[Remy]

Indeed, a proper girl from Remy's time would have been embarassed to ask a question like that. However, Remy never had the chance to grow up and become the proper lady. But like Kazuma assumed, her mother had taught her better, or tried to...Remy thought of her mother with some difficulty, for she hadn't thought of or seen her family for decades already. Besides, the last image she'd seen of her mother wasn't one she'd ever want to remember her mother by.

If Kazuma had paid close attention, he would have notice Remy's smile crack just a smidge. But she quickly recovered and went for her glass of orange juice. “Yeah, if my--mother knew how rude I've been all these years, she woulda smacked me to Hel and beyond.” She shrugged and took another gulp from the cup. After swallowing, the corner of her mouth quirked upward with a hint of pride. “I was a problem kid, and it was so easy to ruffle her feathers.”

“But anyway, isn't it odd to ask about a kid like me?” Truthfully, she was a little older than Kazuma, if he was really a hundred years old. But he didn't ask, so she wouldn't tell. Then, grinning widely, she leaned forward and crossed her arms upon the tabletop.

“And as for my cabal...If you've lived for so long, you shoulda learned by now that answers never come so easily.” She knew so much more, but a taroch could jump over the moon before she gave it all away. “So where are you from, Mr. Ka-zu-ma?”

[Kazuma]

“Feathers,” Kazuma noted with interest and a lift of his brows up. To ruffle ones feathers sounded like an idiom but he thought it was something too random for a humanoid to say -- especially when there are feathered humans living among them who might more appropriately use that term. “So you used to be an anyelos? How terrible that you must lose your wings like that...” And he meant this, his sincerity exceeding idle comments he was wont to give, his voice and gaze careful to illustrate it. He'd always found them beautiful, after all -- all grounded beings tended to find wings to be beautiful, he thought.

“But that aside, I must wonder, why the sudden interest over my biography now, Ms. Remy?” The peek of the corner of his lips returned at her question while his left hand slipped the menu out of the table and brought it before him to flip it open. Better to keep this chat light and friendly, he figured. “It is hardly a thing to be bothered by, I assure you. A child like you would just be bored by it.” And here he was, calling her a child after treating her a woman all this while but he thought that one or two moments of tactlessness should be allowed in this...bizarre conversation. His eyes on the menu, however, he went off-tangent from their topic. “I'm getting a little hungry from all this talk, would you like to order something to eat? Perhaps a sandwich or a salad or a refill of your drink?”

All the while, he kept her question at the back of his head as he browsed through his choices.

[Remy]

“So you used to be an anyelos? How terrible that you must lose your wings like that...”

Remy had been a vain little thing when she was young. She'd treasured her grey wings and had dreamed of dying them a brilliant white when she grew up. That dream has (literally) decayed, and now that she was reminded of it, her smile wavered. “Yeah, I used to be one of the anyeli. But my wings y'know, decayed. So...” She smiled bravely and made scissor motions with her right hand. The wings weren't her only scars, but she didn't feel like talking further of her turning.

Mimicking Kazuma, Remy reached for the menu to peruse it. All this talk about centuries and turning was making her hungry and a little tired. She laid the menu flat on the table and determinedly kept her gaze away from the other vampire. “I wouldn't mind getting food if you still have time to kill. Anyway, I dunno, I figure somebody so well-traveled like you might have an interesting history. I like stories.” She also wanted to know if Kazuma was from another large city's cabal. Big cities like Espur get edgy when other cities' vampires tread around. Not that she was worried about Kazuma or anything.

Really, if he didn't want to share, she wouldn't pry. Landon would have insisted upon it, but he wasn't here.

[Kazuma]

“You're a brave child,” Kazuma made sure he said that with an appreciative smile.

Back to the menu, he found himself lingering in-between choices of salad. A sandwich was too tedious to eat when you wanted to talk, after all. “You ask me if I have time as if you have none. Time, after all, is all that we have now in this form, isn't it?” He did understand what sort of time she meant, however. Still, his business with the shippers could wait until he's had his fill of food and...as the child had noted, stories. “I feel like both of us are bound to get along in favorable circumstances, however.” He glanced up to her when he said, “I like stories, too. But I get them mostly from books.” He returned to his menu after, running his finger down the names and descriptions as he went along. “How about you? Do you like books, Ms. Remy?”

