The stripes on a tiger
.
taste /teɪst/ noun’
1. the sensation of flavour perceived
in the mouth and throat on contact with a substance.
My stomach rumbles as I look amused at the rather loud conversation exchange between the girl and her boss. The woman seems amused... the girl not so much.
I see her straighten her apron and take a deep breath. After a while she finally reaches me and I see that’s she is trying to be all professional about it. I stare at her smile... and the frustration on her face.
Well your rosy cheeks will do for starters, but that won’t suffice my hunger.
There is some silence, then followed by a lot of stuttering.
Oh no, keep going. You’re doing just fine, what else do you recommend?
I stare at her, as she looks at her notepad, her mind obviously doing over time because of me, somehow I feel flattered by it and it’s a first for me. Usually, I couldn’t care less.
I tap my fingers lightly against the counter and she jumps back to life. I listen as she recommends her special. I stare at her as I hear the name of it.
How interesting... Well, as much as I would like to experience the ‘Flavor of Raven’ first hand...
I hold a smile and stare down at a menu card.
... I like to pick for myself. Let’s see. I would like to have one of those chicken and avocado things you mentioned, double fries... Pancakes with honey, scramble eggs with toasts, and a piece, no make that two pieces of that lavender and honey cake. And to drink give me some orange juice and... Hmm, just water, I am watching my weight.
I ran a hand down my thigh as if making a point and stare at her with a serious look, as her jaw drops almost to the floor, I give her the menu and smile politely. I try not to notice how shaky her legs are as she leaves.
...
After about a half an hour or so she comes back and I can see that’s she’s still tense. I stare at her and narrow my eyes. Now, most of the waitresses I know would bring one thing after another, two things top. But not her, she brings all of the food on a big brown tray. She seems shaky as she reaches me at the table booth that I picked... The bar wouldn’t fit everything. I smile at her as she puts the plates down with one hand and holds the tray with the other. She’s strong for a little thing like her. I stare at her trembling fingers as she puts the last things down. I lift an eyebrow as her cheeks glow bright red.
If you need anything just ask.
She says sweetly before she starts to walk back to the counter.
And the knife and fork?
I ask amused before she can make another step. She turns back and smiles in a slightly wicked way.
Way ahead of you.
She pulls the items from the short apron and puts them in my outstretched hand.
Got some pepper? I don’t like bland food...
She gives a small smile and pulls out a little pepper shaker from the other pocket. I send her a long look and stare at the back pocket of her skimpy black shorts. I try not to linger on the legs, which is hard when she just stands inches from me.
So do you have an extra set of plates there or a can of coke for me in case I get even more thirsty? - She sends me a smirk.
Nope, all you see there is all you get.
She stares at me as if suddenly indecisive. I take a bunch of french fries and stuff them into my mouth. I slowly lift an eyebrow and then sigh. Now, this was really a bad idea, since I could disappear into oblivion because of her if I wasn’t careful. I had to keep the distance if I wanted to stay focused.
There was something about her that kept me distracted. It wasn’t just the looks because women of my kind are always filled with beauty, it comes from our powers and the way it works with our bodies. I look at her as she shuffles from one foot to another. I don’t say anything and she walks off disappointed... I tilt my head to the side.
Maybe it was her behavior that did it for me? The shyness mixed with a lot of sass? The contradiction? Or maybe because of the energy that just kept oozing out of her? The tension? Perhaps. Then again, it could just be my awareness because she looked like the creature I was supposed to fear and conquer. Filling the destiny that was chosen for me centuries before I even came to this world?
I see her mop the tables and trying to be helpful and as useful as she possibly can. I sigh again. I usually don’t make these kinds of errors. Usually... I wait till she gets closer and catches me staring. She freezes for a moment. I take a couple of more french fries and wave it in her direction, at the same time drinking the orange juice with a straw, until it makes a loud noise, indicating the glass is empty.
Would you like to sit for a moment?
I ask as she bites her lips still not sure what she wants. But then her face brightens up and she comes closer and pulls a chair out.
Sure, I would love to, and it’s my lunch break anyway, so I know that my boss won’t mind.
She sends heavy looks to the woman behind the counter and I see her nod and start to chuckle. Hmm, I like her. I should tip her later. If she stands with that girl, she must be a saint. I tap my fingers against the table, annoyed with myself, for not dealing with this the way I should. And the thing that I should have done was taking care of her in the alley. Steam almost floats out of my nose as I think this through. I grab the hamburger, take a big bite and sigh relieved. Now, this was one of the few things that I actually liked humans for. Their cooking. They maybe were a pitiful excuse for beings but they sure knew how to make their food.
