[OPEN] Clothes Shopping/Cafe Millennia Mingle

[odinpusrex]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: Early-Mid July
WHERE: Roxx & Cafe Millennia!
WHAT: Shopping and Cafe'ing!
NOTES\WARNINGS: No warnings for now, will update as needed!

With the new haul of arrivals comes the obvious need for new clothes! After all, whatever they showed up in might not facilitate daily living, or at the very least comfort. Fortunately for everyone, new or otherwise, there is Roxx! The range of fashion available is...interesting, considering how it seems to reflect the worlds each person is from, leaving no one wanting in terms of variety. Apparently updating when new people from different worlds arrive. Pretty convenient, that. As fortunate as it is, it might also be overwhelming, depending on who you ask. But perhaps that's where others might be of help! For the fashionably challenged, there might be an angel of fashion waiting to help you out.

With it being summer, there's also swimwear to be considered, especially with the chance of pool parties in the imminent future. Some styles may seem familiar, while others outlandish by your world's standards. Just like any of the clothes really, seeing as one can find clothing that is uncomfortably close to their personal style. In fact, they might very well find their exact outfit here from the looks of it. How odd!

After all their shopping shenanigans, people might find themselves migrating over to the new cafe that Sandalphon opened called Cafe Millennia. A perfect place to continue enjoying each other's company after a fruitful bit of clothes shopping! Or maybe that's where you've started at, coffee first, shopping after. There really is no wrong way to do it!

(ooc: Hey there, just wanted to toss up a little log for people who maybe wanted to do some clothes shopping or cafe threads with the possibility of running into random people! Just some low effort shenanigans and fun! Please feel free to use this log as you see fit, make your own top levels, tag around, whatever!)

Comments

[utinam]

[Nuvia will look around the cafe to observe her choices. If she had to choose, she would want to be in the areas with the most plants because they reminded her of her mother's fondness for them. Then again, she prefers to sit by the window too. Getting the chance to see everything beyond the building sounded like fun especially if she can people watch. She enjoys doing it to get a better idea on the best way to act normal.

Then again, she wanted to watch this person work on her drink too. Even though he said, no matter what choice she makes, it won't trouble him, she can't help feeling a little guilty for thinking selfishly when she could make it easier for him.

Once a decision was made, she'll turn back to him deciding to sit on the high stools over by the counter.]

I'll stay here, if that's okay. I don't like being alone.

[prevail]

[ Sandalphon had begun gathering his supplies, but he stills for a moment. He'd spent so much of his existence alone that he knows the distaste for it all too well, despite his own tacit acceptance of it as a constant.

It's only a momentary lapse before he busies himself again... This time, he moves his supplies nearer to the front counter, so she can observe if she likes. ]

By all means. The seats are there to be used by anyone who'd like to.

[ He wouldn't have placed them there otherwise. In the past, he has observed some prefer higher seats, or being able to watch their beverage being prepared, or speaking with those working at a given cafe. ]

Everyone has a preference, from what I've seen.

[utinam]

[She'll silently listen to his explanation about other people's preferences. It was interesting to observe him. The way he expresses reminds her slightly of her mentor, Kael. A younger version of him, maybe.]

I'm glad. I don't know how to act in this type of setting. Kael would always ask me to stay in the vehicle whenever he went out to restock on supplies.

[More like order her to stay, but Nuvia considered it a favor to make his life easier instead of difficult. Otherwise, they would be surrounded by nevu warriors or the human army.]

[prevail]

...A friend from home?

[ Sandalphon can only blindly guess as he busies himself with preparing her order, but he is listening. Kael could be a guardian, whether family or otherwise, as well. It's difficult to gauge, as someone who hasn't had those sorts of relationships.

As for how to act... He considers that for a few moments in thoughtful silence. After spending so much of his long existence isolated, he thinks he understands. ]

I find that time and observation often help, at least in my case.

[utinam]

[She'll nod her head.]

A friend and mentor.

[There will be a tinge of sadness in her smile though. Kael has been dead for over a decade now. A detail she is still having some difficulties in accepting because it still feels like yesterday when they got into an argument before he was killed. Nuvia will raise her head to continue listening to the other person making the coffee. Nodding her head, she'll easily admit.]

Like people-watching? I enjoy doing that already. It's fun watching other people react to each other. It's even better when you can up close.

[prevail]

People-watching... I suppose that is what it is.

[ It was, after all, watching people. Sandalphon didn't have to look far, bustling and lively as the Grandcypher and the locales it visited often were. He paid especially keen attention when visiting cafes in particular, eager to build on and refine his knowledge.

It helped socially as well, but so much slang and figurative language can be difficult to parse. ]

I find it's especially easy to do in a cafe like this.

[utinam]

[A smile will form on her lips upon hearing his responses. She was beginning to relax more and more, the more time that passed.]

Do you?

[A small teasing smile will appear as she realizes.]

Is this what they call tactful suggestions? It almost sounds like you want me to come again more often.

[prevail]

[ Has anyone ever accused him of having tact before? Sandalphon searches his memory, only to conclude that she is the first. ]

It was an observation, but I'd welcome your return.

