#hogstart

“Well, the weather may be dreadful, but their coffee? Sinful.”

“‘M sorry, I really wasn’t taking a picture of you. I was trying to get a few shots for the Prophet. I don’t take photos of people without their permission. Sort of one of those codes or something.”

“Which seems more christmas party to you -- sparkly santa hat or sparkly reindeer ears?”

As I’ll Be Home for Christmas rang through the speakers, Bing Crosby crooning the tune away, Daisuke set down his cup of green tea, bottom lip curling into his mouth. “You know, once upon a time, we wouldn’t have been able to listen to this song here in Britain. It was banned during the Second World War in fear that it may hurt soldier morale. It’s interesting, I think, that war even has an effect on music.”

“You can order first, if you’re in such a rush. I don’t mind.”

The bell over the front door rang clearly through the small bookstore, sending the calico cat resting happily in the sunny reading nook off on a journey to nuzzle the feet of the new customer. Akira stepped down from where she was organizing books, navigating through the rows of books and maps and collections to greet the newcomer. “Hello, welcome to Inksplotch. How may I help you?”

"Training for a marathon is rough,” Gabby heaved out, face flushed. “I thought I’d run out here in the open air, you know, to prepare for the real thing and learn how to pace myself because I heard it’s better than a treadmill, but these hills may be the death of me. And my calves.”