The woman moved around the house like she owned the place. Moving from the door straight to the kitchen. She quickly dropped the basket of groceries she carried on the counter.
"There we go," she said. Immediately pulling out vegetables and packaged meat.
"Negan said you would need a proper meal," she paused for a moment, her eyes combing the kitchen like she was looking for something before continuing.
"He says he yanked you out for a job last night while you were having dinner."
" That…He did " Kyrie said, while he closed the door behind him following behind her. His mind seemingly picks through memories, trying to place her face.
Nothing seemed to come up. There were apparently no memories, only a sense of familiarity. There were just blank spaces where something should have been.
She glanced back at him and smiled softly. "You don't remember me, do you?"
He hesitated, then shook his head slightly. "It's quite foggy. The episode was quite bad this time."
Her smile persisted but there was some sadness in her eyes. "I know, It's okay. Am sure you would get them back overtime"
She turned back to the vegetables, reaching out for a knife. " By the way,I'm Katherine. We've known each other for about two years now or so.
I work at the casino part-time, and I…well, I help Negan out every now and then. Mostly cooking though". She finished while hiding a blush.
"Katherine," Kyrie repeated slowly, allowing the name to settle in his mind hoping it would make a difference, It really didn't . Nothing actually came up but atleast he knew what to call her now.
She has started chopping carrots with quick, precise movements like a chef in a cooking show.
"You used to help when I cook. Well, "help" is one way to put it . You mostly just ate my ingredients." She chuckled.
Kyrie was leaning on the doorway, watching her work. "Sounds like me."
"It was." She paused, knife still hanging over the cutting board. "You were always fun to be around."
There was a lot of intention in her voice. It wasn't just fondness but something deeper.
Kyrie felt a bit of guilt. This wasn't necessarily his life and those were not his memories. But Katherine didn't know that. None of them did.
"What are you making?" he asked, doing well to change the subject.
Katherine's face lit up a little. " Some Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and vegetables.
I will make enough to carry you to dinner, maybe some for Negan if possible " She winked.
"Sounds good."
"Definitely." She said while the knife was pointed at him playfully. "You may help if you want. Or you can sit there and spectate. Your choice."
Kyrie pushed himself off the doorway. "I'll like to help. What do you need?"
She looked genuinely surprised. "Really? You usually never offer to actually help."
" Meet the brand new Kyrie, Kyrie 2.0 " He said with a shrug and a wide grin.
Katherine laughed warmly, there was so much genuine emotion behind it.
"Alright then. You can help me peel the potatoes. I think there is a peeler in the drawer next to the sink."
Kyrie made his way to the drawer, searching for a bit, he finally found the peeler, and got to work.
The task was a simple one, not requiring a lot of concentration. It allowed him time to think.
He had his Empath Sense active and reaching out toward Katherine. Her emotions swept over him, they were clear and strong.
She felt Affection, and sincerely cared for him. Not in a sexual way, but genuine fondness.
She felt relief too, seeing him up and about had eased something in her. And lastly although less open was a quiet sadness.
She was amongst a few that watched his struggle, watched him forget her over and over again.
Kyrie pulled back the skill and just focused on the potatoes.
"So…" Katherine said after a moment, "how are you really feeling now ? No episodes since you woke up?"
"None," Kyrie said. "I feel fine, a lot better than fine, actually."
"That's great to know " She glanced at him and with a bit of hesitation asked "Do you remember anything from before the hospital?"
Kyrie stayed silent, considering his answer carefully. "Only Faces mostly. Some places as well but it's all... scattered.
It feels like I am trying to put together a puzzle without having half the pieces needed."
Katherine nodded knowingly. " Your father said it might be like that for a while. But you'll definitely get better. You always do."
"Always?"
"You've had bad episodes before. Maybe not as bad as this one. And every time, you came back. Maybe not completely, but enough."
She placed the knife down and looked at him directly.
"You're stronger than you think, K-Y. Don't you forget that."
Kyrie didn't know how to respond to that. He felt like he was listening to someone exactly like his sister. He simply nodded and then buried his face in the potatoes.
