Marcus took a deep breath as he stepped into the café, taking in the various aromas of fresh baked goods and ground coffee beans.
Marcus looked down at Luna, who was studying their surroundings with a careful eye. "It's nice." She finally admitted after a short second.
Marcus smiled at her before turning his attention back towards Felix, who was scanning the café with a keen eye.
"Are you looking for a table?" Marcus asked.
Felix nodded. "Yeah." He replied, "But I'm not seeing any good ones."
Marcus decided to scan the café with his own eyes, he quickly realized Felix was right, most tables already had patrons sitting at them.
"Maybe we should try the second floor?" Marcus suggested.
Felix sighed as he crossed his arms. "What are we, hooligans?" Felix asked rhetorically. "We'll just borrow the empty half of an occupied table."
Marcus didn't like that idea, and based on the raised eyebrows from Luna, she didn't seem too keen on it either.
"That sounds stupid," Marcus said with a sigh.
"No, stupid is standing at the entrance of a café and discussing plans," Felix replied as he began navigating through the occupied tables full of patrons enjoying their meals and drinks.
Marcus followed with a frustrated sigh.
It wasn't long before Felix approached a table that was being occupied by three young women who were engrossed in a conversation that seemed rather lively.
"Can't believe she tried it to be honest." A young woman with a thick French accent spoke in amusement. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit with a pair of rounded sunglasses.
"Ugh, it's probably because she's been reading too many romance novels, she's clueless." Another girl, who was tall with an athletic build, spoke with a typical Manchester accent. "But I couldn't care less."
"Well, that's not very nice." The last girl, who was small in stature compared to the other two, spoke with a soft accent, similar to the athletic girl.
She was dressed in a black skirt with a sky blue shirt and with long black hair that covered her right eye.
"Perfect!" Felix exclaimed in a whisper as he fixed his clothes.
Marcus watched as Felix approached the table in horror and embarrassment.
"Hey." Felix said to the group with a warm smile, "Mind if I take a seat with you three?" He asked while already walking towards a chair.
"Not at all." The French-accent woman answered as she eyed Felix up and down with a grin. "What's your name?" She asked.
"Felix, Felix Abel, and who might you be?" Felix asked with a charming smile as he reached out a hand.
"Antoinette, but I prefer Kira," Kira answered as she accepted Felix's hand.
Felix chuckled as gently kissed Kira's hand, he then took a seat directly across from her and sat down. "Forgive me for imposing, but can my friends sit with us as well?" Felix asked as he gestured towards Marcus and Luna, who stood a few feet away from the table with shocked expressions.
Marcus knew Felix was smooth, and his looks helped in that department, but he didn't think Felix was this smooth!
Kira nodded her head as a playful smirk crossed her lips. "I don't see why not, especially if they're with you."
Felix slowly turned his head towards Marcus, a devious grin was plastered on his face as he raised his eyeshadow suggestively.
Marcus rolled his eyes as he approached the table.
It was then that Kira noticed Luna following behind Marcus.
Kira's face brightened with joy as her eyes landed on her. "Oh my gosh, who is this cute little girl?!" She exclaimed with a glint of happiness in her eyes.
"This is Luna," Marcus answered as he pulled out a chair from the table for Luna to sit in. Once she was settled Marcus sat beside her, "and I'm Marcus." He answered as he sat down.
Kira smiled as she waved at Luna with a warm smile. "What brings you to café Blanc?" She asked Luna directly.
Luna glanced at Marcus with a questioning expression.
Marcus nodded as he spoke up for her. "She's a bit shy around new people, sorry about that," Marcus said with a nervous chuckle.
Kira nodded in understanding, she then smiled at Luna once more before turning her attention back towards Felix. "Well then, what brings YOU here?" She asked as she leaned back in her seat.
Felix leaned slightly forward as he placed his arms on the table. "Do you want me to be honest?" He asked with a challenging grin.
Kira nodded. "Honesty is the best policy as they say."
Felix nodded his head in agreement as he clasped his hands together. "Just looking to unwind a bit, been a little stressed lately," Felix replied as he cracked his neck gently.
"Oh," Kira replied with a grin. "And what is it that you do?"
Felix chuckled softly as he lowered his head slightly. "If I told you, It would be the last thing you ever hear about me," Felix replied smoothly as he looked Kira in the eye.
"Mhmm, is that just a fancy way to say you're jobless?" Kira quipped with a giggle.
"You wound me with your harsh words." Felix replied playfully as he grabbed at his chest, he then glanced at Marcus, "I'll have to order an expensive drink to heal this pain." He said with a smile.
Marcus chuckled at Felix's dramatic antics, despite his earlier reservations Felix was quickly dismissing them with his charm and warming demeanor.
Even Luna, who looked to be the most annoyed at Felix's choice had relaxed quite a bit.
"I'm sure you can afford to get something for my friends as well?" Kira chimed in as she gestured towards her friends who sat beside her. "It's the least you could do for my hospitality, no?" Kira teased, her accent adding charm and elegance to her words.
