It wasn't easy coming up with new orders to make and especially not when comfort was something he didn't have the luxury of. So what if the same boring order of plain black coffee was a comfort for him. If it was a crime then lock him up and throw away the key. Tapping his fingers against the counter, he looked at the barista and smiled. "Sorry. What would you recommend on the menu? I wanna try something new"

Humming, Merlin turned to look at the menu behind him before looking back at the man. The boredom that he had been dealing with the whole day made him say his next question rather than suggest the same thing he always did. "...Sweet or bitter?"

"People with magic don't need to be in power. I've known many who have been healers, warriors, protectors. I knew one witch, she became a tailor. Used her chaos to make the most magnificent clothes. Though yes I do know many in leadership roles. Cannot say it's always the wise choice." She had seen magic do great good but also great evil. It was the person, not the chaos. "Just cannot say I expected someone with power to be in a cafe. But to each their own I suppose."

Merlin chuckled. "Well, you see new things every day." He idly wondered how she would reply to knowing he had been a servant back in the day. Either way, knowing full well the café was empty and the cameras were shorted out, Merlin reached out with his magic to bring what he needed for her drink to him. "I was bored. And this was the best way to meet the people of the land." He glanced behind him with a smile towards the woman. "People like to talk when they think the person making their drink isn't of consequence... Sugar?"

"It's a sort of bird reptile thing with tentacles coming from it's maw. Rather odd to look at but it's rather harmless if you don't give it attention." Merlin said, scratching the back of his neck as he spoke, mind wandering to his own encounter with the weird beast. Shaking his head, he refocused on the question at hand. “I’m afraid I’ve found that following after things unknown to me leads me to getting hurt more often than not."

Yennefer would always take pride in her looks, make sure to carry herself well. She had a reputation, even if that was back home, it was hard to get out of the habits. "No that is it." She watched him carefully, every move. She had come to realize the chaos she knew there were many different magics in this city. But she still sensed it on him. "I don't mean to sound forward but you have power. It radiates off of you and you chose to work in a cafe? Why?"

The man froze for a moment at the frank question. A more critical eye towards the woman, he was surprised he didn't clock her the moment she stepped within the café as someone with magic herself. He was getting rusty. Chuckling, he shook his head, grabbing a cup and turning from her. "Why not? And what do you propose I do instead? Find a position in leadership? Heh, been there done that. It's not for me."

Connor's brows furrowed as he followed the other man's gaze. He couldn't make out exactly what he was looking at, but he gathered that the stranger was trying to pull it through the fence. "Perhaps if you use something long, like a stick," he suggested. Then he analyzed the fence. "That, or you could always climb over top and retrieve it that way."

"Well, I could. Definitely. Thing is, you never know who will get suspicious or angry at me for hopping a fence. So I was erring on the side of caution." And on the side of magic, had the man not shown up. He had been seconds away from just pulling it with magic when Connor spoke up.

"No, it's okay. I know what I'd like." Shi Mei said, fixing his sunglasses. "Can I have the ham stuffed croissant and a medium hot chocolate please?"

"Course. Anything else?" Merlin asked, already shifting away from the counter to start making the items that were asked of him. Looking around the empty cafe, Merlin smiled for a second before addressing the man again. "And a name so I can make sure you know when your order is ready? Got so many orders and people waiting on them."

"Hmm?" James was pulled out of his reverie by the sound of the other's voice, a grimace tugging at his mouth as he realised that he was now at the front of the queue. "God, Merlin, I'm sorry." He rubbed at his face with his hand. "It was a late night. Ah, I think a strong coffee is in order today. And a pastry."

Shaking his head, he waved the man's apology off with an actual smile. "It's fine, James. Danish or Muffin?" He moved over to the food case, eyes flickering back to his friend in question. "And a late night? Anything interesting?"

Merlin said her name so softly, she looked back up at him. She saw it then - he remembered her now. Or at least, she hoped he did. While it hadn't been the reaction she was wishing for, it was something, at least. She blinked, and gave a tiny shrug to his question, shaking her head. "I can't explain it except to say it must be some very powerful magic," she said gently. "But I am here. I am alive. I don't know how it's possible, but it is."

"I..." Merlin let out a small breath, a disbelieving laugh. Reaching out, he stopped short of touching her shoulder, not wanting to shatter the illusion. Looking into her eyes, he asked a silent sort of permission- rather, his expression begged for the confirmation. Maybe he wasn't alone anymore. "How long have you been here? Alive?"

Merlin's words cut through Freya deep. It was like she felt her heart hit the pit of her stomach. He didn't remember her. She could feel the hurt all the way to the tips of her fingers, which trembled. She quickly begun to wring her hands to hide it, swallowing down her hurt. "You don't remember," she breathed, and for a moment, she didn't know what to do. Did she just leave him be? Try to jog his memory? Change the subject? "It's... Freya. We met a long time ago. I know I'm not that important, I just..." Her insecurities suddenly swarmed her thoughts. She wrapped her arms around herself tight. "Sorry for bothering you..."

A polite smile, turned to a confused frown which quickly warped into his mouth agape at the woman's claims. All air felt like it was sucked out of him as her face slotted itself back into his memories. "Freya?" His voice was fragile, eyes wide and a tinge of fear ran through him. But not at who she was, but at the possibility this was another of his fantastical dreams. That this was someone who had somehow found something of his past to use against him. "You're.... how is this possible?"

@riseofalbion Freya & Merlin

Merlin looked up from what he was doing, looking to the woman who said his name. Brows furrowing, as she seemed to know him, and yet he couldn't quite place her. Though, there was something about her that tugged at his brain. Something that told him she was important. "That I am... Sorry, do I know you?"

Yennefer decided to take a break out of the capitol and go to the nearby cafe. She stepped in, heels clicking on the floor as she walked. Many might question the heels as a USSS agent but her abilities were magic, not a lot of hand to hand with magic. She was a woman with a lot of elegance and would always carry herself as such. "Just a black tea please." She smiled at the individual. Her violet eyes watching him for a moment.

Looking at the imposing figure of Yennefer, the warlock couldn't help but be reminded of another he knew so long ago. Shaking his head, he gave her a light grin, only just noticing the interesting eye color she had. "Coming right up." Merlin nodded, making himself tear his eyes away and ring her up with little fanfare. "Sure you don't want anything else?"