He mulled it over thoughtfully as she spoke of Bonnie and how her stubbornness and dependability were maybe traits like his own.
"You've got me in a box don't you?" His tone was jocular, not accusing. He was both of those traits and proud of them.
She leaned over and got so close her perfume washed over him, her sleeves brushing his hands and her lips inches from his own. His heart and breathing both seemed to stop, he didn't know what she was going to do, but he could feel the electricity from her face on his own, the energy from her perfect lips making his tingle. But his eyes were looking into hers, into her soul. It was like wandering a misty moorland by a lake. Time seemed to stop and finally she spoke, telling him how he knew how handsome he was, she must have thought it too. He'd never wanted to kiss a girl more in his life.
He rolled the idea around in his head, finally gathering up the courage to do it and she retreated. He breathed again and his heart resumed a melancholy beat, sad to have maybe missed an opportunity.
"I guess I travel new roads every day? I don't see dark or light, just freedom."
He settled back and checked his watch as she got to her feet, doing that adorable thing with her hair again. But his comment seemed to stop her and she looked back at him with the loveliest smile, his heart melted as she stood in profile. Tucking her hair back and looking every inch smalltown girl sweet. He could have sat forever in that moment and knew it was etched onto his soul.
Saying something eldritch again that he still didn't really understand he just drummed his fingers on the table as disappeared leaving only the smell of her perfume in the room. He looked over as Takoda huffed and Kyle whispered to him.
"I know buddy, I know. I promise I'll be good to her, she's really special and I can see why you like her." I like her too!"
The door opened and a very beautiful barefoot woman entered. She seemed to know Takoda, and waited by the counter. Kyle just nodded to her and sat patiently.
"You've got me in a box don't you?" His tone was jocular, not accusing. He was both of those traits and proud of them.
She leaned over and got so close her perfume washed over him, her sleeves brushing his hands and her lips inches from his own. His heart and breathing both seemed to stop, he didn't know what she was going to do, but he could feel the electricity from her face on his own, the energy from her perfect lips making his tingle. But his eyes were looking into hers, into her soul. It was like wandering a misty moorland by a lake. Time seemed to stop and finally she spoke, telling him how he knew how handsome he was, she must have thought it too. He'd never wanted to kiss a girl more in his life.
He rolled the idea around in his head, finally gathering up the courage to do it and she retreated. He breathed again and his heart resumed a melancholy beat, sad to have maybe missed an opportunity.
"I guess I travel new roads every day? I don't see dark or light, just freedom."
He settled back and checked his watch as she got to her feet, doing that adorable thing with her hair again. But his comment seemed to stop her and she looked back at him with the loveliest smile, his heart melted as she stood in profile. Tucking her hair back and looking every inch smalltown girl sweet. He could have sat forever in that moment and knew it was etched onto his soul.
Saying something eldritch again that he still didn't really understand he just drummed his fingers on the table as disappeared leaving only the smell of her perfume in the room. He looked over as Takoda huffed and Kyle whispered to him.
"I know buddy, I know. I promise I'll be good to her, she's really special and I can see why you like her." I like her too!"
The door opened and a very beautiful barefoot woman entered. She seemed to know Takoda, and waited by the counter. Kyle just nodded to her and sat patiently.
The moment Kyria crossed the threshold, the light shifted.
Not the sun outside—the inside light. The air in Sweet Enchantments seemed to grow warmer, more golden, like the café itself was exhaling. A place that recognized her presence not just as a visitor… but as something long-awaited. The wards hummed low under the floorboards, content.
Ravenna stepped out from behind the bead curtain, one hand smoothing the dark coat she had just donned, the other still holding a bundle of dried rosemary and black salt. She stopped when she saw the woman by the door, her gray eyes widening just slightly—not in alarm, but in awe.
“You’re late,” she said, and the words came out breathless—not chastising, but filled with something that shimmered on the edge of emotion. “Or maybe I’m just early.”
Takoda gave a low chuff of approval, brushing Kyria’s leg with the broad sweep of his tail before returning to his place like a sentinel satisfied with his post.
Ravenna moved closer, the soft layers of her whimsigoth coat trailing behind her like mist. The way she looked at Kyria was not with suspicion or even curiosity—it was recognition in its truest form. A soul sensing a reflection. A power that had fallen from the sky… finding kin in the hearth and earthbound flame.
“You do feel right,” Ravenna said quietly. “Like starlight over still water. Like something I forgot I was missing until now.”
She extended her hand—not as a café owner greeting a customer, but as a priestess greeting another who had long walked alone.
“Kyria,” she echoed. “Come in. Sit. We’ve been saving you a place at the table. Tea’s hot, scones are fresh, and the world’s just a little softer in here.”
Her eyes flicked to the side—where Kyle still sat, half-pie, half-dreaming.
“I hope you don’t mind an audience,” Ravenna added, a mischievous note returning to her tone. “Today seems full of... interesting arrivals.”
