Spacey vs. Spaced Out Who: Diana and Linnea Where: Starbucks --> Sidewalks When: Early morning
Somehow Barnabas was sleeping. Diana didn't even know how that was possible when he had claimed upon their arrival in this place that they were close to finding them. Which them was still up for debate, but he'd said that perhaps it was one of the twins, or both of them because those were the images he got. If it's one it must be the other, Diana told herself as she called a cab. Using a phone was still odd to her but she'd managed to figure out the basics. Dial the number and it was just like talking to someone who was in the same room even if you couldn't see them. And yelling was unnecessary, Barnabas had made that very clear. People didn't like having their ears screamed in. So after scribbling out a note for Barnabas, she went down and hopped in the cab, chatting idly with the driver. Her husband had mentioned Scarlet Oak and Diana, being herself, was not going to wait for him to wake up to check it out. Not if one of their children was there.
"Thank you," she said brightly, fishing out some of that odd American currency to pay him with. Stepping out she was once again reminded of the fact that she wasn't in the mountains. And not just because of the people or the various buildings, but because of the heat. Terrible. Almost without a thought she called up a little breeze to circle around her and cool her off. Her hair remained as it was thanks to the pins but her dress fluttered and she got some strange looks. She was used to those and just smiled at the people, walking into the first building that she came upon. Starbucks. Oh right, they made the coffee. That could be nice. One of those chilled drinks to make things more tolerable outside. But what actually tasted good? Barnabas had ordered the last time they were there, saying something about no caffeine. "Huh," Diana mused out loud. "What's actually good here?" She wasn't even really asking anyone, just thinking out loud. She had a bad habit of doing that.
Linnea was feeling good. Fantastic in fact. She had not felt this good in years, not a single worry on her mind as she wandered through the streets of Scarlet Oak early in the morning, smiling at everyone she passed. Later she was probably going to dislike herself quite a bit, possibly even hate, but right then she was fine. Because that marijuana she had gotten from Jezebelle the previous night was good and the joint that she had smoked upon waking had mellowed her right back out. No thinking about her daughters, no flicking off concerns about what Jokull was doing to her daughters friends, no worrying about Bradley and what she felt or what he did... it was lovely. Why had she stopped doing this again? Because of the rehabilitation clinic, Strike reminded her dryly. Somehow he had slipped inside of her purse and considered himself at liberty to inform her of exactly what he thought of her altered state. The snake was not a fan.
"No one asked you," Linnea told him, shaking her purse slightly. What she really wanted then was a good, strong coffee. Unfortunately home was the other way and she was not ready to go back. And the nearest coffee place was... ugh... Starbucks. Could there be a worse place? But she really wanted the coffee and oh were those blueberry muffins? Sold. Opening the door Linnea, for the first time in her life, walked into a Starbucks and actually appreciated the scent. Without another thought she started towards the counter, stopping behind an older woman who seemed to be having issues deciding on what she wanted. Which meant that Linnea was going to have to wait longer and those muffins looked really, really good. "The frappuccinos are good," Linnea offered, trying to be helpful so that she would move along. There was an oddity about this woman that she could not quite place right off the bat, but something... no, it was gone. "But straight coffee is the best. Black with no sugar or cream because that just ruins the taste. Maybe with a muffin to go along with it."
A voice, an accented voice, caught Diana's attention. Accents were difficult to pick out in English but with as much time as she'd spent around the native speakers lately she thought she was getting better. Turning, she regarded the woman behind her. If anything she looked a touch disheveled, like maybe she hadn't taken much care with dressing, but Diana was used to worse. "Straight coffee," she repeated. Coffee, yes, that was what Barnabas had ordered for her. But was that as good or better than this frappuccino thing that the woman had mentioned? And then there was that spiced latte thing that the person in front of her had gotten... so many decisions! How did people ever get things done in these places with all the decisions? So much better when it was just served up to her, no complicating decisions needed. Because food had just been added into the equation and those muffins did look good but she'd already eaten... "It's so hard to choose! You must do this all of the time... what are you going to get?"
