Chapter 6

Let it go.

The cat was staring her down again. Blake swore she could sense the inherent hostility within the small black felines calculating stare, not that she could prove it mind you, but there was something menacing in the way that the kitten glared at her.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she repressed a shudder. Macha hadn't so much as let Blake out of her sight for a single moment since her first waking moments in the apartment. Velvet herself had nearly doubled over in laughter when she had come out of her room to find a paralyzed Blake staring in wide eyed terror at the tiny menace who had, at some point in the dark quiet of the night, taken up residence atop Blake's chest.

"Aww she likes you!" Velvet said, almost squealing with delight at the sight that greeted her. Blake spared a moment to aim an icy glare at the bunny eared girl before returning her attention to the tiny animal that lay on her chest. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to fling the creature away from her but its cold stare kept the older girl frozen in place.

Dear Goddess help me she had thought as the cat moved to stretch herself out further over Blake's chest in a movement that undoubtedly conveyed the cats claim to ownership over the Faunus girl.

Velvet continued to chuckle as she went about getting ready for school, all the while allowing her new roommate to be held hostage by her kitten. Then when Blake had begun to think her host devoid of any kind of mercy, Velvet gently leaned over the bed and lifted Macha up and off of Blake giving her sweet reprieve from the demonic beast.

"Alright" Velvet began as she set the now irritated Macha down on the floor besides the couch "I'm so sorry I can't stay and chat Blake but I have to get to school. I have a few late classes today so I won't be back until this evening." Velvet paused to put on her heavy wool jacket over her sweater before she rushed out the door, calling over her shoulder as she did so. "There are leftovers in the fridge for dinner. If you get bored I have some books in my room that you are more than welc-"

Blake didn't give the girl a chance to finish. The instant the word book had passed her lips the cat eared Faunus was up and alert in seconds.

"Books?" she asked, her eyes alight with excitement as she took the bunny eared girls arms gently in her hands. "What kind of books?" Velvet's eyes widened in shock at her companion's sudden exuberance however that shock quickly dissipated into mild amusement. Velvet opened her mouth to speak when a small beeping sound began to emanate from the watch on her wrist. Glancing at it her eyes widened to an almost comedic level.

"Oh God, is it already that late? Sorry Blake, but I have to go you'll have to take a look at the books yourself." Velvet briskly walked to the door of the apartment, pausing at the doorway for but a moment to call out over her shoulder to the feline Faunus.

"Alright, you two behave now. I'll be back this evening take care!" And with a small wave she exited the apartment leaving Blake in silence.

The cat eared girl heaved a heavy sigh as she glanced down at the kitten who sat next to the bed staring up at her expectantly.

"Guess it's just you and me huh?" she muttered, blowing a strand of hair out of her face, in mild irritation. After a moment she swung her legs over the side of the bed and was proud to admit that she only winced slightly as her bare feet came in contact with the icy wood flooring. Blake pushed herself to her feet and walked briskly to the kitchen.

After a few minutes of struggling Blake was finally able to make herself a cup of coffee. The sweet scent of caffeine flooded her senses and caused her to let out a soft moan of pleasure as she inhaled the addictive aroma. As she drank down her caffeine fix she took a moment to take in her surroundings.

The apartment, which had appeared so warm and alive the previous evening, suddenly seemed lonelier somehow. Smaller and colder without its master's exuberant presence to keep it alive. However even without these things the small apartment still felt, welcoming and for the first time in forever she felt at peace.

"This is my home now" Blake said, in a voice so soft that it had more in kin with a light sigh then a whisper. Blake smiled hesitantly as she took another sip of her coffee with one hand and used the other hand to hug the oversized sweater to her body, the words sending a shudder of pleasure through her. Blake felt warm, and her body practically vibrated with nervous energy. For a long while she simply sat there. Listening to the howling wind which blew just outside.

I have to do something, something to let Velvet know how grateful I am. I wonder…god it's been so long, I mean I really couldn't. Could I?

Curiosity and a desire to repay her benefactor driving her, Bake stood and moved swiftly throughout the kitchen. Gathering ingredients of all shapes and sizes, placing them all on the countertop in a tight order, dry ingredients on the left and wet ingredients on the left. With a rare smile she reached for the flour and began to mix the ingredients together.

It wasn't long before Blake lost herself in the process of baking. Taking pleasure in the comfort that the activity gave her. Baking had always been something that Blake took special joy in, it was something she could lose herself in and it brought her no small amount of joy.

