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 Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:41 pm
The Players: Cyr & Kay (ask if you want to join)
Setting: The Gilded Lily - Cafe, mid-winter
Time: Mid-afternoon
Despite the cold n** of winter outside, the inside of the generous cafe was warm, well set up and filled with the scent of various delicacies being prepared. Several padded chairs surround clean and cloth-ladden tables, haphazardly placed around the room, with a handful of lone chairs and end tables snuggled against a smoldering fireplace in the far corner. The bakery and counter stood out in the back of the store, with an easy to follow yet unmarked path through the seating arrangements to lead one to the displays of deli, pastry and miscellanious delights. Braziers strategically placed along the length of the walls burned merrily, lighting the room in a warm and comforting light, well enough to see by but soft enough in some places for those seeking a more private meal.
None of the Becketts were in the cafe today - Valentine's Day was fast approaching, and it was quite frightening how many people wanted a head start on those flowers! - but could be seen from time to time through the glass panel wall and door on the left side of the shop, directly connected to the Gilded Lily itself. The hired help were mostly busy with hot drinks and small hot snacks for the patrons, handing out hot cocoa to the children, tea to the adults and sweet fruit tarts to tide over those who were making their meal-time decisions.
The child of one of the Becketts was, however, in the cafe, carrying all the warmth and cheer of a portable fireplace. The Scent dashed around to deliver orders, making sure the lights were maintained and hollaring out the door at the unfortunate looking folk in the cold, a barker of sorts to bring them in. With each motion came a strange but somewhat pleasant scent of pomegranate, as warm and fragrant as the treats behind the counter but disappearing as quickly as the child moved. Kaoru was in the element of the season and helping others, a delightful smile upon that sweet and mostly innocent face. Dressed in the normal white gown with a cute red jacket, the child was quick to greet potential customers and tend to the current ones, offering a playful or child-like comment about the weather when time provided.
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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:28 pm
Cyralthein was one of those patrons, standing over by the bakery and looking over the variety of pastries and sweets available. He'd been out for a walk and the sweet smell of a bakery twined had drawn him almost immediately - it was a might more appealing then the chilly afternoon outside when frost still clung to the shadowed corners of buildings.
Though he hadn't been looking for it, when he realized the little shop was The Gilded Lily, Cyr had no choice but to visit. Crystal had mentioned this being her place of work and dropping by to say hello would be a pleasant event this day.
However, the Shifter found the shop busy and so had settled on passing the time in the little cafe. Finding a sugar-dusted pastry filled with strawberries and cream (a dainty confection all in all) that he thought rather delicious looking, Cyr paid and wandered over the fireplace. As a human, he found he was always more susceptible to extremes of temperature so the warmth of the fireplace was very much a welcome relief.
Rubbing his hands together, he inhaled the steam of the tea before him and smiled. Ahhh, it smelled wonderful. Wrapping long fingers about the cup, he brought it to lips and took an experimental sip then nodded in approval.
Maybe he'd sit here a little longer then he'd thought. It was cozy and welcoming, after all.
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:01 pm
The child recognize the man first by his stature; he wasn't much taller than the curly-haired woman he had come to visit, and he seemed less burdened by life than most of the other people that the Scent had observed. When he turned, however, Kaoru knew who he was right away. Those pink eyes were unmistakeable - he was the one Crystal had spoken with before she had left the party. He had seemed disgruntled by her leaving and the other in their company, and that made the pomegranate child curious.
Kaoru had the decency to wait until he sat before approaching him, bringing a snack of baked apple with cinnamon for consumption. Curly hair bounced as the child walked over to his side, looking just a little shy. "Hi," came the quiet and hurried greeting, "I saw you at the Crimmas party at Ment's place. Can I sit with you for a few minutes?" The Scent rushed words, glossing over the word 'Christmas' and referring to Olivia's Scent child more than the store itself. Kaoru wasn't usually one to be nervous, but he was an adult that mom knew, and good impressions were important!
