Homemade Apple pie

Auntie Gretel it would seem was right. In the weeks that followed Velvet spoke of little else but the glory that was, as she put it "The best spice cake I have ever tasted." Needless to say the praise made Blake blush a deep burgundy color even while a warm glow of accomplishment radiated in her heart.

The two girls quickly set into a routine that suited them both. Velvet would awake as soon the first beams of the sun began to filter through the blinds in her room. Then after a quick shower she would gently wake Blake up before she left for her classes.

While Velvet attended her courses Blake would busy herself with tidying up the little apartment, reading, or begin work on dinner, after the second week it was decided that Blake was by far the better cook and Velvet relinquished the position to her most nights. Though she insisted on cooking during the weekends stating that 'It was only fair."

When not cooking, reading, cleaning, or getting to know Macha (After several weeks Blake no longer flipped out whenever the curious kitten invaded her personal space, though she still would tense up and watch the kitten warily as if waiting for the day that she would drop the friendly act and attack, and Blake swore she would be ready for that day.) Blake would spend her free time visiting with Auntie Gretel. She found that Auntie was a delight to be around, always full of warmth and never without a smile, the older woman was always ready with a delightful story or some insight on Velvet that would leave Blake in a fit of giggles and Velvet mortified.

Velvet should have known that Aunt Gretel's invitation for dinner would she would kick the stories into high gear. Unfortunately she had ignored her instincts and now she sat at dinner with Blake across from her and her aunt and uncle on either side of her as her aunt regaled them all with stories from Velvets childhood.

"Oh and you should have seen her, she stood atop the hay bale and cried out that she was 'Queen of the castle' and then proceeded to run around the farm with her little princess costume, demanding that all the animals swear their loyalty to her."

Blake lost it at the image of a year old Velvet dancing about a farm in a frilly pink dress. As her laughter rang out over the dinner table, being joined by both Aunties and Velvets uncle own, Velvet slunk further into her seat as her face turned nearly as red as the Kool-Aid in her glass.

Its good to hear her laugh though, its actually rather pretty. She thought absentmindedly.

"I don't see what is so funny." She stated defensively, a small pout on her lips. "I was 8, one should expect such things of an 8 year old." Auntie shook her head and placed a comforting hand on Velvets shoulder as she took a breath in a loose attempt to quiet her chuckles. "Oh dearie, don't take it personally. If it helps you were definitely the most precious little queen to ever rule over the barnyard." Velvet rolled her eyes and playfully swatted the older woman's hand away.

"Oh yes, well I suppose I can take some comfort in that if anything." She stated in a mock sarcastic tone. She then turned her attention back to the piece of apple pie on her plate. Taking another bite she had to restrain a small moan of pleasure as the flavor washed over her.

Blake had truly outdone herself with this piece. The twist of cinnamon and sweet flavor of the apples, heated to the perfect temperature, provided for cacophony of taste that had Velvet and her family grinning from ear to ear.

"This is absolutely wonderful Blake! "Her uncle cried enthusiastically as he finished clearing his third plate of the sweet desert. He leaned back in his chair and gently patted his stomach for emphasis. "I would never have believed you had absolutely no professional training."

The raven haired girl in question blushed furiously at the compliment from her seat across from Velvet. Velvet saw the raven hair girl squirm a little before answering in her usual quiet, tentative voice. "T-thank you Baldemar, that is very kind of you to say. I am glad you enjoyed it so much. It was the least I could do for you allowing me to join you and your family for dinner."

Baldemar waved his hand dismissively "Think nothing of it lass, any friend of Velvets is welcome at our table. In fact you may as well be family at this point. "He chuckled to himself as he stood and began to clear away the dishes from their meal. Velvet's attention was completely on the raven haired girl. She watched as Blake's eyes widened slightly at the offhand comment before a look that Velvet had long since become accustomed to cross the girls face.

It was a wistful almost sad look that made Blake look years older than she really was, a look that Velvet had seen on many faces among the Faunus population over the years. Over the last month since Blake had moved in, Velvet had seen that look on her face more often than not. At the beginning it had been nearly consistent but as time passed and they talked and laughed and got used to one another the look faded until it usually only appeared in moments in which Blake thought Velvet wasn't watching in the late hours of the evening just before bed.

Auntie stood to help her uncle, Blake had begun to stand as well intending to help clean up the mess from dinner however Auntie was quick to sit her down.

"You're our guest sweetie. Don't worry about the dishes, Baldemar and I have them. To tell you the truth I'm glad for it, it's only when we have guests that I can get him to even look at the dishes." And with a lighthearted chuckle the older woman retreated into the kitchen, leaving the two girls alone.

