Come Sail Away IC Inbox

[crushed_pearls]

Erin's voice mail message is in a weary voice: "Erin Peters. If you called in the middle of the night and I didn't answer, I'm dying. If I pick up and someone on your end isn't dying, they will be shortly. Text otherwise."

Comments

[midnightroads]

"I'm supposed to be able to help with ghosts, but I got shit here." He rolls his eyes slightly. "Still, thank you for offering. I appreciate the sentiment. It'll be alright in the long run, I'm sure. It's gotta be."

He's holding onto hope with his teeth.

[crushed_pearls]

"And I appreciate your kindness, and your advice, Bash. Even if you think there's nothing else you could have offered." Erin sighs and stands slowly before crossing the room exactly enough to offer the thermos back. "... I'll think on it. Maybe I don't need to drag myself through the decks in chains but there are people who...do need to know. I have to figure out who exactly is on that list."

[midnightroads]

"You're welcome, and you are welcome." He accepts the thermos. "I'll be sure to sugar the everliving fuck out of the coffee for you next time. Do you have a strong opinion on demerara simple syrup versus white refined sugar?"

He won't judge her for liking it sweet. He might judge her for preferring the wrong sugar type.

[crushed_pearls]

Erin sighs deeply. Her cheeks turn a faint pink and she mumbles something inaudible, realizes she did that, and tries again:

"Free," she answers. "Generally my preferences have been 'free'. I've stooped so low as to add sugar substitutes so as not to bother the waitress if the table is out of sugar. But if it helps, leave me unattended and I will turn black coffee into uh, syrup, by adding sugar."

"...My apologies to every coffee culture I've ever encountered but in this case also New Orleans specifically."

[midnightroads]

"Okay. Do I have your permission to offer options and try to help you find actual preferences, based on what's available on-board, coffee-wise? Or are you content with your current coffee palate?"

He knows better than to snob at somebody without permission.

[crushed_pearls]

"Good news! The same beliefs that drive me to ask if this can be my home and what that means to me also suggest that I should try new things to see if they can bring joy into my life." Erin offers a bright smile; her Mantle sparks up, like a weapon range's best attempt at Anime Sparkles. "I'm delighted to let you share your passion with me, Bash. Once things hit equilibrium I'll hold you to it."

[midnightroads]

"Looking forward to it. When the ice cream shop is open again, I'll introduce you to an affogato. But until then, just stop by Sand Dollars if you see me there. Or Ava, she's doing coffee things there too, these days."