Don't Sugarcoat It | (Kelri)

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Kelri had been up since 4:30 that morning. She had a busy day at the cafe prepped, mainly because she was introducing a new pastry, a Sweet Peach Turnover. She was experimenting with the type of flour she used in the dough, to make it a bit softer instead of flakier. She had been up the past couple of nights working on it and she was finally done. So last night when sleep finally came to her, she was startled awake by her mother’s ringtone. After sleepily answering the phone, she had found out that apparently her brother hadn’t been home in a couple of days.

Well sleep was out of the question then. Kelri had gotten up earlier than normal because now she was worrying about Darren. He always seemed to be getting himself into trouble that Castor couldn’t get him out of. She was always worried about her family, but because of the occupational hazards that being in police work had, she worried about her rambunctious elder brother. He was known as the wild twin. She sighed just thinking about it.

So this is why Kel had been at the shop early. She had lit some of the vanilla candles and had made one of the new small peach turnovers, offering up a prayer for protection for her brothers this day. She knew that her voice was small in comparison to most, but she could only pray that Tatara would at least half listen. After she offered her prayer she prepared for the day , making the new item for sale. She had already prepped some from the night before but now they just needed to be warmed up.

The day was starting to pass fairly quickly. The shop was almost never empty, and she had just run out of the Sweet Peach Turnovers. This called for some more. She had already begun the process of making more an hour before, but now she needed to put them into the oven. She would do this, but manage to get flour all over herself, no matter how hard she tried to be clean. She just supposed that was what the bakery was. A constant evolution of flour and sweet things. To tell the truth, she knew that it wasn’t a problem. She much preferred the bakery to the other option, which was home alone worrying about her brother.

So thus she was in the back pulling out the Turnovers when she heard the bell ring for service. She loved her bakery, it was filled with old world charm, from a time before everything became so technologically advanced. She loved her bell, she had read about how they used to be in hotels, and had purchased one with her very first check.

Coming out of the back room, holding a tray to put into the display Kel started her usual Spiel. “Welcome to Sweet Nothings! Come on in, I will be with you in a moment, just let me put our newest dish, a Sweet Peach turnover, in the display.” Kelri smiled as she wiped her hands on her apron, before smiling widely, gazing over at her macabre looking friend. “Caro! I didn’t know you were coming today!” Kel smiled before glancing over at the kid's corner to see some of her favorite kids playing with Obsidian. “Oh and you brought the sweetlings.”

Kel smiled before pulling out a two twin triple chocolate cookies, Adequately named the Sugar Rush, and set them down on the counter for the kids. “Oh silly me, I forgot to heat them up!” She lightly placed the cookies on a small plate and heated them up a bit. “Now they are gonna be good and gooey.”

Kelri winked at the kids before reaching into the display to grab one of the Sweet Peach turnovers. “Caro you have to try this! I just perfected the recipe, and was working on them most of the night.” Self-consciously kel rubbed at her eye, a little bit sleepily. “Mom called about two, said Darren hadn’t contacted her in a few days.” She yawned before tilting her head towards her friend. “So what brings you here my sweet Caroline?”

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Because Kel has first been introduced to Caroline as Caroline, and not as Dullahan or in any other capacity, it was almost inevitable that the name Caroline would be shortened to Caro. She was always happy to see her friends with Nadia’s kids in tote. The little sweetlings, were always pleasant to her and she in return gave them sweets. Plus it was always good to sugar up the kids before they were sent back to Nadia, Caro’s Sister. “Such a good Aunt you are Caro.” She winked at her friend and smiled, “Plus, they got to come visit me, and gods know I love to give them sugar.” Yes, Kel was fully aware of all of the power she held over kids. She readily used it.

Kel loved that Nadia’s kids were always polite. They seemed to recognize that being polite got you sweets, and that was the point of coming to her shop, was it not? She had to grin though at the look that passed over Caro’s face as she handed the sweets over. “You should know that if you bring them in here, I’m going to Sugar them up for Nadia.” Yes Kel had a wicked grin on her face as she was saying this to her friend as she offered the turnover.

