Trying New Things (Kyle,Closed)

[kayla]

It had been a long, long day but as most days are when you work hard it's satisfying. There had been the regulars in the Cafe today as well as a lot of tourists in to see the Garden District. Lovely, sweet little old ladies and gentlemen. She'd had a ball talking to them and even had heard some stories of what the Sip & Nibble had been back in the day when her Grandpa and Grams had ran it. She'd laughed, sweated, burned her arm on the oven without even realizing it till it hurt and ran around till her feet ached.

Traffic had trickled down to just a few stragglers that were having coffee and the homemade butterscotch meringue pie or chocolate meringue pie that she made first thing in the morning and then had to make again just before dinner after running out after the lunch crowd. She hummed to the radio behind the counter as she cleaned off the tables out in the Cafe, arranging the chairs and taking the flowers out of the little vases on the table that were past their prime.

The ad board was still outside with the day's specials on it, advertising 'Fried Chicken', 'Fried Green Tomatoes' and 'Shrimp Gumbo' written in colored chalk with little drawings of a cup of coffee and some daisies to decorate it.

In a simple pair of white denim capri's and a pink short sleeved blouse she wore the yellow with white polka dots apron over her clothes and a little pair of white Keds on her feet. Her hair was pulled back from her face and secured at the back of her crown with a pair of little gold barrettes.

The scent of the gumbo lingered tantalizingly in the air, spicy and succulent, the shrimp in the pot still huge even after cooking. She'd gotten them fresh from the docks that morning, Ernie having saved her the best of the catch for the promise of a hot bowl of the gumbo for lunch. She'd hoped it would turn out well as she made it, that hope and curiosity going into the the gumbo and her love and warmth for her Grams. She'd found the recipe in an old cookbook that her Grams had put together in her newlywed days when the Cafe had been new and fresh.

She had thought it a hit as she watched the faces of the folks that ate it, seeing them smile, like coming home to an old friend. She might even have to put it as a regular on the menu. The Fried Chicken and Green Tomatoes were always a hit. They were fun food and comforting, like a favorite blanket. She always remembered being at her mother and Grams' elbows learning how to cook those two, singing songs as they waited for the men to come in from the fields for lunch.

She was looking forward to her book and her bubble bath tonight. She was bone weary but had a smile on her face. When she worked hard enough to get this tired meant that she'd turned a profit today, despite the free meals she'd given to the homeless that had showed up today. She had to think that her grandparents would have been proud.

Making her way back behind the counter she skirted around the cook area and to the sink area behind the wall and dropped the rag into the sink of soapy water before beginning to wash the dishes she'd collected earlier.

[Kyle Aodhagán †]

The dragon only gave into his base needs.
He ate. He slept. He bathed, and when need be, he fought. The latter was both a requirement and a compulsion, and perhaps one of only two of his routines that he took pleasure from. The other one; quite simply, was food. The four letter word which began with ‘L’ and ended in ‘E’ was no more a part of his vocabulary or mindset than was joy, but still, partaking in repast was an occasion that the shifter took more pleasure from than any other during his solitary existence. Food was divine. Food was delight. Food was love.

As a dragon his palate was simple. Meat; raw or well done, it mattered not. From pig or cow or lamb; it was all satisfying in both taste and the comfortable way it landed in his belly. He was not partial to sea food however; it just didn’t smell very pleasant, honestly.
The human appetite was completely different; the man had a fondness for sweets.

Kyle lived life quite simply. He never spoiled himself with extravagant rooms or clothing; he slept in a small bed on a lumpy pillow beneath an itchy blanket. He usually didn’t watch television, and so he cared not if the provided electronic had cable or HBO; but the man did find amusement when he was able to catch a rerun of what he thought was the most entertaining show on television; The Golden Girls.

The only time the shifter indulged himself was when it came to eating; and especially when he was craving something rich and sugary. And so here he was at the simple little café that he’d heard had the best peach cobbler in the whole town of New Orleans.
The shifter wasn’t sure how long he was going to be in this town, and so figured he might as well see if the dessert lived up to its reputation before he abruptly left; which was usual for the drifter.

Dressed in a pair of plain charcoal colored pants and a long sleeved maroon shirt, Kyle pushed through the door of the restaurant and paused at the twinkling sound of bells that signified his arrival.
His brow creased in unease when all those seated in the place turned to look at him; and he lowered his head and made his way to a back booth; abhorrent of the sudden attention.
Sliding across the soft leather seat; the dragon picked up a menu and held it out in front of him; azure eyes already glazed in delight at the life-like pictures of pies and cobblers and cakes that littered the back of the bill of fare.

