#Chocolate Orange Sponge Cake

[morethansalad]

Vegan White Chocolate Cake with Blood Orange Curd

[randompic]

[honeygrahambitch]

Wedding cake shenanigans

"Alright. Ready?" Hannibal asked as he handed Will a fork.

"So ready."

"We have to take this very seriously, Will."

"Relax and count on my sugar tooth."

Hannibal pulled a chair and sat down in front of Will. Various sortiments of cakes were resting on the table in front of their eyes.

"And I suppose you know what every cake contains? Every cake?"

"Yes. Pick one to begin with, dearest."

Will's gaze fell on the cakes. He pulled some of them closer to have a better look. He was examining them as if they were a boat engine which needed to be repaired.

"This." He said as he pulled a chocolate one between them.

"Sachertorte. Excellent choice. Austrian cake made from chocolate and apricot Marmelade."

Will nodded in approval and sank his fork into it, followed by Hannibal who was more interested in Will's reaction. He admired the way he frowned as he chewed slowly and had another bite. And another. But the delight was not on his facial features.

"What do you think, darling?"

"It's good. More Marmelade would definitely make a difference. Do we rate them?"

"Like in a tiktok video?"

"I mean, you use that app, I do not. But, sure, like in a tiktok video."

"Yes, we rate them, then."

"8/10. You?"

"6/10."

"Alright, Doctor, and here we thought I would be the difficult one."

"Will, I will always appreciate Sachertorte but I feel like it would be too basic for our wedding. Too simple. Choose another one."

Will sighed dramatically even if, in fact, he did not mind eating as much cake as he wanted.

"This."

Hannibal sighed loudly.

"Why do we even have a red velvet slice if you have a problem with it?" Will asked an arched an eyebrow as he greedily sunk his fork into it.

"The one thing that I love is the red and white contrast. It is aesthetic enough for what I have in mind. But as far as I'm aware, it's been extremely overused."

Will grabbed another bite and fed Hannibal.

"A bit too dry. But the cream is nice. 7/10" Will commented as he watched Hannibal think about it, as if it was the most important decision in his life.

"5/10. It has no flavor. Just sugar. And I agree, too dry. If it was not for the color, it would have been a well deserved 4/10."

Will laughed. "Choose another one."

"This. Sponge bathed in whiskey, dark chocolate and mint-orange glaze."

Will made a face which Hannibal pretended to ignore and they both tried it while their gazes remained locked.

"This is as if you had sex and then immediately went to wash the dishes."

"Elaborate on that." Hannibal said with an amused smile on his lips. Watching Will trying so many cakes was one of the most entertaining things they had ever done.

"So the texture is great, and the orange bit is also great...and that would be the orgasm. And if it ended there, the cake would have been brilliant. But then there's the mint. Tastes like toothpaste. Then there's the dark chocolate. Too bitter. So instead of having a nice ending... you end up regretting life choices."

"Wonderful description. I am not a fan of the toothpaste taste. But the subtle whiskey flavour is lovely."

"I was harassed by so many flavors at the same time that I could not even identify the whiskey. A 4/10 for that."

"I will give it a 6. It has potential. Your turn."

Will looked at the remaining cakes and immediately went for the cheesecake to Hannibal's dismay.

"A passion fruit cheesecake. But it can be other type of fruit too."

"But?" Will asked as he dug in.

"It's... cheesecake. I can make it for you any other day. It does not scream "wedding"."

"Well, now we know the issue. You want our cake to scream. That should not be a problem, right?" He said as he devoured the slice.

"I unfortunately cannot incorporate human meat in our cake. Since you insisted to get it done somewhere else."

"I don't want all that pressure on you. You shouldn't be doing so much while I am not doing anything. You are definitely worrying about the decor, the flowers, the invitations, the food, the suits-"

"I am not worrying, I actually enjoy doing most of the planning. And you are doing enough by tasting the cakes. You are helping a lot. The other things would not be as entertaining to you anyway."

Will knew he was right. "Well, thank you. And everything you have updated me on with looks brilliant. I think navy blue and silver are a great combination."

"You remembered it was navy blue." Hannibal said as he was about to propose to him once again.

"Of course." Will said as he finished the cake. "9/10."

"0/10 since you ate it all."

"Oh. Next."

The next five cakes were not it. They were either too dry, too basic, too sweet, too flavoury, nor flavoury enough.

"This was all?" Will asked as if he did not tried 9 types of cake.

"I am afraid so. We can try a different cake shop tomorrow."

"No. I have a better idea. The best compromise."

"I'm listening."

"We both like a moist sponge. And we both like coffee. And we both like Italy."

"Tiramisu."

"Exactly."

"You are pulling the Italy card because you know I will not refuse it."

"That and also the fact that we actually really like Tiramisu."

"I love you so much that I could marry you right here in the kitchen."

"I would gladly do it here in the kitchen."

[bluejutdae]

108 with chan? thanks! love your works sm

108. You bake a cake together (it goes as bad as you can imagine) + Chan

Chan is NOT a good cook, he started training so young that hard boiled eggs are the best he can do. No, sorry, he can make some ramen. The instant one. But it’s Minho’s birthday, and every time it’s the birthday of one of the members, he cooks something good. So Chan wants to try and return the favor by baking a cake for Minho.

Felix is too busy to help, so he asks you for help and you’re a half decent cook, but a baker? Eh, you can try. Two grown up people can manage a simple cake, no?

Apparently no. Because it’s two hours into your experiment, there’s flour all over the floor, Chan had a piece of eggshell in his hair and you burned yourself. The cake, a simple sponge cake you want to decorate with a fluffy chocolate cream and fresh oranges, is half raw and half burned.

