Making Plans (Artskaf)

[Cadence]

Cadence beamed as Ezvin kissed each cheek. It was a gesture she returned amiably. The way he so easily shook his hair into something presentable was completely unfair, but she absolutely adored it the way she seemed to adore everything he did. He put his coat on the rack and revealed a well fitting outfit, and handed her her new beverage. She thanked him.

She smiled as he spoke. He brought up her friend and Cadence looked towards Lore in thought, unsurprised to see that she was already back to her charts. ”Well, I just met her - so not sure if she’s protective, but I find her quite delightful. I am certain though she’s not judging you. I’m fairly sure she hasn’t noticed you exist yet. She’s a little like me when writing a song. The world disappears.” she gave a smile and nodded at his question as he picked up the final cup - Lore’s cup. ”But we will remedy that. Come!”

She took his arm at the elbow, careful not to pull so he spilled the coffees. ”I will admit, we are talking about my schedule and making it work better for me so that I’m not so overwhelmed by things all the time and I can quit running on depleted all the time. Might not be too interesting. Hope we don’t bore you too much. Oh and I’m working on hiring a PA to help with that. Less things to worry about so I can focus on the important things.”

She smiled as they arrived. ”Lore,” she waited until Lore looked up. ”This is Ezvin. Ezvin - this is Lore.” she gave Ezvin’s arm a squeeze before sitting down across from Lore and scooting in so he could sit next to her.

[Lore]

Someone called her name. Cadence being the someone. Lore looked up from her screen on rote, the awareness behind her eyes following half a beat afterwards, just as Cadence was introducing the man she had acquired from… somewhere. Since he was the one placing the drinks on the table she might have wondered if he worked here, but even Lore saw the way Cadence had suddenly lit up like a bonfire, and logically speaking she probably wouldn’t have introduced the cafe staff like that.

“Hello,” she said amiably instead, glancing between the two of them.

[Ezvin Marveet]

Ezvin’s smile deepened just slightly when Cadence took his arm. And he liked that. A little more than he meant to.

She guided him with the cheerful warmth of a bubble bath. Her laughter, her slight chiding about Lore not noticing him was easy to bask in. He let her chatter, let her squeeze his arm, and wore the amused expression of someone who had just been roped into a meeting he was perfectly happy to crash.

When they reached the table, Ezvin set the drinks down like the kind of man who never fumbled in front of others, and turned his attention to the woman with the laptop and the quiet confidence of someone who could take over the world with a spreadsheet.

He offered Lore a polished smile, and a nod that was both greeting and appraisal.

“Lore. A pleasure,” he said, voice smooth as espresso. “I’ve been hearing good things—especially about your ability to wrangle this one’s calendar into something vaguely resembling humane.”

He sat beside Cadence, allowing their shoulders to brush lightly as if it were coincidence, though nothing Ezvin did was ever that. He didn’t lean away, nor did he lean in. It was a balance so natural it was almost indistinguishable from sincerity. He reached for his coffee and glanced at Lore again, this time with a half-grin curling at the edge of his mouth.

“Lore, do you think you can help me convince her to slow down a little? Maybe even have a little fun?”

He raised his cup slightly in a little conspiratorial toast.