When They Arrived (Con.)

[Mark Brown]

"Gymnastics? Cool! Wish I could do that!" Mark had more skill in running and strength, even if he didn't look like it. He looked ahead to the cafe Tarik had pointed out. "Think I can get some milk there," he wondered aloud.

[Alan Wake]

Alan grinned widely for the first time that day. "Finally. A good coffee." He waited until Tarik went in, however. He was still naturally hesitant around people -a skill his promotions manager had been trying to beat out of him for years-, and he also had no idea how to talk to the people around her. So he'd let Tarik do the first move.

[Aban]

Aban looked up at the cafe and gave a small grimace. "I'm good. I think I'll just stay out here." He wasn't too good with crowded places...well, crowded rooms. Someone could easily walk up behind him and he wouldn't realize it. He sighed inwardly at his own paranoia. Even though people around here weren't going to or even try to hurt him, he was still worrying about that.

[Tarik Ante]

Glancing at Aban, Tarik patted Bartre's nose once more. The animal nodded, and moved a bit closer to Aban. Tarik walked into the cafe, and it was quite clear that she didn't belong. Not because of her looks, but because the line in front of her parted, allowing her through. Whispers of, ", [That's the princess]," flooded the room. Blushing a little, Tarik simply pushed on. She detested this type of treatment, but she would rather be in and out instead of starting something. "[Milk, please.]" she said to the woman behind the counter. "What do you want, Alan?"

[Mark Brown]

Mark hesitated to leave his new friend, but her really wanted some milk. So he followed Tarik inside, promising himself he'd get his milk and then bring it back outside so they could continue their conversation. He was distracted though by the curious way the people in the cafe were acting. "Why'd they let you go to the front of the line like that?" he asked Tarik.

[Alan Wake]

Alan agreed with Mark that the consequences WERE a bit strange. He already had his suspicions that Tarik was some sort of... leader or something in this world. But, there was coffee to be had, and that took priority right now. "The strongest, blackest coffee they have. Nothing added."

[Aban]

Aban looked at Bartre and backed away slightly. He pulled his headphones up to his ears and cut on his music. He went through the songs on his ipod until he found a good song. Cutting up the volume enough to drown out enough of the outside world, he got lost in the music.

[Tarik Ante]

"I do not know, Mark." She smiled down at him. "My people are strange, yes?" Hearing Alan's request, she smirked, and looked back to the woman. "" The woman's eyes grew huge. "[N-Nothing? You're not going to drink it, are you?]" Tarik shook her head, chuckling. "[I'm not. He is.]" she said, gesturing to Alan. With a nervous sigh, the worker simply poured a thick, pitch black liquid into a tall cup, and handed it to Tarik. It was hot, much like normal coffee, however, this was made from the Ango bean, a bean only grown in Adonia. The bean, once liquified for coffee, was the strongest, most bitter, and most foul thing known to anyone used to regular black coffee. However, when even a bit of sugar or cream is added, it becomes the most decadent and delicious cup of coffee to ever be drank.

[Mark Brown]

Mark tilted his head like he had at Aban. Why did everyone insist on lying? His parents always told him he was good at reading people. But he remained silent and staring at Tarik, something that usually put people off enough to tell him the truth, because it was just so weird to see the boy so silent. It probably wouldn't work on her, she didn't know him well enough yet, but he did it anyway.

[Alan Wake]

Alan took the cup, taking a large swig. It was incredibly bitter, and amazingly strong, and he smiled widely. It tasted of nearly every coffee shop in New York. The crappiest coffee you could ever imagine but to a New Yorker, it was just a rustic piece of the city. He took another few sips, before looking at Tarik. "It's perfect."

[Aban]

Aban looked around as he listened to his music. He took in his surroundings and all the different people. He waited patiently for the others to walk out of the cafe.

[Tarik Ante]

Blinking a bit, Tarik shrugged at Alan. For all she knew, they had worse where he was from. After giving Mark his milk, she headed for the door. "Now, who wants to see the castle?" She smiled at the group. "I hate the queen, but the castle is quite beautiful."

[Mark Brown]

Mark took his milk, drinking a big gulp and coming away with a milk mustache. "A castle? Awesome! I've only read about them in fairy tales." He took another big gulp of milk and then ran out the door with the cup in his hands. "Hey!" he said as he approached Aban. "We're going to a castle!"

[Alan Wake]

Alan looked at Tarik, more smiley now that he had a coffee in his hands. He nodded. "As long as you are alright with showing us, Tarik, I'd been happy to see it."

[Aban]

Aban removed the headphones from his ears and nodded. "Cool. A castle. I don't think I've been to one of those before." He cut his ipod off and looked at Mark. "Uh, you have a..." motions along his own face, indicating the milk mustache.