Who: Brooke and Logan What: Running into one another during AU week. Where: Random street When: first morning of AU plot Warnings: should be low Status: closed/g-doc
Megan was terrified of touching the coffee that had been at the house where she was staying. Was the person one of those who’d go crazy on knowing someone touched their coffee? She had no idea. All she knew about this Brooke individual was that many people liked her and she had many who enjoyed flirting with her. Or they did, she wasn’t even sure if she managed to mess that up while stuck in this mess? Deciding she had done enough to mess up someone’s life, she’d leave the coffee alone and run out to get some. Megan did not need to anger someone even if she’d never ever meet them.
Heading to Starbucks, she found herself turned around and unsure if she somehow managed to get herself lost. Of course, she’d be the one in a small town to get herself lost. Good job, Megan! She sighed, debating about asking someone for some directions before noticing someone who wasn’t in a rush to get somewhere or at least they were stopped enough for her to try to see if they knew anything. “Excuse me?,” she asked softly. “Do you happen to know how to get to Starbucks?”
Terra awoke in a bed he didn’t recognize, with two people which freaked him out and to a cat he didn’t know meowing at him for …well, food? Terra assumed food. But where the hell was he? This wasn’t where he was supposed to be. He had his master’s test this morning and…wait. He bolted out of the place as fast as he could.
Where were Aqua and Ventus? And the Masters? Terra found clothes that seemed out of the norm for him, but he found a green shirt and some blue pants made of a fabric he didn’t recognize.
He’d just been on his way to explore when a female he didn’t recognize asked him a question.
“Sorry, what is Starbucks?” He didn’t recognize the name or have any idea what or who it was.
Megan felt bad on disturbing someone, but she was lost and decided it was better to ask than possibly end up getting herself more turned around. Though she still couldn’t believe how she somehow ended up getting herself lost in a town that didn’t seem that big. All that vanished on his question, shocked someone didn’t know what a Starbucks was. She thought everyone knew that place even if they didn’t hit it, but then again maybe she had been wrong on assuming that.
“Umm, it’s a store with options for drinks mostly coffee, but it has other things and pastries,” she started, hoping it would jog a memory of some kind. “Where are you from?” She asked, not wanting to make the man uncomfortable with a possible question that some may mistaken as rude about whether it was ringing any bells. Deciding to see where he was from cause maybe that would give her some insight. Maybe small town people didn’t know what a Starbucks was? She doubted it, especially when one had the place, but she was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Terra at least recognized the word ‘pastries’. He, Ventus, and Aqua usually ate simple foods, because they didn’t want to lose sight of training to become keyblade masters. However, on special occasions they would get to have sweets like pastries.
“What is coffee?” Terra felt out of his depth, something he drastically hated. Why couldn’t Aqua be here? She’d navigate this strange place easier and Terra wouldn’t be without one of his two best friends, but Ventus would be more lost than him.
At the question, Terra considered his words. “I come from a world where I’m training to become a Keyblade Master, like Master Yen Sid and King Mickey before me.”
Megan kept hoping this was a very bad prank someone decided to play at the office. Then again no one at the magazine was really into pranks like this or at least they wouldn’t do them to her. Most tended to leave her alone because they saw her as awkward and weird or too sweet to pull something like this on. But it was the only thing she could think of to explain most of this, especially on someone not knowing what coffee was. Why would someone want to pull this on her though?
“Umm, it’s a drink that most people drink in the morning to get them all woke up and ready for the day,” she really didn’t know how to describe it for someone who had no idea what she was even talking about. “If I ever locate the place, I’ll buy you one so you can try it out.” Megan was sure whoever the money she borrowed belonged to would understand or maybe not realize it. Hopefully, Megan wouldn’t be around to have to tell the individual where the money had gone.
Keyblade Master? Master and King? Megan was completely confused on most of the words. She knew what Master and King meant, but someone being called that was something else. “What is a Keyblade Master? Why is King Mickey called that and not Master Mickey?” There were so many questions popping into her head, and she was being careful to not spook the stranger.
Terra wouldn’t pull a prank. He didn’t find them particularly funny. Okay, to be fair, Aqua and Ventus made up for his lack of humour. And why would someone do that to a person at work? Of course, Terra’s work wasn’t a normal job.
“Oh! Like tea?” He drank green tea in the mornings for that purpose. Usually straight or with a couple mint leaves added. As he looked around, he said, “Is that it?” He saw green letters that were mostly obscured at this angle, but still saw ‘sta’.
