Early Afternoon Coffee

[Terri Nutkins]

The way the wind had picked up as Winter grew closer, the blurring of Seasons that was always an interesting point of transition for anyone who watched the way the world worked. In Terri's mind, it was in that moment where power was shared, whether Winter to Spring, Spring to Summer, Summer to Autumn, or as was now happening, that kept the Gentry off-balance, confused at the sharing of control. It was a time were Terri grew excited, even if it was the waning period for the Court of Fear, when Sorrow took hold once more.

Today, the Beast had been getting some last minute presents for people. She liked to be charitable at Christmas and tended to spend more than she should for her friends. Deciding it was time for a break, Terri was passing the coffee shop when she noted the magnetic yet still unsettling aura of Ava, the Scrivener of the Leaden Mirror. With a smile, Terri pushed open the door and smiled as she approached where the Nix was seated.

"Hey Ava! Mind if I join you?" she chirped politely, the scent of baking bread settling around her. In her hands were several shopping bags, which she carefully lowered to the floor, relieved to give her hands a rest.

Outfit

[Nathan Griffin]

The chill didn't bother him. Neither did the greyness of the day, that went far beyond a cloudy sky and deep into empty streets and locked homes. One would think that his jacket, ripped to pieces as it was, as was everything from his jeans to his shirt, ravaged mercilessly by the elements ever since he had gone back to the wild life, would provide virtually no protection against the coming winter cold. And truth be told, it didn't, but he was willing to welcome any sensation that would break the now ever-present numbness and monotony of his life. Even Sorrow. Meaning I'm practically as whiny and pathetic as a Winter, doesn't it? Great.

That morning, just like the one before and the one before that and every morning since he had arrived to Sacramento, he had slept in a back-alley that was only ever visited by street dogs not unlike himself. No one would look for him there, not the Others, not the Hell's Angels, not the spooks. It was hardly a fun place to be in, though. He was walking aimlessly through the streets of California when he came across the coffee shop. He wasn't sure what caught his attention, if the memories the place brought or the two Beasts he caught a glimpse of through the window. But hey, he was already lazing around. Might as well do it inside. They did seem to be Autumn Courtiers, and he guessed he had postponed a formal introduction for long enough.

It was warmer inside. He might have even been tempted to get some coffee for himself, if he had the money. Joy of joys, I can't even get drunk anymore. So he wen't directly for the other 'lings, hands resting harmlessly in the pockets of his camo jacket. Why does it smell like wet bread?

"I don't believe we've met." He tilted his head as a form of greeting. "Nathan Griffin. At your service."

He stood at a respectful (by his estimation) distance of their table.

[Terri Nutkins]

Ava's voice always caught Terri's attention, perhaps moreso than her appearance. It had a quality to it that was simply tough to ignore. "Thanks!" Terri replied, easily sliding onto the adjacent stool, her feet dangling almost naturally, like she belonged off the ground. The bushy tail stuck out behind her acting as a balance.

"Oh, you know. I just keep remembering things I have to get," the Legate chuckled, placing her phone down on the surface before pushing her hair back behind her ear-tufts. "Christmas is only round the corner, Ava!" she chuckled. "Actually, I'm glad I ran into you. I picked something up for Mal that I could do with your opinion on."

Just as the petite Beast was about to go shopping bag delving, the man's voice interrupted her, causing Terri to sit back up and turn to him. He had a subtle Mantle but the cool breeze told her all she needed to know. Terri offered a friendly grin and a little wave.

"Nice to meet you, Nathan. I'm Terri. You new in town?"

[Coco]

There were few things more wonderful than going for a stroll around town. In any season except this. The harsh gusts of winter air had transformed such a liberating and enjoyable activity into a terrible, soul crushing trudge, and the Wasp's spirit was broken, though she would not admit it. She fled from the cold, darting into the nearest haven of warmth she could find. Shivering, hugging her cane close to her as though it might provide some relief from the insidious chill, Coco hurried up to the counter and asked (not pleaded, certainly) for any beverage that might be warm. That is, as long as it was a caffè macchiato. Standards could not be abandoned, even in the face of icy adversity!

It was only once she had her beverage, her delicious savoir and herald of warmth, that she sought out a table, and lo and behold! She was not alone this day!

"Huzzah!" Coco chirped, prancing over to the table the changelings were sharing. "Terri! Ava! How delightful it is to see you both! We haven't spoken in ages! We simply must chat. You have no choice, I'm afraid, I must infringe upon you. How are you both? You look so well! And who is this? An amour?" she asked with a teasing grin, finally turning her attention to the predatory man seated with them.

[Nathan Griffin]

Fishface's (Ava's, he rectified himself) fangs looked even more disturbing than his own, he had to admit. Probably something to do with them not being supposed to ever see the light of day. He answered by displaying his own fangs in a smile that was probably friendly.

"Thank you."

He did as she told him and pulled up the nearest chair. When was the last time he felt this comfy? Not the Summer club; that was a mess. Squirrel soon introduced herself too. This had to be the warmest welcome he had gotten from any of the locals, no pun intended. Not that he was about to hold it against them.

"Yeah, new. Only been here for about a month or so. Though truth be told I haven't been counting." He took a look at the mess of shopping backs next to the table, amused. "How are the holidays going?"

Only then something hit him. He quickly raised his gaze to Squirrel's face. Suddenly he was very curious.

"You said your name was Terri? I was told a Terri Nutkins might be able to tell me what to do with myself around these parts." To his credit, he didn't laugh when saying the name. He really, really wanted to.

Then that other girl arrived. Not an Autumn. Very cheerful, wasn't she? And unless she was being sarcastic, it seemed she liked big words. Good God, she sounds like she just drank enough caffeine to kill a water buffalo. Those were the thoughts that quickly raced through his head, confused as he was at Queen Bee's bombastic excitement. She had pranced to their table, for fuck's sake! Was she being sarcastic? He shot a side glance at Ava and Terri, the question painted on his face. I really need to get out more. This is probably standard 'ling behavior.

"Amour?" He laughed. "That would be awfully premature." Hypocrite. "I'm Nathan. New arrival. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss...?"

Why did he have the irritating habit of elevating his diction (Fuck.) of talking all fancy when other people went posh around him? Probably because he took it like a challenge, and it annoyed him when others assumed he was stupid. He should really get around to trying to be more humble. Or not; it was just as well.

[Terri Nutkins]

"You were told correctly, Nathan," Terri replied, offering the rugged Beast a grin. "If there's anything you need, you can call on me. Although, I can get pretty annoying."

Speaking of annoying...."Coco! Merry Christmas to you." Perhaps Terri and Ava were telepathic, because they seemed to share a common paradox when it came to Spring's Claviger.

"Oh, I'll join you, Ava. I could do with a nutty latte myself," she joked, slipping from the stool with practiced ease. "Coco, you want something?" Terri offered, cocking her head as she addressed the OTT Fairest.

[Coco]

"Oh, thank you! That's so kind, but I have a beverage," Coco replied to Terri, after taking a seat, raising her coffee concoction with a slightly trembling hand. It made a stop at her mouth on the way back to it's little saucer, but then she turned to the male amongst them. "A pleasure to meet you, Nathan. I'm Cosima Tascioni, oft known as Coco, at your service. And never call me Miss, for I never miss," she explained, with a beaming smile.

"Oh, and never fear, Ava," she added, turning just so to face the Nix. "I do not mind squinting in the slightest! You may squint as you will, and I would be quite honored if it happened to be in my direction."