cakeverse bakery (SFW/NSFW??)

[phantom_memory]

*behind a charming wood door carved with the image of a fork and knife lies a sumptuous bakery, walls lined with shelves upon shelves of fresh bread and pastries warm from the oven. a massive glass case in the center offers serve-yourself slices of cake and pie, surrounded by small tables and comfy chairs to enjoy them on. upon entering, some may find themselves robbed of their sense of smell and taste, unable to enjoy the rich flavors the room has to offer... but in turn, may find that those who can have developed an irresistible flavor of their own.*

Comments

[scarlet_chains]

*When Pairo suddenly turned and started walking in a different direction than the one they were going in, Kurapika could do little else than follow along, mildly amused at the way his friend kept sniffing the air. And sure enough, they've reached what looks like a bakery, with the sweet smell of freshly baked goods inviting them inside. But the way Pairo's face falls has him looking back at the boy with a frown.*

What do you mean? It smells good to me.

[phantom_memory]

*kurapika's response is even more disheartening, carving the frown deeper into his face.*

really? i can't smell anything at all...

*stepping further inside the room, he turns this way and that, struggling to make out his surroundings without the use of sight or smell. it's hard enough missing one of his five senses, leaving him feeling helpless without two. he turns back to kurapika, brow furrowed in confusion.*

where are we?

[scarlet_chains]

*Kurapika tilts his head in confusion, not seeing how Pairo could suddenly lose his sense of smell when the smell of baked goods has only gotten stronger after they opened the door.*

Can you really not smell it? But you're the one who lead us here...

*He puts a hand on Pairo's shoulder, looking into his eyes.*

Come on, Pairo. Are you pulling my leg?

[phantom_memory]

*pairo shakes his head, distressed.*

no way, honest! i could smell right up until i stepped in here!

*hearing his own words, the obvious explanation begins to sink in.*

maybe it's an effect of the room? but why only me...

[scarlet_chains]

Hmm…

*Kurapika puts his palm against Pairo’s forehead, brushing his bangs aside. Nothing abnormal there. He removes his hand again and gestures into the bakery.*

Well, it looks like they’ve got some good stuff here. Why don’t we take a break and eat some lunch? I’m sure you’ll be able to taste it, at least.

[phantom_memory]

*pairo holds still as kurapika's hand braces his forehead, finding the warmth of their skin equally matched. he frowns as it retreats, skeptical of what the room has in store for them.*

i sure hope i will...

[scarlet_chains]

*Kurapika smiles and moves further into the bakery, stopping in front of the counter to look at the display, leaning over it with a hand to his chin.*

Hmm, looks like they mostly have cakes. There's chocolate cake, apple pie, carrot cake, strawberry shortcake... what are you in the mood for?

[phantom_memory]

let me try the chocolate cake. seems like it might be the strongest...

*feeling particularly blind right now, he inhales deeply, trying to make out any scent on the air. he thinks he's caught a faint echo of one nearby, but following it only brings him back to kurapika's side. he sighs.*

so, it's a bakery?

[scarlet_chains]

Oh, right. Sorry. Yes - it looks pretty similar to the coffee shop from earlier, but a little more fancy... there's so much to choose from. But the chocolate does look good.

*He reaches into the open glass case and grabs the plate with a slice of chocolate cake on it, holding it in front of Pairo. From this distance, there should be no way he can't smell the rich chocolate aroma wafting from it.*

Want to share?

[phantom_memory]

*pairo nods, still unable to smell anything but the slightest hint of a scent wafting from kurapika's outstretched hand. he's still afraid he won't be able to, but perhaps tasting the cake might spark his senses back to life.*

let's find somewhere to sit down. i'm a bit disoriented...

[scarlet_chains]

Here, take my hand.

*Kurapika frowns worriedly, as Pairo seems a bit out of sorts. He grabs the boy's hand and leads them over to one of the tables laid out across one half of the bakery. He helps Pairo sit down, and sets the slice of cake down before seating himself across from his friend.*

Here, why don't you try a bite?

[phantom_memory]

*pairo gladly takes kurapika's hand, the warmth of his touch grounding him in the absence of his other senses. he sits down and waits to hear the plate meet the tabletop before tentatively reaching for the fork.*

i'll try...

*scooping off some of the cake, he brings it to his lips, pausing to sniff the odorless chunk with apprehension. just as he'd feared, it's like clay on his tongue, a gooey lump with no flavor at all. his mouth forms a frown as he plods through chewing it, disappointment sinking his heart.*

nothing...