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:54 pm
Cyr's thoughts were far away as the child approached so he didn't notice hir at first. However, as more words followed the initial greeting, the Shifter blinked and his gaze slid down to meet that of the one talking to him. "Hmm?" Oh great, a kid... immediately he had no idea what do. Cyr had never been one to really get along with children simply because he, well, kind of froze - never knew what to do or say, considered frolicking with them embarrassing.
"Christmas...? Oh!" He smiled then and nodded, unable to think of any good reason to say no. "Be my guest." The smiled reached his eyes as he watched Kaoru, amused by hir nervousness. He didn't bite. "Something you want.....?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:17 pm
The Scent clamored onto the chair opposite of the man, legs curled underneath the dress to better balance. "No, nothing I want," the child said thoughtfully, "I like your eyes. You seemed like one of the only people there not preoccupied with yourself." Kaoru tried to keep from beaming at the vocabulary that escaped those innocent lips, a very small curve of a smile forming in its stead. The Scent didn't intend to give away exactly why such interest had been taken up with the man, not immediately. Kaoru wanted his reactions to be unfettered by knowledge of relation.
"The man with you had lovely ears," the child continued on, oblivious to the strangeness of such a compliment. "It was nice to see everyone." The Scent smiled again, perhaps with a touch of hesitance or regret before taking a dainty nibble of the apple treat.
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:29 pm
At the unexpected comment Cyr pause, taking a moment to look the child over with a more appraising look. Finding no ill intent in hir body language, he smiled and bobbed his head, "Why thank-you." It was always a bonus when a stranger came up and complimented your appearance, child or not.
With the second compliment, he perked and leaned forward, bemused and disarmed by this little fountain of good woods, "I think he does." Reminded of his tea by the other's motion, he took a sip and peered over the rim of the cup at Kaoru. "Do you help out here, then?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:46 pm
"You're welcome," Kaoru quipped pleasantly, indulging in a few more nibbles before putting the treat down to speak again. Ruby eyes shifted around the cafe, flickering to the glass barrier to the flower shop before giving a bit of a sullen nod. "I try. No matter the season, there's always so much to do." He was a sharp one, this man, and the child wasn't sure the lack of formalities would be able to last much longer. Of course, Kaoru hadn't been around for a full year yet, but even in the 'slow' months, it seemed that there was so much more to do than the child thought possible.
The Scent shifted a little in the seat. "We grow flowers at home, mom and I, and fruits now too. It's like working all the time but it's fun." Kaoru's scrutinizing gaze peered into his pink eyes, whispering a question as though asking for the answer to a question that everyone knows, "Is it still work if it's fun?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:08 pm
Cyr's expression softened and he shook his head, "If you're having fun, I don't think it's work. Why would you want to do something if you weren't enjoying it, right?" Pursing his lips he thought the other's words over, "You and your mother? Does she work here too?" Looking up, past the child, Cyr's gaze played across the little cafe, wondering. She didn't look like Crystal...
As always, when deep in thought, his eyes glowed a little as he looked back at Kaoru, "What's your name?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:59 pm
Kaoru nodded firmly, as if the man had just confirmed the child's own considerations. The Scent ate another small portion of the tart, glancing between the man and the room, making sure to pay attention to his words and the influx of customers. It would do no good to forget one's job while enjoying a break!
A little surprised by the sudden askance of name, Kaoru smiled a bit, again displaying the shy child that wasn't seen very often. "I'm Kaoru, but my family calls me Kay. You can too if you want!" The Scent considered adding 'sir' or 'lord' in the address, but remembering the mixed reception of it from the always delightful Irene, decided against it unless instructed. Kaoru could always pawn it off on being a child rather than being inconsiderate or weary.
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Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:05 pm
As though he had forgotten his little treat, Cyr started and looked over at it. Eyeing Kaoru for a moment, he smiled and then took a spoonful of the treat. Making an approving sound he looked around once more before settling his gaze on the child, "Kaoru? An interesting name~" He bowed his head formally though it lost the lost effect as he had a spoonful of cake in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, "I am Cyralthein but please call me Cyr." The name held an exotic ring to it, almost sibilant in the way he spoke it.
