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 Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 2:41 pm
Cadence had been pleased when Caius said that he would go to dinner with her, and she tugged him all the way to the diner, pleased when the warmth and the smells hit her. “Oh my god, you’re going to love this place, I swear. Do you like onion rings? I’m going to order us some to share if you’re interested, if you don’t like onion rings, they have really great friend pickles too. And if you want both, just let me know!”
The sign at the front of the host stand said for everyone to seat themselves, so she tugged the boy over to a booth in the corner. “Sweet. They have a great ordering system, it’s all old fashioned but, the ordering is all here on the juke box!”
She gestured to the small chrome plated box that was against the wall, and there was a small touch screen on it. “It’s great when you’re hungover and just want to order without judgment. I mean, not that such a thing has happened to me more than a few times, but when I come with my friends…” Cadence shrugged, ordering herself a coke with vanilla added. “They like to come here hungover.”
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 3:37 pm
It had been a while since Caius had to worry about his funds, but entering the diner he couldn't help but do a mental calculation of how much he had in his wallet, how long it would last him. He did the mental rundown of everything else he could be buying instead of food.
He hadn’t been to a place like this; the prices seemed reasonable but if he wanted diner food there was a cheaper place a few blocks away, and–
He had money in his pocket. He had funds. He had a home. He had people who cared about him. He had people who made sure he was okay.
He ordered water out of habit.
“I’ve never gotten drunk,” he said, and flashed her a quick smile as he leaned in to look over the menu. He was a perfectly well-behaved seventeen year old boy who just so happened to be terrified of losing control. “Do you have a favorite? I don’t think I’ve even had some of this stuff before. So whatever you want to get, it sounds good to me.”
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 3:43 pm
“All right, awesome…then are you hungry enough that you want a meal too? Or should we just be crazy fools and order all of the appetizers and call that our dinner?”
Cadence hesitated, and then did just that. Fried pickles, Cheese fries with bacon, Mozzarella Sticks and Onion Rings. Super healthy, super great meal.
“Also, I’m getting us both the peach cobbler, unless you don’t like peaches, just let me know right now if you don’t, because I’ll get you the berry one instead…or a sundae. Everything’s good here. Nothing wrong with never being drunk. My theater group just…we party when shows close or after rehearsals. It’s tradition, or at least I’ve found that it is. Work hard and party harder!”
She grinned at him, leaning back in the booth. “If there’s anything else you want, just poke away!”
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 4:32 pm
Caius leaned in again, a bit surprised at how much she was ordering. “I will eat literally anything,” he said, and hesitated because–what, how was he going to pay for all of this. Well, he could! But it was still a lot!
“I think, um–can you eat all this? Or–we,” he corrected, she’d said we! Four appetizers were way too much to consider ordering an entree, too! He wasn’t sure he’d even have room for dessert!
Well, no. He’d make room.
“I’ll try their peach cobbler. My, um–” his voice softened into a mumble and he might have said ‘dads’, or he might have just said something else, “–runs a bakery. So I get a lot of sweet things. But I don’t know if I’ve ever had a peach cobbler. I’m excited. I don’t need anything special though. Thank you. Are you guys doing any productions or anything? I’ve never been to one of those before, either. But I’m interested!”
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 4:41 pm
Cadence smiled and nodded, grinning. “I think we can eat it all, yeah. Absolutely.” She hit the send button, but only after ordering a second water for herself and a coke float for Caius, just because.
She sighed then and shook his head. “No, I’m not involved in anything right now, but I wish I was. My last few auditions haven’t gone over too well, but that doesn’t mean that a big break isn’t coming soon!” Because it was, just in a very different way. Perhaps with start of her new life she’d have better luck with her auditions and actually land some lead roles.
Unlikely, but hey. She could hope.
“There is a production coming up, it’s another national tour of Wicked, have you seen that musical yet? If you get a chance you should try to get tickets, it’s fantastic. One of my favorites, hands down.”
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 5:15 pm
Caius shook his head. “I haven’t seen any of them. But I’m interested. Mostly I just draw. I mean, I’m still doing school, and I work at the bakery, but I keep getting told to try and do more things, so I might try. Do you want to go, maybe? If not, that’s okay,” he insisted quickly, probably used to rejection, but he didn’t seem too flustered about it. He just didn’t want to pressure her!
