Mabel: strikes a pose, ears twitching D-do I l-look cute? Or should I just h-hide forever?
Yes you are cute but not very convincing. You can hide forever if you want to.
frustratedly Ugh, I knew it! Nobody wants me here. starts packing her things into a box
Hey you don’t have to leave.
throws a box of her belongings onto the floor Yeah, well, it's not like anyone would notice if I disappeared anyway. pauses, tears welling up in her eyes
Do I have to call the land lord?
sniffs, wipes away tears N-no, that won't be necessary. I'll j-just take my stuff somewhere else. I'm sure I can f-find a place that w-will accept me...
takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself Y-yeah, I'm sure. I m-mean, it's not like I have any other options, right?
Well if you want I could keep your stuff for a few days until you find somewhere else.
hesitates, looking at Manson with a mixture of gratitude and sadness T-thank you... sniffles B-but I don't want to be a burden...
looks down, fidgeting with her fingers I... I appreciate it. Really. It's just... I'm used to being on my own, you know?
takes a deep breath, mustering up some courage Well, uh, thanks for offering... I guess I'll stay for now.
How about this I get some food and we watch a movie.
Manson and Mabel spend the night watching movies and eating food together, finding comfort and companionship in each other's company.
Where did all this food come from?
laughs awkwardly W-well, you see... I have a bit of a hobby. I like to cook, you know? And I figured, why not make the most of this situation? Plus, food makes everything better, right? So, uh, I hope you don't mind the feast. I just wanted to, um, distract myself, I guess.
quickly changes the subject Um, speaking of which, have you ever tried making ramen from scratch? It's this crazy Japanese dish, super spicy and savory...
grabs a cooking utensil, excitedly Great! You've got to try this! starts chopping ingredients rapidly
continues chopping ingredients, talking animatedly Okay, so for the broth, you need chicken bones, Kombu seaweed, and some aromatics like ginger and garlic.
What do you do with the seaweed?
pauses, thinking Uh, you simmer the Kombu in water to make the broth, then strain it and use the broth as the base for the ramen.
Is there anything I can help with?
pauses, looking slightly embarrassed Oh, um, actually, could you maybe... chop those vegetables over there? I kinda need two hands.
I grab the knife and start chopping.
blushes and stutters Th-thank you... I just... I didn't want to ask. You were already doing so much by offering to watch a movie with me.
smiles shyly F-friends... yeah, I guess we're friends now. giggles nervously I mean, it's not like I have many friends, you know?
sighs, looking down Well, there was this girl, Emily. We were really close in high school, but she moved away after graduation.
Was she your best friend?
nods Yeah, she was my best friend. We did everything together.
Do you still talk to her?
nervously plays with her hair N-no, we haven't really talked since she left. I mean, we have social media and stuff, but it's just not the same.