"But we always miss the places where we aren’t, hmm?" Who: Helen & Crowley What: Random encounter When: A bit ago Where: A café Rating: Low Status: Complete!
Helen had been having a difficult month, first with the dreams and now with her failing relationship. Nothing seemed to be going as planned. What was meant to be her happily ever after was turning out to be a nightmare. She’d opened her heart, let someone in again. And she’d gotten hurt.
She wanted an escape, but so much was at stake. For now, she would take the next best thing, an afternoon away. Most of the afternoon, she could be found tucked into the corner of a small cafe near her office, a cup of tea cooling on the table in front of her.
The proper caffeine in Anthony’s office had been all but forcibly removed, as everyone seemed to delight in the fact that he was technically only allowed minimal quantities of it. This proved a great inconvenience, as it meant he now had to go down the street to acquire a decent cup of coffee.
The cafe proved to have more than a decent cup of coffee, so he made it a habit to pop by when he could. But it was small, and perhaps, he felt, over filled with things to make it appear ‘cozy.’ Which was why he accidentally bumped the table of a lady doing nothing but minding her own business.
“Oh - My God, I’m so sorry,” he said, immediately turning to see that he hadn’t spilled anything or made a mess. “My sincerest apologies.”
Having fallen into old habits, Helen’s attention was focused on life outside the window, and had he not bumped into her table, she might not have even realized she was sharing the space with others. As it was, she nearly jumped at the intrusion, startled to find she wasn’t alone.
She was clearly shaken, but she smiled, shaking her head. “It’s all right. Really.”
“Oh, good. I was worried I’d made a mess of your things.” Anthony cracked a bit of a smile, looking relieved. “This place is a bit hard to navigate during their peak rush, it seems.”
“A bit,” she agreed, gesturing to the seat across from her, inviting him to take it if he wished. She wasn’t expecting anyone, and company wasn’t as unwelcome as it had been even a few months ago. “Please.”
“Oh. Well, thank you,” he said, with a certain degree of surprise. Anthony took the seat and sipped at his coffee.
She offered her hand across the table. “Helen Magnus. It’s a pleasure.” Her tone was warm, unmistakably British though it had softened with time. Still, her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
He did quite like how many fellow Brits were in the OC. It made him very reassured in his choice of location, and so he smiled as he shook her hand.
“Anthony Crowley. The pleasure’s all mine, I assure you.”
It was comforting, if somewhat disconcerting, that there were so many of them in a relatively small area. But very little made sense in this county. Perhaps it would be best if she didn’t question it.
“Have you been here long?”
“Hmm? Oh, no, not at all. A month at best, I think.” Anthony paused, thinking on the dates. “Just about a month exactly, I believe. I think I’ve settled in quite nicely. Don’t know why I’ve never come here sooner. I take it you’ve been here much longer than that.”
She nodded. "I've been in the US nearly twenty-four years now, California for half of that." A small smile graced her features. "I always thought I'd go back. But I never did."
“My God,” he said, “twenty four years? That’s quite a stretch.” He wasn’t even sure he’d manage to stay that long, as much as he loves it. “Do you not want to go back, or it’s just something that keeps getting postponed?” Anthony hesitated a moment. “Er. Sorry, I’m nosy.”
A short time ago, that would have bothered her, but now, she found it only mildly unsettling. Largely Varric's influence. As much as she hated to admit it, the dreams hadn't hurt either.
"My father is still there. I make the odd visit.". But that wasn't really answering his question, was it? "I built a life here, raised a daughter. It never seemed like an option after that."
“Fair enough. I suppose you can’t argue with that. And the weather’s a touch better, isn’t it.” Anthony knew everyone said that, but it was his favourite part by far.
“I miss the rain.” Still, she didn’t think she could go back. Too much time had passed. Too much was different.
“Really?” Anthony made a face. The rain did nothing but muck up his shoes and his car. “I suppose to each their own.”
“It was comforting. Familiar.” Helen was a woman fond of constants. “But this is home now.”
“I suppose that’s fair. But we always miss the places where we aren’t, hmm?” He gave her a cheerful smile.
"Always," she agreed softly.
Anthony fell silent and took a long drink of his coffee, trying not to tap his fingers on the table. “I guess I ought to be going before people start wondering where I’ve run off to.”
"Sometimes it's best to let them wonder." It was difficult to say whether or not that piece I advice was meant for him, and she pressed her fingers to the window, watching the people pass. Giving him her full attention again, she smiled. "It's been a pleasure."
"An absolute one," Anthony said, sincerely. "Thank you for letting me interrupt you." He stood with a smile as he downed the rest of his drink. "Cheers."
“Of course.” She waited until he was well out of sight before turning back to the world outside her window.