Suds and Fun

[Fawkes]

His mind was boiling with half-formed thoughts running together as the storm twisted and scraped inside his head. -thinksyou'reachild-hasnofucking-whatsecurityis-I'mNOT-

Fawkes took the towel from Sera, blinking in momentary confusion.

Oh.

He'd cracked.

He gingerly pressed the towel to the trickle of sand that leaked from his face, eyes flicking momentarily to Mable. "Thank you," he said quietly to the siren as she admonished the other man.

John's shrinking reaction told him it was time to leave. His mood was on the razor's edge, and another comment might get him arrested. "'Scuse me..." Fawkes hands the towel back to Seraphina, pressing his thumb to the hairline split along the corner of his mouth. He nods mechanically to John as the Darkling apologized, leaving the rest of the laundry where it was as he walked out the door.

Fawkes exits the scene, unless someone attempts to stop him.

[Seraphina]

Nodding eagerly, “It’s amazing! So many flavor combinations!” she quite enjoyed mixing the different flavors.

“Gonna hold you to that! And call you.” A wink.

Then John backtracked, and apologized. She felt bad, because she knew John was just trying to be helpful. But you had to be careful how you phrased things.

She focuses back on Fawkes with a gentle smile and nod.

He was leaving?!

Part of her wanted to stop him, but he seemed really upset at what John said. Did he need to be alone? She knew when she was pissed enough it was best to leave her alone.

But his laundry! Her mouth opens, but then closes. She wasn’t sure.

Sapphires look to John.

[Mable Wood]

Mable smiled at Sera. "I'm good for it."

She watched the shirtless guy start to leave, "Ummm, nice meeting you," she said sweetly. He reminded her of some others she knew, shy, jittery.

"Will he be alright?" she asked tentatively.

[Seraphina]

With a soft sigh, she shrugs, “I hope so. Maybe he’s just not having a good night.” But that was a guess.

She picks up the wet laundry he left, and puts them in a dryer, putting coins in and turning it on.

Looking to John, “I know you didn’t.” she says with a half-smile, “Maybe something you said just hit a nerve, some people have had different experiences and words can trigger things.” He knew what she meant. “We can try and talk with him later, bring him his clothes freshly dried and folded.” She offered hopeful. "We can even throw in some pastries from my coffee shop!" she was trying to be cheerful.

Nothing she could do now.

“Anyway, I managed to talk Mable into coming to an open mic night!” she says with a grin.

[Mable Wood]

Mable hated seeing anyone distressed, "It will be ok, John. I know a few people who are very skittish or easy to upset, it usually is just them stepping outside their comfort zone."

Catching onto Sera's cheerful tone, "I bet he will love some scones or brownies. Yes, I will come and sing at the next open mic night, just remember if people walk out with their ears bleeding you have been warned."

[Seraphina]

A nod to Mable in agreement.

“Well, March is almost here, so the Saint Patricks themed goodies will be coming in. I can put together a nice little basket with a variety of things.” The idea already forming in her mind. She then laughs, light and musical, “You’ll be fine! I’ve heard some truly bad singing, and I doubt you’re that bad. And if you do scare away customers, then I’ll just have to put you to work.” She says with a grin.

She walks over to John and places a hand on his shoulder, “It’s all good. Stop beating yourself up, it’ll get sorted out.” Things usually always worked out.

“Oh, you plan to come too?!” there was a happy smile, “That’s great! I’ll let you know! Don’t think I’ve heard you sing yet!”

[Mable Wood]

"So John, tell me about the charitable work you do." Mable smiled sweetly at him as she folded clothes.

Her washer beeped and she sniffed the laundry. "Needs another cycle." she restarted the washers.

"Yay, John, please say you will sing too. Sera said she will sing to get customers to stay if I scare them. And Sera, I will certainly help out. I can pass out bubble tea to people." Mable laughed.