Legends & Lattes

Things don’t have to stay as what they started out as.

WHAT FLAMES COULD NOT CONSUME, NEVER SHALL BE EXTINGUISHED

it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful. Being peaceful in your mind. Well, not if you have too much, then it’s something else.

She was smiling, and for the first time, the building, the city, this place… felt like hers. A place she’d still be tomorrow, the week after, next season, next year…. Home.

So. I might not deserve you. And you might forgive too much. But I’m damned glad to have you.

The combined aromas of hot cinnamon, ground coffee, and sweet cardamom intoxicated her, and as she brewed and smiled and served and chatted, a deep contentment welled up. It was a glowing warmth she’d never experienced before, and she liked it. She liked it a great deal.

Well, shit. Milky bean water. I'll be damned.

Live long enough, you realize some folks can be handed a problem and some tools, and they’ll sort it out. And I never think twice about hiring that sort of fellow.

Calamity." His own callused paw was swallowed by hers. Her eyes widened. "Hob name," he said. "You can call me Cal." "Whichever you like best. I don't need your name to suit me.

I was just thinking that you don’t have to forget who you were … because that’s what brought you here.

After twenty-two years of adventuring, Viv had reached her limit of blood and mud and bullshit. An orc’s life was strength and violence and a sudden, sharp end—but she’d be damned if she’d let hers finish that way. It was time for something new.

If there was any justice in the world, I'd never have met you, much less have even a scrap of your regard. And for a while... I thought maybe I'd cheated fate to have you near me. That I was bending the rules—forcing some impossible streak of luck—and any moment, you'd find out who I really was, and then you'd be gone. (...) But what a stupid thing to think. Unfair to you. Did I think so little of you? Did I think you couldn't see who I was, really? Was I foolish enough to believe I could make you see something other than what was there?

Then, in a rush, “I was just thinking that you don’t have to forget who you were … because that’s what brought you here.

Failure to act was as much a decision as any other.

I'm used to sleeping rough.' 'Used to ain't the same as ought to.

His eyes widened. “Well, shit. Milky bean water. I’ll be damned.” He took another, longer sip and burned his tongue.

I used to be an adventurer like you.

You've found a very peaceful place here. A special place. You've planted something, and now its blossoming. Very nice. A good spot to rest. My thanks to you for letting an old-timer shade under the branches of what you've grown.

have to be fully rid of it. Not yet.” Then, in a rush, “I was just thinking that you don’t have to forget who you were … because that’s what brought you here.

As Hemington paid, Viv handed him a roll on a piece of waxed paper and leveled a glare at him. “If you don’t eat this, it’s possible Tandri or I may have to kill you.” The young man laughed, although the laugh became strangled when Viv didn’t join in.

It’s nice work,” said Viv. “Hm.” “At least, I expect it is. I don’t know much about boats,” she admitted. “I expect that dulls the compliment a touch, then,

Viv didn’t answer for a moment, but then she stared hard at him. “Things don’t have to stay as what they started out as.

A pleasure,” said Viv. It wasn’t.

LEGENDS & LATTES ~ MENU ~ Coffee ~ exotic aroma & rich, full-bodied roast—½ bit Latte ~ a sophisticated and creamy variation—1 bit Any drink ICED ~ a refined twist—add ½ bit Cinnamon Roll ~ heavenly frosted cinnamon pastry—4 bits Thimblets ~ crunchy nut & fruit delicacies—2 bits * FINER TASTES FOR THE ~ WORKING GENT & LADY ~

This is what I know, what I've always known. I just want to know something else, now. To be something else.

it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful.

People just sat around drinking it from these little ceramic cups, and I had to try it, and... it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful. Being peaceful in your mind. Well, not if you have too much, then it's something else.

for. She found it in half-lidded eyes and a slow, deliberate swallow. In cupped hands around the warmth of a mug and the lingering enjoyment of the last taste.