[Open] Evening, Grocery Store

[windupgadget]

She didn't mean to cause trouble - honestly.

But that didn't faze the fact she was standing in the middle of a decimated aisle, boxes of pastas scattered and squashed across the floor, alongside a couple groaning, rising shoppers. Or a cart had toppled over behind her, blocking her way out. Not that she was trying to escape, but the victims of this mess didn't even look at her when she tried to help them up, and just stood there, looking as confused as ever. Better yet, she could hear the tell-tale sounds of crashes in other parts of the store, making her flinch and duck passed the pair, making a break for it around the corner.

All she wanted was to pick up a few things she usually missed!

Comments

[devil_in_details]

"I just finish what I start." He swings himself back onto the bike, still unsure how he's going to manage his drink - so he takes a long drag of it, just in case. "Besides, you make great faces about it. Don't take offense, that's a compliment."

Maybe he'd just started to dig his own grave. But he'd get more good expressions out of it, so he could always climb back up again if need be. He liked being with her. There was an artlessness there that almost seemed familiar.

And more importantly, it was fun.

[windupgadget]

-so he is throwing her for a loop on purpose! That's mighty close to taunting, you know... Except for the friendly charm he's putting into the mix. That's just confusing.

And maybe that's why she listens, to a point, and stops with the soaked cat expressions after a beat. "I guess I can't begrudge you that- But you know. Maybe I just want to be helpful." Which is why she gets back on the bike and curls her arms right around him- And holds her free hand up in offer.

She promises not to spill anything on you!

[devil_in_details]

Hah. Problem solved. Bennu grins and slips the coffee into his brand-new cup holder, fumbling for the ignition with his free hand.

"Fair enough," he agrees. "I'll finish it before you're home."

Which is going to be a feat, and might involve actually waiting at lights. He avoids that whenever he can, and fortunately hasn't been ticketed yet.

[windupgadget]

"No rush." Not that she'd mind him trying, as long as she doesn't end up fumbling herself. If anything, a slowed ride makes it easier, and gives her time to appreciate the drive, to boot.

Not to mention grants a quiet opening at a light to talk, when she gets antsy and curious, pressed up back there. "-I've never seen your bike before. Do you not drive to my shop?"

[devil_in_details]

He sips his coffee while stopped at the light: take that, impracticality, Bennu Tammuz has indeed won the day.

"I've been known to meander," he replies, "if the weather's fine. Saves on gas and getting honked at."

Except the latter doesn't happen nearly as much as it should. Everyone mostly drives in extremely predictable patterns, around here. Bennu's just learned said patterns by rote.

"I mean, I don't mind," he points out, pushing off as the light turns green. "They have the right. But I'd hate to inconvenience anyone."

Even at night, with his back to her, Shiki can probably hear the grin.

[windupgadget]

"Liar" was the instant comeback tease, light and frienndly. Followed by shocked silence of personal gall. And she's not sure where that came from (she might think that sort of thing but when's she say it?) so she talks right over the traffic.

"As long as there's no accidents, you aren't hurting anyone. I just wondered."

[devil_in_details]

"You wound me. Would I invite passengers if there was danger?" Bennu picked up the pace, careening down the road to her shop in a weaving motion that seemed partially determined to make a liar out of himself, partially determined to prove his complete mastery of the vehicle.

Both were likely true. Showing off when someone didn't take his crap had actually proved to be most enjoyable. And he'd gotten a little more life in her, already.

Yes, tonight was a night well spent, for once.

[windupgadget]

-cruel, Mr. Tammuz. Asking a pointed question and interrupting any chance to answer by speeding up. Of course she has to focus on clutching harder - no hands - and not spilling anything. It might not be holding-on-for-dear-life worthy, but, you know.

Even when she adjusts enough to speak up, she practically has to yell now. "Is that why there's no helmets, either? No need for protection?"

[devil_in_details]

"You think?" Bennu yells back, feeling pretty good about the situation. Where is her - ah, there, there's her shop; she's bound to live around there somewhere. "Maybe I just like the wind in my hair! Left or right?"

Or maybe it just never occurred to him. Or maybe it was a mix of all of the above. Bennu Tammuz just - didn't do helmets. He'd always been happy to leave it at that.

[windupgadget]

"Well as long as it's not- What?" Shiki interrupted herself, confused, before hefting herself up against Bennu enough to look over his shoulder. And she's only more confused as she spots what's up ahead.

"Nowhere- you can pull up in front of the shop."

[devil_in_details]

A sigh; he can't play the knight after all, it seems. (Well, that, or she does literally live at work. Whichever.)

In any case, Bennu submits to the lady's whims, and manages to thoughtfully avoid leaving skid marks on her sidewalk while he's at it. "Last stop," he remarks, swinging a leg over the side. "Please remember to take all carry-on luggage, purses, assorted knick-knacks, and children. Management tends to be irresponsible."

[windupgadget]

"-what? I can't call lost and found for help?" Okay, well. He started it.

And Shiki slides herself off the back, only to find herself standing on her sidewalk in front of him, both hands full. Can't unlock a door like that. So she looks down at the coffee cup before offering it up.

"Here, it's almost gone. ...and thanks for the ride. Didn't think it'd be so fun, crashing a grocery store."

[devil_in_details]

He accepts the cup with a nod, tipping it to her as if toasting the evening. "You make your own fun," he responds, shrugging off her thanks but unable (or unwilling) to keep himself from smiling. "It's the only way any happens. Consider that some parting wisdom.

"Enjoy your evening," he continues, sitting back on the bike. "Maybe I'll break a clock someday soon."

Or at the very least stop by to heckle. See if the novelty hadn't worn off the second time around.

[windupgadget]

-and she's taking that wisdom most seriously, sir. If with a hesitant nod, while she muses. "I don't know- anything's fun with the right person." It's been awhile and the memory's a bit blurred, but she remembers that much.

But she'll concede his point about having to make it, too, and maybe that's why she stops rattling her drink around long enough to give him a curious look- and lean up to press quick, sound kiss on the cheek, before she thinks better. And before backing up onto the sidewalk.

"Alright- you know my hours, call anytime," she recites, far brighter than she could manage for any customer. "But I don't make discounts for friends, so." So she clears her throat before she can ramble more, digging in her pocket for keys and making for the door.

[devil_in_details]

Would this be the part where the gallant knight follows in the lady's footsteps, requesting a kiss in a more intimate location? Or does he simply sit atop his polished-chrome steed, basking in the evening's triumph?

Or does he just blink for a few moments like a total idiot, unable to believe she managed to get the drop on him again? This girl - she's really something!

Bennu chuckles and revs his engines a few times. So. That was how she wanted to play it? He wouldn't push her. Not this time. (Maybe the next time. To see if it flustered her. And also because now he'd gotten to thinking about it, and, wow, had he actually been flirting with her all evening? How had it taken him this long to figure that out?!)

It's all in how you see the world, he supposes.

"As you wish, milady," he calls over the roar of his faithful mount, giving her a salute and a quirk of his brow as he pushes away from the curb. "Spark catastrophe anytime!"

Bennu Tammuz isn't in the habit of making habits. But he knows one shop he'll be patronizing more often.