Dovie’s Honey Taste Testing

Date: 2025-08-22 20:03

---

(Dovie’s Honey Taste Testing)

[Fri Aug 22 2025]

Highgate Coffee Oceanview Lounge/span>/spanBetween views of a garden and the sea, the lounge unfolds with an inviting mix of plush couches, benches, and tables with chairs, offering space for both quiet reflection and lively conversation. Light pours through a solid glass wall to the east, where the ocean stretches endlessly across the street in full, unobstructed view. To the west, another expanse of glass frames a serene fountain surrounded by lush garden greenery./span>/span60F(15C) degrees. The mist is heaviest At High and Blackstone/span>/spanDovie flutters around, adjusting the spoons.

Gabriel chimes in, “I’m not super surprised about the spear. It was awesome, but not many people use them.”

“Yeah, that’s fair. Aishia was disappointed she missed it.” Esme mused. “I’m interested to see what I’ll turn up in this Russian Vault if I can manage to get a team in successfully.”

Dovie raises an eyebrow at Esme. “Russian Vault? What’s this about?” She continues adjusting the jars of honey on the table.

“Mm, still in tha planning stages.” Esme tells Dovie, “We’ll talk about it later.” She offers and flashes Aeryn a smile when she comes in. “Hey, Aeryn. Good to see ya.”

Dovie nods to Esme and waves at Aeryn, pulling out a ticket with the number 3 on it and handing it over to Aeryn. “Welcome welcome! This is your raffle number for later!”

“Esme, hi! And Dovie, what a wonderful coffee shop! I may have a new favorite.” Aeryn beams, wiggling her fingertips in greeting, with a nod given to Gabriel.

Gabriel waves and offers a smile to Aeryn, “Hey, been a while.”

Dovie beams proudly at Aeryn. “I do love Inkwell too! Very cozy vibes there. This place is small, but the gardens are mighty.”

Esme blinks once at something, glancing aside briefly .

Esme waves to Alice, “Hey, Alice.” She crooks a smile. “Good to see you.”

Nemi smiles and waves softly to Esme.

Esme gives Nemi a smile, “Good to see you, too Nemi. Been a while.”

Alice raises her hand in a little finger-wiggle wave, declaring, “Hey,” to all involved. All may partake of her hey, and none shall be excluded, magnanimous is she. “I brought a onesie and I’m here to eat too much honey and make my tummy hurt.”

Dovie waves to someone and Nemi. “Hello! Welcome you two!” She rips off a few more tickets, handing a number 4 to Alice and a number 5 to Nemi. “These are for the raffle later!”

She gestures towards the display of honey jars. “Feel free to sample whichever you like since you all are the first to arrive. I’ll start the raffle drawings later on once more people have come.”

Dovie waves to Alice and Nemi. “Hello! Welcome you two!” She rips off a few more tickets, handing a number 4 to Alice and a number 5 to Nemi. “These are for the raffle later!”

She gestures towards the display of honey jars. “Feel free to sample whichever you like since you all are the first to arrive. I’ll start the raffle drawings later on once more people have come.”

Alice says, dryly, “They’“

Alice says, dryly, “They’re all standing on the street comparing onesies.“

Nemi nods softly in agreement. “It has- Was a bit sad to hear you left the order- Did’nt get a reason why but I can Imagine they were good.”

Nemi nods softly to Dovie.

Gabriel tsks, “Damn.. should’ve brought my onesie.”

Nemi turns to Alice. “You- I never gave you my number the last time I saw you, its zero zero five seven if you ever need to contact me.”

Esme laughs, looking toward the entrance a moment and then back, “Well I like the raccoon look.” She muses and nods to Nemi, “Yeah, just had t’ narrow my focus a bit.”

Esme moves to try the lemon honey

Nemi nods softly to Esme.

Alice jams that spoon in her mouth and her eyes practically roll back. Luckily, she closes them, because it would be weird if people saw. “Mmf,” she manages through sticky sweetness. “Nothing beats orange blossom honey. I’ll take three jars.”

Preston points that way, towards the north.

Nemi ooooo’s softly as she tries the bourbon honey. Giving a soft nod. “I gotta like the bourbon. Pretty good…”

Nemi turns to Alice. “Also you should totally text me- Got something to tell you about.”