I think she's an elemental, Strike remarked from inside the bag. Air if anything... or she just forgot to take her medication. That's what it is that keeps you people calm isn't it? Medication? Linnea giggled at her familiar, unable to help herself. When had he gotten so snarky? Clearly the little guy was spending too much time around her daughters. Or their familiars.
Although he had a point about this woman. She was a little... airy. And when Linnea stepped forward she felt a little breeze swirling around. Inside of a building. Around this one particular woman. Air, she confirmed to her familiar, feeling herself almost come down a little at the realization that someone who could do that without even paying attention was possibly as powerful as she was. Had Linnea been in possession of all of her wits she may have actually thought that some remarks she wanted to say were not to be made. Unfortunately she was not, which was actually the only time she would speak without thinking it through. What she wanted was a coffee and a muffin and this particular woman was in her way. And did not seem to be moving out of it anytime soon. Sadly the place was not all that crowded with the early hour so the only one who was actually waiting behind her was Linnea. "Straight coffee and one of those blueberry muffins." The last blueberry muffin, to be exact. "Have you made up your mind yet? You can always come back again and try a different thing if you don't like what you get now..." Linnea really, really wanted that muffin.
People out here are always in such a rush, Diana thought with a sigh as she rearranged the folds of her soft robe. They need to learn to just take their time with things any enjoy them! A prime example was the woman behind her who seemed to be in a bit of a rush and yet not? Almost like that one young man who'd come to the temple several years back. Hmmm. "Oh I don't know," Diana remarked. "It's just so hard to make a decision when you know that you'll have to actually go through and eat it." Diana was actually trying to be a little friendly because if this was where her daughters were then perhaps they'd have to stay for a time, convince them to come along home. "But alright, alright... hello!" The air elemental gave a bright smile to the slightly bewildered looking person behind the counter. "I'll take a straight coffee and that blueberry muffin right there." It sounded good and since the other woman was so intent on it it had to be worth it.
Linnea was relieved when the woman finally stepped forward to order. Air elementals could be so flighty at - wait. Had she just ordered the last blueberry muffin? "Really?" Linnea said out loud, giving a disbelieving look to the back of the woman's head. "Exactly what I said I was going to get. You couldn't have gone for a chocolate or banana muffin or anything but the blueberry?" That was the last one in the display and Linnea knew enough about places like this to know that they need not always keep a surplus of certain things. And frankly, even if they did? Right then Linnea was not in the state of mind to register or really care. She wanted that muffin and it was killing her buzz to be denied it.
Someone needs to take another hit.
"Oh shut up, Strike."
What, didn't I get the term right?
"Excuse me?" Diana asked, turning after she paid. Apparently this woman had some sort of problem with her thinking that what she wanted sounded good. Well then she shouldn't have talked about it so much, should she have? The correct answer being 'no'. Once Diana got something in her mind she tended to go through with it unless something better came along. Not to mention this woman was clearly a little out of it. She was talking to nothing!
You know, I don't think this was a good idea anymore. It seemed that Strike wanted to play the part of Linnea's conscious today. If you're going to smoke those funny tasting things in the future then I think you should do it at home. Locked in your room. Forbidden to leave until you're able to think straight. Or as close as you ever get.
Linnea was not really listening to her familiar, her eyes were locked on the muffin that had been stuck in a bag and was now waiting for the woman to turn around and pick up. "I just think that it's sort of... rude to go and order the last muffin when you are fully aware of the fact that the person behind you in line happens to want said muffin. Quite a bit, actually." It almost seemed like she had never wanted anything so much in her life. And this was so much better than worrying herself sick over what Jokull did to who or what she felt for Bradley even though it did not matter since he was too good of a man to do anything with a married woman... yes, a muffin trumped all of that.
People were so odd. It wasn't like this was the last blueberry muffin in the world and Diana had paid for it. That officially made it hers. At least she was almost positive that that was how things worked in the world off of the mountain... right? This is why Barnabas needs to wake up when I do so that he can come along and make sure everything is right. There was a reason her husband was with her, other than being the one who actually knew where they were going. He wasn't serving it very well by being asleep back in the hotel. "Sorry?" Diana said as she took the small bag and rather warm cup filled with coffee. "I think that maybe you need to get some more sleep, dear. Thanks for the suggestion!" Her smile was a little more withdrawn as she sipped at her coffee and headed out of the store. Didn't seem like there was anyone interesting in there.