Not the sun outside—the inside light. The air in Sweet Enchantments seemed to grow warmer, more golden, like the café itself was exhaling. A place that recognized her presence not just as a visitor… but as something long-awaited. The wards hummed low under the floorboards, content.
Ravenna stepped out from behind the bead curtain, one hand smoothing the dark coat she had just donned, the other still holding a bundle of dried rosemary and black salt. She stopped when she saw the woman by the door, her gray eyes widening just slightly—not in alarm, but in awe.
“You’re late,” she said, and the words came out breathless—not chastising, but filled with something that shimmered on the edge of emotion. “Or maybe I’m just early.”
Takoda gave a low chuff of approval, brushing Kyria’s leg with the broad sweep of his tail before returning to his place like a sentinel satisfied with his post.
Ravenna moved closer, the soft layers of her whimsigoth coat trailing behind her like mist. The way she looked at Kyria was not with suspicion or even curiosity—it was recognition in its truest form. A soul sensing a reflection. A power that had fallen from the sky… finding kin in the hearth and earthbound flame.
“You do feel right,” Ravenna said quietly. “Like starlight over still water. Like something I forgot I was missing until now.”
She extended her hand—not as a café owner greeting a customer, but as a priestess greeting another who had long walked alone.
“Kyria,” she echoed. “Come in. Sit. We’ve been saving you a place at the table. Tea’s hot, scones are fresh, and the world’s just a little softer in here.”
Her eyes flicked to the side—where Kyle still sat, half-pie, half-dreaming.
“I hope you don’t mind an audience,” Ravenna added, a mischievous note returning to her tone. “Today seems full of... interesting arrivals.”
Kyria turned at the sound of Ravenna’s voice, the light from the café windows catching the strands of gold in her hair. Her expression didn’t shift right away. She simply stood, allowing the quiet weight of recognition to settle between them. It didn’t matter that they hadn’t met before. Some souls you remembered with your bones.
At Ravenna’s greeting, her lips curved, not a full smile this time, but something softer. Deeper. “Maybe we’re both right on time,” she said gently. “The kind of time that isn’t measured by clocks.”
She took the offered hand, her fingers delicate but warm, like sunlight filtered through clouds. The touch wasn’t ceremonial, it was real. For all her celestial nature, Kyria clung to these moments of true connection like roots to soil.
At Ravenna’s words about missing something, Kyria’s eyes shimmered. Not with tears, exactly, but with the ache of being understood too easily.
“I’ve been adrift,” she admitted. “Looking for something I couldn’t name. A place, a feeling… someone to see past what I was and into who I am.”
She glanced to Takoda, brushing her fingers once more along his ruff in silent thanks, then followed Ravenna’s gaze toward Kyle. Her expression shifted slightly—curious, thoughtful. There was an openness to him, a rawness still soft at the edges. Like a flame not quite burned out. She gave him a small nod, her presence neither flirtatious nor cold, just kind.
“I don’t mind an audience,” she said with a small laugh. “Though I warn you, I’m not terribly mysterious. Just a girl who fell from somewhere high.”
Her bare feet made no sound as she crossed toward the table, but her presence filled the space like music too soft to name. She looked back to Ravenna, then Kyle.
“Do you mind if I join you?” she asked, already knowing the answer but still polite enough to ask.
With a gleam of gentle mischief that was entirely Kyria, “I hear the pie’s enchanted. If today’s the kind of day that welcomes stray wolves and falling stars… I’d hate to miss it.”
At Ravenna’s greeting, her lips curved, not a full smile this time, but something softer. Deeper. “Maybe we’re both right on time,” she said gently. “The kind of time that isn’t measured by clocks.”
She took the offered hand, her fingers delicate but warm, like sunlight filtered through clouds. The touch wasn’t ceremonial, it was real. For all her celestial nature, Kyria clung to these moments of true connection like roots to soil.
At Ravenna’s words about missing something, Kyria’s eyes shimmered. Not with tears, exactly, but with the ache of being understood too easily.
“I’ve been adrift,” she admitted. “Looking for something I couldn’t name. A place, a feeling… someone to see past what I was and into who I am.”
She glanced to Takoda, brushing her fingers once more along his ruff in silent thanks, then followed Ravenna’s gaze toward Kyle. Her expression shifted slightly—curious, thoughtful. There was an openness to him, a rawness still soft at the edges. Like a flame not quite burned out. She gave him a small nod, her presence neither flirtatious nor cold, just kind.
“I don’t mind an audience,” she said with a small laugh. “Though I warn you, I’m not terribly mysterious. Just a girl who fell from somewhere high.”
Her bare feet made no sound as she crossed toward the table, but her presence filled the space like music too soft to name. She looked back to Ravenna, then Kyle.
“Do you mind if I join you?” she asked, already knowing the answer but still polite enough to ask.
