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 Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 6:05 am
Quote: Prompt 9: Small custom shops and stalls always seem to open up this time of year, and Destiny City has no shortage this year. Several seasonal themed shops have already received raving reviews, and among them is a small cafe. Outside it looks like a cute vintage cafe, but inside, the shop has been decorated so convincingly that you feel like you've just stepped into a snowy northern forest. They have an array of delicious, cold drinks, and the trip would be worthwhile for that alone--except, shortly after the first sip, anyone who has ingested the drink will find that they sneeze a flurry of tiny snowflakes. The more drinks consumed, the longer you will find you are sneezing little snowflakes. It feels like there is a tickle up your nose for an hour or longer, depending on player choice; drinking more can also lead to longer effects. There are no negative impacts--just the need to sneeze often, and a little burst of cold snowflakes along with each one. Surprisingly, the shop still doesn't have any bad reviews. Rin had texted him about this cafe. She'd read the reviews and thought it was really cute and she wanted to go, but some part of her didn't want to go alone. Thinking back to her last outing, it had gotten onto heavy topics with Leander. But she did learn something about him. She asked to meet him toward the evening, after she finished the online work she had to do to get ready for school to open back up when the holidays were over. So, tucked against her side as she bundled up in her coat and scarf, was a large but flat box. It was wrapped with a bow and a little tag on it, nothing too fancy. Red paper that was shiny, a silvery white bow. She waited just across the street from the cafe. Leander wouldn't be hard to spot, even if he was wrapped up for winter. He had some easy to spot hair. So, the short woman scanned the crowd with her one eye as she tried not to let her nerves get to her too badly right now. Rin hadn't told Leander she'd gotten him anything, and that part made her a bit anxious.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 6:21 am
Leander had, naturally, agreed at the first excuse to come in from the cold; he'd been out all day, photographing things for a local article, and he was chilly. He was bundled up, in two shirts, a sweater, and a well worn winter jacket. His pants were still wearing out at the knees, but he was wearing some sort of leggings, probably thermal, underneath. Black on black was hard to tell, but the clever eye could see it if they were looking.
Boots, always his boots, knee high and the best protection against the snow he could manage.
He had a hat over his hair, worn down to mask his face as much as possible, and a scarf and gloves.
His camera dangled from his neck, and when he got to the café, he gave a little look around and, not seeing her--and not very eager to wait outside, he leaned against the building--too cold, he adjusted positions so just the sole of his boot was propping him up, pulled off a glove, and texted:
Quote: Here. It's cold, are you inside already?
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 6:26 am
She heard her phone chime the familiar jingle for Leander and dug it out of her pocket with he free hand. Checking the message, she looked around with a frown. Well hell. She missed him somehow in the crowd. Now that she knew that, Rin pocketed her phone and scrutinized every face as she walked across the street to see where he was. When she found him, she just stood beside him for a minute, waiting, debating if she scared him or just greeted him. "No, I'm not inside. I was across the street." She grinned a little up at him with her dark eye crinkling around the edges before she motioned to the door and opened it for him. "After you. Like you said. Cold!"
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 7:20 am
Leander glanced up and flashed a grin. "Oh, there you are. I didn't see you in all the winter gear. I could have gotten the door for you, your hands are full!" he said, but he didn't waste any time shuffling into the building. He let out a soft sigh as the wave of warmth immediately crashed into him, and removed his other glove so he could rub his chilled hands together.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting long, I was finishing up a shoot."
He didn't even seem to look at the box she held, like it was an after thought--not even something he should be curious about, except for the fact that she wanted to open doors and function while carrying it.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 7:26 am
She could do both things with no help. She was a strong, independent woman who don't need no man. Or something like that. Rin also just did it because she was just wanting to get him inside where it was warmer. He seemed chilly to her, despite all his wrapping up. "Well, I'm pretty easy to miss." Most of her stuff was black, her favorite color apparently, but it all went together pretty well. Rin couldn't fault him for not spotting her. She was also pretty short. When she followed in behind him and the warmth hit her, the woman let out a deep breath and shuddered before settling. Her hair seemed to fluff up a bit from her sudden shiver. "I'm glad you wanted to meet up. It's been a while since we saw each other." There was another little smile on her lips didn't fade, even as she shuffled to one side to let anyone else who may or may not be in here in or out. She just didn't want to be too much in the way while unwrapping herself a little.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 7:47 am
"You, easy to miss? Nonsense. I'm glad to see you, though. I always get a little busy around the season--everyone wants their picture taken, you know? Oh, man, I didn't realize how frozen I was until I got inside. I might have frozen out there if it weren't for you."
He glanced around for just a few seconds and then gestured for her to get in line with him.
"I need something warm, I think, and then I'll be good as new. What have you been up to?" he asked, clearly excited to catch up.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 7:51 am
"Nothing, really. I did a deep cleaning on the house." She didn't really celebrate Christmas. Years alone meant she didn't appreciate it as much. The main thing Rin did was order fast food and binge watch feel good movies. Then when it got later in the night, she switched to movies to cry to and then went to sleep pretty content. She did get in line with him, though. "Besides that, just preparing for the kids to go back to school after the holidays. Making sure things are in order for teachers and faculty alike." Rin did hold up the wrapped package though. "....Did some shopping. Well only for you, but still. I wanted to try a ....frappe? It's like a smoothy but coffee instead and ice?" Was that what it was called? These things weren't something she kept up with.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 7:59 am
Only now did he seem to pay attention to the package she had. "Oh--what?" he blinked, and accepted the gift somewhat confused. "You got me a present?"
