Hyperbole and Coffee Beans [M]

[nephero]

Now he saw why other Pilots warned him about using the chat. It wasn't as bad as some of them had made it seem, but there were definitely moments that had Sevastian’s pulse spiking higher than a firework. Which for Adstreia, was pretty damn high.

The innuendo he could handle; please, he'd been on the front lines and heard far, fucking worse than what the evening's conversation had doled out. What he hadn't been prepared for was the laser focused attention, put into place by an ill-advised selfie and rolled off into the stratosphere by everyone else. It had left him flustered, unsure of what to do, which was again hilarious because he was a decorated veteran for fucks sake. How the hell did someone telling him to bat his eyelashes have him wanting to take a shovel to the floor of his apartment and start digging until he hit the bowels of the planet itself?

He needed coffee. He needed to focus. He needed a good long walk through northern winter air and clear his head of whatever that weird wriggling feeling in his rib cage was. He'd considered, for a brief moment, leaving his com behind, but as plans arose and his walk to coffee became a rendezvous, that was… less and less practical.

After all, no one wanted to be the douche that made an acquaintance wait because he left his freaking phone at home.

Considering he had already almost made it to the Manolin’s before actually attempting to know how he'd recognize Kielen, yeah, bringing the com had been a good idea. She mentioned a tall ladybear in leather, and Sevastian had snorted to himself, thinking it all a joke because there was no way--

There was no way anyone could look that long-legged and fearsome in a leather jacket and heels. Shit. Shit. She was hot. Suddenly Ellis’ parting advice seemed to hold that much more sense. Sev'd already been flustered at their constant spoken interest, but here was one of them looking like she'd been painted into those pants and now he was left with nothing but dropped panties on the brain.

Fucking focus, douchecanoe, he chided himself. Luckily the air was cold enough to justify a little redness, Sevastian’s hands buried in his pockets to both keep them from fidgeting and thus give away what he was feeling, as well as to keep them warm from Star City’s special brand of cold.

“Kielen, right?” He asked, as casually as he could muster which meant his brow was furrowed in concentration. Because if this wasn't her, it really wouldn't do to come on too strong. Right? Especially for coffee and a walk. Right?

Right.

[GoblinFae]

It had been one of those days when the workday was lagging along and the paperwork was burying her several feet deep when she had decided to flit in and out of the Pilot public chat. The chatter made the ticking of the hours easier to bear. When the work day was done, Kielen was more than happy to swoop her leather jacket on and stride out with purpose. The antics of the other Pilots made her genuinely chuckle. She had seen some of the other groups that flitted in and out. The squadrons were not really her cup of tea, but today's medley of players all seemed more her stream of strange. Chocolate, coffee, and illumokinetics, yes she felt right at home.

That damn craving for chocolate though was sure to be her undoing as she recalled how she had made mention of getting some and then completely forgotten. After debating back and forth with herself she finally said 'fuck it' and started to pull her high heels back on when her com buzzed with new messages. It seemed she was not the only one in Adstreia with plans to venture the winter cold. Feeling bold and bored, Kielen took the plunge and invited herself along. Much to her great delight, Sevastian was in an obliging mood.

A quick look in the mirror to tease her hair and smudge her eyeliner for a smokier look and then she was out the door, feeling flawless. Her stiletto heels clacked against the ground as each foot was placed precisely one in front of the other. She was a woman that walked with confidence and purpose, arriving at their meeting place several minutes before her new acquaintance-to-be.

Date, no-date, whatever this was at least she would get coffee and a nice walk out of it. He certainly was not ugly to look at if his selfie had been anything to go by. But, Kielen had learned her lessons long, long ago; you could not judge a book by its cover. As far as she knew he could be the tersest, biggest dickwad on the planet. Or he could be incredibly sweet and pandering. If she was very lucky even, he would be intriguing. And if for that reason alone, she stood waiting under a streetlamp, one hand flipping through messages on her com while the other lazily drummed out a beat against her thigh.

The sound of her name drew her away from it though as she turned her head and first saw a broad chest before her gaze carried up and up to that now familiar face. Her lips curled into a gentle smirk as her eyes blinked lazily up at him. Ellis for all his teasing was right. SPLOOSH! She caught the corner of her bottom lip in her teeth and worried it for a moment before smiling broadly and tilting her head at his furrowed expression.