Dovie nods at Nemi, “Ah! I see.” She waves to Evalina and Preston, handing Evalina a card that says 6 and Preston a card that says 7. She notes Kai entering, and hands him a card that says 8.

Kai gives a general wave to the group as he heads into the room, he wanders over to Nemi, sidling up to her, “Thank you, Miss Fairchild,” he tells Dovie and pops in his monocle.

Esme mms as she tries the sour lemon. “Oh I love this. It’s like. Not too sweet and I like the bit of sour.” She tells Dovie

Evalina walks in wearing a cat onesie and some flip flops, grinning happily, a fearsome flufflion in tow. She pounces Esme, giving her a hug from behind as she looks to Dovie, waving, “Hey Dovie!”

“Wow,” Preston laments when he’s handed the card. “I didn’t get the better card!” There’s a bit of a complaint, but not making a fuss over it. “If anyone gets line, I’ll trade them,” he mentions outloud, to whoever. Tucking the card into his pocket, “Thanks, Dovie.”

Dovie beams at all the new arrivals. “Make sure you take note of your raffle ticket number for later! Feel free to try samples as you will! You all look comfortable and fabulous!”

Esme acks as she’s suddenly hugged from behind. She looks like a deer in the headlights for a moment before looking over her shoulder and exhaling a laugh. “Hey, Eva. Jesus, tryna give me a heartattack.” She teases, offering a wave to preston.

“Seven isn’t my lucky number!” Preston mentions easily.

Alice finds a spot on a couch to sit, and lean back, and gently close her eyes. She’s just resting them.

Preston smirks at Aeryn, “You wanna make a bet?”

Dovie snorts a little laugh at Aeryn’s words, looking between her and Preston with amusement.

Kai closes his eyes much like Alice does, resting his eyes.

Evalina giggles, squeezing Esme a little before letting her go, “We move like cagey tigers after all.” She jests with a wink, “Sorry though. Good to see you, Esme.” She gives her ticket a good look now, “This place is so lovely and welcoming. I like this a lot…”

“It makes me a little jealous,” Alice calls from her spot on the couch. “I might take some inspiration from your setup for my own cafe.”

Aeryn rolls her eyes at Preston. “Why are you like this?” She sighs, and then pops another taster into her mouth.

Dovie beams at Evalina. “I’m glad you like it! Do take some time to check out the gardens to the east some time, I’m pretty proud of them.” She snaps her attention over to Alice. “Please do! You should try it!”

“Because, I will happily take your money, Aeryn,” Preston continues, explaining to her. “And I’m like two for zero on you in bets.”

Esme grins, “You’re good. Good to see you too.” She assures Evalina, “Dovie did a fantastic job with tha place, yeah.” She picks up another spoon to try and lifts her brows as she considers it. “Fuck. I don’t know why I wasn’t expectin’ the heat to be that prevalent.” She chuckles. “It is habaenaro.”

Dovie waves to Tamar, ripping off a ticket that has the number 9 on it, which she hands over. Jakem gets a ticket with number 10. “Here you are for the raffle! Help yourself to tasters!”

“No more money for you,” Aeryn teases Preston. “For all I know the penthouse never got cleaned!”

Evalina sits down, stroking her own tail before finally giving Nemi a look. “Moonshadow right? I’ll send you a text.” She agrees, her eyes then flitting to Jakem as he comes in. “Aww. No onesie…” She sighs. “…and it’s already been so disappointing that Aeryn isn’t wearing hers…”

Tamar makes her way inside, curious as always. Her gaze scans over the faces present, offering a few polite nods and then taking the ticket from Dovie. “Thank you,” she murmurs, reading the number on it and then tucking it away in her back pocket.

“You never hired me!” Preston complains of Aeryn, “I need a confirmation text that you want to hire Pretty P’s Cleaning Services.” Shifting now, Preston just sits, but not before making sure his tail is out of the way, resting in his lap.

nods softly to Evalina. “Guessed right, then again not hard to with my…. myhave profile picture.” Nemi develops a tiny bit of a flush.

Jakem shrugs to Evalina “I don’t own one. I suppose I could take off clothes until I’m only wearing one article. Does that count?”

Evalina nods to Jakem, pointing to the stage, “Sounds like a plan.” A smile and she’s crossing her legs, then her arms, leaning back, making a gesture to it. “Well?”

