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It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, or at least a nice one, in that the sun's out. It's not doing a lot to warm things up, though, especially here in the morning. Not that this bothers -some- people, such as Tigra. She's wearing a bit more than normal at the moment, with a long sleeved blouse, a light jacket, and loose trousers, tailored for her tail. A broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses complete the outfit, helping her be a bit discrete even though she's en feline. More than once pleasant smells from a particular bakery have caught her attention, and the bell tinkles as she opens it to step inside.
*
Mildred looks like she hasn't been sleeping well lately, but still gives a genuine smile as Tigra enters. "Oh, hello dear - haven't seen you in here before."
*
The dusty dryness of late autumn allows Scarlett a few releases from the general cares of her Columbia coursework. She certainly isn't free, the heavy books in a bag over her shoulder attesting to that. Pens rattle around in the front pocket, and a green-bound volume pokes out the corner through an opened zipper. As she caroms up the street, the company of bronzed leaves kicked into the air and her thoughts have to be sufficient. Still, the redheaded bohemian halts at the audible growl of her stomach. One can never ignore the little things. A halt puts her at the intersection across from the bakery, and a quick survey of options — deli, sausage shop, bakery — quickly whittles down where she chooses to spend her quarters. She flits across the street, dodging a few cars humming along to their intended destinations. Nothing odd about that, though she flattens the crown of her hat to her head rather than lose it in the dash. Cue girl in mandarin orange showing up.
*
Mildred smiles at Scarlett too. "Oh, getting busy in here! Welcome!"
*
"Well I haven't been in here before," Tigra answers Mildred with a pleasant smile as she removes her sunglasses, taking a look around the inside of the bakery. "I've passed here now and again, and it's always smelled so good, thought today I'd go ahead and see what you have." A flash of movement catches her attention. It helps that it's a woman wearing easily seen orange that's doing the movement, and Tigra grins in recognition as she scoots further into the bakery to keep clear of the door.
*
The door won't be closed for long, pulled open for Scarlett to squeeze herself and her broad-brimmed hat through. She rotates on her toes and squishes it shut, then droops for a moment, taking in a deep breath. A bit of dusting her hands assures her coat, which is nigh as long — or short, depending on one's view — as her dress, happens to be in a state of tidiness after that little dash. Then she tips her head up, and gives a wave to Tigra. She is a fairly singular individual, and the young woman's green eyes flicker with mirth. "Have you summoned me for a pastry?" The English tinge to Scarlett's voice could place her from the UK… or the south, give or take. A glance past focuses upon the case and its morsels, then up to Mildred. "Good morning, ma'am. It seems like everyone is hungry this morning."
*
Mildred arranges the freshly-baked snickerdoodles under the counter, right next to the chocolate chip & coffee bean cookies she bakes for tired students. As they catch her eye, she's tempted to take one herself, but decides to at least wait until after serving the customers. "Two new customers, and so polite too - you're always welcome here. Remember, if you don't see what you want, please feel free to ask me to bake it for you."
*
The orange furred woman grins at the orange clad woman. "The color becomes you," she quips. "And verily I have. For all the mystic realms know the power of a well made doughnut." She turns now to Mildred. "As long as you mention it, oatmeal raisin cookies are a personal favorite, if you have some of those. Or any doughnuts, actually," she adds. "I'm not sure about cookies for breakfast."
*
"Anything edible. I have barely an idea of all the different cookie flavours there are," Scarlett confesses freely in this temple to the baked good, probably branding herself a heathen or the child of one of those people who do not believe in desserts. Or sugar-infused products. Given she's a bohemian through and through, in appearance down to the flowers strung through her elaborately plaited hair, this could be the case. "What would you recommend? A doughnut?" Puzzling over this, she gives Tigra a very light nudge as she squeezes past. It's not to the tail, but that book bag makes moving about a bit difficult. "Two doughnuts, please, one for her and one for me. I think that shall satisfy us quite well. I made the mistake of trying to make sticky buns. My friends ate all of them in one sitting, and I think I heard the groaning clear to Battery Park.."