You could try again. You could buy a last minute cake and call it a day. Of course Minho decides that’s the perfect moment to enter the kitchen, look at the mess you made, take a pictures of you two and laugh openly at your faces. “That’s the best gift I could ask for…”

[littlefaefeather]

Black Butler manga foods/drinks

I'm sure I missed some things, but it was all things that weren't really named or specified, or I couldn't tell with certainty what they were. @sebastian-ciel-mutual-bullying this is for you! feel free to take and use as you need o7 Book 1 breakfast: poached salmon and mint salad with toast, scones, and pain de campagne on the sides, ceylon tea horribly salty lemonade dinner: Japanese green tea, gyuutatakidon, Italian red wine, apricot and green tea mille-feuille dessert: orchard fruit cake with pears, plums, and blackberries dessert: deep-dish apple raisin pie milk

Book 2 assam tea afternoon tea: keemun and summer pudding of currants and other berries lunch: stuffed cabbage and minted potato salad chocolate earl grey afternoon tea: cornmeal cake of pears and blackberries salty rosehip herbal tea

Book 3 hot milk with honey or brandy peeled apple assam tea with milk oranges with shalimar tea steak and kidney pie and salmon sandwiches messy birthday cake and donburi strawberry-decorated birthday cake

Book 4 fish chai with ginger breakfast: shrimp curry and French toast with ginger mackerel with gooseberry sauce and cottage pie

Book 5 British-style Bengali chicken curry chicken curry afternoon snack: gateau au chocolat beef curry blue lobster with seven curries curry bun assam tea white darjeeling tea champagne sushi

Book 6 Christmas pudding cookies shaped like bones fish and chips, meat pies, bread

Book 7 rice porridge dinner: milk risotto with a three-mushroom medley, a pot-au-feu of pork and wine, and a warm apple compote with yogurt sauce

Book 8 oranges afternoon tea: chocolate macarons with fruits and three-berry shortcake

Book 9 custard cream puffs red wine white wine brunch: herring pie and spinach quiche dinner: curry, and chopped vegetables for an appetizer

Book 10 dinner: soybean hamburg steaks

Book 11 elevenses: darjeeling tea and petits fours tonkatsu, shougayaki, tonjiru, tonshabu, yakiton

Book 12 cake with strawberries on top

Book 13 spiny lobster saute, roast turkey, sticky toffee pudding, fairy cakes (cupcakes) warm milk with honey

Book 14 watered-down darjeeling tea darjeeling tea dinner: roast duck and gateau chocolat

Book 15 golden syrup sponge pudding tea cakes lemon myrtle souffle glace with milk tea

Book 16 lunch: beef mince pie

Book 17 dessert: strawberries, cream, and meringue (Eton mess) with a side of iced summer pudding

Book 18 chicken pie coffee and walnut cake

Book 19 ravioli (maultaschen) and wurst soup, stewed pork with herbs and spices (eisbein), and rote grutze (sour berries boiled and chilled to jelly, served with cream) evening snack: caramel macarons, coffee cream eclairs, dark chocolate florentines. black tea ceylon tea

Book 22 earl grey tea with orange almond cake and berry tarts

Book 23 smoked salmon sandesh (milk sweets)

Book 24 soft licorice candy apples

Book 25 berry-filled pudding fish and chips and steak and ale pie gulab jamun (fried balls of dough drenched in syrup)

Book 29 kidney pie, fish and chips, and ale wild-hare pie tapioca steak

Book 30 nilgiri tea breakfast: pea soup, meatballs, croissants, boiled egg, orange jelly chicken and steamed vegetable salad, oxtail stew, pain de campagne with butter oolong tea

Book 31 candy cigarettes

[tastesoftamriel]

The All-Saints Inn

The Temple District's iconic gastropub

Starters

Battered pink oyster mushroom chips, with spicy chorizo marinara

Horse carpaccio, with jazbay grape and roasted pepper jelly

Butternut squash arancini, with buffalo mozzarella filling

Polenta, rosemary, and pecorino wedges, with creamy four-cheese dip

Mains

Pan-fried sweet potato gnocchi, with brown butter sauce, pine nuts, and shaved pecorino

Venison osso buco, with mushroom risotto

Colovian salmon and slaughterfish pierogi, with sour cream and crispy fried onions

Stuffed duck breast, with orange brandy sauce and smoky clove jus

Dessert

Jumbo white chocolate cookie, served warm with cranberry jelly or dark chocolate gelato

Cinnamon apple pie, with spiced cognac and Jerall maple syrup custard

Nirn's Best cake, made with meringue-topped sponge, whipped cream, amaretto custard, and sliced almonds

Blackwood lime pie, with whipped vanilla bean cream

[ralith]

A few of you asked about the Baker AU, so here's a quick origin story:

Ironhide in the Baker AU is in a similar position to the retired trio au - he's left the military and is a bit lost in civilian life. He's trying to reconnect but it's difficult.

One day he finds a flyer on a community board for a baking class sponsored by and held at the town bakery. He needs to get better at cooking for himself and he has quite the sweet tooth, so he visits.

When he arrives at the class, the door is intially locked. Ironhide hesitates. Maybe it's a sign he should leave. But an apologetic voice calls out from inside, and Ironhide is taken back by the handsome middle-aged blonde that opens the door. There's a fine dusting of flour on his apron and a bit on his cheek, and he reaches out to shake Ironhide's hand, forgetting that it's covered in fruit puree. Its all rather endearing to the soldier.

Ironhide was nervous about making a fool of himself because he can't cook for shit, but he was the only one to show up. He's a bit relieved, but the bakery owner, who he's learned is named Ratchet, is noticeably disappointed.

He wanted to use this class to promote his bakery. He's been losing business to those grocery store bakeries. He jokes that he needs to get with the times. Maybe advertising on a community board wasn't the best method.

Instead, Ratchet offers a more personal, hands-on baking lesson. More ingredients, more time to teach. And more time spent with the handsome soldier at his side.

Ironhide thoroughly enjoys his time at the class. And Ratchet sends him home with some twenty odd bags of orange spice cookies he was going to distribute to the class. But Ironhide is more than happy to take them all. And he finishes about 10 of them that night.

Ratchet's food was delightful!

Ironhide would make a point of stopping by Ratchet's bakery at least every other week, and within a few months he was stopping by 2-3 times a week.

Ratchet would sometimes have Ironhide's order already prepared, knowing the soldier would be stopping by.

There were other times Ironhide would get home to find an extra sweet or two in his bag.

Ironhide kept attending Ratchet's baking lessons, even as they became more popular. He would even stay after to help Ratchet clean up.