Blake was just about to mix in the cinnamon when a loud knock at the door broke her concentration, causing her to jump creating a small brown cloud of spice to billow up around her. Blake began to cough uncontrollably and her eyes began to burn as she stumbled out of the kitchen and moved towards the front door.

"I-I-I'm coming!" She called. When she reached the door she took a moment to readjust her sweater and wipe the tears from her eyes before unlocking the apartment door. Upon opening it she was shocked to find an older woman standing before her. She had greying silver hair done up in a French braid that she wore over her right shoulder. Her grey blue eyes glided over Blake's form taking her in with a hint of concern as she began to speak.

"Oh dear, are you alright dearie? Blake blinked in confusion for a moment before she responded hurriedly.

"o-oh no I-I am fine. Its nothing, I was cooking and got some spice in my eye. Umm can I help you?"

The concern vanished from the woman's eyes, replaced with a enthusiasm that stunned Blake. The woman shot out a hand and took grasp of Blake's own and she began to shake them roughly.

"Oh my, forgive me lass I nearly forgot to introduce myself. I am Gretel. And you must be Blake." At Blake's confused look Gretel quickly continued. "you met my husband Hansel last night? In the elevator? Anyway it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, you seem like a bright young lass, you'll be great for our Velvet. "

"Uhmm Thank you?" Blake said nervously as her confusion continued to grow.

"Think nothing of it love, now let's see what you're up to in the kitchen shall we? Give us a nice chance to chat and get to know one another don't you think?" Gretel exclaimed smiling. Blake started eyes wide as the older woman gently pushed past the feline Faunus girl and entered the apartment before Blake had a chance to react. Blake stared after the older woman, bewildered, for a moment before gently closing the door and hesitantly following.

"Mhmm, not even in the oven and it already smells wonderful in here. What are ya making lass if I may go so far as to question?" Gretel asked conversationally as she stuck her finger in the large mixing bowl, bringing a dainty, battered covered, and finger to her lips. Blake's breath caught in her throat as she watched Gretel sample the batter.

Oh Gods, she is going to hate it. Then she'll accuse me of trying to poison her niece, oh god oh god oh god

Blake tensed up, waiting for the inevitable scorn that she was sure was coming. But, it never did. Instead Gretel let out a small noise of satisfaction and turned to Blake with a smile on her face.

"Not bad love, cinnamon spice cake I'm assuming?" Blake nodded and began to wring her hands as she felt everything begin to spill out of her mouth.

"I-I wanted to make Velvet something nice, y'know since she has been so good to me by letting me stay her. I-I can't make much and I'm no good at…people so um I thought I would bake her something. Its incredibly stupid I know, a little cake won't even begin to repay your niece for everything she has done for me by letting me stay here." Blake whispered this last part as she turned her gaze to the linoleum floor in embarrassment of her outburst.

Gretel stared at Blake for several seconds. Several emotions crossing over her face, concern, sympathy, and then…amusement. Seeing the confusion the bloomed on Blake's face, Gretel moved to wrap an arm around the frail dark haired girl. Blake stiffed but after a moment she found herself leaning into the embrace of the older woman, finding comfort in it even.

"No need to beat yourself up over such things love. A kindness given needs no reparations. Although if you're looking for a way to impress my darling niece then why don't you let me help you eh? Well make a spice cake that will have my dear Velvet singing your praises for months to come, what do you say to that dearie?" Gretel said this with a wink which caused a crimson blush to cover Blakes face as she nodded. Saying shakily as she did so.

"O-Okay Mrs. Baldemar." Gretel let out a long laugh filled with both joy and more than a fair amount of mischief as she directed Blake back to the counter to begin their work, saying cheerfully as she did so.

"Oh dear none of that Mrs. Bull, Call me Aunt Gretel or better yet Call me Auntie that's what Velvet has called em since she was old enough to walk and talk. Always a jabber jaw that one, quiet at first but once you get her going let me tell you there's no end. God bless her little heart."

As they began their task Blake felt a small smile touch her lips as the older woman lost herself in her task as she reminisced about her niece. A strange warmth began to build up in her chest and although she couldn't place its origin she relished in its warm glow as she too lost herself once more into her favorite hobby outside of reading.

A/N: Thank you for reading! Let me know what you thought! Next chapter well be diving into Velvets school life! Until next time take care and blessed be!

-Crystal

p.s Blessed Imbolc one and all!