"I don't use anything artificial. Even the food coloring we use here is all natural and homemade. Then again, though, even natural food can be bad for you if you eat too much of it. Corn syrup is a common sweetener, but it's still not healthy even though it's all natural corn product. All in moderation, you know?" She smiled easily, taking a bite of the waffles she had in front of her, mixing it with one of the mustard leaves.

"I'm glad you seem to like it. The most important thing to a chef is that the person eating their food enjoys it. You have to put a lot of thought into each dish so that the person it's for is in mind, so that every bite is made with interest for that particular person. After all, everyone is different and likes different things. That's part of what makes cooking fun though, to me."

"I was planning to, yes. I've always wanted to be a pastry chef. Richard said that when he retires, he might have me take over for him. He's always treated me like family, so I guess he sort of thinks of this bakery as a family business. But...It makes me happy to think I can do that. This place is my home, and it's a place I love to be. So if I can keep working here even after school finishes, it'd be very nice."

He nodded, "He thinks very fondly of you. I bet it's nice to have a 'father figure' sometimes." He shrugged then smiled, "Pardon my asking, but what year of high school are you in? I can tell you're obviously not a freshman..but beyond that, I'm at a loss."
[[Pardon my lame ass post..xD]]

((It's fine. It still gives me something to work off of, no? :3))

"This is my senior year," Chloe replied simply, smiling. "I know, I'm a little smaller than the other girls our year, but it's sorta nice to think that this year I can work more on my cooking afterward." She giggled slightly, smiling back as she finished her food and stood up. "I'll clean up. Your free to do as you wish, of course. But let me know if you decide to leave if I'm still washing." Taking each plate into one hand, she split from the scene, heading back into the kitchen and running the water to give the dishes a good cleansing.

"I'm not just going to eat and leave, Chloe. That's just rude." He smiled, following her into the kitchen, "You sure you don't want me to take care of those? I feel a bit bad that I'm just standing here."

[[Blaaahh Im just not feeling it
xD]]

"Cleaning is part of cooking, you know." Chloe responded swiftly in response. She was quick with the dishes, working them easily from any dirt that had gotten on them during their meal. "Housework is another thing I enjoy. That's why some people at school say I'd make a good housewife, though I don't ever plan on such a thing. I'll always work on cooking for customers if I can help it."

((How can we gt you more into it then? xD))

[[I have no idea..ive been a bit down cause i think i failed a class
Dx]]

He couldn't help but chuckle at her, "You're a strange one Chloe. I've never met anyone who likes to do housework. Hell, I don't even bother with it. I have..people for that."

((That could be part of why you're not as into it, can't it?))

"It helps keep me moving," Chloe replied with a smile. "I was in charge of it for a long time when mom got sick, before she passed away. It helped me keep going though, somehow. Just doing it, seeing the way mom would smile when she found out I was working so hard for her... It made her so happy, it made me happy too. And even afterwards... It was a great way to keep busy. So I sorta just ended up liking that aspect of it."

[[Possibly.. :3
Sorry..Im just like...BLLAAHHH RPING..xD
/eventhoughyoucan'tpullmeawayfromtheotheroneimdoing withbovice]]

Nicolai nodded as he listened, "I really do live a lazy life..thank you for putting that in perspective." He laughed a bit, shoving his hands into his pockets, "Is there anything in particular you would like to do today? I hear the weather is going to be very nice."

[[Is there a way to make you feel less "blaaaaah rping" =o We must find something that will help! This shouldn't be a chore, after all.]]

"Haven't I troubled you quite enough already?" She chuckled a bit, finishing up her work. She took a simple seat on the counter, though it wasn't the most graceful thing to do or see. Her legs swung idly as she did such, trying to keep moving even after having done quite a bit already. "It isn't necessarily bad to live more idly. Everyone has their own needs and thus has to live in a way that fills those needs. Most people say I'm just too much of a busy body."

((Yay! A post! Oh...And...We seriously need some sort of plot twist.))

"By the tone of your voice I'm guessing that's a lie, but...I'll ignore it for now." Chloe smiled, looking upward towards the ceiling slightly while still letting her legs hand in gentle motion. "To be honest, it's not really common for me to stick around someone for very long in general, no matter what race they are. I don't really know why I've been doing it today...But it still makes me happy to hear even if it's uncommon. Maybe I just have trouble with humans...Normally I don't meet many vampires or otherwise. I can usually tell, too. I don't know why though...I wonder if my mom could when she was around?"