[ Local immortal fails to realize he has been teased... But in the next moment, he places her drink before her, only to pause. He's neglected a detail here. ]

Would you like whipped cream for it?

[utinam]

[If Nuvia knew she was the first, she would give a cute pose about it because yes!]

Then I will...come back to visit you more often.

[Otherwise she'll feel bad if she doesn't. Not to mention the cafe was a prime spot to people watch without getting in trouble for it. Nuvia wanted to see what people were like in them. Along with wanting to observe the one making the treat for her right now. He seems interesting to her.]

Whipped cream? [........a long pause......wondering.....] Why do you need to whip it for?

[prevail]

[ It's good to hear she anticipates returning. Regular customers are important for many reasons, and if it helps her observe people more easily, so much the better.

As for her question, he takes a moment to consider his reply. ]

I...believe it's the method of preparation. It takes on a light, fluffy consistency.

[ That's how Sandalphon understands the nature of her question. Cream is whipped to create whipped cream, though he couldn't say who first discovered it or attempted the technique by which it's made. ]

[utinam]

Like a cloud?

[It was difficult to not ask the follow up question because it described her clouds perfectly. Hopefully she isn't actually eating a cloud because she doesn't think she needs more especially inside of her.

As he continues with his work, she begins to wonder.]

Is it ready yet...?

[prevail]

If a cloud were sweet, yes.

[ Sandalphon thinks it's accurate enough. He settles her cup in front of her, complete with a cheerful blue straw... Then shifts it ever so slightly. There. Perfect. ]

Thank you for your patience. I'll provide the whipped cream "on the side", so you can sample it.

[ It seems the ideal solution. He takes a small, clear bowl from one of his shelves, places it on the counter for easy observation, and then fills it using a canister of whipped cream. ]

There. If you like it, I can include it next time.

[utinam]

[As Sandalphon prepares her coffee's presentation, she will be left speechless due to finding his approach to be unexpected. He went above and beyond for her. Something no one else would have done for her. She could now tell more than ever his sincerity in not just trying to please her with an order but to help her feel comfortable in his shop. Her sky-blue eyes will begin to shine due to welling up with tears.

There will be some shaking as she reaches out for the whip cream almost expecting him to take everything back and banning her from the store. The thought alone was enough to keep her hand hovering over the cream for a few moments.

Her sky-blue eyes will look up at Sandalphon, almost expecting him to take everything away from her and telling her to go. She can hear it so clearly in her mind. What should she do...?]

[prevail]

[ Sandalphon notes her hesitation and realizes with a small jolt that he's neglected something crucial. He opens a drawer and procures a blue spoon, then offers it to her. ]

Here. Sorry for my oversight — I'm still learning.

[ Just as he'd said, he's getting his practice in. By now, Sandalphon knows it will take time to have the intuitive understanding of what thers need that some people possess. His isn't some inborn talent, but something he must hone.

Running this cafe will surely help him improve. ]

[utinam]

[When he offers her a blue spoon, Nuvia will be left astonished because she wasn't expecting him to continue to try for her. He has already gone above and beyond to make her drink and prepare it to perfection? And yet, here she was expecting the worse out of him that was enough for her to feel guilty. She didn't like it.... suspecting others for no reason at all. It's the same way she's been treated after all.

With those now in her mind, she'll look up at Sandalphon with guilt in her sky-blue eyes as she admits.]

This is the first time anyone has ever done this for me before. I feel bad having to drink it now.

[She now wants to keep the drink and spoon as a memento of their time together. What should she do...?]

[prevail]

[ Has no one prepared a beverage for her, or...? The alternatives that come to Sandalphon's mind aren't pleasant, and he doesn't wish them for her.

What he does know is that the drink won't keep. It isn't something that would last, or even remain pleasant once enough time passes. He'd rather she be able to enjoy her drink while it's fresh. ]

I can always prepare you another. If you want to keep a memento...

[ Sandalphon trails off, considering this as he folds his arms. When an idea comes to mind, he stirs once again, procuring an earthenware (by his reckoning) coaster. Made of what he'd take for a white clay, it has the emblem of his establishment on its surface set in coffee brown linework. ]

This will not degrade or spoil.

[ He sets it on the counter for her inspection. ]

[utinam]

[There will be a nod in agreement about wanting to keep a memento of her time with him and getting her first drink made. Normally, her mother would serve her drinks, no one else has ever tried to do that for her before. This was a totally new experience in having a stranger serve her refreshments.

When he returns with an item to give her, she'll reach for it to find the coaster was made of a nice, smooth material. The cafe's logo was even in it too. It was elegant, in her eyes. Holding to it tightly to her chest, she'll look up at him.]

Am I allowed to really keep this, sir?

[She didn't want to accidentally burden him by taking something important from his business.]

[prevail]

I'd not offer it otherwise, don't worry.

[ One thing about this place is that there are always more supplies. Sandalphon doesn't think that a single coaster will be a significant loss, and it would age better than other objects he might offer as potential souvenirs. ]

And you can call me Sandalphon, if you like.

