Log:Coffee Shop Tales, Episode 1

2020/11/11 	 Lizzy Lennox Kid Tengu Ghost Porter Paragon Kyssie

1

The smell of fresh coffee is the first thing that assails you. The next is the very old style. It seems the owner has gone for the Edwardian style from early last century. Lots of imitation wood panelling and prints of old English countryside. There are many partitions between the tables, affording some privacy and the sound seems hushed in the room, this has been achieved mainly through very good design, which muffles sounds. At the counter service is quite quick and cheery, conveying a welcoming and friendly attitude. The menu boasts the fact that for a little extra real coffee is served along with light hot and cold meals and snacks. All in all a pleasant place to pass a bit of time.

Lennox sits in one of the large comfy chairs on the far side of the store from the entrance; in the cradle of his crossed legs is a very large book, at least a foot and a half tall and most of that wide (though doubled, being open). He sips at a low, wide cup of cappuccino.

KT enters the coffee shop in one of his numerous shapes- this one, a well known comic-icon only de-aged 15 years or perhaps cloned. In any event, he looks just like Omega (once known as Omega-Man before a lawsuit between publishing houses)- or perhaps a cosplayer? In any event, recognizable is certainly the word for it. Lizzy will also recognize KT in this form from their first encounter.

He enters and saunters into line, glancing around as his hands open and close repeatedly in succession.

Lennox lifts his gaze from the book he is perusing, taking in the superhero or superhero cosplayer. It is the hands in particular that catch his attention; repeated flexing is a typical display of nervousness prior to action one is working oneself up to.

KT is of course an alien, and is sniffing the rich aroma of the coffee shop's black gold on brew. He sighs, relishing the scent deeply through his secondary olfactory system... not that anyone else would know that. So it probably just looks plain suspicious to someone with as much experience as Lennox.

He slides forward as another patron is served and leans to the side to count the people before him. No matter the number it will be too many.

Lennox reserves judgment, as he usually does; he brings his cappuccino to his lips for another long, slow sip, putting the cup back before finally taking his eyes off the heroically-costumed individual and returning to his book. Nonetheless, he does glance up at the person rather more frequently than he had been.

That said, KT will pick up other unusual scents in the room, faint ones which are marginally stronger in the direction of the black man reading his huge book.

KT's senses are very acute and the smells coming from Lennox remind him of his father's vault in their orbital platform. Of course by the time he realizes that his turn finally arrives and he orders- a large black coffee, package of organic gummi candy and 1 package of chocolate covered espresso beans.

He swipes his PDA to pay and link to his order and then makes a show of looking around for a place to sit. Naturally this brings him into easy conversational range of Lennox and his curiosities.

There is indeed a couple of seats nearby -- not just another comfy chair, but also an empty table with a trio of chairs. (The latter is too small to accommodate both book and cups.). Lennox takes another sip at his drink, watching the youth find a seat, and nodding when he does so nearby. No need to be rude about other people's peculiarities, after all.

KT nods to Lennox and says, "Hey." His voice is everything you'd expect from the look of him. He takes the comfy chair and sips his piping hot coffee to bring down the level a bit before holding the cup between his legs and opening the espresso beans. He dumps them in to the cup. The gummis follow soon after. You can be certain its a taste only a suicide loving teenager could even want to taste much less dedicate himself to so thoroughly- either that, or an alien, mutant or some kind of weird alien mutant cosplaying clone. This town literally has all types.

He takes another sip, swallows, chews, and swallows again looking quite pleased with himself. It doesn't take long before he's looking over at Lennox and his great tome curiously.

Lennox smiles at the greeting, but watches the flavor combination with some bemusement. "That," he says once KT has taste-tested the concoction and seems pleased with the result, "is an interesting blend."

KT looks to his cup (complete with floating gummis & espresso beans) and back to Lennox with a smile. "Its magical, man. Only way to fly." He says in response, offering the man his cup to try for himself.

Lennox chuckles. "I see," he says. "Any particular blend on the coffee side?"

"Just the House, black." KT replies, still offering the steaming cup.

Lennox waves the mix off. "Thanks, I'll stick with mine for now. But I may try that ... some other time. Why the getup?"