[kayla]

"Anything ticklin your fancy hon?" Kayla asked brightly from just at the man's shoulder, her hand reaching into her apron and pulling a small notepad and pen out to write his order down. She'd heard the bell chime over the door as she'd been washing the plates in the back. It was the reason she put the bell there so she could hear when she was in the back. For the past year and a half she'd been the sole employee here, cook, waitress, bus boy, everything so the extra ears came in handy.

She smiled brightly to the man that sat there looking like he was ready to devour the menu itself and chuckled a bit before she slipped into the seat opposite him. "I hope ya don't mind if I take a load off. Been on my feet all day and my dogs are barkin'." She nodded to the menu and winked as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and went on. "We got a lot of good things on there and the specials have been a big hit today if I may say so myself. I wasn't sure about the gumbo but I think I'm gonna have it for dinner myself when I close up. Of course ya gotta have some dessert too though. There's chocolate and butterscotch pies and I got some peach cobbler in the back too. I've done put it up for the night but I can get it out and heat it up if you're wantin some."

She took a good look at the man, taking in his rugged appearance and the neutral, impassive expressions that crossed his features. The man had some of the prettiest eyes she'd ever seen but there was so much...emptiness inside them. Not in the frightening way though but in a way that tugged at her heart strings. She'd seen that look on many of the homeless that had frequented the cafe. Those people to whom life had seemed so bleak all the time, as if there were no joy or happiness left in the world.

Well that just wouldn't do at all. "Tell ya what...since you're a first timer here you pick anything you want to and if ya don't like it, it's on the house." she said giving him the option in case he wasn't able to pay. She'd never turn away a person in need for something so insubstantial as money.

[Kyle Aodhagán †]

Kyle stiffened at the chirpy voice at his back, immediately flattening the plastic menu on the red and white checkerboard table cloth.
He found humans today so forward, trusting, and familiar that it would never occur to them startling a dragon shifter could be the end of their existence.
If it wasn’t for the delicious smell of cooked food and pastry drifting off the woman he might have growled, but instead he simply inclined his head at the female in greeting and folded his hand in front of him.

The shifter’s bright azure eyes widened in astonishment as she sat; rubbing her feet and complaining about a long, tiring shift. Usually the dragon would be annoyed at such familiarity, but considering she was the one who had caused all the glorious smells and most likely the cobbler he looked so forward to devouring, he forgave the informality with a low chuckle and an apathetic shake of his head.

“It all sounds and smells wonderful.” Kyle told her, putting more emphasis on the latter, “although I have but one craving and that is for the famous peach cobbler.”
His mouth was already watering for it; though he was tempted to sample everything else since her exuberance was rubbing off on him. Perhaps he would visit the café once more before leaving town and use that opportunity to try everything she had described.

The female’s ‘on the house’ offer took him by surprise and his gave traveled back to the scattering of customers at the counter that were obviously homeless considering their attire and the god awful smell radiating from them. Kyle returned his gaze to the waitress with a slight tilt of his head; regarding her with sheer curiosity.
As much as humans were too forward these days, they were also kind; a fact that was not lost on the dragon.

“If the meal is free than the tip will cover the debt.” He told her with a rumble from his throat that was husky, but not unkind. “I can assure you I have enough to pay for the meal as well as theirs,”He gestured to the destitutes behind him with a wave of his hand. “I would never slight an individual who obviously works hard to earn it.”

Kyle tapped his fingers across the bill of fare; the whisper of a smile turning up the corners of his lips just barely.
“On second thought I’ll have a coffee to go with that dessert, thank you...”

[kayla]

Always one to be sensitive to a person's pride she wasn't one to just come out and say anything about their financial state. But she grinned as the man caught her at it anyway and had the grace to look a bi sheepish. "Heck...I could never see something as unimportant as that as a slight. I like feeding people." she said with that smile on her lips still.

Kayla wrote on the little notepad and stood, tucking it into her apron pocket once she was standing again. She saw that hint of a smile there and it was good to see. "One peach cobbler and a coffee. I'll go get that right out for ya hon. But if ya change your mind you just let me know."

As she passed him she patted his shoulder in a friendly way and added. "Seein a smile on that face is thanks enough."