[scarlet_chains]

*Kurapika’s eyes widen at Pairo’s reaction to the cake, having expected his friend to eat the forkful with gusto. At his declaration that it tastes like nothing, he has to try it for himself. He picks up his fork and takes a bite, noting how the pleasant taste of chocolate fills his mouth. He looks back at Pairo with worry.*

This tastes… good. Really good. Are you sure you’re not sick, Pairo?

[phantom_memory]

i'm not sick, kurapika -- it's got to be the room...

*he'd been so excited to follow the bakery's scent down the hallway, eager for another chance to share a cozy meal with kurapika. perhaps, even... a date. but those hopes are crushed now, leaving him sighing with disappointment in his seat.*

...i guess i just won't be able to enjoy it with you.

[scarlet_chains]

*Kurapika blinks, finding it hard to accept that if this is an effect of the room, they're not both experiencing it. What if Pairo is in danger and he can't do anything to stop it?*

If it's the room... why are you the only one that's affected? Is there something we've missed?

[phantom_memory]

i don't know...

*he's just as lost as kurapika, dumbfounded by the imbalanced effect.*

...maybe we should try something else?

[scarlet_chains]

You’re right. Let’s keep trying. Maybe your senses have just been temporarily numbed. You can still hear me just fine, can’t you?

*Kurapika leans over the table and takes Pairo’s hand, stroking him softly with his thumb.*

Can you feel this?

[phantom_memory]

*pairo's pouting face takes on a rosy blush as kurapika takes his hand, his concern comforting him even though it brings them no closer to an answer.*

yes, i can hear and feel just fine. and my vision is the same as ever...

it's just smell and taste that seems to be missing...

[scarlet_chains]

*Kurapika uses his grip on Pairo's hand as leverage to stand up from his chair, pulling Pairo onto his feet as well. His heartbeat has quickened with worry, but he's trying to stay calm until they can determine if Pairo really is in danger or not.*

Then let's try some more. Which one would you like to try now? Or should I pick it, since you can't smell them?

[phantom_memory]

*pairo keeps a firm grip on kurapika's hand, offering him a sheepish smile to reassure him back.*

i'm afraid you'll have to pick for me.

[scarlet_chains]

Okay, come on.

*Kurapika leads Pairo back to the cakes, studying the selection once again. He tries to assess which piece looks the most flavourful, wondering if that would help Pairo be able to taste anything. He eventually settles on a glass cup full of what looks like crème brûlée. There’s only one spoon, but he doesn’t mind sharing - blushing slightly at the reminder that it won’t be the first time they’ve shared bodily fluids.*

This looks good - it looks like a sweet dessert. Let’s try this one.

[phantom_memory]

*pairo reaches out to touch the glass, feeling the cool dessert contained within and relishing that he's at least retained his sense of temperature. he nods, reasoning that even if it's at tasteless as the last, at least it'll be refreshing on his tongue.*

sure.

[scarlet_chains]

You should taste it first - here, try cracking the surface with your spoon.

*Kurapika hands Pairo the spoon and leads his hand to the surface of the dessert, resting the back of the spoon on the smooth, hard, crystallised sugar surface. He wants Pairo to have the first crack, as it were, at the dessert - because the satisfaction of breaking the surface might help with the disappointment he might feel should he still taste nothing when he puts it in his mouth.*

[phantom_memory]

*curious, pairo prods at the surface of the dessert, finding it hard against the silver of his spoon.*

oh! it's crystallized...

*a smile tugging at his lips, he gives it a sharp tap, savoring the sound of the sugar cracking under his spoon. at least he can enjoy these senses, in the absence of his others.*

here goes.

*scooping up some of the creamy substance underneath the fractured surface, he takes his first bite. the interplay of the delicately crispy topping and the cool body of the dessert is pleasing on his tongue, but he can't fully enjoy it without perceiving its taste. the apologetically disappointed look on his face tells kurapika all he needs to know.*

[scarlet_chains]

Still nothing? Hmm...

*Kurapika takes the spoon from Pairo and takes a bite of the dessert himself, finding it to be delightfully sweet and satisfying. He closes his eyes, spoon still in his mouth, savouring the flavour while furrowing his brows in pleasure until the dessert dissolves and melts away. He removes the spoon reluctantly and looks back at Pairo with a frown.*

That's so odd. It tastes delicious to me... But what would be the point of removing your sense of taste? Could it just be the room's idea of a practical joke, to torture you with all these treats and not letting you taste them?