'Has she only been eating instant ramen the time being that she was there?' looking at her, looking ever carefree. Ramen was convenient and it'd just fill them enough to go on another day… but he had nothing better to do anyways.
"What do you have?"
Referring to the ingredients he can use to cook them a better meal. He walked to the double-doorbed refrigerator.
"So you don't want to eat ramen… I don't think I have a lot."
Not a lot to create what she had in mind, at least.
Scanning the refrigerator, Aziel saw the almost empty layers of the larger main side of the refrigerator. It mostly had branded plastic bottles of water and sweet beverages, Some salty and sweet snacks, and chilled processed food here and there.
Opening the clear storage with the symbol of a basket of vegetables in the lower part, he saw a dozen medium-sized long eggplants, a medium-sized squash, a clear container of brown mushrooms, and a cup of chilis. Then he opened another tray with the fruit symbol it contained: a big box of medium red strawberries, 6 plastic containers of blueberries, a medium box of ripe mangoes, a box of lanzones, and 3 pieces of orange.
Astraea fixated her eyes on Aziel as he searched her whole refrigerator. After he seemingly found what he was looking for, she saw him take out something. 4 pieces of long eggplant to be exact.
She wonders how they'll eat it. Those were the vegetables she grew in her glass garden. She didn't exactly like eating them unless they were put in a recipe. She didn't exactly know how to use them as a stand-alone dish… yet to be exact.
"What condiments and spices do you have?"
Aziel looked at her holding the eggplants in his large hands.
"Its in the middle drawer, third to the right from the stove"
If she remembers it right, it might be there.
Somehow she was shaken, she didn't expect him to just ransack her kitchen on his 1st day as a conscious man.
After seemingly getting what he needed, he went on chopping the eggplant in the way he wanted it to be. He did it swift and fast.
Aziel wasn't someone she expected to be, someone who knew how to work a kitchen.
She reminded herself that he was a stranger. Surprises about him will naturally come out as she gets to know more about him. Which she needed to be mentally and emotionally prepared for.
.
.
.
They chose to sit on the dining table, this time, the mohogammy wooden table, across from each other. The salty and sweet aroma coming from the soy-glazed eggplant gave. Topped with chopped chilli.
Aziel was focusing on setting the table for the two of them.
Astraea was slightly touched, appreciative even. It is only right to feel thankful whenever someone cooks for you. However, was it right to feel this way towards Aziel?
"Thank you"
She let out hesitantly as she looked at the still empty table.
Running her mind as needed to analyse everything, how she dealt with him and how she felt towards him. She cannot grow fond of him. She was aware that during her stay here she had to have a boundary. She needed to force a hard-strong wall to protect her mentally and emotionally.
Engrossed in such contemplation that she was almost in a trance, she did not notice how the table was already set until Aziel tapped her feet below the table.
Astraea, with the contact, felt like electricity jolted her whole body. She quickly fixed her posture and concentrated her attention on the man who've cooked for her.
Making eye contact with Aziel, trying to make it seem that she wasn't rattled by such a simple tap on her feet.
"It looks really good. Thank you, Aziel"
Being appreciative will not hurt anyone. It is only polite to say thank you and she doesn't know how to approach such side of him either.
"It's been long since I tried cooking this, it's better than consuming ramen on a regular basis. Try it out with white rice."
Following his instruction, she placed a piece of the eggplant on her bowl of rice. Scooping a big portion with her spoon, then putting it in her mouth.
Flavors of saltiness and spiciness enveloped her mouth. Chewing it light, taking her time yet well enough to truly taste the dish.
"It is delicious!"
It seemed so simple yet it surprisingly satisfied her taste. Coveying her gratitude and happiness through a smile, a true smile. Taking another bite after another.
After looking at her contented face, Aziel was in a daze for a second and began to eat for himself.
Food brings people together.
A simple fulfilling act brings warmth and joy to people's hearts. There was no judgement in a meal, it soothed the irrational side of human nature, hunger.
"What are the things that makes you 'happy'?"
Breaking the light atmosphere, Aziel asks making Astraea put down her spoon. probing for a short seconds for a substantial meaningful answer.
"Hmm... Food, art, poetry, flowers. and my family. those are simple things, creations that we see every day! There's just so many reasons to be happy, so I guess... I'm the type that doesn't take anything for granted. Made with the ability to be happy, although it's easier to be sad, I choose to be happy "
Answering it in all of her sincerity, Happiness was a choice.
Inspecting Aziel response to what she've said while he ate his food. She didn't know if it was fitting of her to ask him the same question, since he himself didn't seem to be happy, so she asked him something she's genuinely curious about.
"How did you feel… when the ship exploded?"
Asking what was in her mind, sitting and eating with him, open and vulnerable , hoping that this warmed him enough towards her. Needing to know more, Courage was necessary and that meant asking questions that she would be liable for.
Not waking him to read her the growing uneasiness in her she bent her head, trying to look focused on the food instead.
Aziel put down his chopsticks. Grabbed a glass of water to neutralise his mouth from any taste of the food. Gulping down the water. slow and hard
Astraea stared at his bobbing Adams apple as he drank.
She didn't expect him to answer him. She had a tendency to ignore questions she didn't want to answer, rather than lying. She understood that he still knew nothing about her and opening up to her wasn't beneficial to him in any ways.
He wasn't showing any signs of aggression in the very least.
"Nothing."
Astraea didn't have an ounce of expectation when it came to his empathy towards other people. But, hearing it from Aziel himself shook her from her core. If there was no regret that resonated with him, there would atleast be an emotion.
Most serial killers are sociopaths, as she believed. In an argument about whether they are made or born, she would wholeheartedly support them being made. But sociopaths partially have aftermath feelings in correlation to what they've done. Whether it was excitement or euphoria. They kill because it makes them feel.
Astraea doesn't know who is worse at this point.
"Then what's the point of doing it? Aziel."
Not noticing that her voice was getting uneven. Her tone mixed with a budding storm. She was getting emotional and both of them were aware of that.
Aziel intertwined his fingers on top of the table and placed his face on it. Watching her intensely.
He was aware of his purpose for doing what he did, yet he recognized her real implication. What's the point of doing it when he gains nothing from it? No relief. No satisfaction. Not yet, at least as he believed.
It was just the beginning. There were more to come.
Astraea didn't need to be made aware of it.
"Do you feel sad for them?"
Does she? Does she feel bad for the victims themselves or is it because she didn't like how it caused great predicament for her family. Both she hopes.
Aware as much she was, that it would be hypocritical of her to claim that she cared enough for the victim to the point of sadness. She would be alone here if that's the case.
"I should. I do care."
Aziel expressed a chuckle. This girl is getting more and more interesting as seconds pass. He knew she cares, but he is sensing that it was for the affected individual themselves.
"You should. Yet we are both knowledgeable of the truth, that I wouldn't be here if that is the case. The organisation will never give you a task you're not wholeheartedly ready for. You are hesitant, Astraea Archer. I doubt if that's genuinely your name."