(Garden Grounds) Warm and Cold

[Seraphina]

She eagerly nods, “That makes total sense! I would do the same thing if we served alcohol. Plus, the overhead for coffee is almost nothing, alcohol seems a bit costly.” Not that she would serve alcohol. Not because she didn’t drink, but there were more licenses that went into that. “I think it’s great that you look out for other like that. Worse thing I have to worry about is someone consuming too much caffeine and getting chest pains.” A smirk and chuckle, “Or maybe a sugar buzz.” Cause the pastries were good.

Sipping the coffee, she listens, “There’s nothing wrong with being cautious and practical. These days there seem to be too many who lack it, rush into something and end up hurt some way. I often wonder what might have been if I had made different choices when I was younger, where it might have led me. I think ‘what ifs’ can be fun if they’re now dwelled on.” Her two cents on that.
Sasha didn’t strike her as impulsive. So this guy must have been special. Frowning, “I’m sorry it didn’t work out. But maybe you gained something from it, something that you needed.” She would always look for the brighter side of a problem. There was then a lopsided grin, “Though isn’t it usually always a guy that has us doing something we never thought we would?” she could be speaking from experience.

Laughing, “Hey now! I remember you taking the stage at the party and you were pretty damn good at singing.” She wouldn’t hear the Dancer say anything less. “And if karaoke is something you can be talked into, we have an open mic night here on the weekends. Should stop by. Even if you decide not to sing, it’s a blast to sit back and watch the whole thing.” She didn’t always take the stage at open mic nights, it usually discouraged others from trying.

Nodding, “I get toning it down, I often have to do the same.” A frown, she didn’t like toning it down, but knew it was important. “I’d like to see you dance sometime. And hey, maybe it’d inspire me to improve my own skills. I’m sure your performance is the favorite of the show.” Sasha has a fluid motion to her when she moved, so the Nix could only imagine how she danced. “Do you have a favorite type of dance?” she was curious. Even singers had a favorite type of music to perform, did dancers?

A slight shift in her seat as she picks off a piece of chocolate pastry. "I also wanted to thank you for the advice you gave me when I firs arrived. Especially for how I talk." a nod, "I took it to heart and really worked on how my words can come across and cause me trouble if I wasn't careful. You could have caused a lot of trouble for me, but you didn't, and I thank you for that." a grateful smile.

[Seraphina]

Laughing, “Isn’t that the truth!” another laugh as she sips her own coffee.

Then there was a nod before Sera’s eyes got a far away look in them. Almost like she was remembering something, before her head shakes and she refocuses. “That is true. It even has us do things we normally wouldn’t because we are trying so desperately to please another.” Was the Treasured speaking from experience? As much as Sera longed to reach out to another and be open and honest, the fear of rejection and judgement was stronger. A smile then appears, “But it sounds like he was special to you. I hope you’re able to find someone special like that again.” And she meant it. Love was for some people, and Nix wasn’t one of them. At least not that she knew.

“Maybe on those weekends where you don’t have a live performer set up, put up a sign for karaoke! People love it. And maybe no one’s asked cause they don’t know you have the equipment. Can’t hurt to advertise for a karaoke night, and from what I’ve seen in other places, it ups the alcohol sales.” A wink. “I can put up some flyers in here too! Well, if you wanted to go that route and all.” offers Sera, eager to help. “I actually miss singing at the Note. You have a great stage setup.”

There was an understanding nod, “I think I know what you mean. I’ve performed for crowds, and it’s always hard to tell if the applause is for your talent, or something else. Now if they are standing, that’s a different story.” A light musical laugh, “The next time your scheduled to perform, please let me know, I’d love to watch.” Seeing another performer in their element was always a treat. “Oh, ballet! Such a graceful and elegant dance. Was always jealous of the way the dancers were able to move their bodies in such fluid ways. And when they dance on their toes?! Wow, I’m always blown away! It looks like it hurts!” another laugh, “Sorry, got carried away there.” She just felt comfortable around Sasha, like she wasn’t being judged. “Not sure I’m familiar with modern dance.” What made it modern?

Oh, she didn’t remember. While it was a little hurtful, she understood. It had been a while ago and Sera’s memory was bad at times as well.

