2025-01-09 - Coffeehouse Mornings

It's a rare slow moment in the middle of the morning rush at the Winding Vine. There's always that long line of people picking up pre-orders, in and out, for about half an hour before the start of most shifts... but much like the strange hour before sunrise, or the odd mingling of light that is twilight, between rushes a coffee shop experiences an eerie between-times moment.

Just, you know... a touch more prosaic than those poetic hours so beloved by the ancients. Because it's a coffee shop.

Brandon's sitting at a table for two, albeit alone, one of a handful of patrons taking their morning moments here. Inconspicuous in running shorts, Nike shoes and a weathered grey 'Notre Dame Football' hoodie, he's got a half-finished 'for here' mug of the house brew and an open notebook on the table in front of him.

Planning pre-orders for his coffee?! A world unknown to the once more rural lifestyle of Anthony Kemp from ol' bonnie Scotland. He is instead one of those unfortunate ones who is joining the line of people who haven't placed the pre-order. Although, really, it just means he is waiting twice. Once to pay. Once to get the drink. The tip of his nose twitching slightly, his mouth tugging at one side, Anthony wants to frown at the sounds and sights of a line but.

We are in public. We must look respectable and not miserable.

Instead Anthony's is a reaching motion down to his hand to check on a phone being present and what he has in the work inbox. Green eyes of his checking over the room, glancing over his shoulder while wearing the off-blue zipped up puffy jacket for the warmth.

Fin's shift doesn't start for a couple of hours yet today, so she isn't in a rush, but is in need of some caffeinated fuel to help her get through her day. She's still dressed in her civvies... in this case her I-don't-have-to-get-ready-for-work-yet civvies of a pair of dark blue leggings and a comfy, cozy fleece hoodie of a purple-tinted grey. Her bright red hair is pulled up in a ponytail and she has yet to put any makeup on. Despite this, she seems to have a healthy glow, like she's standing in the golden hour of sunlight that makes photos that much better.

Joining the line to put in her order, she stands patiently, looking around the coffeeshop. Without any evidence of headphones or earbuds of any type, she makes subtle movements and very soft hums as if a tune is playing in her thoughts.

After the chaos of being spotted by a BUNCH of people at the club yesterday, Scarlett is swinging by the Winding Vine at this hour in an attempt to get her caffeine fix while hopefully avoiding being recognized. The redheaded musician pushes inside and comes up to the counter, grateful for the lack of a queue. She dresses a lot more inconspicuously than yesterday, wearing a fuzzy tan coat over a University of Georgia crop top and ripped jeans, with fishnets peeking through the rips and rising above the waist of her jeans. That fiery red hair of hers is tucked under a warm wool cap, though it's taken off once she gets inside. Her face is completely bare of makeup, which will hopefully help her avoid being spotted...

...except, as she turns away from the counter, she sees Brandon Fucking O'Donnell - the guy that helped get her recognized yesterday before disappearing. Even though the barista is calling her order number, Scarlett strides over to Brandon with stormy eyes blazing.

"Hi, buddy. Long time no see," she drawls, sinking into the seat across from him and ignoring the barista that continues to glare at her and call her order number.

Glancing up from his notebook, Brandon notes the line getting longer and starts fishing in the front pouch-pocket of his hoodie-- aha-- there. He pulls a pair of earbuds out but doesn't seem bothered to put them in quite yet, leaving them on his table. He gives Fin a longer look and is about to call out to Anthony when-- well, wouldn't you know it. Scarlett Nash.

"Well, well, well," Brandon tells Scarlett dryly as she takes the seat across from him. "Sorry about yesterday. Can I ask you not to put it into a song?"

Hands moving into his pockets, Anthony is shuffling forwards while rolling his shoulders to keep himself warm. A little shiver brushing through his skin while glancing over the room. A flash of recognition in Brandon's direction from the fellow co-worker at the re-enactment wing of the theme park. A pause as there is a scope of Scarlett making her way there and Fin also in the queue to order. His wait does not last too long, really. Fortunately the place can see the line and open up a third checkout spot, getting people moving.

"Yeah, black coffee. No milk. No sugar. Filtered."

Probably the cheapest, and no-nonsense, thing on the menu from the Scot. Tap of his phone on the payment point before taking the card for his order number and making his way to the gathering at Brandon's table.

