[OTA] One Cannot Fill a Pantry that is Full

[butlebattler]

The autumn brings with it many joys, like caramel apples and pumpkin pie and grilled squash. But before the harvest of all that fresh produce comes an annual tradition in the Club kitchen--the clean-out. Canned goods about to expire are either divvied out to those who'd like them for personal stores. Things molding in the back of the fridge are dug

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[yoursintimately]

On days like today, Toby thinks he needs to work on his time management or appointment scheduling skills. There are days when he has absolutely nothing to do and then, out of the blue, comes that day where he's running around, getting closer and closer to his headless chicken impression which isn't even a very good one.

Striding through the halls of the Club Castle, grateful for having long legs, he doesn't pay too much attention to his surroundings. His mind is obviously somewhere else, playing through the meetings that he'll be late for no doubt, and counting on other people to avoid unfortunate accidents.

Shouldn't count on other people, Toby. They have better things to do than minding your business.

When he bumps into Karin, it's not so much a bump as a full-on collision that jerks him out from whatever imaginary place he's been and plants him firmly, painfully back into the here and now.

"Ow, oh god, I- I'm so sorry! Are you all right?"

[butlebattler]

"Fine, I'm just fine." She takes a quick account of her limbs, then reaches for the basket to see if any of the jars of jam broke. Luckily, it seems the bread cushioned the fall. The question now becomes how big a deal to make of the crash.

After all, guilt is a great way to foist food on someone, right?

"You should probably stop daydreaming in my castle. You might have hurt someone that way, and then I'd have to raise a fuss." Clear blue eyes bore through him pitiably.

[yoursintimately]

"I'm sorry," he reiterates, ducking his head slightly flustered by her chastisement. It's quite embarrassing for him. Not only has he run someone over, no, it just has to be the butler of this house. He's not usually this careless.

Well, he can be within his own four walls or after a visit to the pub but it's too early for him to have indulged in drinking yet.

"I'll be more careful next time. Here, let me help you... I can carry the basket."

[butlebattler]

"Actually." The word comes out with a false sharpness, as though she's about to punish him harshly. "You can help me empty the basket."

Reaching in, she pulls out a lovely round loaf of bread and a small jar of jam, offering them over with a wry little smile. Compared to how she'd punish him if she were serious, this is nothing too hard to ask, right?

[cauldronsbubble]

Of course, where there's food, Sebastian will appear. With an easy grin, he'll approach her, pointing at the basket. "Karin, honey, is that sourdough?"

[butlebattler]

"Sebastian, baby!" She grins at him. "You sound like a man in need of some serious bread. I've got just the thing."

[cauldronsbubble]

"Sweetie, I am always in need of bread." He'll just invite himself to poke through the basket, then. "How have you been, now that everything's finally calmed down?"

[butlebattler]

"Darling, I'm like a hep cat. I always land cool on my feet." She slicks back her hair with her fingers, then breaks the act with a chuckle. "How're you?"