Welcome to Gaia! ::

Not often did Halia linger at her job after she clocked out, but today was an exception. It had been a long day, and a nice hot chai sounded like the perfect way to unwind before the long walk home. She sat at one of the tables, staring out the window as she waited for the steaming drink to cool, letting her mind wander. As the door opened, she looked up on reflex, having to stop herself from greeting the customer like she was still on shift.

Halia's brows knitted together as she looked at the customer, feeling an odd tug of familiarity. She knew this person somehow, but just couldn't quite place him yet. The more she watched him, however, it finally clicked into place. "....Preston?" Her voice was soft, almost hesitant as she spoke his name. Was this really the same person she knew all those years ago? Back when she was covered in scratches and bruises all the time, hiding behind her grandfathers legs?

Halia chewed her lip as she watched him look her over, though her eyes lit up like fireworks as he recognized her finally. She stood from her table and walked over to him to greet him properly, smiling brightly. It had been years since she had seen him last, and she was delighted that he remembered her.

"It is you! I....was worried I misspoke after I called your name." Despite the sheepish smile, she seemed a thousand times more vibrant than when she had last seen him. Back then, even as a child, there had been deep, dark circles under her eyes, her skin covered in cuts and bruises and scrapes, and she was far scrawnier then as well. Compared to then, she had positively flourished, looking far more healthy, far less underweight and, aside from a colorful bandaid on the back of her hand, far less injured.

"Would you like to join me? I was just taking time to relax after work before walking home." She gestured at the table she had gotten up from, where her cup, coat, and bag still sat.