Get more sleep? No, she just needs to go back to not smoking before her daughters find out. "I thought I told you to shut up?" Linnea gave an exasperated look to the teen behind the counter when he gaped at her. "What, haven't you seen someone talking to their familiar before? I'll take the same thing she got, only that big chocolate muffin. Quick please." Linnea had every intention of taking the muffin she ordered, which appealed to her about as much as Starbucks coffee normally would, and trying to switch with that older woman. If she was so easily influenced then it should work for everything, right? After paying, Linnea paid and darted out the door, glancing around to see if she could... ah, there she was. And that was the first time that Linnea actually looked at the other woman and realized that she was wearing the oddest thing. "Like she's out of a history book on Ancient Greece."
Some of them revered snakes, you know. Strike's voice was sullen in her head. They didn't tell us to shut up if we chose to speak to them.
Ignoring her familiar again, Linnea sped up until she was walking next to the woman. Even in this slightly altered state she was not about to tap her on the shoulder or anything. "Maybe we got off on the wrong foot," Linnea offered, sliding in front of her and stopping. "My name's Linnea Niemi, I've never seen you before so that must make you a tourist - so many of you these days, I don't understand why - and I really, really want that muffin you have. Look." She dug into the bag she had been given and presented the chocolate muffin. In any other state it probably would have looked good to her. But even coming down, Linnea still wanted the blueberry muffin so bad she could nearly taste it. "This one is probably much better and I'll switch you." Had anyone who knew her walked by right then they probably would have stopped and stared. Standing in the middle of the sidewalk with a cup of Starbucks coffee in one hand and a chocolate muffin in the other was not exactly a typical occurrence for her. Especially the coffee.
Diana knew that she was a little out of touch with the modern world, especially Americans. But this? Was starting to make her wonder if maybe her daughters had ended up in a town full of crazy people. "I'd say that it's a pleasure to meet you but really, I think you need more sleep," Diana said slowly. Possibly medication. What was the big deal with the muffin? "But if that'll get you to not follow me then I suppose it's no big deal." She held the bag out towards the woman, Linnea, and accepted the other muffin. Naturally trusting, the idea that there was possibly something wrong with this one never even occurred to her. "Now... do you need to go somewhere? I can get a cab for you." Sleep-deprived or even crazy, Diana wasn't going to leave her half-raving in the middle of the sidewalk. Everyone deserved a little kindness now and again.
"Thank you so much!" Linnea's voice was delighted, her eyes sparkling as she accepted the bag and pulled the muffin out to take a big bite. Are you happy now? Can we go home? The elemental continued her stance of ignoring the snake for the time being, polishing the muffin off before the other woman finished her question about her needing to go somewhere. Blinking at her, Linnea wiped the crumbs off of her mouth and took a drink of her coffee - this is the worst tasting thing that I've ever drank! Swill! - before replying. "No, there's nowhere that I need to be now." Her craving was satisfied, her mood was mellowed out because she had gotten what she wanted - even if the coffee was the worst that she had had in her life - and Linnea was suddenly curious about this new woman that she had never seen before. Because someone who dressed like that? Stood out a bit. "Sorry for following you I just really wanted that muffin... and for calling you a tourist. But you're not from around here. I can tell from the accent." Even if she could not place it.
If not for the fact that Diana was used to dealing with odd people and then the fact that she was considered a little odd herself, Diana may have left after watching how fast Linnea devoured that muffin. She was here to find her daughters and actually focused on that, but what could a little chat with one of the natives hurt? It was easy for her to forget about the slightly odd meeting in the coffee shop and accept the apologies given to her by this Linnea. And how long had it been since she talked with someone other than her husband or people who looked at her funny? Since Greece at least. "No, I'm from Greece. But you have an accent too. Not native to here, are you?"
