closed starter with @earlydew
location: a coffee house (pleading creative license here)
eleonora stared into the depths of her cup as she stirred a spoon around and around again, the action having become completely gratuitous several moments back. she had read about the practice of divination through tea leaves, but that did require one to actually drink the beverage first, did it not? she abruptly let go of the utensil and it clattered to the table, a few hot drops splattering onto her hand. she paid no mind to the momentary stinging, her mind far too full to allow anything else entry. she had not seen aryan since the soiree, and though she had missed him dearly she had made up her mind and was determined to do what she thought was best - for both of them. seeing him in person would be a true test of her mettle, and to say that she was apprehensive was putting it mildly. would she melt once more beneath the gaze of those soft brown eyes? lose herself in a daydream of one of his strong but gentle hands taking hers and kissing it reverently? a little voice that strongly resembled her brother's spoke up in her ear: be brave, el - you can do this. she was in the process of taking a deep breath to steel herself when aryan himself entered the establishment, but the air vanished from her lungs in an instant upon seeing him. valiantly attempting to ignore what a poor omen such a reaction was, she smiled and rose to greet him.