Kel smiled brightly as her friend took the sweet. She knew that Caro didn’t actually need to eat, but she thought her friend might enjoy it. Plus someone with a blank palette made a pretty good taste tester. Besides, it wasn’t Caro’s fault that she wasn’t human. It was unfortunate circumstances. Also who didn’t deserve a few goodies every so often. She fed Caro any chance she got, given she felt like even if Caro didn’t need to eat she still should. Basically Kel felt like a grandmother who was worried about her grandkid getting enough to eat. She didn’t need to, it was just a habit. Plus, she knew that the smile on Caro’s face was worth every time she offered her the food.

As quickly as Kel’s smile lit her face, the mention of her brother, brought a worried grimace to her face. Kel nodded as soon as Caro asked her to come sit with her. She could spare some time, it wasn’t that busy in the shop, and it wasn’t rush hour.

Kel followed Caro over to the empty table that her friend was motioning. Was her brother okay? Did he get killed? If he did would she even be told? She kind of hated how secretive everything was. She understood why it needed to be that way, but that didn’t mean she had to like it. Glancing up at Caro nervously, Kel tilted her head inquisitively. “What’s going on?” Kel knew she needed to be vague with her questions, and knew that Caro would be vague with hers as well. Government issues normally were kept quiet for a reason. “I don’t want to get you in trouble. “

Kel wanted to get information about her brother, but she didn’t want to put Caro in danger in any way.

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Kelri grinned over at the kids as they bit into the sweets she had provided for them. She knew her ways were effective. Especially for the high energy children who seemed to love coming into her shop. She knew that their mother would know instantly the kids had been to Kel’s and she would probably be getting a call about it, but hey, happy children equal happy parents right? Kel didn’t mean any harm.

Kel gave a wide grin to her friend. “And a great Aunt you are.” She smiled at her friend from the other side of the corner and tilted her head. “You know those kids run circles around both of us. Thier metabolism is so high, a little bit off sweets won’t hurt. In fact, it will probably help.” She was still sticking to the idea that sweets were good for you, at least mentally.

As Kel watched Caro sit down she gave a soft smile that quickly turned into a grimace as the other woman’s facial features did that thing they did where something was happening but Kel didn’t know what. Quickly getting up from the table before Caro could say anything she went into the back room. She returned after a few minutes of leaving Caro at the table. It was obvious she was preparing something. Returning, Kel gave the woman a soft smile and set a cup of peppermint tea, as well as a glass of water and a cool rag on the table.Kel wasn’t sure what was going on and she knew Caro well enough to know Caro wouldn’t tell her anything, but she had to help in some way. “Here, Try some of this if you want.” The tea would help with the panicking, and the water would be good if Caro got thirsty. The cool rag would help if Caro needed to cool off. To Kel, Caro had panic attacks, but she didn’t want to talk about them. That was okay. Kel was gonna do what she could.

She gave a soft smile to the woman as she sat back down at the table. She was worried for her friend but was relieved when the woman ate some sweets. “Caro I’m here, ya know? Let me know if you need anything else.” She wasn’t going to push whatever was bugging her friend but she wanted to reassure her that she was here.

Kel’s face tensed up even more when she heard that Darren was injured. She knew that because it was on the job it wouldn't be something the families found out about. Instead, they would be kept in the dark. She sighed with relief as soon as Caro told her it wasn’t serious, and he would be up and walking within the week. Kel nodded over at Caro with a soft smile and spoke in hushed whispers, you never know who would overhear what in Felici. “Thank you for telling me.” She smiled and Caro could see her whole body relax, processing the news. She really didn’t like when things were kept so hush from the families. “It can be stressful.” Why did administration think that their agents wouldn't have family or friends who would be worried about them? She never would understand the complete need for secrecy.

Kel’s face was tense as Caro started to talk about why she was here. “We can survive, and I don’t want you to put anything regarding your job on the line. You are family too.” She knew that as a cyborg Caro’s emotions were suppressed sometimes, but hey. Family was Family. No matter what. “I won’t tell anyone.” She would hint at it to her mother, but she wouldn’t tell anyone.

