For dainty_ofcourse: Coffee shop in NYC

[ayden_aeterna]

OOC note: This meeting happens on Thursday 7th January 2010 in NYC, when Senri is dragged to NYC by Taiki, and arranges to meet up with Ayden, having been chatting on AIM and in mile-long journal comment threads for the past few weeks. IC journals about the entire event to follow

Comments

[ayden_aeterna]

'Hopefully'. Ayden didn't quite like that 'hopefully', but he had no right to complain. Besides, ten days was more than long enough. He and Senri could be completely sick of each other by then. Or they might not meet up again after today, or...

He shunted the mild disappointment aside and concentrated on the conversation again, with a cheerful grin to them both. "Right -- music, Welsh lessons... payment." He added that one more quietly, with a definite smile in Senri's direction. "Speaking of paying for things, how are you doing with that coffee? Can I get you another one?"

[dainty_ofcourse]

Taiki just silently watched all the shifts to Ayden's aura. Funny how they seemed to mirror Senri's...How long had the two been talking on the computer?? This was a bit beyond him at the moment.

"Mmm, yes please." Senri carefully finished the last of his drink while Taiki fished around in his pocket for some money.

[ayden_aeterna]

"No problem. What are you having?" Ayden glanced to Taiki. "And you, Kasha--" Damn and a hundred thousand curses more, he'd managed to forget it. Kashayimi? Kayashami? Oh, crap crap bugger bloody hell... "...umm. Forgive the godawful -- non-existent -- Japanese language abilities, I'm so sorry... Anyway. Let me get you a coffee, at least, or a tea or whatever..."

[dainty_ofcourse]

"Mocha!" Senri chimed in happily, grateful for the steady stream of caffiene. "With cream and all that."

"Kayashima." Taiki supplied quietly, not the least bit offended. "And I am fine with what I have." He handed a five over to Ayden to cover Senri's drink.

[ayden_aeterna]

Ayden blinked at the influx of cash. "It's fine, honestly -- I don't mind getting them. And Kayashima. Thanks."

He realised too late that it might be really rather rude to refuse Taiki's offer to pay, but -- well, what's done is done, he thought ruefully. And it was polite over here to offer to pay, and he honestly didn't mind.

Oh, God, what if getting someone else a coffee counted as a date thing? He got Val drinks all the time when they went for a coffee together (not that Val drank coffee), and it definitely wasn't a date thing. Oh bugger.

Stop it, he told himself firmly, hauling his thoughts back into check. "I'll get them, really. Sure I can't get you anything?"

[dainty_ofcourse]

Taiki blinked at the bill a moment before stowing it away once more. He felt a bit like a third wheel, to be honest. He hadn't expected this to be so...date-ish? "Yes, I am fine. Thank you."

Senri was fairly vibrating in his seat, waiting for Ayden to get back so he could ask some questions and get on with this. Taiki was boring; he could talk to him anytime. He only had like, a week to get to know Ayden.

[ayden_aeterna]

"How's it going, hon?" the barista asked as she made another two mochas.

"Pretty good." Ayden glanced back to the table, hoping to catch Senri's eye. "Pretty damn good."

"Good on you," the barista told him with a grin. "Here you go. Two mochas with all the trimmings."

"Cheers." Ayden took one in each hand and headed back to the table. "Here you go, Senri, one mocha, with cream and chocolate sprinkles." He slipped back into his seat opposite Senri with a smile, cupping his own fresh mug in both hands, savouring the warmth and chocolatey goodness of it.

[dainty_ofcourse]

Senri may or may not have been watching the backside of Ayden as he walked away. When the redhead turned and looked at him Senri just gave a little grin.

But yuuuum, coffee. Senri elbowed Taiki just as the man was about to take a drink. "Look, sprinkles." He said, demanding his friend's attention. "You didn't get me sprinkles." Huffy accusation and Taiki nodded tolerantly. "So Ayden. What are your plans for oh...say 7 to 10 days? Besides school, that is."

[ayden_aeterna]

"Band practise, I think, depending on when Val gets out of hospital." Ayden considered for a second or two. "I'm at work Monday and Tuesday morning. My classes don't actually start until the week after, though, the 19th." He shot Senri a grin. "So... except for the odd bit of work, band practises and stuff, I'm pretty much free whenever..."

[dainty_ofcourse]

"Selfish-guy is in the hospital? Karma?" Senri scowled a little at his mocha; he didn't even know Val and he didn't like him. He may have been just a tiny bit jealous...Not that he'd admit it. Ever. "Excellent! What are we doing, then?"

Taiki frowned a little in his corner at the way Senri just automatically inserted himself into Ayden's plans.

[ayden_aeterna]

"He's been sick," Ayden filled in, maybe unnecessarily. "Went in for a minor operation. He'll be all right, though."

Although he was a little peeved at Senri's obvious happiness that Val had been ill -- and seriously enough for hospitalisation -- he couldn't stay mad for long, brightening up as Senri did. "Anything you'd like to do while you're here?" he offered cheerfully. "I'm not much of a tour-guide, I don't know New York all that well, but I'll do my best."

[dainty_ofcourse]

"Hmm, I see. Glad he'll be okay." He replied a bit flatly...He didn't exactly want Val hurt...Senri just didn't want him around. That's all.

"Oh. Um, I don't really know?" Senri looked at Taiki for input and then immediately realized the absurdity in that; all Taiki did was work. "It's so cold that it kind of limits it. Do you have anything you've been wanting to do or see? I didn't exactly have a chance to look things up before we flew over."

[ayden_aeterna]

"Oh, God," Ayden said with a grin. "Let's think. There's the The Metropolitan Museum of Art... the Natural History Museum... the Statue of Liberty, always fancied doing that... ice skating!" he added. "And there's the aquarium, and the zoo..."

So many things he'd been meaning to do since he got here, and with one thing and another just hadn't had the chance. Maybe showing Senri around would give him the kick up the arse to go and do some of them. And he had some Christmas money -- his Mam had wired it over into his account, enough to treat himself, and probably Senri too, to the tune of a few entrance fees

[dainty_ofcourse]

Senri immediately perked up at the mention of skating. "Ah! Yes, that! I want to ice skate!!" He fairly bounced in his seat at the idea. "And see the Statue of Liberty!" He was so excited! This was a million times better than being back in Japan, dwelling on the fact that he was currently homeless. "Okay, yes. We need to make plans. We have to fix the fact that you're living in New York and you haven't seen anything. You didn't even see the ball drop at New Years!" He was talking too fast, too enthused...His accent was likely to get heavier and words mangled.

[ayden_aeterna]

By the end of that tirade, Ayden was having to concentrate hard to make out the words, but he could guess by the tone that he'd said something right. "Ice skating sounds good to me," he beamed. "God, I haven't been in ages, it'll be grand."

He paused, considering for a moment or two. He was free for the rest of the day, and wearing thick enough socks under the hiking boots... "We could probably go now, if you want," he offered. "If you haven't got any other plans for today."

[dainty_ofcourse]

Senri was smiling brightly...Until he remembered Taiki. "Oh, um...? I'm not sure, are there plans?" Taiki didn't need to be a psychic to get the thinly veiled meaning behind those words.

"I have to meet my employer in an hour." He replied carefully, checking his phone for the time. There was really nothing he could say...Ayden seemed nice enough, certainly he wasn't harboring any malicious intent..."Will you be able to get back to the hotel?" He finished hesitantly. Taiki also looked to Ayden, eyeballing the red-head.

Senri didn't even hesitate in answering. "I can program it into my phone. And I have money..." He fidgeted with his empty cup. "Yes, let's go ice skating!"