Who: Daryn and Meg What: Chatting When: Sunday, September 15, 2019 Where: The Marketplace Rating: Low Status: Complete
Daryn was not any more social lately, but at least she was leaving her apartment more often. It was a start, at least that’s what she told herself as she walked toward the Marketplace that morning. The plan was to go to the coffee shop, and maybe pick up a few little things to bring home. She still wasn’t eating much, but she seemed to have finally adjusted to the changes in her health. But point was just to try. If she failed at taking better care of herself, she was probably the only one who would notice.
Stepping into the shop, Daryn moved to the end of the line and looked up at the menu the board to decide what to order.
Meg had been peddling samples all morning at the bakery; residents and guards alike had stopped for a morsel. Laura had made the treats and she felt proud to offer them up as things to entice. The idea was to draw more people toward the business and what better way to promote than to leave someone with a smile and a good taste in their mouth. Once she was out of samples Meg went back to the bakery itself to finish up before she would step out for lunch.
With her pink hair wrapped up Meg untied her apron and stepped out of the bakery to find something to eat. Filling up on sweets might have seemed ideal but there was no real nourishment there to be had. She was craving something a bit heartier to last until she could get back to her apartment and make something substantial.
Stepping to a shop nearby, she fell into line behind a pretty brunette. Eyes would trail to the menu and she studied the wares listed out, trying to decide on something. It was a challenge when everything present sounded as good as the last thing.
“What are you getting?” Meg murmured in question to the woman standing ahead of her.
At first, Daryn didn’t think the woman was speaking to her. But the pause in her thoughts was what signaled her to it. Hesitantly, she turned to look behind her. She didn’t want the woman to think she was being rude or ignoring her. “Hot chocolate, I think. Or maybe a mocha.” Maybe something high calorie would help her gain weight again, or at least kick start her appetite again. “And you?”
“No idea,” she laughed, shrugging her shoulders. She really didn’t have a clue, but that was fine. Whatever inspired her between just then and when she approached the counter would come to her in due time. “Chocolate lover?” Mocha, hot chocolate, it seemed that way to her at least.
Sweet things like chocolate played an important role in her life, she owed the morsels more than she could express. Lately even her artwork was waning though that was mostly due to the fact that she was trying to actively pair down.
Meg had even giving her artwork away; neighbors, friends, anyone interested in the pieces.
Daryn couldn’t really think of something to suggest. She had been out of the loop for too long to remember what was good and what to pass on. “I think most things here are good, the place is usually pretty popular.”
At the question, she shrugged. “I used to be. It’s been a while. I hope it still sits well with me.”
It was an astute observation - this familiar stranger wasn’t wrong at all. Meg came here regularly as well, it was nearly as popular as her own place. Thank goodness they didn’t serve coffee or she really would’ve been in a hole.
The reply was met with a nod and a polite smile, “I’m sure that it will. You never forget the sweet taste of chocolate. It’s like riding a bike.” Now that they were on the topic of chocolate she was beginning to feel partial to a mocha, too.
“Whipped cream, sprinkles. The whole she-bang. Why not have a little fun with it, right?”
Daryn smiled faintly and nodded. The idea of fun felt alien to her. “I suppose you’re right. It’s worth a try anyway.”
She hesitated for a moment before motioning for the woman to go ahead of her. “Why don’t you go first, I’m not in any rush.”
Spontaneity was the spice of life to Meg. She was used to taking the creative and opportunistic approach with most things in her life. Why not something as simply complex as a beverage or a snack? “Right? Surprise yourself.” The comment was made in a general sense.
And then her head would tip to the side. “Are you sure?”
Slipping ahead of the brunette, Meg approached the counter. She placed her order and paid for hers and also the woman behind her - whatever the brunette ordered the money offered would cover it. She stepped aside.
When her turn was up, she went with the mocha with whipped cream. If felt very indulgent, compared to her old self who would have just had a black coffee and called it a day. She rarely treated herself, so maybe that’s what this could be.
