Flour Wars! (Oliver)

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Gryph was out of the house for the day, which meant clothes came off for Tak. It was a hot day, and their apartment's air conditioning sucked, so the less covering her body, the better. She still had on a pair of tiny short-shorts, but her top half was free, and likely to stay that way until Gryphon got home. Probably even after he got home - she'd just go to her room. He knew by now what it was like to live with her.

But - oh, she totally forgot! It wasn't until a knock came at her front door that Tak remembered today was the day she'd asked Oliver to come over and hang out. She'd been so caught up reading a book about crystals and chakras, she'd forgotten. "Coming!" she called, hopping off the couch and darting to the door... And forgetting her current appearance.

She opened it with a wide smile. "Hey, sweetie!" she greeted. "I'm glad you could make it. Come on in, before you melt."

[Oliver Barnes]

As soon as Oliver found out about Tak leaving, his heart had sunk. Within the short amount of time of becoming friends, the pair had shared a lot about their history and the pain stemming from those events. He was sad to see her walk across the stage, but part of him had been relieved upon finding out that Tak's intentions were to stay in town and go to a local college nearby. It was selfish of Oliver to think that, but he genuinely cared about her and hoped to stay her friend for a long time.

Today, they had made plans for him to go over to her new apartment and hang out for the afternoon. Classes were done, she was graduated, and Oliver would be a senior come fall. It called for a celebration, even if it just meant a lazy afternoon spent together. With the directions in a text from Tak, he followed the directions, finally finding the apartment with little to no struggle. Knocking on the door, Oliver stepped back and waited for her to answer.

Wearing a plain t-shirt and beige cargo shorts, Oliver's smile involuntarily spread into a smile at Tak's greeting... when his eyes landed on... woah. His eyes widened in response, lingering for a moment before his cheeks flushed a deep crimson red. "Uh... uh, uhm... Tak your...." He couldn't even say the word, he was so flustered. Oliver's hands flew up to cover his eyes, swallowing hard. "You're... exposed." There. That was a tasteful word, right?

[Takchawee Ominotago]

It really was nice, Tak thought, to have a guy friend that she wasn't sleeping with, or even thinking about sleeping with. Oliver had already become a sort of... Almost younger brother figure to her, and she was determined to help him out with his problems as much as she could.

That problem-solving probably wasn't really helped by her current dress (or lack of), but that wasn't her fault, habits were hard to break! She'd stayed like this back when she lived in the dorms, at least...

So when Oliver's smile faltered and soon was replaced with shock and red cheeks, Tak looked down and... Woops. "Oh.... I guess I am," she chuckled. "Oops." She looked up to see the sweetheart covering his eyes, and she laughed, grabbing his arm and tugging him inside. "It's okay, hun, nothing scary here. But I'll go put on something if it'd make you more comfortable. Sorry for the shock." She smiled and waited a moment to see his response. "It's just so hot today, you know? I got into the habit back at Hammel... Guess it's something I need to remember when people come over," she chuckled.

[Oliver Barnes]

Oliver looked up to Tak with awe and respect. Her unwavering confidence that she wore most days was something he found incredible. How calming she was to be around. How she had handled the difficult situation of becoming a mother. Everything. Their friendship was a bizarre pairing, for sure, but one Oliver was eternally grateful for.

That being said, Oliver hadn't known about Tak's tendency to lounge around without a shirt on. He knew she was a free spirit... but here she was, literally free, and Oliver felt... awkward. By now, his entire face was red and instead... Tak laughed it off. That was unexpected. He allowed himself to be pulled inside, still insisting that he avert his eyes, even though it clearly didn't bother the dark haired girl.

"Sorry.. I didn't mean to look. It's.. it's just... unexpected." Oliver rambled. She didn't think he was checking her out, right? "I mean, not that there's anything wrong with not wearing a shirt. If men can do it, women should be able to. Its just... unconventional. Not exactly something I am use to. I should stop talking." He nodded, his face still covered by his hands. "It's okay... it is your apartment afterall. Just.. surprised me, that's all." He said, forcing a laugh. Although embarrassed right now, Oliver would probably look back and laugh about what had happened.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Most people who stuck around Tak long enough got to learn about how... 'Free' she was. A free spirit she certainly was, and, well, some people probably considered her more shameless than anything else, but she really didn't mean any harm or vanity from it. It was just how she was, what she was comfortable with.

