Althea smiled involuntarily at the gesture and stepped through the door. A light blush dusted her cheeks as she wrote. Where did you park your car?
group
Trinity walked to her car, which was located midway through the parking lot. She pointed at it as a way of saying right here! She pulled her keys out of her pocket to unlock the front door manually; the electric door controls must not be working anymore.
Althea waited for her to unlock the doors and stepped into the shotgun seat. The car wasn't full of trash or body parts or anything, which was encouraging, but she still sat stiffly, unable to let herself relax in a strange car. Thank you for the ride.
group
Trinity nodded excitedly in reply as she ignited the engine. In place of her hearing, she learned how to, in a way, feel the car as it ignited, changed gears or otherwise. She learned how to rely on her peripheral vision in regards to other cars. Driving was more difficult being deaf, but she made it work because it was all she’d ever known.
Althea winced when the car rumbled to life, biting her lip to keep still. To conceal the fact that she was afraid. Trinity was a surprisingly good driver, which comforted her a little more than it normally would've.
group
Trinity leaned forward in her seat and squinted to find the coffee shop in the midst of the other shops in the strip mall. “Which one?” She spoke, a sentence easy enough to articulate what she wanted to say, albeit still sounding like a lisp.
"Koya's Cafe," Althea replied, realizing that Trinity had no way to know what she was saying. She wrote the name down in her notebook, adding some directions. Take the next left and you'll see it about four buildings down on the right.
group
Trinity read the note in broken glances as she kept her eyes mostly on the road. She took a turn onto the road with four buildings, scanning the shop name for Koya’s. As she pulled backwards into a parking space, she noted that she’d never been here before; it was an interesting new place to enjoy with an interesting new person
Althea winced when she realized Trinity would have to look away from the road to read the note and had to bury her nails in her hands to stop herself from flinching every time she took her eyes off the road. By the time they had parked, her breath was coming quick and shallow and her hands shook as she opened the door to step outside. Ever been here before?
group
Trinity shook her head and signed first time. She shut the car door, manually locking it with the key. She stuffed her hands, along with her key ring, in her pockets and strolled towards the shop door.
It's good. Althea signed back, jogging up to link her arm with Trinity's and shooting her a crooked smile. I've been going here for… she paused, trying to remember the right sign, years.
group
Trinity’s smile widened as Althea hooked their arms, What’s your favorite drink? She signed back, wanting to know everything about Althea, including what her usual drink from her favorite coffee shop was. It was a bit excessive, yes, but she really wanted them to be friends. Maybe even more than friends..
Althea shrugged with a light blush on her cheeks, flustered by the attention. I like sugary things. I don't really come here for the coffee though. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, leaning into Trinity as she started to sign again. They have these tiny cakes and I just love them.
group
Trinity smiled more at Althea leaning into her as she signed in reply, I always like the strawberry drinks or lemonade. Or iced tea with lemonade if they have it– I'd like to try those tiny cakes too! She briefly parted from Althea to jog up to the door and open it for her new friend.
Althea smiled tentatively at her and stepped inside. It was warm and crisp, the faint smell of coffee haning in the air, and Althea couldn't help but let out a happy sigh. A tall girl with honey blond hair stood behind the counter, noticeably brightening as Althea ushered Trinity inside.
group
Trinity smiled and waved at the blonde girl. She managed a “hi!” And a wave. She signed to Althea, Do you know her? She seems nice.
Althea nodded, offering a shy wave to the girl before she turned to Trinity. Yes. That's F L O R A She fingerspelled the name. She's very nice. She owns this place with her fiancee.
group
Trinity gave an expression equivalent to Awww! She gave another friendly wave to the nice lady before scanning the place for a clean table to sit at. Do they have booths? she signed.
Flora waved back with a warm smile, still hanging back behind the counter. No, but they have something better. Althea led her into a secluded corner of the cafe where two mismatched armchairs sat opposite a sickly green loveseat. A dark wooden coffee table separated them and the entire corner was reflected in a large picture window. I usually sit here. It's more comfortable.
group
Trinity beamed, oh! That's amazing!she bounced, I love it so much! she took a seat in one of the armchairs, ahhh so comfy. She leaned back in the seat and crossed her legs, hands in her lap now.
Althea sat down on the loveseat with a small smile, posture stiff and dignified. Flora walked over once they seemed settled, darting her eyes between Althea and Trinity with a curious smile. Althea shrugged minutely, face flushed, and Flora's smile widened into something bright and golden. "What would y'all like?"
group
Trinity looked to Althea to order, or at least that was what she assumed Flora asked. She wasn't picky about what she got, just whatever Althea decided to get, I'll have whatever you get for simplicity, she signed.
Althea held up a hand gently, signaling for Flora to wait a few seconds as she turned to Trinity. But you like lemonade right? I think they have some kind of ice tea blend, I could order it for you if you want.
group
Trinity nodded, “Mhm!” That sounds really good, she signed back, beaming. I really like the lemonade mixed with tea. After she finished her comment, she set her hands in her lap, glancing back up to Flora.
Flora gave her a curiosity tinged smile and stepped forward, pulling out a notepad and pencil as Althea began to order their drinks. She seemed to relax as she talked, something about the cafe's calm aura and Flora's friendly demeanor setting her at ease. "Oh! And… did Koya make anymore of those little french cookie things? The macarons?" Flora nodded and Althea lit up. "Ten of those! Thank you."
group
Trinity looked over to Althea with a small smile, waiting for her to finish ordering to ask her why she was so excited. She inched a bit closer to Althea, attempting to make the movement subtle. What did you ask for? she signed.
Flora smiled dotingly at Althea and whirled off towards the kitchen. Althea's smile eased into something softer as she walked away, and it took her a few moments to process what Trinity was signing. She quietly jolted back to reality. Those soft French cookies with the flavored filling. They're better than the cakes by a long shot, but K O Y A never makes them.
group
Trinity gave an expression of sudden realization, I love those things! she signed, What are they called… she paused to think, recalling the name but having to spell it out in sign language, m a c a r o n s?
Althea nodded with a smile. Yes! Her movements were sharp and seemed to blur together in her excitement. K makes them in all kinds of flavors and they're really really good because she's been baking since she was tiny.
group
Trinity nodded as she read the signing, They sound delicious! I can’t wait to try them. She leaned to glance around the corner and attempt watching what went on behind the counter. She seemed it not very interested and sat back into her chair.