[Remy]

Bravery had little to do with the decisions she's made in her life. Either roll with the punches, or wallow in misery. She's done plenty of both. Nevertheless, she dipped her head to acknowledge the praise as she continued reading the menu.

He'd redirected their conversation so quickly, yet again, and this time, Remy opted to play along. “Yeah, I used to work in a library, so I had plenty of time to read. Have you heard of the Cyrus Lionel crime novels? It's written by a guy in Dardanos. Tons of plot twists, and Cyrus is such a kick-ass character. The writer makes Elysia seem so much more exciting than it is.” She grinned impishly at Kazuma before lifting the menu to close it.

“You ready to order yet? I think I'll grab a bowl of soup. Anyway, I really want to read Ellipses. Just came out, and it's already on the bestseller's list of the Elysian Chronicles.” Her eyes lit up as she grinned excitedly. “It's based on an alternate Elysia where Xanth disappeared after a big battle with another deity, and their two realms merged. The story's basically an apocalyptic battle between Elysia and the other world. Weird, but bound to be interesting, right?”

[Kazuma]

There was an undeniable sparkle upon Kazuma's eyes when Remy began talking about the stories she had appreciated, a thing he knew quite well how it felt. Any talk of books, really, was one to put him in such a mood and there was a friendly smile curved on his lips as he leaned a little forward, listening to what he figured could work as recommendations.

“Yes, I am,” he spat out almost instantly as he browsed his menu one last time before he lifted his hand to call the attention of their waitress, once more. “I have heard of the Cyrus Lionel crime novels, however I have not had the opportunity to try them out. I know a few names who do enjoy them, however, yours now inclusive. Perhaps when I drop by the bookshop, I will look for them.”

The waitress appeared behind him with a sun's beam on her face. “Yes, Sir?”

“A bowl of your soup for the day as well as your egg and tammish salad. I'd also like a change of coffee and a refill of the young lady's refreshment.”

“Oh, I'm sorry, sir, but we do not offer refills...”

“Doesn't matter, we'd like to have another one regardless,” Kazuma said with a shake of his head and a wave of his hand.

After taking their new orders down, the lady asked, “Will that be all?”

“Yes, thank you.” Kazuma nodded and watched her off, her little buttocks swaying with her movement. Turning back to Remy, he said, “Now then where were we...ahh, right. Ellipses, on the other hand, yes, I've seen it in the Elysian Chronicles, all right. Although I feel it is,” he chuckled as he waved his hand sideways again, “a little too young for me, I think.” Or well, apocalypses really aren't just his thing for reasons involving his history.

“But do entertain me,” he said as he flipped his hair aside, again, “You're one for books of action and adventure, are you not?”

[Remy]

Smiling politely as the waitress took their orders, Remy slid the menu to the side of the table to indicate that she was finished with it. She had a lot of candy in the morning and wasn't feeling hungry at all, so soup would be enough. She had concerns of how the soup would taste alongside orange juice, but she'd figure that out later. As Remy glanced toward Kazuma, she followed his line of vision toward the waitress and rolled her eyes. Men.

Pretending that neither them had just checked out the woman's ass, Remy rested her elbows on the table again. “Considering my age, it's probably a little young for me too. But there's no harm in reading the occasional hack 'n slash action books. At least they have more merit than the romantic genre. Dear gods, how are neck-biting and blood-draining ever sexy? And the stuff people write about shifters...” She grinned wickedly. Okay, she'd have to admit that she'd read some of that stuff to know what it was about. But to her credit, she's never finished any of those books, and she'd rather eat a Hind's foot before joining the ranks of swooning girls (and boys).

“So you like fiction, but nothing too outlandish? Try some of the older works. The stuff from the anyeli wars are actually pretty interesting, though they're obviously biased to one side.” She continued with a smirk, “But I think the skotadi have more action.” Remy's family was strongly Apali and would have objected to hearing that, but she had cut her loyalties after her Turn.

[Kazuma]

OOC: I laughed when the forums notified me that Aiden responded to this thread, sorry.

