(Open) Warm Drinks

[Aurora]

Being back in Sacramento meant getting familiar with the city again. Not that she had been gone all that long. But enough had changed to warrant her heading out. Plus, she could only stare at her hotel room walls for so long.

And heading out meant finding a quiet coffee shop or café to sit down at and just get lost in her thoughts. Or a book. Or look at the newspaper and find a new apartment. Or a mixture of all three. She’d figure it out when she got there.

The cafe was small, nestled between two buildings, and was fairly empty. So finding a table had been easy, coffee cup in hand, newspaper on the table, the Thyrsus absently sipped from her cup. A plate of French fries and gravy sat on the table as well.

Casual was the name of the game for her, in fitted black jeans with a white t-shirt, her leather jacket hanging off the back of the chair. Blonde hair was pulled back in a very messy low pony.

[Anima]

Books, books, books, as usual the one thing that brings the Shaman out of his work, study, practice, work, is the hunt for more books. He sits down in the cafe area with a stack of wildly different texts, from palm reading to the latest on scalp dermatology. His clothing is an obvious afterthought, grey sweatpants from The Gap, and a hoodie proudly proclaiming his love for the California Science Center; the most atrocious part of his ensemble are the bright green crocks on his feet with fuzzy green green socks.

He carefully sets his kombucha on a table before setting the books down beside it. Finally settled he offers the fellow Shaman a smile and a nod.

"Is that pountin?"

[Aurora]

She’d heard of casual, but sweats take it to a whole new level. Like, not leaving the house level.

But, whatever.

The newspaper was closed, “No, just fries and gravy. I’m not a huge cheese person.” Not her thing. On pizza, yes. On her fries? Nope. Don’t mess with her fries. Eyeing the books, “Seems you’ve been busy. Anything good?” He was still an unknown to her. New face, shared a Path, but an unknown. So start with safe questions.

Well, can’t say Shodan didn’t put the flamboyant in flamboyant. Especially with that suit. Who was he trying to impress? Or was he trying to change his image?

Still, she’ll play along, “Hey yourself.” Then a shake of her head, “I don’t do business outside of the office.” i.e. the Circle. “Plus, don’t we all need time without business?” sure, she had business she needed to take care of, but not here. And not with these two. “So join us.” A foot pushes a chair out. “What are you up to?” *on the catwalk….on that cat walk* beings to play in her head.

[Anima]

A shrug, "Always looking for inspiration to think outside of the box. Connections and hidden nuggets of truth that can only be found by approaching a problem in a non-traditional way. Science has brought us so far, yet it would be foolish to handcuff ourselves to only one train of thought if that train could still derail at any moment...
Did you know Tokyo public transportation system, though being the largest in the world, is the most efficient?"

Something catches his eye and he reads several pages of The Art of Memory Forensics.

"A trip? Oh yes, you've been traveling haven't you? You travel for work correct?"

[Aurora]

“Well, it can’t be all business all the time. That’s just stupid and I think would drive many of us over the edge. Need to have some down time to just have fun.” Without fun, what was there? Nodding, “It can. Especially when meetings have no sense of order and you feel like it’s a contest to see who can talk over who.” A light chuckle.

“That’s very true actually. I’ve seen some good people get so wrapped in the company that life outside it just implodes. And then, it seems to be like a domino effect.” Least that’s how it appeared at times. “Settling back in ok. Have to find a new apartment, but that’s ok.” Pointing to the newspaper on the table. “The trip?” a slight shrug, “It wasn’t what I needed or hoped it to be.” Hence, she was back here. “But thank you. And you? How’ve you been?”

Blue eyes move to her fellow Shaman. “Don’t we learn from the derails? If not, there would be no advances in anything.” The whole comment about Tokyo was ignored for the most part.

A shake of her head, “No, not for work.” She begins before taking a sip of her coffee, “I used to travel for work before essentially retiring from life on the road.” A fry was eaten, “This was more a personal thing.”

[Anima]

The Obrimos earns a smile at his observation. "I'll never tell...." he sings.

"But I do love to edit wikipedia articles when I'm bored."

He ponders Shodan's thoughts on new ways of thinking.

"That's something I've always found interesting about Buddhists. They are masters of meditation, but for all their enlightenment have failed to make real dent in global socio-economic politics."

He pulls out his phone and opens the stocks app.

"I'm waiting for the day that one becomes a billionaire from playing options day trading on the market, and then runs for president."

[Aurora]

A small chuckle, “Oh yeah, there’ve been a few. Before I left, I had been here for quite a few years. But, things, over the years, seem to be calming down. Though I’m sure you understand it, get many different personalities in one room and there are bound to a few raised voices.” A shrug, “Just how things go. And yes, he does. The job fits him and his personality, well, in my opinion.” She had a lot of respect for him.

Another sip of coffee, “That’s really nice of you, thank you.” She didn’t see herself telling him about what was bothering her. But the thought was nice. “Current position?” was he at the bottom? Or somewhere in the middle? “But that’s a good way to look at it. Keep working towards where you want to be. Not be one of those who gets comfortable where they are and go stagnant.” A shake of her head, “Not a good place to be. I was there for a while, it sucks.” True enough.

“Well, if we are talking a life or death situation, then yes. And sometimes, winging it in those situations don’t turn out well for anyone involved.” Sometimes you get fish. “But there are other situations, ones not as, critical, where you derail, is a learning experience. You get up, learn, and are better for it.” A fry was dipped in gravy and popped in her mouth.

“Maybe they don’t want to impact socio-economic politics?” she says, “I mean, not everyone likes or really cares about politics. Some are just happy doing their thing.” And, whatever.