True to her word, Shy made a trip to the Bon Bon Boutique. 'Twas after the carnival, late on that September Saturday evening, that she, with Cooper in tow, sought out Katt's place of business. Of course it was not open, but that was not the reason for the visit. Nei. She simply wanted to locate the address so she would know which route to take the next time she journeyed to the bakery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today is the day! 'Tis late in the morning, yet before mid-day, as she meanders down the stone path that leads to the Bon Bon. Upon her arrival at the quaint shoppe, the Seafaring Warrior pauses to read the chalked message on the little blackboard next to the front door:

Yum Yum of the Month
For the month of October
Pumpkin Carrot Cupcakes with Orange-Cream Cheese Frosting

"Those do sound quite appetizing." Nodding her head as she speaks to herself.

Without further ado, the Norse woman readjusts the large packages she is carrying, then enters the two-story stone-and-wood structure. Immediately upon crossing over the threshold her nostrils are assailed by the most wonderful aromas; so delicious smelling, are they, that she begins to lightly salivate. Closing the door behind her, her light blue gaze sweeps over the interior taking note of the decor, the items for sale and the large, albeit unusual, contraption at one end of the counter.

"Uff da. Hva in Hel is that thing?"

Hopefully not another one of those damnable computers that she and Guthorm destroyed several years ago when on a secret mission to 'the Mall'. 'Twas a late night clandestine trip; the stores were closed and nei one else was around. If apprehended, they had mutually agreed to blame it all onto Ms. Obsidian Shayd.

Another adjustment is given to those bulky brown paper-wrapped bundles, hefting them higher as she makes her way over to the silvery beast for a better look-see, and a sniff or two. Peers around the big metal machine, to its front. Of course she notices the clean cups and all of the pretty shiny buttons. And are not buttons made to be pushed? Glances around, nei sign of Katt or anyone else ... yet.

"I wonder...," whispers as she reaches out with a gloved index finger.

After randomly choosing one of those pretty shiny buttons, and pushing it, a surprised expression surfaces when there is an outpouring of steam from the big silver contraption. An arching of one eyebrow as the vapor quickly dissipates.

Proceeds to press another button as she inquires of herself, "Hva shall this one produce?"

Disaster, that is what!

Dark liquid suddenly starts flowing out of the beast in two different places. Hoping to stem the tide of java, Shy pushes that same button again (thrice for good measure). Alas, she soon realizes her action only serves to keep the coffee running; much like one of those magical water faucets with a broken handle.

The next best thing to do? Slap the sides of the beast and yell at it. Perhaps that will make it stop!

Panicking as the overflowing begins, drops the paper-wrapped packages onto the floor and kicks them out of the way. Alternates between pounding on the machine, pushing more buttons and setting cup after cup after cup beneath the spots where the coffee is draining out. Because she is unable to prevent the beast from spewing coffee all over her gloves, the counter and elsewhere much cursing takes place; the profane language is streaming out of her mouth just as quickly as the brew is pouring out of the gigantic pot-thingie.

"Hello, Miss Shy! Here let me help-" Yanks the plug. "-you!"

Caught with her hands in the ... well now, it certainly is not a cookie jar. How embarrassing! The heat of the blush is felt as her cheeks turn a dark pinkish hue.

"Greetings, Katt!" Said a bit too cheerfully. "How are you this dag?"

Ja, act as if nothing is amiss; what an ingenious tactic. Mayhap Katt will not suggest that she clean up the mess. And what a mess!

"I have something for you." Sheepishly states as the napkins are gratefully accepted.

Those supple leather gloves Shy wears are ruined, but that is her own fault. As uncomfortable as it mayhap be, she has decided to leave them on for the time being. At least they do not have a putrid smell to them, yet. And since she has sopped up whatever amount of coffee she possibly can off her kidskin hand coverings, plops the thoroughly wet napkins, one-by-one, upon the countertop next to the silvery beast, building a small, soggy brown mountain.

"I am..alive. How are you?"

Smirking when Katt uses the same standard response as herself replies, "I, too, am alive. Takk for the asking!" Continuing to use that overly chipper tone of voice.

"Something for me? Oh! An order? I'll get right to it when I am done cleaning up here. Please do have a seat. Is there anything I can get you to drink?"