"Morning Brandon. See you be needing some coffee as well to get through the day's schedule ahead." A little smile edging on his lips before turning his chin to see the red-haired Scarlett beside, "And good to meet you miss."

The barista calls an order number as Fin steps up in the line a bit. She's almost to the counter to order. The barista calls the number again, sounding perhaps a little impatient, causing Fin to look around to see who might claim the drink. That's when she spots Brandon and Scarlett. She gets a sense of perhaps annoyance, so watches them a moment as Anthony, in front of her, places his order. Hearing the accent, she says, "I love that accent, even if I can't understand all of it sometimes." She laughs the kind of laugh that is fast but fades out swiftly... the slightly awkward laugh of someone who said something out loud they meant to maybe keep to themselves.

It's her turn to order. "Apple Crisp Oatmilk Latte, please. Three extra espresso shots." When asked her name, she states, "Fin." Dutifully, she then moves to the people gathered to wait for their drink, eyes moving to the group growing over by that table; Brandon, Scarlett, and now Anthony.

"I cannot and will not promise anything," Scarlett laughs, soft and low. "You left me high and dry, B-Man. Though I will say - you did miss out. I think Ruby was ready to die for you or somethin'."

She glances up at Anthony, eyebrows rising and lips curling into a small smile. "Hi, stranger. I'm Scarlett - Brandon here is a new friend of mine. How d'you know him?" The redheaded woman is about to comment on his accent, too, before she spies Fin at the corner of her eye. Her lips curl upwards even further.

"'Scuse me, boys. I need to grab my order," Scarlett says, rising to her feet. "You can take my chair, mister Scotsman. I'll be back in a sec," she tells Anthony before walking up to claim her own latte. With that done, she comes closer to Fin, smile softening and becoming more friendly. "Hi, darlin'. I heard you mention that you liked that guy's accent. He's actually my friend, sitting back there. Want me to introduce you?"

Brandon seems perfectly willing to let Scarlett do her thing. However they may or may not know one another, or how true the claim of friendship she makes may or may not be, he accepts her whirling-dervishness in stride as she moves in toward Fin.

A hint of relief crosses his face as Anthony joins him. "Hey, Ant. There's really no way of falling to make it hurt less, is there?"

Brandon chuckles, a sheepish, self-conscious smile on his face . "I mean, there's falling safely but there sure as hell isn't--"

Oh no. That song. It was mostly in the background, quiet under the rustle and bustle of patrons' movement, the house speakers playing at a relatively unobtrusive volume. But it's there, underneath it all, a melody built around ringing guitars, layered atmospherics and a driving 4/4 beat that screams 'happy, optimistic crush song' loud and clear.

The catchy chorus rises above the chatter, a rich male lead vocal and a second, a harmony, twining together to sing:

You are the habit I can't keep kicking
You're the white rabbit I can't catch, thinking
Something's amiss and a Miss I can't stop,
can't escape your
Wonderland

...and hearing it, Brandon blanches and clenches his teeth. 'Alison Wonderland'. Why does that song have to be everywhere? He closes his eyes and looks suddenly drained of good cheer.

There are about five blinks from Anthony as he is processing Fin's order. Apple Crisp. Oatmilk. Latte. His face showing that he is trying to understand it, place it. An Apple Crisp. Wrinkles on his forehead tightening before being snapped back into life Scarlett's voice and Brandon's relief. "Oh aye thanks. Well don't you be worrying I won't be singing in Scots or ol' Gaelic today." A little bit more of a grin touching Anthony's features for Fin as she is reaching the table with him.

"Good to meet you Scarlett. Anthony, often called Ant." Tilting his head as he's being offered out the seat, down into it Anthony is going before nodding to Scarlett, "And thanks as well. Thanks." Now at the table itself, the table proper, Anthony is flinging one arm behind himself on the chair he is casually leaning back on. Talking across to Brandon opposite, "B-Man, huh?" Eyebrows going up, those slightly thicker bushes causing him to simply ask as he is picking up on the song. Hearing it. A second glance to Brandon. A second flick up of those brows.

Fin turns to smile at Scarlett when she approaches. "What? I-" Fin flusters, her cheeks blushing just a touch which seems to look fabulous with that golden glow. For a moment, she is at a loss for words, which isn't very common for her. She just looks at Scarlett and blinks. "Uh..." Her eyes dart to Anthony then back to the fellow red head. "I mean sure but, like..." She lifts her hand and gives an arced wave of hello. "Hi, I'm Fin," she first introduces herself to Scarlett before looking over her shoulder to make sure her name hasn't been called yet. Her drink takes a moment to make.