"Get up?" KT says, looking down at himself. "Oh. Right. Well... I couldn't pick anything to wear." He says bashfully. "Why- is it too much?" He looks around the room. "I thought Metas came here... so I figured I'd blend in better like this." He quirks his head in a strange fashion.

He swallows hard, trying to shake off a bad memory. He pulls his cup back and takes a drink- using the taste sensation to get him over the hump. Of course the strange biochemical reaction taking place between KTs hybrid physiology & the gummis certainly helps too.

"I suspect," says Lennox in his peculiar accent, "they come here in regular civilian clothes, not their super-costumes. Though I suppose that might be a club waiting to happen ..."

"Oh." KT says as he nods, finding those around him clothed as suspected. So as easily as crossing his legs he shifts into something more civilian-y. All the things that stood out before fade to much more typical shapes, colors & textures. His stacked physique becomes skinnier and he goes from 'Dedicated Cosplayer' to 'scrawny fanboy' in a few heart beats. "Well, I appreciate you saying something." He says appreciatively before asking (as if he didn't jsut shapeshift), "So what's the deal with that old book? I don't think I've seen one like that before... or anyone who carries something like that around to be honest."

There are no flashthwumps or flailing, because Paragon is here, and the Porters have decided to walk for fresh air and exercise. Kyssie is between her parents, holding their hands as Para pushes open the door for the family.

Lennox glances at new entries, his expression flat and critiquing. Ah -- yeah, those would be tough. Replying to KT, though (and his eyebrows DID go up at the abrupt change in outfit), he says, "A record of events in a little corner of Faerie."

Porter has much less success with doors than Para, which is why she gets the honors of muscling them open. Also, she has, well, muscles. So that helps. Alot.

He can hold Kyssie's hand well enough, though. "So, what did you want today? Hot cocoa with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles?" Is it a lot of sugar? Yep. Is it still better than giving her coffee. Also yep.

Lucky there's that table with three chairs right near Lennox and Kid Tengu's comfy chairs. Of course, Paragon might be too much for such chairs, but hey -- there's another comfy chair too.

"Well- that wasn't at all what I was expecting." KT answers. "Also- I have no idea who the Faerie are, but I'm not really a historian." He adds, craning over a bit to take a look at the text for himself.

He glances over at the new entries and gives a curt nod of recognition.

"Ooh- I never thought of adding sprinkles..." He says, overhearing the wise parental suggestion. He looks at his own cup finding the rainbow darkness now lacking something foundational.

Para has also got both arms again. Magic! Or science. She orders herself a white mocha latte.

"And marshmallows!" Kyssie reminds her daddy. Whipped cream and marshmallows just makes sense to her. Para smiles at Kyssie's demand.

"Of course, Princess..." Porter assures her as he happens to find three seats available, and together! He pulls out the middle one, helps Kyssie into it, then pulls out one for Para to sit at, plopping himself down last. "Hot cocoa with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and marshmallows..." he notes the order adding in a white mocha latte with caramel for himself. The real caramel, not the fake flavoring stuff.

Lennox's eyes do get drawn to Kyssie and the Hot Chocolate Masterpiece, but he answers KT's implied question. "A series of dimensions with moderately close links, passage-wise, to this one. The natives tend towards beauty and extended lives."

"Huh. Maybe I'll have to check it out." KT says. "Sounds weird." He takes another sip of his coffee followed by a long thoughtful chew of gummies and espresso beans.

He grins at the pink princess and then takes note of the additional change to her order. He says to the newly arrived family, "I'm really going to have to try that next." He means next cup. Not next time. He's only begun to coffee!!!!

Para smiles as Porter pulls out a seat for his girls and sits down. The chair doesn't even groan in complaint.

"I might be careful about it," Lennox suggests to the scrawny kid, nodding a greeting to Porter and Paragon. "They're a different sovereign nation, and have ... a fairly different set of values and customs." To the superheroic pair, he says, "So this is the girl with all the Halloween loot, hmm?"

Kyssie, not understanding table boundaries, turns around in her seat to look at Kid Tengu. "It's so yummy! Oooo, whassat!?" she asks, pointing at his drink with the gummies floating in it.

Kyssie looks up to Lennox and nods several times. "I got sooo much candy!"

It should be said that taking up Lennox's lap is a large book, a foot and a half tall and almost that wide -- doubled, for being open. It looks old.