They worked in the silence together with little to no awkwardness between them. Taking in the savory aroma of the chicken.
Katherine moved around the kitchen with composure. seasoning the chicken and setting things in the oven.
Kyrie finished the potatoes and moved on to helping her chop the vegetables unable to overcome the temptation of tossing some in his mouth.
At a point, Katherine turned to grab something from the counter and knocked a spoon off the counter. It fell toward the floor.
Kyrie reacted without much thought . Reaching out with Emperor's Hand, he was able to cause the spoon to pause mid-fall.
It hung in the air for less than a second before dropping the rest of the way, right at Kyrie's feet losing it's initial momentum.
He quickly bent down and picked it up, holding it out to her. "I Got you."
Katherine took it, laughing. "Nice catch. Your reflexes are always so good"
"I guess so." He remarked
She didn't notice anything off. That was good. He could use his abilities without being too obvious.
The cooking continued. Katherine started some small talk while she worked, not leaving a moment of silence.
She told him about their days at the casino, how funny and crazy events never seem to seize during her shifts.
She also sparingly mentioned Elaine, rather casually, and Kyrie's mins drifted back to the kiss they shared.
"She still asks about you, you know," Katherine said while stirring the pot on the stove.
"Every time we get to see. It's always 'How's K-Y? Is he okay?' She still cares."
"I know," Kyrie said subtly.
Katherine glanced at him, an all-knowing on her face. "You saw her, didn't you? Last night at the casino?."
"Yeah."
"And?"
"And... it was okay. A bit confusing, but okay"
Katherine smiled.
When the food was ready, the kitchen's airspace had transformed and smelled incredible.
Katherine dished everything, setting two plates on the casual dining table near the window.
The lack of sophistication wouldn't allow a stranger know this was actually a three bedroom apartment.
She sat across from Kyrie, as they ate together.
Kyrie saw how good the food looked, which made him salivate with the realization that he hadn't eaten all morning hitting him.
He began eating quickly, going from meat to potatoes at record speeds.
Katherine watched him with amusement. "Slow down. You'll choke."
"It's your fault for making something this amazing."
She smiled, quite pleased. "I'm glad you like it."
They talked more while they ate. Katherine asked him more questions, making sure to to carefully place them, making sure not to push him too hard.
She also told him more stories that helped fill in gaps he wasn't aware existed.
She mentioned places he usually went to. People he used to know. It was like she was helping him rebuild his old life.
By the time they finished, Kyrie felt good. Less lonely. Sure Katherine didn't know the truth, but she cared and that's all that mattered.
She soon stood, taking the used dishes off the table. "I'll clean up, then I'll get out of your hair. I'm sure you're still tired."
"I'm quite fine, actually."
"Alright" She started washing dishes, her back turned to him. "You should rest still. Negan would kill me if I let you overdo anything."
Kyrie watched her for a moment, then stood. "Thank you, Katherine. For the lovely meal and the time."
She turned facing him, her eyes filled with affection. " You don't have to thank me " She paused while wiping her hands on a towel.
" I hope you remember very soon dear " she said, having moved close to him and patting his right hand softly.
Kyrie wasn't sure what to say, so he just nodded.
Katherine smiled, squeezed his arm softly and then let go.
"Alright. I'll be back next week. Try to stay out of trouble until then. Okay ?"
She gathered her things, gave him a warm smile, and left.
Kyrie just stood there for a moment, processing everything .Katherine cared about him.
Elaine cared about him. Even Negan, in his own way, cared for him. Edwin and Lois were also on the side.
This body even though soul-less and on autopilot for a long while had a life. It built relationships and people around it.
And now he was responsible for all of it.
He exhaled slowly feeling the weight, he didn't plan for all this, it seemed the architect didn't give him the full gist
He took the room in, noticing the silence and deciding it was only right to take this opportunity to further his mastery of the system.
He moved back to his room. Sitting on his bed even as he conjured fre in his open palm.
He knew there was still so much he didn't understand. So much he needed to learn as at this junction the architect left him out to dry.
But he was definitely getting stronger, faster and more capable.
And whatever was coming, he'd be ready for it.