Kelri was inside her own head and for once the seemingly sweet woman’s smile had faltered during the discussion of her brother’s injuries. Kel hated the secrecy, and she hated that she wasn’t able to tell anyone but she loved Caro for telling her. Once someone was family to Kel, she would do anything and everything for them. No matter if they asked or not. Looking up at Caro again, she noticed the same wincing from earlier, this time with the added curled fists. “Thank you for telling me. I really do appreciate it..” The young woman held out her hand for Caro along the table if she wanted to take it. “Hey, bad and dangerous things happen in the field, and I know this, it was practically drilled into me, but know that you have at least one person praying for your safety and life to Tatara.” It was no secret that Kel was an avid worshiper of the God of Life, and she knew that dangerous missions required aid prayers for safety. For both the ones that were the target and the ones that were officially on business. “Caro, you are just as a part of the family, if not more so, than some of my brothers.”

Kel smiled over at her friend and confidant. “You are more like my sister than my actual sister, and I am proud to call you such.”

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Kel frowned as Caro said that she didn’t have to worry. “Caroline. You know I will always worry. It's just a part of who I am.” It really was. When it came to family Kel was a definite worry-wart. Kel gave a soft smile. “I’m allowed to worry about my friends. Especially ones who have dangerous jobs.” Caro couldn’t argue with that logic, at least, Kel wouldn’t let her.

Kel was who she was, and Caro couldn’t change that. It was always an oddity to others how Kel was so stubborn underneath her sweet exterior. She was and always would worry. Kel supposed she had inherited this stubbornness from her father, he had been putting bad people away for a long time, and she knew what was right and what was wrong. “Of course I’m concerned.”

Kel nodded. “I understand the precautions, but I don’t understand how people don’t understand that these precautions can hurt the families.” It was a part of the reason she didn’t want to go into police work, or government work, or any work that would involve keeping secrets. Kel didn’t really believe secrets were good. Honesty was always the best policy. “They won’t hear anything from me.” Kel smiled over at her friend. She wouldn’t rat her out, and she didn’t want a mark on Caro’s record. If someone got enough of those, it could end badly. “You are too good at your job to get sacked over telling a concerned family member a supposed secret.”

Kel smiled as she watched Caro’s eyes drift over to her niece and nephew. It was obvious Caro loved them very much, given how much she spoiled them. It was nice to see Caro relax a little, as the cyborg was almost always on edge. She was glad that she could provided a place of refuge for her busy friend. Kel smiled as Caro reassured her yet again. Caro might not think this was anything big, but to Kel this was huge. It was such a relief, and it was evident in the short woman’s features.

Kel smiled sweetly as Caro seemed to contemplate her outstretched hand. She meant what she said, no matter what the cyborg thought. Caroline was family, and even if she didn’t like physical contact, Kel was offering it. Caro needed to know she was loved, no matter how much she felt like she didn’t have emotions. Kel could see the smile on Caro’s face when she looked at her niece and nephew, the smile when she took a bite of Kel’s sweet. Caro was and always be family.

Kel frowned looking at Caro. “I think that you have a soul, and anyone that has a soul, Tatara cares about.” She didn’t care what Caro thought about Kel’s views on cyborgs. “Just because you are bulletproof physically doesn’t mean you are bulletproof emotionally or mentally.” Kel shook her head a little. “I know that you may not agree with me, but I still pray for your safety,” She smirked a little at her friend before continuing her thought. “Even if you don’t want me to.”

Kel was going to say more, but suddenly Caro was obviously in pain. Stiffening Kel stayed quiet, and watched her friend in pain. She couldn’t do anything, and she didn’t want to touch her friend, which is what she would normally do, because she was afraid she would make this attack worse. Kel bit her lip, thinking about what she could do.