With a gleam of gentle mischief that was entirely Kyria, “I hear the pie’s enchanted. If today’s the kind of day that welcomes stray wolves and falling stars… I’d hate to miss it.”
Grinning his signature grin as Raven described him as an interesting person Kyle just watched as the attractive, dark-haired girl made her way into the cosy seating area, her dainty bare-feet hardly causing a whisper on the floor.
As she closed he felt something about her, something ancient, raw and powerful - but he just put hi fork down on the plate and stood as she approached.
"Sure, you can join me - don't mind at all, I'm just waiting for a girl."
He indicated the vacant seat that was still pushed out from when Ravenna had sat opposite him. There was no no shortage of attractive girls in this ton. But unlike Raven this one was like a rose, beautiful but not to be touched else you may prick a finger. He could sense that much, she seemed nice enough though and he sat as she did. He kind of missed what she meant by falling stars, unless she was like that blonde girl in the movie Stardust, would explain why she had no shoes on he guessed, he shrugged.
"The pie is amazing actually, I really recommend it. I'm Kyle. So are you passing through town as well?"
As she closed he felt something about her, something ancient, raw and powerful - but he just put hi fork down on the plate and stood as she approached.
"Sure, you can join me - don't mind at all, I'm just waiting for a girl."
He indicated the vacant seat that was still pushed out from when Ravenna had sat opposite him. There was no no shortage of attractive girls in this ton. But unlike Raven this one was like a rose, beautiful but not to be touched else you may prick a finger. He could sense that much, she seemed nice enough though and he sat as she did. He kind of missed what she meant by falling stars, unless she was like that blonde girl in the movie Stardust, would explain why she had no shoes on he guessed, he shrugged.
"The pie is amazing actually, I really recommend it. I'm Kyle. So are you passing through town as well?"
Ravenna went about her usual business, tending to her regular patrons, scolding Edgar when he snuck a piece of bacon to her wolf.
She brought another piece of apple pie for Kyle, and a slice of apple and blackberry for Kyria. Behind her, two teacups floated, waiting to be filled. She set them down and filled the cups and nudged the jar of honey forward. "Enjoy! Later this evening, I think there's going to be music in the park. I would be delighted to see you there, and even more delighted to enchant you with my voice."
She couldn't explain it, but she felt undoubted chemistry with Kyle and she felt a kindred soul in Kyria. A friend she didn't even know she needed, and a love she didn't even know she wanted that both showed up on the same day.
On Summer Solstice, of all days.
Ravenna bent and whispered to Kyria. "Be they human or not, celestial or alien, they are welcome here." She straightened and smiled at the two of them. "I'll be tending to my other patrons. If you need me, yell. Or just tell Takoda. My wolf here will come and get me."
She brought another piece of apple pie for Kyle, and a slice of apple and blackberry for Kyria. Behind her, two teacups floated, waiting to be filled. She set them down and filled the cups and nudged the jar of honey forward. "Enjoy! Later this evening, I think there's going to be music in the park. I would be delighted to see you there, and even more delighted to enchant you with my voice."
She couldn't explain it, but she felt undoubted chemistry with Kyle and she felt a kindred soul in Kyria. A friend she didn't even know she needed, and a love she didn't even know she wanted that both showed up on the same day.
On Summer Solstice, of all days.
Ravenna bent and whispered to Kyria. "Be they human or not, celestial or alien, they are welcome here." She straightened and smiled at the two of them. "I'll be tending to my other patrons. If you need me, yell. Or just tell Takoda. My wolf here will come and get me."
Kyria lowered herself gracefully into the seat Kyle offered, the soft hem of her sundress folding like waves against the wooden chair. She studied him for a moment—not rudely, not intrusively, but as someone who saw more than just a face. She saw the exhaustion beneath his easy smile, the questions he hadn’t dared ask, the places he had run from and toward in equal measure.
“A girl worth waiting for, I hope,” she said gently, a playful lilt in her voice. “Though if she’s anything like Ravenna, I imagine she’s worth her weight in moonlight.”
She glanced toward the counter as Ravenna returned, and her eyes lit up at the sight of the pie and tea. “You’re not wrong about the pie,” she added to Kyle, picking up her fork with the kind of reverence that suggested she fully believed food could carry soul.
Kyria waited until Ravenna had leaned in, her whispered words brushing against Kyria’s ear like a blessing. Kyria smiled at the witch’s warmth and the certainty in her voice. She rested a hand gently on Ravenna’s wrist for just a breath, anchoring the connection with a quiet thank you only her touch could convey.
Then she turned back to Kyle, steam from the tea curling between them like a sigh.
“I’m Kyria,” she said. “And I’m not exactly passing through. I think… I’ve arrived.” Her voice had that melodic timbre again, like she was speaking a truth deeper than the words alone could hold.
She took a sip of tea and then a bite of the pie, her lashes fluttering as her eyes briefly closed. “Mm. It tastes like memories that never quite happened. Like something you almost dreamed.”
