The Perk- Thursday morning

[gobrookeyourself]

Brooke had to go into the store today, but it wasn’t like people were beating down the door to go there, so she was taking her time this morning. She’d intended to do othervwork while she was waiting around there, but then she’d gone for coffee, decided this was as good a place as any, and found a table near the window to do some sketching. Maybe they’d turn into actual clothes at some point, maybe not, but sometimes it was nice to get ideas out of your head and onto paper.

There were worse ways to spend a morning.

[Im not getting this one out enough. Open!]

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[1000yearstoolate]

Seivarden had wanted to get out of the apartment, and the Perk had become her favorite place to visit, more because it was the only tea house (she was going to insist it was that rather than a coffee house) than anything else. The tea wasn't to bad even if the baristas were rude.

Waiting for them to make her tea, she glanced around the place. Someone she didn't recognize was sketching. She hadn't seen anyone do that, and out of curiosity her gaze lingered on her.

[gobrookeyourself]

Brooke looked up and caught her eye, giving a little wave. “Morning.”

[1000yearstoolate]

Seivarden picked up her tea, then moved a little closer to Brooke's table.

"I'm sorry, it was rude of me to stare. I was just curious about what you're drawing."

That, and bored and wanting to talk with someone.

[gobrookeyourself]

“It’s a dress,” she said, turning the sketchbook to show her. “Or, it will be. Possibly. We’ll see.”

[1000yearstoolate]

Seivarden considered for a moment whether this was an invitation to further conversation or a sign that this person wanted her to leave.

She looked at the drawing, smiling a little. "I shouldn't keep you from your work, then. We haven't met though. Seivarden Vendaai." She inclined her head slightly.

[gobrookeyourself]

“Brooke Davis. I run the new clothing store in town,” she said, gesturing to the sketchbook.

[1000yearstoolate]

"I didn't know there was a new clothing store," Seivarden said.

This in itself might be a good thing, since Sparkle had punched her in the face last time they met.

[gobrookeyourself]

“You and everybody else,” Brooke sighed. “It’s called Clothes Over Bros. You should come by sometime. It’s good stuff, if I say so myself.”

[1000yearstoolate]

"I might do that," Seivarden replied, then took a sip of her tea. She didn't need more clothes right now, but yes, Sparkle had punched her, so Demon Marcus might not be an option. Brooke seemed less emotional so far.

"Do you have gloves? Thin ones? I might need a few new pairs."

The ones she was currently wearing was beginning to get stained and worn.

[gobrookeyourself]

“We have gloves. I can’t speak for your preferences or anything, but I try to make sure there’s a good selection,” Brooke said. “I also do customizations sometimes, because, you know. Sometimes a person might have more arms or whatever than the Earth standard and it helps to be inclusive.”

[1000yearstoolate]

"Good," Seivarden said. "I'm pleased to hear that there are more options on the island now."

She hoped Brooke wasn't the kind of person to throw her out.

[gobrookeyourself]

“I used to live here before, so I’m trying. I haven’t seen the old place since I’ve been back, though.” She’d been a frequent shopper back in those days, when she could afford it.

[1000yearstoolate]

"You used to live here and you came back?"

She made a gesture with her hand.

"I suppose there are things here that could be appreciated, but why?"

[gobrookeyourself]

“I was bored with my life, and there was a guy,” Brooke shrugged. You’re not a fan?”

[1000yearstoolate]

"No," Seivarden said. "I can't leave. I intend to the moment I can."

She wrinkled her nose slightly and sipped her tea.

[gobrookeyourself]

“You... can’t leave? Like, the causeway’s blocked?” This wasn’t actually a thing she’d run into before.

[1000yearstoolate]

"Portalocity claims they can't open portals to my universe."

That still felt like a strange thing to say.

"I've crossed the causeway, but that's not another universe, is it?"

She hadn't figured out all those details, and besides, her memories of going drinking in Baltimore were a bit fuzzy.

[gobrookeyourself]

“I mean... maybe? I’m not totally clear,” Brooke admitted. “The way I remember it is sometimes people could just walk across the causeway and get where they were going, but I’ll admit the whole dimensional yadda yadda explainy stuff isn’t exactly my strong suit.”

[1000yearstoolate]

At least Seivarden got the meaning of that last sentence.

"The causeway doesn't lead to where I'm from anyway. I was told the city on the other side is from the same time as the island."

[somethingwithturquoise]

Summer was breezing in for her usual, tradition, always handwaved Thursday morning post-radio latte, and blinked to realize that there were, like, more than just two people here.

"Wow," she said. "Place is hopping this morning."

This was hopping. Yes, she was mostly sarcastic.

Mostly.

[gobrookeyourself]

Brooke heard that, and looked around, frowning.

[somethingwithturquoise]

And Summer smirked. "Sorry," she said, then explained. "It's usually dead when I come in here for my post-radio latte, so I was a little surprised to see, like, twice the normal amount of people as when I usually come. Not that I'm complaining. It's nice to not be stuck behind a bunch of people ordering, like, a no-foam triple wet soy mocha frappaccino or whatever."

Um, Summer? You were totally one of those people ordering things like that, and the barista rolling her eyes behind you right now was a good indication of that.

[gobrookeyourself]

“It did get kind of quiet in town,” Brooke acknowledged. Sipping her fussy coffee.

[somethingwithturquoise]

"It's great to see people out and about, though, I guess," Summer said. "Like, I don't think I know you yet? I'm Summer, either way, so, hi..."

[1000yearstoolate]

Seivarden turned her head, eyed Summer and raised an eyebrow.

[somethingwithturquoise]

"What?" Summer asked, snorting a little with a careless shrug. "This place is usually dead when I come in on Thursday mornings. Maybe I just keep missing everyone, but business has literally tripled since the last few times I was in here for my post-radio latte."

[1000yearstoolate]

"It's often quiet," Seivarden agreed, polite but unimpressed. "So you are forced by the squirrels to report things too?"

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Uuhhhh, not quite," Summer said after a moment of thinking about just saying yes because it seemed like the slightly less crazy answer. "A robot version of myself signed me up for it last semester, and I guess at first, there was some forcing, but now I'm kinda used to it. And I kinda like it, it's not bad. Gives me an excuse to get up early, get a latte," she lifted said latte as proof, "and it's not like anything really happens on Wednesday ever anyway."

And then her brain caught up with the too part of the question. "Wait," she said, after some quick thinking, "are you the new Saturday morning voice?"

[1000yearstoolate]

Seivarden was just going to ignore the part about robot versions.

"I am," she said. "So you think I'll get used to it?"

She doubted she would.

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Maybe?" Summer offered. "I mean, I don't know you, so....I got used to it, but, uh, honestly, squirrels making you read about everyone's day is kind of on the tame scale for me. It's not too bad, and they never seem to mind sharing their booze if you need it..."

[1000yearstoolate]

The booze had actually persuaded her.

"It is a bit early for drinking, though."

That hadn't stopped her.

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Yeah, tell that to the squirrels," Summer said dryly. "Although I'm sure they'd argue that they never stopped overnight, so it's late, not early."