(Another joint effort .. thank you to all who participated. You know who you are!)
*****
Taking tea with Katie in the evening was starting to become quiet a habit for Russ. He found her safe and pleasant to talk with. She heard quite a bit about the city and people even though her shop was out of the way. On this particular evening, Russ arrived with two cups of lentil soup from a nearby eatery, the soup accompanied with a large chunk of bread and fresh sweet cream butter. Katie had always been nice to Russ so he figured a little bit of nice back would be good. He set up their dinner on the counter and they talked while she did her normal closing up the shop routine. It didn't take him long to finish his soup and he was busy enjoying a cup of tea that he had made himself when the casual question came, "So, Katie, what do you know about Paris?"
Katie's fingers continued fussing with the ribbon she was using to tie a nice bow with. She very much enjoyed the soup and was still working through it in between packing up a special order. She didn't immediately look up at the question although her answer was pretty quick, "It's a nice place to visit but is not my favorite vacation destination. Why?" She finished the bow with a gentle tug on either side and then looked up to focus on her tea buddy, Russ. "Planning a visit?"
Russ chuckled. "Not the where, the who."
With a prim smile, Katie replied with an, "Ahh, that Paris. Well, the latest rumor is that she had a rather dreadful encounter with an aggressive papparazzi who ended up on the bad end of her favorite bodyguard. There were no specific injuries to people but she's decided to avoid the public eye for a while. And the papparazzi will need to get a new camera. I expect a lawsuit of some kind." She continued to watch Russ with that same prim smile. She picked up the newly bowed package and set it inside the larger delivery box already packed with several other smaller packages. She nudged the larger box to the side so she could give the soup a bit more attention. "I wasn't aware you had a fascination with Paris."
Russ' head tipped to the side as Katie related the story about the female Paris that seemed to somehow even make news here. After Katie was done, he leaned forward and murmured, "You know that's not the Paris I was curious about."
She met his lean with one of her own, smile tugging at her expression and a rather amused twinkle in her eye. Her own tone matched Russ' when she murmured back, "And why would you be interested in that Paris, hmm?"
That caught him off guard. He thought that if he introduced the question into a casual conversation that he could get Katie to start rattling off stories and other things about the seldom seen Paris without too much in the way of explanation. Katie, however, was a bit more on the ball than many gave her credit for though. Russ cleared his throat and gave a casual shrug. "Just curious. Bast told me to run if I ever met him. I was wondering why he'd say that."
Katie continued to regard Russ for a long moment while she stirred the soup to evenly distribute the remaining warmth. Although it didn't particularly seem so, her reply was more careful. "If Bast said that, perhaps you should be asking him what he meant rather than me."
Russ studied his tea thinking about things. Eventually he started talking again. "Paris came to London's flat looking for a shower and I think London. London was gone for the night and so that left me there. So um, yeah. I'm just curious about Paris." He didn't look up until after he took a large drink to drain his tea cup.
"Did he?" Katie's browse were up a bit. To give herself a few moments to think, Katie moved to collect the tea pot from the warmer. Katie had always assumed that where Portia was, so was Paris even if Paris held to his old habits of largerly staying out of sight and keeping to himself. She recalled that he often was the loner of the group, the one who watched more than participated. She poured the tea with a practiced hand, not a drop wasted. The pot was returned to the warmer and Katie had no recourse other than the return to her seat. She nibbled her lip for a long moment before she cleared her throat. "Paris is very dear, Russ. He's unique and I suspect if there is curiosity there, it will be satisfied in due time." She lifted her own tea cup and smiled at Russ over the rim. "I suggest patience."
Russ nodded, a little frustrated that he couldn't just keep peppering her with questions but he was smart enough to tell by her tone that the subject of Paris was closed. She was right though. He let it pass and focused instead on something else. "I didn't know you read the gossip magazines, Katie." He let the conversation go back to the first who-Paris she'd spoken of before.
Katie laughed. Russ was smarter than he looked. She picked up a stray tea bag and threw it in his direction. "You... I made that up. I have no time for those things at all."
