New Beginnings

[Thalia]

She was already starting to inch her way out of the crowd surrounding the stall as she waited for his answer: a warm drink was on the cards whether she had company or not, though she grinned when he agreed. The place she had in mind wasn't far; she knew this area well, as she did most of the heart of Moscow. "Yeah,"
she answered easily to the question, though there was nothing boastful in the way she spoke. "I paint, mostly. Do various comissions to earn my bread and butter. You?"
An American in DI, unusual but not entirely uncommon these days; Moscow was a melting pot. Or maybe a magnet.

The cafe blasted a wave of warm air as they entered. Thalia whisked her hat from her head, touseled the assumed hat-head, then abandoned the effort when she considered it was probably a frizzy mess. Gloves followed next, both winter essentials stuffed into her satchel as she approached the counter with Calvin in tow. "A pot of tea, please, aaand..."
she eyed the glass case of pastries and cakes speculatively, and after a brief moment tapped the glass. "Got to be a chocolate muffin."
Then, to Calvin: "What are you having?"