Dovie quizzes the crowd. “For those of you who have tried them, is there a favorite? We’re trying to decide what to sell from the apiary honey stand other than the regular honey.”

Another spoon is placed between Aeryn’s lips and she gives a thoughtful look to Preston before a swallow, and she complains right back. “It was supposed to be Matthew or Mab doing the hiring! But my loft isn’t clean either.”

Jakem shrugs and nods to Evalina “Well, suppose I did say I would.” he comments.

“Well, then, they’ve failed you,” Preston mentions to Aeryn, looking around now. “Katherine,” he says, nudging Evalina a bit. “You want some honey?”

“Orange blossom,” Alice says decisively. “I already knew I would love it, but tasting it was even better than I thought.” Her voice is firm, confident, resolute in its decision. There isn’t a single waver. Orange blossom truly is the best. It shows in her eyes, which are locked on Dovie. “Orange blossom,” she says again.

Jakem regards Evalina skeptically.

Preston points to Evalina. “That’s Katherine the Kitty,” he explains for her benefit, before pointing to himself. “I’m Larry the Lion.”

Evalina gasps at Aeryn, “You forgot my name? Really? I mean, I thought I made more of an impression than that…”

Nemi hums softly as she turns to Dovie. “Personally Bourbon Is my favorite.” She comments with a soft smile.

Esme relaxes back on one of the couchs, considering the ones. “Never dare this man to do anything.” She tells Evalina of Jakem with a snicker.

Aeryn drops her face into her hands.

Sneaking her way in through the back, Eloa slips in to find a seat next to Kai, waving a little at Nemi and Gabriel as she settles down.

Aeryn says “Someday, I’ll learn that lesson about asking questions you don’t want the answers to.“

Tamar meanders over to the jars of honey, a fond little smile curling up the side of her lips. “I love honey,” she says, collecting little spoons for herself and then find a spot on the couches to start tasting.

Evalina shrugs, “I suppose I should never underestimate Jakem…”

Evalina pokes towards Aeryn, “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean. I make a fantastic cat, I’ll have you know.” She tilts her head. “Don’t make me meow at your window. I’ll do it.”

After considering all four, Esme tells Dovie, “I think I like the Lemon one best honestly .Runner up would be Bourbon.”

Dovie waves to Eloa, ripping off a ticket with the number 11 on it. “For the raffle, help yourself to honey!” She turns to Esme, nodding. “I had so much trouble deciding between the three!”

“Bourbon all the way,” is Aeryn’s vote, given to Dovie with a wave.

Dovie grins and nods to Aeryn, telling Nemi and Alice after, I will keep that in consideration!”

Malin swats Matthew on the butt.

Nemi nods softly in agreement with Aeryn. “Agreed. I might be able to incorporate it into a gooood fucking glaze for some ribs.”

Jakem grumbles as he reaches for one of the tasters “Everyone’s always underestimatin’ me. Oh Jakem, you couldn’t possibly be more irritating than you’ve been in the past. It’s just not possible.”

Waving shyly at Dovie, Eloa gets up briefly to retrieve the ticket, giving Dovie a smile before returning to the couch. She waves at Sophie as she sits near Kai, letting Sophie have the closer spot.

“Katherine,” Preston calls out, “Which one do you want?”

Tamar tastes them all, making a scrunched face at the bourbon one. There is another lick of the other spoons until they are quite devoid of any honey at all before she says, “Orange, but the spicy one is also very nice.”

Kai gives a wave to Eloa when he notices her, he yawns a little and hmms as he looks around, nodding to Jakem and Preston. But when Sophie arrives he grins and opens his arms to her, “Honey!” he greets her.

Dovie tears off a ticket with the number 12 and hands it to Sophie. “Welcome!” At seeing Malin and Matthew, she gasps. “Oh my!” She hands Malin a card that says 13 and the cow a card that says 14.

“Wait, hold up, who got Nine?” Preston shouts a little, looking at the crowd.

Evalina waves at Sophie, “Nice to see you Soph!” She greets her from a small distance, then glancing at Malin again, “Ah! It’s Mootthew and Ducklin!”

Sophie smiles widely Kai and makes a beeline for his side. She does offer a wave to Dovie and Evalina, “Hey hey.”

