[IC] Bunnies & Beasts

[Donut Look Now]

---

---

Willow Estelle Kinsley

---

Location: Petal Bakery - Denver, CO
Currently:

---

---

Willow’s worried when he stands and leaves, concerned that she made a mistake and that he’ll be throwing her out. She releases a breath she didn’t know she was holding when Rowan comes back with an ice pack. Briefly, her small hand overlaps his large one as she takes over keeping the cold press against her cheek. When he reaches out to ruffle her hair, she only barely flinches.

“Thank you.” She says, hoping it’s loud enough for him to hear. He’s not throwing her to the literal wolves nor does he seem upset that she’s being more of a hindrance. She frowns as she watches him work, wiggling her feet a little since they don’t quite reach the floor.

[Visyn]

---

---

Rowan Kimb

---

Location: Petal Bakery, Denver CO

Currently: teaching/Baking

---

---

It didn't take much longer for the day to start getting more and more customers that he didn't spend a lot of time in the back. Just enough to switch out dough pans and cut the bread designs. He did check on her periodically, switching out the ice pack if it got too warm. Otherwise, he just let her sit there.

Finally around lunch there was a lull. He came into the back with a stretch of his arm above his head and groaned. He moved into the breakroom, smiling at seeing her since he had moved her in here. "How's it feeling..?" He moved over to her, hand hovering for her to remove the ice pack.

[Donut Look Now]

---

---

Willow Estelle Kinsley

---

Location: Petal Bakery - Denver, CO
Currently:

---

---

Willow feels like more and more of a burden as the day progresses. She can see how busy Rowan is as he goes back and forth between the front and the back. Eventually, he moves her into the break room where she had spent most of the day before. Did he do this for her benefit or so she isn’t in the way?

At the sound of a groan behind her, her ears perk and she turns to look up at Rowan. She once again finds herself stunned by his smile for a moment before she realizes he’s asked her a question. “O-oh, it’s fine!” Willow insists as she hands the ice pack to him.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been more help though…” Her hand moves to rub the back of her neck and she shifts her gaze to the ground.

[Visyn]

---

---

Rowan Kimb

---

Location: Petal Bakery, Denver CO

Currently: teaching/Baking

---

---

He looked to her cheek, touch gentle as he turned it to the side. "That's fine. Today is deep clean, so you can help with that after I close. Mostly just scrubbing the pans and bowls and such clean." He ruffled her hair and then grabbed his lunch. He set it in between them, grabbing half the sandwich he had packed and slid the container a little closer to her as he leaned back.

[Donut Look Now]

---

---

Willow Estelle Kinsley

---

Location: Petal Bakery - Denver, CO
Currently:

---

---

Willow blinks owlishly up at Rowan as he turns her cheek, trying not to flinch but still wincing a bit. Hands normally didn’t reach out towards her as gentle as he’s being with her. “I can start tha-“ She stops mid-sentence as he ruffles her hair again and frowns, her bottom lip sticking out in a pout and her brow crinkling in confusion.

Why is he so gentle with her? And why does it make her cheeks feel hot every time he touches her? Her stomach pulls her from her thoughts as it growls. “Thank you.” Willow mumbles as she takes the other half of the sandwich. She tries to eat it slowly and savor it but it’s quickly gone as she stuffs the food into her mouth.

[Visyn]

---

---

Rowan Kimb

---

Location: Petal Bakery, Denver CO

Currently: teaching/Baking

---

---

Rowan was watching her, only eating half his sandwich before handing her the other half of his half. He chuckled lightly at how fast she had eaten it. "Here." He stood again and stretched once more. "Alright, back to the grind. No need to start washing anything. I need to figure out what all needs to be washed after the day is done."

He moved out of the breakroom, leaving her to finish his half of the sandwich. Pans making noise filled the air as he stacked them near the sink, from the front.. meaning these were sold out. He put the last of his loaves out and then he was doing his third wipe down of the front for the day.

[Donut Look Now]

---

---

Willow Estelle Kinsley

---

Location: Petal Bakery - Denver, CO
Currently:

---

---

Willow’s eyes go wide as Rowan passes her another portion of the sandwich and tells her not to worry about the dishes. “Wait, you need this…though…” He’s gone again before she can force it back to him. Frowning again, she finishes the sandwich quickly. When he doesn’t come back for a bit, she gets up and starts looking around the break room. Maybe she should have stayed in his house - that probably had more clues as to who this man was.

[Visyn]

---

---

Rowan Kimb

---

Location: Petal Bakery, Denver CO

Currently: teaching/Baking

---

---

There wasn't much to look at in the breakroom. Just some pictures on the wall aside from appliances. Pictures that showed mostly him, except for one other person that looked similar to him. She was smiling wide and he was trying not to laugh as they held each other, the sign of 'Grand Opening' appearing behind them. The first time his shop opened?

[Donut Look Now]

---

---

Willow Estelle Kinsley

---

Location: Petal Bakery - Denver, CO
Currently:

---

---

Well, this picture didn’t tell Willow much other than Rowan might have a sibling. She stands on the balls of her feet to look at all the other photos of him. She feels the toes that had gotten caught and caused her to trip protesting the movement and looks down. There was a nice bruise forming and some scratches across a couple of her bigger toes. “So much for snooping.” She mumbles as she goes to find something for the tiny injury.

[Visyn]

---

---

Rowan Kimb

---

Location: Petal Bakery, Denver CO

Currently: teaching/Baking

---

---

In the bathroom was a small first aid. Probably most for burns of any cuts in the kitchen. It was legally obligated to be in the shop, so it was there. Looking inside there was some bandages and some antibiotic ointment. It wouldn't take her long to fix her foot.

