(Garden Grounds) Warm and Cold

[Seraphina]

It was after hours at Garden Grounds, yet Sera was still there.

That was because she had asked Sasha to meet with her. It had been far too long since she had sit down and talked with the Dancer. After all, it had been Sasha who had given her a job at her own club when the Nix first arrived.

So it was time to catch up.

Sera was a little more dressy tonight in a pink suede wrap skirt and white long sleeve fitted shirt. Truth be told, she loved the skirt! It was soft to the touch and moved with her body. Any excuse to wear it again was a good one for her. Around her neck sat what appeared to be a mystic topaz, glimmering in the soft light. She had been doing the minimal makeup thing lately, only opting for a touch of lip gloss, which had been stressful at first. But it was growing on her, saving her time in the morning and everything.

Sitting at a table, she had some paperwork in front of her, which was apparently a thing when owning a business. Much to her dismay and displeasure. A fresh pot of coffee had brewed and was awaiting the arrival of the Winter Queen.
Selena Sasha

[Seraphina]

Sapphires look up from the papers, expecting to see Sasha, but one never knows who might try to wander in.

A happy smile appears despite the new chill in the air and the Nix stands as papers were put in folders.

“Sasha! Thank you for meeting with me.” She greets. “I haven’t been too bad, busy, but good. How about you?” She was sure the Dancer would understand about being busy. “Thank you! I'm quite pleased with how it came out.” the compliment clearly pleased her.

At the mention of the glitter coffee, there was a nod as she moves towards the counter. “Of course you can! I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and the glitter is a rather simple addition.” And she sets to work pouring the coffee and beginning to steam some milk. “Are you ok with milk? If not, I have nondairy options in case.” Cause she learned that not everyone liked or could handle milk, so it had become a necessity. "Oh, and there are some pastries if you want one."

Eyes glance up then around at the plants before she shakes her head, “They’re not all real. That would be a nightmare on expenses! But the ones that are alive, I think will be fine. And if not, it’s simple enough to replace them, so no worries.” She offered a smile.

[Seraphina]

There was a nod of her head and she grabbed the milk. “Oh, we have enough of everything. Turns out there are a lot of people who prefer nondairy creamer.” A shrug as she begins to steam the milk. It was important for the glitter, it gave it something to rest on and for the colors to pop. Carefully, a layer of foamed milk was added and a spoon full of glitter was tapped over the white foam. “We even have jasmine milk. Which is just nondairy creamer mixed with jasmine tea, but it tends to work best in the regular teas and bubble teas.” The jasmine just didn’t pair well with the coffee.

She then places the cup in front of Sasha with a flourish. The glitter thing was something she was proud of, especially with how well it had been received.

Nodding her head, “They are. I don’t mind adding some live ones here and there, but the whole ceiling out probably bankrupt me.” She says with a chuckle.

Placing a plate on the counter, she selects a few pastries and puts them on the plate. Then refills her own coffee and gestures to the table, “Want to sit?” she asks. If Sasha agrees, Sera will bring the plate of goodies and her coffee to the table.

She missed Alexander? “I didn’t know him real well, but he seemed like a nice enough guy. Though he was really secretive, and I couldn’t quite figure him out.” Like if she could trust him or not. “But for you to miss him, I take it you guys were close?” there was no judgement, only a question. “With such a small Freehold, I imagine it’s hard to overcome getting into trouble with the others.” Was just her opinion on it.

Taking a careful sip of her coffee, “It has been!” she exclaimed, “No one really tells you what goes into owning a business. The paperwork, the time investment, everything.” Another light, musical laugh, “But I think it’s worth it once you learn about time management.” Which had been hard to do. “You been up to anything new and exciting lately?”

[Seraphina]

Sapphires widen with excitement, “I have! It’s amazing! I’d never tried it before I opened this place and we started carrying. I was pleasantly surprised by how yummy it was!” who would have thought cashew milk would taste good?! “Oh, well it’s just nondairy creamer with jasmine tea mixed in, just gives it a little kick of flavor. But not too much, and it compliments quite a few other teas. Oh, well, you need to try bubble tea at least once. It comes in a wide variety of flavors, my personal favorite being rose milk tea. But what gives it the name? Boba! Little balls of tapioca that sit in the bottom. But we also have flavored boba, like strawberry and such. Worth a try.” She’d been skeptical at first, until she tried it.

Obviously Sera was quite proud and excited to see Sasha’s reaction to the coffee.

“And it’s completely edible.” Well that was obvious but she felt compelled to say it.

Her last? Did she mean boyfriend? Husband? The Nix wasn’t one to pry, knowing people will open up with time and enough trust.

“Oh, I didn’t know you guys were close. I’m sorry.” And she was. “That whole thing was, yah, well, a mess. I heard from both sides about it and it was just,” a heavy sigh and a shake of her head, “just a mess I guess.” She knew it really hurt Mhairi, though maybe the Winter heard a different tale. It was possible. “There’s always two sides to a story with the truth lying somewhere in the middle.” A shrug as she sipped her coffee.

“How is the dance school going? Do you put on any shows during the year?” watching others perform was always a treat. “Wish I could say I had rhythm, but sadly, I don’t. Did you always want to be a dancer?”

[Seraphina]

With a wide grin, “We have all kinds of flavors. And any time you come in, your coffee or tea is on the house. I don’t charge members of the Freehold.”

A nod, “That’s too bad. Must leave you wondering what could have been if he had stayed. That’s what gets me sometimes, the ‘what ifs’ of life. I know we shouldn’t dwell on them, but sometimes you can’t help where your mind wanders.” A helpless shrug. “Was your last relationship serious?” she then realized how personal that was to ask, and quickly shakes her head, “I’m sorry if that was too personal to ask and don’t answer if you don’t want to. Guess I was just trying to get to know you better.” Which was true. Since Mhairi left, she didn’t really have another woman to talk with.

Nodding as she took a sip of coffee, “Oh, yeah, of course! You can’t keep me off a stage! It’s the only place where I feel most comfortable and at ease.” It was like home to her, everything from the mic to the lights, it just felt natural to her. “And I will confess, I went dancing with Mhairi and Ingrid once. And while it was a little terrifying to step out on the floor and dance, it was also a little exhilarating!” and was that a slight flush to her gilded cheeks?

“Oh wow!” she replies after hearing about her mother encouraging her. “That’s really amazing. Do you still perform on stage?”