Who: Justin Taylor and Margrave Royston When: Backdated: Mid September. Afternoon Where: Baxter's Bakery What: Introducing Royston to sparkling lattes Rating/Warnings: Family Friendly Status: Complete
As far as Justin was concerned, everyone should try a sparkling latte at least once. He had been a little weary of it the first time he’d seen it on the menu at Baxter’s Bakery, but now he could hardly go in there and not order one. This was one reason why he had decided that he should introduce Royston to the unique drink. He had a feeling that the older man would end up liking it, because he didn’t think he knew anyone who didn’t like it.
They had made their plans to meet at Baxter’s and Justin had taken a seat on a nearby bench outside the bakery, sketchpad in his lap as he sketched randomly while he waited for Royston to show up.
Royston attempted to be prompt, but as things usually worked out, that meant that he was not prompt. In his defense, he could claim that he was only just late. It was only a few minutes, but he was sure that it was more than enough given he’d had ample time to make it here and was truly delayed by his own vanity. He was almost certain he’d discovered a new gray hair at his temple and it made him spend a little too much time in the mirror making sure that he didn’t look horribly elderly before arriving at the bakery.
When he arrived, he didn’t immediately announce himself, taking a moment to study Justin as he sketched. He’d learned a while ago that studying people when they were not immediately aware of your presence was very telling. However, he was also aware that staring was considered impolite. “I hope you can forgive me for being late. It seems my vanity has reached problematic levels.”
Justin was also a people watcher, which was one of the many reasons he had his sketchpad on him at all times; so that he could sketch those that he found interesting. Hearing Royston’s voice, he turned, a smile upon his lips as he saw the other man, “Hey. It’s alright. I can totally forgive you.” Closing his sketchpad, he slid it back into his bag and got to his feet, “I’m extremely used to vain guys.” Brian had been one of the most vain people Justin had ever known and he had only known him in the dreams. “So you’re safe.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I have attempted to curb it, but so far I have not been successful.” He offered a sheepish smile. “Sketch anything interesting at least while you were waiting on me?” He opened the door to let him into the bakery. He’d never been to the place before, but at least it seemed fairly nice and well-kept. He still wasn’t sure what this sparkling latte was, but he was determined to at least try it considering Justin had suggested it. If it wasn’t good, then at least he could say he’d attempted it all the same. If it was good, well, then he had a new drink that he could enjoy.
“I’ll let you know if your vanity starts to become a problem,” Justin smirked as they went into the bakery, “Not really. I was just passing time.” He had a different sketch pad with him than the last time he and Royston got together, so if the older man wanted to take a look, Justin wouldn’t mind in the least, “So, the owner of Baxter’s is on Valarnet and a few other people who are on there work here too. There are actually two locations now, but this is the original.” He got into the line behind a small group, “And other than the lattes, pretty much everything else here is great.”
“Such kindness. May I thank you for the public service you will have done. Surely the world will sing your praises.” He had no real problem with teasing himself. It was at least not very self deprecating, as he could fall into the habit quite easily and without any hope of escaping it. Ah well.
He offered Justin a hint of a smile. “I’m sure it is wonderful either way. Even if it was simply passing the time.” He was already sure of his talent. He was not the sort of man to give false compliments. At least not when it came to people outside of the industry who would just as soon destroy you as help you if you said the wrong thing. Also when it came to his brother’s wife. “I will have to try something, then. Other than the lattes, of course.”
“I mean, why should it be my fault that I deprive the world of being able to look upon something so handsome,” Justin smirked at Royston a moment before glancing down at the various pastry cases to check out what they had in stock today. There were times when the selection changed depending on the day, but more often than not they usually had the same things daily, “What do you like? Danishes? Cupcakes? Cookies? They have pretty much anything.” They moved up a little as the girl at the counter took the next customer’s order, which put them a little closer to the front.
Royston couldn’t help but laugh. Being complimented was a weakness, one he was keeping a close eye on at the moment. He couldn’t be as careless as he’d been before (or in the dreams for that matter). He wasn’t concerned so much about people being aware of his preferences, but with the legal part of everything, he was trying to avoid a second instance. “Well, my ego thanks you for your kind words.” At his question, however, Royston paused. “I think I’m more of a danish man than a cupcake man. Even if I would probably eat cupcakes should they be given to me.” He studied the danishes. “I can never decide between cheese or cherry, which usually leads me to getting both. You’re free to get whatever you’d like, considering I refuse to listen to any arguments about your paying for it.”
Justin shook his head, “Sorry, but when I take someone’s sparkling latte virginity I always pay.” Not that he’d taken many people to Baxter's like this really. The only other person had been Max upon his arrival in town and now Royston, “So I’m the one who refuses to hear any arguments.” He smirked at the older man.
Royston couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “I think I found something more concerning than my vanity...and that is the stubbornness of young people.” He couldn’t help but smile all the same. “I guess I will have to hear an argument just this once. But in future, I will have to be more stubborn.”
“I have been told that I can be pretty stubborn when I want to be,” Stubborn was just one of the things that Justin had been called before, but it was definitely one that he’d heard often, “Next time I’ll let you pay. So, which will it be? Cheese or cherry?”
“Somehow I am not surprised.” But he was not bothered by it either. Not really. It was likely because he enjoyed his company. It hadn’t been all that long since Erik, but he had missed being around people who spoke to him as though he was a normal person and not some mystical being. “Cheese,” he said simply. He liked both, but cherry was always a little more sickly and he really only trusted cherry from certain places.
“Cheese it is then.” Once they finally reached the barista, Justin gave her their order then moved over to wait for them, which didn’t take long. Once lattes and pastries were in hand, Justin led the way over to an empty table, “Alright. Time for your first taste of a sparkling latte.” He said, smirking once they were seated, “And if you don’t like it, all I’ve got to say is that you’re crazy.”
“Crazy wouldn’t be the worst thing I’ve been called,” Royston commented, an amused expression covering up the truth of the matter. But that was show business. Everyone really was a critic. Even people who had no place criticizing. But now he had to try this latte. He eyed it suspiciously for a moment, noting that it did, indeed, sparkle. “No time like the present,” was all he said before he took his first, hesitant sip. It wasn’t bad. It was a bit like a regular latte, only...clearly sparkling. “All right. I suppose I trust your judgment.”
Justin watched as Royston took a sip of the latte, waiting to see what his reaction to it would be. “I knew you’d like it. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t actually liked it.” A grin spread across Justin’s lips before he took a sip of his own latte. “Watch, now you’ll become addicted to these.”
“Just what I needed,” he said with a laugh. “An addiction to sparkling lattes.” He supposed he had different addictions, but none of them were actually harmful. The top three were books, work, and attractive men. Sparkling lattes wouldn’t really be any more harmful. “I hope you understand I’ll be blaming you.”
Justin laughed and set his cup down in order to tear a piece off his own danish, “I’ll gladly take the blame for your sparkling latte addiction.” It was better than some things people could become addicted to, so Justin didn’t mind taking the blame for this one.