She had to admit, though, the reactions she got sometimes were pretty hilarious. And this was one of them - Oliver was just too cute!

"Don't apologize!" she quickly told him with another laugh. "If I minded, I'd be running screaming to my room right now. It's not like no one has seen them before." Plenty of people had seen them. And touched them. They were just flesh. Tak's grin gradually widened as the sweet boy rambled, and she burst into more giggles as he finished. "Hun, you are the sweetest, most adorable boy I've ever met," she told him, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "If you want to look, I really don't mind. Otherwise I'll just snag something to put on." Tak turned away from him and disappeared into her room for a moment, grabbing a short crop-top that hit just around the bottom of her rib cage, and tossed it on before coming back out. "Better?" she giggled.

[Oliver Barnes]

Of course, Oliver wasn't aware of the fact that Tak thought his reaction to seeing her topless was cute. His hands were covering his eyes, so he couldn't see her expression. From what he could tell by her voice, she was having fun with it. Maybe he could start thinking that way... which wasn't very likely.

"Okay, okay, no more apologizing." Oliver promised, becoming aware of how many times the word 'sorry' kept slipping out of his mouth. It probably would have continued had Tak not reassured him that it was alright. The proof of his embarrassment lingered on his cheeks, only to burn when she called him adorable. "I... God, I don't even know what to say." He said, nervously laughing. Nothing he said sounded intelligent at the moment. Nodding slowly, Oliver quickly added "If you don't mind... it would make me more comfortable." A sheepish smile crossed his face, as he brought his hands back down to his side.

Well, nothing to start off the visit than to see Tak's... chest, rather any girl's for the first time. "Soooo, it's a nice apartment you got here." He happily changed the subject once she came back, covered. Oliver then let out a sigh of relief. Much better for the awkward boy.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak couldn't stop giggling at the pure amount of adorable Oliver was being. It made her want to playfully tease him even more, but she told herself she'd had enough fun with it as it was. No need to torture the poor thing any more.

"I guess I wouldn't know what to say either," she told him, still chuckling breathlessly. "I'm sorry hun, I didn't do it on purpose, I promise." Tak really hadn't; it was fortunate she didn't care about that sort of thing, otherwise she would have been massively embarrassed (or remembered to throw a shirt on in the first place). "I don't mind at all." She might just end up standing in front of the refrigerator for ages if it got too hot.

"It's nice, isn't it?" she smiled as she returned, tying her hair up so it wouldn't get in the way. "Gryph... Apparently comes from a pretty rich family, so we can afford a nice place." Tak paid a fair share of the rent, though, of course. "What've you been up to lately, hun?" she asked with a smile. "Enjoying summer break?" Tak motioned to the kitchen and added,"I thought we could make cookies or something. Probably not the best idea, since it's so warm already, but..." But oh well!

[Oliver Barnes]

"It's okay, I believe you." He answered her honestly. Because Oliver would expect for Tak to tell him the truth, given the closeness of their friendship. Granted, it wasn't close enough where he would feel comfortable seeing her in that... natural state but then again, Oliver never would. A small, amused smile appeared on his face at the thought of Tak doing it on purpose, just to get a reaction out of the awkward boy.

He breathed a sigh of relief, glad that she didn't mind accommodating for his awkwardness around the female form. Oliver just... had never seen them before. Blushing at the thought, he decided to stop thinking about it, as the image burned into his mind. Tak could probably sense his embarrassment, among other things.

Nodding in agreement with her next statement, Oliver looked around the place. Sure did beat the dorms at Hammel. Although they were nice, it didn't compare. This felt... felt like a home. The dorms, with their identical layouts furniture sets felt a little less genuine. "That's good. Is it just the two of you living here then?" He asked, eyeing the furniture and decorations as she explained her roommates favourable upbringing.

"Just... trying to enjoy summer, basically." Oliver said with a short laugh. "I.. my friend, from Minnesota is here now. It's weird." He commented. He was unsure if he had mentioned Ace to Tak before, but now was as good as a time as any. Looking towards the kitchen, with the thought of cookies on his mind, Oliver found the offer enticing. "Eh, it'll be fine. I'd love to make some." His lips curled into a wider smile.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Even if Tak didn't have her ability to perceive what others were feeling to an extremely heightened extent, she still would have felt Oliver's awkward rolling off of him in waves. As it was, she would nearly be drowning (hilariously, because it was still amusing) in the sensation if she didn't purposefully mute her ability for the time being. Tak still couldn't stop smiling at the silly boy, though. It just made her want to tease him more... But she wasn't that mean.

