It didn't take long for the barista to fulfill Baron's order. It was a simple ice in the cup, pour the Joe, and shake it up before adding the cream and sugar and pouring it all into a cup. The transaction was made, and Baron soon found himself leaning against the pick-up counter sipping away at his cold beverage. He watched behind the counter where a young woman came in from around the back. The two exchanged a high-five and the man walked into the room where the woman had come from. Ha, tap-out. Perhaps there was an out-of-work relationship? Not necessarily romantic, there was nothing to imply that as of yet, but they looked to be a good team. His eyes were drawn to the door where a bell had rung, and two teenagers had strolled in. One had a matching black outfit – kid probably would've loved the 'Naughts – the other was mismatching and more lanky. These two, unlike the couple of girls he had saw before, definitely bore a resemblance. Brothers, perhaps?

He had payed attention to one of the boy's exchange with the female barista without giving anything away that might suggest he was anything but disinterested. A straight, droll expression. Let the eyes drift out of focus so as to dilate. Suddenly he had a brilliant recipe for remaining inconspicuous. The boy was counting out his change aloud – probably had poor monetary habits, as expected of most teenagers, and was short of change. Didn't have a job. He didn't seem to have a card, so no bank account. If he had, then there must've been a reason he wasn't resorting to debit, so again, lack of a job. Poor boy. Was he either lazy, or was it just he couldn't find one? Whatever the reason, the problem was alleviated when the modest girl he had noticed earlier had donated a small amount of funds to the boy's pocket. It had brought on the faintest, amused smile on Baron's face. Less so in the stretching of his lips, and more was it in the reddening his cheeks and softening of his eyes.
 
It was heart-warming, to say the least. It was nice to see selfless acts being given to one another around here, and as strained as the politics were around here, there did seem to be a sense of community among the Black Fall citizens. But at the same time, the deed was moderately detrimental. It didn't teach or condition the boy to anything other than to continue relying on the charity of others. Such kindness only intoxicates others from the more... sober reality.

Still, he could be looking at this wrong. It is just as reasonable to think that this taught charity. Maybe the boy would remember the girl's deed when [i]he[/i] finds somebody that needs help.

When Holly had absconded away back to her table, Baron raised his cup and gave a simple, curt nod before taking a sip from his drink. Ah, coffee. Oh, wait, coffee. Coffee shop. It was getting a little warm in here, wasn't it? Baron loosened the scarf from around his neck and folded it neatly before storing it into one of his dress coat pockets. Hoo boy, that was better. It was a lot less stuffy now. America del Sur and Arabia can get pretty bad – this wasn't anything compared to that. Anywho, that girl with the gift. Baron decided it was best to encourage that behavior. Reciprocation was often the best reward. While boy worked out his order with the woman behind the counter, Baron caught the attention of the man in the back. When he came around, Baron smiled.

“Three croissants, if you would?”

“Absolutely, sir, give me one second.”

Baron nodded in acknowledgement, watching him take three croissants and placing them in a box. The order was payed for with the swiping of a black debit card and Baron turned on his heel and sauntered over to the table where the two young women had sat, including the girl who had donated money to the boy. He was aware of what it looked like, and heavens no. Baron wasn't quite old enough to be their father, but he was certainly out of range. [i]'I am more interested in... maturity. This is more out of “Christmas spirit”, shall we say...'[/i]

“Hello ladies.” Baron said smoothly with a gentle smile. He set the box down on the table and pulled a chair up closer to the table. “I just wanted to express my thanks – as an extension of your friend's over there, I've never actually been acquainted with him.”

When Baron opened it, the smell of three buttered croissants wafted through the air. He looked at Holly. “In the spirit of Christmas, right?”

Modest dress-ware, a chain around her neck, clearly weighed down by the bottom. Religious? It was likely, she was beaming wherever she walked. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but she was a breath of fresh air in a bustling, irritable city. The woman on his right, was dressed fashionably. Baron felt a little old sitting at this table, even at the age of thirty-one. The only thing that kept him feeling out-of-touch with this generation's style while wearing his dress suit and tie combo was this woman putting about as much effort into her appearance, although it appeared less formal.

Regardless, maybe he could learn a couple things about the town from these locals. Figure out where a good place to be is. He still needed to find somebody he could work with.