Porter looks over at Lennox's comment with a start, though seems hesitantly relieved when Kyssie is distracted by the neighbor's drink. He nods to answer the question, but also starts to wave it off with his hands, as if to say 'Don't remind h-' and his hands drop when Kyssie turns. Oh well. He tried? "Yes, you did really good. Just remember to be polite and let other people drink their drinks, too."

"Oh- its pure magic. House blend joe, Cedwicks' Organic Fruit Smash Gummies and chocolate covered espresso beans..." KT says proudly. "But... I suspect you might be a little too young for the expresso beans." He reasons simply enough, glancing at her parents because he's obviously unsure.

"Is that a thing? Too much candy? Wow. You must be an awfully big girl. I was twice your size before I could even imagine such a thing."

Ghost walks into the coffee shop through the door. Well, it saves the effort of opening it. She nods in greeting to Porter and Paragon, who she knows. Refrains from nodding to Lizzy who she also knows as Union. Then heads to the counter to place an order for a chocolate shake extra chilled.

Para gives a discrete nod of confirmation to KT about the espresso, then waves to Ghost and smiles.

Kyssie looks at the bigger kid. "You're twice my size now!" she says with kid logic. She looks back to Porter as he reminds her to be polite. "I will!" she replies chipperly, then goes right back to looking at KT and company at the adjacent table, kicking her legs playfully.

Lennox's gaze shifts to the no-door-needed entry, his eyes cool and calculating at the new entry. "Actually, lad," he says to Kid Tengu, indicating Ghost, "there's someone you could ask right there. Fae if ever I saw one."

Lennox and KT are sitting in big leather comfy chairs. Great for reading, or having a caffeine/sugar overload.

"I know it and I just learned because you taught me." KT says with a laugh to Kyssie. "Funny how that worked out. Clearly you've learned lots from your 'nups." He adds appreciatively as he watches Ghost enter and nod to the others. He suspects there's something he isn't aware of going on- like these may be the very heroic civilians he and Lennox were jsut talking about, but looking around the room he can't tell one from the other. Especially looking at Porter- he's skinnier than he is when he doesn't pick a shape!

He's about to give up on the whole idea of meeting other metas 'off-duty' at the coffee-shop when Lennox points a genuine 'faerie' out.

"He looks at Ghost and tries to see what Lennox is talking about. "How can you tell?" He inquires as he takes a large gulp (followed by an equally large chew) of his coffee.

Ghost pushes her hair back on the side of her face that's toward Kt. The ear thus revealed is pointed.

"The pointed ears, usually," says Lennox, "though I have to admit she doesn't have the typical overwhelming Fae beauty."

Lizzy slipped in just a minute or so before Ghost's arrival and has been standing in line. Now she receives her order, a chocolate chip cookie the size of a plate, and an extra-large glass of milk. She turns and looks for a place to sit.

Truth be told, KT isn't so much concerned about Faeries and their histories but more so concerned with making sure there's no danger posed to his Outworld family by these other- altogether different Outworlders. He certainly can't tell a Faerie from an Earth 3-A Assassin- so he figures this is the first he's heard directly about interdimensional entities, so its worth following up on.

The ear reveal though isn't as thrilling a revelation as he was expecting- especially looking at the size of the tome on Lennox's lap.

"Oh- it's the ears?" He says with momentary recognition before inquiring further as he still doesn't quite 'see' a difference. "I don't know that I'd have ever noticed that... not as anything strange." His ears sprout to match her own, if only in shape. He backpedals a bit, concerned he may hurt some of the local humanry's feelings so he adds, "But they are a very nice shape. Nothing wrong with points at all." He looks over to Lennox at that comment with surprise. He may not be human but he knows how to pass for one when he tries. Being that blunt would be low on his list of optional responses. He takes note of that too, hoping to leverage that innate confidence in another disguise.

He tries to remember anyone from their world shaped so but no one directly comes to mind.

Kyssie smiles at KT. "Oh! I taught you!" she says in surprise. "Yeah, mommy and daddy teach me a lot. So does Mrs. Strepfield. And Miss Gwimm when she babysits."

Porter chuckles at Kyssie, the Great Educator. "And you learn a lot. That's the hard part of it all. And... cocoa's here!" he announces with great fanfare, hoping that might distract her for at least a few seconds. At least enough time for him to offer friendly, apologetic smiles to those she might be interrupting, and maybe let them all get in a sip or three.

