His hapoy smile returned, "You like Filipino butter-bread?" He humored, "Honestly I'm not a huge fan," he shrugged, "But everyone's got different tastes, y'know.." he commented back to Fae, hands settled casually in his jean pockets.
August pulled his feet off the counter, "Ahm…" he took the trinket to look for the sticker, "Four dollars fifty cents," he commented back, blowing a lock of auburn hair from his forehead.
Walking through the doorway, Kennedy instantly found her brother's figure knelt by a desk he'd set up next to his bed. Most of his things were already out and set up, and he was definitely in the middle of the process of moving in. Seyton was the kind of person who needed things set and orderly, and he would drill at whatever task needed to be done until it was complete, unless he was wrenched from that task by a distraction. Namely Kennedy.
He was currently working on setting up his computer and stuff on his desk, and Kennedy drifted over to his bed and seated herself on the edge of it, watching him work a moment before laying back down on her back, gazing up at the ceiling and gently folding her arms across her chest. "You always get the biggest room."
Seyton, who had been well aware of her entry (he was always aware of her whereabouts, even when it wasn't made obvious- it was like a sixth sense of his), didn't bother with looking up as he rose and began to connect wires behind the computer and desk. "That should hardly be a surprise."
"So unfair," Kennedy sighed dramatically, though she didn't exactly mean it. She'd always understood why Seyton got the bigger rooms- he was older, had more responsibilities.. it had just always seemed fitting. "I'll get a turn someday…"
"Yeah, I'm sure you will.. I'll probably be moving out soon, y'know."
Kennedy looked up at him sharply.
Fae shrugged. “I’ve never tried it. Looks good though.” She relaxed one leg and rested her hand in one hip, braiding her hair just for the sake of having something to do with her hands. “You can chose desert.”, she smiled, ignoring the little face of Grace winking suggestively up at her. “Surprise me.”, she tilted her head up at him to signify that he could come closer again.
And of course, he accepted, keeping his eyes consciously averted from her hand on her waist. too bad that's not my hand. Hah.
He kept his hands in his pockets though, thumbs resting out. "Ever tried baklava?" He asked Fae.
Her face lit up at the mention of the traditional Greek and Turkish dessert. "Of course! We made it at the bakery once!", she exclaimed, scratching behind Leum's stubby horns, who had poked his head hungrily out of her handbag as soon as he heard the first syllable of the sweet treat.
(sorry, that was messy)
No, its fine! :) )
"At the bakery?" He interested at the mention of it, wanting to learn more about his possible muse.
(Are they going to sit down, or are they taking their lunch back to the shop to eat it there after they've ordered it?)
"Oh!", Fae said. She had forgotten that she had only met Cruz yesterday, mostly due to his friendly and open demeanor. "My parents own a bakery on Bernice Ave., near the falls." She unzipped her jacket and opened her handbag a little wider so that the dragons wouldn't get too hot. "Everything is homemade.", she added, a little proudly. "I mostly help out with the baking, or make items to sell in our little Art Booth, but my mum decided I needed to either work in the bakery all day on the weekends and after school, or get my own job. I wanted to sort of, you know, do my own thing, and I also need time for my theater classes, so here I am." Fae fiddled with her earrings.
They're going to sit down ))
His chocolate eyes softened with a gentler means of admiration, much more welcome than the smirkish, sharp expression he had first greeted her with the other day. This expression seemed so much more approachable and eager to listen.
"So," he began, brushing elbows, "Why get another job outside the bakery?" He set out his curiosity, interested for her answer. More or less, his sequence of softening responses were instinctive, and natural. His need to erect walls around his dignity dissipated little by little.
(Kk)
Fae deftly unraveled her braid and started to plait the colorful pink locks again as they waited for a seat, pleasantly embarrassed by the attention. She wondered what had brought about this new, softer version of Cruz. "I love the bakery,", she started, a warm feeling blooming in her chest, "But I've lived and helped around in it since I was ten. I felt like I needed something new, something kind of mine that I didn't share with my parents." She paused to brush a stray strand of hair out of her face and continued. "I mean, of course I love them, but recently–" since you were kidnapped…, her pesky brain interrupted, "They've been a bit clingy. I guess I wanted them to understand that I'm not a baby anymore." Fae breathed in deeply, savoring the delicious smells wafting about. "I also take acting lessons so I can prepare for my theater's upcoming play auditions in April. If I worked full-time at the bakery, I probably wouldn't have the time.", she concluded, stomach grumbling.
Sabine slid the money across the table. "This is a wonderful design." She stated, turning the tiny trinket around in her hand. "The detail is so precise. Grandpa would have loved this." She called to her sisters, "You guys done yet?" Her three sisters handed her their choices. She quickly paid for their things then asked, "Do you know of any places looking for a musician? Or, you know, an artist? I'm looking for a job to help out my parents."
Augustus leaned on his stool, propping up his torso by his elbows planted on the glass cashier counter. "Um, unfortunately I'm not too savvy yet on everything going on with the other shops around here, but.. I coukd get your email and let you know if I find something?" He offered, "Can I get your name? I'm August Ponticelli," he introduced, fishing out a worn planner from behind the counter to flip open to contacts.
"I mean.." Cruz inhaled, beginning to walk towards the counter with her. "I can sympathize with you, but I've been my uncle's son for as long as I can remember." He spoke, "I think it would be nice to have people worrying about you." He tilted his head, oak hair shifting with the angle.
"Sure!" Sabine took the paper and wrote down her email. She handed it back to him. Thanks a lot! Umm…. do you mind if I played my guitar outside of your shop for a while? I trying to give my mom a rest from these crazy ones." At this she gestured to her little sisters.
"Oh, no, that's fine," he grinned, "Music's always appreciated," he replied cordially, face lit with appreciation.
Sabine beamed. "Thanks." She walked outside of the shop, the triplets following close behind. She sat down on the bench outside and pulled out her guitar. The girls sat down around her, eager for what was about to happen. Sabine started playing softly, but her music still reaching the ears of anyone passing by. "If I could wish for one thing, I'd take the smile that you bring. Wherever you go in this word I'll come along……………
Her beautiful melody was a song that her friend used to sing. She hoped that she honored her friend by singing it.
Augustus leaned back on his stool, listening with a smile.
Immediately regretting what she'd said, Fae quickly moved to correct herself. "Of course it's nice, but, as they say, 'Everything in moderation, even moderation itself'."
He turned from their conversation to place in his order for a chocolate muffin for his lunch, of which the person behind the cashier moved away to fetch.
Fae's phone buzzed in her pocket, but she ignored it, ordering a plate of Filipino butter-bread for herself and a plate of baklava for her and Cruz. This was much better than the hurried, small lunch she'd packed for herself that morning.
After they have their pastries, he slid a hand to gently hold her elbow and lead her to a table by the window.
Fae sat down, ready to eat, elbow still tingling from Cruz's hold. Stomach complaining, she let Grace, Leum, and Smudge out of her bag with strict instructions to be good.
Cruz pulled his hands away to hold his muffin with both hands, casting occasional glances to her and her little dragons.
Remembering the day she met Cruz, her curiosity began to blossom. "So, yesterday Mr. Ponticelli said that you'd moved here from Spain? What was that like?", she asked, attempting to start a conversation.
"Spain?" He grinned, sitting back in his chair as he recalled. He let his words form his native accent, "Beautiful." He articulated for humor, "There is color everywhere and the air smells like the Mediterranean. Hardly any cars, just people walking past on brick road, you can hear kids playing fútbol in the plaza by my house.." he recalled with a nostalgic grin, "The cathedrals on Sunday.."