Hmm. Is that not exactly why, though? If it's their first anniversary, I can understand him wanting to do it perfectly.
Did he seem like the kind of man who'd add hearts?
Well... Actually, go for it. I can't imagine she'd be unhappy with it in any way. Even if it's a little more sentimental than his usual, that has appeal of its own.
[Okay, well... When they’re placed side by side like that, maybe the point is clear. He still likes the first one just fine, but if this a professional matter—]
Mm... Can you not scrape it off and try again? As long as you’re careful and still have enough frosting for it, you should be able to...
Or maybe try a simpler design if you’re not confident you can pull it off?
[ The first one would've been okay if it was a homemade personal gift. But yes, someone is paying for this after all, so Ayer can't half-ass it. He has to do everything he can. ]
Okay… I'll start with scraping it off first.
[ Another set of minutes— ]
An idea clicked while I was cleaning the sides off.
I tried to think as simple as you said. What do you think of it now?
[ Ayer was trying to think of a whole new design or redoing all the roses, but he decided to try something after picking up the "keep it simple" idea thanks to Louis. This didn't take as much effort as the roses. ]
[Oh! Indeed, it's a bit simpler in technique, but still requires a good amount of effort to achieve that attention to detail. In the end, it's another beautiful take. Ayer is a boy of many talents.]
I think it may be even cuter than before. The roses are much cleaner, too. They'll love it.
[ They are… And Ayer is actually patient… Even if Louis lies to him, while Ayer would hate that, he wouldn't do anything outside of frustratingly yelling for five minutes or less. Then it's back to extending his support all over again. ]
What? You're curious?
I'm an amateur at baking. With people coming and going often, the staff is sometimes short, so I have to fill in.
I was only handling drinks at first. Eventually, the kitchen after one of my crew members left. But then, another one left again.
[Hey, he definitely offered to be punched for the occasion. Which Ayer probably still wouldn't do—even if Louis deserved it (and he will). But he won't be lying over trivial things like cake, at least!]
Amateur? Really?
I didn't think amateurs could decorate like that. So quickly, nonetheless.
[It sounds a lot like flattery, but that's... just how he talks. Boldly genuine.]
[ Ayer wouldn't dare pull this off without prior practice, but he definitely needs more of it, especially after today's incident with the rose buttercream. ]
[ Damn. How unfortunate Ayer isn't physically present to witness that endearing reaction. But maybe one of these days, particularly when he hands the revenant the first basket of sweets. ]
It can't be helped if I'm working on several flavors. Don't worry, it'll be a reasonable amount.
I'm asking you because it's more fitting. We're catering to people like you, so isn't it logical to receive input like this?
[What reaction? Whatever could you mean? There was no reaction whatsoever here. And even if there was it was most definitely, certainly, an incredibly subdued one.]
Hmm. I suppose you got me there. Just don't expect too much from me.
[So he says, but they both know he'll be taking it very seriously anyway.]
[ Every feedback will undoubtedly help, no matter how little. Ayer trusts Louis because he has a good head on his shoulders and is a fair-hearted person. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 08:14 am (UTC)[Or he's a bit careless for a husband, but he wants to think the best for now.]
Well, roses were always a reliable option... if not a little predictable.
If you wanted to get more creative, can you think of any colors she might favor?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 08:26 am (UTC)I don't know why he would, they've been together for at least one year…
[ Surely, he's actually capable of having some kind of idea? ]
Roses… You're right. Maybe I should stick to that. I haven't been given much to work with, so I don't know her preferences.
Should I add hearts, or is that too lame?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:07 am (UTC)Did he seem like the kind of man who'd add hearts?
Well... Actually, go for it. I can't imagine she'd be unhappy with it in any way. Even if it's a little more sentimental than his usual, that has appeal of its own.
1 / 2
Date: 2020-07-25 09:32 am (UTC)[ Wanting to do it perfectly, because it's the first time. ]
Just like me, then. I've never handled an order like this before.
