As the two of them approached the pastry case, the barista on the other side smiled warmly “Welcome, what can i get for you two this evening?”
“Go ahead and order first” Phedre stepped aside and patted Zac on the back before he had a chance fiddle around for his wallet while she figured out what she read going to order.
~~~
“Fair enough.” He nodded and glanced over to the far wall, part of it old well weathered brick, and then there was a framed out section that was all chalkboard paint, drawings and quotes and smudged out old phrases were surprisingly well monitored for cuss words.
Zac waved to the barista, clearly familiar with the staff, most of whom while they sported black aprons, also wore clothes that clearly expressed individual style.
There was a phone plugged into the overhead speakers, streaming some spotify of acoustic guitar, glass cases displayed home style baked goods, none of them quite the shape of another but fresh enough you could catch wafts of berry of cinnamon as they opened cases.
Zac glanced over the cases before approaching the counter, he ordered a chai, with whole milk which got a grin and a murmur of ‘decadent then’ - along with one of their cinnamon rolls with butter cream, which he asked to be warmed, he then stepped aside and waited for Phedre to make her choices.
The barista whom had stepped up to the counter offered helpfully. ‘We have an apple caramel chai we introduced for the season, It’s quite nice if you don’t mind apple!” She offered pointing to the seasonal board which displayed a caramel apple being dropped in chai illustrated in chalk and chalk paint.
~~~
“Hmm, I was leaning towards a pumpkin spiced chai tea but that actually sounds pretty good. I think I'll go ahead and try that, if I could get a grande please. Also, per his recommendation, I'd like to try one of your cinnamon rolls too, warmed please. And one eclair with extra creme on the side to go. Promised a friend we would bring one back for her.” Phedre glanced up at Zac with an almost mischievous grin, “unless there is something else you think she would prefer I think that will be it for now.”
~~~
The barista nodded and smiled and immediately she passed on the instructions for their order so that they could enjoy their orders quickly, and so that they could take the next order as well.
Zac led Phe to one of the tables with what looked like a well polished tree trunk sawed into a slab and attached to some old metal framing.
There were two slightly overstuffed armchairs and he pulled one out for her and then took the next one, they slid easily over the polished floor which was nice.
And in no time at all, the drinks and food were brought over smelling warm, cinnamony, buttery, and in her case, like apple and warm caramel.
~~~
“Mmm. I admit, you were right. This chai tea is amazing.” She used the side of her fork to cut off a bite sized piece of cinnamon roll. “How did you find this place?” Phedre asked before taking a bite off the sweet, almost rich, pastry; the icing on top was just heavenly.
Hole in the wall or family owned restaurants felt like rare gems; hard to find unless by word of mouth but true treasures with years of loyalty. Especially since in some facets they really shine brighter than most chain establishments.
~~~
“I just… wandered in here one time.” he said shaking his head. “It used to be quieter, now some days it's harder to get a seat I admit. But while I might pay a little extra I do like what they serve up, and they donate the things that don’t sell during the day. I suppose it’s like second hand good feelings. It’s not like it’s gone bad, and there is no reason more people shouldn’t enjoy it.”
He waved a hand and used a fork to cut part of the outer edge off his cinnamon roll before eating it that way, just the outermost ring one bite at a time.
“If you choose to frequent it, then it could be a nice place to pass notes to each other.”
~~~
“That would be a cute, if not fun, idea. But…” She paused for a moment to take another sip of her drink. “In the wise words of Abby, isn’t that what phones are for?” It was hard enough to keep a straight face and so, to keep herself from out right laughing, she took another bite of the pastry.
“I honestly mean no disrespect. But is there a reason to use notes rather than text each other?” As if she had just had an epiphany, Phedre reached into her side bag and produced a pen then, on the back of a napkin began to write something; carefully guarding it so he could not see. Once done she set it down on his arm rest with the pen carefully placed on top. With a smile she leaned back comfortably in the armchair.
~~~
“I meant, more that we could sit down and have tea.” He said with a soft laugh. “I suppose it shows my age.”
He did tip his head and glance at the note, before picking it up to read it over.
“Besides, if it were very serious I expect you could use one of the new … pads that they have, much more convenient than before.” He murmured distracted as he read.
~~~
Phedre let out a rather undignified snort. “Shows your age? Don’t even... You are not old enough to even say that.” Unless he really did have a baby face then maybe she might believe he was at most 27 but even that would be a push.
~~~
He laughed and put a mark on the napkin handing it back. “It’s likely we will tie.” He said as he slid it back.
“Given when I was promoted to my current rank, I do feel like I get to feel older than I am, how’s that.”
~~~
“Don’t sound so sure of yourself,” Phedre turned the napkin over and out an x in the upper right corner just above his ‘o’ then passed it, and the pen, back to him.
“Perhaps you should take my earlier advice and relax a little.Take a day off and go get a massage or something.” The comment was so casually made; it was as if it was an option that anyone, at the drop of a hat, could go out and do.
