THE POWER OF POTENTIAL ⇨ ROSALINE.
date: December 28th time: 13:35 / 1:35pm location: phoenix & turtle cafe availability: @rafaellacapulet
Signora Rafaella Capulet,
Hello, I hope the day is going well thus far. Make sure to eat breakfast. Anyway, I suppose you might feel the situation is odd, seeing this letter unexpectedly on your dresser. Alas, I don’t mean to startle you. I simply have a request. An invitation, if you will. Your company would be much appreciated at the Phoenix and Turtle Cafe, on the eight of December. I will expect you at 1335. There’s no need to be astonishingly early, but don’t be late. No dress code necessary. I’ll be off then.
Hea Min.
Hands too soft to be suitable for who they belonged to set down the quill pen, and their cold eyes quickly gazed over neat, cursive handwriting. When they noticed nothing wrong, they nodded in approval, though no one was there to see. They never smiled. The enigmatic nature of the letter went unseen in Hea’s eyes, though if they had noticed, they weren’t sure they would have altered it in the slightest. Their intent was not to intimidate Rafaella into arriving where they wanted her to, though. Such an essence came almost too naturally to the second witch, so much so that they didn’t even notice how it would appear to other eyes. All they did was date it ( written December 27th ), and have it delivered to her bedchambers. They didn’t dare enter her home themself. They had their ways, secrets only for them, Cinead, and Mallory to be aware of. The saying, ‘a little birdie told me’, amused Hea to no end. In that scenario, the witches owned the entire zoo. They wondered if she would notice the lack of stamp, and if it’d be alarming to her. The only mark on the envelopment was her name, and just below it, a cat sticker. It was too sinister to be meant for children; all it featured was a brooding cat, just staring with its wide, almost dead eyes. That was Hea’s signature. Fitting.
Hea had contacted the cafe early in the morn, to make sure there would be seats available for them. They knew it was uncustomary for a cafe to be so occupied as to not have any room, but it wasn’t about that. Hea wanted to confirm they’d have a hidden, corner seat. A lack of attention was ideal. They definitely weren’t afraid by how suspicious it would be for the neutral witch to be conversing with a Capulet. They had nothing to prove. By how the event had turned out, and Hea’s face afterwards, they were positive no one was going to inquire about it. But what about the choice of location? Capulet’s territory. While it was known that Hea much preferred their own locations rather than the influenced ones, they had settled on the Phoenix and Turtle Cafe. They’d seldom been before, and when they had, it was out of kindness for their siblings. They preferred their own brew, but their entire manner had been described as abnormal, so what if their tastes did, too? Nevertheless, the cafe was a perfect choice. They assumed it may cause their company to be more relaxed, but such an altruistic reason could not be the only one. Not for Hea. They thought back to the gun. Capulet. It was a small chance, and not exactly their singular purpose, but any information they could find would be satisfying enough. They hated being puzzled.
It was 1:35 pm exactly when they entered the building, like clockwork. There were few people, and yes, they stared, but Hea paid them no mind. What, or who, were they to them? An employee rushed to their side, recognizing them immediately. They smiled — for the first time since the 26th — when he knew better than to touch them. They allowed themself to be guided to the booth. Their first thought when they spotted Rafaella involved wondering what her reaction was when the employee ushered her into the concealed booth. It caused the smile from earlier to remain on their face. After arriving at their desired destination, they quickly shooed away the employee without so much as a thanks. Being friendly with one Capulet was enough, they didn’t need to befriend every single one of the lot. They wondered how the opposing mob would react to even this meeting, if they would even hear. The group would, Hea knew, but they didn’t care. They appreciated what they had with Rafaella, whatever it could be classified as. Not quite friendship. An acquaintance, mayhaps. Labels are so restricting, they mused, what use are they, truly? Their first thought when they spotted Rafaella involved wondering what her reaction was when the employee ushered her into the concealed booth. It caused the smile from earlier to remain on their face. Once he had taken his leave, Hea’s eyes flickered to their company. They gave a slight bow before settling into their seat. Settling, to them, likely appeared to any other as prim, and perfectly-postured.
With a tilt of their head and a never-ending closed smile ( one Hea themself couldn’t classify as either genuine or bogus ), they finally spoke, ‘‘Saluti. Have you ordered yet?’’