"O-okay." Riverpaw squeaked. She held Charlie's gaze for a moment before looking ahead again, swallowing a lump in her throat. She still couldn't begin to think of why the other girl would be so concerned with her, even if she did consider the two of them to be friends. If anything, she was already starting to worry that it'd become a bother to Charlie.
(Time skip to the pastry place?)
They reached the bakery's corner within the next minute or so; there were a few people at the tables outside, a couple of which Danielle seemed to know and waved at. The light-colored outside of the building had a few posters of the sweets available, and there was a display window showing off a pretty cake and a set of matching cupcakes. The inside walls were dark gray and donned neat, hand-drawn line art of cupcakes and sweets done in black and white, the tables and chairs were white and seafoam green, and there was a bar at the wall behind the door, labeled niches full of cookies, cupcakes, macarons, and a few other small treats sitting behind it. The front counter, connected to the bar and across from the door, had glass casing that held some pie and small cake slices inside, and the wall behind it had a menu above some cake pops and candy displays.
Charlie suddenly looked a little uncomfortable. She pulled her hood up, trying to keep her face down. She didn't like being stared at or even waved to. It made her uncomfortable, even if they weren't doing it towards her. She glances at the food and her mouth waters. She shook her head. It had been ages since she had sugar, and she was on a strict diet. She knew she needed to be careful here. Maybe something simple but yummy.
There was a yelp that caught the brief attention of a few people close to the kitchen door, then some giggling, and a tall, purple-haired girl came out of the room, flour splotching her apron. She dusted herself off and wiped her hands on a small towel hanging from one of the garment's pockets, then she finally turned to the front counter and smiled. "Hey! How's my favorite group?" She happily greeted them, leaning over to hug Danielle. "Fine. Surviving, I guess." Neil shrugged, and the girl chuckled. She went to the register and glanced at each of them, somewhat overlooking the hooded person behind them. "You guys havin' the usual?"
"Yes, please." Danielle chirped. Marcus glanced behind him and nudged the bunny, who looked up at Charlie and grinned. "Oh, yeah! Ell, this is our new buddy, Charlie. She's cool."
"Oh?" The girl examined the newcomer and tilted her head a little. She pulled out a laminated paper from under the counter and slid it towards Charlie. "Well, nice to meet ya. And welcome! I'm Eleena. First-timers get a free treat with their order, so take a look around and let me know what you might like."
Riverpaw looked up at Charlie and smiled encouragingly.
(Ah sorry about that)
(Hoi! I meant to ask, how was your Thanksgiving?)
(Hi! Sorry about that. It was good. And you?)
(It could've been better, but it was nice.)
(You up for continuing atm?)
(Yeah, sure. Give me a moment. I might not reply until tomorrow since I'm not on a computer lol)
(Hey! How was your holiday?)
(Sorry about that. It's been really busy.)
(Same here. Are you doin' okay?)
(I'll be fine)
(I don't like the energy of that "I'll be fine". Are you sure?)
(Yeah. Just need a little time is all.)
(Well, whatever's going on, I hope it gets better for ya ^3^ and I'm always here if you need to talk about anything, I love to listen. Sidenote: would you care to continue this rn or in a bit?)
Thank you. And yes. Let me go reply real quick.
Charlie offered an awkward smiled, rather nervous by the amount of people. She didn't like crowds. She glances down at the laminated paper before nodding gratefully towards Eleena. She feels Rivers gaze before smiling a little at River. "Alright… Uh… What do you recommend, River?" she asks curiously. Charlie looked so lost at the moment, her eyes scanning the menu. She rarely ever ate out since she had a strict diet.
"O-oh, well, uhh." She leaned a bit closer to looked at the paper, skimming over it. Listed were the ten free treats to choose from, as well as three limited-time items; Riverpaw wasn't sure what Charlie might like, for she had no basis for the girl's taste, so she pointed to the topmost options. "You said you don't eat sweets a lot, Right? S-so maybe just start with a mini brownie or cupcake?" She suggested.
"We'll pay, by the way," Danielle piped up, "so don't worry about the price if you get something else."
Charlie smiled and nods slowly. "I think that can work. And about the paying, let me." She offers. She had so much money thanks to her dad. She rarely spent any of it, and she wanted to pay. "Trust me, letting me pay would be doing me a favor." She says quietly, pulling out her credit card.
The boys and Danielle glanced at Riverpaw, who gave a little shrug, and Danielle copied the motion. "If you say so. I'm never one to deny free sweets." She said. She then leaned closer to the tall girl, nudging her playfully with her elbow. "Do you think you could pay when we go to Golden Carousel, too? I kind of hate having to willingly spend money there."
"Dani, no." Riverpaw pushed her friend's arm down, giving her a stern look - as stern as she could get, at least.
Charlie smiled before handing Eleena the credit card before standing back a little. She glanced down at the other female and laughed softly. "I wouldn't mind, River." She says kindly. "I think it would be fun." she adjusts her bag, humming with thought. She glances at River and offers a gentle and assuring smile. "When it comes to my family, River. Money is no issue."
Riverpaw looked apprehensive, but then she returned Charlie's smile and nodded. "O-okay, I guess." She didn't feel right making her new friend pay for them but she didn't think she could stop the girl if she tried. She waited for the others to make their orders before she stepped up and smiled at Eleena.
"Heya, Puppy," Eleena said in a smooth tone that made the younger blush. "H-hi, Ell," Riverpaw squeaked, ducking her head a bit. She got through with only one or two of Eleena's usual flirty comments, then Eleena repeated the group's order, scanned Charlie's card, nodded in approval, and handed it back to her. "We should have it all ready in a bit, ten minutes at the least since someone-" she glanced at Neil, "texted Molly and let her know you were coming, so we were already preparing the usual orders."
Charlie grinned at the other, showing off fangs that glinted sharply in the light. Normally she could keep them hidden, but she was such at ease around this group she couldn't help it. Although, when she saw River blush when Eleena spoke to her, she felt something in her chest throb, and felt anger in her throat. She forced it down and kept her cool. She glanced over at Neil before laughing softly. "You really were prepared." She teases before looking around for a table. There was one next to a window that was open and neat. "Do we want to sit over there?" She asks curiously.
Marcus tilted his head a bit; he had caught Charlie's reaction when Eleena was talking to Riverpaw, and he thought he had a vague idea of why she had that look on her face. He didn't want to jump to any conclusions, though, so he left it alone. Maybe she just wasn't expecting to hear such an exchange.
Neil glanced at the table and shrugged. "Sure thing." Eleena gave a receipt to Riverpaw before she headed back into the kitchen and the group headed over to the table.
(I apologize for my absence.)
(Don't apologize pls, it's fine! Just got a little bored and was wondering how you were doing)
Charlie inhaled slowly before sighing quietly. She ran a hand through her hair before moving towards the table. She felt her phone going off, but ignored it as she sat down. She stretched a little in her chair to get comfortable, ending up sprawling out a little. Her left leg was on the armrest as she sat in a more sideways position, her right leg stretched out under the table and her arm settling on the arm rest.