Russ didn't try to duck and ended up swatted by the tea bag. He plucked the dry tea bag from where it had fallen after hitting his chest. For a moment Russ looked like he was going to toss it back. As it happened, only the tease, "So you say," ended up tossed in Katie's direction.
That earned a laugh from Katie. It was nice to have someone to chat with and share tea with and she didn't realize how much she enjoyed it until that moment. "So, London was out an about overnight hmm?" Her voice took on a more consipiratorial tone and she hunched her shoulders forward as she leaned in toward Russ again, one hand on the counter between them. "Do we need to wonder where he spends his time?"
Russ laughed himself. It was good to see Katie enjoying herself and it was nice to know he had earned a laugh from her. To the question about London, Russ shrugged. "My guess is that he stayed over at you-know-who's place again." If Katie wanted to get all hush hush and pretend to conspire, Russ could go along with it. He even gave a wink wink, nudge nudge 'say no more' gesture. "If you get my meaning."
Katie pushed back and lifted her hand to cover her mouth in a mock look of horror. "Oh no, you don't say. You-Know-Who again? This is getting serious." She let her hand drop to her lap, a smile still on her face but the silly of the moment passing. "How are you doing with that?" Although largely unconfirmed, Katie had a secret suspicion about Russ and London; more about Russ than London.
Russ shrugged first then a grin dashed across his features. "London hasn't kicked me out yet so things are fine, right?" Russ' own tone turned more serious as he considered the London situation. "He seems pretty okay to me. London had been sort of strange for a while but he went back out to visit and things seem better for London." Russ figured it was time for London to have it better than he'd had it in the past. Russ smiled at Katie as he said, "When he doesn't need or want me around as much, I'll move my illicit internet dealings back to the cabin." He was grinning even wider by the end. After all, Russ reasoned, he had at least one very good reason to spend more time at the cabin. Might have to consider one or two nights a week there even if London doesn't kick him out sooner rather than later.
"Oh yes, of course." Katie chuckled. Always back to that joke and yet it didn't get old. A part of her wondered if it was just a diversionary conversational tactic or did Russ really have some sort of a scam running. She then had to consider Russ and how nice and sweet he seemed and she couldn't imagine him scamming anyone out of anything. "I hope things are going well for you in that respect. And how is your," she coughed delicately, "horse?"
"Stubborn's fine. He's being boarded right now and is happy as can be so far as I have been told. It's easier and quicker to get back and forth on the bike." He spoke fondly of the dirt bike, a finger lifting to scritch at a fading mark on his cheek. When he noticed Katie's inquisitive expression centering on the mark, Russ muttered with a good-natured chuckle, "I just need to watch out for stray branches."
"Ahh, I was wondering." She took a sip of her tea and glanced at the door. "Weather's turning more bitter. They say we're in for a storm. You might want to consider something other than a dirt bike to get back and forth. Maybe a snow-um..crawler?"
"Snowmobile." He corrected her mis-use of the word. "Not a bad idea really. You ever ridden a snowmobile before, Katie?"
She laughed and shook her head negative. "Oh heavens no. I like to be warm." She didn't feel it necessary to mention that being warm kept the pain in her joints at bay. "I'll keep warm tea ready for you, how's that?" Her tone was quite firm in her decision. She would not be out romping in the snow anytime soon and that was quite final.
Russ laughed and slid from his stool after checking his watch. It was getting late and he should head back to the flat. He couldn't resist another little poke, though. "Aww, you might like it. There might be some speedy snow-demon inside you." He started to gather his plastic bowl and spoon up to clean up his mess but Katie waved at him to leave it be.
Katie waved her hand to shoo Russ away light mess on the counter. "I'll get that." Katie then found herself giggling at the idea of a demon-anything inside her. "That's not likely, and you know it. Good night, Russ. Be safe."
Russ grinned at her. "Good night, Katie. Take care of yourself."
"Of course."
He turned and headed for the door, whistling something that was horridly off-key. His step had a definite bounce to it, not obvious to someone who didn't know him but for those who did .. Russ was in a pretty good mood.
She watched him go and shook her head, a grin on her face. It was nice that the boys seemed to be doing good. Maybe it was time to give London a call and get him over for tea. Yes. That sounded like a good idea to her. She'd call him first thing in the morning.