Slowly in a soft but firm voice Kel began to reassure her friend. “It’s okay Caro, I’m here.” She tried to maintain eye contact with Caro, but she wasn’t focusing. “You are here, you are valid.” She hoped something she would say would get through to her friend. “You are in a safe place, no harm will come to you here.” Her voice started to falter, but Kel continued on, “You are strong, and more than capable of dealing with this attack.” She smiled over at her friend. “I am here Caroline Enthaupen, and I’m not going anywhere.” All Kel could do was offer her friend the knowledge she wasn’t going to leave her alone during this time.

Did Kel know if any of this was getting through? No. What she knew however, was that she couldn’t leave her friend alone in state of pain and anguish. She slowly pushed the tea forward, along with the cool cloth. She hoped that the small things would be able to help, even if she physically couldn’t. Noticing her friend's eyes slowly starting to focus, Kel gave a small sigh of relief and unclenched her hands that had fallen into her lap. She hated feeling helpless, and in this situation Kel certainly felt as helpless as she did.

Kel shook her head at her friend's apology. “Don’t apologize.” The words came out in that same small firm voice. Caro had nothing to apologize for, panic attacks were something a person couldn’t help. And lord knew what exactly Caro had seen, or known that was giving her this level of pain. Kel offered a small smile over to her friend as she took the water. “Caroline, what can I do?” She looked over at her friend with worried eyes, before a dark look passed over her eyes. “I just... I’m sorry I wasn’t more help.”

To Caro, it would seem that Kel slumped a little in her chair. This definitely was not the woman that Caro knew. This was someone a little broken, someone who hated being useless. “There are reasons I pray for you.” She offered a grim smile to her friend. “Same reason I pray for father.” It wasn’t public knowledge that her father had severe panic attacks, but Caro probably could have guessed. Kel hugged her arms close to her and shook her head. There were times when her father had gotten violent during these phases, but she knew it was better not to say anything, to just drop it.

The main thing, though, was that Caro was okay, at least for now. It was important to her that her friend could survive. “Anything I can...” Kel stopped as she realized she was repeating herself. “I guess you would have told me if there was anything I could have done.” She shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Ah sorry, I just hate being useless.”

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Being a worry wart was something Kel excelled are. With her family business she was too good at seeing people be in danger that she didn't feel like the worrying would ever stop. It was something she could do when more oft than not she was useless.she loved her friends and family, and she knew that they did what they had to, no matter the circumstances even though Kel knew her family was brave, she thought they were stupid for putting themselves at such a great risk.

Kel gave a startled laugh as Caro lightened the mood, joking with her. “I can only hope he hears.” She looked up at the sky wondering if her measly voice would ever reach her god's ears. “Life is what it is, if I am to worry myself to an early grave, at least it will be doing something productive.” She gave a small laugh and shook her head. “You know I don't trust anyone else with my shop yet, it's only our first year of being open.”

It was all Kel could do not to cry as she watched her friend write in agony. She was helpless in this scenario and knew it. Nothing was more of a hurt to the sweet young baker.

Kel have a defeated look up at her friend. “I know...” She offered a small sad smile to her mechanical friend. Kel knew from experience that she wasn't that much help. At least Caro didn't get physical when she was frustrated, like her dad. Giving a long sigh at Caro's words Kel nodded. “I'm so sorry you are going through this my friend.” Kelri gave a small grin and shook her head. “I would give you a hug but you don’t do physical contact.” Her grin widened a tiny bit, as she held out her arms. “Air hug it is then.” Did Kel look absolutely ridiculous? Yes. Did she care? No.

Kel watched as her tense friend slowly loosened her muscles and clenched hand. Something was happening, even if sh didn’t know what. The young woman watched her friend as she started to struggle to say something. Whatever it was, Kel knew it was hard for Caro to talk about it, especially because Caro was so matter of fact in her attitude. Kel kept quiet, waiting for her friend to speak when she was ready.