Nicolai shrugged, "Not a clue. Honestly." He chuckled, giving her a smile, "It's my charming personality and devilishly good looks." He looked up slightly,lifting his hand and doing a little twist/circle with it by his cheek. "Not to sound conceited, of course. Perhaps she could? I couldn't tell you. It's extremely rare for a human to be so sensitive to us like you are, but it's not always a bad thing."

[[Like whut o3o]]

((Not really sure, but I feel like we're just droning on now xD))

"You do realize the way you said that made you sound a tad narcissistic, right?" Chloe couldn't help but laugh, smiling in respond anyway. "Though, I won't say you're fully wrong or anything, and self-complimenting is a good thing for one's self esteem...But still." She shook it off, soon jumping off the counter, landing well on her feet, though not the most graceful landing there could be. Noticing a calender nearby, she frowned upon noticing the date, as well as the red circle around it.

"Oh...I have something to do today. I got so out of myself that I forgot!" She laughed nervously. It was uncommon that she'd forget that day. In fact, it was the one day of the year she almost always took off from work, to her boss's pleasure. "I'm afraid I have an...errand to run. I won't impose on you any longer, then, I suppose. It would be foolish for me to do so.

He shrugged, "Hey, what can I say? I only speak truths! Ah, but don't worry, I don't usually keep up that front for long. I find it rather annoying. Either way, I don't want to keep you form something so important." He stepped aside, motioning for her to go first, "Lady's first, of course."

[[Liek..epic rescue scene from bad man?]]

((That works 8D And it isn't that strange for a bad guy to go to a grave site, is it...? Hm...))

Chloe nodded slightly, taking a few steps and walking through the kitchen door. She looked behind her as if to check on him, smiling. "Thank you again for today. It was nice to talk to someone outside work for a change. Don't forget to say hello again sometime, kay? Let's not be strangers."

She said this before walking again, of course, heading to a coat rack near the front door of the bakery and putting on the red rain jacket, worried for rain to come. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she did the zipper. "Now to go to the memory stone..."

[[Not at all ;D]]

Nicolai headed out right after her, "You'll be seeing quite a bit of me. I can't keep myself away once I've found such a nice little bakery." He smiled, putting his hands in his pockets then went on his way.

((Should be fine then. Should I play the bad person or would you like to?))

She headed towards the park at a brisk pace. The sun made it hard to keep straight as it blinded her slightly, but her muscle memory knew exactly how many steps to take in any given direction to get to the final spot. When she got to the park, she found the meadow at the far end of it, walking towards a lake. Crossing a bridge into an island of sorts that sat in the middle, she knelt quietly next to a tall boulder, which had paint on it that stated words from memory. She read them aloud quietly.

"Fiona Kitski. Much loved mother, daughter and sister..." She sighed, adding, "You're missed. You'll always be missed. Mom...Are you still watching me? The flowers... They're blooming just like that day. Do they make you smile like they always used to? These cherry and plum blossoms that grow in this meadow...You really did cherish them, didn't you?"

[[You can o3o]]

Nicolai walked along slowly, Hmm..I wonder what I shall do today...I dont feel like doing the usual. After a moment, he decided he would just walk aimless around until he decided on something.

((I need ideas as to how to bring the bad guy in then xD))

[[I unno what else to post so its gunna be mega-lame]]

Nicolai sighed as he entered his apartment on 19th street. He pulled his vest off, hanging it up on the peg just on the inside wall by the door. He then decided to just crash. While he didn't need sleep like humans, a vampire still require some at least every other week. With another sigh, he flopped onto the couch, leaning back and closing his eyes as he fell into a light sleep.

On her way home, she was wary. She'd finished praying for her mother. She didn't have anything to do. However, the alarm bell in her head was ringing. She got near the apartment building, due to it being near the bookstore, as she'd decided to take a stop by there. However, a man who had been anywhere she'd been wrapped his arms around her neck. She couldn't shake him off, and began to scream to let go. Others in the area backed away, and some tried to call the police- however, a gun was noticeable in her pocket. His grip was tight, and she couldn't move, but she screamed as loud as she could. However, his eyes were filled with something she couldn't place, and it made her far more frightened than she could remember.

