Heart of Titanium

Chapter 4: Not a Machine

Bryson extended his hand for Cherise, "Well, you want some breakfast?"

She smiled and took his hand gently with her paw, "I'd really like that."

He helps her off the bed as they both walk to the door, him patiently waiting for her to take the stairs one at a time. They both see the crate still taken apart in the living room, on their way to the kitchen.

"Hey, Bryce?"

"Hm? Something the matter, Cherise?" He replied.

"That's the crate I came in right?" She asked.

"Yep, that's it. You appeared on my front porch in this very crate. Speaking of which it's probably best I dispose of these parts, clear out any evidence of your arrival. I'll do it after breakfast."

He then taps and gently caresses her shoulder so she could turn around and see the kitchen. "Here we are, this is where my cooking magic happens." Bryce said.

"I can't wait to see how good your cooking is! I'm fine with anything...although I'd feel bad if I didn't help...I can't even remember if I know how to cook-" Cherise said, her ears folding a little out of guilt.

Bryson sees this and reassures her. "Hey, its okay, Cherise. Let me treat you, gives me a chance to show off, anyways." He said, being funny.

"Har har," She said, smiling back at him with a smug smile, "Well Mr. Cooking Magic, show me your best tricks!"

Bryce whips out a spatula, "With pleasure." 

He got out 3 different pans, grabbed a carton of eggs, potatoes, a pack of bacon, and a can of butter-infused premade biscuits. "I usually make my own biscuits, but I don't have any dough already made, heh..." Bryce said as he got out all the other ingredients.

Cherise smiled, "I don't mind at all. I have a feeling its gonna be amazing, regardless."

"Let's hope you're right, miss." Bryce says as he loads the biscuits in the oven, and sets up all the pans to cook.

Cherise laid her head down on top of her folded arms as her tail wags. She steadily studies Bryce and his fluid movements while cooking, while also noticing his appearance. He seems big and brawny, but like a gentle giant. Plus, a little beer gut to which she smiled at seeing.

She giggled at the sight of Bryson cooking, as he then placed the two plates on the table as he then set the silverware. "Oh! Anything you'd like to drink, Cheri? Water? Apple Juice? Milk?"

He asks, reading off what he has in the fridge. "Water is perfectly fine, I feel parched, too." She said, with a slight cough.

"Even after sucking down that glass last night?" He said, teasing her.

He brings the glass of water and watches as she and him both take a first bite, curious of how she eats, he watches her visor slightly disintegrate, showing her pink tongue and same fur color under the visor, with her glistening white teeth. He couldn't see all of it, only what the visor has retracted to allow her to eat.

"Mmm...wow this is good! I can see why you say this is where the cooking magic happens." She said, her tail flopping in the seat as she chews and looks at him. "Hm, whatcha lookin at?" She asks him.

"That's the coolest thing ever...I didn't realize your visor utilized some sort of nanotech to disappear and regenerate at will." He said, very intrigued by her unique mask. She giggled a little as she put down her fork and took a sip of water. "What, did you think I only had a visor, and nothing underneath?" She said, her tail wagging upright and a smug smile on her face.

"Eh, I mean...I was skeptical at first since actual protos aren't supposed to have anything behind the visors, but you're not a proto at all." He replied.