“Me,” Aeryn tells Preston, sticking her tongue out at him with an expression that says she totally did not.

Jakem waves to Kai before settling back on the couch.

“Nine? That is my number,” Tamar says with a blink.

Matthew and Malin step into the establishment he takes his card and says to Dovie, “COnsider me graze-fully thankful!”

“Thanks!” Malin says to Dovie cheerily, and then blows a kiss to Evalina, “Of course it is, kitten!”

Preston reaches around into the jars, and yoinks some spoons out, and strolls over to Tamar. “I’ll trade you,” he says, pulling his own card out of his pocket, “I’m six.”

Nemi looks at her number five stub as she hums and nods softly.

Dovie giggles at Malin and Matthew, gesturing to the honey jars with spoons. “Feel free to taste what you will!” And belatedly to Alice, she says, “Orange Blossom was my personal favorite.”

It is only at this point that Tamar starts to notice the onsies some people are wearing. But Preston has her attention and she looks up at him. “But why?” she asks quietly.

“As a mallard of fact, I think I will,” Malin tries out a really bad pun, saying it to Dovie.

“Larry, you’re /7/” Evalina corrects Preston with a frown, “I am 6!”

Matthew leans into Malin, murmuring towards her, “I’m about to get into this honey, what you doin, stayin put or tasting the sweets?” Matthew laughs at Malin’s pun, grinning.

Dovie giggles at Malin regardless.

“I’ll take a quack at it,” Malin replies to Matthew, leaning right back into him. “Lets to taste the honey jars. They aren’t really ladies, right?”

“Because nine is my lucky number,” Preston informs Tamar, “Okay, well I’m seven,” Preston mentions to Tamar, “You wanna trade?” But he’s strolling away from Tamar, back towards Evalina, spoons held out in a paw. Wow! Working paws on a beast ferocious as this. “I got one of each, pick one, Katherine.”

“We’ll find out together,” Matthew reasons with Malin and he starts to chart a course towards the honeypots, but gives Esme, Gabriel, and Tamar a bright smile and wave as he passes on by. “Hey, look at these moooooovers and shakers,” he quips.

Nemi hums softly. “I wonder what we’re winning… I do hope it’s honey. I’d love a chance to win the bourbon. If I get them I’m so incorporating it into a glaze for ribs…. pork belly…. wings. So many culinary routes.”

Kai hops up and grabs one of the tasters, he heads back over to the couch and flops down by Sophie and Eloa, settling in, “This better be extra hot or I’m going to be very upset.”

“I- alright. Seven is a good number,” Tamar says. She shifts her weight to pull her ticket from her back pocket but then Preston is wandering off and she looks confused.

Esme chuckles as she listens to the chatter, offering a smile and a little wave to Matthew and Malin when they walk by.

Evalina takes one seemingly at random from Preston, smiling at him, “Thank you Larry!” She returns with a cheerful smile, a concerned look afforded to Tamar. “Don’t worry Tammy. Larry here never has an angle really… Even if he might seem strange sometimes.”

“Dovie did you hear!?” Preston calls over to her. “I’m number nine now, and Tamar is seven! So when I win, you gotta give ME the prize.”

Sophie smirks at Kai, “That bourbon honey was insane.” Her tongue darts out to tease her bottom lip, checking for anything more, “I want that on everything.”

“You didn’t even grab one for Sophie to taste while you’re standing up?” Eloa teases Kai as she rests on the lounge.

Robert plops down with the rest, with a relived sigh, immediately sagging into the depths of the plush couch.

Tamar lowers the ticket and her hands to her lap, looking over at Evalina. “Sometimes I do not understand what is going on at these things,” she admits quietly.

Matthew murmurs towards Malin, “Babe, is my number twenty-six or twenty-five?” he’s already forgotten and lost track of his card.

Dovie nods at Preston. “Yep, I got it done!” She waves to Robert, tearing off a ticket with the number 15 on it and handing it to Robert. “Here you go, for the raffle!”

Malin winks over at Esme in a greeting of sorts, and then she’s telling Matthew as they head over to partake in the tasting, “Makes me want to preen, or something. Whatever ducks do.”