A hand was waved dismissively, “It was a while ago, so no worries.” Her tone sincere. “I misspoke about my Keeper and being Taken. I didn’t think about the way it sounded until you pointed it out to me. Since then, I’ve taken the time to think about how I word things and how it can be misinterpreted. Especially about topics like Endurances and the like. No one had ever pointed it out to me, so I appreciate you doing that. Plus, you were kind about it, there are those who aren’t so kind.” True story.

[Seraphina]

Her eyes light up, “Great! And like I said, you can put some flyers up in here too, get the word out.” This was going to be awesome! “I bet tons of Lost will show up! You know I’ll be there, and I bet John will as well. It’ll be great.” She tries to reassure her. “Oh, and if there isn’t a large crowd, I can stand outside and sing and try and draw people in.” she offers with a laugh.

Now hear that Sasha missed her singing caused her to swell with pride. She knew she could sing and her voice was amazing, but it still felt good to hear those things. “I’d be more than happy to come and sing every now and then.” She missed that stage and the lights. “And I totally get that. I’ve had a few walk in here, take in the décor and sparkly coffee and walk out.” She shrugs. “But I figure if they’re not open minded enough to give it a try, then I don’t need their business. Same with live music, there are plenty of others that enjoy it.” She wasn’t bashful about that.

“That’s awesome! I’ll be there!” watching another Lost at their craft was always a gift. “I assumed it was like any skill or craft, the more you practice it, the more your body gets used to it. But it just always fascinated me.”

She nods and sips the coffee again, “I get that, I find myself forgetting stuff more and more frequently. Maybe it’s from having so much going on?” a shrug. “Or maybe I’m just getting old.” Another laugh.

“That makes sense. It’s amazing what our own minds will do to protect us. I personally refuse to allow them anymore power over me. There doesn’t seem to be a right or wrong way to go about it, and we all do what’s best for ourselves. I just choose to live for the here and now, accept my past, learn from it and live my best life.” But that was her. And she would never fault someone for how they choose to handle those memories and the past.

“Wow, that got kind of heavy there.” A sip and a shake of her head, “I’m not good with heavy.” She didn’t like it. “Do you ever go out dancing at clubs? I went out a few times with Mhairi and it was actually fun.”

[Seraphina]

There was a blink. “Is there another John?” she asks, a little confused. Was she forgetting someones name? “But yeah, that John. Am I completely forgetting someones name? Please don’t tell I am, I’ll feel soo horrible!” true story.

Smirking, “Then lets do it! I’ll find the fanciest dress I can afford, get a little box to sand on and sing my heart out.” Not that she really needed height, but it would help her voice carry. “You want a crowd, I’ll get you a crowd.” From her tone, she was serious.

Shaking her head, “They really don’t. And it’s not like you have to get the glitter, we have people not get it all the time.” Some still didn’t understand edible glitter. “I know right?!” she exclaims, “It’s fun and light hearted, and we all need more fun in our lives.” She was a girl on a mission to have all the fun in life.

“Oh!” her eyes light up, recognizing the name, “I went there with Mhairi and Ingrid! Not a place I would typically hangout, but it was fun! I got to try a new darker look, and just have a great time. We have to go out some night, let our hair down, tease some boys and just have a blast!”

We're over the month mark, did we want to start wrapping?

[Seraphina]

A look of relief, “Oh that’s good. Was worried there!” She would have felt horrible.

The cup was put down and her hands quickly clapped, “This is going to be so much fun! And just curious, are we talking the karaoke thing, or me standing outside the Note singing? Cause I was serious about that, I’ll totally do it.” She wasn’t bashful.

Picking the cup back up, she finishes off the rest of the coffee. “I could do that, I like changing up my look here and there.” She hadn’t given the clothes she bought for the Reverence another thought. Maybe it’d be fun. Smirking, “But you sang at that 20’s themed party you had at the Note. And you did quite well, you have a nice voice.” She thought so anyways. "But no worries, I'm not the type to make people do things they're not comfortable with or want to do."

While she was a little disappointed that Sasha had to go, it was getting late.

“Oh, of course! You could even have one to go tonight if you wanted.” She offered.

“And this has been great, thank you for coming by. It feels like it’s been forever since I talked with you. We should do it more often.”