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As always, Jada's christmas list was longer than it needed to be. Which, considering all the gifts on it were for her father's business partners and the twins, put some things into perspective. The pile of gifts she had used to give out to friends had dwindled along with her friends list, and after she'd started backing off of her work to focus on family... it had gotten even slimmer a list. Still, it was enough that when her father had called begging for some last minute help in picking up some items, Jada had groaned a little before calling in the twins out of the snow. She really needed to re-staff the house; maybe find a babysitter.

Because keeping an eye on two five year olds in this mess would have been impossible, if not for the childcare setup. Visits with Santa! Train rides! Whatever else! Jada didn't care so long as they were in one piece when she got back! She could deal with sugar rushes.

Pushing her way between two women arguing over a cashmere scarf- mmmm, cashmere- she grabbed at a pair of nice gloves, wondering why she was buying off the rack. At least they were nice gloves. She clutched them closer to her, sliding back out of the danger zone with a sigh, and tugging out her list again. A few secret santa type gifts for some old friends, some cheap, destructible toys for five year olds, and... shoes.

She might actually have to step into a Rack Room, if she thought Giuli was going to put cat poo in Aidan's shoes again.

So distracted was Jada, that she bumped into another figure, dropping both her list and the gloves with a squawk. "Sorry!"

How irritating. She had been doing so well, too, and here she was bashing into people. Where had those gloves gone? And her list was- feet! Feet everywhere! Grunting under her breath with frustrations, she missed the fact someone else was grabbing her things as she tried to find them.

Jada, is that you? the question got her attention, and she realized someone was holding out her list and gloves to her. The person she had bumped into, ironically; her chin lifted, eyes flicking up to the other person's heterochromatic eyes- and her face brightened from vague irritation into open pleasure.

Fiona had been a bit ahead of her at Crystal, with a family of repute "decent" enough that her mother bothered to ensure that her daughter knew of them. They had never been particularly close, but Jada had seen her in the library from time to time, and there had been conversations. Social circles and a common education led to at least some interaction, after all.

"I remember you," she said easily, taking the gloves, list, and Fiona in hand for a quick hug. "It has been a while. I don't think you made it to my debut, so... I haven't seen you since you graduated? Has it really been that long? You look like you've barely aged a day- gorgeous. Thank you for picking up those troublemakers." she waved the gloves, clenched firmly in manicured fingers.

Lips pressed against her cheek and Jada was hard-pressed not to close her eyes against the simple affection, She didn't like to think of herself as touch-starved; her friends and family had always been very affectionate, and as everyone dwindled... Well.

"Believe me," she assured Fiona, "You missed exactly nothing other than my mother being my mother. And the years after haven't been much more eventful." it was a bald-faced lie, and she smiled as easily as she said it as she did in front of a camera, lying to an audience, and the artist.

Her cheeks flushed with pleasure at the compliment, and she ducked her head. "A bit older," she said with a laugh; neither of them were very old, but neither were they the fresh-faced girl-children of 17. They were women now, with the baby-fat gone and faces fully bloomed. "

"I am glad I'm not the only one who needed to get away," she confided with a smile, "I was away for work, and just recently returned. I would love to catch up." her eyes lit up. "Have you had lunch? I know there are a few restaurants in here- if you don't mind mall food. Not the food court, too noisy, but a quick lunch somewhere else?"

"Parents are tricky. Some are aliens from outer space." her eyes danced with humor, and she squeezed Fiona's hand back, glancing down at her list. There was nothing else that she needed from here, so...

"How about you go grab a table, and I will meet you there once I have vanquished the dragon at the register?" her lips curved in a grin. "I mean, you can wait, but these lines are awful, I would hate to keep you in here."

Her lips stayed curved as she shook her head at Fiona. "This lunch will be on me, I invited you. Besides, I knocked you into that rack over there. Clearly I am in the wrong, and have to make it up to you." Clearly. It had nothing at all to do with the fact Jada just... was really looking forward to the company.

If only Fiona knew.

Jada positively beamed at the mention of another time, and only said, "We will see." she did so like to treat her friends. "I personally find it great fun to try and find inventive ways to steal the bill away. I won't make a promise to allow it that I can't keep."

With a moment of DOH! Jada yanked out her cell phone. "What is your number? I want to be able to text you when I am done. I don't want you wondering where I am." her face was open and excited. The lunch would be invigorating- just what she needed.

"It is good to see you too. An old acquaintance is just what I needed to perk me up today."

"Don't worry," Jada told her with a laugh, "I can talk about almost anything. We'll catch up!"

Fiona walked away and Jada let herself snicker with amusement, watching the other woman leave. It was good to be making a connection in Destiny City again, and even better that it was one somewhat unexpected. Hopefully she and Fiona would have an enjoyable lunch, and she'd be able to call on her again sometime, when she needed adult-aged company.

She shifted impatiently through the line, paying as quickly as she could and darting her way out of the store, and sending Fiona a text to let her know Jada was on her way. It hadn't taken the 24-year old as long to pay as she had worried it might, so hopefully Fiona hadn't been left sitting alone for too long... "Sorry," Jada said breathlessly as she slid in across from the other woman, "I probably could have walked, but I hate leaving people waiting." Brushing a lock of raven hair away from her sun-tanned cheek, she beamed at Fiona.

Definitely some hot tea to drink, she decided, pulling her feet up on the booth-bench next to her. "Have you ever eaten here before?"

"Just because you've waited longer doesn't mean it is acceptable to make you wait," Jada chided teasingly. "Next time, I'll do better." Assuming there was a next time. Jada knew she shouldn't get ahead of herself, but the thought was terribly exciting. She'd always done better when she had friends around her.

She took a few moments to settle in, shifting the glass and silverware a bit as needed so that she could lay out her menu, opening it in front of her, so she could see Fiona across the table without a menu-blocked view. "I'll try and make it quick, then," Jada said with a grin, turning her eyes down to the menu. Fiona's direct attention was, on one hand, discomfiting; but Jada was used to being observed, so she brushed it aside and went about her business.

"I think I might have eaten here once," Jada mused, "But it has been eons. I think this was the place that you don't want to get the fish. It might be a sit-down, but it is still mall food." it used to be she was a lot more adventurous about what she put in her body, but Jada was, apparently, beginning to be a bit of a food snob. Or she just really hated mall food. To be determined, later.

She skimmed the menu with a soft hum, considering her options quickly. Burgers, chicken, some kind of pasta that would make her European friends scream in horror at it being described as Italian, salads... "I'm getting appetizers," Jada declared breezily. "I'm feeling more munch and options than a proper meal." she set the menu down, and rested one arm on the table, leaning in and meeting Fiona's gaze. "So, what have you been doing since Crystal?"