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 Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2020 10:07 am
Things were missing from her life, that much was certain, but she hadn't been left entirely to her own devices. For whatever reason she'd been watched for a while, directed to certain services and assistance programs in a manner that would have implied that whatever had happened, they intended to get her back on her feet. There were periods where she was slightly irked by the spotty parts of her memory, but she was healthy and happy for the most part so in the grand scheme of things that was all that mattered.
In time she'd put the pieces of the puzzle together again, she just had to be patient.
With this in mind the young woman had continued with her day to day life and picked up her routine where she felt it had left off. She woke up each morning, she got herself ready and then she went for breakfast. This always involved a trip to one of the nearest coffee shops for hot chocolate, and then she would make her way to 'school'.
Or at least that was how it normally went anyway. It seemed that she'd forgotten that when it came to seasonal periods there were some retailers that started a little early and she now found herself trapped in a rather long line. She hadn't wanted anything special, but it seemed that those within the queue certainly did.
She had little other choice than to pull out her phone to kill some time. Someone might talk to her eventually, but for now at least she had something to read...
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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 3:56 pm
Part of why he insisted on mostly online courses--and if that couldn't be done, mid-day or evening courses--was simple: Cabhan needed his mornings for recuperation and personal work. Mornings either were when he just came off being Rigel through the night, and needed a pick-me-up before he crashed for a nap to survive any in-person classes, or he'd managed some form of sleep due to heading in 'early,' only to be woken up as Jericho headed out to work.
The man could walk remarkably silently in combat boots as Seraphinite, but stomped around worse than a thunderstorm in bare feet or sneakers, Cabhan had long learned.
Grabbing his laptop, whatever books he might need, and heading to a cafe to force himself to be productive had become a secondary routine to keep him from only having his room, and the Negaverse-related activities as his only focal points in his life. At least at the cafes, as he worked on assignments or personal projects--editing videos, writing music, various research projects for new videos he could shoot--he felt... more apart of Earth's denizens than some alien.
The grumbles and whispers were less common once he stuck to Seraphinite, but some agents still liked to use that old point to hiss about, it seemed. A justification for why they could continue to treat corrupted senshi poorly--they weren't meant to be apart of Earth's population, which (at least within the context of the argument) was who they actually were protecting.
Cabhan was amused by the concept--he wasn't aware ripping out starseeds and harvesting folks' energy was a way of protecting them.
Such thoughts were fresh in his mind after the brief conversation he'd had with Jericho, namely the latter grumbling that the former shouldn't concern himself with whatever chatter he heard from lieutenants. Focus on other things. More productive things. And don't be late for their training rounds later.
Cabhan considered these points as he slid past the door into the chosen cafe for the morning. The extended line made him pause within the frame, just long enough for nearby patrons to begin to hiss and grumble about the chill he was letting in. Mindful of his hefty satchel bag, he stepped in fully and got into line, leaning slightly to the side to behold the length of the current queue. One customer's voice rose, something about being late for work.
He snorted. "If people were in such a rush, why not do orders on the app to just pick up here, then be on their way, instead of standing in line?" Did he expect the person in front of him to acknowledge his point? No, not really. Looked like she was engaged with something on her phone. Maybe was even one of those rushed workers.
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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 4:05 pm
"Because that would require forethought and most people don't function that well in the morning," the red head replied. She hadn't looked up from her phone at this stage, but was paying enough attention to pick up his off hand remark. He may have meant it as a rhetorical one but in the grand scheme of things the woman had lost some of her ability to recognise nuance and social cues.
Eventually she looked up and offered a smile, glancing down briefly at the rather large satchel and then the man that was attached to it. Suffice to say she was a morning person and she wasn't as distressed as those in the queue regarding their own deadlines this morning, but that didn't necessarily mean that their concerns weren't valid.
"It might actually be worth ordering via the app though," she admitted as she held up her phone. Sure enough she had actually ordered through it, but given the queue length she was sceptical she would be receiving it any time soon.