"Of course." Felix replied, "But I don't buy just anything for strangers, I at least have to know their names." Felix replied as he glanced over at Kira's friends, who had been silent up until this point.
"Kinsley." The athletic girl replied nonchalantly, throwing up a quick wave toward Felix.
"Charmed," Felix replied, he then glanced at the smaller girl. "I'd like to know your name too, gotta make sure the barista gets it right," Felix said softly as he stood from his chair.
The smaller girl looked up to Felix shyly. "I'm Cora." She replied with a timid wave.
Felix smiled warmly as he reached a hand into his pocket. "Cora." Felix repeated, "What can I get for you?" He asked.
"It doesn't matter," Cora answered as she fumbled with her fingers.
Felix opened his mouth to speak, but Kira began speaking first. "She'll have a cappuccino, extra cream with a shot of chocolate, kinsley likes her coffee black with a bit of whipped cream, and I prefer a Latte with two shots of almond milk and a hazelnut drizzle."
Felix's eyes widened as it seemed he had realized something.
He brought a hand to his mouth and coughed, "Looks like I'm feeling a little weak today." Felix said between coughs, "Care to join me up front?" Felix said to Marcus with a pleading look in his eyes.
Marcus looked up at Felix with an amused expression as he nodded. "Yeah, here I come," Marcus replied as he stood from his seat.
Luna grabbed Marcus's hand as he stood up.
"Are you coming too?" Marcus asked as he turned to look down at her.
Luna nodded as she began to stand from her seat, as she did so, Kira reached over the table to place her hand on its edge near Luna. "Do you mind staying with us?" She asked with a warm smile, "I'm sure they can handle this without adult supervision." Kira said with a wink.
Luna turned to look at Kira with a conflicted expression, she then glanced over at Marcus, who was falling into deep thought.
Marcus didn't mind letting Luna stay with the girls, they seemed nice enough, and if problems did arise, Luna was more than capable of handling herself.
But while Marcus didn't mind leaving Luna with them, there was still the problem that Luna didn't act nor sound like a typical human child, even with her lighter voice.
"Sorry ki–" Marcus began to apologize to Kira for denying her request when suddenly Felix grabbed Marcus's shoulders and patted them.
"We're sorry Kira." Felix said with a chuckle, "But if you wanna keep Luna, you'll have to trade with us, I'm thinking Cora?" Felix said with a smirk.
Marcus was screaming at Felix internally, he wondered what the hell Felix was doing.
There's no way Kira would agree to send her friend with two random guys, especially Cora, so what was he trying to–
Suddenly the realization hit Marcus like a bus.
This was Felix's why to subtly turn down her offer, but making her think about what she asking from them!
It was genius!
"Deal," Kira replied with hesitation.
"Huh?" Marcus and Felix replied in unison, their faces quickly draining of color.
Cora looked over to Kira with wide eyes. "You can't just-" she attempted to speak up in protest but quickly fell silent.
Kira chuckled as she sat back in her seat. "I think that's more than fair, as I believe the only reason you wanted to take your friend with you, is because you can't remember our orders," Kira replied with a grin as she gestured towards Marcus.
"So leave both him and the young girl behind, and take Cora in their place." Kira continued with a smile as she crossed her arms.
Though everyone had either a smile or a neutral expression, the tension at the table had grown exponentially in a matter of seconds.
Marcus glanced at Felix, who stood with a smile on his face. "You have a keen intellect." He replied as he released Marcus's shoulders, "I'll accept your deal." Felix said, taking a step backward toward the counter, "Cora if you will."
"Are you sure?" Marcus asked in a semi–whisper.
Felix nodded, "It's their table, we'll play by their rules."
Kira's eyes sparkled with joy as she turned her attention towards Cora, who was fumbling with the ends of her hair.
"Don't worry." Kira replied as she placed a hand on Cora's back, "If Felix tries anything I'll send Kinsley." She said with a knowing giggle.
Kinsley sighed as she rolled her eyes. "That was one time." She murmured.
Cora nodded as she took a deep breath. "O-ok." She stammered softly as she stood from her seat.
Cora hesitantly made her way to Felix's side, causing Felix to speak to her in a reassuring tone. "Don't worry." Felix said gently, "I'll be sure to get back at Kira soon."
Cora nervously nodded her head as she and Felix made their way to the front counter. Marcus felt a pang of guilt as he watched the duo leave.
He silently cursed Felix for being so brash, wondering why he had to start this mess in the first place.
"Are you just going to stand there?" Kira asked curiously as she leaned forward slightly, "We'd like to talk with you, Kinsley specifically." Kira said with a laugh as she clasped her hands together.
"Kira, I swear to god," Kinsley said in annoyance, turning to look at her with a glare.
Marcus hesitantly took his seat, taking a deep breath before turning his attention towards Kira.
"Ok." He replied dryly.
Social calls with women wasn't Marcus's strong suit, but if he could hold down the fort until Felix got back, then maybe there was hope.