Claws too Close [Khaana, Amaranta]

Even though her presence on the couch was a common fixture, she was located in an entirely different part of the house today. In turning her head to the side, Khaana would immediately discern the woman of the hour as she set out a collection of groceries she brought from the store.

There was her favorite set of snacks - a veritable collection of junk food that would sate her tastebuds - and various meats and vegetables. Additionally, there were a multitude of seasonings she had borrowed from a certain someone and a few others she brought from the store after studying what tasted good on the ingredients she had set across the counter.

There was beef on the cutting board and chopped vegetables in a bowl, set beside it. It took her a minute, and a few wasted vegetables to bring it all together, but she was proud of her handiwork now. From the kitchen, she heard Khaana's voice as clear as day, poking her head out to grin at the woman, her voice booming with laughter.

"Haha! There's the Princess of the Hour! You've seemed to have healed up well after our last battle. Long time no see. Come in here and take a seat."

"One of my boyfriends, actually. A cute guy with a mouth just as vulgar as mine."

In reality, that wasn't nearly anything close to the truth. Provocative words that hardly confirmed her auburn-haired companion's inquiry. The women in her inner circle had never prepared a meal for her, let alone broached the subject of culinary interest. When she desired to learn this essential skill, part of her reasoning stemmed from a competitive desire to maintain a superior edge over he roommate.

The first person that came to mind who could his own relatively well was Vanyel, and since there was familarity there, she approached him and went from there. The stubborn bastard was a real pain in the ass at first, but he meant well, and she recognized it was better to follow his instruction since she requested his aid.

Now, she was putting all that cutlivated effort and knowledge to the test as she continued preparing her ingredients, momentarily pausing at different intervals to wash her hands and ensure that everything was in its ideal place. Now, what was the play here? Stew or Stir-Fry?

"At any rate, how've ya been?"

"Of course, I kicked your ass. You asked me to fight you while you were still recovering. What else did you want me to do that day?"

Turning her head in Khaana's direction, she discerned the woman opening her fridge to grab a carton of milk. A bowl of cereal over what she was preparing over here? Amaranta hadn't accounted for that, but it wasn't going to stop her from preparing her meal.

She had intended to share it with Khaana, but if cereal was her food of choice, who was she to impose anyting on her? There was a visible pout that momentarily danced along her lips, but it quickly vanished as she lightly shrugged her shoulders.

Tossing the respective ingredients into the pan at low heat, she reached over Khaana's arm to grab one of the bags of chips she'd bought, moving back to the other side to lean against the counter. Tearing the bag open, she answered the Khaana's question with blunt honesty.

"At first, that was the intention. I won't bother denying it. She prepared a meal for me recently, and it didn't taste half bad. I decided to try my hand at it out of a competitive urge, but... after I learned a thing or two from that guy I talked about, I thought it wouldn't be half bad to learn another human custom, another human skill. I called ya in here with the intent of trying it out, but it seems like your mind's already set on a boring bowl of milk and cereal."

"Lose gracefully, eh? What can I say? I'm a stubborn lioness at heart. Graceful defeat isn't my style, ya know? That said, you are developing into a great rival. As much as I hate to admit it, that means a weakling like me, the one you lost to, has to step up their game."

Flashing a condescending smirk in response, Amaranta tore into her bag, tossing a handful of spicy potato chips into her mouth. What a damn brat, through and through. Of course, that's why she had grown so fond of her to begin with. Beneath that pretty exterior, there was a ruthless warrior who rarely backed down from a challenge. An endearing trait, to be certain - one she found profound joy in pressuring until she unearthed something new. When she chose to be intentionally obtuse, Amaranta chose to engage her in this game as she politely shook her head, haughtily mimicking her voice.

"No, of course not. I prefer a winner's meal. Enjoy that loser's bowl of cereal, Princess. As for Kanako, I don't hear her complaining. We're actually on speaking terms now."

Turning her head back to the pan, she neatly tossed meat and vegetables around with a spatula. Tilting her head to the side at each question she offered, the bronze woman turned back to Khaana with a lopsided grin. How curious.

"Hoh? I always assumed there were rules for bringing my little 'playmates' around. Of course, if you're so curious to see my boyfriend - and potential husband to be - I'll gladly bring him here for a visit. He's not super tall, but that's fine. He makes up for it with his martial prowess."

Blowing a kiss to her imaginary lover, Amaranta shrugged her shoulders as she transitioned into the next question. This time her tone was far more genuine in comparison to the words prior.

"Nah. It isn't hardly anything like that. At first, I did want to show Kanako up. The unruly competitor in me couldn't accept the idea she had something else over me besides her cero prowess. Then, it turned into something else. Since I recall her saying she cooked for you, I suppose part of me felt inspired to learn the skill and do the same in the end, but now I don't know. I think my boyfriend might appreciate it more since he taught me what I know."

"Of course I do. I was the last man standing, after all. Pushing me to the edge that day only motivated me to step my game up. That said, you've improved. You've grown bolder. That's a nice look on ya. I'm so proud."

Recognizing the intent in her question, a piercing glint flashed across her fierce sapphire gaze. Most of her existence was built on narrow victory. Even if the gap was slowly but surely closing between them, it simply meant she had to surpass her limits. Refine her fire and transcend her current state.

What would she stand to gain from defeating her, anyway? Khaana knew her well enough to know the profound joy such a moment would bring her. The sheer degree of battle lust that would awaken. From what she could recall, there was zero interest there. That had already been established. Maintaining her whimsical grin, canting her head to the side, Amaranta chortled softly, holding the woman's gaze as she responded - an air of nonchalance dominating her tone.

"Sure thing, Princess. We can meet him somewhere. I don't mind introducing you two, and he is a real catch. Good cook, an elite martial artist, and he's handsome. What else could a battleaxe like me possibly ever want?"

Of course, there was some curiosity in her colorful gaze as she stared into that void in her eye.

"Though I do wonder. Why does my boss want to meet my playmates? Meet my boyfriend? Afraid you'll grow restless after ya hang up your streaming banner?"

Voicing that genuine question with an upraised eyebrow, Amaranta patiently awaited her answer. Did she mind it? No, not necessarily. What would that even look like? She wondered. How would it go? Various questions, various scenarios. Some amusing, others less so. Curious food for thought if there ever was.