Following that other one... [video]

[runs_on_batteries]

If there are any kids- both big and small- who don't want to be alone right now, I'm making hot chocolate and blanket forts in the dining room.

Also, bring a blanket.

Comments

[sobothersome]

"I think I'll wait for the cookies!" Now they were out of the oven, the smell was even stronger and his stomach gave an eager rumble. They smelled delicious and he couldn't wait to try one. Bacon didn't hold a candle to the allure of trying one of those cookies.

He looked away from the tray to the woman and blinked a bit, taking a second before he answered. "I'm Maru. Hi." And then he would wave one of his little paws in greeting, because why not?

[sweetnessandfight]

"Well, they've got to cool a little, but that's what the racks are for. Give them a minute or two, then they'll be perfect--crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside, and begging for a glass of milk to wash them down with!" Chuckling at that--she shook her head. "I sound like a hawker in a market in Ul'dah. Gracious!"

Sarai finished putting the cookies on the rack, and scraped the sheet she had out over the sink, giving it a few swipes with a sponge to make sure the crumbs were off, and a cursory rinsing before fetching a clean towel to wipe it down with. She spooned more cookie dough on to this sheet, putting it in the oven when it was ready. She checked the other set, decided it needed a few more minutes, and closed the oven door.

She wouldn't be terribly surprised if she caught Maru filching a cookie--though it wasn't truly filching. He seemed the sort.

[sobothersome]

Oh no, Maru was actually a good cat. He was happy to wait now he'd been told to, and because waiting promised him a cookie. There was also the fact he didn't know that this woman wouldn't mind if he'd taken one without despite her saying no, what if he took one and she yelled? Threw him out without any cookies? No. The risk was too great! He would sit and patiently wait the few minutes until he could have one.

So, instead of staring at them like some dog, Maru's gaze had followed the woman and watched what she was doing. She was very efficient. And now the kitchen smelled of cooking and cooked cookies and it was just plain delicious.

"... I don't know where that place is. Sounds fancy."

[sweetnessandfight]

"Oh, it's a place on my world. One of the city-states. It's in the Sagolii desert and is a big trade center, so it's not strange to find people hawking wares there."

He had permission! Though she'd pour him a saucer of milk AND give him a few cookies for being a patient sort.

"I don't suppose you'd be accepting of a scratch behind the ears for being a good kitty? Or is that too much of an imposition on your person?"

Some cats only wanted affection on their terms, after all, and he wasn't her cat so she'd know!

[sobothersome]

Maru looked down at the saucer of milk and looked back at the woman. This was the risk of being a cat, he supposed. So he picked up one of the cookies with a paw.

"... If the milk could be in a small cup, I don't mind pets." In fact he actually liked them. At least since coming to the train. People seemed more inclined to want to pet him here than back home and that was fine with him.

[sweetnessandfight]

"Of course. I wasn't sure what would be easier--saucers are usually the preferred method for cats back home." She chuckled, then, a bit awkwardly. "Sorry!"

Waste not, want not, so she carefully poured the milk in the saucer into a small cup and topped it off with some more milk before handing it over. Sarai let him enjoy a cookie first before moving in to scratch behind his ears--carefully, well aware that she has claws!

"So, do the cookies pass muster?" She had to ask.

[sobothersome]

He wasn't a usual cat, as proven by how he was eating the cookie with his paws. But he was happy when the milk was put into the cup, one that looked like he could probably lift. And then she pet him. And, of course, Maru gave a happy little purr when she did.

"Uh-huh, they're really good!" He replied after swallowing his mouthful, and then scooted forward to dunk the rest in the milk to monch on that.

[sweetnessandfight]

"You seem like something of a snack aficionado, so I had to ask. I've had a bit of culinary training, but I'm not quite on my husband's level. Not that you can miss him, I think he's the biggest person on the train!" Sarai laughed at that. "It's always fun when Purple's turn to make food comes around."

Mostly because Sarai really enjoyed cooking and baking. It was fairly clear that her mood was turning around--and not just because Maru was cute. Though he certainly was that!

[sobothersome]

"I like snacks." Maru replied with a shrug. He wouldn't have used the same word as her, but it was alright.

"... I'm not a bad cook." He was just too damn lazy to do it usually. Instant foods were so much quicker and easier to deal with. But that this lady and her husband knew how to cook were good things. Even better that she could make really good cookies. He liked them a lot.