The two will argue about who fell first, and who admitted it first. It's after a Valentine's Day themed class when it all comes together. The class was packed that day, and Ironhide was left alone to craft a sugar cookie with "will you be mine?" written in icing. Corny and cliche but Ironhide was lost when it came to romance.

He was going to present the cookie after dinner, if Ratchet would go out with him. But Ratchet had another idea. When all was cleaned up, he instead was bringing out a cake perfectly sized for two people and setting it down at a table. It was a new recipe, Ratchet explained somewhat nervously. It's flavors were inspired by the soldier. Bold, powerful fruit between chocolate sponges and fudge drizzled. It was heavy in flavor and almost a bit too strong, but left you craving more. Ratchet wanted to share it with Ironhide, and if he so wanted, they could have some coffee or tea at Ratchet's place.

The cake wasn't the only thing he'd be tasting that night.

[magicalgirlsandcerulean]

Shibusan was also selling Boueibu merch in August, including Ikaho collab merch until the end of September. Details here.

September 17th was Nanao's birthday. If you wanted this cake + cupcake set + macaron set in time for the day, then it should have been preordered until September 10th. This came with a bonus badge with the same design. The cake (which comes in 2 sizes - size 4: diameter: 12 cm, height: 5 cm and size 5: diameter: 15 cm, height: 7 cm) is in chocolate/chocolate cream and sponge/whipped cream varieties, with strawberries or yellow peaches inside for both (customer's choice), and the design is printed on to a sheet. The ink has a chance of running if you aren't careful. There are also Atsushi (preorder deadline: September 28th), Taishi (preorder deadline: September 29th), Kyotaro (preorder deadline: November 21st), Io (preorder deadline: December 10th) and Yumoto (preorder deadline: January 19th) versions. The cupcakes have a diameter of 8.4 cm, a height of 6.5 cm and come in a set of 4 - the cream on the cupcakes has matcha (green), chestnut (yellow), strawberry (pink) and chocolate (brown) and you can choose between black tea and orange peel/chocolate chip flavours for the cupcakes themselves. The macarons have a diameter of 4.3 cm, a height of 2.3 cm and come in a set of 6 - they come in strawberry (red), pistachio (green), orange (yellow) and chocolate (brown) flavours.

There are also Christmas cakes + macarons (preorder deadline: December 17th if you want it by December 24th) and Valentine's Day cakes + macarons (deadline: presumably February 7th) which come with badges (2 possible designs, 1 can badge that matches the design of the cake you chose). The Christmas cakes only have strawberries, as opposed to the strawberries and yellow peaches of the Valentine's and birthday cakes. The cakes only come in size 5. The badges are 54 mm in diameter. There was also a 5% discount applied to preordered Christmas cakes between November 6th and November 12th 2023.

The Shibukawa collab finished in September 2023. The crepes and drinks sold well. The collab page doesn't exist anymore, but there is a message from Shibukawa City: "To all the fans, thank you very much for coming to Ikaho time and time again. Look forward to the day we can hold another collab✰."

There was an online lottery on sale from October 20th at 12:00 pm - November 6th 2023 at 11:59 pm (all dates/times JST), with items estimated to be received in mid-January 2024. 1 attempt was 880 yen (tax incl.).

For said online lottery, if you won the A prize (probability of getting: 4.1%), you could pick which of the 2 fabric posters you wanted:

The B prize was a set of acrylic stands (probability: 13.8%, random out of 10 different kinds):

The C prize was acrylic keychains (probability: 20.5%, random out of 10 different kinds). The Anime Bako account (which is posting these tweets) recommends attaching them to a bag when you go out:

There are also D prizes (1 of 10 random square can badges, probability: 27.4%) and E prizes (1 of 20 random Polaroid-style cards, probability: 34.2%):

On January 1st 2024, the Boueibu official Twitter (X) account wished everyone a year overflowing with love and happiness. Please remember the Boueibu series this year too.

(Update: In terms of fruit, the Christmas cakes only have strawberries, while the Valentine's Day cakes have the choice of strawberries or yellow peaches.)

[snobgoblin]

That’s too many word in too tiny of a font for me but that title

Also Murdoc calling 2D a jaffa lol, he’s referring to “Jaffa cakes” a small round cake in the UK that have chocolate on top orange jelly in the middle and sponge at the bottom this is what the look like cut in half, I’ve never heard someone be referred to as a “Jaffa” though (also sorry if you already knew that)

oh yeah for sure I'm not reading that either maybe when I get really bored BUT I skimmed it and that's like the third time I've seen 2-D bring up Eastbourne he really likes that place huh- wait Murdoc did WHAT- ANYWAY

I DID NOT KNOW THAT omg... Murdoc why are you calling him a dessert...

OH ok I did look it up and i guess "jaffa" can be slang for somebody that's infertile. but we know Murdocs lying here because 2-D pays child support to blue haired babies as of I think a phase 2 or 3 email on his computer- also I don't remember exactly but didn't Murdoc call either himself or 2-D more fertile than a whale at some point. I know Murdoc at least has had several failed vasectomies

[nine-of-words]

Something Borrowed (Part Three)

M Gargoyle x M Reader

PREVIOUS || STORY TAG || NEXT

Wordcount: 3815

Content Warnings: Discussion of a Breakup/Divorce

Are you the type of person that wants to read several hundred words worth of descriptions of various baked goods? If so, you are in luck! Also, I promise not every story I post to this website will revolve around divorce.

Kirby had told you that you couldn’t stop living because you were cursed. You had told them that you would keep it in mind.

While you do keep that in mind, you certainly don't act on it during any of the encounters you have with Carlyle over the next few weeks.

Maybe if you weren't still so devastated from your breakup and the threat of your curse ruining any attempt, you'd have the courage to ask him out yourself. But as for now, you stay rooted in the comfortable little routine you've built.

Your next attempt is still something that is a perfect pairing for coffee, but slightly more involved. You prepare a tender batch of coffee cake, with a hearty ribbon of cinnamon swirled through the middle of the loaf, and crumbles of cinnamon streusel on top to to match, forgoing any glaze or drizzle that might have otherwise ended up finding its way onto the cake.