“Someone pure of heart who wields the keyblades against darkness,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. People skills weren’t his skill at times. Then Terra remembered this place and added more kindly, “King Mickey is the King of Disney Castle and retains that title instead, along with Queen Minnie.”
Megan’s eyes widened on him saying the word tea because at least he knew what that was, making it a whole lot easier now on her. “Yes!” She said probably a bit more excited than she should’ve but rolling with it anyways. “Yes, exactly like tea only this one tends to be a bit stronger depending on the type you get,” she nodded. Oh thank goodness for him knowing tea because it made explaining coffee a bit easier. She drank it, she wasn’t an all knowing coffee person who could explain to someone what coffee was right at the drop of a dime.
On his question, she glanced in the direction of where he was looking. Having to move to the side a bit to have the same view before nodding with a smile. “Yes, it is! Thank you very much,” she now could get her coffee fix, but it could wait a minute as she wanted to learn about what the heck this man was talking about on Keyblades and what not.
“Interesting. And who decides if someone is pure of heart?” Megan knew there was no way her boss would ever let her write a piece on something like this. Considering write now the blog post she had was dating a different man for each month and writing about it. So yeah, she was pretty sure anything like this was off the table, but Megan couldn’t help on being curious about it. Even more on the last line, holding up a hand as if stopping him from moving or talking. “Wait, hold up. Are you talking about Mickey and Minnie Mouse? The two are king and queen?” Definitely something she wasn’t expecting to hear, then again they were well known so who knows maybe it was possible?
Terra smiled. At least he kind of understood and had found the cafe for the woman. “Maybe I should try a cup of coffee.” If it was similar to tea he might even like it. Maybe? Well, he’d certainly give it a try. “Same with tea. Some types contain less caffeine than others.”
“You’re very welcome,” he responded with a small smile.
At the questions, he looked awkward. “If you pass the tests set by the masters then you’re considered pure of heart.” He didn’t know what she’d mean about an article. “Oh! You know the king and queen? Yes. They are. They live at Disney Castle.?
“You should! I think it’s the best thing ever, but you can find out for yourself whether you’re a coffee person or not.” Megan was very pro coffee as it was the only way she could get herself ready for work. Though she also not everyone liked it, and she wasn’t about to push him other than to try it if he wanted so he could find out for himself. “I don’t drink tea that often so I have no idea, but okay, then you have a small idea of what to expect.”
Megan couldn’t help the weird face she made on hearing about these tests. It made her want to question about what kind of tests, but she had no idea if it was some top secret thing or something along those lines. Plus she didn’t want to dig too much and make the guy get uncomfortable because of all the questions even if she was very curious.
Though she was able to focus on the Disney part, which was throwing her through a loop. “I don’t know them as king and queen. Here they are just know as Mickey and Minnie without any titles. And I know the parks have a castle, but pretty sure they don’t live there.” Megan didn’t have the heart to tell him they were people in costumes here. They seemed important in his world, and she didn’t want to crush any of that.
Terra considered and said, “Then I’ll give it a try. I don’t mind trying something new in this very strange town.” And everything felt strange. “Shall we walk that way?”
He’d answer her questions if the young woman asked, but he only knew so far his training. His tests, along with Aqua’s hadn’t happened yet.
“Parks?” he asked. But how bad could this world be if it had Mickey and Minnie? Even if they weren’t here they still existed. Costumes would confuse him, so best she didn’t say anything. “No titles? How strange.”
“Sometimes it’s great to try new things depending on what the option is,” Megan was fine on trying new things in certain areas, and not so much in others. But she was happy to introduce this man to coffee, feeling everyone should try coffee at least once. “Sure, that sounds great!” She moved to walk next to the man, heading in the direction of Starbucks. “I will warn you the shop has many options for drinks, but I’ll help you the best I can.”
Megan wasn’t about to toss him into the deep end, knowing Starbucks could be scary for someone who went all the time. She could only imagine what it’d be like for someone who never stepped into one. Or someone she assumed never had considering he didn’t even know what coffee was a few minutes ago.
“Yes, like theme parks? Do you have them in your world? They have rides, shows, and other fun things to experience,” Megan doubted he had them in his world, especially with what she was learning about Mickey and Minnie, but it was worth a try. If not, then she may have to offer to show him since she was sure Disney still existed in this world. Or she hoped it did and it would be easier to explain by showing him through the internet. “Nope, they are not known as king or queen here. People call them Mickey and Minnie. Do you guys also have Donald, Goofy, and Pluto?” She was curious if the other friends of the two had titles or even existed in his world.