The quietly playing house music catches her ear and she looks up toward one of the speakers. "I love this song!" Fin smiles and sways lets her head and hips sway in time to the melody for a moment, humming along and even whisper-singing part of the chorus as well. "Sorry..." she says to Scarlett after a moment. "I distract easily sometimes."

"Scarlett. Nice t'meet you, Fin. Your hair is gorgeous, by the way," Scarlett says, grinning. The golden glow paired with the vibrant red hair really does look good. She's definitely going to try and find out what Fin's secret to it is.

When Fin mentions the song playing over the speakers, Scarlett pauses, listening more closely. It takes a moment for her to recognize it, but when she does, she whips around, eyes seeking out Brandon. Seeing how rough he suddenly looks makes her actually feel bad for him, and for teasing him.

She turns back to Fin, watching her sway along to the music, which makes her smile return again. "Don't be sorry. I do, too. The guys at my table back there are probably annoyed, actually, because I keep bouncing around from person to person and topic to topic. Want to come sit with us?"

Fully aware of Fin loving this song and swaying along to it all of a sudden, Brandon notices what might be a sudden sympathy from Scarlett, and even finds a measure of a requiem in the joyful way the other red-haired girl-- Fin-- sings along to 'Alison Wonderland.' It touches him someplace he needed to be reminded, maybe, touches him enough to return the color to his face, enough for him to take up the offer of Anthony's arched Scotsman's eyebrows.

"Nothing," Brandon begins, starting, pausing then recovering. "Well, not nothing. Just-- that song's a hard one for me. It's supposed to be happy. It was this expression of joy and the rush of loving someone, and for a long time that's exactly what it was, you know?"

Weird way to talk about a song you hear in a coffee shop, that.

Anthony's order is probably at the back of the line, it was easy and quick to go with but for whatever reason someone there is going from top to bottom with the drinks leaving him to be waiting at the table with Brandon. "Oooohh aye that's right, you were in that band before." Tapping the table with his fingertips, Anthony's hand it pointing out towards Brandon as he's recovering to speak about the music. Pausing now to listen, there's a little nod from the Scotsman. "Hey if it is still doing the rounds now. You know you were making a winner then."

Trying to let a reassuring smile on out for a moment before glancing back over his shoulder in the direction of the coffee station. Passing a smile towards Scarlett and Fin as he is briefly looking over, waiting still for that drink.

"And hey, you on the show later then Brandon? If so. Want to swap spots? They have me on the joust."

Reaching up to tighten her ponytail as Scarlett compliments her hair, Fin says, "thank you! I love yours too." She smiles, which adds to that picture perfect look. If only Fin could share her secret with others!

"Yeah, sure!" Fin accepts the invite to sit with them at the table. It's a small table, but surely there's enough room for a couple extra chairs pulled over and four drinks to rest on. Speaking of coffee... 'Fin? Apple Crisp extra espresso oat milk latte? Fin?' "Ah, that's me!" Like, duh, Fin. You already gave the woman your name. She turns to accept her drink from the barista and join Scarlett walking to the table. She is still humming softly when they approach.

Drink in hand, Scarlett guides Fin over to the table, even linking arms with her until they arrive. "Fin, this is Anthony and Brandon. Old friends of mine," she says, fixing both Brandon and Anthony with a /look//. It's a rather scary one, complete with narrowed eyes that get her message across pretty clearly.

The redhead pulls two chairs up: one for her, one for Fin. She slides into one, keeping an eye on Brandon and sipping her drink. "You two all right?"

Brandon accepts Anthony's simple, quiet recognition of what little he's shared of his past with the team down in River Village. A subtle nod shows he's grateful for the way the older man just rolls with it. He's even able to summon enough of his more typical wit to respond, "If by jousting, you mean the part of the show where Benedict knocks me on my ass, yes, please. I'll take a nice little swordfight any day--"

Then Scarlett rejoins them, Fin with her Apple-Crisp-It's-Oatmilk-So-It's-Not-That-Unhealthy in tow. And Fin's still humming along with the song. Answering Scarlett, he replies, "Yeah, we're good." He's about to add more--

It takes a moment of silent, internal debate with himself.