“Why would I?” Kai asks Eloa, “Are Sophie’s legs broken!? Is she incapable just cause she’s a woman?!” he asks Eloa overdramatically and leans over against Sophie’s side, he grins at Derek, “Big D!” he ejaculates with glee.

Dovie waves to someone. “Welcome, darling Derek!” She tears off a raffle card that has the number 16 on it. “This one is for you!” she says. “Raffle starts in ten minutes!”

Dovie waves to Derek. “Welcome, darling Derek!” She tears off a raffle card that has the number 16 on it. “This one is for you!” she says. “Raffle starts in ten minutes!”

Eloa grins over at Sophie, “But will be more sweet if be gets it for you!” She shakes her head at Kai’s words, “Because is romantic!”

Sophie asks Kai, “How was it.” She glances at Eloa, “Kai is plenty romantic for me. I can feed myself though.” She leans over and kisses Kai with a giggle.

Evalina smiles softly at Tamar, “Don’t worry. These things can be chaotic for me, too. But I promise I’ll tell you if you’re doing anything dangerous or problematic.” Her smile widening slightly before she averts her eyes, “I am definitely making this place a haunt of mine I think. I love the Inkwell’s upstairs snuggle spots, but,” She shrugs. “…beach view.”

Jakem nods to Kai “Should get one for her. I’ll even hold it for her while she’s not eating it.” he calls over.

Kai returns Sophie’s kiss and nods to her, “These would be pretty good on some wings,” he tells Sophie, “Or maybe some waffles,” he waves off Jakem’s suggestion, snorting.

Derek drifts along casually, something of an aloof expression about him though nothing serious as he assumes a seat among the couches comfortably, giving Kai an upnod with a slight upward curl of his lips before he lifts a hand to wiggle his fingers to Dovie, then accepting his ticket. “Thank you, Dovie-dear.” he intones lightly, eyeing it for a beat and letting out a quiet hum. “16.” he murmurs to himself.

Robert reaches out to accept the ticket from someone with a smile on his features, “Thank you, Dovie! It’s good to see you again, too. How’s things?”

Dovie grins at Derek. “Lucky number, or no?”

Robert reaches out to accept the ticket from Dovie with a smile on his features, “Thank you, Dovie! It’s good to see you again, too. How’s things?”

Tamar smiles fleetingly at Evalina, tucking her ticket away again with a quiet, “Thank you. It is a pretty view.” Spotting Robert, the girl looks his way and lifts a hand to wave.

Dovie turns to Robert for a moment. “Doing great! Been busy trying to open this place up! But quite pleased about it. You should check out the gardens!”

Nemi chuckles softly as she overhears Jakem and Sophie chatting as she smiles from her spot on the couch, humming softly as she turns to Esme. “How have you been?”

“Every number’s a lucky number if you believe.” Derek muses with dry amusement after Dovie, letting himself sink into his seat on a couch.

Matthew returns from the honeypots with four spoons and pauses near Aeryn, “What’s up cuz,” gets said towards her and then he’s right back to Malin’s side. “I’m excited for this one, also, do you remember what number I got?”

“That is beautiful, Derek. You really should start selling merch with that line,” Dovie tells Derek with a bright smile. She calls out to Matthew. “You had 14, Moo-thew.”

Esme looks toward Nemi, just quietly vibing and enjoying the atmosphere. “I’ve been alright.” She offers up a smile. “Bit of a rough week but it happens. I’m sure the next will be better. How about yourself?”

Preston offers up a taster for Evalina. “Katherine,” he says to her, “Take it!”

Kai loops his arm around Sophie and asks, “How was yours?” he wonders and looks to Esme and Eloa, hmming, but he upnods to Matthew when he notices the man and his outfit, a grin on his lips, “Nice!”

Evalina calls over to Nemi suddenly, “Nemi! You haven’t actually matched me back so I can’t text you!” She tells her, “Cats and Coffee, okay?” She glances aside to Preston then, taking the tester with a happy smile. “Thanks Larry. You really know how to take care of your smaller subspecies.” She smirks, straightening on her spot on her couch.

“Do I need to be at least twenty-one to partake in this?” Malin is calling to Dovie, motioning to the bourbon infused honey. In response to someone’ question, she reminds him in a gentle, loving tone, “Fourteen, stud.”