She clasped her hands together as she looked around as well. It definitely was a nice change from the dorms; much more privacy, since she and Gryph mostly kept to themselves unless they needed the other for something. "Yep, just the two of us!" she nodded. Tak chuckled and added,"And if you're wondering, he has a boyfriend, so it's not like it might seem." Even if he didn't have Kodi, Gryphon was gay anyway, so he was someone she could live with without trying to seduce... Too much. "You don't happen to have any cute single friends, do you?" she asked rather coyly with a wink. "I mean... Besides yourself." Tak wasn't going to mess with what he and AJ may or may not have going on.

Too much.

"Ooh, you're from Minnesota?" she purred. "That's nice, to have someone else from home, isn't it?" Tak thought about her sister, back home in... "I'm from Montana myself. My family lives on a reservation there." It wasn't the best of places to live, given how the government had dealt with their land, but they made the most of what they could. "Great," she chirped, pinching Oliver's cheek with a smile before she sauntered over to the kitchen, motioning the boy to follow. It wasn't a huge amount of space, but they could manage. "Ah, let's see, I know I have a recipe... Aha." Tak rummaged around until she found a book and flipped it open until she found the dessert they were looking for. "Alright, how about I get the ingredients out, and you measure?" she suggested, looking back to her friend and resisting the urge to do anything to him in that small space... Hee.

[Oliver Barnes]

Oliver noted that he would have to visit Tak on a regular basis, to keep in touch. He didn't want to lose her as a friend, and visiting someone in something other than a dorm was a nice change. His eyes kept flickering around the apartment, taking in the surroundings with a content smile on his face. Maybe they'd have room for him her next year come graduation, since everyone from his hometown seemed to have relocated here.

He laughed, albeit awkwardly, at the thought of Tak and Gryphon being together. He didn't know the other roommate, but instead, was chuckling at the thought of him assuming such a thing. Not to mention, Tak seemed like the girl who didn't like to be tied down by anyone, or anything. A genuine free spirit. "I honestly don't see you bounding yourself to someone, if that makes any sense." His cheeks turned slightly red, hoping that his pretty friend didn't take offence to what he said. Her next sentence only deepened the blush. Him? Cute? Even though Tak frequently used the pet names, it still made Oliver... flustered. "You don't mean that." He brushed aside the compliment, as per usual, and thought for a moment. "Depends on who you think is... cute."

"It seems like everyone from Minnesota came out here." Himself. AJ. And now, Ace. "It is... it's just a little surprising I suppose." Oliver said offhandedly with a shrug. Ace had surprised him by showing up at Hammel one day, and the quiet boy still hadn't told his best friend about having meta powers, or that he wasn't attending some fancy private school, but rather, a school where he could hone his ability. He'd figured that Tak had already heard enough about his life problems, and this one wasn't as troubling as what had happened between him and AJ. Nodding, Oliver's face fell as she mentioned that her family lived on a reservation. He knew that the conditions of reservations were disgusting and rather insulting to First Nations people. "Our home states are kind of close then." He said, with a faint smile.

"Hey!" Oliver gently protested, grinning as he followed Tak into the kitchen after her cheek pinching. He didn't mind the display of affection, but was rather use to it from the dark-haired girl. The kitchen, though on the smaller side, still was comfortable enough for two friends to make a cake. He stood by the counter, smiling down at Tak and looking at the recipe book she had dug out. Now that the idea of cake was in his head, Oliver couldn't wait for the final product. "Sure, sounds good to me." He met her eyes, his smile widening.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Oliver was spot on with his assumption about Tak's free spirit. She had no plans of getting into a relationship anytime soon, let alone ever getting married or anything. She liked to be independent. So when he spoke, she just smiled and dipped her head in agreement. "You're absolutely right," she told him with a wink. "I've only had one boyfriend when I was... Gosh, really young. And after that, I decided they're just not for me." Too much energy, too much time, and not worth her effort. His response to her complimenting him just made her smile widen with amusement. "Hun, have you seen yourself?" she asked, putting a hand on her hip and popping it out with sass. "You're a-freaking-dorable. Honestly, if I wasn't trying to help you with AJ, I might just want you for myself." Tak had no shame in sharing these sorts of things.