Then Brandon finally glances from Scarlett to the younger of the two redheads, telling her as the song finally, blessedly fades into a folksy Gerry Cinnamon track, "Thank you. It's... really cool to see someone loving that track. Maybe I can owe you your next Apple Krispie or something."

"Done. I could do with a break from my spot, just a few days of the same." With a slight nod to Brandon, Anthony is adding on, "And lad we'll get you some riding practice then. Or whatever you'd be missing out on."

Pausing now as both redheads are making their way to the table, Anthony is looking up to both and offering a little smile. It is a thin slither of a thing from the man, but a smile nevertheless. "Good to meet you Fin. You've got some sort of skill going on there with the light."

The flecks of it catching Fin, allowing them to shine for a moment or two not going amiss on Anthony before hearing his order number.

"Oh I best get that one then, after. I've just gotta know what is ah apple crisp in a coffee."

Back on his feet, on route for his drink.

Fin's a friendly sort, so when Scarlett links arms with her, she doesn't hesitate, going along with it like they've known each other way longer than the last five minutes. Once introduced at the table, Fin unlinks her arm to do another arced wave. "Hi! Fin... like she said. Nice to meet you!" Scarlett asks if the two men are alright, so she looks from one to the other.

And then Brandon says 'thank you'. She looks at him with a clearly confused expression for a moment before she points up vaguely in the direction of a speaker. "Oh, did you... this is.. you did this?" She is cautious asking, not wanting to offend the man at all. Not generally one to turn down a free drink, caffeinated or otherwise, she smiles and says, "if you insist."

Anthony points out her soft glow and she gives him a gentle nod, pointing at her own face. "Yeah, it's uh... new. Started on New Year's." She nods at him and says, "it's really tasty. It's, well, not crispy, but you know, apple crisp flavored syrup I guess? Kinda sweet. I think paired with the oatmilk it tastes closer to the real thing. And there's a touch of cinnamon dust and a caramel drizzle on top." He is off to fetch his own coffee then and she sits in the chair Scarlett was kind enough to pull over for her.

In response to Fin, Brandon gives his shoulders a little shrug that's nevertheless belied by the contented smile that lingers on his lips. He lets her explain the latte before answering after Anthony gets up, "Yeah. Me and... a good friend. Not exactly Wonderwall but when I saw you enjoying it, it reminds me what we did it for."

A beat, then he adds more easily, "I kinda needed that. The way you responded. Again, thanks. That's how the song is supposed to hit people." Tilting his head to regard her more curiously, he asks, "Haven't I seen you around before? Maybe taking pictures?"

"Seriously? That's so awesome!" Fin is impressed, but not a person to get star-struck and cause a scene. She is smiling big though. "And me without my camera," she laughs. She almost ALWAYS has her camera. She does have her phone, but she doesn't whip it out. "This song is on my Hopeful Romantic playlist. Hopeful, because I refuse to be hopeless. I am happy to have been the reminder you needed! Feel free to hit me up if you ever need to be reminded about people enjoying your music again." She has listened to a lot of music in her life.

"Yeah. I am one of the park photographers." She has varying duties. Sometimes, she is seen taking souvenir photos of people standing in front of landmark attractions, sometimes following a group or a couple around documenting their whole day of fun (they pay extra for that), sometimes capturing events, and sometimes just for general marketing when needed." She looks him over then asks, "are you one of the musicians here?"

When Brandon says they're good, Scarlett accepts his answer, nodding casually and moving on. She sips her drink and glances between Fin and Brandon, lips quirking up at the corners at their exchange. "Yes, he did this. It's good, Brando. One of your best ones," the curly-haired redhead says, apparently without a hint of teasing.

Her gaze falls on Fin again, watching her curiously. "That's so cute. I mean, the music and your job. I'd love to see your work sometime - been looking for a photographer recently."

"It is a syrup!" Anthony's voice is a little louder this time as he is walking past hearing Fin's description of Apple Crisp. That Scottish roll in particular catching the ruuuup sound as he is rolling his r over his tongue. Poor thing. But he is off to get that coffee, ordered a while ago and taking about thirty seconds to pour really.

There's a muttering of a thanks as well as a trudge in his boots as Anthony is making his way back to the group and their table. Black filter coffee in hand while pulling back his previously warmed chair. "Huh, after the New Years? And park photographer. Guessing that some sort-ah connection between then about being perfectly 'in-shot' and getting the perfect shot?"