((Sorry if it sorta kinda stinks))

[[Aw i like it o3o]]

Nicolai was jolted awake as a tremor of shock went through him. This is what I get for linking to other people's minds. Gah. He stood, quickly assessing who it was. Chloe..dammit.. He quickly stretched, then noticed how close to his location she really was. What was she doing on this side of town anyway?

With a slight growl, he suddenly appeared a few feet behind the man holding Chloe, "You know, some people really don't like to be just yanked off the streets."

((I have decided who to base him off of so now I actually can give him a personality. Gasp.))

The man, surprised, shoved Chloe out of the way, causing her to fall from the strength of his sudden push. Those around stared in fear, Chloe struggling to her feet.

"You know, some people really don't like to have their business tainted with your opinion," The man responded harshly. The venom in his voice was also in his eyes, which glared at him with a tainted glance.

Chloe looked at them, shaking slightly as she managed to wipe off her skirt. "What do you want with me?" She looked at the stranger, whose dark hair was abnormally black, likely dyed.

"You're rather well known, you know, girlie. Ya need money, I can provide it. You just provide some...service."

"I have a job, thank you." She replied with a huff. He grinned devilishly, and she simply took a step back. However, knowing the man was behind him, the stranger didn't actually take more than a step closer.

The man took a step back. Somehow, he had the sense that Nicolai could be a dangerous person to anger any longer- and, behind Nicolai, Chloe was getting the same sense. The man growled and noticed a car coming towards him, causing him to gruffly enter it. Chloe tugged on Nicolai's shirt, too timid to actually touch him more than that. "H-How did you..." She wanted to know how he'd figured out to get there. However, the words couldn't escape her. "Why..."

Nicolai would not let him get away scott free, of course. With a bored sigh, he used a touch of telekinesis to break the man's leg after he scurried into the car. He turned, feeling Chloe tug on his shirt. He gave her a slightly confused look, "You're quite loud to someone whose apartment is on the third floor of that building." He pointed to the nearby apartment complex. "As to why, whether I had never met you or not, I still can't sit idly by when something like that is about to happen. Are you alright?" He gently placed his hand on her shoulder, giving her a quick once over, "No physical damage..that's good." He could still tell she was a bit panicky. "Chloe, please settle down..." He gently pulled her into a light hug, "It's alright, just relax."

[[Must..go..to..bed..x.x
But..I..cant..x.x]]

((Did you get enough sleep since you posted? :3))

"No one else came when they could hear me," Chloe noted. Her breathing was a tad faster than normal, as though she'd just been running, but besides that and her rapid heart-rate, she seemed to be fairly conscious of her anxiety and managing to control it. She looked upward towards the apartment complex. "I never noticed...There were apartments near the bookstore..." She let out a deep sigh, still slightly clutching the cloth of his shirt to keep calm, but less panicked as she had been. "I'm sorry...For the trouble..."

She'd have laughed at his earlier sentiment if she could keep from choking on her own breath from trying to calm down at the same time. Rubbing her eyes slightly as a way to keep any water from coming out of them, she clung onto his shirt, gripping it tightly. "I...Can't go home right now."

"I can walk on my own," She sputtered, however her action of not trying to move a minute amount away from him made it seem otherwise. When he set her down, she made sure to take her shoes off her feet before placing them on the couch, pulling her knees to her chest. "It always...happens like this."

She was quiet as she spoke, as if troubled. Her eyes were focused on the a simple spot on the floor, dazed. "I was late seeing because of someone like that...And when I got there, it was too late. I never...Got to say goodbye." Her voice was distant and wary. She placed her face into her knees, nuzzling her nose in the middle. "She died without warning, and every year on the same day, those people come up to me after I see her, like they're following me and waiting or something..."

She let out a sigh of sorts, not looking at him. "Why couldn't I have known you in middle school?" She laughed, but it was weaker than her normal laughter, and even less genuine then average. Her usual front was subsiding slowly. "I wish my brother would have said something like that back then, actually. He wasn't even there though."

"It's not like I can just go to the police without a name, and the appearances are common so it's not like I can just describe them either. And I don't really have time to ask them about their name when I'm trying to get away from them..."

"Once the day ends, I won't have to worry for a year anyway. They never seem to come unless it's the anniversary. It's usually why I hide in the bookstore on this day of the year. That, and to find new recipes. It sort of helps lift me up after visiting her."