(no subject)

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

Characters: Gaia and Sif
Date/Time: Morning, June 13th.
Location: Frosted Fancies.
Rating: PG.
Warnings: Possible language.
Summary: The bakery attracts a different sort of patron.



The bell jingled merrily as she opened the door and walked in. Standing in the doorway, she inhaled deeply, smelling all the delicious aromas of baking as her face lit up with a brilliant smile-- not all of which was complete artifice. Whether it was a hot fresh brownie, or the sugar coating on the bitter pill, a bit of something sweet did everybody good.

The bakery was deserted; it was the lull between the opening rush and the lunchtime rush. This was as she planned, of course; she was hoping to have a good long uninterrupted conversation with the owner.

Her smile stayed in place as she put her sunglasses up on her forehead and walked toward the counter. "That smells so good! I came in here just to see what it was!" she called out.

Comments

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

Sif laughed as she came around from the back.
"Well, we do have lots of things coming out of the oven. I just finished baking a strawberry rum cake," she said.

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"Oh, delicious! I do so love strawberries," she gushed as she stood at the counter. Her long curly hair and long skirt seemed to be in slight but constant motion, rather like the leaves of a tree in a breeze, and Sif could smell a faint whiff of sandalwood coming from her.
Her smile became warmer as she bent her head slightly closer to Sif. "But rum, dear? Why, that's hardly a good idea in your condition..."

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

Sif smiled.
"Oh, I don't use any alcohol in the icing--just in the cake, and that bakes out. Besides, it's not for me to eat. Just the customers. If you want, I'd be happy to box up a slice for you."

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"Oh, would you? Oh, but I don't want to put you to any trouble-- and besides, it's no fair for me to have a slice and you not have any."
She looked around and said "This is such a cute little shop! I can tell you have such passion for what you do. Well, for everything you do, honestly."

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

"Thank you," Sif said graciously, "And no worries. I can always make more cake. Part of what I do. Now, did you just want a slice, or do you want to take home the whole cake? It's $7.95 for a single slice, or $25 for the whole cake."

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"Oh... I really shouldn't, but I'll take a slice. You don't mind if I eat it here, do you?"

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

"Oh, no, not at all," Sif said, serving up the cake, "We've got tables and chairs for a reason." She smiled. "I do hope you enjoy it."

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"I'm sure I will," she said, smiling as she took a seat at one of the tables. "But you've been working so hard today, I can tell-- won't you sit down for a little break? I'm sure your feet would be grateful for it."

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

Sif hesitated, but then shrugged.
"Well, I suppose for a little while won't hurt much, but I do have some cupcakes in the oven I'll need to get here shortly."

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"Oh, of course, of course," she said, putting a bite of cake into her mouth. Whatever she was going to say next was lost as her eyes sank closed and she made a blissful noise deep in her throat.
"Oh, pardon me," she said when her eyes opened again. "But this cake is simply divine." Putting down her fork, she said "Your fiance is a very lucky man indeed. Well, and you're fortunate and happy yourself, aren't you? A wedding, and a new baby-- oh, it's all so exciting!" Her voice nearly squealed, as if it was all happening to her instead of Sif.

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

Sif beamed.
"Oh, it is very exciting. So many changes! But they'll be good ones, I'm thinking."

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"Oh, I'm sure too." She looked out the window, looking sad for just the briefest moment before her smile came back to her face. "But it's a dangerous world these days. And what some people are thinking of as 'family' might not fit in with what you do."
She reached out to place her hand gently over Sif's. "I would so hate to see anything bad happen to you and yours."

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

"I'm not helpless. Just pregnant," Sif said, raising an eyebrow.

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"Oh, you've got strength in you-- I can see that as plain as anything. And your soon-to-be husband is a fine, strong man." Her hand still covered Sif's. "But you're just two people against the world. You're going to need some help from old, dear friends of yours."

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

Sif frowned slightly.
"...old dear friends? But none of the others... We haven't found any more in our pantheon," she said quietly.

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"There are other pantheons," she said gently. "And despite your disagreements, they're the best friends you have right now. I'm asking you, don't let your personal conflicts stand in the way of standing together."

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

Sif shook her head.
"I don't think I hardly even know any of the others," she admitted, "I've met Aphrodite, but she was more a... friend of Odin's. And he's gone. Won't you tell us where he is? We could really use him."

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

She frowned sadly and gave a small shake of her head. "It's no use wishing for what you could have at a time when you need to pay attention to what you do have." Her smile returned, however, with the help of another bite of cake. "There are others who do what you do; Aphrodite happens to be one of them. She can introduce you to the rest. And I think you'll find that all of you have more in common than you realize."

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

"So... what do I need to do? Invite everyone over for a barbecue?" Sif asked.

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

She gave a full-throated laugh at that, sounding genuinely amused. "Oh, wouldn't that be a sight to see! And I can imagine just what meat some of you would like to put on the grill." Taking another bite of cake, she said "But the idea isn't too absurd. Weddings are happy, festive affairs-- surely there are plenty of excused to invite people over for celebrations, aren't there?"

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

"Oh... the wedding? ...As much as I'd like to, everyone's already RSVP'ed and I'm not sure if we can accomodate another two-dozen people on such short notice..." Sif said.

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

"There's always plenty to do around a wedding-- rehearsals, fittings, making decorations... they don't have to be all-business affairs, after all." The woman winked and chuckled, "And let's not forget the bachelor and bachelorette parties as well!" Eating some more cake, she added "And after the wedding, what better reason to invite guests over than to meet the new happy couple once all the wedding whirlwind is over?"
She put down her fork and tapped a finger on the table. "You don't have to have everybody over all at once, of course. But I think there's plenty of chances over the next months to talk with your friends, even if only a few at a time."

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

"We'll see what we can do," Sif said with a nod.

[metemmods.insanejournal.com]

The woman stood up, her skirt swirling. "Good," she smiled. "Best of luck to your family, and best of luck to you. All of you," she added, starting to walk away. Halfway to the door, she turned back. "And thanks for the cake," she said, sounding sincere. "It really is the best I've had."

[amberwaveograin.insanejournal.com]

"...thank you," Sif said, feeling strangely bemused by what had just happened.