Seeing that the woman had paid for her, Daryn gave the money she would have used to the cashier as a tip, and then looked to the pink haired one. “Thank you, that was very nice of you to do.”
Humming to herself as she waited, Meg picked up her drink when it was offered. A smile and she stepped back from the counter to fuss with the straw wrapper.
“Oh, you’re welcome!” Meg offered, her grin more genuine. “Why not give back a bit, yeah? Take care of someone else for a change.” That was her punk side showing off, sticking things to the man and all.
“What’d you get?” She inquired, looking at the drink. “Ooh, how fancy! Whipped cream and everything!”
Daryn smiled softly and nodded at the sentiment. She knew she hadn’t been taking care of anyone lately, and on some days she was doing the exact opposite. “I went with the mocha. Thank you again, I really appreciate it. What did you order?”
“It’s a vanilla caramel thing,” Meg replied, “with a bit of chocolate because why not!” Laughing a little, she held her drink up so the other woman could see. The swirls of brown and dark outshone the lighter tone of the vanilla.
“Mocha is a good start! Just wait, before you know it you’ll be getting pumpkin spice with all of the frills.”
Daryn looked to the drink with a nod. The woman seemed so excited about it that she couldn’t help but smile. Being around someone so upbeat was a new experience.
“Well, I don’t know about all of that. But this is good for now.” She took a cautious sip and enjoyed the flavor.
Megan waited to see what the woman thought about the taste, the delightful concoction of chocolate, milk, sweetener. “It’s good, right?” Her grin was wide. The drink she ordered untouched was lifted and offered.
“Try mine. It’s so good!” She knew she could be too much sometimes, but that was how she had always been.
“I’m Meg, by the way!”
Daryn watched Meg before reluctantly trying the offered drink. She offered hers in return, it only seemed like the right thing to do, despite being practical strangers. “It is good. I may have to try that next time.”
She offered a little smile. “It’s very nice to meet you, Meg. I’m Daryn.”
They exchanged drinks. Being courteous she grabbed up another straw and took a sip, discarding her straw afterward. “That is delicious!” Drink was offered back and she took her own in return, taking a sip. There was no qualms about drinking after someone else but she knew others weren’t as open as she was.
“Nice to know your name,” Meg smiled. “I’ve seen you around before.” They were long time residents.
Daryn nodded a little. “Likewise. You own the bakery, right?” In her time on the island, she’d stopped in a few times, but she really hadn’t been out much at all in the last few months. She didn’t really expect anyone to remember her these days.
Upon mention of the bakery, Meg smiled and nodded. She didn’t own it any more than anyone else did - she had simply taken over when everyone else found the work too strenuous and the harassment to be too much. Since then she had laid out the groundwork for what the place was now, though she was happy for Laura’s expertise. “Yes, have you been over before?” Meg had an idea that Daryn had - who hadn’t? Sometimes the faces of the other residents became a blur after a long day, then there were the regulars who you never forgot.
“You should come by again if you haven’t been in a while. We have a new baker, she’s wonderful and so creative!”
“I haven’t been by since… I was away. But maybe I’ll stop by sometime to say hello.” Her diet was lacking, that was plain to see, so she couldn’t promise to indulge in a baked good but she could at least visit.
The idea that Daryn would at least stop by was good enough for her. Usually she was pushier, but perhaps she was coasting on the sweet high from the drink and the euphoria of a new friendship that getting what she was after had fallen by the wayside.
“We usually hand samples out around this time, I just gave away the last of them right before I came here. Maybe you could stop by then? At least you’d get a treat out of it if nothing else.” Her smile was warm, Meg took another sip from her drink.
“Maybe. I haven’t been able to eat much, but trying a sample couldn’t hurt much.” She didn’t want to be rude and refuse the idea. “It’s very nice of you to do that, I hope offering samples brings you business.”
“Me too! That’s the idea, right? You don’t know how amazing something can be until you try it for yourself.” Offering her new friend a smile, Meg lifted her drink. “I really ought to be getting back. It was so nice to meet you finally, Daryn. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
With that, Meg waved, turned, and took her drink back in the direction of the bakery.