*
Mildred nods. "Of course we have doughnuts. We're out of oatmeal raisin cookies just now, and it'll be an hour before they're ready - I'm sorry, dear, but I'm afraid I don't have much room for a lot of stock here anymore." She bustles into the kitchen to retrieve the requested doughnuts, calling back, "Plain or jelly? We have cinnamon too, and I can add any toppings you might like."
*
"Well, everything -smells- very edible in here," Tigra tells Scarlett cheerfully. "My first time here, but if it tastes as good as it smells…" Her tail moves in anticipation as she squeezes in to try to make room for Rogue and book bag. "I'll owe you one for next time," she says of doughnuts. "Well I can come back later for cookies," she says to Mildred when she apologizes about the lack of oatmeal raisin. "Frankly, any doughnut you have will be fine with me," she says, looking to Scarlett for her opinion.
*
"I would be happy for plain, thank you." No temptations of the cinnamon for this girl, apparently. Scarlett tips her head back, the thin labyrinth of braids skimming down her back and dusting against her tailbone. They have length and considerable numbers of elastic bands used to secure that interesting shape, which probably hasn't been seen anywhere in about 700 years, give or take a century. Her fingers lace together, and she rocks on her toes, smiling. "Of course. There is nothing better than food in company. I've been dining on my own enough, but such are the perils of being a student." Of what, well; that's open to debate.
*
Mildred returns with four plain doughnuts, and explains, "You're so sweet, you get one extra each, for your first visit. I can sprinkle on a little powdered sugar too, if you'd like - I make the plain ones very plain so people can have any topping they want."
*
Tigra glances at Scarlett curiously. "Well if you ever need company," she offers, I'd be happy to join you." She looks back to Mildred and the extra doughnuts with a grin of gratitude. "Well, I'll never turn down an extra doughnut. And since you're offering, by all means, sprinkle some on mine."
*
"Always welcome," Scarlett replies, and she peers over the doughnuts. "Just one for me. Thank you, though I could not impinge upon you." Here goes the war of manners. Find a Canadian, they'll make the situation complete. All the same, she plucks up the doughnut in question. "Powdered sugar sounds just the thing. I imagine you get very busy indeed come Christmas time."
*
Mildred sprinkles with a generous hand. Is she possibly being extra-generous in the way of someone emphasising lack of prejudice against mutants? She seems to be sincere, regardless. She holds out the tray of tastiness, stumbling slightly as she does so but catching herself on the counter before the precious doughnuts fall. In response to Scarlett's comment, she remarks, "Haven't been as busy as once we were… maybe it's fortunate, given it's just me working here, but I'd certainly welcome more people. Still, life is as it is."
*
Tigra gives Rogue a quick grin and nod at the response to the offer of company. "We'll do that, then." She turns towards Mildred with a quick look of concern at the stumbling, then relaxes when the older woman recovers her balance. "I'll be sure to tell people about here," she says, taking her two doughnuts and taking a quick, modest bite of the first one. After chewing, swallowing, and grinning, she says, "Definitely will tell people."
*
The sprinkles of sugar are going to have dividends, probably burning the poor redhead's energy levels through the stratosphere. Everyone fear the bouncy redhead. They have no souls, after all. Scarlett nonetheless has to figure out how to take the doughnut without dumping powdered sugar all over herself. The spots will definitely show on the orange dress, and the grey coat over it. She carefully reaches out, nd looks for a napkin, in a doomed war. "I should be very surprised by that. Everyone needs baked goods and desserts." This is an honest truth. "It's not as though we have time to do this ourselves. I know someone who probably could eat all your stock in one sitting."
*
Mildred smiles and thanks Tigra. Oddly, she seems to be grateful as much for the enjoyment of the doughnut as for the offer of free advertising. She then turns to Scarlett and, with an apologetic smile, offers a napkin. "I was sure I'd set them out this morning. Forget my head next…"
*
For her part, Tigra's not as concerned about the sugar. Or at least, doesn't seem to be as concerned about it, and yet, somehow doesn't make much of a mess, managing to eat rather neatly. Cats. Go figure. "My husband once talked about a doughnut chain he came across when he was in the South one time," says the woman whose furred fingers happen to have no rings. "Crispy Something or other, I don't remember. He was taken by them, but say they were -extremely- sweet."