Greece! That would perhaps explain why she dressed like one. Though I doubt Greeks actually dress like that now. Maybe she's a vampire like Nikita and just hasn't caught up with the times? "I hail from Finland but I've been living here so long it hardly seems to matter." True. She did not slip into Finnish near as much now and the only thing really left of her home was that and the dishes that she insisted on preparing for her family. Well, and decent cups of coffee that Americans seemed incapable of brewing. "What brings you to Scarlet Oak? Are you interested in Heme maybe? That seems to be the focal point of most of our tourism these days. At least, for vampires." She's not a vampire. Linnea was still ignoring her snake.
"Vampires? Heme?" Diana was starting to get all confused again. She wasn't searching out vampires but what vampires had taken from her. "No, I'm not interested in vampires. I'm looking for my daughters-" once again she completely forgot that Dashiell was, actually, a boy. "-and my husband has followed their trail here. At least one of them. Oh! Maybe you've seen them?" Diana's eyes lit up at the prospect and she reached out to touch Linnea's arm as though to share the excitement, completely forgetting that a breeze was still twirling around her. "They're all very blonde, with pale blue eyes. Two are twins that you can hardly tell apart except for that one can't see. Aetheria, Aurora, Amaya, Caelia... oh, and Dashiell. I always forget that he's a boy! Well with four daughters and him the youngest I suppose it's to be expected that I'd forget."
And I thought you were odd after that hit. And I told you she wasn't a vampire.
"Those sound like lovely names," Linnea admitted. "But I haven't heard any of them, nor seen girls like that." Except for her own daughters but they were hers after all, not this woman's. But the oddest thing was that when she touched her arm, a little breeze played along her skin. "I'm sorry, but you seem to have a breeze attached to you." Later she would blame the fact that she was not completely sober for having the courage to add in, "You must be an air elemental."
Diana's face fell at hearing that and she let her hand drop as well, the breeze dying away as her heart sank. Just because one person hasn't seen them doesn't mean that Barnabas is wrong this time. "Oh? Yes I am, a priestess for the gods of wind." She had never hid it and been revered for it at home so it was actually nice to have someone bring it up. 'She's not a child of air.' Came the cool, clear voice of her element, whispering in Diana's ear. Well yes, she could tell that herself. "Don't you have a temple for yours here?" Shaken by hearing that someone in this town hadn't heard of her daughters had Diana forgetting that unlike at home there were no temples here. Not for the old gods at least.
Had she been completely sober, Linnea would have started to entertain the notion that this woman had escaped from the local psychiatric ward. Missing children, dressing like she was out of a history book and claiming to be a priestess of wind gods? Yeah there was something not right there. But she was not and so Linnea found herself a little fascinated. Maybe that was how air elementals ranked themselves? "No, we don't have any temples that I know of but I'm not all that partial to gods of wind." Linnea had an amused smile on her face. "I'm more partial to water myself. Better for cooling off on these hot days than a playful little breeze." Are you really trying to have a 'whose better' contest with an unstable air elemental? I'm telling Dagmar when we get home about what you have in your purse. Said purse got another shake for that comment.
"A water elemental!" Diana's disappointment melted away at hearing that. It was always hard for her to remain upset, especially when she got to meet people with such interesting talents. Of course she knew all about the children of the other elements but there weren't very many of them, or any actually, at the temple with them. Water elementals didn't like being so far from openly flowing water, fire elementals couldn't be so tied down and well, it went without saying why earth elementals never came around. Stubborn fools that they were. "Show me something that you can do, please. That would just make the morning perfect." So what if they were standing out in the open? Barnabas had said something about everyone knowing that they existed now so it couldn't hurt. Maybe the people would enjoy seeing a little show like the ones back home always did.
Quite unfortunately, Linnea did not stop to think about the fact that not everyone in the city knew what she was. This other elemental's excitement was practically contagious and, despite the sigh of a warning from Strike, she took to the idea rather well. Briefly she wondered how a morning could be made perfect when the woman had just been told that no, Linnea had never heard of her children, but that thought drifted off. "I'll show you something," Linnea agreed, setting her coffee down on the ground before straightening. "After you tell me your name. Thinking of you as 'the other elemental' is going to get tiresome after not much longer."