Ghost turns to Kid Tengu when she has placed her order. "There are other more subtle differences. Our extremely keen hearing. I can clearly hear every word spoken in here. However your companion is correct. I lack the usual Fae glamour as I am only half Fae. My other half is of human stock."

Lennox's eyebrows lift. "That must have been rough," he says, gesturing to offer her to take over a seat being vacated at a different nearby table. (He has the big book in his lap, after all.).

"Oooh. So its more than skin deep..." KT says with a new sense of understanding. The mention of acute hearing piques his curiosity, since his own hearing is pretty good- at least as far as humans are concerned. "Thank you for being so open to talking about all this- I'm from the ... um- West Coast, so there isn't so much 'meta' stuff going on. Its really arid of you all."

He takes the opportunity proffered by Porter to guzzle and chew his beverage.

"You're welcome to join us- I don't think any of us knew each other coming in- except those of us with familial ties of course, but hopefully that won't be the case going out." He says in a friendly way to Ghost but the comment is for everyone. He's a magnanimous sort- or at least when he's determined enough he can be.

Kyssie is distracted and finally turns back to her table for her hot cocoa. "Sprinkles!" she chimes merrily.

Para chuckles at Kyssie's enthusiasm, then offers a loving smile to Porter as she picks up her own coffee. There's some silent communication going on between the two parents.

Lizzy spots a table near the back and sits with her milk and (giant) cookie.

Ghost nods and walks over to the table. An empty chair lifts off the floor and floats over as she does so. Standing at the table she introduces herself, "Warleader Jillian Nariliin, Capt SSN Harkwind. Retired Companion to Her Highness of the Third, Princess Stephie of Undermoon. Call me Ghost for short."

Speaking of hopefully getting a few sips in, Porter grabs up his cup to try and catch up. The first sip winds up more on his shirt than in his mouth, but he manages to, after adjusting, drink the second.

Lennox gives a bow of his head to Ghost at her formal introduction. "Witness A'Kush, the Knight Undying, Warmaster and Weapon Grandmaster. Lennox Hardigan, here and now."

Felix comes into Past Times after almost walking past, seeing as he's reading something on his PDA while walking. He backs up a few steps then sidles into the coffee shop, looking around as if looking for someone.

KT looks at Ghost then back around at the others a moment. He isn't used to such a formal introduction- at least not on this world. His father did run a tight orbital platform of dooooooom, so it's not too alien.

"Umm- I'm KT. Short for Kid Tengu. Or Awesome. Whichever you prefer." He says with all the aloof coolness he can muster for the task which is plenty.

He stands up to offer Ghost his hand, though after hearing Lennox's introduction he's feeling underdressed again. Luckily for him that's a temporary problem!

He assumes his 'heroic' form, shifting away from dweebie teen to skinny, black suited & blue-masked avenger! Just in time for Felix to arrive. He grins proudly at the reveal.

Ghost bows back, intrigued by the use of warmaster and grandmaster. Elven craft ranks.

Porter looks up from his drink, some whip on his upper lip. Noting all the fancy introductions, he offers a smile and a nod. "Hi. I'm Porter."

Lizzy finally recognizes KT, but tries not to react. (She doesn't manage it very well.)

Ghost touches the edge of the table to assure herself she's managed to become solid to the touch before shaking KT's hand.

Kysmette is sipping her hot cocoa, holding it with her two small hands. She notices all the introductions and lifts her head, also sporting a whipped cream mustache. Like father, like daughter. "I'm Kyssie the Pink Princess!" the blonde-haired child proclaims with a big smile.

Para smiles at the pair of them and sips her coffee, avoiding a mustache so far. "I wish I could take mental pictures like I used to."

Felix watches KId Tengu interact with Ghost, slightly cocking his head to one side then just shrugging. He wanders over to where the heroically built Kid Tengu stands and takes a seat. His attention is caught by Kysmette's pronouncement and, if may be, that a smile crosses his face. Hard to tell as it's entirely covered neck to top of head with material.

KT shakes Ghost's hand, not sure of how strong fae are so he lends the interaction a light tough just to be safe.

