As the night had wound down, L’aire had walked with John to his trike once more. Still wearing his jacket, she wondered how chilly he was. “So did you want to still go for coffee?” She smiled sweetly, but there was apprehension in her voice. “Though I haven’t been to any restaurants or coffee shops in town, so I don’t know if anything would be open.” Which was entirely true, she hadn’t even eaten at the Four Season’s restaurant that Mrs. Rosemary ran. Wow you sound pathetic L’aire.
She lifted her hand up in the air and shook it a bit. “But if it’s too late for coffee, I could head home.” The Fairest was a little cautious, as she didn’t want to presume he was still taking her home. If he John had forgotten, she wouldn’t hold him to it. L’aire was content with walking of course. “Oh, and you should have your jacket back then.” Inside she was reluctant to remove it; most of the evening it felt as if she was wrapped in his world while wearing it. The Dancer began to pull an arm out of the sleeve and the jacket began to fall behind her shoulders.
Walking beside Sasha, John was still smiling. This evening had taken an interesting turn, one that he was glad to have experienced. "Coffee sounds great, although I'm a little unsure about what's open also. This is way past my bedtime," he joked, not seriously and giving Sasha a grin. Looking around, he watched as people began to slowly disappear from the event.
When he saw Sasha about to remove the jacket, John looked slightly confused. "Why?" he asked, "Sasha, its still chilly, so please, keep it for now. Unless you want me to break out my authoritative voice?" he chuckled, grinning once again. John wasn't entirely sure he had an authoritative voice. It was never something he had ever considered possessing in his line of work. As they reached the trike, John held out his hand once more, offering Sasha a help onto his vehicle
L'aire was feeling a little guilty as they spoke of time. The Fairest was also completely focused on John. She didn't want to keep him up, but though she knew it was inevitable, the Dancer didn't want the night to end. "Well, that's okay. I wish I knew though. And the only coffee in my apartment is those coffee single things you put in boiling water, and tea." Her hand moved to a subconscious demonstration of steeping something.
She was nearly caught off guard by his joking, but she nodded with a soft grin and slowly slipped it back on. "You have an authoritative voice?" She returned the humor with a hint of disbelief. "I mean, you probably have to working with law enforcement." L'aire chuckled again softly, and cringing on the inside. "I'm sorry, I'm really not this much of an airhead." Shaking her head the Fairest breathed deeply, relaxing herself, or at least trying to. She looked back up to John as she spoke. "I didn't want to hold you to taking me anywhere after the dance or coffee or..."
"People truly underestimate the power of a nice cup of tea," John said, thinking back to the time when there was a group of British soldiers on base when he worked at Colorado Springs. The tea they had brought with them was simply divine, and the chaplain should know.
"Not really, no. I mean, I have to occasionally be serious, especially when around Dale, one of the members of the motorcycle club, but he generally deserves it," John laughed, happy to be talking about his good friend. He never mentioned how he was around spirits. That was a side of him he always tried to keep at bay. "Airhead? Have you met Dale already then?" he said, grinning, get one last shot in about the Rahu.
Shaking his head, John kept hold of her hand. "Sasha, you're not holding me to anything. I want coffee and the opportunity to talk some more."
"Ah a voice of guidance then?" The Dancer couldn't entirely relate to John, but she could understand. "I've have to use that type of tone with the kids once in a while." With a soft smile, L'aire could easily remember having to gently wrangle a few boys to order more than once. Shaking her head about the name John mentioned. "Not that I recall." Slowly she breathed in and out, they were both adults but god she felt ridiculously young that night. "I'm just a little nervous." She softly added. L'aire wondered if she had this need to be honest with him because of his vocation. Knowing it the Dancer couldn't always do so, it was important to her for the little things. After all, lies crumble as she knew very well.
Intrigued by the sweet man's anecdote again, her brow raised in curiosity. "Power in a cup of tea..." Her smile took on a thoughtful curl. "I'm not sure I've heard of that before." The Dancer generally drank it when she was cold or wanted something more than water. "I've thought that about coffee though." Since it reminded her of Mom on occasion. L'aire didn't know why she suddenly needed reassurance from John. She half expected him to back out. Her violet eyes looked to his and gently she squeeze his hand. "I'd have to agree about getting to know you, John." Her voice clung to his name again as she spoke with confidence at that moment, which she seemed to lose herself in. Until she realized there was something important he'd need. "Oh, I suppose you'd need my address if we can't find a coffee shop. It's <address> in the Richmond Grove area."