Her gaze returned to Kyle. “And what about you? Are you just passing through, or has this little town already begun its work on you?” She tilted her head slightly, a soft smile playing at her lips. “I’ve heard East Haven doesn’t tend to let people go once it chooses them.”
“A girl worth waiting for, I hope,” she said gently, a playful lilt in her voice. “Though if she’s anything like Ravenna, I imagine she’s worth her weight in moonlight.”
She glanced toward the counter as Ravenna returned, and her eyes lit up at the sight of the pie and tea. “You’re not wrong about the pie,” she added to Kyle, picking up her fork with the kind of reverence that suggested she fully believed food could carry soul.
Kyria waited until Ravenna had leaned in, her whispered words brushing against Kyria’s ear like a blessing. Kyria smiled at the witch’s warmth and the certainty in her voice. She rested a hand gently on Ravenna’s wrist for just a breath, anchoring the connection with a quiet thank you only her touch could convey.
Then she turned back to Kyle, steam from the tea curling between them like a sigh.
“I’m Kyria,” she said. “And I’m not exactly passing through. I think… I’ve arrived.” Her voice had that melodic timbre again, like she was speaking a truth deeper than the words alone could hold.
She took a sip of tea and then a bite of the pie, her lashes fluttering as her eyes briefly closed. “Mm. It tastes like memories that never quite happened. Like something you almost dreamed.”
Her gaze returned to Kyle. “And what about you? Are you just passing through, or has this little town already begun its work on you?” She tilted her head slightly, a soft smile playing at her lips. “I’ve heard East Haven doesn’t tend to let people go once it chooses them.”
The bell above the café door jingled gently as Erin stepped inside, pausing just long enough to take in the warm scent of roasted coffee and freshly baked pastries. It was a cozy sort of place, humming with quiet chatter and the occasional clink of porcelain, far removed from the usual corners she haunted, but charming in its own right. She was looking to get away from her usual antics, and this seemed like just the place.
She approached the counter with a soft smile, tucking a loose strand of copper hair behind her ear. “Afternoon,” she greeted, voice light but sincere. “Could I trouble you for a cup of whatever coffee is the strongest? Black, please.” Once served, she offered a quiet thanks as they paid and found an empty table near the window, the sunlight catching faint traces of freckles along her cheekbones. With one hand curled around the warm mug, she let her gaze drift lazily across the room. It wasn’t the sort of place she expected to find herself usually, especially not relaxing with a cup of coffee. But she kept her eyes open to see if there was anything that happened to catch her eye as she examined the other people inside. She leaned back in her chair, sipping her coffee as she listened in to other's conversations.
She approached the counter with a soft smile, tucking a loose strand of copper hair behind her ear. “Afternoon,” she greeted, voice light but sincere. “Could I trouble you for a cup of whatever coffee is the strongest? Black, please.” Once served, she offered a quiet thanks as they paid and found an empty table near the window, the sunlight catching faint traces of freckles along her cheekbones. With one hand curled around the warm mug, she let her gaze drift lazily across the room. It wasn’t the sort of place she expected to find herself usually, especially not relaxing with a cup of coffee. But she kept her eyes open to see if there was anything that happened to catch her eye as she examined the other people inside. She leaned back in her chair, sipping her coffee as she listened in to other's conversations.
Kyria lifted her gaze as the bell above the door chimed again, a soft flutter of sound that always seemed to carry significance in a place like this. Her eyes found the woman almost immediately. She had copper hair, quiet grace, and the kind of energy that rippled gently beneath the surface like a stream hidden beneath fallen leaves. Not loud, but present. A flicker of something interesting. Familiar, even if they’d never met.
She smiled, warm and genuine, and raised a hand in a subtle wave to catch the woman’s attention. “Hey,” she called softly, her voice like wind through tall grass. “There’s room over here, if you don’t mind sharing a table with strangers and a slice of very opinionated pie.”
She glanced to Kyle with a playful glint, then back to the newcomer. “I’m Kyria. This is Kyle. We were just talking about how this place has a habit of drawing people in when they need it most.”
Her fingers rested lightly around her teacup, her posture open, unhurried. “Come sit with us. You’ve already got the good coffee. Might as well enjoy it with some good company too.”
She smiled, warm and genuine, and raised a hand in a subtle wave to catch the woman’s attention. “Hey,” she called softly, her voice like wind through tall grass. “There’s room over here, if you don’t mind sharing a table with strangers and a slice of very opinionated pie.”
She glanced to Kyle with a playful glint, then back to the newcomer. “I’m Kyria. This is Kyle. We were just talking about how this place has a habit of drawing people in when they need it most.”
Her fingers rested lightly around her teacup, her posture open, unhurried. “Come sit with us. You’ve already got the good coffee. Might as well enjoy it with some good company too.”
“A girl worth waiting for, I hope, though if she’s anything like Ravenna, I imagine she’s worth her weight in moonlight.”