Mmm...
That good? Are you sure you want me to be here and be a witness to you having an orgasm over the food I cooked?
I lick my fingers and take another bite, then look at her smug expression, not amused. If it wasn’t for the food, she would be already laying on the floor with a fork in her side. That would surely turn off that proud smug. Instead, I take one more last, delicious bite of the hamburger and dig a little fork in the lavender and honey cake... and not her shoulder for an example. Call it kindness and good circumstances.
Finally found your voice, darling? I’m glad, yet watch that sassy mouth of yours, it might get you in trouble... and not the kind that you are apparently looking for.
I say in a cold voice, then see her surprised face and decide to ease the tone with a small smile. I was feeling very merciful today. Very unlike me.
Wow, okay. Maybe I don’t need a break. Because you’re giving me whiplash with you being all one mood, then a second later the total opposite. I’m glad you enjoy the food. I’ll get you a new drink before I leave.
I see her stand up and start to leave. I grab her hand and she looks back at me with a scowl like a little child. Humans were peculiar creatures. I feel a strange electricity where my hand touches her, but for now, I ignore it. This wasn’t the time to think about the possible reason for this reaction between us and if in fact, if she was the Raven I was looking for.
I don’t appreciate trash talk while I eat, that’s all.
I let go of her and dig into the scrambled eggs, and biting into the toast. I splash ketchup on it. Mmm, good. I drink some water and take a tiny bite out of a pancake as if I actually worry about table manners.
I glance at her as she relaxes and her facial expressions change from mad to guilt in a second... and then I notice her staring at both our hands, now separated and I know that she felt it too. The same current radiating through our bodies. She sits down, apparently shaking the thought away. Yes, it’s probably for the best.
I’m sorry, I didn’t know.
She says softly and sits down. She notices me slowing down and raises an eyebrow.
Do you not like the pancakes?
I hear the concern in her voice and the corners of my lips lift just a bit.
I was pretending to be civil... usually, I don’t have an audience, hu... I mean people annoy me.
I hear her giggle and raise an eyebrow.
So after you devour most of the food you slow down? I take it as a compliment that my food is tolerable - she shifts her head to the side - I can leave until you finished eating if you wish. I’m not a big people person either.
She sits back and crosses her legs and somehow it feels like a challenge. This one likes to play games. Well, a little fun never hurt anybody... unless it was with me.
No. That won’t be necessary. You can watch if it makes you happy.
I shrug my shoulders and finish the eggs and enjoy the second piece of cake. It’s so soft and smells divine. Something about the scent of lavender in the air always worked on my senses. Later I take the last pancake and make it disappear in seconds. Oh yes, this feels better. Before it felt like I couldn’t think because of the hunger. I see her stare at me, eyes wide open.
Fast metabolism...
Oh, you don’t have to explain. I think it’s amazing how you ate all that and with speed. You realize that will probably become a meal thing on the menu. Mel will ask to use your name but she won’t embarrass you like she did me. But yeah. Would you like another juice?
She asks and grins at me like I am the one making her smile. How strange.
No, vitamin C is covered - I pat my full belly with satisfaction - but you can bring me tea... do you have the hibiscus flower?
She laughs at my faint attempt at a joke.
That we do. Do you have sugar in it? - She asks as she gets up.
That won’t be needed, I think I devoured a small jar of sugar today... besides when you drink tea, you don’t treat it like dessert.
I smirk at her. I felt relaxed now.
You do realize, some people have sugar in their tea to make different flavors stand out but most like it sweet because they don’t like bitter things?
She smiles and takes a few steps back.
Glad to see the hunger has taken away the grouch.
She winks and walks behind the counter and starts making the tea. She returns a couple of minutes later with a pretty glass cup with a gold rim. I can see the steam rising from the red liquid, the light playing with its ruby color. I inhale the smell as I take the cup from hers. It soothes my senses. I look up at her.
The hibiscus flower is never bitter, to be honest, only black tea stands out as sharp in flavor.
I say, not able to let go of her last remark. Actually, I would have done it sooner but she left too fast. I smirk at her satisfied. She smiles and takes a seat.
Thanks for the information. I’m not a tea drinker. I’m a coffee kind of gal. Which means if I don’t have a coffee when I wake I would run and hide until I get my fix then wait like an hour then you should be safe from dying. But not safe from getting broken.
