CLOSED ☆

[angelskills]

WHO: Colette Brunel (angelskills) and Banagher Links (argents).
WHAT: Banagher offered to help Colette organize the books in the tea parlor!
WHEN: 5-12-13, Sunday evening, 7:30ish!
WHERE: Colette's tea parlor.
WHY: Because adorable.



[ It's getting close to 7:30 now. Today, as most Sundays tended to be, was slow, but she didn't mind. The weather was getting so nice that it was hard to not be positive about things! Warm breezes and cooling spring showers, flowers beginning to grow and curl their green fingers out toward the sky. Even the sun was setting later, not wanting to say goodbye to such a lovely day.

And on top of all that, today was the day that Banagher (Bannie) was going to come and help her reorganize the books that lined the shelves in the shop. They desperately needed it - she did her best, but it was hard to keep on top of everything when you worked by yourself for six hours. Customers needed attending and cleaning needed to be done - the books were more often than not put on the back burner. Tonight they'd finally get the attention they so justly deserved with them having been so patiently waiting.

That... and, well, the prospect of seeing Banagher (Bannie) itself was enough to make a genuine smile stick on her face for the whole six hour shift.

The shop was all but deserted now, with empty cups and dirty napkins littering a couple of tables, left by college students getting some work done in the quiet. Finals were right around the corner for everyone. She sings softly to herself as she wipes a few tables down with a cloth, a sweet voice, keeping well and true to the proper notes. Singing and cleaning, a great way to pass the time and get things done in a timely manner. The china clinks as she picks up dirty teacups and pots as she goes, pocketing the occasional tip left on a table or tucked in a stray book. ]

Comments

[argents]

[ Following after her and minding the places she steps that creak a little more than usual, he wonders just what sorts of things were left down there. Sure, you could pass by any antique shop and see a bunch of cleaned-up knickknacks in the window, but it wasn't like sorting through the bits of history collected by someone else and left behind, for whatever reason.

When he reaches the top of the stairs, he blinks his momentary reverie away with a soft "Huh?" to respond to her question. ]

Oh, sure! Is that okay? Since you're closed, and all.

[angelskills]

Of course! I'll have to make it for you, if you don't mind that. I'm a pretty okay cook.

[ She laughs softly, tugging on some of those blond curls with the tips of her fingers. ]

And you can even try another tea if you'd like. It's the least I can do, you're helping me so much.

[argents]

[ If he minded? He hadn't expected her to actually offer to cook, and it's written all over his face when he stops dead in the doorway. ]

I trust you! But you don't have to go that far... I've liked spending time with you, so it's not really like this is work for me.

[ ...Maybe that wasn't the smartest way to put it. Quickly he amends: ]

Or, I just—mean that's it's no trouble, that's all.

[ Come on Banagher that was not even a save. ]

[angelskills]

It's the same for me.

I mean... it's no trouble at all, because I like you!

[ She steps more into the kitchen. Looks like the chef has gone home! Quick fella. ]

I'd be really happy to make you something.

[argents]

[ BRICK WALL: MEET BRICK WALL.

Luckily it's all the same language, so Banagher takes it for what it is, nets those few butterflies lingering around in his stomach, and allows his expression to ease out once more. It's quiet now without the background noise he hadn't even realized was there: running water, clinking dishes. ]

I did say I wanted to try as many teas as I could, didn't I?

[ In a word: Okay. ]

[angelskills]

You did!

[ Though that she can make in the front. ]

Did you have dinner?

[ It's a little late, but some people don't always eat by 6... and she'd hate for him to be hungry while they were working. ]

[argents]

Um, well... sort of? [ A CAPRI SUN AND CHEEZ-ITS TOTALLY COUNTS. ] I ate something on my way out the door, but I didn't sit down for a meal or anything.

[angelskills]

You must be hungry! Okay, okay. Hold on!

[ She walks over to the counter and picks up one of the menus to bring over to him. ]

Pick anything you want.

[argents]

[ Still somewhat haltingly, he accepts the menu from her. ]

Anything?

[angelskills]

Mhm. It's the least I can do.

[ Even if he does like helping, it means a lot to her, and she'd like to show that. So she tucks her hand behind her back and smiles. ]

And you should have a good dinner.

[argents]

[ Nope, doomed. Doomed from the start. ]

You do way more than enough, really! But let me take a look. [ Even if he wanted to turn the offer down (he doesn't), she makes it awfully hard to even consider it. Absently scrubbing his fingers through his hair at his temples, he hums thoughtfully.

Soup? No, takes too much patience to eat... maybe a sandwich, so he could move around, too... ]

This?

[ Flipping the menu back towards her, he points at a picture of a club sandwich, sliced into neatly-piled little triangles. ]

[angelskills]

Oh, good choice!

[ She takes the menu and nods. ]

It's a popular one. I'll get on it right away!