But she didn't dwell on it, not wanting to be the pushy type as she headed to the counter and then further into the back room to fetch out the big glass dish of peach cobbler from the walk-in cooler. It wasn't much of a walk-in, more like a closet but it served it's purpose.

It took next to no time and she was back behind the counter, the metal door that separated the counter from the backroom swinging behind her as she hummed along with the radio and turned the oven on. Sure the microwave would be faster but she never liked the taste of microwaved food. It just wasn't the same.

After slipping the cobbler into the oven she checked the percolator and took it off the stove, moving to refill it. She chatted in her usual friendly manner with those sitting at the counter as she worked, never one to be stingy with a smile or a laugh.

The smells of the fresh coffee bubbling up and the sweet peach dessert heating in the oven wafted lazily through the cafe, the slow spinning ceiling fan letting the aroma drift over the entire place and out the doors to act like a beacon down the streets. It was no wonder that so many found their way into the small restaurant.

All that joy and friendliness that she felt went into everything she did, infused with her sense of warm contentment. It was comforting, calming, a sated feeling. Sure she was tired and a bit weary but it didn't dampen her spirits in the slightest. It was a satisfying feeling to work hard and have those efforts rewarded in the smiles she discovered. The money helped but it wasn't really the ultimate goal for her. She never planned on getting rich doing this work.

It took a few minutes for it all to be ready but once it was she walked back over to the man at the booth with an earthenware plate that held a large portion of peach cobbler, the steam off the sugary sweet delicacy twirling slow and tantalizingly as she sat it down in front of him before setting the coffee there as well and slipping a rolled silverware set in a linen napkin beside the plate.

"You need any cream or sugar for your coffee hon?" she asked as she lingered there a moment, tearing off the little paper slip with the bill on it from the notepad and setting it face down on the table.

[Kyle Aodhagán †]

The waitress’ compliment gave the dragon awkward pause, and a sheepish expression crossed his face as he raised a hand to rub absently at the back of his neck.
Had he just been wearing a smile? Kyle wasn’t even aware of it.

What had happened as of late to make the emotionless warrior suddenly feel? Was it the increase of time spent in their company instead of separated from them, or the human Lillie who had seemingly made a dent in the profound wall he had built around himself?
What exactly had caused it was an enigma, but the reason didn’t matter.
Something had changed.

His sapphire eyes were trained on the waitress as she disappeared into the kitchen. Now that he was alone again his senses were focused on the voices and conversations around him.
A male at a booth behind Kyle talked on a cell phone as he ate; annoyance obvious in his tone as he complained about how he gave a rat’s ass about his ex-wife taking the kids but screw her if she thought she was getting the dog.
The shifter’s brow furrowed at the string of insults that flowed out of him as he described the woman to the individual on the other end.

The dragon exhaled deeply and shook his head, tuning the man out to focus on a couple whispering to each other from their place at the counter.
The male fed the woman a bite of chocolate cake and she moaned in satisfaction; leaning over to thank him by placing a chaste kiss to his neck. The male responded with a moan of his own; this one laden with underlying sensual stimulation.

Kyle tore his prying eyes away from the intimate moment, dropping his gaze down to his folded hands atop the table.
He was grateful when Kayla reappeared with his dessert, and his azure eyes shone with that sentiment as he unfolded the flatware and dove into the cobbler sans manners.
A rumble of satisfaction echoed in his throat as the sugary bubbling peach filling coated his tongue; a tingling sensation following the bite as it made his way down to his stomach.
It filled Kyle’s belly like a spreading heat; a gush of something foreign and arcane prickling throughout his body.

He felt light as air; drunk almost, and it was with a goofy uncharacteristic grin that the dragon pat the seat beside him in invitation to the woman.
“No, I don’t need anything more, but please, sit for a few. I’m sure the dog’s could still use some rest, yes?”

[kayla]

She chuckled delightedly as she saw the look on his face at the first taste of the cobbler and smiled brightly. "Now see, that's the look I like to see on people's faces when they eat my cookin'." she said and was about to let him enjoy it and walk off when she saw the grin and the pat, pausing to hear his words.

It was cute, his use of her expression with it's awkwardness. Nodding she slipped into the seat beside him and put her feet up on the bench seat across from them. "Yes...the dogs could use a little rest." she agreed and watched him eat a bit as she leaned back in the seat a bit. In a friendly gesture she patted his hand and smiled.