~~~
He placed an O in the lower left corner and slid it back. “I’ll have to try you at chess some time if you’re so sure of yourself.”
He said amused.
“And...no, massages require me to let other people to lay hands on me and I don’t want to think what they’d wonder about my back. I’m sure there are enough people out there whom remember leopard grappling with me that they could put two and two together.”
~~~
“Fair enough. But what if you were allowed to keep your clothes on?” That’s what she had been doing for Jasper, with the exception of the first time she had brought him to her house but to be fair he was already kind of half dressed since he had to use her shower. So in that regard it was just a matter of convenience. “Granted it wouldn’t be a full body massage but neck and shoulder don’t require you to take anything off.” Neither to hands or feet but she didn’t really really peg him for a mani-pedi kind of person.
“Anyway-” She shrugged having a feeling he would be rather firm in his decision. “I won’t push it, the offer is on the table though if you ever change your mind.”
Turning the napkin over she had an almost defeated look on her face as she put her next mark in the middle of the top row. However before handing it back Phedre took on an almost thoughtful expression. “What do I get if I win?”
~~~
He took the napkin, arched his eyebrows, and set it back down.
“Loaded question that.” He said shaking his head. “Since you’ve successfully weighted the board.” He said tapping it gently.
“What would you -like- to win?” He asked carefully.
~~~
“I’d be happy with another story honestly. Not now though, say- maybe next weekend over lunch. Unless you’re busy that is.” Her eyes narrowed in his direction as she jokingly scooted away from him. “What were you hoping I’d ask for? Another kiss?”
“Don’t get me wrong I’d be happy for a round…” She held her fingers up to count what number she was on. “Round three… but at this point in time” Phedre griminced “No offence but the brick wall outside would likely give more than you did.” He had been as stiff as a plank of wood both times she had kissed him earlier and though it could be chalked up to being surprised she knew better and because of that intended to behave, for now at least.
“Trust me when I say I’m not interested in taking advantage of your position. I’ve just had a really good time with you so far and would like to maybe meet up again if that’s something you’d be interested in. Preferably in a non-official capacity” Negaverse meetings allowed for some general chit chat before the the meeting actually commenced but given the first time she had actually seen him, hell had a better chance of freezing over than she had an opportunity to even say hello.
~~~
He considered her for a very long moment, perhaps uncomfortably long, watching her face, her eyes, and then nodded.
“Acceptable.” He said after a moment.
“I can think of something interesting to share I’m sure, maybe… the tale of the surrounding, space whales and the like, what happened to those civilians, or… the Blood Moon Court.” He said his eyes growing shadowed with memory as he mentioned the latter.
“The...little rebellion, but that I think is best left buried, unless they are so foolish as to try it again.”
At least he made no apology for being so, awkward when kissed. It absolutely wasn’t that she was not an attractive person, she was. It was just… complicated. And of course, he had preferences. Never mind that he’d prefer it never be suggested that he were taking advantage of his rank, or that someone might be taking advantage of it in turn.
~~~
When he passed the napkin back she looked at the available spaces; one guaranteed a win for her, the other a loss while the remaining well... it would be a tie like he had assumed it would be. “What if you won?”It was a purely innocent question but it could kind of sway where she put the next mark depending on what his alternative option would be. “What would you want as your prize?”
~~~
He looked thoughtful.
“Mmm… “ he said and tipped his head. “I’ll… be honest, I don’t think that there is anything I could request that could be given.” He said softly. “I suppose I could say something like, give me a card for one of those massages or something of the like. But most everything I place value on is… information, thoughts, memories.” He said and rolled his shoulders in a small, almost sad shrug.
“And for that, I’ve got a lot of reading to do which isn’t a bad thing at all.”
~~~
“I see…” For the briefest of seconds an almost sad expression passed over her features. It did not linger any longer than it took a person to simply blink. “None of which I can really offer at this time. I would have to make a card for you later if that was something you were interested in.” Her massage services, until recently, had been reserved only for her mother to help with her arthritis pains; Phedre wasn’t a registered therapist by any means but neither her nor Jasper ever complained.
“Perhaps you might enjoy some company? Unless- unless you’re prefer to read in peace.” Her eyes remained downcast. As she pondered her next move she took another bite of the cinnamon roll and chewed thoughtfully for several moments.
With the pen she placed an x in the top left corner the drew a strike through all three marks. “I’m sorry, but I think I like my prize better. Maybe next time I’ll let you win.” At the bottom of the napkin she wrote a small note that read ‘good for one free massage’ then handed their game back to Zac to do whatever he wanted with it.
~~~
He glanced at the note and laughed.
“Well… I’ll keep it in mind on both fronts.” He said with a small nod and smile. “And, now we know where to meet for company.” He added raising his cup in a salute.
“When it’s warmer, even Abby can be involved. Till then, well… she gets take away I suppose.” He said with a small smile.
“Cheers then, to new acquaintances, and good tea.”
Endejester
Follow up to When Dreams Become Reality
