Seeing the sights

He had his reasons for coming to Stormbreak. Many of them, in fact. But among them was genuine concern over his friends who lived there, and a desire to see that they were safe and well after the violent events of LongNight.

That Flora might be somewhere in the city was a thought that he buried deep, along with the deep, slow weight of his emotions that were twisted around it in a riptide that left no hint of their strength on the surface of his mind or expression.

Instead he sat in the heart of the city in the clouds, wearing a seafoam green wrap shirt with its broad, loose sleeves and black leather trousers that hid his gold-tattooed scars from view. He had even worn boots today to better blend in with the local populace, though metallic steel hair pulled back into a loosely styled tail and his imposing height were not so easy to hide.

The outdoor cafe that he had chosen to meet Lena at was new to him, and as he waited for the Caretaker's arrival - requested by letter a few days prior - he sipped a warming cup of tea and watched those going about their usual business with quiet curiosity, seeking some hint of purple mischief in their errands.

Lena

It was nice to have friends that wanted to meet here, despite the ongoing strife, environment, and risks. Lena wouldn’t ask anyone to join her amidst the world; but still, she wouldn’t refuse their company either. Perhaps she could provide and preside a layer of citizen-esque protection, and at least ensure no one did anything too outlandish or foolish. They certainly wouldn’t be having another taco party anytime soon.

So she strolled through the Plaza, clearly at home, basket on her arm and Mittens hovering along her shoulder, pinpointing the exact location of the café. Hadama blended in far better than she would’ve expected, and she stifled a laugh – opting for a warm and light grin instead. “Hadama! Nice to see you again.” She placed herself directly across, eyes beginning to skim on the menu left nearby. “How are things? And what did you order?”

The universe listens to brave

True to his letter, Hadama's only intentions were to see the sights. He had not brought his weapons, though his money pouch was secured at his side to handle any purchases he might make. One of those purchases arrived at the same time as the Caretaker, a waiter bringing a small plate of hot, crispy squares of deep fried dough dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled in several different sauces. They were the perfect size for popping in one's mouth and Hadama nudged the plate so that it was between them.

"Lena. I am glad to see you looking well." Emerald eyes warmed at her appearance, shadows retreating beneath the pleasure of seeing his friend healthy and smiling. "And Mittens, too," he included next, inclining his head in greeting to the mischievous snowball. "Things have been... hm. Busy, in Torchline." For good and for ill. But what region could not say the same? Her other question was far less complicated to answer, and he finally relaxed into a small smile. "The tea is 'ginger mint.' An energizing blend. And these--" He lifted one square, examining it with the gleaming eyes of a gourmand. "Are the house special. A ben-yay, I think it is pronounced?" Certainly the menu had been no help in that regard. He had simply pointed to it and let the waiter say the word 'beignet' aloud while Hadama had nodded confirmation of his choice.

"How have you been?"

Lena

Lena, ever gracious about food, eyed the beignets settling upon their table with astute relish, but kept her attention and focus on her friend. “Mm. I think we can probably all say the same.” She made no mention of most of her fellow Dragoons departing for other places; her foothold still grasping at the Celestine, gardens, and any bout of normalcy to be found amidst the world now. She surveyed the tea with a glance, and then meandered down through her own menu, striving to decide. “They’re quite delicious. A very good thing to try,” and she winked, before putting her own order of a ham and cheese croissant, with water and a hot London Fog latte on the side.

Mittens screeched and the Caretaker dutifully found a stray jerky treat in her pocket, before addressing anything else. “Busy as well. There’s always something to be done. Or look for.” She grinned a little more in that regard, perhaps to hint at her own quiet sedition, before snagging at one of the beignets and dipping it into the chocolate sauce delicately. “Is there a reason you’re in Stormbreak?”

The universe listens to brave

He inclined his head in solemn acknowledgment of the troubles that so many of them faced in these turbulent times, but he had no desire to bring them both down by lingering over something that could not be changed today. If today was a mere semblance of normalcy, it was at least a pleasant reminder of what life was like beyond the bubble of politics and planning for scenarios that he hoped would never come to pass.