Kel’s eyes widened as Caro started opening up to her. What did she mean that her panic attacks weren’t normal? Kel just assumed they came as a side effect of the job. If Caro was saying it was to this extreme, then Kel couldn't even begin to imagine the pain that her friend was going through. At the admission that Caro actually went to go see people Kel frowned. She had her own thoughts on this supposed shrink, if he couldn't help. Tiny protective cupcake mode has been activated. Kel was going to say something on the matter, but stopped when she saw that Caro was continuing on. She didn’t want to interrupt, and she wanted to make sure that Caro knew that she could trust Kel with this information.

When her friend was finally done, Kel gave a small smile, took a deep breath, and began to speak. First topic, the shrink. “Obviously if those quack shrinks think they have it figured out and something is still wrong, then they are some of the most idiotic people I will ever meet.” She shook her head a little. “Who exactly is the shrink? I can go give them a piece of my mind. They are obviously being discriminatory, and I won’t stand it.” There was a fire in her eyes at this. “No one deserves to live in pain, especially a pain like this.” She gritted her teeth before continuing. “I’m glad you have someone looking into it, and I sincerely hope they find more than the information that is being offered.”

Her eyes narrowed once again, at the putting down of Caro’s current body. “Caro...” She shook her head before choosing her words carefully. Kelri didn’t know the exact circumstances of why Caro was put into her current body, but she knew there had been a fire. “Caroline, no matter what body you are in, you are you, and you are my precious friend.” She lowered her head a little. “If there really is something that isn’t translating...” Kel gave a tiny whisper, knowing what she would be saying was going to be shocking. “Maybe you should get a second opinion outside the government?” She looked around quickly, knowing she shouldn’t even be thinking these things. “Maybe someone in Dagos?”

Kel didn’t have anyone in mind per se, but she knew things were different in dagos, black markets, slums, all sorts of nonlegal things. If conventional forms of therapy weren’t working, maybe it was time to try being unconventional. In all, she really just wanted what would be best for her friend. That was what was more important.

Kel’s eyes widened as her friend looked up at her and started to talk again. She gave a small smile. “I think I can do that.” She grinned over at her friend. “Well if I’m an anchor it just means you will have to come visit me more often.” Winking over at Caroline Kel smirked. “We could go dancing? I know the clubs in Felici aren’t that wild, but there is one I like down on the boardwalk. Good DJ’s on Fridays normally.” She nodded as she was thanked again, feeling the mood turn lighter. “Want a chocolate chip cookie or something?” Tilting her head she looked over at Caroline’s niece and nephew. “Sweets always make me feel better.”

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Ahhhh!!!!! She got a smile! Kel’s own smile widened, happy to get at least a little smile out of her friend. Was it at her own expense and image? Yes. Did she particularly care? No. A smile could change everything. This was a philosophy that she was very invested in.

Kel listened to her friend with her face shifting at the different things Caro was saying. She shook her head, and bit her lip. At this point Kel is genuinely angry. “Seriously? You do so godsdamn much for the government. They can’t even give you the proper resources that you need?” Ugh. This was giving her a headache. “I more meant....” Kel sighed before making sure no one was listening. “I more mean someone who knows a lot about cyborgs that aren’t being paid by the government...” She hated to think that the government had... done something but from the tone of Caro’s voice it sounds like they had. “I don’t know...” She looked at her friend sadly, and sighed. “I... I feel like if something is wrong, you would know it, and you have the right to find out what it is.” Kel knew it had something to do with a fire, but not much, and her friends brain getting charred? That was definitely not a good thing.


The baker offered a small sad smile to the woman sitting across from her. “All right Caro, just know that...” Kel chose her next words very carefully. “ I won’t try and tell you how to feel, but know you are loved, no matter your body.” That was all that Kel was going to say on the matter but she felt like she had needed to reinforce this idea.