John ran the address through his mind, remembering the details and trying to picture the area when he suddenly arched his eyebrows. "You live in Richmond Grove?" he asked, perhaps a little too excited. "That's perfect," he added, trying to cover the relief of Sasha being within the pack's boundary lines. "I know a fantastic little coffee place there. Believe it or not, its called the Naked Lounge. Some interesting coffee and good music."
L'aire was obviously puzzled... or baffled why he seemed thrilled. "Oh..kay." She couldn't stop smiling, but was really confused. "It's really not that grea..." The Fairest stopped herself, she didn't really live in the lap of luxury at all. "Its just close to where I need to go. Work and well... work." Laughing gently and trying hard not to ramble.
When John had mentioned the name of the shop her eyes widened but playfully. "Interesting coffee huh? To go with their interesting name?" She smiled blithely. L'aire was pretty sure it wasn't an innuendo, but it was still pretty cute. "That sounds kinda nice." She said with a nod of readiness. In all reality, she'd go anywhere with him. Its gotta be the Chaplain thing. Considering what she thought earlier that night, she had nothing to lose.
John just grinned. "It does, doesn't it? Definitely makes it stand out from its competitors. Shall we?" he asked, once again willing to help Sasha onto the trike. For some reason, he'd forgotten all about work the next day. He may have to call in sick; not entirely morally correct, of course, but he was a man of faith, and every now and again, he had to follow his belief.
Right now, he believed in enjoying himself for a change with perfect company on an early-autumn night.
"Yeah, it certainly does. I've never heard of it." L'aire didn't even know where it was as she shrugged gently and shook her head. In truth, she didn't expect him to pick something like that at all. "You're full of surprises, John." Her voice rested on his name. As sat back on the trike, she was more comfortable each time. Oddly she could get use to this, though, now the Fairest started to want a helmet...or in the future... if there was a future. The word seemed foreign to her as the Onyx court had slowly crept into her. Her heart pounded really fast for a moment while she waited for the chaplain to get on. Thankfully, it rambling thoughts out loud. Stop L'aire.
The Dancer slipped her arms around John's waist again, growing more comfortable each time. "Anytime you're ready." She said happily and a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.
Sliding into the seat in front of Sasha, John was actually beaming as he felt her arms slip around his waist once more, the third time that evening, and was still something to get used to. Thoughts rose into his mind, thoughts of possible futures but he, once again, forced them away. He was not a man to rush anything, especially when he knew very little of the area.
And this was completely foreign to him.
Starting the engine, John pulled away from the garage and the party, riding through the streets of his territory, towards Richmond Grove and a hot cup of coffee. With each twist of the throttle or turn of the handlebar, he found himself unconsciously leaning more and more into Sasha's arms, finding them both welcoming and safe, a place he could find true comfort and understanding. The chaplain glanced over his shoulder.
"How're you doing back there?" he asked over the whipping wind and roaring engine.
L'aire still felt pangs of guilt for wearing his jacket. More so she felt ridiculous for forgetting her own. And honestly, she didn't think she'd be out this long. She'd looked to his arms a moment, checking for risen skin and saw the scars on his arms once more. L'aire would probably not ask unless it came up, some visible scars could run too deep.
As they drove through the streets, as she turned to look at things she felt herself nearing him. At one point her head nearly laid on his back but she quickly picked it up. When John spoke over the noise she pulled herself up to speak into his ear. She was careful of her volume. "I'm doing great. I hope I make a good passenger." The Fairest softly laughed.
Feeling her breath on his ear, warm compared to the cold surrounding them, John shivered yet still continued to smile. "Seeing as you're my first, I think you're fine," he said innocently, making sure to keep his eyes on the streets as he navigated his way through the territory towards the coffee bar. As the lights of the city passed them by, the chaplain naturally kept an eye out for any potential issues. "I can't begin to tell you how much I've been looking forward to this coffee," John remarked with a hearty laugh, a natural sound to the devout man.
Unconsciously, L'aire's arms squeeze John a little as he said she was doing okay. "Ah yes, I remember that now." The Dancer laughed in a modest tone, so close to the gentle man's ear.
She was now sure he was cold as he mentioned the coffee again. "Yeah... me too." She agreed happily and then the guilt nearly stabbed her in the stomach. The Fairest couldn't understand why he didn't take it back. As much as she enjoyed chivalry, he was in the front and getting the brunt of the wind. "But I'm still sorry I had to borrow your jacket." She tried to chuckle away the guilt while she continued speaking. "I really should have planned ahead." Which may have had a regrettable feel to the words.