He was surprised, touched, and then guilty, all in the span of a few seconds.
"I didn't get you anything, Rin, I didn't even think about it. I'll make it up to you. I almost never celebrate Christmas--I mean, I get my sisters gifts, but it's not usually more than gift cards. But I didn't live with them for so long, I didn't even know what they--can I open this now?" he asked, uncaring if they were still in line.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 8:04 am
"C-calm down!" She held up her free hand and shook her head. "Calm down, you don't have to get me anything. ....You already have. Sort of. You talk to me. You... care. That's more than most people these days." And so she handed him the package, scooting up in line when they needed to. "If you want to you can. Uhm. I'll... Well, after you open it we'll talk. But. This is just a small thank you." Rin took a deeper breath and then looked down to her boot clad feet while shoving both of her hands in her pockets once he had taken the box. The small tag on the package just read: To: Leander, Thank you, Rin. When he opened it, Leander would find a new coat. Rin was really nervous about it. She wanted to get him something practical, but fashionable. Something more personable than a simple card or general 'blanket or mug of cocoa' type of present. Rin felt like she was going to die of blood loss from how hard she was blushing.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 8:13 am
For a few seconds longer, he looked guilty. Finally, he sighed and just nodded; he read the tag and removed it, but instead of crumbling it to throw away, he slipped it into his pocket, maybe out of habit. He carefully opened the box as they waited in line and paused when he saw the coat inside.
He was quiet for a few seconds as he looked it over, as he reached out to touch it.
"Rin," he said, obviously not scolding, but looking up for a second and then lifting the coat.
"Rin, this is a nice coat," he said, and briefly wondered how much it must have cost.
"You don't have to get me anything. We're friends, you don't owe me anything for that. I talk to you because I like talking to you, and I care because you're a good person. I mean--thank you--are you sure?" he asked, already stroking the fabric again and thinking about how much warmer he'd have been in that.
They were almost up to order but he just seemed smitten with the coat.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 8:19 am
She looked up at her name and then smiled at the reaction that followed it. Obviously she'd guessed right about something Leander would like. Rin pushed her hair out of her face and adjusted her eyepatch while he seemed to pet the coat. "Well. I wanted... something you could wear. I remember you saying you kept a lot of things for years. So now you have a fresh coat to keep you warm for a long time." She hoped so, anyway. With him being outdoors in the winter, a lot, she was doubly glad she bough it for him. Rin hadn't even thought about him being outdoors for hours for photoshoots for crazy people who thought winter was pretty. "So I hope it fits you. If it doesn't, I kept the receipt so we can go get it exchanged for a size that does fit. I never...asked you what size you wear." She basically had to describe what she thought he looked like to the store clerk to help her. Rin ended up giving him a bit of a nudge so they scooted up again. "So... Uh... Do these...shops pop up a lot?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 10:18 am
A grin split across Leander's face as he continued to admire the coat. "Okay, okay. And you have good tastes, this is a nice looking coat." He shuffled forward and, mindful of the people in line around them, tried it on.
It fit.
Perfectly.
He shivered as the cold seemed to ease out of him.
"Wow. No, it fits. I love it, thank you. These shops are kinda common, it might be the same company that just does seasonal fronts based on whatever location is cheapest? I'd have to look into it, but they're always a hit. People rush for the 'limited edition' stuff. Let me buy your drink," he said, as they moved forward in line. He ordered what he wanted--one warm sandwich, and a sweet, coffee based drink. The cool drinks sounded nice but it was too cold for him, today.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 11:46 am
She couldn't help but admire Leander in the coat after he put it on. She held the box for him, putting it back together and let him buy her coffee. She was very pleased with herself. He was already a very good looking man, and the coat only enhanced that. It's what she had wanted, after all. That and for him to stay warm. Staying right by him, Rin did end up shuffling a little to get out of the next person's way. "Oh good. It was... It was a bit of a guessing game, really. Your height and everything." She didn't buy for other people even before she was forced away from family and friends. Not clothing, anyway. Gift cards were always a hit. "Well... I guess I just don't pay too much attention." Yes, Rin couldn't really take her eye off of of him now. This was going to end up being a really big problem fo rher. Dang it. Do something nice for someone and torture herself in the long run. Ah, well. At least he looked warm now.
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 2:04 pm
The drinks were paid for, and delivered promptly, but Leander didn't seem to have any reason to want to leave the warmth of the restaurant, and there was an open table with two seats empty and calling to them.
"You don't pay too much attention, but then guess everything correctly? I don't know, something about that doesn't quite add up," he said with a smile, pulling out his chair for her before slinking down into his own, carefully holding his coffee and sandwich.
"Thank you, Rin, really. Wow. I forgot clothes could be this warm..."
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2021 2:16 pm
She flushed a little bit at being called out in her lie. Whatever. It didn't matter anyway. Rin ducked her head a little and then adjusted her eyepatch again before wrapping her hands around her drink and getting comfortable in her seat. "It's... Now you just make me wish I got you more winter clothes." She huffed, amused before taking her first sip at her frozen drink, letting the coffee coat her tongue with a little sigh. That was a good drink. Not as sweet as she wanted, but it wasn't disgustingly bitter, so she wasn't going to complain. "It's not ....Well, it's a thank you again. I know I didn't have to, but it was...just something I wanted to do. I like you." She wasn't putting any weight behind the confession despite ..what she thinks is a fairly obvious attraction. It was enough being friends with him. Besides, friends was always easier, she'd learned. You didn't have to worry about getting as broken if they decided to walk away. "So maybe expect a sweater soon. ...Or some decent pants. ...A whole outfit."
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