Coffee and Tradecraft, A Discussion

Coffee and Tradecraft, an Interrupted Discussion

Red-haired elf-woman Kleo sat alone at a table for two. She looked at her coffee, then up at the door every time the bell rang as it opened. She took a sip, set the cup down, and looked around the cafe.

Hegemony eclectic dominated the main room. Overstuffed velvet chairs, a pair of loveseats (one red, one deep blue), tables hidden under neat white cloths gave a sense of well-funded eccentrism. Meganesian Imports' management believed in showing off their wares; imported porcelain tea and coffee cups, Megalanesian wool in the tablecloths, and rattan-framed barstools occupied the room.

Kleo sat up slightly every time the door opened, only to sink back when she did not recognize the person entering. She waved at a server with her lit cigarillo. One came, and refilled her cup. She looked at the crumbs that had once been a crescent roll before she dissected it, without actually consuming any. She looked up at the door again.

She blinked as Harpodikos (Harpo to the watch house) entered with Hali, Kleo's roommate. That's a new development. They stood blinking in the dimmer light of the cafe, then saw Kleo. Kleo blushed. Um, I'm waiting for my mother; do you two really need to do this now?

Harpo led the way through the crowd. He passed a pale, white-haired elf-man with red eyes sitting across from a free Kimmerian all in red, not the pyroskop scarlet neither; he then passed a black-haired much scarred free Kimmerian with a beret and a single epaulet. Finally, passing a pair of noble elf-men (who were making snide comments about the class of the customers) leaning on their canes.

Harpo, in his full uniform of scarlet coat, black tricorne, epaulets and all, took off his greatcloak and set it on the loveseat adjacent to Kleo's table. Hali pulled off her coat-and-half-cloak, showing off her own uniform of scarlet waistcoat over white tunic and black breeches. Kleo, in her variant on the pyroskop uniform, smoothed her scarlet dress under black stays.

Harpo sat down across from Kleo. "So you are a spy?"

Kleo flushed deeper red, her freckles receding. "No! . . . yes. . . I don't want to be! Do we have to have this conversation now? I'm waiting for my mother." I don't need more awkward conversations today.

Hali shook her head 'no.' "I did ask him to wait, but he insisted. It does me a sorrow."

Kleo shook her head 'yes.' (Kephalaeans shake their heads for 'yes,' nod for 'no.') "Taxiarkh {watch house commander}, I expect to be thrown out in disgrace any day now for refusing! O Bronteis, what have I done." That should get him to back off a little at least. "With my luck Mother will appear while you two are here. Taxiarkh, do you know my mother?"

Harpo smiled a closed-mouth smile. "I am looking forward to meeting her. She is a necromancer?"

Kleo stiffened. She looked to Hali. You didn't tell him! Hali shook her head. "Do say that louder, I don't think the patrol outside heard you. I don't know! I was going to ask her. When she gets here. Any time now." Damn you for being a martinet; you want the credit for arresting a witch after all. And I had been thinking good things about you, Harpo dear.

Hali stood awkwardly between her brother and the door. She stiffened and turned away from Harpo and Kleo. She made a rush for the door as some commotion occurred outside. Harpo turned to look. Kleo could not see past them and the people in the cafe.

Kleo stood up as Harpo strode to the door. She couldn't see clearly through the cafe windows what was happening outside. She heard muffled yelling. She walked over to the glass door, as everyone else in the cafe did. It's not everyday one has street theater outside Megalanesian Imports.

Kleo's uniform kept her free as she forced her way behind Harpo outside. A carriage with the insignia of the Royal Rifles (crossed muskets silhouetted on a dark green lozenge) drove off. Hali grabbed Kleo by both her arms.