He had just nodded and smiled.
"Hey Kyria, nice to meet you, new here myself - but yeah I've been told this place does the choosing."
His armour was up a little with this stranger, he got a strange vibe from her. She was older than she looked, a LOT older. No reason to be rude though. But his smile only returned when Ravenna returned with pie for them both.
"Hey thanks, you're going to have to roll me out of here at this rate."
He watched as the redhead walked in, the wolf hardly reacted and he figured her for a local. He lifted his fingers in a greeting as Kyria introduced them both. Why was everyone so sociable around here?
He had just nodded and smiled.
"Hey Kyria, nice to meet you, new here myself - but yeah I've been told this place does the choosing."
His armour was up a little with this stranger, he got a strange vibe from her. She was older than she looked, a LOT older. No reason to be rude though. But his smile only returned when Ravenna returned with pie for them both.
"Hey thanks, you're going to have to roll me out of here at this rate."
He watched as the redhead walked in, the wolf hardly reacted and he figured her for a local. He lifted his fingers in a greeting as Kyria introduced them both. Why was everyone so sociable around here?
"Of course!" Ravenna smiled warmly to the woman that had just entered her cafe. She poured a mug of coffee and handed it over, but refused the money. "Keep it, hun. Today is Litha, and I intend on celebrating! Everything is on the house today!"
She went back to her rounds, topping off Kyria's and Kyle's teas. She couldn't stop the way she looked at him, full of longing and the budding of gentle romance. Nor could she prevent the way she looked at Kyria as if the celestial was a long lost sister.
"I have waited so long to see this place come alive."
She went back to her rounds, topping off Kyria's and Kyle's teas. She couldn't stop the way she looked at him, full of longing and the budding of gentle romance. Nor could she prevent the way she looked at Kyria as if the celestial was a long lost sister.
"I have waited so long to see this place come alive."
Kyle tried to be polite, but he wasn't really a social creature, Kyria had surprised him by asking to join him and he felt a little closed in as she involved the other newcomer. He sipped his tea and waited for Ravenna to come back around.
As she did his eyes lit up and he smiled at her. Her stormy eyes lingering on him there was definitely something there. He hoped she felt the same way about him, he was pretty sure she did. But she was playing it cool, styling it out.
Another reason to be fascinated by her...
As she did his eyes lit up and he smiled at her. Her stormy eyes lingering on him there was definitely something there. He hoped she felt the same way about him, he was pretty sure she did. But she was playing it cool, styling it out.
Another reason to be fascinated by her...
Kyria felt it before it truly unfolded. It was akin to a shift in wind, or the way sunlight dims beneath a passing cloud. Nothing sharp or cruel. Just a subtle change in rhythm, like a note no longer in harmony with the melody.
She glanced to Kyle, her eyes kind, but distant now. She understood. Not everyone wanted the shimmer of stars at their table. Some preferred quieter lights. Earthbound ones, and that was okay.
She stood gracefully, movements fluid as the tide, brushing invisible crumbs from her lap and tucking her hair behind one ear. Her gaze swept briefly to Erin with a smile of quiet apology, then to Ravenna—lingering, luminous.
“This place has come alive,” Kyria said softly, and the words weren’t for Kyle, or Erin, or anyone else sipping coffee in the sun-warmed café. They were for Ravenna alone.
“But the song has changed.” She didn’t say it with sadness. Only with acceptance. “I think I was meant to be the opening note. Not the chorus.”
She reached out and gently touched Ravenna’s hand as she passed. “You are every bit the magic I hoped to find,” she said in a voice like silver rain. “Thank you for seeing me.”
Then, as if the breeze had summoned her, she made her way to the door, the bell above it chiming once more, softer now, like a sigh.
She was leaving behind only the faintest shimmer in the air, and the scent of starlight clinging to the petals of a rose that hadn’t yet bloomed.
Bare feet kissed the threshold. She turned and smiled once more at Ravenna. She did so hope their paths would cross again.
She glanced to Kyle, her eyes kind, but distant now. She understood. Not everyone wanted the shimmer of stars at their table. Some preferred quieter lights. Earthbound ones, and that was okay.
She stood gracefully, movements fluid as the tide, brushing invisible crumbs from her lap and tucking her hair behind one ear. Her gaze swept briefly to Erin with a smile of quiet apology, then to Ravenna—lingering, luminous.
“This place has come alive,” Kyria said softly, and the words weren’t for Kyle, or Erin, or anyone else sipping coffee in the sun-warmed café. They were for Ravenna alone.
“But the song has changed.” She didn’t say it with sadness. Only with acceptance. “I think I was meant to be the opening note. Not the chorus.”
She reached out and gently touched Ravenna’s hand as she passed. “You are every bit the magic I hoped to find,” she said in a voice like silver rain. “Thank you for seeing me.”
Then, as if the breeze had summoned her, she made her way to the door, the bell above it chiming once more, softer now, like a sigh.