“Do I need to be at least twenty-one to partake in this?” Malin is calling to Dovie, motioning to the bourbon infused honey. In response to Matthew’s question, she reminds him in a gentle, loving tone, “Fourteen, stud.”

Robert gives Tamar a warm smile back when he catches the movement of her hand – moving seats down to drop himself down right next to her, “Hey,” He says in aside.

Robert lifts a bright-toothed grin to Dovie, “Oh, yeah? That sounds great. I’ll have a look after we’re all done here!”

Nemi sighs softly, looking over to Esme again. “Well- Getting training for natural magic…. Well more like private Tutoring-” She then turns her head and nods towards Evalina.

Dovie assures Malin. “You do not, feel free to try it!”

“Have you tried the honey?” Tamar asks Robert when he approaches. “I like the orange one. It would go very nicely on your waffles.”

“Mayhaps I should.” Derek supposes with a light upcurl to his lips after Dovie. “Would it fit apparel better, or something else, perhaps?” he wonders, before he stretches forward to grasp a spoonful of the orange blossom honey, licking at it before he samples fully.

Matthew upnods Kai right back, but he places a hand guardedly around his udders, “There will be no second milking attempts.” Malin’s answer earns her a smile, gratitude working through and reaching into his eyes when he smiles at her.

Sophie kisses the side of Kai’s head, “Divine. I want six jars of it.”

Esme lifts a brow toward Nemi, “Natural magic huh? That’s pretty impressive.” She offers another smile. “You’ll have to show me what you can do sometime, when you’re at ah point ya wanna.”

“mmmm” Matthew hums and says to Malin, “This orange blossom is super good. Better than the habanero, I think.”

Robert cranes his head over as he looks at the many tasters when Tamar notes, reaching for it. “No, I haven’t. Just sat down – let’s see what we have here… Admittedly, I’m most interested in the habanero one…”

“That’s too bad. I’ve been working on my technique,” Kai tells Matthew and extends his fingers out toward Matthew threateningly, smirking, “I bet she has that much in the back or something,” he tells Sophie and nods in Dovie’s direction.

“It’s very good,” Malin agrees with someone. “Moovelous, even. It is udder nonsense if anyone claims otherwise.”

Dovie is busy fussing over a bag, bringing it to the stage. Over the sound of conversation, is the sound of glass clinking as Dovie carefully tries not to fall over with the bag in tow.

“It’s very good,” Malin agrees with Matthew. “Moovelous, even. It is udder nonsense if anyone claims otherwise.”

Robert slides the taster in between his lips, producing a long, faint sigh. “Oh, that’s good, but…” He hesitates. “You couldn’t use maple syrup, because that flavor would be too strident for the delicacy of this,” He converses with Tamar.

“It would have to be the main presentation. Just fruit and whipped cream, I think.”

Evalina blinks, then furrowing her brow, pouting, scrunching up her face, “T-this is sour…” She whines to Preston, looking very, very betrayed. Begrudgingly, she finishes the taste, “…it works though… Even if it was a surprise…”

Giggling silently as she looks at Kai’s fingers to the udders, Eloa smiles a little although keeps quiet, shy Infront of so many people as she sits on the couch.

Sophie laces her fingers with one of Kai’s hands, “Not a repeat of the last udder event.”

“Honey is better than your tree syrup anyways,” Tamar calls over to Robert. “The spicy honey is good but not for waffles.”

Preston frowns a little at Evalina, after eating his own taster. “I have two left,” he mentions to her, holding up those spoons. “One is the Orange Blossom, and the other is the Bourbon,” Preston switches them in his hand. “Which one would you like?”

Matthew veers back from Kai’s reach, not that it’s much of a threat and in the next moment he’s distracted by Malin again. “Udderly ridiculous,” he says, feigning an aristocratic tone, “The prime cut… of… the jars,” he reaches for more but stumbles on the words, deflecting with another spoon lifted, “Alright, let’s see how this one tastes.”

Evalina considers for a moment, then smiling, “Bourbon! I love bourbon.” She requests with held out hand, smiling at the man.

“She’s an alcoholic,” Kai stage-whispers to Sophie as he glances to Evalina, a shit-eating grin on his face.

Robert protests Tamar, starting to escalate in noise, “Tree syrup is great! Especially Dark syrup as opposed to the blended gold or watered-down amber everyone uses!” He protests. “And haven’t you ever heard of fried chicken and waffles?”

