Lily Hummed Happily As She Led Them Out, Nodding Approvingly To The Taste. Exactly What She Was After!

Lily brought the bowls over at the request, offering him a reassuring smile. "I know that you didn't mean to cause the panic. But the way it sounded, I thought you were being attacked or something." She explained, finding a cloth to start cleaning up the batter from... everywhere.

"Red velvet cookies, hm?" She hummed thoughtfully. "Well, we can give the recipe a try after we clean up, but let's read through all of the instructions before we try it." She suggested with a lighthearted laugh.

With the initial panic subsiding, she was back to finding his kitchen struggles endearing, her expression softening. "And if you're ever struggling with a recipe, you can call me for help."

Yes, he's done so by calling her today... but hopefully he'll call her before his apartment explodes next time-

[Phone call, Xavier's voice sounds urgent] "I'm in great danger I need you to come downstairs right now. Please! You're the only one that can help. In fact, the entire complex may be in danger if you don't help me stop this right now."

As soon as she registered the urgency and he mentioned 'upstairs', Lily was rushing out of her apartment, only sparing enough time to grab her guns as a precaution.

"I'm on my way!" She reassured as she hurried upthe flight of stairs between them. Her thoughts were already racing a mile a minute, wondering what could possibly be causing Xavier of all people to struggle and call for help, especially without causing much of a ruckus.

By the time she reached his door her heart was pounding and she was braced for a fight.

"At this rate you'll be able to bake on your own in no time!" Lily beamed, honestly proud of the fact. As much as she enjoys spending the time baking with him, she has a feeling that he'd enjoy being able to make things on his own without her supervision as well.

Making no attempts to stop him from tasting it, she watched him closely for his reaction. Nodding approvingly when he seemed to like it, she got him another spoon to use for actually icing.

"No, I didn't resonate with you," she reassured with a small laugh. "It's a pretty simple recipe to make red velvet icing. And we'll just spoon it on, like this," she explained before demonstrating by gently smearing some of the icing on top of one of the cookies from the first batch.

[Phone call, Xavier's voice sounds urgent] "I'm in great danger I need you to come downstairs right now. Please! You're the only one that can help. In fact, the entire complex may be in danger if you don't help me stop this right now."

As soon as she registered the urgency and he mentioned 'upstairs', Lily was rushing out of her apartment, only sparing enough time to grab her guns as a precaution.

"I'm on my way!" She reassured as she hurried upthe flight of stairs between them. Her thoughts were already racing a mile a minute, wondering what could possibly be causing Xavier of all people to struggle and call for help, especially without causing much of a ruckus.

By the time she reached his door her heart was pounding and she was braced for a fight.

Lily hummed happily as she looked around, finding herself reassured that it seemed to be a relatively small store. The fact it's kind of small, with a decent line already despite being relatively new, meant that it must be good!

She looked up to Xavier curiously at his question, then flushing a little. "I don't think I did anything too different?" She admitted, then grinning up at him. "Maybe it's just he excitement of getting to spend the day with you~!" She teased happily.

Her amusement turned to a playful pout at his teasing, sticking her tongue out before looking towards the menu again. "I'm not that bad at deciding..." She mumbled, despite knowing she very much can be, to the point she was deciding last night while she was doing her research. And had yet to fully come to a conclusion...

After spending the morning doing research on places in Linkon City that offer milk tea, Lily finally found a place that seemed like it would be a nice place to visit and had the coffee milk tea that Xavier mentioned. Plus it wasn't far from a few good places to eat so they'd have options based on what they were feeling up to without having to go all the way across town. Perfect.

Lily finally sent Xavier a text in the late morning.

'I found a place that has that coffee milk tea you mentioned! And it has really good reviews.'

After a moment of thought, she sent another text as well.

'And thank you for walking me home last night. I really appreciated it. It was nice, looking at the stars with you.'

If not for the sporadic texts, Xavier would still be asleep. Outside the birds that often bickered over his balcony were squawking at a volume loudly. The combination of factors is enough to stir him, just barely. He knows its her before having to unlock his phone.

↪[ Audio: I'm awake. I'm up. I'm coming. ]

↪[ It was nice. Let's do it again sometime ]

In a flash he rinses off, takes care of basic hygiene, and is donning a favored hoodie in spite of the weather.

By the time he gets downstairs, he's already rubbing his eyes again as he knocks on the door.

"I'm fine, don't worry... it's just a scratch. What about you? Isn't it a nope day? You should lie down..."

"I'm still going to worry," she insisted stubbornly, her eyebrows furrowed, "Sit down for now, I'll be right back."