“I can ask Nick if he’s ever been, he seems like he might enjoy stuff like that. He’s dramatic, at least.”
And Caius couldn’t really say it but he did enjoy spending time with him.
“Just promise me that when you do get your big break, you’ll invite me. I want to see. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. You’re a lot of fun, I bet you could bring a lot of energy to the stage.”
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 5:31 pm
“Hey, nothing wrong with drawing! Are you any good?” She looked excited by the prospect, but her smile faded just slightly at his asking if they could go together, and for a moment she felt a pang of guilt, and one of doubt. Cadence was going to upset him, and that sucked.
“I’m not sure! If I’m here when it comes in, absolutely, but if I can’t, you should still go and see it anyway! It’s worth seeing. Also, I will happily let you know when I make my big break. I think it sounds wonderful. I would love to get it soon though, I’ll tell you that.”
She sighed and then grinned when the drinks came, waggling her eyebrows at Caius. “Surprise! A coke float for you too! Enjoy it, you’re not just going to drink water. I told you, this is my treat.”
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 5:45 pm
Caius was obviously surprised; his whole face lit up when the drinks arrived. “Oh–really?” he asked, and looked like he couldn’t contain his excitement. It was clear that he did not wait to see if she was pranking him because he immediately took a sip, held it in his mouth, blinked, and then went back for a second one.
“–I love it,” he said, and sat up a little as he tugged the glass to him.
If she’d been trying to distract him, it had worked.
“I think I’m pretty okay at it. I get to do art and sell charms at the bakery, we have a whole themed line based on the characters I made. Oh, here,” he said, and pulled out his keys so he could show off the cute little rabbit keychain he had. It was white and fluffy, and curled up around a holographic gold star. “This is one of the new ones. I’m supposed to be saving it for the Star Festival but it’s so far away. I get to draw little pieces of art for them and do all the art for the bakery. I feel really lucky to get to do that, and no one’s complained! Yet.”
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 7:14 pm
“Oh no! That’s so cute! Let me know what bakery, yeah? I want to grab myself one of those, it’s precious. I bet my girlfriend would like one too…” She looked thoughtful, sipping her drink and sighing at the taste. “Gosh I love floats. I’m glad that you like it too! I know a lot of people like root beer but, I’m a fan of coke. It’s far more mellow.”
Her stomach gave a rumble and Cadence sighed. “I’m ready for the food though, I’m glad you’re okay with me ordering literally everything.” She wondered now what Gwen did like? Would she like the rabbit or…
Hm. Honestly, she didn’t know much about the corrupted senshi but…
That would change.
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 7:49 pm
Caius just smiled enthusiastically. “I’ll bring some the next time I see you. I’ll bring a business card with the website on it too, you can tell me if there are any more than you like. I mean, or you can have this one,” he seemed ready to unclip it and was already fumbling with his keychains. “I’ve only had it for a few days and I’ve been careful, so this one is still in good shape.”
And–they were friends! So, he was more than happy to share! He’d see her again anyway, maybe he could bring a few more for her and her girlfriend.
“I mean, it’s the least I can do for you introducing me to these. I’ll have to get this again.”
Maybe they could do this more often! He could have an excuse to go hang out with friends, to power up. He almost even felt normal right now!
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Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2022 8:05 pm
“Ee!” Cadence took the charm and looked utterly delighted. “Thank you! I’ll treasure it!”
Swiftly she put it on her purse and looked at it with such a happy expression. “Thank you for this, Caius! Seriously! It’s been so fun getting to know you!”
He was a good kid, and she would miss him. But…at least now he knew how to use his magic, and he seemed like he had some confidence in himself while being powered so…that was good. Confidence was everything.
So deep in thought, Cadence hadn’t realize that a waitress was at the table until the soft thunk of the plate of onion rings were placed down, and then she almost jumped. “Oh! Yum!”
She waited for the woman to leave, giving her thanks and took in the table full of food. All unhealthy, and all smelling utterly delicious. “Dig in, Caius! It’s time to feast!”
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