Still too sweet. Way too heavy, too dense of a crumb. But cinnamon is clearly a welcome flavor. Maybe something more elegant?

The week after that, you tried a ginger-pear gateau, hoping that the sweetness of the honey would be more permissible than normal sugar, with the heat from the ginger to balance out what sweetness there was. You painstakingly arranged the thin slices, the whole thing baked to perfection and kissed with citrus zest.

He didn’t like that either; but he does seem to like the burn of ginger, commenting on the underlying warmth.

And he may or may not be the type of guy that eats with his eyes first, given how impressed he was with the admittedly beautiful layering of fruit slices.

The next thing you tried was an opera cake. An almond sponge soaked with coffee, which you already know he’s quite fond of. Layers of cream and dark chocolate ganache diligently stacked and cut neatly serve to pleasantly enhance that already present espresso flavor.

You had even piped two Ss, elegantly connected with an ampersand, for Sugar & Spice- the current name of your shop, as of moving locations- in immaculate script across the top. If most of these are going to go into the case, you might as well make them on brand.

He seemed to like this one the most so far, taking a lot longer than ever before to decide its fate.

But he doesn’t like any sort of application of buttercream, it turns out. You should’ve known better already, you suppose- he doesn’t like frosting- he doesn’t even take cream in his coffee, why would he like cream layers in a coffee flavored cake, either? 

It wasn’t a complete loss, however, because he seemed to really enjoy the addition of cardamom that you had used to compliment the flavor of the espresso, at least enough for him to point it out. 

And honestly, the praise he heaped onto you for your careful penmanship and attention to tidy little details takes any hint of sting from the failure away instantaneously.

You’ve already figured out he likes citrus- specifically oranges- and almonds. He prefers a fluffier crumb to a denser one. No heavy glazes or frostings or cream layers.

With the culmination of your last few attempts, you've put together another critical detail: he likes spiced things.

Cinnamon. Ginger. Cardamom. Clove. Nutmeg…

Those flavors seem to be the one big unifying element of what he’s liked of your baking.

Mixed spice.

You’re making some progress, finally.

But what to make him that can test your theory? Cinnamon buns? Too sweet, surely. Gingerbread? Too dense, no go. You could always make a simple spice cake, but it would probably seem sad and bare without frosting, which you’ve already confirmed that he despises in all forms. 

Not to mention that any of these options will make your shop smell like a Yuletide market, or a candle store… And it's the height of summer…

“Wowie, don’t think too hard over there!!” You snap back to attention upon hearing Kirby’s lively voice through your mental fog. You realize you’ve been silently ruminating for quite a while. “You’re frowning so hard your face might break! What’s on your mind?”

“Trying to figure out what to make Carlyle for Tuesday.” You tap the end of the pen you’re holding onto the notepad in front of you. “Can’t think of anything.”

“Hehe, can’t you just bake this man a nice loaf of crusty bread and call it a day already? Everybody loves good bread.”

“Hah, no. It has to be a sweet baked good, I’m afraid. No need to worry though, I’m just a bit stumped at the moment. I’ll figure it out.”

“Oooo, I can help you decide on something!! I’m awful at cooking anything but I’m pretty good at the whole deduction thing, hehe~”

“Oh, no- I couldn’t ask you to help me with something so frivolous. You’re doing actual detective work.”

“A little distraction now and then can be good! Especially when you’re as stuck as I am right now with these leads…” Kirby looks almost forlorn for a moment before any lack of cheer is immediately erased from their expression. “Sometimes thinking about something else entirely can help get you the breakthrough you need!”

“Well, is there anything you’d like me to make?”

“Ooo! Ooooh!! I would ask for baklava but that’s probably way too sweet for your man.”

“Hah, well, maybe I can make you some baklava too, if this goes over well.”

Kirby grins wide, their ears flicking back and forth in excitement.

“Yes!! What’s this guy like again? Gimme something to work with.”

You quickly summarize your previous findings.

“Hmmm… You know what that sounds a lot like? My Oma used to make these little Yuletide cookies that sound a lot like that, with the spices and the orange peel.”

“Huh. Those do sound familiar.”

“I dunno, I forget…”

After a cursory scroll through your respective devices, Kirby manages to find the name.

“These, these! Pfeffernuse!” They exclaim in excitement and shove their device towards you, pointing to the screen with their other hand.

“Ah- I can whip these up for sure...” You reply, scrolling down to skim through the ingredients list.

The cookies come together relatively quickly- you could knead dough in your sleep after growing up in your parents’ bakery. And, as expected, they make your shop smell like a Yuletide candle stall, which it seems every customer you have over the course of the afternoon seems to feel compelled to comment on- It doesn’t get old at all.

“Here they are.” You present the serving dish filled with pfeffernusse to Kirby, then take one of the small, shiny cookies for yourself.

By general standards, they’re quite good. Very flavorful.

But for your specific purposes; the shiny glaze is too sweet; and the cookie itself is too heavy and too dense. There’s no way that Carlyle is going to like these…

“Oh, wow!!” Kirby says your name in a shrill tone, almost a squeal around a mouthful of cookie. “Amazing!! Divine!! These are absolutely perfect, just like she used to make!! If he doesn’t like these, his tastebuds are broken!!!”

“Hahah- I’m glad you like them.” You feel the smile spreading out onto your face.

“You’re the beeeest-”

Honestly, seeing your new friend’s reaction makes it worth it to have made them anyway, even knowing from the start that they weren’t going to bag you a win. Luckily, you manage to reserve some for Carlyle to at least try later, before the ecstatic faun manages to devour the whole batch.

Later that day, the dwindling overcast daylight from the encroaching evening creates a lonely, gloomy atmosphere in your empty shop. The uneasy feeling that always seems to reappear when you’re alone starts to creep back in, and you can’t help but worry that Carlyle’s not coming today. Perhaps the on-and-off rain is keeping him from stopping by. You’ve only seen him show up on foot, and even if he drove there’s not any ample parking on this street.

Or maybe he’s not coming back, period. Maybe he’s gotten bored of whatever this little thing between you is? You couldn’t blame him.

