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[color=gray][sub][center][color=ffc8f9][b]Location:[/b][/color] Home Sweet Home![/center][/sub][/color]
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[color=87ceeb][i]"I thought to stop by since we'll likely be seeing each other pretty often in the next few weeks, and so that you wouldn't be thinking I was trying to break into your house or something in the morning."[/i][/color]

Ana couldn't keep a little giggle from escaping her lips - like, it was funny cause that was [i]literally[/i] what she'd been afraid of all night! So knowing that it might just be Miss Irina here delivering mail? That was an immense comfort.

[color=87ceeb][i]"Anyway, I made a pie for you. It's one of my grandmother's famous recipes."[/i][/color] Irina lifted the cloth covering the apple pie in her hands, and Ana's eyes widened slightly. It looked like that sort of rustic stereotypical pie you'd see in a cheesy movie or an older cartoon. It looked great - so much better than those super-processed breakfast bars.

[color=87ceeb][i]"I figured that since you were new to the town, you might not have anything for the picnic Eugene invites everyone to on the first of Spring, but if you already had something planned for the event.... then, a pie never hurts as a 'welcome to the neighborhood' gift, right?" [/i][/color]

Ana's smile quickly turned into a frown of confusion. She didn't get an invite, did she? She checks her cellphone and doesn't see any missed messages - then again, how would this Eugene guy have her number already? But then she noticed the landline phone in the kitchen, sitting on the counter. It had a little blinking light on it. 

[color=ffc8f9][b]"Oh no,"[/b][/color] Ana whispered, [color=ffc8f9][b]"Oh nooo!"[/b][/color] She quickly went to fumble with the landline, pushing a couple of different buttons before finally making the one and only message play. And then she played it again. And one more time, because [i]holy [b]shit[/b] she would have packed something [b]with her[/b] if she knew-[/i]

[color=ffc8f9][b]"I had no idea that was even a [i]thing[/i] here,"[/b][/color] Ana said in her normal voice, [color=ffc8f9][b]"I'm sorry! I-I would have gotten something, but I-"[/b][/color]

And what Irina said [i]just[/i] now processed through her head.

[color=ffc8f9][b]"Um,"[/b][/color] she blushed, stumbling over herself a little as she spoke, [color=ffc8f9][b]"I mean, as much as I would have loved that pie for me, I think I will definitely be needing that for the gift-giving. Thank you, Irina."[/b][/color]

Ana took the pie and went to put it in the very, very empty fridge.. And then she glanced back to the postmaster. She did something nice for her, so Ana feels compelled to try and be nice back, but.. She doesn't exactly have anything to give her that's as sweet or as thoughtful as that! At the same time, though, she doesn't want to let her go without [i]trying[/i] to give her something- OH! Wait, she [i]does[/i] have something!

Ana swiftly opened cabinet with the breakfast bars and gave one of them to Irina with a smile.. which faltered slightly as she felt compelled to explain herself - because, like, it's not even a good gift. Why did she think it would be a good gift? Ugh!

But she kept her tone light and pleasant and she talked, [color=ffc8f9][b]"I, uh, I [i]know[/i] it's basically the same thing you get at the store, but, uh, I.. I didn't want to just, y'know, take what you gave and not give you something back, cause, I mean- It's rude, right? So.. Yeah."[/b][/color]

Oh, wow, yes Ana, you stumbling over your words made it so much better. Not at all awkward and uncomfortable. Absolute [i]genius.[/i]
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