"Katt, I am very sorry for making such an awful mess. Please forgive me." Crimson coloured cheeks darkening further as she apologizes to the Baker.

"I shall be placing an order, ja." Nodding, for it is the least she can do after causing so much trouble. Then states, "Howe'er, 'tis not the 'something' that I mentioned." A shake of her head to that last inquiry. "Nei, nought to drikke. Takk."

Moves to where those two packages are resting on the floor; a safe distance away from the spewed java. Picking them up, brings them over to a table and sets them down.

"'Tis these to which I referred, Katt." Smiling and patting the larger of the paper-wrapped bundles.

Shy's smile widens with Katt's inquiry. The Baker's curiosity is easily distinquishable by sound and sight, and it greatly pleases the Seafaring Warrior. Hopefully, the proprietor of the Bon Bon Boutique will be equally as delighted once the contents of the two packages are revealed.

"These, Katt, are for you. Komm, open them and see hva surprises await!"

Pulls out one of the chairs at the table and eases down onto its seat. Though the female Viking may appear outwardly calm and collected (a seasoned warrior's notable and disciplined trait) she is quite eager, as well as a bit nervous, about how the Baker shall react to her gifts.

"I have two questions for you, Miss. The first is this ... hva is the month and dag of your birth? And the second is ... when did you acquire this wonderful shoppe?" Again, seeking a date; at least the month.

'Twas no surprise to Shy when the Baker displays a wariness upon learning the packages are for her, and surely she must wonder about the reasons behind the gift-giving; most others would react in the same manner, and have done so in the past. There is never any offense taken on the Seafaring Warriors part when such a thing happens. On the other hand, Katt's seeming hesitation (perhaps even reluctance) about answering the questions, is most curious. As far as Shy is concerned those inquiries are ordinary ones, even if she does have a hidden motive.

When Katt pokes at the parcels, it causes Shy to chortle and say, "Do not worry, nought inside is going to bite you." Her laughter is short-lived, however, when Katt reveals that only one other person has inquired about her date of birth.

"Truly? Nei one else has e'er asked you? How ... (awful? sad? disappointing?)" Leaves the sentence unfinished for a moment, simply because she is unsure if 'tis a good thing or not; perhaps Katt does not want that information known. Quickly completes the sentence with, "... does that make you feel?"

"December 14th..is my birthday. And sometime in April was when I bought the building."

Suddenly she is privy to Katt's birthday and the month when she purchased the quaint structure. If Katt wishes for her not to tell anyone, 'tis a promise she shall readily make and keep!

"Well na, consider one parcel your long o'erdue 'congratulations on starting up your own business' gift, and the other bundle your early f?dselsdag present."

And glad, she is, that Katt decides to open the smaller package first. Once that wrapping is undone, she finds a white hoodie with three small images on the front; beneath those cute oval pictures are corresponding words with little hearts placed for emphasis.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii136/NorseLady_photos/whoodie1.jpg


The larger (birthday) package contains a stylish winter jacket (also white) for someone of Katt's apparent age (though Shy is well aware how deceiving appearances can be), and a pair of finely handcrafted boots to keep her feet warm during the cold and snowy month's ahead.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii136/NorseLady_photos/wcoat1.jpg http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii136/NorseLady_photos/wboots.gif

All items should fit Katt comfortably; not too large and not too small.

An arching of one eyebrow as the Chocolatier reveals that she has not celebrated her birthday in the past, and then quietly states it does not really matter when others do not ask about her date of birth. "I see." However, the Viking truly believes that deep down, in the young woman's heart, it does matter.

At least Katt is smiling when viewing what is on the front of the white hoodie; even giggled at the logo!

"You are velkommen!" Replies after being thanked. Although unsure of what the Baker means by 'something else,' decides not to inquire about the slang terms. Pleased that Katt likes the gift says, "I hope I shall see you wearing it sometime soon." Applying a little pressure? Absolutely!

Katt's reaction appears much more animated once the second bundle is opened to reveal its surprise.

"Oh woowwww! Miss Shy thank you! These will be great during winter! Ooo! I get to play in the snow all night long now!"