When they stepped into the coffee shop and he saw all of the options, his jaw literally dropped. “What do these words even mean?” Yes, Terra sounded panicky. Could you blame the guy? “What’s your favourite?” Maybe he would try that then.
“Theme parks?” No, Terra didn’t know what theme parks were. Or rides and shows for that matter. “For fun I spend time with my friends Ventus and Aqua.” He missed them both a lot.
When she asked about the other he nodded his head. “Pluto is their dog. Donald is a magician and Goofy is part of the royal guard.”
Out of the corner of her eyes, Megan saw the jaw drop and she couldn’t help the small chuckle, knowing it was to be expected when not knowing this place. “Yeah, the words can be confusing and some people make it even more confusing with how they order, but it’s not all that bad once you understand the whole thing,” she added, looking at the menu in thought to his question. “As for favorite, it varies, but I’d say,” she paused, eyes scanning over the menu before speaking again, “probably the caramel ribbon crunch frap.” Megan found it amazing even if she only treated herself to it once in a while.
Deciding to revisit the theme part comment, she pulled out the phone that was with her to look one up, deciding probably best to avoid the one he knew. Megan didn’t need to freak him out or anything, looking up theme parks to avoid that one. As she did that, she continued the conversation. “Yeah, when I’m not working, I’m usually spending it with my best friend Vanessa.” She missed her, and she was sure he missed his friends. But she said nothing as she opened up a webpage, leaning near him so he had a better view. “This is a theme park. If you want, you can look through it while we wait to order?” She offered, holding the phone out so if he wanted to take it.
Megan wasn’t surprised about Pluto and his part, but the other two had her super confused, interested, and a bunch of other emotions. For some reason, the Donald one was throwing her the most. Or maybe Goofy was? Okay, it seemed both really had her off guard. “Can honestly say they do not have those titles or roles here. Well, maybe Pluto in a way, but the rest,” she shook her head to say no. Unless Disney was keeping it hidden, a real possibility though she doubted that.
Terra listened as she spoke and looked even more confused. “What is a frap?” At least he recognized ‘caramel’ and ‘ribbon’. “That sounds like it might be too sweet for me. Is there something less sweet?” Terra didn’t indulge in a lot of sweets.
He took the phone and looked at the information, clicking on different links, and in general just learning as much as he could. “A theme park looks fun. I think I’d like rides.” Or maybe bumper cars? “I’m glad we both have friends back home.”
“Oh, how fascinating. So they exist here, but in different forms.” Terra thought it odd, but the whole situation was, so really he shouldn’t be surprised. “What do they do here?”
Before Megan could explain what a frap is, she nodded at his next statement. “Yes, it’s definitely on the sweeter side of things. Yes, there are plenty of options that fall under the sweet or not so sweet section. You can look at the menu and see what appeals to you, then I can inform you whether it might be too sweet or not.” Megan wanted to let the man have some say, especially when she didn’t know if he was allergic to anything or what he may not like. Last thing she wanted was to ruin Starbucks for someone because she ordered them the wrong thing. “Is there a flavor you like? We can see about maybe working with that and getting you something from that?”
Megan brought her hand back, allowing him to look at what a theme park was. She didn’t have any concern or worry about him running off with her phone, not even thinking about it. “They are fun…well as long as you’re into what theme parks have to offer. Some people are not big on them and they probably would disagree on them being fun. The rides are fun, the food while expensive it’s amazing, and the shows are always a joy. I know I enjoy hitting up theme parks when I can.” Not that she managed to go a lot, but it was always a fun time when she did manage to go. Which now that it was on her mind, she might need to look into that whenever she returned home and after she wrote her newest article for the blog.
Megan took her eyes off the menu, turning her attention on him at the question. Biting her bottom lip for a moment as she tried to decide on how to best answer the question about the ones he knew. “They meet with people mostly children, but they get adults as well. They take photos and sign items with the people who like them and take time away to come see them.” Megan felt bad for not saying the whole story, but it was for the best. And everything she said was true just that they were people being paid in a costume, which she had no plan on spilling that.