"Now you come back tomorrow and I'll have some banana puddin' and a made from scratch chocolate cake. I was thinkin about trying my had at some eclairs too. It's a little fancy but I think I might be able to pull it off. Oh and tomorrow's fried chicken day too. Full meal complete with mashed potatoes, collared greens, and biscuits and gravy. It's a Sunday lunch meal. Momma always made it after church for us." she chirped a bit and smiled.

She let her gaze move over the other patrons to be sure that no one needed anything not wanting to neglect anyone. She smiled fondly at the couple that was so in love and then craned around as she heard the fella on the phone and rolled her eyes as she heard more of the nasty little words spoken of the woman he was married to. Her frown deepened even as the color in her cheeks flared at such 'colorful' language but she said nothing.

Moving with a sigh and unfolding herself from the seat she smiled at Kyle and looked at the man behind him. "Just let me take care of this real quick." she said quietly and smiled a little tensely before stepping over to the man and smiling brightly. It wasn't a true smile but she tried.

"Sorry ta bother ya hon but I was wonderin if you wanted to have anything else other than just that coffee if not I was gonna go ahead and give ya your check." she asked as she endured the gaze that raked over her. She wasn't gonna make a scene and ruin the evening for the rest of her customers.

"There's plenty I'd like to have but it isn't on the menu." he said suggestively and made a rude little gesture with his tongue that made her frown and give him a look of reproach.But she held her tongue as she turned to grab his ticket from the counter, not seeing the hand that was headed toward her till she felt it land on her backside with a smack that made her jump.

Freezing in place she turned slowly and glared at the laughing man a moment before she stepped back up to him and grabbed the cellphone from his hand in mid sentence with his friend and snapped it shut. Her other hand was out and had grabbed hold of his ear, twisting it and making him yelp as she pulled him out of the booth.

Well, it was more that he came out on his own wanting to remain attached to that ear that she gripped in that age old 'Momma' grip making him tilt his head as he stood up. She walked him to the door and let go, putting the phone back in his hand. "Now you go on and git and don't you come back till you learn some manners. This aint no low class brothel and that language and behavior won't be tolerated around here."

She turned on her heel to march back to the counter, dismissing him without another glance back.

[Kyle Aodhagán †]

The feeling running through the dragon was exhilarating; a surge of something light and airy and refreshing, like taking chaste dip naked in a cool moonlit stream.
Kyle couldn’t help the barmy smile that stretched across his visage; purring in delight at the next sugary bite of his dessert.
He nodded in agreement at her statement; pleased that his reaction to her cooking was well received. Honestly he had tasted, and felt; oddly enough, nothing like it in centuries.

She obliged his invitation to sit; amiably patting his arm by way of thank you, and whereas the dragon would have usually flinched away from her touch, he merely chuckled and shoved more of the cobbler into his mouth.
“Banana pudding? Chocolate cake? Fried Chicken? Oh my!” The repeated in an almost drunken slur, as if the cobbler were full of potent liquor.

Blinking, he paused, setting the fork down a moment. This was just strange...the way he felt. It had been ages since he had felt anything at all and now he was overwhelmed with the need to please, and a vast sense of kindness that was foreign to the dragon.
What kind of magic was this??

His brow furrowed deeply and he picked up his napkin and swept it over his crumb covered mouth with the intent to ask her such, but she stood before he was able; making her way to the booth directly behind them.
The dragon turned in his seat and brought his arm up across the back, watching with faint curiosity as she regarded the irritable stranger with smiles and kind words.
If it weren’t for the cobbler still bubbling in Kyle’s gut, he probably would have throttled the male by now for disturbing his snack.

After a polite, but brief exchange with the customer, Kyle shot up in the booth when Kayla turned around to walk away and the male’s palm made contact with her rear.
It must have been the magical pastry that drove him to scoot out of the leather seat to go to her aid, for before the desert such a garish human act would cause little emotion to stir in the shifter.

Standing before the pair he growled low in his throat, the frustration turning to sheer surprise when the petite waitress handled it quite efficiently on her own.
Gem-blue eyes widened in awe as Kyle watched her pull the male up by the ear and escort him outside.
He blinked as she stalked back toward the counter; a goofy captivated look written over his face as he met her approach.

“You handled that quite well.” He told her in a low, appreciative drawl, leaning in so that he could speak low, but plainly. “Do you want me to make sure he’s completely learned his lesson?”
The look on Kyle’s visage was priceless. A little boy waiting for the okay from his mom to beat up the school bully.