He's back in his seat and leaning into his chair once more, one leg crossing the other at the ankle. Drink in hand moving to his lips. "B-Man. Brando."

Anthony is taking notes for later. Poor co-worker Brandon.

Asked if he's one of the musicians, Brandon has to grin. The shell is cracking a little and he seems to be enjoying it. With an almost mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes, he tells Fin, "Actually, I haven't so much as touched a guitar in over a year," he explains, casting a nod of surprised gratitude over at Scarlett when she compliments the song. "I play a knight down at the Arena. Sir Tristan. It's... liberating?" He nods. Yes, that's the word. Liberating. Rather like all of Ant's nicknames for him.

"I get knocked around by Benedict a bit," he admits to Fin, tossing a grin Anthony's way in honest admission, "but it's... I don't know, it's just fun. A good place for a Hopeful Romantic. I love that phrase. This is like that. It's just pure hope, pure joy."

A pause, then: "Now I know I've seen you. You've worked our shows, yeah? Or the parades?" He glances over at Scarlett again and adds as much for the other musician as for Fin, "Although I'm really glad you didn't have a camera at the Beach Club the other night."

"Cute?" Fin smiles with a softer laugh toward Scarlett. "I don't know about cute, but... it can certainly be fun. Different." Different that is from her previous job. "But yeah, I can show you some of my park work sometime. I also have a website with some of my work. I keep meaning to do an Instagram, probably easier than my website, but I haven't... yet. I also haven't updated my website in a long time... But you can find it by searching for Finola Flannery Photography."

When Anthony returns, she nods to him and says, "yeah. I uh, seem to be able to play with light on the islands? Been handy for sure. Helps me take stunning photos when otherwise they would just be okay without some editing."

"Really? I mean, I am sure you have your reasons. But music is so...magical. On the islands and not." She grins at him and offers a small shrug. "It can spread happiness, soothe misery, calm the anxious, pump up the tired... magic." She punctuates that statement with a nod. "I tried learning when I was younger but I could never get my left hand to agree with my right on timing." Her shoulders lift again, her lips quirking to one side. "I have met a lot of people that work at the arena. And yeah, I've been there for work, and the parades. I should try to make a show when I am off duty sometime. Especially if it's a place for the hopeful romantics like me."

"I get it, really. Needing something different. I mean, my life is photography, but, well anyway, that's why I am here too." That and she needed a new job.

"It gives you a helmet to hide under as well." One arm still allowing him to sling it back on his chair, the other hand holding his coffee in a wide grip, Anthony is taking another mouthful of the hot liquid. "Pretty boy." Teasing Brandon with a lift of his eyebrows once more as he is bringing his eyes to Fin.

"I guess as well you end up in some sort-ah spot where your hobby, and your passion becomes your job. Then is it your love or something else?" Pausing for a moment before checking with a glance over the table, "Right? If that makes sense that is. Sounds a bit like why they brought me in here. I know swords, I know medieval history and the acting? That comes a little after."

Scarlett's phone, set on the table when she sat down, buzzes as she gets a call. The contract simply says: Bitchy Management Team.

The redhead's eyes widen and she grabs the phone, quickly rising to her feet with phone in hand. "Was nice to meet you all. Fin, I'll look you up. Anthony, good luck at the arena. Brandon... I'll be seeing you." It's vaguely menacing, if rushed, but that's the last of Scarlett as she rushes out of the coffee shop.

Visibly coloring with a surprising embarrassment when Anthony calls him a 'pretty boy', Brandon shakes his head sheepishly. He clears his throat with a tiny smirk, nodding a farewell to Scarlett that seems to accept the vague threat of her statement in stride.

"You should come down for a show," he tells Fin, a hint of enthusiasm for the prospect in his voice. "Not for work. Just for fun. Unless your work is your fun, like Ant here. I'd love to get back to that someday." Something in her tone prompts him to ask, "Did you really come here just to take photos?"

"Will see you around Scarlett." Nodding his head in Scarlett's direction, Anthony's tone is rolling out from his throat before those thicker eyebrows of his are lifting again in Brandon's direction. There's that colouring, that blush on the younger man's face catching him a little amused.

"Yes you should, mean very least one of us can sort out the front row tickets or." Touching the roof of his mouth with his tongue for a moment, "Or maybe a beside-the-King seat."