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:35 am
The child was immediately taken with the man as he said his name, mouth open in a small 'o' of intruige. "What a cool name!" Kaoru exclaimed gleefully. "Sear-al-th-ee-ien..." A giggle followed the emphasized drawing out of his name, pleased with the way it sounded. "Aaw, it's so neat, but I'll call you Cyr. I like that too." Another giggle escaped the Scent, pleased that the meeting was going so well. Kaoru was content that this man was good to Crystal, and had no concerns that he may have prompted her behavior at the party.
Glancing over a dainty shoulder, Kaoru commented, "Oh...looks like the shop is finally slowing down." Looking back to Cyr, a delighted smile lit cupid bow lips. "Did you come here for flowers, Cyr? Or just the good food?" Kaoru grinned cheekily; it was no secret the child was a huge fan of Rose's cooking, but what grandmother didn't have a doting grandchild for their recipes?
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:04 pm
Cyr quirked a brow, amused by the other's parroting of his name. "Thank-you. Mmn, most people call me Cyr, yes." Following the other's gaze he nodded his agreement, "Flowers? Perhaps. There's a woman I'd like to say hello to, I was in the neighborhood and recognized the shop." He leaned forward then, tone suggesting a clandestine thought, "I don't suppose you can help me find her? Her name is Crystal."
Flowers were a good idea though, might be nice to grab a few for their home... he just knew next to nothing about flower arranging or care of them. "And then maybe I'll pick a few flowers out." He liked this kid. Not over loud, gave compliments easily, wasn't demanding and rather amusing. Kaoru definitely had his approval.
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:27 pm
The giggles started to get the better of the child, enough so that Kaoru deigned it necessary to cover that smiling mouth. "If she's who you're looking for, she'll find us," the Scent declared with laughter in sweet tones, "when she takes a break. She's easy to find." Kaoru wasn't usually one to play games, but it was just so easy to have fun around Cyr. There was a type of pride and warm approval that the child felt about the man's kindness towards the flower girl, and while assuming Cyr didn't know that Kaoru was Crystal's child, it would be a nice surprise, right?
"She can help you with the flowers too," Kaoru chattered happily. The child would have swung bare legs beneath the chair is glee if not for being perched on top of them. After a moment, the Scent added thoughtfully, "She'll be happy to see you."
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:39 pm
Cyr quirked a brow as the giggles increased and fixed hir with piercing look, trying to figure out what the cause for laughter was. After a moment of simply watching the child, he sucked on his lower lip and smiled, "Why, pray tell, are you so amused?" It never occurred to the Shifter that the little girl before him might be the daughter of Crystal, she had never described her and if the kid helped out around the shop, it only followed that she'd know Crystal.
However, the last comment gave Cyr paused. It was a rather familiar remark and he again looked at Kaoru, "I think you're toying with me Kaoru." There was no hint of anger or annoyance but Cyr did sit up a little straighter, an air of nobility settling around him as he crossed one leg over the other in a strangely feminine gesture, "Though I think the prize might be worth the work." A broad smile blossomed on his lips as he played along, now carrying his own suspicions.
What a delightful game.
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Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:48 pm
"I do help out, so, I do know the folk here," Kaoru sniffed. The child was merely playing, either not catching the airs of the adult or simply plodding forward as an innocent and naive being. "I saw you and her at the party, remember? She doesn't get many visitors, so..." The Scent smiled a little, trying not to make it so much a game as much as a mystery whose light would be shed upon very soon. Kay didn't know if Cyr would put together two and two and assume the child was related to Crystal in some fashion - since they were at the same place at the same time - but the flower girl was kind enough it could just be assume as a gesture of good will to take the Scent to the party. Of course, Kaoru had no idea that Crystal and Cyr had met thereafter.
Even so, those ruby eyes grew wide as though with disbelief. "I was laughing because you look so mysterious about your being here! It's fun and cool like your name." Kaoru gave another compliment, finding delight in acting like a child even while knowing more than letting on. It was less awkward to act like the age group than to be what the child truly was...which wasn't something entirely understood by the Scent, either. "I want to be cool like that too...but I am flattered you think I can act like an adult in that regard," came the slightly more mature answer, the child puffing slender chest in pride, "and I hope not to disappoint!"
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