"I may have to try and recreate these in Torchline," he agreed, a flicker of a smile lighting his expression at her wink. "Though I fear that they are... mm. Perhaps dangerously addictive." The first had already disappeared and he was biting into a second, this one drizzled with strawberry sauce.

He made a mental note to leave one as an offering to Mittens, but Lena's comment drew an appreciative nod. "Indeed," he murmured before he took a sip of tea to wash some of the sugar down. Her question provided an excuse to keep his hands out of the dwindling pile of deep-fried confections as he withdrew a map from his pouch and laid it on the table between them. Several places were already crossed out, but others - some of Stormbreak's more well-known tourist destinations - were circled. "Seeing old friends. And some of the sights, while I am here." He tilted his head at her, an inclination of supplication. "If you have time, I was hoping you could show me a few? And tell me their history?"

Lena

Munching on the delicious delicacy, dusting off her hands, and remembering it for future orders, she smiled – not with any wickedness, but certainly some ventures into the wide world of pastries, and the encouragement of multitudes. “I don’t know, I still find them compelling enough.” To not be bothered with any heinous cravings. “You’ll have to try the tiramisu sometime as well.”

The waiter brought her tea and croissant, and she broke it in two portions, listening to the motives behind the recent sojourns to Stormbreak. “I could try.” She’d certainly not be able to impart every faction – and there were likely better historians than herself. “What parts were you interested in seeing?”

The universe listens to brave

"Tiramisu is an excellent reason to return," he agreed with a twinkle in his eye, using a napkin to clean his fingers with care before he reached for his tea again. The warmth was welcome on the brisk Flowerbirth day, and the brewing was done with a delicate touch that he had learned to appreciate in his time on land.

The conversation paused for a moment as Lena's food arrived and Hadama laid out his map carefully on a clean segment of their table, angling it so that they could both see the areas that had been labeled upon the thin paper. "I have heard there is a school here," he said, pointing to the Collegium. "And the Needle is... hmm. An infamous piece of architecture." Judgement's Needle was by no means a 'fun' trip, but it could prove educational when compared to Torchline's jail house. "Perhaps we could end with dinner in the entertainment district?" His finger moved to the Silk Houses, and the innocent tilt of his head was likely indication that he was not entirely aware of the area's reputation.

Though there were undoubtedly at least a few more reputable establishments in which they could grab a meal at the end of the day.

Lena

Sipping at her tea, she surveyed the map, nodding at his each indicated locations. “Mm. The Collegium is a wonderful place. I think you’d enjoy it.” Hadama seemed to be of scholarly pursuits, after all, and with the constant buzzing of studies, the Archive, and multitudes around to ask and critique, the Tidebreaker would likely have a great time ruminating – even with the leader’s wiles around. Biting a piece of her croissant and munching quietly, her curiosity was piqued over the choices of the Needle – mostly because of its less-than-regal past. “Stormbeak certainly has a lot of history. Both good and bad.”

As for the entertainment district, she couldn’t help but muffle a quiet bout of laughter behind her teeth – managing to form it into an eager smile once she’d swallowed down more bites. “I suppose it depends on what you want for a diversion.” Torchline had its own fair share of onslaughts though, so maybe Lena was wrong about Hadama’s pursuits. “I can take you somewhere a bit more reputable than most though.”

The universe listens to brave

His tea made for an excellent palette cleanser between beignets as Lena confirmed his impulses in the landmarks he wished to visit. A little culture. A little history. A little pampering after a day of touring the city. The days ahead might prove to be dark, but for this day he would take a moment to breathe, and to spend time with a friend, learning more about the city that Sohalia had once ruled.

That she might someday rule again.

The second to last sweet disappeared in a few lingering bites as they settled on the last stop of the day and Hadama's smile flickered briefly to warm his eyes. "Reputable would be appreciated," he agreed, quiet laughter underlying his words. "A good meal. A good wine. And music, perhaps?" Though the last was optional, depending on where Lena recommended for the first two.

The plate with the last beignet was offered to Mittens, as promised, with a nod of gratitude for the snowball's restraint. Once Lena was finished with her own meal Hadama paid the tab and stood, regaining his map so that he could recognize the places that they passed on their way. "Shall we begin?"

~Fin