"Nice to meet you all." KT says with a grin before nodding towards a nearby open chair that suddenly begins to move itself into a spot nearby. Of course anyone looking down will find a long tail (the same color as KT's body suit) wrapped around one of the legs. Not nearly as impressive a feat as Ghost's but he does what he can with what he has.

Lennox smiles a little at the intrigue on Ghost's face, adding, "It's been a while on both of those." He glances down at the pages of the book he has in his lap, then closes it up; the cover has a Fae inscription.

[Speaking Fae] Ghost says, "The honor is mine."

KT notes Lizzy's response to his shapeshifting. He quirks a brow and then resumes his previous form, taking a seat. He doesn't want to make anyone uncomfortable- he just heard this was a metahuman hangout.

Lizzy takes a bite of her cookie, holding it in both hands.

Felix murmurs in a faintly Scots tinged accent to KT. "So, who are your friends, KT?" He absently takes out a small sketchpad from a bandolier pocket and starts to draw as he speaks.

Lennox answers Ghost in Fae, << You may wish to wait a bit on that judgement. But I thank you for the courtesy. What kind of ship is the Hawkwing? >> His accent is as strange in Fae as it is in English, as if he had learned each word only a few moments ago.

Ghost smiles in recollection, "Light Combat Cruiser. There were 70 in the Sercian Space Navy at the time I was commanding but Hawkwing was the best."

"This is... the Pink Princess, Kyssie and her very nice 'rents- Porter and ... I don't think I got her mother's name. I'm sorry if I missed it." He begins, before adding the last part gracefully for Para's sake. Then he turns to Ghost and says, "This is... Warmaster Ghost? What an arid name. SOunds like a band. A stitchin' band for sure. And this is... dude- you got me with those titles." He laughs as he looks to Lennox. "This is Also Warmaster Lennox? So- I guess it's a Fae title. We all just met." He looks around the table and says, "Everyone, this is Felix. We go way back."

Para sips her coffee and is relaxing casually. "Para," she answers to KT not knowing who she is. She's not concerned with even using her full name, and has no titles to bring to the table. Even if she did, she'd decline to list them.

Lennox nods courteously to Felix; he's seen the other around. At Ghost's description of her ship, he smiles, though -- always ask a captain after her ship. "I don't believe I've heard of the Sercian Space Navy; it would seem that the Fae have extended their reach in areas with which I am not familiar. Come to Sentries some night, and you can educate me."

"Para Porter," Porter adds, with a grin to the bearer. It's not exactly a title, per se, but a fact he's proud of. Then he realizes they're talking about... "What's a Sercian Space Navy?" Ok, so he's a little behind.

Ghost is still nostalgic. So answers happily, "Sercia was the Royal world of the Fae of the Nebula. Unlike Undernoon thery were a high tech culture and fielded a powerful space naval force."

Felix nods slightly to everyone who gets names and even offers a wave to the Pink Princess. The grey and black clad figure bends his head over his sketchpad, his pencil moving quickly. He seems to be paying attention to the conversation around him as well though.

Ghost pulls out a PDA and brings an image up on the screen. Shows it to anyone seeming interested.

Lizzy says, "Did they have weapons that turned their opponents into animals?"

Ghost chuckles, "Hardly. Photonic torpedoes, particle beams and high energy lasers."

KT's interest is pulled to the conversation had between the Warmasters.

"You said 'were'? What happened to them?" He inquires, not at all bothering to hide his curiosity since Ghost has been so forthcoming.

"Were? Not are?" asks Lennox. He does look at the image, his brows lifting. "Oh, yes, that has the lines. Beautiful ship."

The sketch artist looks up for a long moment to gaze at the image Warmaster Ghost shows off. He tilts his head one side to the other then turns his attention back to his sketch as he murmurs, "Tech? Or magitech, Warmaster Ghost?"

Ghost sighs, "It's what happened to me. I was ordered to transport back to the royal world for a medal presentation by the King. The transporter malfunctioned. Instead of going to Sercia I was hurled out of an exploding transmat portal here in Colonial Bay."

Para smiles as Porter adds her last name. She slides a hand across the table towards him. "Yes, Para Porter," she says adoringly.

Kyssie is lost on all this talk and goes back to her hot cocoa drinking and ignoring her parents being gross and sweet.