[kayla]

Muttering under her breath as she walked, Kayla was brought up short as Kyle approached and looked up at him with raised eyebrows before a small smile formed on her face as she heard his words. Reaching up she patted his cheek lightly and smiled bright. "Aren't you just the sweetest thing?" she drawled and shook her head as she looked over her shoulder to be sure the trouble maker was gone. "Nah..you don't have to bother. I don't think he'll be darkening the doorstep anytime soon and good riddance. We don't need that sort of stuff in here. This a respectable establishment. But it's right kind of ya to offer darlin'. "

She nodded as if to affirm this to herself and leaned against the counter. "Almost closin' time." she said softly and looked back to Kyle. "You mind if I share a cup of coffee with ya? I could use a little pick me up." she asked before moving behind the counter and pulling a cup down to rest on the counter top and then turning to get the stove top percolator, pouring a fresh cup full for herself and smiling to him. "You want a freshen up hon? Maybe another piece of cobbler? I think I might have some myself while it's still good and hot. It's dessert is always better when it's shared." she said as she tilted her head, looking up at him and waiting for a reply.

It was strange, the turn about in the man. He'd been so sullen and withdrawn when he came in. The change in him was clear to see and a good thing as well. Maybe he just needed someone to show him a little kindness. It was people like him that kept her spirits up and inspired her to get up each morning before the sun and stay long after it had gone to bed. Her entire body was tired and her hands in serious need of a good soak in a bubble bath but being able to see someone find a little slice of happiness was so worth it.

[Kyle Aodhagán †]

Already the engaging and thoughtful emotions that the empathetic foods had caused Kyle were starting to fade. A mere few bites of the cobbler were not enough to sustain the emotionless warriors completely turn around in behavior.
He’d hoped she’d say yes to his proposal, for the desire to punish the human made his heart race a little faster and his mouth to ache as the fangs pushed up through his gums.
The creature that shared his body; was -part- of him; was feral and itching to be free of the weak human body which kept it prisoner. It was that very part of him that had made it easy to forget the weakening human sentiments that encumbered the man.

The dragon flinched a little as the woman patted his cheek like a grandmother doting on a child, but he didn’t snap at her, nor did he have the urge to.
How very strange.
The benevolence he felt was a mystery to the shifter, but the reason didn’t matter as much as the awareness. If he was conscious of the change, he could correct it. Wear the emotional armor as he’d always done and save himself the grief that had crippled him so long ago.

“Sweet?” He couldn’t help but repeat it in an absent, befuddled tone of voice. “An adjective never used to describe the man that stands before you.”
A mirthless chortle came from his throat and he nodded in response to her inquiry to join him. He’d yet to taste the coffee and his appetite for the rich cobbler had not been sated by two bites.

Drifting over to watch her brew a pot of fresh java, Kyle leaned against the counter and thrummed his finger pads over the smooth counter top.
It was strange to consider how long it had been since he’s spared a moment to have pleasant and relaxed conversations with another. It was a little disconcerting, but not altogether negative. The smell of the coffee whittled away just a bit more of the heavy boulder that seemed a constant weight on his shoulders.

“Have you…lived in New Orleans all of your life?” Kyle asked before realizing the words had spilled out of his mouth. Imagine-- the dragon making small talk. Wonder never did cease to amaze him.

He tilted his head a little to the side and realized he’d yet to receive her name. “And what should I call you when I thank you for the dessert? I believe divinity of fruits and sugar might make everyone else a little uncomfortable…”
A whisper of a smile came to his lips then, and then was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
Oh god. Was he getting soft? What care did he have of her name and history?

Kyle’s brow creased a little in confusion.

(( After your next post I'll probably have the dragon jet, and then the fun with the baddies can begin? ))

[kayla]

If she noticed the flinch she didn't speak of it. "Well I guess it's been used now darlin'." she said with a wink as she filled up a fresh cup of the coffee for him and set a sugar jar up on the counter in front of him before pouring her own cup. That done she moved to get them both a piece of cobbler from the heated up dish.

"Oh my! Am I startin' ta sound like a local already?" she asked with a little chuckle as she dished out the sweet peach delicacy out and inhaled the aroma of the sweetness. "I'm originally from Kentucky. Only been here about two years now."