Does... does Haro eat?

[argents]

Haro? That's a good question, actually... I don't even think he opens. [ Swiveling to look around for the robot in question, Banagher takes a step towards the swinging kitchen doors, pushing one open slightly. Haro sits at the entrance and tilts up in greeting, flapping his little arms. ...Ears. ]

Ah, maybe he was jealous. [ Banagher pushes the door open all the way to let him roll right in. ] So, how about it, Haro? Do you eat?

[ Flashing his eyes, Haro intones: No need! No need! ]

[angelskills]

[ Ahhhhh he's so cute. She's never going to get over that, ever. Little flapping ears, that's just too precious!! She's almost a little disappointed to hear that he doesn't eat but that's just as well. ]

Wow! Okay then, one sandwich, coming right up.

[ She moves over to the fridge to start gathering supplies, fresh products and clean plates. ]

So how have things been for you lately, Banagher?

[ Tell her all of your feels. All of them. ]

[argents]

[ Banagher picks Haro up, flipping him upside down to try and sate his own curiosity over whether or not he opened up at all. He did sound kind of hollow... in vague protest, Haro chimes in: Dizzy, Banagher! Dizzy! ]

Lately? [ Finding no apparent seam, he rights the tiny robot again. ] Kind of calm, when I think about everything all together. [ A little over a month since it all began... it's almost felt longer. But he's keeping his opinion mellowed out, now knowing why the network was a discomfort to her. ] I'm ready for finals to be over, that's for sure.

[ Giving Haro a toss, almost like a basketball with opinions, he mulls a little. ]

What about you? —Oh, right! Did you find out anything on starting a garden yet?

[angelskills]

[ She works on the sandwich carefully, cooking and slicing and toasting bread to make it the best it can possibly be. He seemed to be doing well, ever since that night... she wants to ask if he had heard anything again, another howl, but since he doesn't mention it she doesn't want to bring it up. Have you been having good dreams, Bannie? She hopes so. ]

I picked up some packets of seeds to plant! Though as for finding a good place... I was thinking of maybe going to the outskirts of the city to find a spot that's been left alone. It'd be nice, to clean up and create a nice place where people could go to a little outside the city.

[ She turns her head to smile at him. ]

But that might be too ambitious. Maybe a spot in the park if I can get permission for that would be easier!

[argents]

Yeah. After seeing all those pictures of wildflowers, it's hard imagining them all stuck in pots. But finding space somewhere in the city outside the park sounds like looking for a needle in a haystack. [ Despite himself, he's very sure when he tacks on: ]

But I think you could do it. Did you find all the colors you wanted?

[angelskills]

I did! And I even found those star flowers, though they were a little harder to track down. A lot of pretty blues, purples, and yellows. I think it will look really great once I get it in gear.

[ She returns some things she doesn't need anymore to the fridge and continues cooking, spreading a cream onto the toasted bread. ]

Someone even mentioned a rooftop garden to me. I think I might be able to do something on top of this building... the roof seems like the kind that'd work for it.

[argents]

That's a really good idea... if you manage to start it soon, you'll probably have a ton of flowers before summer's out. Just think of all the sunlight they'd get.

[ He's quiet a moment, kneeling to let Haro back down. ]

Still, I think someplace quiet with a lot of flowers sounds nice too. Away from here. Not that I dislike the city, but it's just something you don't see often, or get the chance to even think about.

[angelskills]

That's what I was thinking. A place where you could sit and watch the stars, or just enjoy a wide open space. That's hard, in a city.

[ She sets up the plate, moving meat to bread and lettuce. ]

I'm going to do my best to start it soon. I'd love to have things going for the summer! I'll have plenty of free time for it too.

[argents]

It couldn't hurt to look! But the rooftop won't be too bad, just in case. Sometimes if you're high up, and it's a good night, you can still see stars.

[ Not very many usually, but it was better than nothing. Pausing, he takes a peek over her shoulder. ]

...Smells good.

[angelskills]

You think so? I'm glad! It's almost finished.

[ Just a few finishing touches to put into place, like the side of sauce and such! ]

I really hope you like it.

[ It's been made with Love(TM)! ]

I'm not as good at cooking as the chef, but I've managed to learn a little while working here.

[argents]

I'm sure it's great. Usually I just grab stuff to eat on the go, and it's not really impressive trying to say you can cook cereal.

[ Or protein bars. ]

What's your favorite thing to make?

[angelskills]

My favorite thing? Well... I don't know if there's really one thing I like making more than others. But I do like to cook for other people, and make them their favorite foods.

[ She picks up the plate proudly, finished making the sandwich. ]

Wah-lah!

[argents]

You'd be good at making anything, in that case. [ He smiles to himself because he should have expected that kind of answer, even when he's content to just hear her talk about the things she likes to do. Once presented with it, he accepts the plate. ]

Looks perfect.