It was winter break, her exams now a scattering of days behind her, and still she found the desperate need to be standing in line at the local chain for her morning cup of energy.
Extremely bitter energy until the barista buried it under enough caramel, sugar, and whipped cream to fuel a candy production line. It wasn't like she was counting calories. Though she didn't think a patrol was the best workout--the power boost negated the effort she put in, didn't it?--she still found the justification in consuming whatever sweets suited her fancy. She didn't want to even admit to herself the bitter mornings could even be chocked up to the... dreams.
Dreams, memories. She wasn't even sure what to call the dismal phantoms. She placed her order on autopilot and stood back by the pick up counter, idly crinkling the paper around her bagel around the handle for Raja's harness as the dog stood near. Lilith hadn't... spoken to anyone about it all. Oh she'd been tempted to use her magic on herself, see what sort of visions she might see of a supposed future--would anything align with what she'd seen in those dreams? But something kept her from it. A nagging at the back of her head, the same words she'd speak to anyone who asked about her magic--it only showed possible futures out of countless. Why was this epidemic any different?
Warnings were just that, weren't they? Warnings that things needed to change, events needed to be prevented. Which just lead back to the mind numbing chase of how and which events.
Raja moved closer to her as other footsteps drew nearer and Lilith pulled herself back out of her pointless thoughts. Yet more requests to pet the dog, all politely declined. The girls were the worst. At least most men backed off almost as soon as she said it. Children were the absolute worst to say no to, though it was a rule she'd stuck to for years. A working dog was a working dog, not a pet, and it wouldn't do her any good to let her seeing eye dog get distracted while on the proverbial clock.
The girl behind the counter called her name and Lilith stepped closer. There wasn't any fuss as the girl made sure to pass the drink to her, and Lilith's hand closed around the cup before any fiasco could take place. Again. There'd already been a few fun mistakes as she'd tried to speed her way off to a class.
But Raja helped to direct her towards the side of the cafe without any misadventures, locating an empty table pointed out by the barista as she'd gotten her drink. As she settled herself into one of the seats, she removed a napkin and part of her bagel from her bag, broken off from the rest of her breakfast to set down on the ground for her companion. She had actual dog food in her large purse just in case they were out long enough, but she saw no harm as she heard the dog start to noisily chew on the bread and cream cheese. It was then she heard a small voice asking if they could pet the dog, and Lilith smiled as she straightened in her chair. "You may, but please be gentle and don't pull on the harness."
Lilith herself took a sip of her scalding drink and thought nothing of the rule she'd technically broken. Raja was on break. Where was the harm? The burning liquid made its way down her throat and she sighed, listening as Raja's bulk hit the empty chair opposite her and the child laughed. Was she awake enough yet to deal with pulling out her laptop and doing some work?
Taking another sip, she wasn't sure a single cup was enough of a wakeup call that morning.
Guine
Lemme know if you want me to change anything up for an intro eAe; BUT LOOK A PUPPY.