She set the dish in front of him with a fork resting on the side as she pulled her little stool over and sat down behind the counter facing him to enjoy her own. A sip of her coffee later she was cutting a bit of cobbler with her fork when she looked up to see that hint of a smile flicker over his face. It made her grin as she looked at him and that mirthful, warm chuckle left her lips again, the merriment twinkling in her eyes. "Kayla will do hon. Or Ms. Murdough if ya wanna get fancy but I'm not much of a fancy person myself.And what's your name hon? I hope I'll be seein' ya in here more often to be able ta use it."

Popping a ladylike bite of the cobbler into her mouth she chewed as she looked to him waiting for an answer. While the rich, sweet flavor was savored on her palate she did not get the same effect her customer's did. She did not taste the warmth of the sunshine that slowly, lovingly ripened the peaches in the fragrant groves or the sense of joy and light heartedness that had made her smile as she had cooked the fruity sweet dessert. A bite of the cobbler was like a warm, pleasant blanket wrapped around a person in loving home. Those tender memories of home instilled in each ounce of the cobbler.

[Kyle Aodhagán †]

As Kyle listened to the genuinely generous human, he wrapped his hands around his mug, inhaling the swirling steam that in and of itself wrapped around him like a balmy duvet. He closed his eyes as he brought the cup to his lips, taking just the slightest taste of the dark bitter liquid, but that small amount was enough to send him into another spell of euphoria; his insides warming instantly with unfamiliar cheerfulness.

Kayla introduced herself and Kyle nodded in appreciation, finishing the bite of cobbler he had shoveled into his mouth before bending his head a little in reverence and giving his own name without thought. Usually the dragon would find a way to skirt the topic, or blatantly refuse this information; after all, you never really knew who could be trusted here or the otherworld, but he had taken an instant confidence in this human, for reasons he couldn’t quite understand.

“My name is Kyle Aodhagán, and it would be my pleasure to make necessary the use of it again.” He answered her with slightly up-tilted lips, an indication he would be sure to return.

As they drank coffee and ate their desserts, the dragon grew more and more comfortable with the human. It was as if with each bite a layer of the sturdy wall around him fell, and with it, stories of his past, the loss of his wife and his world wide travels, fell from his lips.
Of course only half truths were given, to spare the woman the sadness and shock that would no doubt come with the knowledge of the other realm and its evils, but even in telling her of things that had once broken his heart, there was no sorrow within. Quite the opposite, sharing his tales lifted a heavy weight from his shoulders, and filled him with a joy and memories of all the wonderful things they had shared.

It seemed time had all but stopped for the new acquaintances, even as customers came and went and Kayla got up every once in a while to assist them. Before too long it was only Kyle and she, and the hour was late, or early, depending on who you were; but closing time for the little café.
As they both rose and Kyle followed her to the door, an airy smile was spread wide across his rugged face. His belly was full and so was his heart; a pleasant sensation after all the years of being empty.

Kayla pushed open the door for him and he drifted through, turning around to offer her a genial tilt of his head. “I’ve enjoyed the food, but the conversation was especially a treat, Kayla.” The dragon took a step backwards to let her pull it half closed and let his smile grow wider. “Goodnight Divinity of Desserts…”

With that the waitress said her goodbyes and pulled the door closed, locking it and turning the OPEN sign to CLOSED, giving Kyle a little wave before wandering off to take care of the place.
Kyle felt light, and his step was even slightly bouncy as he started off towards the hotel he was currently occupying. He had the urge to pay visit to Lillie; marveling in how buoyant he felt and wondering if the blind woman might enjoy him in this mood.
The thought was interrupted however by a rancid smell of blood lingering in the wind, and the shifter stopped to take in a heavy whiff of it.
It came from a large tree just outside of the cafe that shifted in the night breeze, and with another gust and reach of its leafy branches, another trace of the horrible aroma.

Kyle furrowed his brow, staring intently into the overgrowth that stretched right up to the little window on the second floor of the building.
A loud growl escaped his throat at the sight of what appeared to be a brawny elderly man with red eyes, taloned hands and large teeth; the red cap atop his head crimson and dripping with the rancid blood which stained it. He bore a walking stick with a gleaming spike on the end, which he used to pierce the window in order to climb through.

Kayla had made quick work of her clean up and the café was already darkened inside. The shifter went to the door and gave it a tug to try and capture the waitress’ attention, but after a moment with no sign of her he grew impatient, and easily leapt up to the top branch which reached towards the window like an outstretched hand.

“Kayla...?” He called out as he crept through it, not wanting to give away his position to the intruder, but also not wanting to startle the human.

[kayla]

(( Put the reply in a new thread over in the loft since it's going to take place up there ))