As much as she knows she should listen to him and sit down, trust him to tend to himself, not over do it... She can't help but fuss. Is she going to pay for it later? Probably. But it's worth it to know he's okay now.

So she shuffled her way to the bathroom, grabbing a hair tie and messily pulling it back and out of the way for the time being. Once relatively satisfied with that, and once again dismissing the thought that short hair would be easier to deal with on days like this, she grabbed her first aid kit from under the sink and shuffled her way back to Xavier.

Does she do her best to be healthy and take care of herself? Of course.

Does she enjoy junk food as much as the next person? Absolutely.

So she hummed in agreement, laughing a little as she led the way to the nearest pizza shop. "So long as it isn't the only thing you eat this week, sure." She teased lightly. His thoughts about toppings earned some nods of agreement, snickering at vegetables being a second thought.

"We can try a few different meat and vegetable combinations, sure. I'm curious which ones would make good left overs, anyways."

After spending the morning doing research on places in Linkon City that offer milk tea, Lily finally found a place that seemed like it would be a nice place to visit and had the coffee milk tea that Xavier mentioned. Plus it wasn't far from a few good places to eat so they'd have options based on what they were feeling up to without having to go all the way across town. Perfect.

Lily finally sent Xavier a text in the late morning.

'I found a place that has that coffee milk tea you mentioned! And it has really good reviews.'

After a moment of thought, she sent another text as well.

'And thank you for walking me home last night. I really appreciated it. It was nice, looking at the stars with you.'

If not for the sporadic texts, Xavier would still be asleep. Outside the birds that often bickered over his balcony were squawking at a volume loudly. The combination of factors is enough to stir him, just barely. He knows its her before having to unlock his phone.

↪[ Audio: I'm awake. I'm up. I'm coming. ]

↪[ It was nice. Let's do it again sometime ]

In a flash he rinses off, takes care of basic hygiene, and is donning a favored hoodie in spite of the weather.

By the time he gets downstairs, he's already rubbing his eyes again as he knocks on the door.

Lily quirked a brow at Kaia's analysis, humming as she considered before doing a 'so-so' hand wave, only to laugh when Kaia admitted to just trying to find someone to balance out her own chaos.

"I wouldn't say I'm impeccable at cooking or anything, and I prefer baking, but I'm at least generally good at making things that are edible." She teased lightheartedly. "I'm actually more into reading and needle craft for completely non-work hobbies." She admitted.

"As for you..." She started, trailing off thoughtfully as she tapped her chin. "I feel like you're the artsy type. Fashion, perhaps?" She mused, but seemed a little uncertain.

"Oh, wait! Before you leave, what color do you think the jacket should b—" Not looking away from the clothing rack in front of her, she grabs the sleeve of the person nearest to her without thinking, and realizes a little too late that it felt... Different. She turns, blinking; the person she'd been talking to had left, and beside her instead was...

"Wait, you're—! Lily?! You're Lily, right?! Oh, my god, I am so sorry, I totally thought you were someone else! Gosh, and this is the first time I'm actually talking to you, too..."

—&&. @kaiakaya 🤍

Lily was more than a little startled to suddenly feel her sleeve grabbed while she was looking for a new jacket to replace her favorite one that has... been through it. It's getting a few small holes in it but she's already mended it so many times it's time to retire it.

She blinked in surprise at Kaia for a moment before she started laughing, keeping it relatively quiet for the moment so they don't draw too much attention.

"Yes, I'm Lily. You're Kaia, right?" She asked, hoping she doesn't make a fool of herself.

At Kaia's concerns about how this is the first time they're speaking, she shook her head with a smile and waved a hand dismissively. "It's alright, don't worry!" She reassured easily "Do you need help finding the person you're here with?" She offered, tilting her head slightly.

When he accepts the offer, Lily doesn't hesitate to return the hug. His caution to ensure she wouldn't be hurt or uncomfortable was appreciated, though she still did her best to give him a good squeeze. A little squishing is good for a person!

Letting out a small, content hum when he placed his head on her shoulder, her expression softened as she rubbed his shoulder. For a moment she debated if he'd appreciate it if she ran her fingers through his hair, or if he'd be off put by it. Deciding it best to test the waters, she moved one hand from his back to instead settle it on top of his head.

"You're more than welcome to ask me for a hug whenever you want one." She offered, keeping her voice quiet, almost a whisper.

( from @lily-of-the-linkon )

Lily holds her arms out slightly towards Dawnbreaker, hoping to make it so he won't feel bad if he refuses her invitation.

"Would you like a hug?"

His eyes light up briefly at the prospect of physical comfort.

"...Yes, I would."

He steps towards her, enveloping her in a gentle embrace to avoid causing her any discomfort, despite his wishes. He leans his forehead on her shoulder, closing his eyes.

