trying to look serious, and just lays his head on his desk, hiding his face. "Then leave." He growls half-heartedly.
"Well, I'm here for a reason I'm pretttyyyy sure will cheer you up." You give a wide corny smile. You tip toe over to his desk, and to your luck, Septem seems to exhausted to shoo you away again.
He peeks his head so you can see his eye. It was looking at you with clear annoyance.
When you're close to the desk, he flops himself over and sits up. "Make it quick." He demands.
"It's going to be, it's going to be!" You reassure.
You pull out the cake from behind you, presenting it proudly to him, feeling yourself glow with pride.
He raises his brow, "A cake?" To your dismay, he didn't sound impressed. That didn't waver your positive attitude though.
"Yup!" You place it on his desk, gently reordering the office supplies to fit the cake. You place a napkin down, along with a fork and knife. "Would you like some?" you ask.
"No thank you, I have no time." He pushes away the napkin.
"Oohhh, c'mon! Just have a slice!" You suggest, but you're already cutting out a slice as you say so.
"Fine." He gives in rather quickly, but his voice is cold.
His body language is closed off as you give him the slice. His eyes inspect it, as if it had to be 'up to code' for him to eat it. "Vanilla?" He glances up to you.
"Yup! You seem like a vanilla type of guy." You shrug.
"I prefer carrot." He replies crudely. He picks up the napkin with the slice on it, taking the fork and eating a piece.
That preference comes off strange to you. You never saw him as a guy unique enough to like carrot. Granted, Septem was definitely...unique, but he never gave off the 'quirky' kind of unique.
Even if he likes carrot more, he seems to enjoy the cake, as he takes a second and third bite. You watch, glad to see your hard work pay off.
"You should give yourself your own slice." Septem advised, gesturing to the cake.
You shake your head, "I'll get myself a slice when I return back to the kitchen. Would you like another slice before I go?"
"No please," He eats more of his slice, "take a seat, I insist." For whatever reason, he relaxes in his chair.
You never thought you'd see him so relaxed, though that's honestly not saying much. The day you see Septem fully relax is the day that pigs fly.
You take a seat, and carefully watch Septem as you give yourself a slice, worried he'd suddenly object.
He doesn't though, and just stares at his cake, not concerned with what you were doing.
"So uh," you decide to attempt at making a decent conversation, "how's it going?" You eat a bit of your cake, and your pleased when you realize that it's a pretty decent cake. Not as moist as you like it, but solid, and the frosting is delicious.
"Fine." Septem said plainly.
"That's good, that's good." You nod awkwardly.
"You?" Septem glimpses at you, eyes dull with a lack of sleep.
"Okay as I can be." You raise and twist your blackening arm, numb from rot.
"Mhm." He hums in agreement. "I'm surprised the puppet has held on for so long."
"How long do placebo's usually last?" You queried.
"That's never really been observed. You're probably the longest living one."
"Oh." You frown.
"Second, actually." He rephrases.
You tilt your head, confused by what he means. He doesn't say a word, simply pointing at himself.
Right, of course he'd be the longest living one.
The rest of you two eating was rather quiet. Every once in a while you'd say something, and he'd make a comment or two about it until he stopped responding all together. It didn't seem to be out of a lack of interest or frustration though, rather of just not knowing how to carry out a normal conversation.
It didn't stop you from occasionally making small talk, and he didn't seem to be upset. In fact, he listened to whatever you said with much intent, as if he enjoyed listening to your rambles.
Perhaps he did, the thought made you all warm inside.
But of course, he finished and asked you to leave once more.
Without even trying to argue, you pick up the cake (and everything else you brought) and head towards the door.
"Thanks for letting me pester you." You look behind you, watching as he started to look over his papers again.
"No, thank you." For whatever reason, he smiled. It was a strangely warm and genuine smile, and you almost flinched from the honesty. You weren't sure if it was a facade, or if he was actually being truthful.
"Goodbye Septem." You wave.
"Goodbye."
You leave, and somewhere in your heart you feel all fuzzy inside.