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Having asked to meet Chelle in a nice coffee shop, Michael is currently sat there, nursing a mug of hot chocolate and with a thoughtful expression. Fingers tap against his mug in a quiet rhythm as he takes stock of the room, studying it curiously.
Chelle arrives promptly, her purse slung over a shoulder. She waves at Michael with a smile, but there's worry lines around her eyes before she turns, orders her caramel macchiato, and waits for it. Once it's delivered into her greedy hands, she moves to sit across from him. "Hey," she says lightly. "Everything good?"
"Yes." He smiles, but cants her head, studying her. "What's the matter hun?" He holds out a hand, resting it on the table.
Chelle just laughs a little, taking his hand. "Oh, you just looked so serious. I was scared for a minute."
"Me? Serious? Hmph." He laughs quietly. "I've something on my mind, mm, but, nothing to worry about. I'm just processing." He squeezes her hand. "Mearc sent me a lot of information. I figured you'd want to be filled in too? It's about that big fashion show."
"Oh, yes!" Chelle says, perking up and squeezing his hand in return. "Tell me."
He nods, canting his head in thought. "Most major thing seems to be that there's gonna be two groups protesting. The Working Families Party and Philly Socialists, though they're just there to cover for the Working Families, mostly. They're not happy about where the money's going, and, can't say I blame them. Mearc figured trying to get in touch with them could be a good, special interest story, which, makes a lot of sense."
A quiet nod. "He also suggested we eat before being there, just in case. Catering's been done by an outside company and security will have been working overtime, everyone will be tired. I'm gonna see if I can find out more about catering. And, did say to Mearc, would be good if some of the money is given to the public sector." A quieter tone. "I might see if I can give things a small nudge there." He smiles wryly. "That's.. most of what he sent me, I think."
Chelle nods, voice soft as she says, "So a good dinner at a nice restaurant before we go to a fancy show? I'm down." She grins at him with cheekiness.
A slow smile, eyes bright. "..Fuck, but I adore you. Italian, Mexican?" A nod. "And, any thoughts for yourself of anything you might enjoy getting up to? About the party that is, I mean."
"Oh, I adore Mexican, but I think Italian's probably going to be a bit more in theme with the evening. We really make food classist. Food!" Chelle takes a long sip of her drink before she goes off on a rant. "I don't know yet. I've been slowly working on lyrics to start singing a new set."
"Italian it is." He sips his own cocoa, relaxing now he's shared a small deluge of information. "Now that sounds like a thing. Music's able to have a hell of an impact on people, can change minds at times, right?"
Chelle nods. "I have a playlist. Mearc made it. I forgot about the long history of protest songs somehow. There's brilliance on there."
His gaze becomes more thoughtful. "He's a pretty smart guy, I like him a lot. And sounds like he's helping both of us out. Any of the songs you have a particular favourite?"
"There's this song by Childish Gambino. If you've seen anything like Community, he's also an actor--Donald Glover. But you really need the video too. Anyway--the song is called This Is America." Chelle shudders a bit. "It's dark. But very important."
He produces his phone with his free hand, looking up the song. "Highlighting gun violence and racism. Mm, both those things are very important." A chewing on his lip. "Dark, yes, it looks it." His ears lower slightly. "But the world needs to understand. I wish I could hide from it, but, that's not possible, is it?"
Chelle reaches for his hand. "We can't hide," she says gently. "We're not of the cold persuasion."
"I know." He rubs her fingers, closing his eyes briefly. "We try to make people happier, and, I think that involves making things better. Even if it's only a little. Thank you." The fox smiles. "No hiding. Well, I hide a little to tweak things, but you know what I mean?"
Chelle nods and grins. "I get you." She nods at him, eyes bright.
"A number of times." He winks. "Are you planning to do any performances when you've got your lyrics sorted?"
Chelle nods at him with a grin. "I do plan to. I need to figure out a new venue, however. The club only does old jazz standards on jazz nights." She rolls her eyes.
"Spreading wings?" A nod to that. "I like that thought. And, mm. What would you want from a new venue? I could do some research, see if I can find some suggestions."
Chelle breathes out and considers, trying to distill her thoughts. "I would probably like an open mic night for new musicians, really. I'm established in the jazz world, and need to decide where I will fall in the end."
"That should be relatively easy to sort. And, you'd like somewhere with a good audience, but not too heavily crowded?
Chelle nods with a smile.
"Deal." A warm smile. "I'll find you it, should be done fairly soon. And, I admit, I'm gonna enjoy seeing you find new things."
"Thank you so much. I'm excited to stretch my wings, yeah." She squeezes his hand. "I'm excited to do it with you in my life."
He nods, finishing his drink and moving over to hug her. There are no words, just the nuzzling of his face against her cheek and a feeling of happiness at her declaration.
Chelle leans into him and relaxes, sighing contentedly.
"I was gonna ask too. Did you want to work with me on a sort of, ah, poster? For letting people know they can come to either of us, or both, if they need a shoulder to lean on or someone to talk to?"
Chelle perks up some. "I'd like that," she says. "We'll talk about it sometime soon, okay?" She kisses his temple.
"Yes." He agrees happily, resting against her. "Whenever you like. Mm." A pondering. "What are your plans for the rest of the day?"
"I sing tonight. Otherwise, I don't know."
A nod. "Mind me in the audience? I like the Stardust for a venue. Lots to recommend it." A wry grin.
Smiling, Chelle shrugs. "I wouldn't stop you if I could," she says cheerfully.
"Mm. Then I'm there." He smiles, kissing her lightly. "Also, I chatted to Mearc by text. He suggested we're a dangerous influence, that he might gain a social life."
Chelle laughs after kissing him back. "Good," she says with amusement.
"I'm tempted to suggest we get him a present of some sort. He gave us both a whole bubble of good ideas."
"Oh?" Chelle looks at Michael with interest.
"Mm. But!" He cants his head. "I don't think it should be something store bought, that's mass produced and not really very personal. We're both kinda good at making things though?"
Chelle nods, listening.
"So. What about something just fun? Like an aviation hat and goggles?"
"Why that specifically?"
"I don't know." He admits. "It just kinda popped in my head. And I'm not sure what stuff of things he'd find useful. I know he does a lot of computer work."
Chelle considers, thoughtful. "Let's talk about that somewhere less public," she mumbles into his ear after a moment. "Might have some Hedgespinning to do."
"Fair." He agrees, nodding. "You wanna have me grab you another drink?"
Chelle smiles, surprised and pleased. "Yes, please. A caramel macchiato. Extra shot of caramel?" she says, kissing his cheek.
"Extra shot, coming right up." He kisses her mouth lightly in turn before standing and heading over to the counter, a little wag in his tail.
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