*
Scarlett is fastidious, the cat is not. Maybe Tigra can clean her fur with her tongue, but it's less of an option even for someone as open-minded as the redhead. Come on, the fabrics of the 60s don't taste very good and their thick or very diaphanous cut is so not friendly. "Your husband is a fan? I cannot say I like sweet doughnuts. This is much nicer. I have been craving something a little more spiced of late, too." Her eyes narrow at the possibility, and she takes another bite. Mm. Doooooughnut.
*
Mildred nods sadly. "Maybe such chains are the reason I get so few people these days - I can't match their prices. I try to make up for it in quality, but not everyone appreciates it… ah, don't mind me. You didn't come to listen to an old woman's worries." She crinkles her face up into another smile. "It was so nice meeting you both. Please enjoy, and I'll have those oatmeal raisin cookies ready for you later if you want to come back for them."
*
A bit of a sad smile, now for the tigress. "Was," she says of her husband being a fan. Whether that's because he's not a fan, or otherwise she doesn't get into at the moment. "The day that we can't talk with someone while having a transaction of any sort will be a very, very sad day," she says to Mildred's dismissing talk of her worries. "I need to be on my way, but I'll certianly be back. Thank you," she says to each of them in turn before slipping out.
*
Tigra leaves, heading towards Midtown [out].
*
Tigra has left.
*
"I do not imagine that we are going to face a time soon where people do away entirely with a human element. I cannot imagine that." Easy to say so with bites of food around her, but that most human necessity possibly drives Scarlett's conclusions. "Do you mind if I bought two more of your doughnuts? I think they're quite lovely, and would make a good addition to the pantry. If they make it that far." Doubt is coloured all over the hue of her voice. Watching Tigra leave, her expression draws worried lines.
*
Mildred nods unhesitatingly. She goes to fetch another to accompany the free one she'd already offered, and pauses to deliberate. "You said you'd like something spicy? I still have these cinnamon ones, or I can offer a topping. Or, if you're feeling brave, I have a chilli doughnut, but you'd be only my second customer who likes those." She glances toward the door and muses, "Funny, he's usually here by now…"
*
Scarlett smiles. "The cinnamon, I think. I'll take two of those. Chili may be good but I think that it might be something for another time if I am introducing someone to doughnuts. I cannot be sure they've had them before, and I would like to be certain that the food is received well in its traditional state." The arch of her eyebrows as she manages to get a smear of white powdery sugar on her coat warrants a rueful sigh. "Of course you would get me, napkin." The object is folded another time, and she places it in the trash.
*
Mildred nods and fetches the doughnuts as requested, then notices the smear as she returns. "Oh, I'm sorry… will that come out?" She wraps the doughnuts carefully before handing them over.
*
A few coins are set on the counter beside a folded one dollar bill plucked from Scarlett's coin purse. "Oh, absolutely. I shall just have to dust myself off later. No trouble, ma'am, I promise!" She will take the box with care, at the least, if it is offered. "Do you have a business card or such? I wouldn't want to forget the name, though my head is full of clouds."
*
Mildred glances about. "I know I had some somewhere… just a moment." She hands Scarlett her change first - while she served up five doughnuts, two were free - before searching around and finally retrieving - and dusting off - an old business card. "Not many new visitors nowadays, so these don't see much use…"
*
The girl takes the business card and gives it a look over and then tucks it into her pocket. "I have the feeling, ma'am, between myself and Tigra, you may find that changes. I'm a university student and we are often in need of food that can be eaten in quantity to keep us awake." Truth there. The redhead gives Mildred another smile and then steps back, dipping her head. "I should be on my way to the library to get this work done. Thank you so much; this truly was a lovely treat."
*
Mildred nods understandingly and then, on a whim, offers Scarlett one of the chocolate chip & coffee bean cookies. "Maybe it's not to your taste, but I'm sure you'll find someone who'd like it. Seems I baked too many for today… Anyway, it was nice meeting you too. Visit anytime!"
*
Rogue has left.
*