Terra considered. “I like vanilla. That’s a nice flavour. But I don’t like a lot of sweetness. I might try something hot, though.” He drank his tea warm, so why not his coffee? As far as he knew he didn’t have allergies.
He listened intently as Megan explained more about theme parks. Would he like such a place? Maybe, but a lot of people didn’t sound like something he would enjoy. Ever. “What’s your fave food?”
“Oh. So they’re really important, but just to kids?” How odd, but then again in this place everything felt odd really. “I’m glad people know who they are if nothing else.” Terra would be so confused if she mentioned costumes. “Oh I guess it’s our turn to order?”
Listening to what he liked, Megan had her eyes scanning over the menu for something that spoke more to his likes that he might enjoy or could at least try. “How about,” she pointed to an area on the menu, “vanilla creme under the steamers section?” Megan never had it but she figured it was worth a shot since it had vanilla was hot, and hopefully didn’t have a whole lot of sweetness. “Or is there something else on the menu you see that you want to try?” Megan asked, looking up at him to see if he had seen something more to his liking.
His question brought a chuckle, making a face as she tried to decide on an answer to the question. “That’s an impossible question to answer because I love so many different things. At theme park type of places? I might have to go with a funnel cake. Some may say that’s so basic but I don’t care. And you probably don’t even know what that is, huh?” Megan asked after realizing he might be so lost on the food that she just told him about.
She nodded slowly before adding as well, “And some adults. Cause you do have adults who know them and love them, but big time for the kids. The kids get very excited at meeting them.” She almost said and the same for adults; however, she felt that was getting a bit confusing, deciding to leave it how she said. “Yes, it is. You can order first and it’s on me,” she told him, moving to pull out the money from her pocket that she had taken from the house she woke up in.
Since it was basically their turn to order, Terra looked at the menu again. “I’ll try a latte? Maybe I can add vanilla?” The barista nodded, obviously wondering how long Terra would take to decide. After all, he did need to try coffee and the steamer didn’t seem to contain any.
“I don’t, but maybe I’ll learn after I’m here for a bit.” Terra wondered about funnel cake. At least he recognized ‘cake’.
“I’ll have a latte with vanilla. How ever much won’t make it too sweet.” To Megan he said, “Well at least they’re popular!” “Then do that. It’s a great way to dip your toes into the coffee world and see if you like it,” she offered. Megan did not need Terra pissing off any barista’s knowing how some could get and the last thing she wanted was them to mess with his order out of annoyance to the guy. She also didn’t know if explaining how he never been in a Starbucks or had coffee would help so instead, she was refusing to let anyone try to hurry them along so he had a moment to decide.
“It’s sooooo good,” she dragged out the so because it was needed and no one was telling her otherwise. Megan loved them and they were glorious treats. “Depending on how long we’re here, I will definitely need to introduce you to the amazing treat. Unless we’re not here that long then I won’t be able to do that.” There was no way the guy was escaping the treat unless the dome decided they weren’t needed here, then she’d end up missing out on the plan.
Megan could admit they were definitely popular. Might not be the way he knew them, but popular was one thing they were in this world as well as his. “That they are. And they have plenty of things about them like movies, shows, etc.” She smiled at the barista after he ordered before placing her order of a caramel frap. Deciding to order something different than her normal. Pulling out the cash to pay the order once given the amount.
Terra ordered, doing what he could to not cause anyone annoyance. The barista at least seemed to kind of know what he wanted and didn’t glare or anything.
He laughed. “Well I hope to get a chance to try them. They sound delicious.” Terra didn’t mind trying new foods, he just rarely got the chance.
“Thank you for the drink. I don’t know what movies or shows are, but it’s nice to know they have a presence here.”
“As long as this place doesn’t send us back all that quickly, you’ll have the chance to try one. They are amazing and so delicious. Trust me, I’ll be very shocked if you don’t like it,” she added because she couldn’t see anyone not loving funnel cakes. Though now talking about it had her wanting one very bad. Megan was all for introducing this guy to whatever she could while they were here, feeling like it would be fun.
Taking her drink once it was placed down, she smiled at him. “It’s no problem at all. The girl who usually has the house I’m staying in is technically the one who got you the drink. But hey, I’m happy to introduce you to these drinks so it’s fine.” Megan figured he’d catch on soon enough to what movies and shows were, especially with being around here. “They really do even if it might not be the same way you know them. We’ll grab a seat and I’ll tell you more about this world and you can tell me more on yours,” she said, moving to find an empty table.