"Mmm," she mused. "Maybe it's something trying to tell you that your desire to fix things with AJ is for the best," Tak shrugged. She believed that things happened for a reason; it couldn't have just been coincidence, right? "My sister's getting to the age where, if she's going to manifest, it should be pretty soon," she mentioned. "A lot of people that live in my hometown are meta. I'm not sure why, but I wouldn't be surprised if she comes to Hammel soon." Tak hoped she would. Visiting home for a while after the baby had been born had been nice, but she still missed her family. "They are," she agreed with a nod. Maybe someday, if they grew close enough, they could visit each other's hometowns.

She snickered at his protest, but said nothing. It probably wouldn't be the last time, Oliver would just have to get used to it. Tak pulled out a couple mixing bowls and measuring cups and set them on the counter in front of Oliver. The recipe she'd picked out was super chocolate-y - something she craved a lot these days. "Alright, let's do this," she hummed, going through the first few instructions. "Sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. On it." She went through the cupboards and picked out the ingredients one by one, so Oliver could measure out and pour in each one. When the flour was out, Tak accidentally puffed some all over her front when she tugged the bag open. "Ah, shit!" she sighed, staring down at the suspicious-looking white powder now all over her hair and top. "If I was here by myself, I would just strip again," she chuckled, looking up with a half-smile at Oliver.

[Oliver Barnes]

"See, I didn't even have to know you for a long period of time before figuring that one out." Oliver chuckled, trying to imagine Tak in a serious, ongoing relationship. He was sure she could... if she really wanted to. But Tak had just admitted to having only one boyfriend a long time ago before swearing them off. "Sounds about right." he added with a crooked grin. Tak's next comment only had Oliver blushing even more, as he shook his head to try and get rid of the colour dotting his cheeks. Instead of saying anything, the flustered boy bowed his head. He couldn't accept the compliment or brush it off, but the silence made him feel awkward. "Well, thanks Tak." Oliver finally said, still blushing as he looked up to meet her eyes. Had AJ not been in the picture, maybe he would like her. Tak embodied everything he wasn't.

Glad for the subject change, Oliver jumped on it and nodded. "I suppose so." He agreed, and smiled at the thought of her younger sister. "What's her name?" Oliver had never heard of a lot of people manifesting from the same town, but then again, there was him and AJ which was a lot, considering the size of their hometown.

He laughed when Tak snickered, shaking his head again. Oh, Tak. He rubbed his cheek, before settling into the kitchen at his station near the counter. Measuring out ingredients couldn't be too hard, right? The recipe looked delicious, and he couldn't wait for the cookies to be done. As she piled the ingredients on the counter, he read over the directions and began measuring everything out. Then, Tak got to the flour and accidentally spilled some of the white powder all over herself. The sight made Oliver laugh, clutching at his stomach. "I like the new look, Tak." He lightheartedly teased with a grin. "But the flour is suppose to go in the bowl, not on you."

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak grinned at Oliver's words. "I'm glad I seem that independent," she responded, taking no offense to his words at all. "I try to seem that way." Granted, her first boyfriend had been emotionally abusive and that was why she'd sworn off of them, but still, she'd learned a lot about herself from that experience. She hid a giggle and continued to move about in the kitchen a little so he could get over his embarrassment and finally speak. "Of course, hun," she replied with a wink. "I know a keeper when I see one. AJ's gonna be a lucky girl." They just needed to get over their bumpy past and they would be golden, Tak knew it. Her ability wasn't fortune-seeing, but sometimes she felt confident enough to think she could predict things anyway.

"Her name is Niabi," she replied with a fond smile. "She's thirteen," she added. Every time Tak visited home, it was like she'd grown another foot; Tak wondered if her sister would end up taller than she, since she was pretty short. "Do you have any siblings?" she asked curiously with a glance at Oliver.

It was all going well and smoothly with the two of them doing their jobs until Tak had her little accident. She glared playfully over at Oliver as he laughed, raising an eyebrow at him. "Oh you like it, huh?" she teased, snagging a large pinch of the stuff in her fingers and tossing it at her friend, giggling. "There, now we match!" she declared with a cheeky grin. She then handed over the bag of 'ammo' to the boy and started looking for the other ingredients, unintentionally leaving her back open for more fire if Oliver choose to do anything.