She was leaving behind only the faintest shimmer in the air, and the scent of starlight clinging to the petals of a rose that hadn’t yet bloomed.
Bare feet kissed the threshold. She turned and smiled once more at Ravenna. She did so hope their paths would cross again.
When Ravenna declined the money, Erin froze up for a moment, not used to the kind gesture, even for a holiday. She blinked blankly for a moment but then regained her composure and smiled softly at her, taking the money back and nodding a little. "I appreciate that, thank you." Once she found a seat, she had noticed that the table with two people sitting at it were beckoning her over and she almost froze again, not used to such open and kind interactions with strangers. But she quickly caught herself and tucked a piece of her curly hair behind her ear, clearing her throat and heading over to the table calmly.
She sat down in the open chair, listening to the greetings from Kyria who introduced both herself and the other at the table with them. "Very nice to meet you both, I'm Erin. And I definitely have to agree with you on that." She lifted her cup a little to Kyria's comment about how the cafe found people when they needed it, smiling softly. She took a small sip and gave an acknowledging nod to Kyle. She could tell he wasn't as social, and that was fine with her, she just wanted to sit down and enjoy her coffee.
She sat back in her chair and observed quietly, watching as Kyria stood up and listened closely to her words. She frowned a little bit as she realized the girl was leaving now, feeling like it was somehow her fault, something she often felt. She tried not to look too into it, she had only just showed up to the cafe after all, anything could have happened before she sat down. Or it was just her time to depart. Her bright green eyes followed Kyria as she left, taking another quiet sip from her coffee afterwards. There was a little silence, but then she placed her coffee down. "Well she seemed pretty nice." She said with a small smile to Kyle and Ravenna.
She tapped her bejeweled fingers against the table and looked at Ravenna with a grin. "I'd love a pastry, but please don't make me pick, I'm too hungry to pick something myself. Surprise me!" She laughed softly.
Her eyes then found Kyle again, looking him up and down from across from her. "You from around here, or are you traveling too?" She raised an eyebrow with genuine curiosity as she waited for his reply, pulling her messy locks into a strand of leather to make a low puffy pony tail on the back of her head.
She sat down in the open chair, listening to the greetings from Kyria who introduced both herself and the other at the table with them. "Very nice to meet you both, I'm Erin. And I definitely have to agree with you on that." She lifted her cup a little to Kyria's comment about how the cafe found people when they needed it, smiling softly. She took a small sip and gave an acknowledging nod to Kyle. She could tell he wasn't as social, and that was fine with her, she just wanted to sit down and enjoy her coffee.
She sat back in her chair and observed quietly, watching as Kyria stood up and listened closely to her words. She frowned a little bit as she realized the girl was leaving now, feeling like it was somehow her fault, something she often felt. She tried not to look too into it, she had only just showed up to the cafe after all, anything could have happened before she sat down. Or it was just her time to depart. Her bright green eyes followed Kyria as she left, taking another quiet sip from her coffee afterwards. There was a little silence, but then she placed her coffee down. "Well she seemed pretty nice." She said with a small smile to Kyle and Ravenna.
She tapped her bejeweled fingers against the table and looked at Ravenna with a grin. "I'd love a pastry, but please don't make me pick, I'm too hungry to pick something myself. Surprise me!" She laughed softly.
Her eyes then found Kyle again, looking him up and down from across from her. "You from around here, or are you traveling too?" She raised an eyebrow with genuine curiosity as she waited for his reply, pulling her messy locks into a strand of leather to make a low puffy pony tail on the back of her head.
Ravenna decided on a a chocolate croissant for the newcomer. She put it on a plate, used a bit of magic to heat it up, and then brought it right over, setting the plate in front of her.
She frowned as Kyria announced her departure. Was it something she had done? She hadn't stayed more than twenty minutes... Perhaps her food wasn't up to par. Or the tea wasn't brewed as best as it could have been.
"Well... alright, Kyria. Are you sure that you don't -" But she was gone before Ravenna could even finish. She hoped she'd see Kyria again someday.
She frowned as Kyria announced her departure. Was it something she had done? She hadn't stayed more than twenty minutes... Perhaps her food wasn't up to par. Or the tea wasn't brewed as best as it could have been.
"Well... alright, Kyria. Are you sure that you don't -" But she was gone before Ravenna could even finish. She hoped she'd see Kyria again someday.
"Hey Erin."
Kyle took a deep drink form his tea. He didn't mind meeting new people but he a bit of a loner and his table seemed to become a social gathering point. He was trying hard not to be rude. These people were Raven's customers after all.
The dark haired girl with no shoes on, got to her feet, her grace was unnatural, she spoke a little vaguely of songs changing. Kyle assumed she was high or something.
"Nice to meet you Kyria, maybe see you around?"
He put his mug down and watched as she left, Erin looked awkward as if it were her fault. Kyle grinned a little awkwardly.
