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The Perk, Thursday Evening

Was meeting up with a group for an evening coffee the best idea in the world this week? Absolutely not, but since when had it been said that Lydia Bennet had only good ideas? She had announced this on the radio, after all, and she couldn't go back on that! She was sure it would be fine! A lovely evening would be had by all.

No, not like that. A very lovely evening drinking coffee, or tea for those of them with the sense to recognize that coffee tasted awful.

She was already uncertain what to do about the fact that the barista had given her her phone number, but welcome to Supper Club, everyone!

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Percy had given up on using the mask today but saw no harm in going out for something as harmless as coffee. After all it was just coffee and people he had met before. What could go wrong?

It went wrong with his coffee order when he got flustered by the barista and ended up with a chocolate covered strawberry creme blended frozen beverage.

"That looks interesting," Rey said. About the drink. The drink.

"It certainly looks pretty but I find it a little too sweet for my taste," Percy said holding it up. "And yet as cloying as it is I can't stop drinking it. How are you doing Rey?"

"It's a terrible week. How are you?"

Normal response there.

Absolutely normal response.

"I would call it a frustrating week but otherwise I am fine," Percy said trying to make the situation sound as socially appropriate as he could. "I'm sorry to hear you're not faring well. I think others are enjoying this week more than we are."

"It should only be a few more days," she said. "And that's what I keep telling myself."

"There you go!" Percy said with an encouraging smile. "Perseverance and self-control! Think of it as a character-building moment. Standing strong and resisting our base desires is a true test of mental discipline and integrity."

Of course Percy had spent the day pounding and shaping metal to maintain his so-called self-control and integrity.

"Is that what we're doing?"

It was actually what she was doing, but mostly she considered it resenting the entire island a little.

"Honestly? It's what I keep telling myself to get through the day," he admitted with a rueful chuckle. "It would be far simpler if some of my charming neighbors understood the concept of volume control."

"That's the worst." You've been that person before, Rey. "Are you near a couple?"

"I believe so," he said, his voice flat. "I honestly hadn’t heard a peep from them until this week." He paused, a hint of rue in his expression. "And it’s not as though I could go complaining. They live next to me, after all, and I spend my days hammering away at metal. I doubt the noise I make is any less... obnoxious."

Just gonna ignore any talk of hammering and noises.

"There's a difference."

And failed at ignoring talk of hammering and noises.

"True," Percy replied, "but I can’t very well ask them to keep it down when I can't seem to manage it myself."

He winced slightly, realizing the implications of his words. "The noise level, of course," he added apologetically.

"From the metal hammering," she agreed, quickly.

"Yes, and certainly not any other metaphorical allusions the phrase might suggest," Percy said, giving an emphatic nod, his expression one of utter sincerity.

"So the drink's too sweet, huh?"

Good job, very smooth.

Very smooth.

"Yes. And I don't think there's a lick of coffee in it," he said frowning at the cup.

Don't say lick. Dooooon't say lick.

"Maybe they could put some in there?"

Percy frowned at the drink a little longer, as though it had personally offended him. "No, it’s already a messy experience," he said, taking another sip from the straw. "I’m just trying to get through the process and call it finished."

"You should at least enjoy what you're having," she pointed out.

Percy glaced over at the barista who had gotten him flustered to begin and shook his head. "Nope! I am fine. This is what I ordered and I shall have to make peace with it."

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"Lord Percy," Lydia said with a curtsy. "I'm so pleased you could join us! What...ah, what is that you are drinking?" And did it legally qualify as coffee?

"I'm afraid there isn't a single drop of coffee in this concoction," Percy lamented, offering Lydia a small, courteous bow. "It is, apparently, a chocolate-covered strawberry creme blended frozen beverage. Frankly, it's rather cloying."

Not that it had stopped him from drinking most of it.

"And once again, my thanks for being such a gracious hostess and organizing this weekly endeavor. It’s genuinely enjoyable."

"That sounds quite nice, actually..." and also cold, which appealed at the moment. "I haven't tried many of the frozen drinks, I'm afraid, but I see that changing." In the summer, if not in the very near future.

"Oh, it's hardly any trouble at all," Lydia waved that off. "But I am so pleased you're enjoying it."

"Well, I'd be happy to get you one," Percy offered. It was probably the one drink he could get from the barista without getting flustered. "After all you put so much effort into running this club."

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