❛ it says couples only ... let's say we're dating and we'll get in. ❜ - Gray
Her boots had been supposed to be waterproof. The salesfairy at her favourite store had been jubilant as she had explained all the benefits to Carena, how the enchantment was advanced, how it would keep her feet warm and dry without creating a climate that would turn her feet into something closely related to cheese. The sales pitch had worked, Carena had bought the shoes. And they had been great, had lived up to all the promises---until today. And as she miserably shuffled down the alleyway, following her colleague, Carena was trying to figure out what had happened. Why her feet were wet.
They had almost reached the corner by the time it hit her---the enchantment. The shoes had been so great because of the enchantment. And their research trip had taken her to a place where magic had been cut off. She remembering thinking how strange and hollow her veins feeled, right about the moment when she had stepped into the puddle.
Inwardly, she groaned. But at the same time, it was good to understand what had happened. It also meant that once they were in a more magical-rich environment, the enchantment would recharge and sort itself out. She just needed to wait. Only that patience was a difficult sentiment to come by while her socks were drenched. She did not think that her feet actually made squeaking noises as she kept walking, but she sure felt like her steps were nowhere as quiet as usually.
Mentally still scolding herself for her lack of caution, she almost would have missed Gray's remark, but the word "dating" immediately caused her to focus on their surroundings again. For a split second, she thought that maybe, he had gossip. Then, the full sentence reached her conscious mind and immediately, her little shoe problem was forgotten.
Right, they were near the café. And she had been bemoaning the fact that she was much too busy to check out the new milkshakes for about four days now. What she, despite her interest in the milkshakes, had not been aware of was that apparently, some of the special flavours were only available in the special couple promotion. She gritted her teeth, frustration written across her face. This was why it was a bad idea to let a swarm of love sprites run a restaurant or similar business. They enjoyed their calling a bit too much, she thought.
But Gray's suggestion---it could work. And she really felt like they deserved the treat after the mess they had handled earlier. And even if this little excursion meant that a group of sprites would think that she was dating her colleague, well, there were worse things, right?
"Yes, let's do it," she said as she pondered whether or not offering him her hand would be too much. Probably not, she decided as she extended it towards him. Carena had been in her school's theatre group, she could play pretend for an hour or so if it meant that she got her milkshake. "My roommate's cousin went with her girlfriend and she said that they tried the Raspberry Sunset and that it was like floating on clouds. And maybe we can get some waffles, too."
