The Troubles of A Lioness and a Lizard [Private: Kanako/Amaranta]

"Hoh...?"

The usual routine had been altered in the blink of an eye. This overgrown arrancar was blocking her path. It was certainly a far cry from what Kanako typically did. Honestly, her sole impression of this woman was that she simply existed here. Nothing about her stood out enough for her to seize her attention. Indeed, it was certainly true that most of their interactions could be summed up in passing hellos and the casual, sometimes dismissive, wave of the hand. Confronted by her now, Amaranta simply offered her honest thoughts, puncutated by a lopsided grin and a casual shrug.

"What are you goin' on about? What'll bottle up and explode? I knew you for one day, you followed me, and now you're my roommate. There ain't no obligation in a contract or rule in this house that says I have to be amicable with you. Where've you been, anyway, huh? Didn't see you running to Khaana's rescue when she went awol, so why are you so invested in me, huh?"

"Weighing down on her, huh? What does that have to do with me? She hired you without asking me how I'd feel about it. As far as I'm concerned, that's her problem."

Voicing that thought with a dismissive shrug, Amaranta maintained a nonchalant expression as her golden gaze bore down on her. In truth, there was no denying the large arrancar's words. Of course, she hadn't anticipated a one night invite turning into a permanent housing arrangement. There was, perhaps, enough self-awareness to recognize that she hadn't gained enough permission to be welcoming in every arrancar she met, either, but Amaranta was far too stubborn to currently acknowledge that fact.

In response to that golden gaze, fierce sapphires exuded an immensity that could terrify a soul of lesser mettle before a soft exhale of steam exited the bronze woman's lips. It would've been exceedingly easy to simply brush the woman aside and tell her to piss off. On the other hand, she was somewhat impressed by her bold stance. Thus, she felt far more inclined to listen to this woman express the merit in building this "amicable" relationship.

"As always, the way you speak never ceases to annoy me. Anyway, I'm all ears. Where's the benefit in me being friendly with someone like you?"

"Hah? What sense does it make to ask you when you're offering to make me something, huh?"

Rolling her eyes as she rubbed her temples, Amaranta reflected on her words for a moment. She was aware this overgrown creature had been learning how to prepare food. She rarely interacted with her, but her nose never lied to her. Khaana wasn't the type who frequented the kitchen as a result of her streaming and seemed far more content to eat whatever suited her at the moment. Carryout or otherwise. Truth be told, Amaranta wasn't any different. Unless the food was tasteless and bland, she didn't mind ordering out to make her job easier. The patience for cooking was simply nonexistent in her life. Of course, the fact that she possessed - or danced anywhere close - to being a good cook annoyed her.

Annoyed her to such a degree that she couldn't quite pinpoint it. Was she trying to curry even more favor from her boss? Goddamn asskisser, through and through. Alas, Amaranta isn't one to turn down an offer to understand her rival's tactics. What did her food even taste like, anyway? If it tasted nasty, she'd say it straight to her face - in the most heartless fashion imaginable. Crossing her arms, she turned her head to the side as she moved past the woman to sit at the table in the dining room.

"Whatever. Go ahead and prepare something for me. Much as I hate to admit it, you're not wrong. Khaana's got the heart and she certainly had me on the ropes in our battle a few days ago, but I have to restrain myself to avoid killing her. After all, if that happens, we'd both be out of a job and right back to wandering the earth. Of course, there are so many gullible men out here, I could probably luck out and find some willin' simp to keep me housed. Men have a thing for dominant women these days, but where's the fun in living with a human doormat?"

Of course, she viewed that as a last resort more than a viable second option. Far be it from her to admit it openly, but she enjoyed her current position here in this realm. Beyond Kanako's presence, the company here wasn't all that bad. She was surrounded - as much she hated to begrudgingly admit it - by one strong individual in this overgrown lizard and someone with a fierce will in Khaana. She wouldn't trade for that for some willing schmuck she could walk all over with relative ease. A return back to her stomping grounds in Hueco Mundo sounded far better in comparison to that...

"Mm..."

No matter how much she wanted to deny it, the aromatic scent of meat and potatoes emanating from the kitchen was shockingly pleasant. To occupy her idle moments, she simply browsed through her mobile device in boredom, her attention only drawn away every time her nostrils were dominated by the well-prepared meal. When Kanako finally presented her with it, Amaranta's expression grew dumbfounded, as though she didn't believe the large arrancar had prepared it so well and made it look presentable. No matter. Presentation meant nothing if the food tasted terrible. Grabbing a knife and fork, she slowly cut into the steak, sampling the meat with a curious glint in her eyes.

"Hm!?"

No way. What the hell was this right now? What universe of madness was she occupying right now? Expectations defied, against all disbelief - this steak, these potatoes... were, with begrudging admission, quite delicious. What accompanied her shock was grumbling, as if she were still coming to terms with her current reality. Turning her head to the side, a shade of red playing across her sun-kissed features, she quietly offered her opinion on the food.

"Well, I'll be damned... this actually tastes pretty good."