the night before

[funny_herman]

Herman hadn't planned for it to be a lavish sort of sendoff, but he thought Danny and Frankie, and perhaps Leon if he came, would at least like something special the night before they leave for the States. So in the early evening, he popped into the local bakery and left with a dozen squares of Bienenstich, a dozen almond-oats cookies, and half a

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[call_me_frankie]

*Pushing out of the kitchen after leaving a trayful of dirty dishes in the sink, Frankie follows the drunk as he teeters away, almost childlike in his sudden cheerfulness, with his prize. She cocks her head, amused.*

I just hope he doesn't dunk.

[little_helga]

A small "ewwww" can be heard from the kitchen.

[funny_herman]

*Chuckling at Frankie's remark and Helga's little noise of disgust, Herman slides a piece of pastry onto a cocktail napkin and licks a bit of honey off his thumb.*

I don't think he'd ruin a perfectly good cookie with lager, although you never can tell with this lot. Anyway, Frankie, have you tried this before? It's called Bienenstich, or, how do you say it...bee sting cake. I suppose they call it that because it's glazed with honey. Have a piece! *He gives her the slice in his hands.* Get your fill of German sweets before you leave for the States.

[call_me_frankie]

*When she accepts the cake, grabbing hold through the napkin when it looks about to fall, a little of the filling oozes out on all four sides. She thoughtfully licks around the edges, finishing with a satisfied smack of her lips before taking a proper bite that leaves the corners of her mouth sticky-sweet with honey and custard. Her swallow is followed by a very loudly appreciative moan.*

It's like sex translated into pastry.

[uptown_jazzbo]

*After nodding a "hello" to John and snorting a laugh at learning Herman's intentions, joking or not, Danny indelicately crams the rest of the pastry into his mouth. Although in mid-chew, he pauses, then resumes slowly, a thoughtful crease furrowing his brow. He wipes his lips and looks at Herman. Leaning towards him and lowering his voice a little:*

Herman, when we were in London... I don't remember much... Did, uh...anything...uh... *He questions him with his eyes.*

[funny_herman]

*When Danny leans forward, so does Herman. His broken phrases and questioning look brings a faint touch of pink to Herman's cheeks, but he shakes his head and chuckles in reassurance.* No, no...of course not. *And he quickly takes a bite out his cookie.*

[uptown_jazzbo]

Oh, okay... *Danny leans back and nods, distractedly licking smears of custard off his fingers.*

[funny_herman]

*If Danny didn't remember much, then it wouldn't be prudent to jog his memory, would it? At least not now. Herman munches away on his cookie and pops the last bit in his mouth before turning to Frankie.*

You know what I should do, I should pack up some of these pretzels for you in case you get hungry on the train tomorrow.

[funny_herman]

*Herman had been hovering nearby all this time, an ear tuned in to Danny's and Frankie's conversation, an eye turned to observe them, as he served a couple of patrons their last drinks. Maybe there's some envy in his quiet glances, but he cares for them far too much for to turn completely green. When they kiss, he can't help but smile, and he looks away for a moment until they part lips.

Hovering back towards them, he reaches out over the countertop to clutch their shoulders, and when he speaks his tone takes on a comical desperation.*

I'm going to miss you two for however long you'll be gone. Promise me you'll write? Please? The both of you? Together? You know, write a letter together. I think that would be fun, don't you think so? *His wide smile is endearingly goofy.*

[call_me_frankie]

*Buzzing from the kiss and all that went on before it, Frankie's giggle at Herman's antics is joyful and childlike.* We could manage that, wouldn't you say? *She looks over at Danny, her hand still in his, her eyebrows raised in question.*

[uptown_jazzbo]

*Feeling a little lightheaded himself, he can't help but chuckle at Herman, and squeezing Frankie's hand, he nods in agreement.* Sure, I don't see why not! We'll write as much as we can, from the ship, from Boston, from New York. Hell, it'll be like you were right there with us.

[funny_herman]

*He claps his hands with delight.* That would be wonderful. Thank you. It will certainly help to pass the long winter hours here... Speaking of hours, what time are you leaving for the train station again?

[funny_herman]

*Herman takes the empty glasses and sets them on a tray behind the counter. With a sigh:* Well, everyone's gone home, so we should close soon... The others and I can leave the cleaning up for tomorrow, so don't worry about that. How about we bring your luggage out from backstage so we'll be ready to load it up as soon as your ride gets here?

[call_me_frankie]

Sounds like a plan. *She has to turn in her stool to be able to hop down without hitting Danny in some manner, and when her feet are on the floor she slides her hands into her pockets with her thumbs hooked on the outside, her eyes roaming the dingy, smoky room with a wry sort of fondness that colors her next words.* God, what a dive.

[uptown_jazzbo]

*Getting down off the barstool, Danny grins and comes up behind Frankie, resting his hands on her waist and kissing the back of her head.* Yeah, but it's home.

[call_me_frankie]

*Covering his hands with hers, she lightly squeezes his fingers.* Sure is. Gonna miss it.

[funny_herman]

*Herman and Danny have backed themselves up against the wall, when Danny tries to make a break for it by climbing over the trunk, but Herman grabs his arm and pulls him back.*

Ohh no! You said you were going to take the brunt of her wrath! *He notes Frankie's expression, terrified and bemused at the same time.* Does she often look at you like this?

[uptown_jazzbo]

*Flatly, as Herman uses him as a shield:* Yes. Yes, she does.

[call_me_frankie]

And I've never once heard you complain about it. *She's right on top of him now, close enough to breathe on his chin (her moderate disadvantage in height making no impression on her) while she drags three fondly menacing fingertips down his cheekbone.* But I suppose now's as good a time as any. Just say the word and I'll never look at you like this again...

[uptown_jazzbo]

*Momentarily forgetting that Herman is holding him in place, his Adam's apple bobs visibly when he swallows.* I didn't say I was complaining. Not about to start now, either.