Felix stops drawing for a moment to take a compact set of ink markers out of backpack. He then selects one of them and starts to add to the drawing he's making.

Ghost looks at Felix with interest, "Magi-tech. Oh, there was straight tech used by the humans, once the art of making it work in the high mana field of the Nebula was discovered. But Sercian tech was almost always enhanced."

Lennox smiles at the Porters, then can't help but bark a laugh at Ghost's tale. "That sounds familiar," he admits. "Something like that was my arrival in Undermoon."

KT glances over at Felix when the Warmasters speak of being marooned outworlders but then quickly looks away, thinking it better to leave it alone than give themselves away.

He notes the Porters' affections and observes a moment academically before turning back ot the conversation at hand. He takes a drink and subsequent chew of his coffee before finding the cup almost empty. He tips it up and whacks the bottom of the cup to make the stuff at teh bottom drop into his mouth.

Ghost looks at Lennox. "I say malfunction. But I'll never know for sure. I was the best starship captain the Sercian had. Command of my ship came quickly. Too quickly for a half fae in some people's opinion."

Lennox nods in commiseration. "Office politics at their best," he says. "And some fae cannot shake the idea of innate racial superiority. So ..." He shrugs, and sips at his own ... okay, also emptying cup. "Best to watch your back around such, but you can never be absolutely safe. Sorry it happened that way, Captain."

Ghost smiles again with her thin lips, "You do know the Fae." she says w3ith certainty.

Felix looks up for a moment at Lennox then back to his drawing. He selects another marker and adds something to the image.

Para listens quietly as she sips her coffee.

Kyssie is playing with her marshmallows, poking done ones that are not yet fully drenched in hot cocoa.

"A human among them?" replies Lennox. "More rare than a troll wizard. And worse, learning faster, surviving more -- there were those who wished to deny me my ranking. Fortunately, in the weapon arts, there are ways to deal directly with such people." His smile is passionless, slightly feral, and entirely predatory. "Many of them even survived."

Ghost listens to Lennox. "Your time in Undermoon must had been in the long distant past. Duels are still to the death. But few die. The mage healers restore life with relative ease these days."

KT was rightfully concerned about all this. On his Earth of course the Outworlders' parents all found themselves superior for one reason or another- some simply by birthright as his Abraxxian father had believed, others for the powers they bore. Here on this Earth he finds it much the same sadly, and to hear these Faes may be even more ruthless than even the Humanity First people. He shudders and looks to Felix to ask, "Hey- I'm getting another cup, this time with marshmallows, gummies and chocolate sprinkles. You want something?"

Kyssie hears talk of death and looks over her shoulder with wide eyes at the group.

Porter thinks talking of fae and magic and trolls and wizard is great. Maybe unicorns, too! When it starts going to weapons and death and ... Well of course that's when Kyssie takes notice. It's also when Porter reaches over to cover her ears. "Brr... maybe we should've brought your earmuffs..."

The black and grey clad Felix finishes his drawing then looks at it for a moment. He nods slightly, stands, then takes the few steps over to Para and Porter to hand them the drawing.

It is a very good caricature of a happy Kysmette dressed in a pink classic princess dress with pink highlights in her hair. There is a sparkling tiara in her hair that matches the tiara on the pink toned pony she rides. She has a wand in hand, pointing it at an unseen foeman as she 'shouts' in a speech balloon 'Onward brave steed! For marshmallows! The colors of the drawing are black, grey, pink, and white. It's rather striking.

He goes back to his seat without speaking

Kyssie squirms at having her ears covered. "What? Why can't I listen? You made mommy not dead, daddy," she whines.

"It was a while ago," Lennox agrees, "but I will say that formal duels were only a fraction of the protests -- and not a large one." He eyes his now-empty cup, and then Kyssie and family, and frowns. He had thought he was being a bit more discreet. "Perhaps a topic for another time."

Porter opens his mouth to- he pauses. Ok, why is it that kids are -really- good at being wise about things you never thought they paid much mind to, and then seem to not pay much mind to other things you wish they would? It must be a kid thing.

"Er. Yes, well... but that was a little different. Mommy was ..." he reaches, "not a troll!"

Ghost nods in agreement after a glance at Kyssie.

KT slides out of his chair easily and goes to order another coffee for himself and one for Felix as well. He goes around the long way so he can see Felix's handiwork for himself.

