Last night's class was awkward. Thankfully Sophia was asleep for it. Today though she seemed happier than normal.
[Good morning Lark. Did you sleep well?] Sophia yawned.
When Sophia yawned it made me yawn. Were yawns contagious? I didn't know. But I did know that I wanted to go out again.
"Good Morning Sophia. I slept well enough. How about yourself?"
[I slept just fine, Lark.]
I then heard it. My stomach growled. "Sophia, do you want to go to the Cafe today? Gina said yesterday that we would have the mornings free now."
[I think that would be lovely Lark.]
I was excited. I really liked the cafe where Amanda worked. Their scones were best first thing in the morning. And their tea always seemed the perfect blend of strength and sweetness.
I went to freshen up in the bathroom. I guess I had learned in the previous few days that being naked in front of others was considered rude. Thankfully, sensing my apprehension, Sophia told me she would keep her eyes closed.
[I promise not to peek, Lark.] Sophia said with a giggle.
With that I took my shower, cleaned my teeth, and got dressed. Today there wasn't as much of an issue exiting the floor, as the floor manager for the day just waived us through.
[Lark, we have been given permission to have the mornings off. You really have come far in your job as a Liason of the clinic, *Captain Lark.]
I beamed with pride. Captain was a high rank, and it meant that I had responsibility, either over soldiers or (in my case) important assignments. I knew most Embassy and Consulate guards were Captains. And it was a higher rank than anyone I normally served under.
***
We sat down at the Cafe. It was unusually packed for the day. Amanda was hectic as she ran between tables.
"Good Morning Lark! Good Morning Sophia!"
"Good Morning Amanda!"
[Good Morning Amanda]
"Sophia says good morning too."
"Sorry it too long to get here. A new worker was supposed to show up this morning, but her dungeon entry shift was slotted for 2am so she might be running a bit late."
I was confused. "Amanda, if the other server is such a successful dungeon runner, why would they work a dayjob?"
Amanda smiled, "Well Lark, Gilly is a good girl, but she is not a dungeon guide, so she has to reserve her slot. She is still fairly low level, so she can't dive that deep with her team yet. So since she can only go down a few floors, and can only get a slot once every 2 weeks or so, so she needs a stable job for the monday through friday. It only improves her Merit to keep employed."
Then amanda looked around, "Plus there are many Skygge bachelors the frequent our establishment, and the rumors say that she is on the hunt for a husband." Amand winked at me.
I looked confused but before I could as, Sophia curtly interjected.
[Don't pull that thread, Lark.]
So I smiled and changed the conversation, "Well I am sorry you are so busy, and I am sure you need to get to other customers. I will order some tea with honey while I look over the menu and let you get to other customers."
Amanda smiled and hurried off to get with other customers, giving a wave to the Lybringer bartender (I think his name was Riel?) to get a pot ready for tea.
I looked over the menu with Sophia.
[Lark, how about you try something other than the scones?]
"But Sophia, the scones are my favorite."
[I know Lark, but life is about discovery, and you will never know if you like something better if you never try it.]
"That's fair."
[Plus I can get a sense of what something tastes like when you try it.]
"Really? How does that work?"
I was surprised by this. Sophia giggled, [Lark, in time you will understand. But for now a girl must have her secrets.]
So unlike my normal order of two honey scones, I instead ordered a Trice Omelet with fresh veggies and a bowl of cut oranges.
Overall it was a healthier meal. [Lark this is such a good smelling breakfast. And tasty. I am sure it will give you energy and fill you up.]
"I am glad you think so Sophia. It was different, but I still liked it. I think the sweet and sourness of the orange bowl was a good contrast to the savory of the omelet."
[That's a very astute observation. Scones are nice, but bread and sugar for every breakfast is what a child would eat. And now your plate resembles that of the adults in the room.]
I smiled. She was right. I saw that the few younglings had come in with their parents. They were too young for school, so they tagged along with their mother and/or father. They always ordered the honey scones.
I smiled. Sophia was right. I was turning into an adult. One Omelet at a time.
"Well, if it isn't Lark the invalid!"
I froze as I heard it. A voice from my past, and as much as the vocal tonality expressed joy and excitement, I could tell by the inflection that it was words meant to hurt. Something the me from before would not have noticed.
"Don't just sit there you bag of rocks, stand for your superiors!"