"Oh, of course, sorry that I forgot - Diana Elias." Eager to see what it was that Linnea was going to do, she didn't say anything else but stood there, looking as much like a kid at Christmas time as a woman well into her fifties could manage.
Diana. Linnea filed that one away - and hoped that Strike would at least remember for later - before nodding. "Watch," she half-ordered as she concentrated on her palm. Drawing the humidity out of the water was an old trick but one that never failed to please for some reason. The water slowly filled her palm and shifted, forming into a sphere that sat there, perfectly balanced before stretching up into a cylinder in front of Linnea's face. "Child's play, but quite a delightful little trick." And her element did so love when she decided to play with it, not caring at all that people might stare. Linnea was one of her children and why not let them all know?
Diana watched the water fill Linnea's hand, form into a sphere and rear up into a column. "Oh very nice," she approved. But something tugged at her, a little desire to show that water wasn't able to do whatever it wanted when surrounded by her own element. Calling up another breeze with a thought, Diana gave a twist of her wrist and directed it around the cylinder. Her smile widened as the water was swept up into a miniature water cyclone on Linnea's hand. Air and water meshing seamlessly in a pretty little dance. Hopefully Linnea would appreciate it as well. It may have been prettier with a lick of fire, but Diana seriously doubted that Linnea knew any of them. Fire and water clashed as badly as air and earth so far as she knew.
Feeling the tug, Linnea was nonetheless surprised when her cylinder broke apart into a cyclone. It was then that she saw how Diana had moved her wrist and she put two and two together. So the air elemental had decided to disrupt her cylinder. There was no way that this was a contest, she had just gone to show the other elemental what she could do and it seemed that Diana wanted to show off too. Okay, Linnea could do her one better. Removing her palm she watched the cyclone spin for a little longer before reaching out to touch it, the little thing freezing solid on the spot. A small, slightly satisfied smirk on her face, Linnea's eyes went back to Diana. "I froze your breeze," she informed her as the former cyclone fell to the ground and shattered into a million glittering pieces of ice that quickly melted even in the early morning sun.
"Oh but it was so pretty," Diana sulked when the thing froze and shattered. Air didn't seem to be too impressed with having part of itself frozen after twirling with the water, but Diana's attention had drifted onto a new idea. "Can you make a bigger movement of water? Because I would love to see what a real water cyclone looks like. I could do it myself but it always takes so much effort to call up a wind big enough to pull that much water out of a river or lake. With your help I imagine that I could make quite the impressive one. And if it got out of hand... well, you could do that." Her mind painted a vivid image of a ten foot tall frozen cyclone and she smiled. "Is there a lake around here?"
Linnea was intrigued by the idea, even if she was not quite sure that she could freeze that much water and keep it held. "Perhaps," she answered, "and yes there are several in the area. Redleaf Lake's the biggest and just-" I know you're enjoying yourself and having fun ignoring me, but if you don't get home soon then you're going to be late for time with Satu. Do we really want to see her having another fit? That broke through and Linnea sighed, feeling the last lingering effects of her morning joint fading away in light of the fact that she had responsibilities to shoulder. "I'm sorry, but perhaps another time? I've got something to do with my daughters soon and if I'm late they'll be upset with me. Here." Shuffling around in her purse for a moment, not at all concerned about Strike because he was not going to bite her, Linnea found a piece of paper and pen to scribble her home and cell number on. "If you're in town for awhile then give me a call and we'll see what we can do. Good luck with finding your daughters, Diana." Nice to see you listening to me again.
Oh she was leaving? That was too bad, but Diana understood. Children were a priority - and speaking of children, she had to continue looking through this place for her own and see if her husband would catch up to her. She accepted the piece of paper and nodded. "Thank you, Linnea. You'll hearing from me before I leave." Provided that she actually remembered what the number was for. Now that she thought of that, Diana reached out to take the pen from Linnea and add her name and the fact that she was a water elemental to the paper before returning it. "Have a nice day!" Taking her first bite out of the chocolate muffin she had traded for, Diana called up another playful breeze to keep her cool and continued on in the direction she had originally been headed. Scarlet Oak was already proving to be quite interesting.