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Aya Jabir:
A bookstore a couple blocks away from Erik's restaurant was now being visited by an author whose books sit on the shelf. Aya, being someone of great virtue, still couldn't resist a bit of vanity in going to see how they were displayed there. A satisfied smirk was enough to show her general approval, and she later floated on to a section purporting to offer books on various supernatural folklore, sitting next to other books claiming to debunk such phenomena.
She was dressed in dark blues and teals with a dark (almost purple) magenta hijab, and simply seemed amused as her eyes scanned the selections on the shelf.
Erik Samuelson:
Erik arrived not too long after Aya did, dressed casually in jeans, t-shirt and jacket with the faint scents of a busy kitchen trailing along behind him for those with a nose keen enough to catch it, implying that he'd just gotten out of work himself. The staff was familiar with the Bound, bookhound that he was, and he gave them a nod as he looked for Aya. "Miss Jabir, I presume?" He asked when he came across the Plain, offering a polite smile.
Aya Jabir:
She turned and gave back the same smile, "Yes, that would be me. Mr. Samuelson?" For her part, she smelled faintly of roses. "It is a pleasure to meet you, I'm glad you could join me."
Erik Samuelson:
"Right in one." He smiled a touch, giving a nod. "Good to meet you as well. Dr. Shanks pointed me your way a bit ago, glad we were able to have our schedules sync up finally."
Aya Jabir:
"Indeed. I've been friends with Dr. Shanks for quite a while, it's quite a blessing to have friends with more friends." She gestures to lead the way to a quieter corner of the shop, with some comfortable seats, "I understand we've got some overlapping interests, yes?"
Erik Samuelson:
"Agreed. They're an interesting character themselves, I will say." He followed after her, waiting for her to claim a seat before taking one of his own. "Seems so, yes. How long have you been active in that side of things?"
Aya Jabir:
She takes a seat and taps her chin, "Hmm.. I think we're about near the 10 year mark. The story I tell, about my study abroad trip that got caught in crossfire.. that is when I started. Both in pursuing peace and in hearing those who usually go unheard." She sighs, "My friend, the one who was the first one shot, was the first I helped."
Erik Samuelson:
"That's always rough, when it's someone close to you." He nodded, giving a sympathetic look. "Getting close to three years myself; next month, in fact."
Aya Jabir:
She was well-composed and seemed as though she'd come to peace with the loss, "Yes, though through it being someone so close to me, it did a lot to correct a lot of misunderstandings about how valuable life is, and how violence degrades that value."
Erik Samuelson:
"Very true. I definitely saw life in a new way after my own brush with death, and helping others to enjoy what time we have here has been a goal of mine since."
Aya Jabir:
Aya nodded along as she listened, offering a grim: "Death certainly teaches lessons that stick with you." With that, she sits back in her chair, "So, how do you do that? Help others enjoy the time they have, I mean." She follows up with a raised eyebrow and a curious tone asking, "And is there much to be done in terms of helping others whose time has passed?"
Erik Samuelson:
"Part of what I do at the restaurant covers that. Expose people to new things they may not have tried before, spend time with others they care for and get a good conversation going.
"There's a good bit, Philadelphia being as old as it it. I work here and in Germantown primarily, but I'll help where I'm needed."
Aya Jabir:
"Does your menu offer some good vegetarian or halal options?" She smiled with a bit of playfulness, "I'm always looking for some variety in my diet."
Erik Samuelson:
"We do have some solid vegetarian choices, yes." He replied with a smile of his own. "As the head chef there I can definitely look into halal options, though."
Aya Jabir:
"I know a few reliable butchers I can recommend," She nodded, "I also know a few recipes from around a number of countries, which I'd love to exchange and help you add a little spice to others' lives. Have you ever cooked Moroccan?"
Erik Samuelson:
"I'd love that. Always prefer to source locally if I can help it. And I have not, but I've tried it before and enjoyed it."
Aya Jabir:
"I have a recipe for lamb sausage that is just.." She does the chef's kiss gesture, "..supreme. From a small town cook's family recipe, he was very proud of it and glad to teach it to those who'll pay attention." If it wasn't clear from her tone that the man had since passed, the next line drives it home: "And now I share it for him to be remembered, his story and his food, if you'd have it."