"Ugh! Little one.. I need some help.." Rowan's voice called out from the front of the store, a little strained if there was anything in the tilt of his voice. Was he holding something heavy?

[Donut Look Now]

---

---

Willow Estelle Kinsley

---

Location: Petal Bakery - Denver, CO
Currently:

---

---

Willow’s just finished bandaging her toes when she hears Rowan, one of her ears twitching towards the sound of his voice. She hurriedly puts the bandages away before scampering to go find Rowan. “Rowan? Are you okay?” She calls out as she pauses by the entry to the front, hesitant to step out.

There was a strain in his voice, go help! She tells herself sternly. You’ve been trying to be useful all day, so do it! Willow steps out into the front slowly, her gaze flitting from corner to corner to see if there’s any danger.

[Visyn]

---

---

Rowan Kimb

---

Location: Petal Bakery, Denver CO

Currently: teaching/Baking

---

---

There isn't anyone in the front of the shop. Rowan is nearly all the way in his case, back hunched a little as he.. seems to be holding the shelf up. "Little one! Ah.. sorry to make you come out. I need you to take all the trays off this shelf. It's about to fall from one of the holders slipping. That'll ruin all the stuff we made. Just stick them on the counter behind you."

[Donut Look Now]

---

---

Willow Estelle Kinsley

---

Location: Petal Bakery - Denver, CO
Currently:

---

---

Willow’s eyes go wide once she sees the predicament Rowan is in. She hurries over and stretches to reach the shelf and the trays it’s threatening to drop. She has to stand on her tiptoes to do it but she manages to ignore the pain and grab as many of the items as she can.

“I’m sorry I took so long.” She says as she places the tray on the counter before going back to grab another load. Willow winces when going on her toes again, but still grabs more trays to relocate.

[Visyn]

---

---

Rowan Kimb

---

Location: Petal Bakery, Denver CO

Currently: teaching/Baking

---

---

Rowan shifts a little when he hears the wince. Very slowly, he lowers himself to his knees, still holding the shelf so she can reach it without leaning over him. He glances down to her feet and gives a small frown to himself. Once the trays were unloaded though, he shifted a little. "Put your hands under here. I just need a moment and then I will take it back."

[Donut Look Now]

---

---

Willow Estelle Kinsley

---

Location: Petal Bakery - Denver, CO
Currently:

---

---

Willow sidles around Rowan and takes over holding the shelf for him, her arms stretched almost fully. “Okay, I think I have it.” She says, looking up and readjusting her fingers to hold it up at a better angle for herself. Once happy that she has it secured, she shifts her gaze to Rowan.

[Visyn]

---

---

Rowan Kimb

---

Location: Petal Bakery, Denver CO

Currently: teaching/Baking

---

---

He looked to her, eyes concerned before he slowly let her have the weight of it. He then quickly dropped his head and reached further into the display case. He fiddled with something and a soft pop sounded before he came back out and took the shelf back. He eased it down with her, then let it go, drawing her hands away. Once it seemed fine, he sighed, slumping to the floor. "Ahhhh.."

He gave a weak chuckle. "Thanks, you're a life saver." He ruffled her hair after he stood back up and started putting the pans back in their spots.

[Donut Look Now]

---

---

Willow Estelle Kinsley

---

Location: Petal Bakery - Denver, CO
Currently:

---

---

“You’re welcome.” Willow says with a small smile, happy that she’s been useful now. She doesn’t flinch this time when Rowan reaches and ruffles her hair, but she still pouts with a blush coloring her cheeks. She reaches up and tries to smooth down the top of her head to no avail before she notices that Rowan is trying to put everything away by himself.

Willow places herself in his path and aims to take the trays from him as she starts to scold Rowan. “You’ve been on your feet all day and you barely even had lunch, let me do this.”

[Visyn]

---

---

Rowan Kimb

---

Location: Petal Bakery, Denver CO

Currently: teaching/Baking

---

---

Rowan paused, brows raised. "Says the one with the wounded foot." He reached over her, putting the trays back and then grabbing the last two. "I've been doing this every day, little one. I'm just sore because I haven't done it in a while." He chuckled and put the last two trays away before looking up at the bell jingle.

He pulled her behind him, hiding her behind his large form from whoever had entered the shop. "What can I do for you, sir?"

[Donut Look Now]

---

---

Willow Estelle Kinsley

---

Location: Petal Bakery - Denver, CO
Currently:

---

---

Willow didn’t realize he’d seen her foot and frowns before letting out a little huff as he easily circumvents her and puts the trays away. “Wait, why haven’t-” She cuts herself off at the sound of the bell on the door and claps her hands over her mouth as Rowan hides her behind him.

“I’m lookin’ for someone and wanted to see if you might’ve come across her,” Willow starts to shake as she recognizes the slight southern drawl of Grant Niccolo, one of the wolves from Beowulf. She squeezes her face, afraid that she’ll give herself away.

Grant pulls out a photo of Willow and places it on the counter for Rowan. “She went missin’ just the other day and we’re worried sick. You probably know how the world treats them bunny folk.” The photo is pretty basic as pictures go; a slightly younger Willow stands in front of a bare wall stock still and wearing the most simple of clothes. One could see she’s clearly miserable - these types of photos were taken by the clan every few years for instances just like this. “Any chance you’ve seen ‘er?”

[Visyn]

---

---

Rowan Kimb

---

Location: Petal Bakery, Denver CO

Currently: teaching/Baking

---

---

Rowan watched the man move forward, letting his arms rest at his sides. He tilted his head a little and looked to the picture on the counter. "Bunny folk? There aren't many of those around." He looked up and gently slid the picture back. "Can't say I've seen her though. Which clan are you from? I'll send a message over if I do come across her. Can't have something so fragile wandering about." He flashed the man his canines in a grin.