Considering her age, the genre was probably too young for her? Now there was a hint! Kazuma showed no signs of recognizing it, however, preferring to rest his face on his first three fingers, his right elbow propped up to the table as he listened. Her opinions on the romantic vampiric novels made him smile, however. He wondered what would happen to her if he brought her to one of the popular bookstores in Earth. He figured she might be grateful she didn't understand their language! Or did she? “Mind you, there are a number of books on vampires and shifters in general that are rather good. They're a little...unpopular, however, as they are more faithful to the ugly truth than the beautiful lie.” Saying it that way made him wonder a little how he managed to read through and finish some of them just fine. Well, he supposed it was about time, anyway...

“I have read a little about the anyeli war, however few they are,” Kazuma continued, getting comfortable. “I remember touching the memoir of an apalos warrior, a rather cheesy romance between a skotados and an apalos, the former of which died in the story...ahh, and this apalos artist who fathered the child of a prostitute he bought, I think she was a nymph...” His brows arched at the recollection of his reading list, he was quiet for a second or two. “Actually, come to think of it, I hadn't read anything that brought justice to the skotados just yet.” That simply cannot do. Gesturing with his three fingers at Remy while their tray of new refreshments and Remy's soup approached from the back, he asked, “I wonder if you might have any recommendations? You did speak favorably of them although I wonder if that is simply because of kinship. Nevertheless, I should like some suggestions of authors, if you have any. I'm not very choosy with genres, either -- after all, if I were, I'd run out of books to read in my lifetime!”

[Remy]

Hearing Kazuma's share of anyeli books, Remy couldn't but smile and bob her head knowingly. She knew those books, as they were the most popular classics of anyeli culture. As their refreshments arrived, Remy leaned slightly to allow the waitress more room to set their stuff down. “I know those books, though of course nobody let me read the one on the nymph prostitute.”

The corners of her mouth twitched again, and she crossed her arms as she leaned fully into the back of her chair. “You must think me a silly person, if you think I'd favor skotadi literature simply because they're my kin.” Her eyes shone with amusement as she continued. “There hasn't been a black-winged anyeli in my family for the last five generations and earlier. They're strictly apali.”

“I, on the other hand, have more appreciation for the skotadi way of thinking. Blame it on my turning. But let's talk skotadi literature. Try The Descent of War by Tryphon Agapios. It's a two-part snapshot of the battle at Fior Valley---it was one of the largest anyeli battles.” It was a while since she'd read the book, so she had to pause and think before continuing, “the first part's from the skotadi point of view, and the second's apali. The writer's skotadi, but he did a great job of making the reader sympathize with both sides. Of course, he lost some of his kin's favor because of that.” He didn't just lose favor...his people exiled him and painted his feathers grey.

[Kazuma]

“Perhaps I can lend to you my copy,” Kazuma volunteered, having noted Remy's "plight" on not having read the story with the nymph prostitute just yet. His coffee had disappeared by then, in favor of a new one. “It's rather good. I'd call it a humanitarian novel but the narration is a work of art although the author,” whose name escapes him right now, “tends to obsess himself with describing the setting but if you can ignore that, then you should be able to enjoy it.” He nodded and smiled.

Agapios, however, was not a name unheard of for Kazuma so when Remy mentioned his work, he lifted his brows a little and nodded in recognition, a little like the way he did it when she revealed she was apalos. “He's skotados? This is a surprise, I'd all along thought he was an apalos...” Of course, he had no idea about his repercussions after the story had become published. “Perhaps I should look for that, as well. It sounds rather interesting, especially if it seemed to have attracted such a reaction among his fellows.”

The salad came in relatively soon after and he smiled at the waitress and nodded to her as he took up his fork and began stirring his meal -- a plateful of greens, yellow-veined red leaves, a collection of deep orange orbs and slices of eggs among strings of yellow and orange. “Did you read all this during your time in the library?”

[Remy]

She couldn't help but laugh when Kazuma offered to lend her his copy of the anyeli-nymph romance book. “Why yes, I suppose it's about time I read that book. I think I could enjoy it as long as some parts aren't too graphic. But what, you have the book with you? I'll get it for myself, otherwise. No need for the trouble.” Besides, how was she to return the book to him if he wouldn't even tell where he came from?

The salad arrived, and when she saw Kazuma pick up his fork, Remy pulled her soup closer and dipped her spoon into it. By luck, it was clam chowder with a lot of clams, diced potatoes, and some onion. Just the way she liked it.