"I guess they released their gingerbread lattes early," she mused and pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Not really my thing, but I guess they're special enough to cause some chaos huh?" she held out her phone and waved it just in case he wanted to place his own order. She certainly seemed to be quite free and forthcoming with conversation and her possessions, though generosity had always been a fundamental part of who she was regardless of what fate may have befallen her...
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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 4:38 pm
A grin broke across his face. The logical response was a surprise, and he quite appreciated such surprises. "But then they'd be less rushed, and less cranky all together. Seems worth an extra thought in the morning, to me." He paused, considering the employees behind the counter, and frowned. "Plus, they'd maybe be a little less bitchy to folks."
Dangerous things to say aloud--it likely wouldn't take much for one of their tempers to flare on towards him. But part of him almost wanted the confrontation--something entertaining in his eyes--to help liven up his morning.
Given he was in something of a conversation with someone who didn't deserve to be dragged into such nonsense, though, he refrained from trying to poke the proverbial bears.
Probably some literal, too.
Instead, he perked to hear she'd ordered already. "Oh, you should go wait by the other end of the counter, then, right? Just walk right by these folks and ignore them." He lifted his head, searching for an 'Online Pick Up Here!' sign or something. His attention was diverted back, though, as the bright screen was waved slightly towards him. He blinked a couple of times before he shook his head, smiling. "No, thank you. But that is a good idea to just... do that now," he added in a hum, pulling out his own phone from an inner pocket in the jacket he wore.
"I haven't tried the gingerbread ones, but the salted caramel white chocolate lattes are fantastic." He placed an order for such a thing, and hit the 'I'm here' button on the screen once able.
The fact she had offered her phone towards him though was somewhat fascinating to him. Most people hoarded their shiny things like they were dragons. Was she really so trusting to others? Or was she new to the city, from a place where someone grabbing her phone and running out the door didn't occur? Or, another option in that city, was she had enough personal--or familial--funding that a lost cell meant little.
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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 4:45 pm
"It certainly is but that doesn't always mean that you can rely on people that way," she pointed out with a wry smile. She didn't even sound like she was criticising them as she stepped out of the line and picked her way passed the line towards the waiting area. She didn't necessarily expect them to have her order there either and she was happy enough to wait, but if it did happen to turn up sooner than she wouldn't say no either.
Given he had chosen to order when he'd arrived the same way she had, it was likely he had followed behind her anyway. Well, she could assume it given that he was the one who had pointed out the area to begin with!
"Once people have their first hit they normally improve, if anything the baristas are offering a public service and that's very noble of them," she added and slipped her phone into her bag. Zipping it shut, she rested delicately against one of the counters and turned her attention to the unfortunate souls behind the counter who just hadn't stopped moving since she arrived.
Oddly enough, it did seem like they were prioritising two of the drinks.
...Did that mean?
"I'll be honest though this isn't really one of my regular haunts," she admitted and shook her head. "It was just meant to be more convenient as I was already headed in this direction."
"I'm Liliane by the way," she offered, "Not that it matters all the time but I always prefer to at least remember my manners, fleeting as some encounters may be!"
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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 5:09 pm
"True enough," he laughed, snickering a little. "Can only ask it of yourself, and be pleasantly surprised if others have the same thought." She was being polite, generous towards the other folks. Cabhan... less so. After all, some were being rude and inconveniencing others, things that could have been avoided if they'd just planned their morning better. Or didn't take it out on folks around them.
But she made fair, valid points. Continued to, as he followed her off towards the pickup area on the counter further down. A few scowling faces followed them as people who hadn't already ordered were forced to remain in line.
"It'd be nicer then if they were paid a bit better, given they have to deal with some of the worst sides of humanity. 'Unsung heroes' comes to mind, oof." That time, Cabhan did keep his voice down, having no interest in upsetting any of the workers busy behind the counter. They were likely well enough aware the pay didn't entirely fit what they had to deal with--he was assuming, at any rate. Some places paid better than others, so wasn't like he had their financial information at his fingertips.