Releasing the breath she has been holding, immediately smiles. "Again, you are most velkommen!" Quite relieved when all seems well. And her hidden motive? Still safe for the time being.

Reaches over to point out the fur-lined hood of the jacket. "You kann remove this part when 'tis not needed. I thought you might like that option." Coffee-soaked gloved hand drawn back without having actually touched the outer garment, making sure not to get it wet or stained. "And f?dselsdag means 'birthday' in the common tongue of this land."

"Na two more questions need answering, Katt." See her pretty smile? All dimples and pearly whites. "How old will you be on the Fourteenth of Desember? And hva is your surnavn?"

Pretty smile remains as she watches the Chocolatier try on the new winter jacket. Of course Shy is simply delighted when the young woman says the hood shall remain in place. And it appears as if Katt likes the feel of fur, which is a good thing as far as the Viking is concerned.

A glance down at the indicated glove on her hand; the leather having been ruined by her own carelessness, and she can still smell the java since the kidskin has not yet dried. "Takk for the offering, Katt, but these shall be tossed away once I arrive hjem. Leather tends to shrink after it has bekomm wet and then left to dry. I have another pair at my log hus so I am not concerned about it.

"Twenty-three, you say?" Nods. "Tis very much the age I guessed, e'en though I did not vocalize it. I ask these questions because otherwise I would not know the answers." The truth is plain and simple; there is no other reason behind the inquiry than the one she just stated.

"When is your birthday..?"

Light laughter bubbles up and tumbles out of Shy at the unexpected request for personal information by Miss Rhysata. "Not many ask me that question. I was born late in the e'ening during the Nor?rlj?s, or as many others call them, the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. 'Twas on the Eleventh dag of Februar. Howe'er, the dag mayhap be incorrect. It could have been a week later."

It does not appear bothersome to the Seafaring Warrior, one way or the other, if her birthday is on the eleventh or the eighteenth; the month is what matters to her, as well as the time of night.

"I must be going soon, Katt. I should very much like half a dozen of your Oktober's Yum Yum. They sound quite delicious!" In fact, she is eager to taste one of those pumpkin-carrot cupcakes with orange-cream cheese frosting. "And perhaps half a dozen of sjokolade ones, if you have any available."

Stands up and moves over to the display case in search of various flavoured cupcakes with chocolate icing, or chocolate cupcakes with an array of flavoured frosting.

The smorgasbord of edible delights are being gobbled up by lightest of blue eyes as the Viking stands in front of the display case. Each baked good receives attentive consideration, although some much more than others depending on Shy's preferences. Without taking her gaze off of the mouth-watering desserts, yet hearing what sounds like a question, responds, "Have you ne'er heard of the Nordlys?"

A heartbeat later and the Viking is regaling the Chocolatier with a colourful description of the beautiful and mysterious lights that appear in the northern sky of her homeland. How they can be like rolling smoke or flickering curtains or waves washing over the midnight blanket of stars. Where the luminous green can have a hint of pink along its edges and at the center, a deep violet. And if the Fates are with you scarlet red and bright yellow, bloom.

So caught up in speaking about the Nor?rlj?s and picturing them in her minds-eye, it comes as a complete surprise when two boxes of cupcakes are slid across the counter toward her.

"You have been really kind to me, Miss Shy. Please..consider these a thank you!"

"I was not so kind when I toyed with your contraption and made a big mess for you to clean up. I must pay for these delicious kupkakers, and I shall not leave here without doing so. Besides, how do you expect to make a profit if you give them away? Na, how much do I owe?"

Even though two dozen cupcakes were considerably more than she wants or needs, all will be purchased. Once the boxes are in her possession, departure commences. With a congenial, dimpled smile and a nod to the Chocolatier, and feeling secure in knowing the motive behind the gift-giving remains intact (for the time being), bades Miss Rhysata a soft good-bye. "Farvel for na, Katt!" Then proceeds to take her leave of the quaint two-story structure.

Later that evening, the Seafaring Warrior's visit to the Bon Bon Boutique shall be described as an experience where sight, smell and taste met Bliss. As sure as there are two moons above RhyDin, the Wild and a couple of others shall learn of it. And Katt can be confident that Shy will return again to her place of business in the near future.