After all, you don’t know each other all that well at all. You’ve only seen each other a total of five times now, basically in passing. You wouldn’t even know he was a lawyer if he hadn’t specifically used the word ‘case’ when referring to his job and mentioned the courthouse before.

And the curse… Well. You know what the letter said by heart now. Withering before blooming, and all of that.

It’s nearly to the point of you giving up and just going about your normal closing procedures when the familiar jingle plays. And while the notification sound and the name on the order is familiar, the order itself is not at all.

Usually, as you’ve learned, you see an order for half a dozen cupcakes- always a variety, except for whomever always orders your lemon meringue flavor without fail.

But this evening, he’s ordered… a disposable cutlery kit.

No cake, no cupcakes, no other items at all. Just that.

You tilt your head at the screen, wondering what it could possibly mean.

After a bit of deliberation, you take a single cutlery kit from the open box and set it on the counter top. 

Moments pass as you stare at the lonely item on the counter, contemplating the situation with only the ubiquitous smooth jazz playing on the overhead speakers to keep you sane.

…Should you brew coffee?

But the minutes tick by, with still no sign of Carlyle.

You decide not to, not wanting to waste it if he's not coming. You fight the urge to either break into uncontrollable laughter or equally uncontrollable tears.

The rain has picked up enough that you can hear it audibly pattering against the panes of your shop windows.

Time marches on.

You sigh. You drum your fingertips on the counter top. You glance at the clock. 

It's two minutes past close.

You’ve finally moved to turn the neon sign declaring your shop as open off for the evening, and just as you’re standing there pressing down the switch you see Carlyle a few paces down the sidewalk, walking towards the shop underneath the protection of a clear umbrella.

He stops in his tracks, looking at the darkened sign and then back down at you on the other side of the glass, seeming at a loss for how to proceed.

After a second of stalemate, you push open the still unlocked door.

“Carlyle?”

He finishes the rest of the walk as quickly as he can without splashing through the accumulating puddles in his leather shoes.

“Hey. Sorry I'm late."

“Hi! I’m- I’m sorry, I wasn’t sure what you meant by a cutlery set.”

“I planned on going home early today, so no cupcake order from the ladies this evening. I wanted to let you know I was still coming, but I realized I had no way of knowing what you’d make to order it for myself, so.” He smirks faintly and shrugs beneath the umbrella, the shoulder pads on his suit lifting up slightly with the motion. “That was the solution I chose. You eat with cutlery, so: I'm still coming to eat.”

“It's okay. That’s actually pretty clever." You beam. You don’t care in the slightest that you’re already closed- you’re just happy he showed up. You motion with your hand for him to enter. "Come in, come in. You’re going to get soggy.”

He obliges, closes his umbrella, then shakes it off before he steps completely inside.

"I suppose the weather held you up?"

"Yes, the train was delayed. There was a large rain spirit blocking off the tunnel, it was an entire ordeal.”

“Well, that would certainly explain the sudden rain. It wasn’t on the forecast this morning.” You chuckle nervously.

“I don’t want to intrude, since it took me long enough to get here that you’re closed now.” He motions to the sign. He’s always been courteous enough to punctually depart when you’ve turned the sign off, cutting off your conversation far earlier than you’d like at times. “We don’t have to do this today if it would be a hassle.”

“Oh, no, it’s no bother- it’s pouring out now, you can’t walk back to the station in that- even with an umbrella. At least stay until it passes.” You reach out and gently touch his forearm for effect. Then, you recoil like you’ve touched a hot stovetop, realizing you’re probably being a bit too comfortable with him when you don’t even know how he feels about physical touch from a relative stranger. You move the culprit to stroke the back of your own head for comfort instead. “Er, if you wanted to, of course. We could sit at one of the tables for a while and have a chat…”

"That sounds like exactly what I need right now." He gives you one of his characteristic bright smiles, and you're so close you can see the outline of his wide, slightly protruding canines. He places his contained umbrella in the bottom of the coat rack.

"Why don't you sit down? I'll go make you some coffee."

You do just that, returning with coffee for you both; his in his claimed mug, and yours in one from the regular marbled set. You can’t help but laugh at the stark difference between the color of your respective drinks, perhaps being on the very far end of the spectrum in shade, seeing as he likes his with no additions and you with as much cream and sugar you can reasonably put into yours.

When you return, he’s sitting at one of the tables, looking out the window. He’s removed his suit jacket and draped it across the back of the chair. You nearly drop the mugs as you’re coming down the stairs as you miss the last step on the flight, because you’re too focused on the how aesthetically pleasing you find the sight- emotionally evocative, like you’ve taken a wrong turn in your own shop and walked into some sort of sad, tragically beautiful painting.

After delivering the (thankfully unspilled) coffee, you turn back to the counter to grab the plate of pfeffernusse. You set the cutlery set down, as well.

“I don’t think you’ll need this for the cookies, but… you did already pay for it.” You say with as straight a face as you can manage.

Carlyle laughs a deep, rich laugh- somehow gravelly and smooth at the same time. He takes the cutlery kit and slides it into the breast pocket of his jacket where it’s hanging on the chair behind him with a pointed smirk, before turning his attention to the cookies on the table in front of him.

You take a seat across from him, hoping you don’t look as obviously captivated as you feel.

You’re used to having a countertop between you, so this is a new experience. It certainly feels more intimate, like you’re having a coffee break with a friend rather than a customer you’ve developed a bizarre crush on. You’re close enough now that you can’t help but notice all the subtle details of the stone texture of his face- the small divots and minor cracks, and the faint lines of erosion where water must have chosen its path down his face countless times.

“These look a bit familiar somehow.” Carlyle selects one of the cookies and rotates it between his fingers in observation, watching the overhead light glint off the shiny coating.

“I don’t think you’re going to like them.” You say, watching him inspect the small treat through an inquisitive look on his face. “But I made them for a friend earlier, so I thought I’d have you try them anyway.”

He’s quiet for an uncommonly long amount of time as he eats the cookie- but not in the good, stunned-into-silence way you’ve been dreaming about seeing. He looks tired. He looks wistful. He looks sad.

It goes on so long that you wonder if you should say something, until you finally do.

