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Post by Loki Odinsson on Nov 21, 2019 11:40:13 GMT -5
"I'll be right back- hold on-"
When he returned, he had two cups- both of which, it turned out, were for himself. He took turns between them, commenting favorably on the taste of both and repeatedly tucking his stubborn hair back behind one ear, though it was just short of being able to stay there. He made a face at this, though it was a rather subtle one compared to his coffee rapture.
"Thank you," he said, reaching across the table for her hand.
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Post by Teja on Nov 21, 2019 11:41:53 GMT -5
Was this a date? She felt light-headed.
"For what?" she asked. No one was likely to stare at them in New York, but in their eveningwear she realized they certainly looked like they were on a date.
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Post by Loki Odinsson on Nov 21, 2019 11:47:02 GMT -5
"For introducing me to this- and. Well. For your time as well, I suppose-"
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Post by Teja on Nov 21, 2019 11:48:40 GMT -5
"I'm honestly shocked you've been living in New York and you haven't discovered coffee on your own," she said, deflecting from the more personal remark.
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Post by Loki Odinsson on Nov 21, 2019 12:24:51 GMT -5
"I've just... never gotten around to it," he said, averting his eyes.
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Post by Teja on Nov 21, 2019 12:26:46 GMT -5
This subject was obviously bothering him, but it was with great reluctance she stopped pressing the matter. She couldn't understand or even imagine what kind of person had never heard of coffee before.
Suddenly she looked appalled and pulled his cup down firmly before he could have another drink.
"Oh no, all of this is caffeinated! You're going to be up all night!"
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Post by Loki Odinsson on Nov 21, 2019 12:28:15 GMT -5
"I'm not afraid of that," Ashton laughed, gently pushing her hand away and grinning as he picked it up again.
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Post by Teja on Nov 22, 2019 14:35:22 GMT -5
"I don't know what that means," she said dubiously, "but wait until you regret it tomorrow."
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Post by Loki Odinsson on Nov 23, 2019 16:25:45 GMT -5
“Then I’ll deal with it tomorrow,” he said, with a wink, as he lifted it back toward his mouth and proceeded to finish the whole thing in a short burst of gulps.
Ashton picked up the second cup and prepared to do the same, but then paused and set it down.
“At this rate, I’ll be having a fourth if I’m not careful-“
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Post by Teja on Nov 23, 2019 16:30:12 GMT -5
She caught herself staring, stunned.
"At this rate you'll blink and it'll be tomorrow already," she said.
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Post by Loki Odinsson on Nov 23, 2019 19:04:20 GMT -5
"Is that what it does? That explains why everyone drinks so much of it at work here, I suppose- workplace misery, that's another one worth tackling, don't you think-"
He made a little clutching gesture at the air, then widened his eyes as though stricken. He reached for his pocket instead, from which- with what appeared to be great difficulty, he produced a small vinyl-bound journal and a pen, which he used to scratch something indistinct inside before tucking it away again.
"I'm so glad to have spoken to you," he said as he folded his hands in front of himself. "I would never have thought of it otherwise."
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Post by Teja on Nov 23, 2019 19:09:01 GMT -5
"You don't think I meant literally, do you?" she asked in alarm.
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Post by Loki Odinsson on Nov 23, 2019 19:10:19 GMT -5
"I wouldn't know," he said delicately.
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Post by Teja on Nov 23, 2019 19:14:53 GMT -5
"Mr. Ashton," she said firmly. "Why don't you even *know* what coffee is? I think I'd like to know the *truth* about it."
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Post by Loki Odinsson on Nov 23, 2019 19:19:04 GMT -5
"Oh, honestly, it's not as bad as all that," he said, with a little handwave. "I'd just never had it before. Lots of people can say that, I assume."
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