Lily at least attempted to pay for their meal, sticking her tongue out at him as she stepped aside to wait with him.

"Then shouldn't you call me once you're caught up and ready for the rambling?" She asked, her tone both playful and genuine. She doesn't want to rush him after all, so it's better for it to be on his terms.

She took another sip of her drink, which was also mostly empty, though she didn't seem phased by the cold condensation.

"Maybe?" She hummed thoughtfully, absently chewing on the straw. "It would be nice, just get to relax for a bit."

After spending the morning doing research on places in Linkon City that offer milk tea, Lily finally found a place that seemed like it would be a nice place to visit and had the coffee milk tea that Xavier mentioned. Plus it wasn't far from a few good places to eat so they'd have options based on what they were feeling up to without having to go all the way across town. Perfect.

Lily finally sent Xavier a text in the late morning.

'I found a place that has that coffee milk tea you mentioned! And it has really good reviews.'

After a moment of thought, she sent another text as well.

'And thank you for walking me home last night. I really appreciated it. It was nice, looking at the stars with you.'

If not for the sporadic texts, Xavier would still be asleep. Outside the birds that often bickered over his balcony were squawking at a volume loudly. The combination of factors is enough to stir him, just barely. He knows its her before having to unlock his phone.

↪[ Audio: I'm awake. I'm up. I'm coming. ]

↪[ It was nice. Let's do it again sometime ]

In a flash he rinses off, takes care of basic hygiene, and is donning a favored hoodie in spite of the weather.

By the time he gets downstairs, he's already rubbing his eyes again as he knocks on the door.

Lily giggled quietly at his reaction to the boop, finding herself oddly proud of such a simple reaction. Perhaps it’s because she gets to see this side of him and gets to share such domestic moments with him.

“It honestly does take a lot of patience, especially when you’re first starting and more prone to messing up.”

She kept her focus on him carefully putting the dry ingredients with the wet, if only to ensure that she keeps a calm expression to not give away the fact that the scarf she is working on is actually for him. As long as she thinks it’s good enough quality for him, of course.

“I’m hoping that it’ll be able to serve it’s purpose, if nothing else.”

[Phone call, Xavier's voice sounds urgent] "I'm in great danger I need you to come downstairs right now. Please! You're the only one that can help. In fact, the entire complex may be in danger if you don't help me stop this right now."

As soon as she registered the urgency and he mentioned 'upstairs', Lily was rushing out of her apartment, only sparing enough time to grab her guns as a precaution.

"I'm on my way!" She reassured as she hurried upthe flight of stairs between them. Her thoughts were already racing a mile a minute, wondering what could possibly be causing Xavier of all people to struggle and call for help, especially without causing much of a ruckus.

By the time she reached his door her heart was pounding and she was braced for a fight.

VARIOUS SETTINGS / LOCATIONS PROMPTS *  location based prompts for starters, adjust as necessary

[ 01 ] a crowded masquerade party, on the dance floor

[ 02 ] the narrow space between two dusty bookshelves

[ 03 ] a shady spot in the sand under a boat dock

[ 04 ] the cereal aisle of a neighborhood cornerstore

[ 05 ] a one-stall, one-sink bathroom in a noisy bar

[ 06 ] standing next to the only car in an otherwise-empty parking lot

[ 07 ] a field of ready-to-pick corn, the stalks making it impossible to see the space around you

[ 08 ] the sun-dappled, grassy edge of a small lake

[ 09 ] intermission at a broadway show

[ 10 ] seated beside each other at a nail salon

[ 11 ] a desolate field in the middle of nowhere, just before a rainstorm

[ 12 ] a lonely bus stop at 2am

[ 13 ] the garden center of a home improvement store

[ 14 ] the only two people at a hotel bar on new year's

[ 15 ] on a bench beside a large fountain and its lit-up water display

[ 16 ] the messy chaos of an all-you-can-eat buffet

[ 17 ] a city rooftop with lightning in the distance

[ 18 ] a rusty fire escape

[ 19 ] inside an ice cream shop

[ 20 ] at the entrance of a lost temple in the middle of a thick jungle

[ 21 ] the waiting area of a busy doctor's office

[ 22 ] a city street teeming with news vehicles, camera crews, and reporters

[ 23 ] a hammock on the beach strung between two palm trees

[ 24 ] a locked door. the key is under the mat

[ 25 ] the large, ornate rotunda of an official building

[ 26 ] an empty, run-down subway car

[ 27 ] the only gas station for miles

[ 28 ] an airport café during the breakfast rush

[ 29 ] a wine tasting event for couples

[ 30 ] the cliffside overlooking a magnificent, roaring waterfall