"Oh, you, too? About this not being your regular, I mean. I was just going to find a random spot to sit for a while and do some work. Didn't expect to walk into this." One hand lifted and motioned vaguely towards the packed line, though the number of tables open was a relief to him. The introduction was unexpected and he inclined his head slightly, dark locks somewhat slipping from behind his shoulder as he did so. "Nice to meet you, Liliane. I'm Cabhan. Nothing wrong with manners! It's nice to put a name to a face after chatting with someone a little."
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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 5:21 pm
"That, and it's a small world... You never quite know when you'll run in to someone again," she agreed. She'd remember his name, that was one thing she was good at... or at least she seemed to be even if she had periodic moments of uncertainty and fuzziness at the moment. Her accident had been an odd one, but whatever concussion she had gotten had certainly done a number on everything up until this point.
If she saw him again, she'd know who he was.
Nevertheless her name was eventually called and she strode forward to collect her drink, slipping the tip into the jar with a warm smile. She could agree that they were entitled to far more money, but in a world where she had to make that difference for now, she'd do her part. However now that she'd gotten what she came for and on this occasion she couldn't overstay her welcome, it was safe to say that she needed to take her leave.
She had work to do and she needed the lab to do it in which meant that on this occasion Cabhan would be able to work in peace.
"It really was lovely meeting you by the way and I hope the rest of your day is wonderful," she motioned to the empty chairs and winked. "At least there's plenty of space for you."
"If you're ever near Central Park there's a lovely little place in there that does amazing stuff, that's where I normally go when I'm not running slightly late," she admitted and gave a wave. She wasn't as late as some of those in the queue were but she certainly did need to get a move on so that she didn't inadvertently stand anyone up. They wouldn't mind her being a little late, but if she seemed like she was going to be a no show then they might leave!
"Perhaps I'll see you there!" she called as she opened the door. "I'll even buy you something to mark the occasion," she finished and with that, promptly swept out the door and bustled down the street. With a spring in her step her jovial demeanour very much seemed to be her default setting, though that would be confirmed in the future if he ever did manage to stumble upon her again.
For now though?
Well for now, he was free to do his own work without a chatterbox in his ear. Pleasant as she might have been there were times when everyone needed to concentrate and he at least deserved the opportunity to do that.
She soon disappeared from view, leaving the less optimistic of the pair in the company of the original queue dwellers. If her drink was anything to go by, at least his order wouldn't take too long... Right? Kaefaux /Fin from Lily. (Mwuahaha!)
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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2020 6:46 pm
Cabhan considered this a moment, head tilted and lips pursed. On one hand, he wanted to point out with how huge the city was, encountering people on the off chance was slim. But... at the same time... this city liked to act on rules of its own half the time, it seemed.
"True again~ you've got a really nice way of looking at things," he remarked with a grin, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly with mirth. "I'd much prefer that over meeting someone nice, and that be it. That's just... well, won't think on that. Focus on the sad or negative, and that's all you invite to you." He nodded firmly to himself, holding fast to the notion of why pushing positivity was important. No, Liliane's way of thinking was far better.
After her drink appeared, it made only sense that she'd need to depart. Better to not keep whatever her day had in store waiting. Almost disappointing though, in a way. She was bright and cheery, and the grumbling, foul moods of those still waiting in line seemed all the less gloomy to him with that happier presence about.
"It was great meeting you, too, and I'll remember that! Near Central Park, got it. I haven't really been around that area much, so thanks for that. Have a good rest of your day," he called in final farewell after she made her last-minute offer. Something that still had him grinning as he slid off into a small single-seater booth. Pulling out his laptop and books, he began to arrange his workspace, knowing that once the line cleared out, he'd be freer to get up and grab a bite to eat.
It wasn't long at all till his own drink popped up on the counter shortly, his own name being called--badly. Cab-han. He laughed outright, but it was the usual, and he said nothing as he got up and grabbed it up, adding another folded bill to the tip jar before returning to his seat.
Probably for the better they didn't remain in each other's company for long--he'd school work to do. But he did a quick search online for what cafes were around Central Park, just to keep himself from forgetting anything important.
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