Derek squints as he glances over to Kai. “Behave yourself. Poor Moo-thew will be in udder dismay.” he hisses, his green eyes then drifting to the jars as he considers his next spoonful, still toying with the orange-blossom spoon in his mouth as he hums, savoring it.

Dovie clears her throat, cupping her mouth to call out to all gathered. “First off, thank you everyone for coming to the honey taste test! We’re trying to decide which flavor or flavors to stock at the apiary stand. So do text me with your favorites! But second, it’s time for the raffle!”

“Let’s start off with our first winner… number… 11!” Dovie looks to Eloa. “Come on up!”

“Why would you eat chicken and waffles?” Tamar asks Robert, wrinkling her nose a bit.

Eloa blinks rapidly, blushing a little and looking to Kai and Sophie as if to say Help with her eyes. Finally she gets up uncertainty and makes her way to the stage.

“Ahem! I believe I need to contest that, Miss Fairchild,” Kai holds up his 8 card and turns it sideways, “As you can see, you gave me the infinity card, which covers everything above zero. So I’m afraid it’s a tie.”

Evalina closes her eyes and gives a long, just-slightly-too-intense lick of the taster, not even seeming aware of it herself before finishing the honey with a grin. “I finally get why Donkey Kong kept licking the honey in the bee levels.” She murmurs, “This is amazing.” Her eyes flit to Kai after. “Your fault. It’s your chat messages that drove me to the comforting hold of alcohol!” She teases with a wink, “But no. I just like bourbon.”

Dovie smiles at Eloa. “Would you like regular wine, mead, or rose?”

“Who doesn’t love Bourbon?” Preston asks Kai, flicking his tail with his hand – in annoyance, like a cat would. “Bourbon is fucking great.” Once that bourbon taster is handed up to Evalina, he eats his own.

Brow knitting slightly at the choices presented to her, Eloa gnaws on her lower lip and then shyly whispers, “Regular please.”

“Ohhhhhhh,” Matthew really milks it for the spoon he just had, eyes closing, tongue wetting his lips. “Okay, Bourbon maybe has orange blossom beat,” he says and then he’s lowering his head to listen to Malin. That gets his eyes opening and he turns to say, “I think we should find out.” Derek’s defense is not lost on the Montrose and he gives that Fairchild a grateful smile.

Accepting the bottle of wine, Eloa jumps off the stage, trying to go back to being invisible on the couch.

Dovie checks her random number generator. “Next up we have… number 3!!” She beams at Aeryn. “Come on up! Your choices are mead, rose, or… blood wine!”

Jakem nods to Kai “yeah, but don’t you lose an infinite number of times that way?”

Matthew look over the group, “Chat. Which is better, orange or bourbon?”

Nemi says “Wait is the prize alcohol?“

“Aeryn won? Shit,” Preston groans out in disappointment. “I should have traded with HER.”

Kai glances over to Jakem and squints, he sighs to Derek, “This is moo-st disappointing, Mister Fairchild,” and reaches up to adjust the monocle he has tucked into one of his eye sockets.

Nemi looks over to Esme. “I don’t drink alcohol…. at all…”

“Wait, Aeryn won? Give her prize to me, she won’t notice,” Matthew claims towards Dovie with a glance in Aeryn’s direction.

Nemi hums, smiling and nodding softly.

As Matthew asks, Derek pulls out the orange blossom spoon he’d been toying with from his mouth, then tasting at the bourbon honey, before he takes up said spoon, savoring the bourbon honey’s flavor with a satisfied hum. “…Mm. That’s quite good – though really citrusy treats are always my favorite.” he supposes with a lift of his shoulders, his green gaze then drifting to Kai. “Verily.” he adds dryly.

Dovie eyes Matthew a moment. “Let’s give her a moment to finish up… but I’ll head to the next winner…” Dovie checks the random number generator. “Number… 12!”

Clutching her bottle of wine, Eloa tries to shove it into her side bag but of course it doesn’t fit.

Kai sighs when Dovie ignores his attempts at a tie, he tucks his card into his kangaroo pocket and looks to Sophie, “Well. At least we’re being social?” he suggests and waggles his brows at her a little.