"Don't be, its fine, really. Thinking about it, I should have grabbed a spare jacket from Digger before leaving," John said with a small shrug before noticing they had arrived in the Richmond Grove area. Slowing down a tad, John took a couple of turns until he spotted the glowing lights of the Naked Lounge coffee bar. With a grin, John came to a stop outside, finding a suitable parking spot for the trike. However, seeing as it was quite late, it was easy enough, and John pulled in and switched off the engine several buildings away.
Stepping from the trike, John was indeed starting to feel the cold but refused to show it. Instead, he offered Sasha help from the trike with an extended hand. "So, coffee?" he asked, hoping she wasn't now going to say she wanted to head home. Because that would be really embarrassing.
There was a placidly pensive tone in her voice. "Okay, John. If you truly insist." She hugged him tighter a moment before they had came to a stop. There was something to said about motorcycles, or trikes for that matter, it certainly brought you closer to someone. In the physical sense at least. Of course now she wondered how strange it would be riding in a car with him.
L'aire took John's hand again as she got off the trike. "Yes." She laughed gently. "Coffee it is." Her eyes flicked to his as they walked in the lights of the streets above them. "Have you been here before? Do you know what their specialty is?" Her violet eyes diverted a moment to look at the front entrance of the coffee shop... or lounge.
"I haven't although I know of several police officers who have come here off-duty. They said it was a very social place," John said before pausing. "In all honesty, I've been a little worried about coming here," he added with a chuckle, shaking his head stupidly. "There's a lot of power in a name, and some images that were unwelcoming. There are some very unfit officers in the department." He continued to chuckle as he headed for the door and opened it, holding for Sasha, and instantly was glad for the warmth that flowed from within, goosebumps rising along his scarred forearms.
"A place the force frequents, that speaks volumes." L'aire's brows rose as she was curious. "Very social? I guess with the name it sounds like it's more hmm initmate." She held her breath a moment and pursed her lips. "I mean" A faint chuckle. "Just that it sounds more quiet or quaint. But that would be judging a book by it's cover I guess." The Fairest knew she was rambling in an attempt to avoid a topic that was well... delicate, when first meeting someone. Of course she had no qualms talking about it either...
"Power in tea...now power in a name." Power in his voice, power in his eyes. L'aire winked to him with a blithe grin. "Unwelcoming images hmm? I guess we'll find out soon." Her eyes looked to the building again. "I'm unclear what you mean by unfit though." The Dancer's voice was still pleasntly pleased but very intrigued at what he meant. John had this essence about him, trustworthy and loyal; it was comforting to listen and know he was truthful. Or he was just a very good liar... which would be just another flashback of Italy. As John held the door, she smiled with a soft glimmer in her eyes. "Thank you, John." She walked through the frame and waited for him while looking around.
"Oh, some of the older officers, long in the tooth, who feel they only need to do the bare minimum to pass the yearly fitness tests. I don't understand it, myself." As they entered the lounge, John savoured the aromas of the various coffees being served, and the music was of a subtle, late-night jazz that seemed to help people relax after a hard day's work. It didn't appear to be busy but with the layout, it seemed that people could easily get lost within their own little booths, or lounging on one of the half dozen couches.
John happily guided Sasha to one of the couches, and offered to help remove her....his jacket before taking a seat to look at the list of coffees on offer. "My God, I never realised they made so many different varieties." Scanning the menu, John actually looked lost for once. "Where do you start?" he chuckled, glancing up into Sasha's violet eyes, the subtle lighting in the lounge not hiding their inviting nature or covering the woman's lively demeanour.
The Fairest breathed in the scent of the rich roasts of coffee inside. She made an audible noise of appreciation that quickly seeped into her senses. "Oh, i see." L'aire had to hold herself from snickering, considering she thought he meant unfit in a different context. "For a moment I thought you meant they were rude or something given the uh...nature or uh name of the place." L'aire said softly, not wanting to offend the owners or anything. The mood was relaxing, which was what she needed at the moment. Though if she was honest, she was enjoying the nervousness...despite it causing her some slip ups.
As she sat down she watched John as he took his jacket from her. He had such a subtle way about him, it intrigued her so. L'aire looked at the menu, then back to John. "Start, I have no idea." She chuckled, but she wasn't looking at varieties. The Fairest was looking for something inexpensive but not bland. She wasn't about to go overboard; the Dancer had to watch out for these things. "Hmmm yeah, there are a lot. What do you prefer John? Something sweet, espresso?" L'aire looked back into his eyes when he had glanced up.