“...Carlyle?”

“Hahah… Sorry, spaced out a bit there. I’m sort of a mess today.”

“Is everything alright? You seem unhappy.” You may not be very familiar with him yet, but you’re not so dense as to have not noticed he’s acting much more muted than normally. “I hope the pfeffernusse weren’t that bad…” You laugh quietly to try to lighten the mood. 

“Oh, no- Not at all. Nothing you’ve made has been anywhere close to bad in quality.” He smiles, and you try desperately not to reel from the compliment. “It’s just too sweet for me. Too heavy. The flavor is great, though. Smells like Yuletide morning as a kid.”

“Did you also have a grandmother who made these?” You laugh. “It seems like everyone who’s come into my shop today has had one.”

“Ah, no. My Mom made something kind of like them, but they were rolled in powdered sugar instead.” Then a realization clearly lights up his brown eyes. “So actually yes, I suppose I technically did have a Grandma who made them. But I didn’t know her before she was a statue.”

“Oh- Did you hate sweets as a wee little stone man as well?” You can’t help but laugh, covering your mouth picturing an overly formal gargoyle child. “I bet you did.”

Your laughter is infectious, and you can see his beige spaded tail swishing around the chair legs animatedly.

“I did! Mom always left some out of the sugar for me.”

“Damn, that’s smart. I should’ve thought of that.…” You ponder, tapping your lip with your fingertips and avoiding his eyes.

“No reason to, honestly. They were still a little too sweet, even when she didn’t. I’m sure your friend enjoyed them though, so they fulfilled their main purpose.”

“They did… So, if it’s not my baking, what’s got you so down, then?” You ask, then hastily add: “If you don’t mind me prying.”

“Work.” He says simply. “Work has been difficult for me lately.”

“Understandable. I imagine being a lawyer must be quite stressful.”

“Not only that- I’m a divorce attorney.” He sighs, rubbing his fingers restlessly along the mug’s handle. “I see people when they’re going through what’s likely the worst time of their lives, every single day. And because of the nature of the job, I can't even offer much in terms of support. I’m not a therapist. Ultimately, all I can really do is make sure my client isn’t being shafted.”

“Oh, that does sound draining.” You look down into your ridiculously milky coffee to try to hide the wince. You can’t help but wonder if you would’ve needed a divorce attorney if the curse had destroyed your relationship later than it did. You can’t help but feel perversely relieved- at least you didn’t have to go to court over your heartbreak. “What made you choose that field?”

“I didn’t, really. I used to do criminal defense. I was moved to civil cases a few years ago. I do enjoy my job, for the most part. Most of the time, it’s easy enough to separate myself. …It’s when something is hitting a little too close to home- that’s when it’s hard.”

“Close to home?”

“Yes. My parents were married for thirty-five years- owned their house, fully grown kids, perfect example of a good relationship and they decided to just- get divorced a few months ago, out of nowhere. I mean clearly it wasn’t out of nowhere to them, logically, but it was a shock to me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. That must be hard to come to terms with, even as an adult. Especially when it’s a surprise.”

“The irony isn’t lost on me, believe me.” He swirls his half-full coffee in the mug, a grim smile on his face as he takes another long sip. “Sometimes I feel like I’m cursed.”

“Cursed?” You say, barely louder than a whisper. You haven’t told him about your own curse- so you know he must not know the weight of using that word with you, but it slices into your chest all the same.

“Yes, not literally of course, but as if working with geasa all this time has rubbed off on me- like the magic itself has backfired on me somehow.” He takes a deep breath of air and shakes his head. “I know I’m just being dramatic. I would know if my magic was off. I was fine when they told me months ago, then- It just didn’t feel real until I went to help them pack up my childhood home this past weekend. I’ve felt down ever since.”

“I know how that feels…” You quickly course-correct. “I mean, how hard that is- packing up a place you loved like that. It’s like having to physically detach from part of yourself.” 

“From such a heartfelt description, I assume you’ve had to as well?”

“Yeah. My fiance broke up with me last autumn. Lived together for years, and I was the one that moved out- That’s how I ended up opening shop here.”

“I’m so sorry.” Carlyle says, genuine concern in his voice. ”That must have been incredibly hard for you.”

“It was… But it’s in the past.” You lie with a sad smile. Maybe sometime soon, you’ll manage to convince yourself…

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I’d rather not.” It’s bad enough feeling like that loss will swallow you whole at any moment. It’s only even more mortifying to be reopening the wound once again in front of the handsome regular you’re crushing on.

Carlyle nods, clearly intrigued but not pushing you for any more information. There is a short, surprisingly comfortable stretch of you both sitting in relative silence apart from the rain pattering on the shop window and the low background music of the shop. 

Carlyle finally clears his throat.

“At least there’s always coffee,” He sighs in catharsis. 

“True. In your favorite mug, at that.” You chuckle, eyes resting on the familiar lettering. Strangely, seeing it in Carlyle’s hands, it doesn’t fill you with nearly the same heart wrenching sadness as it used to.

“I hope you don’t find it tasteless that I’ve claimed it, given what sounds like the painful context.”

“Ah, no, not at all- If anything, it’s making me feel a lot better about the whole thing.”

“I’m just saying- he can’t change his mind and come back for it now.” Carlyle smiles at you from behind the cup. “I’ve become very attached.”

You somehow manage to speak through your flustered laughter and your heart trying to race out of your chest.

“Haha- I don’t think you have to worry much about that…”

>> ✨ MASTERLIST >> ☕ KO-FI

[13shapeshifters]

I see @wurmzirkus procrastinating and doing tag games instead again… well

1) last song listened to:

actually currently listening! The Maiden and the Selkie - Heather Dale

2) 3 ships:

Hms terror and erebus and rrs discovery i mean wait what who said that

3) craving: cake. beautiful cake. chocolate i think. maybe cheese. actually scratch that a beautiful light summertime orange and cream on fluffy sponge cake. a lot of it.

tagging uhhh uh @greenyyx @dansnotavampire @bananawanis

[firecrxtch]

Tagged by @ian-galagher <33

name: Olivia / Ollie

location: under a blanket

and now for the randomness! tell me your most and least favorites of:

candy?