Fin seems a little unsure what Anthony means about hiding under a helmet for a moment, but when he calls Brandon Pretty Boy, it clicks. "Ohhh. Right. Because people might recognize him?" She didn't, but, she's not exactly up on her celebrity news and hasn't been for a long time. This is also why she does not yet know that Scarlett is famous as well. "Good point! There is safety in anonymity sometimes." Which is also a part of the reason she isn't on all the social medias much.

A smile shines bright at Anthony and she nods. "It is still my passion and my love. I think I only considered a hobby when I first started playing around with it. I have been fortunate enough to be able to work with my passion. Not a lot of people get that." She hasn't yet had a sip of her latte. She doesn't like drinking things when they are too hot, so tests it now, licking the foam from her upper lip after. "Granted, there are some not so fun days and tasks here, but that only makes me appreciate the more artistic, happier moments more. My previous job was in photography as well. It wasn't as... hmm... repetitive as this one? But, it too had its downsides." Meeting his gaze, she asks, "did they find you and bring you here? That's awesome. I don't know much about either, but I do appreciate a good renaissance festival. Does that count for anything?"

Then Scarlett is standing abruptly after her phone buzzes. Fin didn't really catch the contact name on the screen before Scarlett snatched it up. "Oh! Sure, nice meeting you!" she calls as the woman dashes off.

"Oh!" Fin turns her attention to Brandon. "Most of my work is, in fact fun. But, it also directs my attention more than just pure personal enjoyment would." The comment 'just to take photos' brings a smile and a brief, quiet giggle to her. "I mean, yeah. I came here for the job. I thought it would be fun to work at an amusement park for a change. Not sure how long I'll think that, but I have loved it so far. I needed a job, it's... well a few hoursof a drive but still an easily traveled distance to home. Perks!" And then, a giggling, "just to take photos." Then an, "ooh!" for Anthony. "Front row? I'll feel like a princess! I will make this happen." But then he says 'beside the King' and she gasps. "Talk about feeling like a princess!"

"That'll depend on which king they seat you with," Brandon says with a grin, his tone playful. He arches a brow meaningfully toward Anthony as he adds to Fin, "A passing familiarity with Shakespeare and/or sci-fi could be useful... or then again, it might be the last thing you want to bring with you."

He seems about to say something more as he picks up his coffee-- but finds the mug now quite cold. It serves as a reminder, and Brandon closes his eyes for a half-second before opening them again with a firm, soldiering-on sort of smile. Standing up from the table, he tells the photographer, "It was nice to meet you, Fin. I do hope you'll come to a show. And I'm glad you like Alison Wonderland. I'll let you know if I pick up that guitar again."

Brandon nods to Anthony then, with an amiable "See you at the castle, man. Thanks for keeping me on my toes."

Leaning a little more into his seat, Anthony's drawl is escaping out a fraction more, "Oh aye but then you've got to come in costume as well. I mean we'd know a person who'd get you seen to for that. Right Brandon?" His eyes moving from Fin to Brandon before a little smile is meeting his lips. "I'll catch you up in a bit, remember. We've swapped. You and I. We've swapped role today."

Confirming that the trade is definitely in place.

Chin turning to face Fin for a moment, Anthony is nodding. "Yeah I was living in Scotland. Right up against England, working around a few sites there. Few tourist spots and ended up getting hunted? Found? I ain't sure what you'd all call it but had an email to maybe do something new."

"That sounds... Should I be staying away from one of the Kings?" Fin asks to Brandon. "Oh, I have read some Shakespeare. It's been awhile, but, I have. Not as much sci-fi. I suppose some though. Does Star Wars count?" Dark eyes go wide when Anthony mentions costumes. "I love costumes! That would be amazing!" Don't threaten her with a good time.

"I hope that you do!" she calls to Brandon as he goes to get more coffee. The comment could be that she hopes he picks up the guitar again, or she hopes he lets her know if he does, or both! "I promise I will come to a show soon. If you're in the employee directory, I'll look you up and let you know when."

Then it is just she and Anthony and he has her rapt attention as he talks about being found by Spellbound. "I noticed the accent," she says with a soft smile a bit of blush rising to her cheeks. "Hunted sounds so predatory. Discovered?" Tilting her head gently, she smiles. "So what about the opportunity appealed to you enough that you moved all the way here?"