*****
Taking tea with Katie in the evening was starting to become quiet a habit for Russ. He found her safe and pleasant to talk with. She heard quite a bit about the city and people even though her shop was out of the way. On this particular evening, Russ arrived with two cups of lentil soup from a nearby eatery, the soup accompanied with a large chunk of bread and fresh sweet cream butter. Katie had always been nice to Russ so he figured a little bit of nice back would be good. He set up their dinner on the counter and they talked while she did her normal closing up the shop routine. It didn't take him long to finish his soup and he was busy enjoying a cup of tea that he had made himself when the casual question came, "So, Katie, what do you know about Paris?"
Katie's fingers continued fussing with the ribbon she was using to tie a nice bow with. She very much enjoyed the soup and was still working through it in between packing up a special order. She didn't immediately look up at the question although her answer was pretty quick, "It's a nice place to visit but is not my favorite vacation destination. Why?" She finished the bow with a gentle tug on either side and then looked up to focus on her tea buddy, Russ. "Planning a visit?"
Russ chuckled. "Not the where, the who."
With a prim smile, Katie replied with an, "Ahh, that Paris. Well, the latest rumor is that she had a rather dreadful encounter with an aggressive papparazzi who ended up on the bad end of her favorite bodyguard. There were no specific injuries to people but she's decided to avoid the public eye for a while. And the papparazzi will need to get a new camera. I expect a lawsuit of some kind." She continued to watch Russ with that same prim smile. She picked up the newly bowed package and set it inside the larger delivery box already packed with several other smaller packages. She nudged the larger box to the side so she could give the soup a bit more attention. "I wasn't aware you had a fascination with Paris."
Russ' head tipped to the side as Katie related the story about the female Paris that seemed to somehow even make news here. After Katie was done, he leaned forward and murmured, "You know that's not the Paris I was curious about."
She met his lean with one of her own, smile tugging at her expression and a rather amused twinkle in her eye. Her own tone matched Russ' when she murmured back, "And why would you be interested in that Paris, hmm?"
That caught him off guard. He thought that if he introduced the question into a casual conversation that he could get Katie to start rattling off stories and other things about the seldom seen Paris without too much in the way of explanation. Katie, however, was a bit more on the ball than many gave her credit for though. Russ cleared his throat and gave a casual shrug. "Just curious. Bast told me to run if I ever met him. I was wondering why he'd say that."
Katie continued to regard Russ for a long moment while she stirred the soup to evenly distribute the remaining warmth. Although it didn't particularly seem so, her reply was more careful. "If Bast said that, perhaps you should be asking him what he meant rather than me."
Russ studied his tea thinking about things. Eventually he started talking again. "Paris came to London's flat looking for a shower and I think London. London was gone for the night and so that left me there. So um, yeah. I'm just curious about Paris." He didn't look up until after he took a large drink to drain his tea cup.
"Did he?" Katie's browse were up a bit. To give herself a few moments to think, Katie moved to collect the tea pot from the warmer. Katie had always assumed that where Portia was, so was Paris even if Paris held to his old habits of largerly staying out of sight and keeping to himself. She recalled that he often was the loner of the group, the one who watched more than participated. She poured the tea with a practiced hand, not a drop wasted. The pot was returned to the warmer and Katie had no recourse other than the return to her seat. She nibbled her lip for a long moment before she cleared her throat. "Paris is very dear, Russ. He's unique and I suspect if there is curiosity there, it will be satisfied in due time." She lifted her own tea cup and smiled at Russ over the rim. "I suggest patience."
Russ nodded, a little frustrated that he couldn't just keep peppering her with questions but he was smart enough to tell by her tone that the subject of Paris was closed. She was right though. He let it pass and focused instead on something else. "I didn't know you read the gossip magazines, Katie." He let the conversation go back to the first who-Paris she'd spoken of before.
Katie laughed. Russ was smarter than he looked. She picked up a stray tea bag and threw it in his direction. "You... I made that up. I have no time for those things at all."
Russ didn't try to duck and ended up swatted by the tea bag. He plucked the dry tea bag from where it had fallen after hitting his chest. For a moment Russ looked like he was going to toss it back. As it happened, only the tease, "So you say," ended up tossed in Katie's direction.