"Sorry I think I scared her off, of course she was nice I think she'd been at the magical 'erb." He chuckled.
Sitting back in his seat he pushed the new portion of pie to the side, he was literally fit to burst. He looked back at Erin as she asked if he was passing through.
"That was the plan, but then I met this amazing girl, so I'm waiting for her. She seems to think you don't pass through this place, it lets you in. So you must have a reason to be here."
He shrugged.
"But what do I know, I'm just a wanderer looking for a bed and a hot meal. I found one of those things already, in fact I think she's trying to fatten me up for the kill." He laughed and winked at Ravenna as she looked over. She seemed mildly sad that Kyria had left. He made a mental note to ask her about it later.
Kyle took a deep drink form his tea. He didn't mind meeting new people but he a bit of a loner and his table seemed to become a social gathering point. He was trying hard not to be rude. These people were Raven's customers after all.
The dark haired girl with no shoes on, got to her feet, her grace was unnatural, she spoke a little vaguely of songs changing. Kyle assumed she was high or something.
"Nice to meet you Kyria, maybe see you around?"
He put his mug down and watched as she left, Erin looked awkward as if it were her fault. Kyle grinned a little awkwardly.
"Sorry I think I scared her off, of course she was nice I think she'd been at the magical 'erb." He chuckled.
Sitting back in his seat he pushed the new portion of pie to the side, he was literally fit to burst. He looked back at Erin as she asked if he was passing through.
"That was the plan, but then I met this amazing girl, so I'm waiting for her. She seems to think you don't pass through this place, it lets you in. So you must have a reason to be here."
He shrugged.
"But what do I know, I'm just a wanderer looking for a bed and a hot meal. I found one of those things already, in fact I think she's trying to fatten me up for the kill." He laughed and winked at Ravenna as she looked over. She seemed mildly sad that Kyria had left. He made a mental note to ask her about it later.
Erin’s eyes lit up as the plate with the warm chocolate croissant was placed in front of her, and she gave Ravenna a grateful smile, the kind that was half hidden behind her coffee cup as she took another sip. “You’re a lifesaver,” she murmured with heartfelt sincerity, the scent of the pastry already lifting her mood.
Kyle’s dry comment drew a small snort of laughter from her, and she leaned an elbow onto the table, resting her chin on the back of her hand as she regarded him more openly now.
His next words, though, about waiting for someone, about the place letting you in, those made her pause. She studied him a little more closely now, her smile dimming to something quieter. Not less warm, just… more real.
“That’s a pretty poetic take,” she said, brushing a few crumbs from her lap. Erin leaned back in her chair, the worn leather cord holding her wild curls now slightly askew. She didn’t bother fixing it. “I didn’t plan to be here either. Was supposed to be two towns over by now. But I took a wrong turn and once I passed by I knew I had to stop in." She smiled softly.
She broke another piece of croissant off and pointed it teasingly at Kyle. “And if she is fattening you up, I’d say you’re doing an excellent job of making it easy on her by continuing to accept all the pastries.”
With a wink of her own, she tossed the bite into her mouth and chewed contentedly, finally letting herself relax a little deeper into her seat.
Kyle’s dry comment drew a small snort of laughter from her, and she leaned an elbow onto the table, resting her chin on the back of her hand as she regarded him more openly now.
His next words, though, about waiting for someone, about the place letting you in, those made her pause. She studied him a little more closely now, her smile dimming to something quieter. Not less warm, just… more real.
“That’s a pretty poetic take,” she said, brushing a few crumbs from her lap. Erin leaned back in her chair, the worn leather cord holding her wild curls now slightly askew. She didn’t bother fixing it. “I didn’t plan to be here either. Was supposed to be two towns over by now. But I took a wrong turn and once I passed by I knew I had to stop in." She smiled softly.
She broke another piece of croissant off and pointed it teasingly at Kyle. “And if she is fattening you up, I’d say you’re doing an excellent job of making it easy on her by continuing to accept all the pastries.”
With a wink of her own, she tossed the bite into her mouth and chewed contentedly, finally letting herself relax a little deeper into her seat.
Ravenna busied herself with taking care of her regular patrons while Kyle and the newcomer chatted. Had she ever asked the woman for her name? She didn't think she had. Well, that was quite rude of her!
She went to their table to top off coffee and tea and collect empty dishes. "I'm so sorry, hun. I never introduced myself or asked your name! I'm Ravenna Thorne—member of a Founding Family of East Haven, Virginia as well as the owner of Sweet Enchantments! If there's anything I can do to make your stay in our magical little town more comfortable, don't hesitate to ask!"
Takoda let out a chuff from his bed, his massive white tail thumping. She let out a soft laugh. "And my friend here is Takoda. He's my familiar, and my baby! He's not a wolf-dog or a husky or a malamute. He's a wolf. I rescued him when we was a pup. White wolves aren't common in this area at all."
