Who: Yukito Tsukishiro and Anna of Arendelle When: Early June Where: Cafe What: Random Encounter Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Anna was pretty much addicted to coffee. Those milkshake thingies that were sort of like coffee, but mostly milk, cream, sugar and caramel, with just a hint of espresso. But that’s the way she liked it. Lots of energy in those big, drinks--actually, mostly lots of sugar in them--and that’s what Anna pretty much always needed. Lots of energy. She couldn’t live on Red Bull alone, so she headed into the cafe in the morning to get a big, blended, sugary, coffee-like drink to bring with her to campus.
She stepped into the coffee shop and glanced around, smiling warmly, though a bit distractedly. It was early enough that her shower had only mostly woken up the redhead, and she was still stifling yawns behind her hands.
Yukito was beginning to emerge from the sad state he’d been in since Yue had made an appearance and even though he hadn’t remembered it immediately, when the dreams had come he’d seen how he’d changed and become the winged guardian. It was then he knew that he had been the reason for Sakura’s injuries and he’d shut himself away for a while.
But when he’d received an email from one of his tutors he knew he needed to return to class or risk being dropped which would lead to his return to Japan and away from Touya and Sakura. Leaving early meant he avoided Touya and so he decided to get a coffee from the shop. He saw the smiling girl and realising it was Anna gave her a wan smile in return, she reminded him of Sakura, always happy.
Anna rubbed one of her eyes with her knuckles, trying desperately to wake up this morning. She saw Yukito smiling back and that brightened her day. He’d been such a gentleman the last time she’d seen him, helping her pick up the books she’d dropped. “Early enough for you?” She asked, teasing, trying to bring some of her Anna cheerfulness to the cafe this morning.
“It isn't too bad. Still early enough to need a caffeine fix though” he replied, “How have you been?”
“I need some coffee before you can start asking the big questions,” Anna teased, softly. Nothing really big had happened recently, had it? She couldn’t think, her brain was still foggy. “I think I’ve been pretty good. How about you?”
Yukito smiled and gave a little chuckle, “No maths for you then” he replied, before shrugging, “I’m okay. Dreams haven’t been kind lately but I hear that isn’t an unusual thing”
“Thank God I don’t have math first thing in the morning,” Anna said, giving him a bright smile. “I like trying to schedule my art classes first thing, but a lot of artists are night folk, so…” Then she frowned a little. “You all right? The Dreams can be totally mean.”
“That shows dedication I think, you aren’t a morning person but you make the sacrifice for your art” Yukito smiled before it dimmed slightly, “I’ll be okay, just dealing with discovering I’m not the only me. There’s another version of me with his own feelings and thoughts. I’m like a cover for him” A fake person.
Anna laughed. “That’s exactly it! I love the way you put it! Isn’t that what all artists do, though?” Her grin fell into a bit of a confused expression. “Wait, what? You mean there’s another… are you a clone or something?” Anna asked, then realized it might have been insensitive. “Oh gosh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Oh I don’t know, they don’t always have the dedication to do that” Yukito said, before he shook his head, “It’s okay. And not a clone no, it’s more like...I guess schizophrenia but one that actually manifests as a real other person. Does that make sense?”
“Oh gosh!” Anna repeated herself, lifting her hand to cover her mouth in a gasp. “Wow! I mean, that sounds really crazy! I don’t even… I can’t even imagine!” She said, and shook her head. “I mean, if you ever need to talk about it? I know I’m just a stranger, but I hate the idea of you going through this and needing someone to talk to.”
“It’s strange I have to admit, in the dreams I feel like a fake person. I was only really created to be a cover for the powerful being that I turn into. I know it’s different here but it makes me feel a little strange sometimes. Thank you, I do appreciate the offer” Yukito said, “You are very kind”
“It’s the least I can do,” Anna said, genuinely. She was highly empathetic, and wanted to care for people as much as she possibly could. Even if they were relative strangers. “Your Dreams sound intense. I mean, I don’t really even understand them.”
“They are very strange” Yukito said, “Honestly I don’t either all the time, and I used to complain they were boring” he said with a wry smile and little sigh.
Anna couldn’t help but smile, too. She nodded. “I know how that feels, I think. My Dreams were kind of boring at first, too, and then they got crazy. It seems like my Dreams went from boring to insane overnight, really.”
“That is exactly it” Yukito agreed, “It is good to know I am not the only one this has happened to” he told her with a smile. And it did help a little to know he wasn’t alone, even if they didn’t share dreams they shared experiences.
Anna nodded. “You’re definitely not alone.” She wanted to make sure he understood that. She was practically a stranger, but she’d be there for him. Because she wanted strangers to be there for her, if she needed it. “Well, I should grab my coffee and head out. I have to get to my first class soon!”
“Oh yes of course, thank you for talking to me Anna” he said with a polite smile, “You are very kind. I hope you have a good class”
Anna brightened. What a nice guy. “Thanks! You, too.” And then she went up to the counter to order her coffee.