Sincerely Stockholm

Chapter Two: Welcome to Stockholm. Welcome to Fika.

Just as the train was leaving the station, Dame could feel two young Swedes making their way rather apprehensively towards herself and Blix. Dame softly said, "Well that didn't take long for the fans to find me..." But just as she turned towards her alleged admirers, the duo suddenly squealed, "Blix Andersson, är det verkligen du?!" Blix smiled and cordially began conversing with the obviously starstruck pair, while Dame quickly turned towards the window. She hoped that Blix didn't see her crimson cheeks blazing with embarrassment. After some chit-chat and a couple selfies, the two tittered all the way back to their seats. "I'm sure if they saw you Dame, they would have recognized you," Blix said with a consolatory tone. "Maybe. I just have to remember I'm no longer in London. I can't step outside my flat without someone shoving a camera in my face. I think I'm just always on edge," Dame confessed. "Now you know why I started producing, I couldn't handle that fishbowl existence any longer," Blix admitted, "but from what I've seen from you Dame, you've handled it all very well." Dame just smiled and in that moment she started to warm up to the idea of working with a stranger. Blix's musical aptitude was undeniable, but he was also one of the few people that could relate to what Damianne Beauty's life had become. One minute she was the kid sister working part time at the local newsagent, then, whoosh, DAME is headlining Glastonbury. Mental.

"Dame, do you know how many times you have visited Sweden?" Blix asked in a knowing manner. "Somehow I think you know better than I do," Dame replied wryly. "Well, before I take on an artist, I like to do a little bit of background research on them. So your management tells me that you have been to Sweden four times before now." Dame knew she had performed in Sweden before but was still surprised by Blix's count. "Really? That many times?" she queried as Blix began tallying up her trips. "DAME first played at Debaser Medis almost four years ago," Blix began, then quickly added, "you then performed at Södra Teatern three years ago, then Lollapalooza Stockholm." Dame's eyes widened. "I do remember that show, it was big." Blix interrupted adding, "But the last time you were here, just over a year ago, was when you appeared on a very popular Swedish chat show called, Skavlan." As Dame quickly reloaded her memory banks, her smile quickly soured. "Oh yes. I do recall that interview now. The nice Swedish host really only directed the questions at me." Blix chuckled, "Actually he's Norwegian, but we don't hold it against him." Ignoring Blix's correction, Dame resumed, "My brother Rupert was simply beside himself after recording that show. He went on and on about how DAME was his band, and even though he was the leader, everyone still just always wants to talk to me, interview me, photograph me. That program was the beginning of the end I suppose." Blix interjected, "I remember watching an interview with Debra Harry once. Everyone assumed that she was the leader of BLONDIE because she was the lead singer, and well, she was blonde." Dame concurred adding, "Exactly. That's what I said to Rupert. 'I didn't name the band after myself, you bloody did!' Besides, the lead singer always tends to get more of the limelight anyway. He certainly didn't mind me getting the majority of the attention when we were on our way up!" Just then the express train arrived at Stockholm central station. "I've got you all wound up. I think we need to Fika," declared Blix as he rose quickly from his seat. "I beg your pardon," blurted Dame. "That better be some sort of Swedish slang," she implored half jokingly. Blix just gave an naughty grin as he led her towards the metro at Stockholm's Centralen station, "Yes, definitely need to Fika before I drop you off at your Airbnb."

As the pair make their way out of Södra Station, Blix turns to Dame and says, "So this Södermalm, the neighbourhood where you'll be staying." Dame tried to repeat the name. "Söder," said Blix, "just call it Söder, that literally means "south'' and that's what we locals call it." "Söder," said Dame, having a bit better luck with her pronunciation. Blix continued, "Södermalm is considered the hub of creativity and imagination in Stockholm. In fact Vogue ranked it the coolest, hippest neighbourhood in all of Europe." Dame perked up at this detail, "Oh, so that's why you picked this place for me to live. To be inspired by all the surrounding creative energy." Blix replied candidly, "Well, maybe a bit. But the main reason why I selected Södermalm is because this neighbourhood is one of the most densely populated areas in Scandinavia." Dame instantly became both concerned and confused by this comment. Blix continued to lead the way and added, "I think that it'll be easier for you to blend into a crowd rather than standing out in some high-end, exclusive hotel lobby." Barely keeping up, Dame could only mutter, "I guess that makes sense... in a counterintuitive kind of way." No sooner do the two turn down one of the many charming cobblestone streets, when Blix suddenly stopped and raised his hands in front of a bistro doorway, draped by two Swedish flags. "Varsågod," Blix exclaimed while extending his body into an exaggerated bow.

Dame then proceeded first into the cozy café immediately being struck by it's inviting, eclectic, random, minimal decor. The smell of freshly ground coffee and baked goods filled her nostrils — Whatever Fika means, thought Dame, I know I'm going to like it. "Before we Fika together for the first time, let me explain what Fika is all about," stated Blix, taking on a more academic tone. "Fika is often translated as a coffee and cake break, which is somewhat correct, but really it is much more than this." Blix paused, pondered then continued, "Fika is more like a concept, a state of mind, an attitude, you know. It means making time for friends and colleagues to share a cup of coffee together and a little something to eat." As Dame eyed the croissants, cup cakes, and sugar biscuits on display, she murmured, "Sounds delightful." Blix proudly summated, "Many Swedes consider it essential to make time for Fika every day. It's an important part of Swedish culture." Curiously they each ordered the same thing - a cappuccino paired with a double buttered almond croissant. While Dame didn't think Blix noticed this coincidence, she certainly took note. Somehow that had to be a good sign for their collaboration that was about to commence the next day. As they sat down at one of the half dozen tiny tables, Dame's shoulders instantly relaxed, dropping noticeably. "Blix, this is exactly what I needed. Just to chill out, have a coffee and croissant with my new..." Dame hesitated then wondered aloud, "Colleague?" Blix just smiled and said, "Your newest Swedish friend." Having just met, less than an hour earlier, Dame was instantly comforted by Blix's disarming, soothing, demeanour while being bewitched by his cool, Swedish charm.

In that moment Dame realized two things. First, she was truly mesmerized by Blix and his beguiling aura. Second, she was now just totally staring at him, looking like some silly schoolgirl with a juvenile crush. Quick Dame, say something, anything, you look like a complete prat, she said to herself.