'Light (Not That One)

With Aita’s recent reunion with Sophie in the real world to celebrate her coronation, I have since reestablished amicable connections with Sophie and Tim. Often times, I find myself torn between staying at the Castle of Friendship to help provide company for Lorien, and catching up with the two humans Aita and I still consider family.

However, with Cozy Glow helping with the Running of the Leaves, Aita’s assured me she can care for Lorien on her own. So with me visiting, Sophie and Tim decided the place for us to catch up.

“Hm… this is new,” I remark about our destination.

“Cool Beans opened up pretty recently,” says Sophie. “You should try their cocoa here, especially the stronger flavors.”

When I look at the hung sign for the café before us that Sophie is referring to, I notice scarring in the spaces within the letters. Perhaps the place used to be something else.

A small chuckle escapes my breath at the thought of a cup of cocoa. “Last time I had a caffeinated beverage, it was ultimately because of Discord. It’ll be nice to have one at my own leisure instead.”

“And while you catch up with us to boot,” adds Tim. “Come on; it’s get in.”

It takes a moment after Tim enters the café before Sophie and I share a hearty laugh over his apparent haste.

“I never did get to see what you two were truly like, did I?” I say.

“Well, we understood you had a kingdom to rule while Aita lived here, at least for the most part. But now that you two live together…”

I interrupt Sophie, wrapping my hoof around her. “I”ll let you know about that when we go inside.”

Sophie nods, appearing to’ve connected the dots. “Gotcha.”

Together, Sophie and I head into the café now and quickly scan the area to find where Tim has seated himself before an usher comes to greet us, allowing us to shake her hand.

“Ah! Sophie! I thought I’d bump into you with your cousin in here.”

Sophie snorts with inward laughter. “That would be Tim; does he happen to be at a table for three?”

The usher nods and escorts us across the café. “Yep. Right this way, girls.”

As Sophie and I stroll throughout the long, though quaint, one aisle dining floor, I find internal pleasure in the possibility that the usher knows who I am; she leaves back to her post as we arrive at the table Tim is occupying, which has three menus on it.

As we sit, Sophie starts laughing when trying to talk again. “Look Tim, I know you’re an adult now, but we have-”

“Sophie, it’s okay,” I chuckle. “No one's in danger.”

It takes a few seconds but Sophie and I manage to calm down enough to take a deep breath. All the while, Tim appears a bit conflicted, tilting his head to his left, like it’s great to him that we didn’t have an adverse reaction, but didn’t feel our laughter was in his spirit.