Waving his hand a little, the not-hold-coffee hand that is to avoid throwing the liquid goodness around the place, Anthony is sharing on. "It isn't that bad now." A deeper exhale coming out of his throat as he is speaking, that tone of his rolling on quickly as he is getting more comfortable.

"And aye. Well I guess there ain't many Scots around here? 'less Fin you're going to be telling me you have found a wee little group of us and I just have to meet them." Wryly curling his lips as he is bringing his attentions on with Fin. Between her questions a sip following on. "We can say discovered. Though the offer did certainly reel me in. Caught me like a kipper. Though for it? Well."

Glancing, checking there aren't possibly any other Scottish people around. Anthony's voice is heading lower.

"It was getting a bit cold, you know? Like being that close to the North of England is miserable. There's a look so I thought. Why not? Why not come somewhere new. Somewhere I was told was at least a bit warmer."

Says the Scottish man. In a light blue puffer coat zipped up to his throat.

With a slight bit of alarm, Fin asks Anthony, "just how bad was it before?"

"Mm. There may be another? I know I've heard various accents about, but, I don't recall precisely who or if it was a tourist I heard... Certainly no one I've talked to at length. If I find a Gathering of Scots, I will certainly let you know." This is said with a friendly chuckle as she leans back in her chair, cup in hand, taking sips as he talks. Her laugh is a bit louder at the fish talk. "Caught you hook, line, and sinker, did they? I don't even know what a kipper is..."

As he lowes his voice and glances around, she leans in, as if he's about to share a big secret. When he finishes, she blinks then smiles broadly, leaning back once more. "Is it? Warmer? Granted, the islands do seem to be weirdly warmer than Michigan usually is. But goodness. It can fall below freezing in the winter in southeast Michigan, let alone Northern... Just how cold does it get there? I've only been in the summer."

"Dangerous though, when we Scots come together. You don't know which side of the river and that then becomes a whole thing." Grinning for a moment as the often prickly Anthony is softening up, warming even. "They really did, I also wanted a bit of a change. You get used to things otherwise. Jump in while I can, see something new. Not like there's a wife, kids. A dawg even keeping me held down somewhere."

Laughing a little to himself at the thought while leaning back. "Oh aye though well usually about now? About three degree--- oh wait." A pausing, realising where he is. "You do it in them Fahrenheits. Well then umm." Pausing as he is remembering the sums. "Double it. Six and add thirty. So thirty six usually about now. With a good fog and wind so you can feel that cut through." Pulling his lips to the side before washing down the final part of his black coffee, Anthony is leaning forwards to set it down as he is uncrossing his legs.

"But Fin, I best get myself on into work. After all I've got to make sure Brandon keeps the deal of swapping roles. Been good and, hey? You said you'd been to Scotland before? Well if you wanted I'd not say no to hearing about how it was some time."

"That sounds so Outlander," Fin says with a smile and a soft chuckle. "Clearly, I need to learn more about life I Scotland. Most of what I know I learned from the Highland Games."

"Right? What better time to try something so..." Fin looks around, her ponytail swinging slightly as she does. This is followed by her raising one hand and raising it up slowly while making a circular motion. "So... all this. Spellbound. Nothing tying you down, seems like adventure is just about mandatory, isn't it?"

As he talks about the cold, she nods. "Fahrenheit is absolutely used here. America likes to be backwards." She then zips up her fleece to the neck and gives a shiver accompanied by a 'brrrr'.

Understanding that fun times have to end when work calls, she nods. "I enjoyed coming for coffee way more than I thought I would today. I'd love to talk about Scotland, though I am more interested in what you have to say about it. I just went there for work." She hasn't said what her previous work was, just that it involved photography. "I'm in the directory if you want to ring me up. Nice meeting you, Anthony." She holds her hand out to offer a shake if he is inclined, or a knuckle bump, she'd accept either.

"So Outlander." Laughing a little louder this time as he is gripping his hand on the seat behind him, pulling himself up to his feet, Anthony is moving to stand beside Fin. Eyes angling down to her face as he is replying with that drawl, "You said it, not me. I ain't going to offend the hosts until there's a drink in me." A little loft of his eyebrows once more before agreeing while reaching for her hand to shake.

"You and I both, was good. Good to catch you Fin. I'll dig out the directory and we'll chat again soon."

A good grip on that hand offered by Fin before releasing to step around the table and out.

Off to work.