The Coffee Shop

[Moss]

~~Down a few streets, located right next to Sawol-Anste Park, is a modest little shop, one that seems to have seen quite a bit in it's existence. The entire thing is wooden, built in an architecture that may have been fashionable decades ago.
The paint job, however, betrays and sense of old or worn-out-ness. It's bright blue and white, a true sea building, with fresh, clean windows and shining paint. Obviously the owner takes pride in his little shop.
Above the door hangs a sign that reds, rather conveniently, "SeaBrook Coffee and Cafe"

Inside, the shop is furnished with a large, dark-wood counter, equipped with everything to make drinks, and standing in front of a board advertising all the different variations of coffee drinks that can be purchased. There are armchairs around the edges, most in front of windows, and a few tables, all miss-matched.

In all, quite the charming little small-town coffee shop you'd expect to see on a postcard, or in a storybook.~~~

[Marcescens]

Isabelle, the ghost, approached the door to the coffee shop, hand in hand with Simon. It definitely reminded her of the decades tht she had spent here. How many different shop keepers tended this place, what it was, what it is now and most likely what it will be. She smiled at the front door as she walked towards it.

This place looked certainly homey, and Isabelle had never really gotten then chance to take in Seabrook from the inside or even mostly the outside. She had been around the church most of the time, but now she was here, hand in hand with a gentleman and growing excited. It looked charming, and if she were still alive, Isabelle was sure she'd come here all to often...

[Moss]

**Simon pushes open the door, leading Isabelle in. He walks her over to one of the little tables, a nice two-seater one, next to the window. Sitting down after her, he smiles.** So, now that were out of the cold... can I get you anything? **He motions to the chart of available drinks, smiling at the though of drinking something warm. this lady may not seem real cold, but he certainly is.**

[Marcescens]

Isabelle let hersel be lead to a seat. She honestly had no real clue what she was doing here, not sure what to do or say. She sat down, making sure her skirt was out of the way. She figured it was war inside, seeming how it was nicely light and the air didn't seem as thin or sharp in here then it did out in the park.

She flashed a smile at Simon. "I'd really like tea, but I'm afraid I have nothing to pay for it. So I suppose I'm good then." She smiled cheerily, not bothering her one little bit.

[Moss]

**Simon chuckles. this lady was really something else. With a grin, he replies.**
Now, what kind of a host would I be if I made you pay for your own drink?
**His eyes sparkle a bit, and he settles down more comfortably in his chair. dark eyes rove over his surroundings, taking in the warm atmosphere of it all, then return to the woman in front of him, and her icy beauty. She seemed like a phantom from another world, standing out in his... Which only made him more enthralled with her.**
Now, what kind of tea is it you like?

[Marcescens]

Oh right. There's more then one kind of tea. Simon's offer made her blush slightly, turning gentle rosey red on the top of her cheek bones. SHe looked away, hands in her lap as she settled down a little more comfortably.

"That's very kind," She said, looking back up at him with a smile. "I like.. gosh I haven't had tea in ages. I'll trust you to make that desicion." she smiled. Let everything be a surprise. Today was full of them.

[Moss]

Alright... **Simon smiles and stands. He crosses the cafee in a few deliberate steps, and comes to a stop at the counter. not pausing for a moment, he makes his order, passes over some money, and waits for a few moments. Minutes later he returns, holding, rather awkwardly, two cups and a little plate. Arriving to their table, he somehow manages to set it all down, barely grabbing the tea before it spills over Isabelle. Smiling triumphantly, as if he's just accomplished the greatest trick of his life, he sits in front of her, and puts the plate right in between them. On it sits s square of coffee cake, and two forks.** I got you vanilla Rooibus... it's my favorite. **He takes a drink from his own cup, apparently hot chocolate, and nudges the forks towards her.** Dig in.

[Marcescens]

Isabelle stretches her hands out to help Simon as he brings the orders back with quite the balancing act. Her fingers brush just briefly his hand and sleeve as he almost spills the tea. A little giggle escapes her lips; as a little bit of colour flushes to her cheeks. Nice catch.

She gently wraps her fingers around the cup. It would hold; her spirit was capable of holding solid objects. Lucky her. She smiled, staring down at her cup. The question was if she could drink it.
Brining the cup to her lips, she smelled the teat. No real smell came to her, but the rememberance of vanilla came to her and she smiled. "It smells delicious..." Taking a small sip, she carefully took care to act as if it were hot tea; even though to her it really wasn't.

