First Date

[Jason Hiller]

Jason looked curiously at the little coffeeshop Zaïren had led him to, and breathed deep of the warm mingled aromas of various coffees, teas and pastries. He moved a little ahead to open and hold the door, smiling at his date. "After you."

[Zaïren]

The best part about going on a date after dinner was there was no obligation to stay longer than both parties were comfortable, and there was no temptation to get far more than originally intended. Not that he anticipated this date to go sour, but it was always best to be ready for it.

Zaïren slipped through the door with extra attention directed toward not smacking Jason with a wing. "Thanks. I wonder what the Unbirthday cupcakes are today, they're always fantastic. You should try one. Though, the glass slippers are great too."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason nodded thoughtfully. "Well, we're either a day late or a day early for the cupcakes. Unless they'll still let me buy one on my actual birthday. What are the glass slippers like?"

[Zaïren]

Pressure to make this a good date just multiplied to frightening amounts. Zaïren slipped his arm into Jason's as they moved away from the door. "There is no way I'm letting you pay for a date on your birthday, you know. I was about to ask you out anyway and you just beat me to it."

"As for the slippers, simple glazed puff pastry. Non-magical. It's the muffins you really need to watch out for. Suddenly changing height is pretty disconcerting when you forget about it."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason nodded. "I'll bet it is. The glass slippers sound good, though. And I still insist on paying. Pretend I'm a hobbit -- they always give gifts on their birthdays, not receive them."

He looked toward the counter and grinned as he recognized his roommate. "Hallo, Ineo!"

[Zaïren]

Zaïren pulled a face. "Fine, but I insist on paying for the next one then."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason grinned. "Fair. We can alternate."

He looked up at the menu and tilted his head. The mochas sounded good, but the whipped cream was problematic. Did they have a dairy-free substitute, or would he have to go without? He should have asked before they'd come here.

[Himmel]

Himmel tied on his blue Alice-dress apron as he hurried into the front of the coffee shop. Ineo was sure nice about his being two hours late on his second day. He saw the couple waiting at the counter.

"Hi!" He barked. "Welcome to the Magic... I dunno. The fairy coffee place. What do you guys want?"

He leaned over the counter conspiratorially, "We have a special today only, premium milkbones, only five dollars each. It's a really good deal."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason blinked at the dog-eared blond who rushed out to serve them, and smiled as he spoke. "Danke, but I'm still deciding. Do you have any non-dairy substitutes for the whipped cream on the lattes?"

[Himmel]

Himmel looked thoughtful for a moment, "Hm, milkbones are dairy-free and delicious on lattes. Other than that, I can only offer up the sad sad dreams of all who suffer food related allergies to top your special date coffees. Which'll it be?"

[Jason Hiller]

Jason tilted his head and looked from the barista -- Himmel, according to his nametag -- to Zaïren and back, trying to judge if the former was being serious. In a place half-in and half-out of Faerie, it was hard to tell.

[Zaïren]

Who let Himmel work at the Magic Bean? This seemed like a horrible idea.

Though the urge to resist making bad jokes about milkbones and werewolves was enough to make Zaïren's lips begin to turn into a smirk. Nope, not going to do it. He settled with covering his face with a hand. Still, Himmel was better than Neylen.

He shouldn't have thought that, it was like a summoning charm.

"I suggest going without today. For reasons."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason nodded. "Fair. Okay, I'll have an Evil Queen latte made with almond or soy milk, whichever you have, and without the whipped cream; two Glass Slippers," one for each of them, "and an Unbirthday cupcake, please. And I'll pay for whatever he's having." He glanced at Zaïren and smiled.

[Zaïren]

"Just a Firebird chai, please. Also with whatever milk substitute you use for him." Zaïren smiled back. And hoped Himmel was actually paying attention.

[Himmel]

"Right, one thing, and then another thing and also food things to go with those drink things and no milk but no solid answers on milkbones so my choice? And..." He sniffed "My wolf brethren is paying for the bird not brethren? Yup." He barked and walked off towards the coffee making equipment.

[Zaïren]

"No milkbones please Himmel." Zaïren chuckled. He made a point of watching Himmel closely. He sounded like he'd been listening but you didn't always know. Well, at least to the most important part.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason laughed too, and followed Zaïren's gaze as Himmel went to prepare their order. "Do they really have milk bones here? You'd think they'd have them displayed if they were for the public. Unless they're just meant for pets, like some places do."

[Zaïren]

"It's entirely possible Himmel brought some in. Or they actually are selling them. You never really know in this town."

[Himmel]

After a few minutes of barking, yipping, and non-dairy steaming Himmel returned to counter with an Evil Queen Latte and a Firebird Chai as well as well as a few pastries that were probably the right ones. "Alright, here's your stuff, now I need Ineo's monies please? Also, are you SURE you don't want a milkbone wolf brethren?" He looked at Jason suspiciously.

[Jason Hiller]

Jason smiled, shaking his head as he took his drink and handed over the money. "Very sure, thank you. These are perfect."

[Zaïren]

"You are officially a disappointment to Vero's puppy." Zaïren chuckled as he took his chai and the pastries. "Thank you Himmel."

[Himmel]

"I'm not Vero's puppy," He yipped, "I'm my OWN puppy thank you. Maybe Tebryn's puppy butthatsnothereorthere. Anyway enjoy your bird-dog date and your perfectly made drinks."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason chuckled and glanced curiously between Himmel and Zaïren. "Who's Tebryn?"

[Zaïren]

Zaïren grinned. "Got it. So sorry, Himmel."

He gestured toward an empty table and started moving toward it. "Another of Vero's adoptees. A fair number of us about here are foundlings of one sort or another. I'm one of Auntie Tulip's, here in town. She runs a place for avians specifically."

[Jason Hiller]

Jason nodded as he followed Zaïren toward the table. "I think you mentioned Auntie Tulip before. How long have you known her?" He had a feeling he might have asked this before, but couldn't recall offhand.

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