Para smiles and accepts the drawing. "Hey, Kyssie...look at what the nice person drew. It's you!"

Kyssie is quickly distracted and makes a loud, happy gasp sound as she takes the drawing carefully.

"Anyhow," Lennox says to change topics. "I went back through recently. The usual 'steer the bumpkin the long way' shenanigans; I guess humans are slightly more common now, but not by much. It seemed like it took forever, even though I know it didn't." He hefts the book. "Fortunately, things were ... let's say 'as they were left'."

KT's alien senses bridge the gap easily, so even at the counter he doesn't miss any of the conversations being had. He turns to give Felix a warm, approving smile at his work.

"And on that trip I -did- meet a troll!!" Lennox suddenly says, primarily to Kyssie.

Felix seems a bit disappointed when Ghost leaves but thrn quietly shrugs as he bends his attention to Lennox's story. He settles back to sketch again as Lennox starts his troll tale to Kyssie.

After turning her nose up at KT's palate the barista finishes his and Felix's drinks and hands them over. KT swipes his phone and tips well once more before making his way back to his seat. He stops next to Kyssie and smiles before saying, "He's got a gift for finding just the right angle when he draws people. This looks /just/ like you!" He grins, winks and then returns to his seat- handing Felix his drink. "Careful, it's hot." He says, holding it as if it weren't.

Kyssie squirms and turns around in her seat again, getting up on her knees so she can listen with a hand resting on the backrest. "A real troll?? What're they like?"

Kyssie nods at KT with a big smile. "It does!" She looks over her shoulder at Porter and gives him a pleading eye look. "Daddy, can I have a magic wand?"

Para tries to hide her eyes going wide at that.

"Well," says Lennox, "he was an okay troll when I met him. Trolls guard bridges, you know. And I wanted to go over the bridge he was guarding. But instead of a little bit of money, which is the usual toll you pay to a troll to go over its bridge, he wanted my horse. Now, you never give up your horse to a troll toll," he says, spinning the tale to the girl. It's an exciting tale, with lots of 'SWOOSH' and 'yipe!' and 'POW!!' and 'Arrgh!!' involved. But in the end, the two become friends, and the troll joined him on his journey.

Felix simply takes the offered drink from KT in his gloved hand. He either doesn't feel the heat or is being young and macho. But in either case, he does set it down and go back to his newest drawing. From KT's angle he can see that it is, at present, a rough sketch of Lennox but not dressed as he is right now. Rather, he's dressed how human artist's normally dress Fae warriors. Lennox is looking with some distaste at a helmet with attached metal Fae ears on it.

KT smiles at the storyweaving done by Lennox as he watches Felix at work. He seems pretty pleased with the situation, even if he is wholly unaware of the fact that he got exactly what he wanted.

He sits back with satisfaction and takes a long glug of coffee, shifting his lips into a sieve to strain out the bonus treats in his coffee. He swallows and turns his marshmallow, expresso bean caked teeth at Kyssie before opening his jaw as he closes his lips, pushing the food into his gullet. To his credit, while gross he makes it look incredibly cartoony thanks to his shapeshifting powers.

Kyssie is enthralled by the tale, and even claps at the happy ending. "Yay, you made friends!"

Lennox smiles. "Well, I hope so," he temporizes. "It takes a while to make real friends with a troll. They like to think things all the way through, you know." His eyes shift to Paragon and Porter -- or, you know, Mr. and Mrs. Porter -- and he smiles a little. "He's working on something right now, but perhaps you can meet him some time."

Felix continues to draw throughout Lennox's troll tale, adding little flourishes to the image. His gaze remains down on the drawing during this time.

Para smiles back. Did she think things all the way through before dating, becoming engaged, and marrying Porter? Yes, a lot. It was on and off for a while, but they're stronger for it.

Kyssie grows wide-eyed with wonder. "So I can meet him sometime!" She looks over her shoulder at her parents. "Can I? Please, please, huh, please?"

Felix hands over the completed drawing to Lennox without a word. In some shadows in the background is a shape that could be large rock or Lennox's vaguely described troll friend.

Felix gets a message on his PDA, shakes his head, and rises. He murmurs something to KT then makes his way out of the coffee shop with a silent wave to all.