The liquid slipped down her throat, and to her amazement, stayed. She could drink tea. Gosh that made her feel better. She smiled again, setting her cup back down. "This is very nice. thank you so much." she smiled greatfully at him, and looked at the cake. It did look apetizing, despite that it would be tasteless.

"You have the first bite: you did buy it after all..."

[Moss]

**Simon shrugs.** Alright. **this lady seemed to be very.... preoccupied by money. Did she not get that he wanted to spend money on her? Thinking, he shoves a piece of the cake in his mouth, nodding happily.** Yum yum.... good stuff. **He mumbles around the crumbs. Swallowing quickly, he washes it all down with a sip of hot chocolate, and asks.** So, Isabelle, how long have you been in Seabrook? **It seems like a good question to ask... after all, that's the first thing they have in common, isn't it?**

[Marcescens]

This was a question she was expecting, and it made her worry for a moment. Could she honestly say ' a long time' without being suspicious. HA no way. She smiled sweetly and took a sip of her 'tasteless' tea.

"Ever since I can remember!" She smiled. Which was half true. Her memories of her real livving life was faint, seeming further away then she could grasp. She gently took a fork and took a bite of the cake.

"That's delicious." She said after her mouthful with a big smile. Her words seemed hollow to her, but she imagined it as sweet and delicious. She closed her eyes and took another sip of her tea.

"What do you do around here Simon? Seabrook slways seems to surprise me with it's 'things to do'." She smiled behind her cup as she took another sip.

[Moss]

Well- **Simon begins, cutting himself of with a swig of hot chocolate.** I run a little store around here, and perform around the town too. **Of course, he doesn't stop there- Simon is like that. No problem with talking, talking, talking. Especially if its about something he feels strongly about.** the store is called Espeleian Enigmas.... I make and sell magic tricks, and the best one I perform. **He chuckles to himself, then turns back to the beautiful woman.** How about you?

[Marcescens]

Isabelle's eyes seem to intensify in what might be excitement. Simon performed, and she knew what that was like. A smile flashed across her face. Magic tricks. She would have to go visit this man sometime. "Magic tricks, and performances! Do tell me next time you do perform, I would love to attend."

"My brother plays the pipe organ at the church, and is the all go piano guy for the musical theatre that performes on the connecting stage area. So most of the time I help him out, but I do help teach singing to the theatre, sometimes the choir, and I'm there for performing arts and plays. King of like an assistant to all the acting and singing that goes along."

That was a lot of talking. She took another sip of her tea; slightly embarassed by her outburst in performances. Was it wise to say all that about her and Damon. Probably not, but then again she might never see Simon again. That brought a small frown to her face, but with luck she'll find his shop and that returned her happy mood.

[Moss]

**Simon's face brightens at her excitement, and his eyes shine. He mentally congratulates himself- this girl was a good choice. She's just like him, is seems.** That's wonderful! **He exclaims.** You'll have to show me sometime- I haven't been to the old place in ages... **His voice trails off a bit, and he looks around the cafe, settling down in his chair a little more comfortably. With a happy sigh, he smiles at Isabelle.** Life is good, isn't it? **not realizing how ironic his question is at all....**

[Marcescens]

The ghost found herself beginning to like this man more and more. He seemed so friendly and kind, but filled with things she had no clue about. Then again, this man was alive first of all, and definitely in another time then she was used too. She had been cooped up for far to long and now was the time for her to ease away from her brother's worried over protected-ness and start seeing more of the town.

Isabelle looks at the steam slowly drifting up from her cup. She half smiled, and lifted the cup to her lips to take a sip. "It definitely is. It's very sweet."

[Moss]

**Simon sits in silence now, letting his eyes roam. Over the dark room, over the melting snow in the window, and over the beautiful Isabelle. He had taken a fancy to her at the park, but now that they had truly talked, her felt himself liking her more and more. Maybe it was the dainty way she had of approaching everything- as if the world might melt away at her touch. Maybe it was those eye, so mysterious and full of kindness and wonder. Maybe it was her voice, and what she said with it- friendly, intelligent, graceful....
Or maybe it was all of it together... all of her. Whatever it is though... he promises to himself, I'll do everything to keep her from drifting away- to keep finding out more about her.
With that though, her leans back a little more, with a happy sigh.**
Ah yes... life is sweet...