Blake was the first to break the comfortable silence that settled between them. "Your family is very kind." Velvet smiled softly at the comment before replying "Yes, they certainly are something. I am glad that they were willing to let me live here on my small salary. It's hard being so far from home. Unfortunately my studies require that I attend school in the city. "

Blake sat quietly for a moment, taking the information in before speaking, curiosity clear in her voice. "You mentioned you were studying Human-Faunus relations? " Velvet nodded. "What made you want to work for such a degree? I knew many Faunus who would have loved your opportunity and none of them would dare go into such a field. Rather they would try and further their own wealth in an attempt to escape poverty. "

It was Velvets turn to look sad. A twinge in her heart that always threatened tears when she thought of the difficulties involved in her chosen line of study. "I haven't lived in the city long. A year, maybe two at most. Before that I was not necessarily sheltered from the reality of the world but the true horror of the Faunus's situation was watered down."

Blake leaned forewarned, her hands folded in front of her, completely engrossed in Velvets words, she looked at the rabbit Faunus as though she was the only thing that mattered in the world to her in that moment. She said nothing though her body language conveyed that Velvet should continue with her story. Velvet leaned back in her chair, heaving a heavy sigh as she searched for the right words to continue.

"Where I grew up, people aren't as cruel to the Faunus. Perhaps it's because we are so spread out between the different homesteads and farms that no one really wants to trouble themselves with going out of their way to discriminate us so harshly. I honestly don't know, maybe just maybe they don't really care." She paused and took a shaky breath before continuing.

"In the city it's different, a lot different. People are packed so closely in with us that they can't just ignore our existence like they do out there. So our people are treated like second class citizens. Everything fought for during the great Human-Faunus war seems to have been forgotten and we are left in a position that is not much better than it was before the war. Our people are slaves in all but name. I want to better our position in the world, through other means then violence. It is my firm belief that violence breeds more violence. I know that if we work for it we can find a peaceful resolution."

Blake nodded, a thoughtful look on her face as she contemplated Velvets words. Velvet remained quiet while she waited for her response. Only a few weeks spent together yet Velvet was starting to find it easier to pick up on Blake's moods and actions. Blake had shown that she was incredibly thoughtful and learned in many subjects.

On some of Velvets off nights they would stay up late into the early hours of the morning talking about various subjects ranging from classic literature to complex philosophical theories. Velvet had been absolutely stunned to learn that Blake had never had any formal education. When she asked how she knew so much Blake simply replied "I like to read. That's all I did growing up, it was my escape from the world."

"I think that is very…optimistic. "Blake began slowly, her voice soft her words hesitant yet deliberate. A hint of nerves clear in tone. Her eyes distant and masked with a pain that Velvet had seen before. Sadly become familiar with, it was a look of loss. "H-However I hope that you're right. I-ve seen what violent revolt can do. I've seen violence spiral out of control and destroy so many families. So many orphaned, so many killed…even I am alone now because of such violence."

Blake's voice caught and she let out a shuddering breath as she visibly blinked back tears. Velvet felt her heart ache and she quickly stood and moved to Blake's side, wrapping the woman in a tight hug. gods she's shaking. Velvet thought as she squeezed her closer, although Blake had made huge steps since their meeting, it still took so little to set the girl off. She hated to make the comparison however Blake reminded her of an animal that had long been abused by its owner. Jumpy and always wary of anyone's intentions.

Blake looked up, her teary golden eyes meeting with Velvets very serious brown. Velvet gave the hand a tight squeeze before speaking again, words that would spark something that Blake had thought long since dead in her, hope.

"You're not alone Blake. You have me and you have Auntie and Baldemar. Like my uncle said you are family to us. To me. "

Blake pulled away from her embrace slightly and looked into her eyes, searching for something. Searching for some hint of deception. But she found none and that seemed to hit home with her as she buried her face into Velvets neck and for the first time returned the embrace. Velvet gently stroked Blake's hair and back soothingly, much like her own mother had down when she was a child. After some time Velvet reluctantly pulled away from the girl.

"C'mon let's say goodnight to our family, then lets head to bed. I want to take you somewhere tomorrow." Blake tilted her head in question. Velvet chuckled and shook her head.

"I don't want to give away the surprise, but let's just say I may know someone who can give you a job that suits your passion." The look of pure excitement that sparked in Blake's eyes as she nodded would stay with Velvet through that night and into the next morning, bringing a warm tingling sensation to her heart.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Sorry it's so late. Please leave a review to let me know what you thought. Next chapter well be meeting several of Velvets close friends , Love and light! )0(

-Crystal