[Public] Contained excitement

Hands in their pockets, Linden hesitated. Their conversation with Agrippa at Imbolc had been really fun until it wasn’t, and the Beast wasn’t at fault for that. The words that had escaped the Ogre while they were high on the glamour-infused alcohol were like little rocks in their shoes; they could forget about them for a while, but they always shook loose again.

Also, this wasn’t fair and Riley knew it.

There was no way to say no without lying or bringing up the sensitive topic themself. Evasion wasn’t an option, they would just be hounded to death with questions; honestly that would happen if they lied, too, so that was out. In a punch-up the Ogre would win ten times out of ten, but in situations like this they knew Riley could talk circles around them. It was something they admired, and really got under their skin sometimes.

If they were being generous, they could imagine the moth was doing this to help move past that moment. But it was also entirely possible this had the added bonus of entertainment, because as much as they liked their friend, they also knew them.

After a long moment of staring stone-faced at Riley, Linden shrugged. ”Sure, why not. You have their number?” Once they had Agrippa’s contact information they went to send them a text, before giving Riley a Look and pressing dial.

The phonecall was short and sweet. As the phone went back into their pocket, Linden repeated Agrippa's coffee order. "Mocha, with as many sugar packets as we can steal, they'll be here soonish. I want a coldbrew, and you're buying." Their pointer finger jabbed toward Riley, but the intensity had already gone from them in the moment Agrippa agreed with their usual sweet excitement. The call was done, things were going to happen how they happened, and there was no point in holding on to it. They'd remember this moment, but not with any lasting annoyance.

Probably.

Nodding to the closest place to grab coffee, Linden gave Riley a toothy smile that dared the moth to complain.

The Ogre loitered near the fountain as Riley went off to order, taking a moment to themself to organize their thoughts a little. Linden just hated the idea of that conversation replaying in someone's mind while they all looked at flip flops or something. There just wasn't anything to do about it except keep bumbling forward, a thought they had already had several times and would need to repeat several more. Besides, who didn't have a friend who was a sad drunk. They just didn't relish being that friend.

When Riley returned Linden accepted their coffee gratefully, letting out a satisfied sigh after their first sip. It was strong, bitter, and cold; all the best things. "Mmm, thanks. Where d'you fit in with the troupe? Is it more acrobatic than your usual acts?"

"Mostly still dancing, singing, and general burlesque stuff. There are acrobats, but they show more cabaret than their traveling circus show. Still beautiful though. Linden, there are too many beautiful people in that cast"

Riley's eyes caught the incoming splash of bright color and turned waving to the approaching beast. How far did he run wearing a suit in Vegas?

"We have drinks" Riley raised their own Cold brew with a smile.  The moth nodded to the to go coffee tray next to linden, where Agrippa's Mocha rested.

"Thanks for joining us. Plan was to chill maybe some shopping."

Riley realized they not spoken to Agrippa in public before, always at some Freehold gathering or another.

"Do you have a preferred name in public?"

"That's cool," they mused, trying to fit burlesque into the mental image they'd built of the acrobatic acts. They'd never seen a Cirque show in person, but the ads and videoclips were impressive and beautiful; otherworldly in a way that made Linden's hands itch a little. "And I can only imagine, they must be cut from all that flipping and lifting."

A tiny thread of tension tightened as they spotted Agrippa, but mostly unwound at their enthusiastic greeting and generally wonderful appearance. "Hey, not at all." They almost thanked the Beast for coming out, but Riley had already done that and two thanks was excessive. Instead they handed over the mocha with a smile, waiting for the response to Riley's question before they butted in.

Something caught their eye: grey skin and dark scales, the flash of pointed nails. The woman at the table was familiar enough that Linden smiled back and jerked their head toward the group, a low stakes invitation to join them. To the others, they added, "Hey, I recognize her. We’ve got some friends in common."

" Pen it is! You owe me nothing" Riley said waving off the beast. They

"Archie hooked me up with a job and a paycheck just came in. I can cover"

The moth glanced over to where Linden had indicated. Dropping their sunglasses to try and get a better look at the lost.

"It would be rude, not to say hello at least" That is if the other lost wanted to meet them. Riley raised a hand at Alecto in greeting from a distance. The Darkling pulled their sunglasses back up to give some relief from the midday light.

"Could be some quality people watching, too," Linden offered to Agrippa. They had no doubt the Beast would be good company, but hopefully they'd be getting something out of it too.

They smiled down at Alecto, broad and warm. Sometimes a relative stranger was just what a group needed to keep everyone on their best behavior. It wasn't their proudest moment, using another Lost as a social buffer, but it felt safe to assume Riley wouldn't try anything further with an unknown element in tow.

"Oh you know, can't complain. This is Riley, and Pen." They nodded to their companions in turn. "We're here for a bit of hang time, maybe try on a few ugly sweaters and get made fun of by some teens. How've you been?"

It was a little rude, not to introduce her, but in this instance it felt most appropriate. If Agrippa was Pen in public, maybe she preferred something similar.