Most: any chewy caramel

Least: liquorice :/

seasons?

Most: Spring

Least: Winter

hot beverage?

Most: hot chocolate or chai

Least: i don't like coffee

cold beverage?

Most: Elderflower drink

Least: idk maybe hard liquor

colours?

Most: dusty orange or dark blue

Least: yellow but that slightly green tinted bad looking yellow

vegetables?

Most: Potato, she is everything to me

Least: squash

traditional foods from your country?

Most: uhhh skipperlabskovs

Least: pickled herring

insects?

Most: bumble bee

Least: Silverfish they're everywhere

cake flavours?

Most: a lemon sponge cake

Least: anything with coffee

non-gallagher or milkovich shameless characters?

Most: Kev <3 (also Sheila i miss you)

Least: Sammi >:( (I know she's Frank's but it doesn't count)

Tagging: @callivich @ianandmickeyenthusiast @mikhailoisbaby @gallavichgeek and anyone else who wants to join <33

[beanieman]

The YTTD Characters Have Type Of Cake (It's Mishima's Birthday!)

Sara Chidouin - Strawberry

Joe Tazuna - Cookie Cake

Gin Ibushi - Chocolate

Keiji Shinogi - Spice Cake

Alice Yabusame - Layered Cake

Reko Yabusame - Coffee Cake

Nao Egokoro - Angel Food Cake

Kazumi Mishima - Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Q-taro Burgerberg - Carrot

Kai Satou - Red Velvet

Kanna Kizuchi - Ice Cream Cake

Shin Tsukimi - Sponge Cake

Dolls

Ranmaru Kageyama - Coconut Cake

Naomichi Kurumada - Cheesecake

Anzu Kinashi - Funfetti

Mai Tsurugi - Orange Cake

Shunsuke Hayasaka - Vanilla

Hinako Mishuku - Mud Cake

[theevilscribbler]

hello! may i ask for a cake assignment for iskra :D

Dear cousin Iskra,

I hear you are interested in raiding my kitchens for some sweet treats! Well, it just so happens that my chefs have put together a special cake that I think would suit someone from a Forge World and who once had aspirations of joining the ranks of tech priests.

These are called kek lapis (layer cake), and I think you'll appreciate the technical difficulty involved in making such beautiful patterns, all done using different layers held together with jam and then wrapped in another layer of sponge. If you'd like a recommendation for flavours, try chocolate, almond, orange and salted caramel!

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Fondest wishes,

Ada xxx

[itsalwaysthesamehere]

Hey guys! This is from my ana doc that I keep private for the most part but I figured sharing would be great considering a lot of these tips/collections I got from tumblr anyways haha. I take no credit for any of this besides the food logs which are from my first week of relapsing. Ive tried to take things slower because I do have people Im hiding this relapse from so pleaseeeeeeeee no judgement. Im also super broke so I basically have to eat whatever we have at home. Enjoy yall!

Week one: No meat products. Prep soy sauce eggs, spicy foods and have breakfast, nothing off limits but only eat half of whatever you get for the week. Tons of salad and avoid heavy foods. 

Monday: 1800, high protein. 

Tuesday: 1600 Wednesday: 1400 Thursday: 1200 Friday: 1000

Saturday: 1200 Sunday: 1000

Monday: 1200

Tuesday: 1200

Wednesday: 1000

Thursday: 1000

Friday: 800 Saturday: 800 Sunday: 800 

Food log:

12/03/2023-

2 slimjims- 80 cal

One street taco- 75 cal

Cheese- 50 cal

Ravioli and salad: 350 calories

Total for breakfast- 205 calories

Total for dinner- 350 calories

Snack at night: 3 bananas, chocolates, chips :<, 1020 calories

Food log #2:

Breakfast: cottage cheese and raspberry jelly on toast, calories 147

Dinner: Spaghetti with garlic bread, calories 600

Snack: Garlic bread guts, 600 calories (heavily estimated, heavily exaggerated 

Total: 1,350 calories 

Food log #3:

Breakfast: White bread, cottage cheese and sugarfree raspberry jam, calories 200

Dinner: Cowboy stew with cornbread, calories 800

Snacks: Pastry :<, poptarts 1,150 calories

Total: 2540 calories

Lunch: Cowboy stew, 800

Snacks: One bite of pastry puff, cottage cheese with ritz crackers,pringles,  calories 437 

Total: 1,237 calories

Food log #5: 

Snack: Cottage cheese with sugarfree raspberry preserves and blueberries,, one chocolate, yahoo milk, sucker 335 cals 

Dinner: Alfredo with penne pasta, calories 600

Food log #6: 

Breakfast: 1/5th of a grape fruit, 1 egg white, 3 strips of bell pepper, 3 strawberries, and half a pom drink. Cals: 139

Snack: Icecream bite, 50 cals

Safe foods: 

Airhead - 60

Popcorn - 64 (per cup airpopped)

Animal crackers - 85 (ten crackers)

Baby ruth - 98

Milky way - 99

Vitamin water sugar-free - 0

Sparkling ice sugar-free - 5

Bai - 5 (any flavor)

Caprisun - 30-80 (depends on the flavor)

V8 - 45

Chinese fortune cookie - 15

Laffy taffy - 33

Pop rocks - 36

Cotton candy - 40 (10g)

Lollipop - 47

Candy cane - 59

White bread - 67

Angel food cake - 72

Victorian sponge cake - 72

Opera cake - 80

Buttermilk Pancake - 83

Pancake - 86

Pepperoni - 10

Chicken breast fillet - 17

Prosciutto- 18

Sushi - 39

Literally any lunch meat, they're all low cal!

Strip steak - 40 (3 slices!!!)

Quail breast - 69

Turkey wings - 53

Chicken wings - 77

Beef tripe - 80

Beef jerky - 82

Mushrooms - 1

Baby carrots - 5

Celery - 6

Bell pepper - 15

Tomatos - 20

Zucchini -  33

Green beans - 34 (per cup!!! Just throw on some red pepper and lemon juice and feast, sisters)

Artichoke - 60

Cucumber  - 66

Cherries - 4

Apricots - 17

Passion fruit - 17

Plums - 30

Cantaloupe - 23 (per 70g)

Mandarin oranges - 47

Peaches - 60

DON'T BINGE: 

Take a moment and talk to God about it (even if you’re not a believer, it doesn’t hurt to try!)