"That does look good," John replied, still staring into Sasha's eyes before realising he was still staring and looked away, back to the menu. "Hmmm, the Malaysian Mocha sounds very intriguing, and seeing as chocolate is a secret temptation of mine, I may have to indulge," the chaplain chuckled. "How about you, Sasha? This one looks nice," he said, obviously surprised, and indicating at the Mexican Hot Cocoa. "Wow, they actually put whipped cream in a drink?"
"Almost sounds as delectable as Belgian chocolate." There was a tiny double-take in her face as she smiled with surprise. "Chocolate is your secret temptation? You don't indulge in temptation that often?" L'aire looked to his face and away from the menu. "I'd be a hypocrite to say that I did." She softly chuckled. Though it was the truth. "Although it'd be horrible rude of me to discuss temptation and indulgence right now." The Fairest laughed again and the nerves seeped up from where she thought they had been buried. Bad timing L'aire.
She averted her eyes from John's and looked at the menu. "Ya know, I've never had Mexican Hot Cocoa before....why is whip cream a surprise?" It's not like the Fairest was completely naive to food and culture, she'd traveled enough. It was only a few cents more than she originally thought to spend. L'aire had shoved all but a five of her cash into one of the bins at the dance on her way in. There were some things she was a sucker for.
As Sasha spoke of temptation and indulgence, John wondered briefly if he had gone too far but, once again with a strength of mind, he pushed it away. What was wrong with enjoying an evening with wonderful company? Certainly, the company was beautiful and far more than he had anticipated, but he hadn't broken any vows or oaths. He smiled to make sure he didn't mind the trend of the conversation. "Oh, a little temptation is good for the soul. Makes us realise we're human," John said, trying to hide the irony in his voice.
He knew the truth. He was neither human nor spirit but something far more special.
"Well, I never considered whip cream to be eligible in a hot drink. It just seems...weird," the chaplain chuckled, not used to using a word like 'weird'. He stood, placing the menu down. "So, would you care to try one Mexican Hot Cocoa with whip cream, Sasha?" he asked with a smile, ready to go and order.
It was the fact that John couldn’t see her other side that made her more comfortable with him. L’aire could look at him and truly look in his eyes and only see him. Not what the Fae had done to her or anyone else. “I don’t believe I’ve heard that phrase before.” With a quirked grin, she pondered out loud. “Is chocolate all that tempts you?” Whether it was food or bobbles, the more she talked with him, the more interesting he became.
“Weird?” The Fairest laughed. “Where else would you put whipped cream?” Her grin was full of curiosity. “Other than the standard pie, I would imagine.” Or most desserts, which I really don’t eat. When the Fairest Dancer moved to Sacramento, she had to step back from the life of a little luxury; and dessert was still on that luxury list.
As John mentioned ordering, she instinctively went to her pocket. Pulling out her five dollar bill she L’aire extended a graceful arm holding the money to him. “Yes, please... John. What will you be ordering?” She presumed it was the item he mentioned earlier, but minds do change. Her subconscious ready to foil everything as it always did. L’aire wondered if she wouldn’t have asked such a bold question that evening, would they be here now.
John thought about Sasha's question, a wry smirk touching his lips and a glimmer in his eyes. "I really can't say, Sasha. Its rare that I am tempted by very much."
"Well, I would consider whipped cream a natural complement to any pie," he grinned in reply, looking into her violet eyes before standing. As she offered the five dollar, John put a hand over her own, and gently closed Sasha's hand so the money was in her grasp. "Please, allow me," the chaplain said with a smile and brooking no argument, holding her hand for a fraction longer than necessary before slowly releasing her hand. "Well, I think my mind is settled on the Malaysian Mocha. Its tempted me," he chuckled before walking over towards the counter to place their orders. While waiting, John couldn't help but wonder....What now? They drink coffee, talk and then he would drop her safely home.
What then?
There was a gentle confusion in her eyes in part by his smirk and then the look in his eyes. Yet John's words didn't match what she saw. Her heart pounded into her throat. Does he think I'm some temptress? L'aire recalled a few things from church about testing your faith or whatever. All she would allow herself to do was smile with pursed lips in return...for anything that came out of her mouth right now would have truly been a messy clean up.