Erik Samuelson:
"I'd be honored." He replied with a smile. "You'd be surprised how many recipes I've picked up from those who weren't able to pass them on beforehand."
Aya Jabir:
Aya was clearly pleased to hear it, "Yes, it's an oddly common thing how often a family recipe in danger of being lost can leave one so tormented; or perhaps it's only common in modern times with people so divided and distant." With a shake of the head, she continues, "Too many have lost interest in the family recipe in lieu of the chain restaurant meal usually prepared hundreds of miles away, then vacu-sealed and merely reheated at your local Applebee's."
To the thought, she could only give a snort and say, "Sometimes, you can almost swear we're all trapped in a conspiracy to suck the joy out of life."
Erik Samuelson:
"You have to wonder. I got into cooking myself because of the creativity involved in it, and getting to taste where people come from is a fantastic way to get to know them."
Aya Jabir:
"Now I'm curious to taste what you have to cook. What's your favorite.." She thinks for a moment to find the word but gives up and shrugs, "..well, anything! Favorite dish, favorite ingredient, spices, style.. What's something you like to cook or cook with that gets your creative juices going?"
If Erik were prone to it, he might find her enthusiasm a bit infectious, as the topic of food as a bridge between people clearly thrills her.
Erik Samuelson:
He did indeed, it seemed, judging by the warm smile on his face at her exuberance. "One of the best things I've ever had was a green tomatillo shakshuka at a place in Manhattan that a friend of mine took me to on a trip up there. I've tried making it since and I can't quite get it right, but it's still pretty solid. Style-wise I tend towards Mediterranean but I'll try anything once."
Aya Jabir:
"Hmm.. perhaps I can help you tweak that with an extra nose and set of taste buds. As for me, I personally enjoy cooking biryani; starts simple enough in concept but there's a lot of ways to vary it for different cravings." She chuckled, "I think we may have to plan a night or two of cooking and swapping stories."
Erik Samuelson:
"Sounds like a plan to me. I'll be busy this week with the game tomorrow and Valentine's Day on Tuesday, but I'm open after that."
Aya Jabir:
Aya looked up for a moment, thinking over her own schedule before nodding, "Alright, then. Next Saturday sound good?"
Erik Samuelson:
"Sounds good." He nodded in return. "What brought you to Philadelphia, out of curiosity?"
Aya Jabir:
"I grew up here, but my work took me around the world, trying to give peace a chance. But then I saw on the news that there wasn't even peace at home." She shook her head and spoke with disgust, "Those Mark 2 police robot things, it's disgusting to see. And to see them going rampant like they did just proves they have no place on the streets. It made me realize that I needed to come back and get my own house in order."
Erik Samuelson:
"Agreed. I haven't run into one yet myself, but I've heard enough and seen enough about them to know they're bad news." He nodded quietly. "I know there are some folks in the wider community looking into them as well."
Aya Jabir:
"I've heard of them, as well. I will be moving in and around City Hall to see if I can't add a little pressure against them." She shakes her head again, a bit slower this time, "Ugh. As if there weren't enough violence in the world, we have to make violence machines to create more."
Erik Samuelson:
"Best of luck." He offered another nod. "Right? I have a knack for talking people down from a fight and prefer to go that route, although I can defend myself in a pinch."
Aya Jabir:
"I'm very curious to find out whether or not these machines can respond to pleas against violent action, but I'm not looking forward to doing so." She sighs, "If they don't, it will be extremely painful."
There's a beep from her smart watch. She checks it and then gets up from her seat, "Hmmm. I'm sorry to say I probably should be on my way; there's always more people to meet and things to do. I'll be looking forward to next Saturday, and you should expect a message with contact info for the halal butcher I mentioned."
Erik Samuelson:
"Here's hoping." He knocked on the closest bit of wood for good measure, moving to stand as she did. "No worries, and sounds good. It was a pleasure meeting you, and I look forward to next weekend."
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