[ So here he is, speaking to Louis about it! ]
Okay. Give me a few minutes to design it first.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:36 am (UTC)IT SUCKS
WHAT SHOULD I DO
[ And a photo attachment… ]
I can't give this to a client!!
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:49 am (UTC)I don’t see anything wrong with it, though...?
Isn’t it fine as is? I think it’s cute.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 10:26 am (UTC)[ Some sides are uneven and some of the roses are cut off. He ran out of room at the edge. ]
I was trying to base it from this…
[ A second attachment. This is expectation vs reality. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 03:49 pm (UTC)Mm... Can you not scrape it off and try again? As long as you’re careful and still have enough frosting for it, you should be able to...
Or maybe try a simpler design if you’re not confident you can pull it off?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 08:28 pm (UTC)Okay… I'll start with scraping it off first.
[ Another set of minutes— ]
An idea clicked while I was cleaning the sides off.
I tried to think as simple as you said. What do you think of it now?
[ Ayer was trying to think of a whole new design or redoing all the roses, but he decided to try something after picking up the "keep it simple" idea thanks to Louis. This didn't take as much effort as the roses. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:17 pm (UTC)I think it may be even cuter than before. The roses are much cleaner, too. They'll love it.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:29 pm (UTC)Really? You're not just saying that, are you?
All I did is remove the crappiest roses and kept the better-looking ones, then covered the imperfections with whipped cream…
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 09:54 pm (UTC)It looks great! I promise.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 10:19 pm (UTC)The hearts.
[ He shows it: they're sprinkles. Now it's done!! ]
Thanks for putting up with me.
[ Th, thankfully… This is over text. Ayer would've struggled to say that otherwise. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 10:33 pm (UTC)It was nothing. In fact, I had fun.
So. Were you planning to tell me you baked at some point or was I supposed to find out on my own?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 10:42 pm (UTC)What? You're curious?
I'm an amateur at baking. With people coming and going often, the staff is sometimes short, so I have to fill in.
I was only handling drinks at first. Eventually, the kitchen after one of my crew members left. But then, another one left again.
So, here we are.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-25 11:42 pm (UTC)Amateur? Really?
I didn't think amateurs could decorate like that. So quickly, nonetheless.
[It sounds a lot like flattery, but that's... just how he talks. Boldly genuine.]
no subject
Date: 2020-07-26 02:50 am (UTC)[ Ayer wouldn't dare pull this off without prior practice, but he definitely needs more of it, especially after today's incident with the rose buttercream. ]
It helps to have a steady hand, I guess.
Do you want to be my test subject from now on?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-26 03:18 am (UTC)[Would... Would he get to... Oh no, don't get your hopes up—]
no subject
Date: 2020-07-26 03:21 am (UTC)I'm still practicing baking, so I'll send occasional batches to you.
And you give me feedback about their taste, appearance, and whatever you can think of.
1/2
Date: 2020-07-26 03:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-07-26 03:39 am (UTC)Entire batches...? I wonder if I can handle that.
I don't mind helping, but are you really okay with me? I don't feel especially qualified as a food critic...
no subject
Date: 2020-07-26 04:16 am (UTC)It can't be helped if I'm working on several flavors. Don't worry, it'll be a reasonable amount.
I'm asking you because it's more fitting. We're catering to people like you, so isn't it logical to receive input like this?
no subject
Date: 2020-07-26 05:36 am (UTC)Hmm. I suppose you got me there. Just don't expect too much from me.
[So he says, but they both know he'll be taking it very seriously anyway.]
no subject
Date: 2020-07-26 06:03 am (UTC)I'm sure it'll be fine.
[ Every feedback will undoubtedly help, no matter how little. Ayer trusts Louis because he has a good head on his shoulders and is a fair-hearted person. ]
Then, I'm going back to work.
no subject
Date: 2020-07-26 06:37 am (UTC)And let me know later how they like the cake.