Hearing Kazuma's question about her time at the library, Remy swallowed her mouthful of soup and earnestly shook her head. “No way! The library was only a short gig. I sorted and labeled more books there than I read them. We read the warrior-memoir when I was a kid, and I've heard of the classics long ago. I didn't read any of the others until recently though. I'm glad I started.”

Dipping her spoon into the soup again, she stirred the top to cool it down. “But definitely look into Agapios' stuff. He's very descriptive about everything, and he really delves into each of his characters' minds. Some of the stuff might be confusing for those who don't know much about the anyeli though.”

[Kazuma]

“I'll be sure to look for him, then,” said Kazuma with a nod before he slipped his orange-bubbleful fork into his mouth and he chewed. “Hopefully he should be easily found in the bookshops. That book I'm recommending, as well -- I remember that the title might be Gallivan's Son or something to such extent -- I think I've seen it twice or thrice during some of my personal excursions although I can't really say where.” He reached out to the creamer as he said this and patiently repeated his previous ritual with his new coffee before he sipped from it. Nothing like a warm drink to battle the cold morning...

“It's too bad that your experience with the library should be so short-lived, however,” he said as he set his cup aside and picked up his fork, again. When he was younger -- much, much younger -- he rather fancied the thought of working in one except his father, for all their tradition and history, would never let him hear the end of the sermon whenever he brought the idea up. So it was to oblivion that his dream went so now, he was still curious. “Well, now that you aren't with them any longer, would you happen to be employed somewhere else? I'd like to take away some form of contact with my new friend and fellow bibliophile, after all.” Yes, all bibliophiles should be his friend.

[Remy]

Contrary to Kazuma's opinion, Remy was quite happy to be out of the library. While she enjoyed books and reading them at her leisure, she grew tired of the daily ritual of sorting through returns and wandering through mazes of bookshelves. The library was peaceful, and many people went to it to hide away from the world, but there wasn't enough excitement. “Yeah considering how I like books, I thought I'd stick around longer, but I didn't know that silence could be so stifling.” She shrugged and stirred her soup. “It's alright though. I still visit to borrow books and say hi to the people who still work there.”

After using her spoon to collect pieces of clam, Remy filled the spoon with more soup and took another gulp of it. “As for my current job, I work at a bakery on the corner of March and Sands Avenue. It's a messy occupation, but at least it covers rent,” she smiled slightly. “It won't be the most reliable place to find me though. I suppose I could give you my contact number. You can call me, and I could be your tour guide when you visit Espur again.” Her eyes twinkled as she remembered their morning walk. Amittedly, their escapade had been tedious at time, and Kazuma was a slow shopper. But she was glad that she'd gained a new acquaintance (or friend now?) from it, and not an enemy.

[Kazuma]

The way he lifted his brows as he chewed down the egg and leaves showed of Kazuma's approval and appreciation of her offer. “Yes, in fact I would be most delighted by that, thank you,” he said pleasantly. The table napkin appeared in his hands while he cleaned it off anything that might be filthy before he slid his hand into his pocket to slide out his COM.

“About this bakery of yours, however, I'm afraid I might not have heard of it although,” he gave a little shrug with his COM before his fingers began to poke at the keys, his eyes on the screen, “I suppose that is because I don't frequent that place often. You must tell me about it -- its name and specialty products, that is. Perhaps, before I go, I can drop by.” And by perhaps, he meant that he would. It was all in the way of friendship and making acquaintances, after all, and all in the way of knowing a little more about his pretty shadow, as well. The more he understood of her character, the better he would be able to gauge his stance with regards to her, he thought. She was a friend now -- but she was from another cabal and so was he and his was the Black Rose at that. Undeniably, he still had to stay on his toes...

How sad that he should feel this way over a fellow vampire.

“Well, I'm ready,” he said of her contact number, right hand and COM on the table.

[Remy]

“The Cupcake Corner. You can probably guess what we specialize in,” she smiled wryly. “We make custom cakes and cupcakes for special events, but we also sell other confections. Like tarts, cream puffs, cookies...it means a lot of work in the mornings though. I'm there whenever it's open, except on weekends and Mondays.” Compared to her job at the library, the bakery was much livelier (and sometimes hectic!). The work was enjoyable, and especially when she got to taste-test the food. Sometimes she even brought stuff home to share with Zee. Even as she supplied the details, Remy wondered if Kazuma would actually make the visit. Well, she'd find out someday.