"Isn't there a phrase? Like everything's better with cool whip or something?" She playfully shrugged not knowing why whipped cream was so intriguing. L'aire nearly insisted until she felt his hand and the lingering release. "Thank you kindly." She smiled sweetly as she looked at his blue eyes. "Malaysian Mocha has a tempting ring to it." She said softly as he walked away. Relaxing on the couch a little, she watched John as he stood to order. She played everything that she could recall from that evening back in her mind. His hand in her hair, arm around her waist. The way he looks at me... Not that she didn't like it, but was that all? Was she just something to look at? She didn't want to believe it. John was a man of god and faith. Her eyes had grown distant as the thought plagued her. L'aire couldn't predict this night, let alone 10 minutes from now. But what if... this was all supposed to happen. A happy accident.
"Thank you," John replied to the server as they served up his order, still intrigued as the whipped cream was applied to the beverage, and after paying, carefully carried the drinks back to Sasha, smiling as he concentrated. Placing them on the table, he happily said, "one Mexican Hot Chocolate with whipped cream for the lady," before sitting down. He studied his own drink carefully, rotating it on the table to get a good look from all sides. "Do you ever remember a time when coffee was just coffee?" he said, laughing, picking up his mocha and blowing across the surface carefully. With pursed lips, the chaplain took a sip. "You know what? That really isn't half bad. How's yours? That is if you can find it under all that cream," John added with a chuckle.
There was a saying her mom told her once. Pay attention how people treat staff at eateries or shops, their true nature would arise. She couldn’t hear him, but just by watching John’s demeanor, she could see the trend of his kindness carrying over just as it had earlier that night.
With a gentle shrug she grinned. “Thank you again, John.” As he spoke she leaned forward to the table taking up the warm liquid. Sitting back, she turned toward the chaplain with full attention. “Vaguely...” L’aire laughed a little while navigating the drink. “Most of the time it was just cream or sugar. Now it’s mocha, latte, frappe or whatnot.”
The Fairest watched John as he sipped his coffee. Mainly his lips and she brushed the thought from her mind. “Does it taste like a different type of mocha?” She asked amusedly. Looking back to the warm cup of hot chocolate she nodded. “Yeah, that’s challenging.” L’aire turned it a few different ways. Then with a little conviction, she brought the drink to her mouth and carefully took a sip, knowing it was hot and she wasn’t able to blow on it. As she pulled it away, there was a trace of the white fluffy stuff on her nose. Her eyes lit, from either the sugar or the flavor and a spirited grin she nodded. ‘It’s really good.” Holding the cup a little outstretched from her, L’aire’s hand rested on her knee with the cup of hot chocolate. Nodding to John then indicating the drink she said encouragingly. “You have this fascination with the whipped cream, would you like to try it?”
"Indeed, it does. Its...exotic," John chuckled as he placed down his drink and moved it towards Sasha. "Fancy tasting it for yourself?" he asked.
The chaplain watched as Sasha tasted her hot chocolate and was left with a conundrum, spitting the fluffy cream on her nose, and as her eyes lit up, John was once again taken with just how much he found her sheer presence intoxicating and such a joy to be around. As she offered him a taste, he nodded, leaning forward. "I'd love to but before I do..." he raised his hand slowly, taking one of the napkins that had come with each mug, and wiped the end of Sasha's nose. "There. Cream free," the chaplain smiled before taking the cup and trying to navigate a way through the cream. After having a sample, John pulled the cup away and grinned. "That really is quite delightful," he grinned, a blob of cream on his own nose also.
“Exotic...” L’aire repeated whimsically. “Yeah, I’d like a sip, if that’s alright.” She’d only just met him a few hours ago that evening, to her it was still one of those delicate things. Despite being nervous now and again, it was becoming easier as the minutes clicked by.
Then she watched him lean into her there was a brief moment L’aire thought something else was going to happe…. “Oh.” She grinned sheepishly. “Thanks.” A breathy dust of quick nervous laughter as John removed the whipped cream from her nose. A sweet smirk as she watched him drink and a dab appeared on his nose. With a wide grin, she bit her lip and pulled her own napkin out. “The whipped cream is not only delicious, but mischievous.” Blotting his nose, her own face wasn’t that far. “Since I seem to be the one with the free hands.” She winked as she mentioned the little dilemma.
With her free hand, L’aire slipped her fingers around the mug of Mocha John had offered. They softly brushed against his as she gripped the porcelain container he held. She sipped the drink and there was audible approval. “Oh, that’s so… you’re right… deliciously exotic.” With a pleased grin she added. “This was a really good idea, John.”
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