Summer was in full swing and on his particular morning they were hit with some light rain. Their usual morning customers were staying indoors rather than coming to the diner for breakfast, which allowed Rusk to fixate on the newcomer while his father ran out to grab some missing groceries from the general store.
They got travelers quite often, either for the beautiful flowers that the town produced, the fantastic views, or even the Inn and Hot Springs themselves. It was a vacation spot for the weary and wistful, but lately also for wandering adventurers who wished to investigate and study the ruins not far from Sharence.
They weren’t usually… much to look at, however. Or even interesting at all.
Several things had caught Rusk’s normally uninterested eye. His order of an extremely sugary and creamy white mocha with extra whipped cream, along with Rusk’s fresh baked chocolate and almond croissant. It was the exact same thing Rusk had eaten for breakfast that morning, as opposed to the eggs and orange juice preferred by his tasteless regulars.
… and then there were his clothes. He looked like an expensive cake personified as a person, which had prompted Rusk’s curiosity and inspired him to try to invade the sights of the stranger with an offering.
He slid a plate down in front of the blonde, a mont blanc with fresh whipped cream, nodding his head just slightly.
“You looked like you enjoyed the croissant, so I thought you might enjoy this too. It’s new to the menu since our local farmer gave us a bunch of chestnuts from Oddward Valley.”
Mistel is hardly a practiced traveler--- at least, not anymore. He's spread his roots far too firmly in the small town he calls his home, trials and tribulations of the road no forgotten. As such, the changes in climate tend to catch him by surprise. Sharence's humidity is agonizing, and the sudden morning showers nearly manage to soak through his lavender button-up before he ducks inside the local cafe
He chooses an isolated window seat after procuring one cavity-inducing breakfast and resigns himself to gazing wistfully at the steady-falling rain, lamenting whatever plans he may have had for the day.
He is about halfway through his croissant when the click of a plate on wood snaps his attention. There lies something decadent before him--- a delicate cream cake with careful piping. It looks rare and delicious.... not to mention expensive.
Curiosity glistens in his eye as he assesses the bearer of this gift. Taller than Mistel ( but not tall ), with bright eyes, golden hair, and a face full of the most delightful freckles. He looks as sweet and sublime as the cake on the plate.
" Oh-- " he offers through slightly parted lips, then furrows his brow. He knows from experience that few things are truly free in business. " It's lovely--- but are you certain you should be doing promotional sampling with a delicacy like this? "