[ Despite being ancient, he doesn't tend to get "sir" in general conversation. When other angels addressed him perhaps, since he ranks above them, but he's never cared all that much for being addressed with particular formality. ]

[utinam]

[His reassurance was enough to help her relax while holding onto the new item as tightly close to her as possible. She was going to take good care of it! Just like the horse plushie Laura got her when they were at the space station once. When he introduces himself, she will nod her head.]

It's nice to meet you, Sandalphon. I'm Nuvia.

[A pause as her sky-blue eyes land on her newly made treats. Placing the coaster close by, near her sight and attention, she will place her hands over the cup and bring it close to her.]

Thank you for making this for me too.

[Manners were important because they prove one's gratitude to others. One of her mother's lessons. She'll decide to directly drink from the blue straw without a second thought or even bothering to blow on it to make it less hot.]]

[prevail]

You're very welcome.

[ Nuvia is, after all, a customer. Sandalphon isn't concerned with business and profit, which means the way Etraya functions serves him just fine. The value is in bringing people some happiness with the drinks that he serves. Just as he told her, he's also gaining experience.

While Nuvia samples her frappe, Sandalphon busies himself with tidying up. Maintaining a clean work area is vital to providing people with the best beverages he can, after all. ]

[utinam]

[Nuvia lifted the frappe to her lips, taking a small sip. The cold liquid slid down her throat, but she couldn't taste a thing. Her alien genetics, a mix of human and nevu, deprived her of the sense of taste. The nevu used telepathy to experience flavors through others, but Nuvia’s telepathic abilities were different. She couldn't share this sensory experience.

She continued to drink, a thoughtful and almost sad expression settling on her face. The idea of what the drink should taste like flickered in her mind, but it remained elusive. Her eyes lowered to the whipped cream. She scooped some with her finger, hoping for a different result. As the cream melted on her tongue, it was as if she was consuming air—there was no taste, no satisfaction.

Nuvia kept her thoughts to herself, not wanting to dampen Sandalphon’s efforts. Yet, she couldn’t hide the discontent that was evident in her body language. Her shoulders slumped slightly, and her fingers tightened around the cup. She stared into the frappe, wishing she could experience the happiness that others felt from such simple pleasures.]

[prevail]

[ It's impossible for Sandalphon to overlook her forlorn expression when he glances her way. There hadn't been much to clean up, but he's never been one to let himself fall far behind. Now that he sees the look on her face, his own brow furrows, uncertain whether he's ever seen someone look so unhappy unless mired in their own thoughts.

Earlier, it hadn't seemed as though something was weighing on her, though... ]

Was it not to your liking?

[ He ventures to ask, unable to mask his concern. If something's wrong with the beverage itself, he'll simply have to correct that for her. She did make it clear that she was unfamiliar with the drinks offered, so perhaps it just hadn't been right for her. ]

[utinam]

[Nuvia's thoughts were heavy with disappointment as she stared at the drink in her hands. She couldn't taste anything, and the realization made her heart sink. Sandalphon's question brought her back to the moment, and she quickly forced a smile to her face, not wanting to let him down.]

It's... delicious!

[Trying to sound as enthusiastic as possible. She lifted the cup to her lips, pretending to savor the drink. Her gestures were exaggerated, her eyes widening in feigned delight as she took a sip. She even let out a little satisfied sigh, hoping it would be convincing enough.]

I've never tasted anything quite like it!

[Inside, she felt a pang of guilt for not being honest, but the last thing she wanted was to see the concern on Sandalphon's face deepen. He had put effort into making the drink for her, and she didn't want to disappoint him by admitting she couldn't taste it at all.

Her mind wandered briefly back to her mother, who had always emphasized kindness and honesty. Nuvia hoped that her little white lie would be forgiven, just this once, for the sake of preserving the moment and not hurting Sandalphon's feelings. She took another sip, continuing to act as though the drink was the best thing she'd ever had, while silently wishing she could truly enjoy it.]

[prevail]

[ He knows she's trying her best, he assumes for his sake, because he once did the same. The first time Lucifer had prepared him coffee, it tasted like pure liquid suffering. It was impossible to fathom in the moment that anyone would willingly drink something so surpassingly unpleasant.

But he had tamped down his true reaction and cheerfully told Lucifer how much he enjoyed it. There was something of a truth to it: Sandalphon was happy Lucicer chose to share it with him, and before any other no less. Even if the taste was terrible to him in the moment, he still cherished it.

Maybe, in a different way, it's like that for her. ]

I wouldn't take offense if it wasn't to your liking.

[ He offers this gently, because she shouldn't have to put on a performance for his sake. ]

[utinam]

[Nuvia gave a small, regretful smile.]

I’m sorry if I gave the wrong impression. It’s not that I didn’t like it. The truth is, I can’t actually taste or smell anything due to my alien genetics. So, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the treats the way you do. My father would have been able to taste things through telepathy, but my version of telepathy isn’t quite as perfect. I didn’t want you to think I was just pretending to like it.