Watch mukbang about the food that you are craving

Watch supersize vs superskinny (its on YouTube)

Look in the mirror and remind yourself why you are doing this in the first place

Read a book

Do your homework

Do chores

Smell at the food that you are craving

Write down your feelings and cravings (trust me it helps sm)

Drink A LOT of water. Drink until you feel like you’re about to explode

Clean your room! Get rid of all those water bottles and dishes.

Clean out your closet, decide what clothes you don’t wear and donate them to your local thrift store!

Go on a shopping spree! (Don’t spend all your money though!)

Organize your Pinterest boards

Compare yourself to th!nsp0

Weigh yourself

Listen to music

Drink calming tea

Catch up with a friend!

Talk to your pet about your feelings

Sleep the cravings out

Take a long walk

Take a cold shower

Watch a movie you haven’t seen before

Take care of your nails!

Look up how to do something you have always wanted to learn (make-up, macramé, origami, sign language, …)

This might sound weird but I love sudokus and they always get me focused enough to stop thinking about bingeing

Make a to-do list for the rest of the week

Listen to a podcast

Have a self-care day (take an everything-shower, put on a face mask, take care of your hair and body)

Make an essay about any topic you like

Start writing a book

Re-decorate your room

Make a New Year’s resolution list! Who do you want to be at the end of 2024?

^ or make a vision board !!!

Call a friend or family member

Read the newspaper (lowkey more interesting than I expected it to be)

If you’re frustrated about it, scream into a pillow

Scroll on insta or tiktok

Built a Lego set

Pick some flowers!

Practice deep breathing

Try yoga if you haven’t before!

If you are still standing in your kitchen, girl get out rn

Ask yourself if you are physically hungry, the answer is most likely no

Keep a food diary

Munch on a low cal snack instead, take veerryyyy slow bites

Thing I do but definitely don’t recommend:

Binge and purge (if you purge make sure you brush your teeth abt 30mins after)

Sm0ke or v@pe (depends if i’m able to go outside or not)

Sh (please, pleaaaase don’t do this)

I’m so guilty to do this to my family and the people who think I’m in a true recovery. But if I don’t Im scared of what might happen, I’m scared I’ll kill myself or even worse. I just really want to lose weight and feel like myself again

On day one I did mess up by having meat early on but we have to go through meat products before I can buy vegetarian substitutes plus we don’t have eggs rn. 

so you think you're "stuck" here again? you're not actually stuck, you're just not trying hard enough. you can lower your intake, walk more, exercise harder, fast for longer. the only thing stopping you from losing weight is you. why haven't you changed that? do something.

It’s only been two hours and you are already eating again. You are gonna be huge forever.

if you're looking at some food and doubting yourself if you should eat it or not, the answer is no 

I doubt that eating makes you as happy as stepping on the scale and seeing that you lost weight

You aren’t hungry, you’re just bored.

Excuses to not eat:

My tummy hurts from gallbladder

I took my pills in the morning and got sick

Sky kept me busy all day

Shared breakfast and lunch with sky

Thought I ate, forgot. *Go to get a snack and come back with a drink or small treat*

Spend time cooking for others

Talk about how you ate different things for breakfast

Smaller chest

Sharper jawline

Less curvy thighs

Square hips

Dainty hands

Collarbones

Slutty waist

Sharp shoulders

To float in my clothes

To look hot in emo clothes

Deeper set eyes

Visible spine

✨️Hipbones✨️

To save money (less food eaten, less food to buy)

Mesh tops

Muscles easier to see

People telling me I'm so small

Boyfriends being able to pick me up like it's nothing

some tips on food fixation and binging urges:

hellooo, ive been thinking about compiling some things that have helped me get my mind off of food and overall just writing down some rant -- so here it is!

keep in mind, im not an expert and this is mostly just me babbling. im writing this as a motivation for myself, and it will probably not work for everyone, but if you find any of this stuff helpful -- my pleasure!

★ mindfulness ★

`` first of all -- ive found that that strong-urge-to-binge thing is more of a state, not a feeling. it helps me to treat it as such: a mental state, a spiral, and to come out of that spiral you can:

◌ stop!

◌ breath in, breath out. ground yourself. have that thought of "wait, what am i doing?" in the space between you and the fridge

◌ check in with your body. what position are you in? does something hurt? are you cold? are you tired? overenergized?

◌ check in with your mind. is there any buzz? are you overwhelmed?

◌ if you located the issue (eg. im tired! i want comfort! so food = comfort!) -- great! move on from there to resolving this issue in a more mindful, not-involving-food way (then i should nap, do yoga, just lie on the floor, watch comfort movie)

why are we doing that? in my opinon, its very important to train that "what am i doing" moment of conciousness, because through that you can see better why you want to binge. is it a mental thing? how can you cope without food? is it a physical feeling? an effect of restriction? how can you tweak your eating to make it better (imo, fasting does better job at managing binges than plain restriction)

you cant just showe thinspo at your face everytime you crave something, after all : )

★ activities ★

`` make something with your hands! ohh my god! i cant stress it enough, it can help you to not get fixated on thinking about food so much! it can be something easy like drawing, or you can look up something new for yourself

`` go on a walk. i know, it can be very tiring to even think about, but t does wonders at distracting you

`` yoga. very simple and very effective. or, alternatively

`` do nothing at all for a bit. just. lie down, turn off your phone, no sound, no nothing (helps if your binging urge feels overwhelming)

`` if you havent already, try drinking coffee. it really is called an appetite supressant for a reason

`` i wasnt the one who told you that, but you can look up some gross stuff involving food.. f*eeding k*ink usually freaks me out on multiple levels for long enough to forget about food

`` test yourself and allow yourself to feel bored. put down your phone. watch a really long flm. boredom is a part of our lives, and if you teach yourself to feel it in such small portions without binging youll be so so proud of yourself

Thinspos i have^