“But anyway, you ready to type?” She spoke the numbers slowly, making sure to provide Espur's area code as well. So they'd just met, and he was totally an outsider from another cabal, but what was the harm in keeping in touch? To skeptics, Remy might be fraternizing with intruders, but in her opinion, she was forging a friendly alliance. When she was sure that Kazuma recorded the numbers, she leaned closer to peer at the COM in his hand. “Hey, that's a neat COM! It's so shiny! Is it new? What's the model?”

She wasn't big on technology, so almost any shiny thing might catch her attention. However, Kazuma's COM looked especially fancy, and it didn't look at all like her COM--five years old, box-shaped, a purple cover and plenty of stickers.

((Not sure if Kazuma's COM would look awesome at all. But I figure since he's filthy rich, he'd have a pretty cool phone. If you want to, give me the word and I'll re-route their conversation. ))

[Kazuma]

OOC: You got him spot on! Fancy and shiny, that's what Kazu likes. Go wild with their conversation, too! Or wherever this log is going for that matter. I will follow through~~~

Asking Kazuma what the model of his COM was was like asking a fae squirrel which tree in particular it got its berry from or which descendant of bug line was the insect it fed on. He was like Remy when it came to technology and hardly knew anything beyond their general appearances and purposes. This COM in particular -- covered in black lacquer wood and decorated by white keys that reminded him of the first typewriters -- was something he had only purchased because it was a little in the pricey side -- which meant it was new -- and because he had grown weary of his previous one that lasted him for two and a half years.

Still, he was not about to let this little girl know how much of a grandfather he was even if she might be as old as he was but she was a little girl. No one knew what might come out of her cute little mouth. “I believe it's from the maker Gabriel de Lepper,” he answered faithfully before he wrinkled his brows a little and shook his head, “However, as for the model exactly, I neglected to keep the series in mind. It is fairly new, however.” He'd only purchased it a few months back, after all.

But that was as far as he went with its description. As soon as Remy's contact was safely tucked away, he spun the COM round his hand and kept it away. It was an intimate object to him and may potentially hold confidential information so it was better to put that out of the way.

Looking back to his salad, Kazuma retook his fork and began stabbing at a few leaves. “I'll be sure to keep your bakery in mind,” he said as he looked up to Remy. “Perhaps one of these days, I should buy or order something from you. Are you one of the bakers there?”

[Remy]

Still eyeing the COM as Kazuma put it away, Remy nodded slightly and smiled wistfully. “It's so pretty. I think I've heard of de Lepper's COMs. I've seen ads for them in the papers, I think.” Pity, she'd have to stick with her old and outdated COM for a couple months more, since her baker's wages only paid for room and board and Zee, but not much else.

Seeing Kazuma pocket the COM and resume to poking his salad, Remy went back to her soup as well. It was only lukewarm now, but it was still enjoyable in the cold weather. Munching thoughtfully on a piece of clam, she swallowed before replying, “It's a small shop with only two bakers, and I'm an assistant. I do whatever they need, but I've done a lot of decorating recently! It's super neat, 'cause I can play with food and not get in trouble for it. Sometimes the cakes are this big,” she smiled brightly and waved her hands outward, “so I have lots of space to work with. Of course, Penny usually gives me a base design, so I can't go too crazy with the cake.”

Eyeing Kazuma, she propped her elbows on the table and leaned slightly toward him. “But alright then, I'll be keeping an eye out for your order, so don't disappoint! Though it'd be nice if you didn't rush the order...Can't tell you the number of times that we've had somebody order a custom cake on the morning of their friend's birthday. Makes life hectic for us...But that's how businesses go, isn't it? It'd be too easy if there weren't surprises every day.” She smiled at Kazuma, assuming that he'd understand. He looked like he's been a businessman all his life.

[Kazuma]

Having heard of little Remy's story of work life made Kazuma wonder how she might work in a modern society where cakes were ordered simply hours before an extravagant event and decided that she might probably work well, considering everything.

He showed a delighted face to the girl -- a reddish leaf filled with orange eggs hovering around his chin by a fork as he said, “Then you must be very popular! If demands are as hectic as you describe them.” He ate what was in his mouth, chewing on the textured goodness as his fork sorted through few pieces of leaves and bits in his plate before he set it aside.