She bites her lip before she requests suddenly.
Tell me about yourself.
Maybe some other day, sunshine. I’ve got other things to do today. And I believe your shift is almost over and you are just probably dying to go home and rest those tired legs...
I look at her disappointed face but don’t give in. There were matters that needed my undivided attention. I cross my legs and lean my arm over the chair and with the other,
I sip my tea. She slouches slightly.
My legs can go on much longer than what they have done. I was actually going to go for a walk after work. You’re welcome to come if you want. And I mean it when I say I want to know about you - she gets up - Thanks for inviting me to watch you eat. I hope you enjoyed it. I’ll see you around... hopefully.”
She smiles but doesn’t move, waiting for me to speak. My fingers tap again, against the wooden surface. She gave quite a speech there but the amount of warm and kind feelings is a bit much for me.
No, I will finish my tea and then I will take off... but thank you for the offering, maybe one day I will take you up on it. You should probably go change, your boss is sending you strange looks.
She nods her head and looks back, then she sighs.
She is just curious because I’m not normal or good at talking to girls. It’s different taking orders, but this - she points between us - I don’t know what it is and... I just don’t know.
She shakes her head getting flustered and overwhelmed by whatever is going on around in her head. Yes, I seem to know what she means. Then she smiles and laughs softly.
I’ll see you around. I’m here Monday to Friday just so you know.
She winks and walks away. I stare at her and wait until she disappears behind the door. I get up, take my big bag and get to the counter, where the other woman is. I stand closer and watch her surprised expression. As if she thought that maybe I was walking out of here without paying. Funny, I always assumed the murderous tendencies didn’t show. I smile softly at her and she returns it, drying her hands on her apron. She is slightly shorter than me. She is a pretty brunette with messy, wavy hair that reaches her shoulders. She is slim and toned, it shows that she is a hard worker. She seems to be in her mid-thirties and has tiny wrinkles in the corner of her eyes. Definitely from smiling.
I lean on the counter and reach into my bag and pull out a wallet. The surprise expression returns on her face. She puts a hand on mine and shakes her head.
No need hun. It’s all taken care of.
I frown at her, a bit annoyed.
What do you mean?
It’s on the house.
Why?
Because Ray cooked everything especially for you... - she stops abruptly and bites her tongue - She has house credit and is allowed to do that sometimes... if I let her, of course.
The woman smirks and starts to mop the counter. I stare at her, still not amused by the answer. I pull out a 100$ bill from my wallet and leave it there. The woman looks up and seems to be frustrated by my behavior. I like the feistiness but I have my standards when it comes to others handling my affairs.
Mel, right? - I ask, my eyes narrowing. She nods.
I pay for myself and that’s final... - my voice is ice cold but then I change my mind - if you don’t want to take this as a payment for the meal, consider it as a big tip.
But that’s way too much...
You can share it with ‘Ray’.
I taste the name on my tongue and enjoy the taste. Then I smile again. This was turning out to be the strangest day I had in months, if not years... and this considering me throwing energy balls in a dark alley and contemplating the end of the world as we know it. I stare at Mel and the frown turns in to a slow grin. I think she enjoys this little game.
Fine... if you promise to come once for a dessert sometime soon... or twice.
I don’t think you can afford me.
I put on my sunglasses and give her a dark smile. The woman holds my stare and does the same. Mmm, I see this wasn’t her first rodeo.
I’m sure I can handle you just fine. Which reminds me, you are getting a special with your name on it.
Is that so? - I lean in and slide my glasses just a bit to look her in the eyes. They are pretty, a delicate hazelnut color or maybe amber.
Yes, I have already decided.
Care to share?
Yes... a “Tiger Lilly Special”.
She winks at me and it’s my turn to look surprised. It’s the second time someone has called me this way today. I try not to growl. The signs were a real bother to me right now. A real pain in the ass.
That name seems suitable.
I say politely and start to leave, then decide to turn around.
Thank you for the meal Mel, you are a good boss... and a real saint for making it through with her. I bet those black feathers of her can get in the way sometimes. Good luck with that.
I quickly leave the scene and prepare myself for the next phase of my plan. There were things I needed to find out before I could let myself train freely. My energy was oozing out of me and I needed to control it before... Well, we will see how things go.
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Here are the links to the earlier chapters from Lilly’s perspective and Raven’s.
https://theprose.com/post/215912/worlds-colliding-part-2
https://theprose.com/post/214855/worlds-colliding
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https://theprose.com/post/216838/a-bright-new-future-part-two