Checking things out [nudge bakery staff]

[wakes_pie]

While he knew that gainful employment was a necessity, Ned had been pointedly avoiding the bakery for the last week. It wasn't just because he was terrified of being discovered, either. He just didn't like the idea of working for someone else. Of course he worked with Emerson, but that was on the side and he had control in that--he had declined a

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[r3alornotr3al]

When he heard the door open, Peeta looked up from his frosting station. With Valentine's coming, he was super-busy, but he wasn't complaining. On his table were cupcakes that looked like ripe, decadent roses. Katniss would say he was very, very happy. Then he saw the dog and raised his eyebrow as he wiped his hands (stained red from the frosting, on his apron. "Hi," he said. "Can I hope you?"

[wakes_pie]

The first thing Ned thought, after how he very much did not like talking to people, was that Chuck would have immediately come up with some fabulously eccentric order and been adorable and charming and chatty, casually slipping in something at some point about how Ned needed a job.

Alas, Chuck was not here. So he rubbed his neck for a moment--Digby settled calmly at his feet, looking friendly and approachable but not as if he were going to jump at any of the pastries as most dogs might.

"Ah. I'm new in town, and--actually, own a place bit like this, back home--well not really like this but sort of and--just, figured I should finally stop in."

...well that could have gone so much better. There was a reason, really, that Ned cooked for himself--and not just because he didn't trust that something anyone else handled might possibly come alive in his mouth.

[r3alornotr3al]

Perhaps in Ned's favor, Katniss would tell Ned that Peeta was probably the best person he could run into. Peeta smiled, shifting his stance to make it easier on his bad leg. "Welcome. So, you own a bakery, huh? Nice!"

[wakes_pie]

"Pie shop, to be precise." Ned felt just slightly more relaxed, being around someone who obviously held some degree of passion for the only work that had ever felt right for him. "The, ah...The Pie Hole. Been told the name's a bit rude by little old ladies, but it brings people in."

'As in shut your, but one sweet whiff and people usually open their', Olive would have said. Oh lord he was missing Olive, that was almost sad.

[prophetepiphany]

Laura is currently behind the counter, having been at the bakery since four in the morning. There's a toddler in a large area where customers frequently greet her by name, but said toddler can't roam. It's an area baby gated in with plenty of toys, and she seems content by the attention she receives.

Behind the counter, Laura is writing, a new recipe by the looks of it. There's a smudge of flour on her cheek, but she greets everyone who walks in, and this man's no exception. "Good morning," she smiles, letting him browse the freshly baked cinnamon rolls with homemade frosting, the breakfast tarts and pastries, and the muffins.

[wakes_pie]

Even as uneasy as he was around people, and especially children (children are messy and little bundles of chaos, and Ned couldn't handle chaos, not with how neatly ordered his life had to be for it to be safe), Ned couldn't help smiling a bit at Laura. The little bit of flour on her face--it's a familiar sight, something he's had too little of this past week.

Still, his voice was as uneasy as it usually was around strangers--he couldn't help feeling, in this place with its utter strangeness, that there was always the chance someone might sniff him out for what he was. "Ah, good morning."

He tugged very gently at Digby's leash, as the dog sniffed towards the toddler--not going to her, but obviously curious, as a very friendly dog would be.

[prophetepiphany]

Laila looks at the doggie, very familiar with them because of Shimmer at home, and stands at the edges of the playpen, reaching out with a tiny hand. "Doggie!"

Having been in the village a long time, and having a very good opportunity to see most people, Laura doesn't recognize Ned. She gives him her full attention though. "What can I get for you?"

[wakes_pie]

Although the little girl herself wasn't particularly endearing to Ned, Digby's reaction to her exclamation--excitedly wagging tail and wriggling body--did relax him a little. After all, without Chuck or Olive around (and a roommate who was practically invisible), Digby wasn't getting as much attention as he was used to. Sure, there was that scratcher Ned had found in his room and he made sure to take Digby out to chase a tennis ball every day, but he still wanted for proper petting. That was one of the many things Ned regretted about keeping both Digby and Chuck alive--loving them so much, yet being unable to really