Kel nodded at her friend's admission. She was glad she had someone looking into it. “Good.” Kel isn’t gonna be that much help on this front. She’s a sweet little cupcake who knows nothing about anything even remotely fishy

Kel gave a soft frown as she looked over at the kids. “They seem to be preoccupied with Obsidian at the moment.” She grinned as she watched Obsidian bat at the girl’s hands playfully. “Awwww I’m sure you could have a lot of fun!” Cue the cupcake eyes at her friend, pleading. Kel was sure Caro could have some sort of fun if she went. “If anything you can people watch if you don’t want to dance?” She gave a soft giggle, and tilted her head. “Besides, it would be a girl’s night! We could invite Nadia if you wanted? We could go drinking!” Kel thought the invitation of Caroline’s sister might sweeten the deal a little. If Caro really didn’t want to go, that was fine, but Kel really wished she could spend more time with her friend.

"If you don't want to do that my guild is having a party coming up soon, Wanna VR it up?" This was an option that Caro could take which would allow her to not actually spend time with her friend in real life, but would allow her to still spend time with her friend. "It should happen the night before the next expansion." Kel didn't know how aware her friend was of her hobbies, but hey, it was a chance.

Kel shrugged at the pass of her cookie. She knew that Caro didn’t always want to eat and there might be an imbalance of some sorts in the sugar that went into her baked goods.She didn’t want to screw up anything to do with machinery that made up Caro’s body. “That’s okay lovely, the cookies can wait. Do you need more water or a cool cloth?” Kel was just trying to help at this point, and if she were being honest, she knew she was pretty useless.

At the affirmative statement Kel sat back in her chair, smiling at Caroline. “I know you can take care of this, but who is gonna take care of you?” Her lightheartedness was paralleled by the undertone of the idea that Kel wasn’t going to just-just stop worrying. Someone had to worry about her friend, especially when her friend didn’t worry about herself. “You are right. It will.”

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Kel pouted as Caro just kind of shrugged at her. She knew her friend did a lot for the government, more than most civilians would even guess. She also knew that Caro didn’t get a lot of thanks and recognition for her actions. Unfortunately most cyborgs didn’t, and to be honest it made Kel a little more than perturbed. Cyborgs still had souls, which meant there was still some part of them that was alive, rather than just an item to be toted or an object to be boasted. She shook her head frowning. “Just because it is how it goes, doesn’t mean I have to like it.” On this fact she was adamant. Kel gave a small curt nod at Caroline's admission about the person they had on the case. “I certainly hope so. I know the government likes to keep secrets.” She shook her head a little before sighing wistfully. “Sometimes I wish they were a little more transparent.” Kel doesn’t really mean any harm here, she just wishes she could do something more.

Kel could only smile sadly as Caroline got that look on her face again. It was the look Kel knew well. The one where Caro didn’t really believe what she was saying, and was just appeasing Kel. Her brothers often got that look, and Kel knew that she wouldn’t be able to say anything more on the matter without upsetting Caro.Which just happened to be the last thing the sunshine cupcake wanted to do. “Welcome...”

And there was the other look that Kel was familiar with. The one that would shoot her down in everything she offered. It was actually kinda funny, the look on Caro’s face. Starting to giggle a little Kel shook her head at her friend. It was obvious none of those options would work for her. Maybe Kel needed to try a different approach.

This time straight giggling in Caro’s admission that none of these things were going to work for her Kel smirked. “Fine, you don’t want to do the things I find fun, let’s do something you find fun.” She winked at her friend before shaking her head. “Oh we can still go out, we just won’t do anything too wild.” Kel rolled her eyes a little before smirking. “How about we go to the gun range? Daddy has been on me about being out of practice.” She sighed and shook her head. “You can give me some pointers?”

Kel really didn’t like guns, but she knew that it was something Caro knew. Plus her dad really had been on her about it. He had been adamant that Kel knew how to handle a gun, and know how to disarm them if she absolutely had to. Her father was a strict man, but Kel being his youngest had made him only the slightest bit overprotective. There was a reason Kel had studied Judo, and could rebuild a Glock 27 gen4 in a time satisfactory to her ex-police chief father.

Kel shook her head at her friend sitting across from her. “Sure ya are, but I can try can’t I?” Smiling her signature dimple infested smile Kel turned a bit in her chair and tilted her head. “Why... What did they do now?” Kel was legitimately concerned one of them had done something stupid.

Again.