"That's my name, don't wear it out." She held out one sun-kissed hand towards him as her emerald eyes continued to drink in the wall of pure muscle before her. Even in heels she had no chance of matching him in height and that was saying something. "Sevastian I take it then?" she purred softly. "You really weren't kidding about being so tall." A chortle escaped her briefly as that lip slipped between those pearly whites again. "I dig it. Shall we, then?"

[nephero]

Sevastian took the offered hand, giving it a squeeze and solid pump before letting go. That bit of professionalism seemed to put him at ease, because once his hand was released, his shoulders fell with it, the broad slope easing up just to where it didn't quite look like he was bracing himself. Even his scowl let him, turning more neutral than anything else, which (much to the frustration of anyone with a camera) was about as close to a smile as he ever got.

He didn't miss the once-over; it happened at least once a day, he found, though he was pretty sure a good 75% of that was just due to his build. Still, he was pretty sure right now wasn't such a case, not when Kielen chewed her lip like she did and looked about halfway to committing mischief as she did.

“Guilty as charged. On, uh, both counts, I guess.” He said, mouth quirking to the side to go along with the banter. What little banter there was because wow, even he knew that had been weak as hell. Take two, Torje. “Ladies first.”

He gestured a bit, and pulled open the door to the coffee shop, letting Kielen inside before quickly following her. The cold just demanded he get inside as soon as possible, and he shook his hand through his hair after pulling off his scarf.

“No kidding on being the tall ladybear, yourself. Was still kinda expecting that heart apron, not gonna lie.”

A pause as they made their way to the line before the registers, and he concluded with an echoing, "I dig it, though."

[GoblinFae]

"Ah and a gentleman at that!" she declared, amused yet pleased as she physically brushed against him on her way through the door. The warmth inside was a pleasant relief that had her vigorously rubbing her icy hands together to get the blood flowing again. With a deep inhale she hummed softly at the scent of coffee that filled her lungs and made her smile. She adjusted her jacket on her shoulders before strutting ahead of him, her hips swaying with every step.

Kielen chuckled at being called 'ladybear.' It was not exactly a name she had expected to stick but somehow hearing it aloud only made her want to own it because why the hell not. "Sorry to disappoint you then, sweet thang. Perhaps on the next coffee adventure I'll wear one just for you. Have to buy one first, I don't think I've ever stepped foot in a kitchen long enough to use one." She laughed easily, her cheeks warm and cherry-red from the cold, or at least that was her story and she was sticking to it.

The line blessedly moved quickly given the time of night. Hurried late night holiday shoppers bustled in and out, some more anxious than others for their drinks and sweet treats. Kielen had kept quiet as she waited in line, enjoying the warmth and carols while she waited until it was her turn. Despite being told she was being rude, she was a creature of habit and the other Pilots could suck it.

"Hiya Reggie," she cooed, with a wink and a bright smile to the cashier. "Could I get a large white chocolate mocha latte please with whipped cream and a cookie straw?" Her eyes twinkled at the request even as the young man smiled back and punched in her order and asked her name.

"Ladybear," she replied with a giggle, her eyes dancing towards Sevastian rather than the employee as she scanned her wrist and paid for her drink. Kielen missed the slight twitch and half roll of eyes from Reggie though if she had seen she would not have cared. Her amusement was her own to be had and as long as it wasn't hurting anyone then she was not about to let anyone rain on her parade.

She waited at the other end of the counter for her drink to be made while her walking companion ordered his own drink. Kielen eagerly took those small moments to really and unabashedly stare at Sevastian. The man was a living, breathing brick wall that if she was honest with herself, and she always was, she wanted to be thrown up against over and over again. That thought made her smirk and chuckle quietly to herself. He was a very attractive man with those long strands of pale gold that she wanted sink her fingers into and give a mighty tug to. They contrasted each other quite well if she did say so herself.

However, as he joined her and her drink was served up, Kielen brushed those thoughts aside. She could behave herself, for now. "So do you usually venture out for a late night coffee or did I just happen to get lucky and catch you out on the odd adventure?" Leaning into his side a little close, she looked at the cup in his hand and tried to read the writing on the side. "Let me guess, your brand of poison is dark with a bit of bite to it." Kielen smirked and winked up at Sevastian playfully.