She went to their table to top off coffee and tea and collect empty dishes. "I'm so sorry, hun. I never introduced myself or asked your name! I'm Ravenna Thorne—member of a Founding Family of East Haven, Virginia as well as the owner of Sweet Enchantments! If there's anything I can do to make your stay in our magical little town more comfortable, don't hesitate to ask!"
Takoda let out a chuff from his bed, his massive white tail thumping. She let out a soft laugh. "And my friend here is Takoda. He's my familiar, and my baby! He's not a wolf-dog or a husky or a malamute. He's a wolf. I rescued him when we was a pup. White wolves aren't common in this area at all."
The newcomer Erin's snort of laughter made Kyle chuckle himself, he was warming to this one. She set her hand on her chin as if trying to work him out. He just rested back in the chair after explaining what he'd heard.
"Heh, it's not my words, but Ravenna's, I'm a rover not a poet."
She brushed crumbs away and sat back herself and looked around, he just studied herm trying to work her out. She reminded him of a schoolteacher he'd had once.
"No really, on your way to something, or leaving something else?"
That was Kyle's M.O. leaving a place he'd just created a mess in."
She chewed on her pastry and Kyle chuckled as she said about how good the food was.
"I know right, wait until you try the pie, I swear it's addictive." He patted his belly as if to make his point. Relaxing in Erin's company she seemed fairly chilled, chilled was good. At that point the beautiful creature who ran the place appeared and he sat up.
He just listened as she introduced herself to Erin and smiled at her, noticing his attention was raising colour on her cheeks. He laughed at Takoda getting ornery about Ravenna not introducing him.
"You tell her buddy!" He called over. He chuckled as Ravenna explained what he was, he had guessed right, he WAS a wolf after all!
"Heh, it's not my words, but Ravenna's, I'm a rover not a poet."
She brushed crumbs away and sat back herself and looked around, he just studied herm trying to work her out. She reminded him of a schoolteacher he'd had once.
"No really, on your way to something, or leaving something else?"
That was Kyle's M.O. leaving a place he'd just created a mess in."
She chewed on her pastry and Kyle chuckled as she said about how good the food was.
"I know right, wait until you try the pie, I swear it's addictive." He patted his belly as if to make his point. Relaxing in Erin's company she seemed fairly chilled, chilled was good. At that point the beautiful creature who ran the place appeared and he sat up.
He just listened as she introduced herself to Erin and smiled at her, noticing his attention was raising colour on her cheeks. He laughed at Takoda getting ornery about Ravenna not introducing him.
"You tell her buddy!" He called over. He chuckled as Ravenna explained what he was, he had guessed right, he WAS a wolf after all!
Erin listened to Kyle's words, raising an eyebrow at his question. He seemed decent enough, so she tried not to get too defensive in her response about where she was going or more so, where she had come from. She took a slow sip from her coffee before placing it back down and giving a casual shrug. "More so leaving something else. But also trying to find my way to somewhere, just not entirely sure where yet." She took another bite of her pastry, her guard coming down again as Ravenna returned and she watched her tidy up the plates.
She smiled at her as she listened to her introduction and gave a little nod. "Well it's very nice to meet you Ravenna, I'm Erin. I'm from... Well- not around here." She pursed her lips and reached her hands back to fix the leather strap that was holding her curls back. "This is really a lovely place you have here, maybe wherever I end up staying won't be too far off so I can become a regular here." She said lightly. Her bright eyes looked over at the wolf when he made noise, laughing a little. "He seems very sweet." Erin loved animals, but unfortunately never had the space or funds to have one of her own.
She smiled at her as she listened to her introduction and gave a little nod. "Well it's very nice to meet you Ravenna, I'm Erin. I'm from... Well- not around here." She pursed her lips and reached her hands back to fix the leather strap that was holding her curls back. "This is really a lovely place you have here, maybe wherever I end up staying won't be too far off so I can become a regular here." She said lightly. Her bright eyes looked over at the wolf when he made noise, laughing a little. "He seems very sweet." Erin loved animals, but unfortunately never had the space or funds to have one of her own.
Ravenna brushed her hair behind her ears (something Kyle no doubt had come to know was something she did when flustered—and it was all because of his attention being on her!) as she hummed thoughtfully. "Well, Erin, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. And Takoda's very sweet. He's also very protective of me. Honestly, between the three of us, he's no better than a housecat! Absolutely lazy!"
The massive white wolf on the large doggy bed growled in response and rolled his eyes. He, apparently, did not take too kindly to being compared to a lazy housecat!
Ravenna took the empty plates in her hands back to the kitchen where Matt was in charge of fixing the orders. She couldn't wait to see what other guests would come into her cafe!
The massive white wolf on the large doggy bed growled in response and rolled his eyes. He, apparently, did not take too kindly to being compared to a lazy housecat!
Ravenna took the empty plates in her hands back to the kitchen where Matt was in charge of fixing the orders. She couldn't wait to see what other guests would come into her cafe!
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