Glancing up to her while he reached for his coffee, he added, “So you are a private business? Although I'm simply assuming this from what I've heard from you -- two bakers and one assistant make for a very intimate staff, after all.” He sipped from his cup and set it down promptly. “And very amazing, too, that you should be able to satisfy your customers. But to be honest,” he chuckled a little as he shrugged with his hands then knitted his fingers under his chin, elbows on the table, self leaning forward a little, “You have me very curious of your bakery now. I'd be delighted if you told me more about it -- your popular products-- flavors,” he corrected quickly with another gesture, “your customer base...or your audience or range of customers, rather. Or anything you can think of!”

Now he was just looking for a business prospect. One should never run out of them, after all.

[Remy]

She was surprised that Kazuma was showing that much interest in her occupation, but she was pleased, nevertheless. Smiling slightly, Remy took up her cup of orange juice and took a quick sip of it. “We are so busy because it's a small and privately-owned business. There's me and two other assistants, actually, and we help Tristan and Penny in the shop...they're the owners and they're almost always there.” Those two were some of her favorite people, with Penny being the energetic and creative one, and Tristan the more practical planner. They balanced each other out and were fair to their employees. Remy appreciated that they were willing to give her a chance with the job--most places just turned a blind eye when they saw a child/vampire applying for a position.

“Like you guessed, we're a very close staff, but the bakery runs well because of it. I'm surprised you want to hear so much about the shop, actually!” She laughed and leaned back into her chair. This man could chat about anything, it seemed, and she admired him for that. Taking another sip of orange juice, she continued, “Some people drop by to buy one or two of our pre-made cupcakes, but most of our revenue comes from parties and other big events. Those types of customers are almost always willing to spend the extra xanthos to have their stuff look nice too, which is when me 'n Penny have fun with cake decorating.”

Allowing herself to pause for a breath, Remy glanced toward Kazuma in worry that she was talking too much. But assuming that he was still intrigued, she continued, “Since you asked, our popular flavors are red velvet, banana, and lemon vanilla. But Penny likes to switch up the other flavors on the menu. Just for the winter, we've got gingerbread cupcakes with a hint of rum. Tristan been making raspberry cheesecake bites twice a month, and they've been popular each time. We're thinking of making it one of the usuals.”

There was so much more she could talk about! But she didn't want to ramble and so tried to make the conversation more inclusive. Swirling her cup of orange juice, she tilted her head to the side and commented, “Penny's kinda iffy about it since that's another batch of regulars that we have to worry about each day, and we're not really known for our cheesecake. But what do you think?”

[Kazuma]

From all these things that the child had said to him, Kazuma concluded that the bakery was for expensive tastes. Those flavors she'd just mentioned was tucked nicely within the depths of his mind, however, as well as the characters of these Penny and Tristan, he would do well to remember them he knew. Perhaps after this whole issue with the Espurian cabal and the shipping office, he should look into his resources and see if he could venture a negotiation with this pair...

Proposed the question, the vampire made a slight movement of his shoulders as he retook his fork and began to collect some of what remained of his salad. “Well, this really is all too simple. It makes sense that if it's popular, you should only do yourselves the favor of making it a mainstay in your menu and basking at the increase of income.” He ate and chewed, leaves crunching under his teeth. After swallowing them down, he continued to say while polishing his plate, “However, for it to only come out for twice a month and be popular each time...if you ask me, there is a kind of novelty there. I imagine, at least, that this is the kind of product that runs out the very hour or two they are released and are sold to a faithful clientele waiting on their feet for who knows how long?”

The last of the salad went into his mouth and he set his fork aside as he finished his food and took his napkin to squeeze and dab his fingers on as he swallowed. “Additionally, for the customers to have something to talk about your bakery is always a good thing -- unless of course, this is of your bad service or spoiled cakes but,” he smiled as he waved the topic out of the air, “That is not what we mean today. We're looking at your cheesecakes,” he said with a vague point of a finger while he leaned forward and placed his chin on his fingers, again, “and if they think it's good, then I expect they would have been sharing it excitedly to their friends in social meetings. These are things that just don't happen to regular products if you ask me. And you must also think about the costs and the baker. Will he be able to make the same sumptuous product on a regular basis? Or would the quality be risked for the sake of meeting the excited demands?” He left the question open and as his smiling conclusion.