That earned a laugh from Katie. It was nice to have someone to chat with and share tea with and she didn't realize how much she enjoyed it until that moment. "So, London was out an about overnight hmm?" Her voice took on a more consipiratorial tone and she hunched her shoulders forward as she leaned in toward Russ again, one hand on the counter between them. "Do we need to wonder where he spends his time?"
Russ laughed himself. It was good to see Katie enjoying herself and it was nice to know he had earned a laugh from her. To the question about London, Russ shrugged. "My guess is that he stayed over at you-know-who's place again." If Katie wanted to get all hush hush and pretend to conspire, Russ could go along with it. He even gave a wink wink, nudge nudge 'say no more' gesture. "If you get my meaning."
Katie pushed back and lifted her hand to cover her mouth in a mock look of horror. "Oh no, you don't say. You-Know-Who again? This is getting serious." She let her hand drop to her lap, a smile still on her face but the silly of the moment passing. "How are you doing with that?" Although largely unconfirmed, Katie had a secret suspicion about Russ and London; more about Russ than London.
Russ shrugged first then a grin dashed across his features. "London hasn't kicked me out yet so things are fine, right?" Russ' own tone turned more serious as he considered the London situation. "He seems pretty okay to me. London had been sort of strange for a while but he went back out to visit and things seem better for London." Russ figured it was time for London to have it better than he'd had it in the past. Russ smiled at Katie as he said, "When he doesn't need or want me around as much, I'll move my illicit internet dealings back to the cabin." He was grinning even wider by the end. After all, Russ reasoned, he had at least one very good reason to spend more time at the cabin. Might have to consider one or two nights a week there even if London doesn't kick him out sooner rather than later.
"Oh yes, of course." Katie chuckled. Always back to that joke and yet it didn't get old. A part of her wondered if it was just a diversionary conversational tactic or did Russ really have some sort of a scam running. She then had to consider Russ and how nice and sweet he seemed and she couldn't imagine him scamming anyone out of anything. "I hope things are going well for you in that respect. And how is your," she coughed delicately, "horse?"
"Stubborn's fine. He's being boarded right now and is happy as can be so far as I have been told. It's easier and quicker to get back and forth on the bike." He spoke fondly of the dirt bike, a finger lifting to scritch at a fading mark on his cheek. When he noticed Katie's inquisitive expression centering on the mark, Russ muttered with a good-natured chuckle, "I just need to watch out for stray branches."
"Ahh, I was wondering." She took a sip of her tea and glanced at the door. "Weather's turning more bitter. They say we're in for a storm. You might want to consider something other than a dirt bike to get back and forth. Maybe a snow-um..crawler?"
"Snowmobile." He corrected her mis-use of the word. "Not a bad idea really. You ever ridden a snowmobile before, Katie?"
She laughed and shook her head negative. "Oh heavens no. I like to be warm." She didn't feel it necessary to mention that being warm kept the pain in her joints at bay. "I'll keep warm tea ready for you, how's that?" Her tone was quite firm in her decision. She would not be out romping in the snow anytime soon and that was quite final.
Russ laughed and slid from his stool after checking his watch. It was getting late and he should head back to the flat. He couldn't resist another little poke, though. "Aww, you might like it. There might be some speedy snow-demon inside you." He started to gather his plastic bowl and spoon up to clean up his mess but Katie waved at him to leave it be.
Katie waved her hand to shoo Russ away light mess on the counter. "I'll get that." Katie then found herself giggling at the idea of a demon-anything inside her. "That's not likely, and you know it. Good night, Russ. Be safe."
Russ grinned at her. "Good night, Katie. Take care of yourself."
"Of course."
He turned and headed for the door, whistling something that was horridly off-key. His step had a definite bounce to it, not obvious to someone who didn't know him but for those who did .. Russ was in a pretty good mood.
She watched him go and shook her head, a grin on her face. It was nice that the boys seemed to be doing good. Maybe it was time to give London a call and get him over for tea. Yes. That sounded like a good idea to her. She'd call him first thing in the morning.