I will always believe

It was good to have company again, particularly with someone unpretentious and unconcerned. She was able to eat cream filled pastries with sour cherries, pistachios and lemon curd with glee, and lounging on her chaise as delightfully regal as ever.

"I uh... don't know about love." Trip said, idly twirling the fork in his hand as he seemed a bit tense on the subject, "I've been kinda unlucky in that department. Last person I fell for? Didn't end well for me. Gonna focus on getting my life on track, and be more careful about who I fall for."

Alexander was invested in something he had to finish, quill scrawling quickly along the old parchment, his tail flicking here and there. He was hyper focused. James's surprise affection get's a light shiver from him before his shoulder relaxes and he gently lays his quill down. A soft but guttural bellow rumbles from his throat, as he slightly tilts his head to give James more access to the side of his face for more beard scratches and kisses. He needed that, it was nice to untense.

It was better to enjoy meals with friends, as she chatted endlessly about her writing progress, some drama happening in the city, and general things, before turning to Trip.

The imp listened to her tales, relaxed as he ate with her, it was nice just to talk.

She snapped her fingers, and the takeout bags seemed to drop neatly from little portals. "Well if you're handling drinks, I've got dinner. Come, sit down and eat-"

She picked something good to pair with wine, though her plate was full of poached pears and pastries. She'd still had the foresight to deliver something more savory for Trip, considering he might have too much sugar overload if he was eating the same things Vine was.

"There's nothing I like more than helping my dear friends. I simply adore doting on my favorite people."

He forgot she could do that, his stomach giving an audible gurgle after having a long shift. Some magical things he was happy to be surprised by.

Trip sat with her, tail wagging behind him. "I'm guessing that's your love language when it comes to people you enjoy being around." Trip said with a smile, he'd learned from Patch that Vine enjoyed the boys company. Least that was another person who was looking out for the twins.

|| 🖤 ||: ❝ A coffee then. Sounds doable. Do you have a preferred place? I can't say I've stopped for coffee around here myself. ❞

A combination of keeping herself too busy to stop anywhere for a cup, and preferring to prepare her own coffee at home so she always had eyes on it. She does note the way he rubs his arm and keeps his eyes averted, but she makes no move to try to make him look at her.

|| 🖤 ||: ❝ It'll probably be worth more than anything in that damn store... ❞

She transfers the two bags she was carrying to her tail, which curls to keep them held aloft.

It was a nice offer though. The diner was a couple of blocks away, and Trip slid his hands back into his pockets, giving smile to Grimbright.

It was lucky she had a good spy for Trip. It meant she could easily time his visits to her preference.

"Good evening darling -" She greeted with a trill, inspecting herself in a mirror as he walked through. "-are you feeling up to dinner? I'm frankly craving a dessert for dinner for a change -"

"I'd be up for dinner. Though I can't afford anything fancy. I spent some of the money I have on this for you." He held up the wine, a nice flavoured brand. "As a thank you. For everything you've done for me, I mean I know if you didn't want to do it, you wouldn't have done it. Still means a lot. Buuuut I won't get sappy about it."