Matthew visibly wilts when Dovie is offering his cousin some grace period and he offers up more of an argument, “She’s dead and I am inheriting her raffle ticket, so really I–” he holds his up like he’s hoping to win when another is called, but it’s not his number. Sad cow face.

“You had the sour one?” Preston asks Evalina, “And the Bourbon? I had spicy, and the Orange blossom.” Preston shifts his eyes a little, towards where the taste-testing things in. “I think I like orange blossom over spicy..”

“I believe that’s Sophie?” Dovie says, checking her notes. “Rose or Mead?” she asks to Sophie.

“Because it tastes good together, Tamar. Protein and carbohydrates, sweet and spicy. What’s not to like? I’ll have to make you some,” Robert determines with a firm nod to Tamar before sprawling out to relax.

Sophie smirks at Kai, “You saying we’re never social?” She leans in and winks at him, “We’re super social.”

Evalina tilts her head at Preston. “I definitely preferred the bourbon over the sour.” She tells him with a brisk nod. “It’s just way more up in my alley.” A sigh follows and she’s grabbing her tail, toying with it. “…I wonder if I could convince Mr. Spartan to carry me up a rooftop if I am dressed in this.”

“Sophie, when you’re done tasting, feel free to find me,” Dovie replies, checking the next number, “Number… 7! Lucky number seven!” Dovie cackles at Preston.

“Are you talking about Edward?” Kai asks Evalina, eavesdropping on her conversation, he peers over at her and looks over to Dovie, smirking a little.

“Mead or rose?” Dovie asks Tamar.

“Who’s Mr. Spartan?” Preston asks Evalina, watching her tail flick back and forth, before looking up at Dovie. “FUCK!” He shouts over at Dovie. “YOU RIGGED IT!”

“You said nine was lucky!” Dovie protests to Preston. “There are witnesses!”

Nemi is sitting next to Esme just dying, metaphorically, chuckling to death literally due to Preston and his reactions.

Tamar’s attention is captured by her phone for a while, her expression furtive before she hears her number and lifts her face. “Number Seven?” she checks, pushing up to her feet and wandering over to the stage despite Preston’ protests. “Um… mead, please.”

Eloa giggles at Preston’s reaction to trading away the winning ticket and busies herself trying a bit of honey.

“Enjoy!” Dovie tells Tamar before going to the next number. “We got three more prizes…! So next number is… 14! Moothew!!” She claps. “Mead or rose?”

Evalina gives Kai a look, “Perhaps.” She answers non-noncommittally, then giving Tamar a wave, “Congratulations!” says loudly, her eyes then glancing off to Robert. She averts them after.

Derek crosses his legs, looking over to Preston as he shouts over to Dovie with a lift of his brows, clearing his throat with a nonplussed expression. “Nine is quite lucky. Three of three.” he supposes with a vague wave of his hand, before he draws his hands together in a golf-clap as Matthew wins his respective prize.

Sophie smiles at Dovie, “About honey?

Matthew’s eyes track from Dovie on over to Tamar when she requests the mead, and he looks like he’s about to pounce but then his number is blessedly called. “OH MY GOD!” He wasn’t expecting to win and throws out the answer, “Mead, please!”

“Thank you,” Tamar replies to Dovie, looking over the bottle of mead and then smiling at Matthew’s reaction.

Dovie tells Sophie, “No, we don’t have full bottles of honey available yet, but you can choose a raffle prize of a bottle of mead or a bottle of rose.”

“Oh it sounds like she wants to be carried up the stairs by that 63rd Lieutenant,” Kai tells Preston with a laugh, “Fuck, maybe I should get abs. I could be forgiven for all of my many flaws,” he rolls his eyes and looks to Tamar, “Oooh good call, mead’s delicious,” and extends that to Matthew, giving him a thumbs up.

Dovie gives the bottle to Matthew and turns back to Sophie, expectantly. “Which prize do you prefer?”

Sophie lifts her brow at Dovie, “I won’t say no to that.”

“Great! Now which one?” Dovie asks Sophie, reiterating the choices, “Last bottle of mead, or rose?”

Evalina points to Kai, “Hey! I know better than that!” She accuses with a furrow of her brow. “…But you know. Some monster carrying you off to a rooftop? It’s something to experience once, I think.” She suggests with a sigh.

Tamar makes her way back to the couches and takes a seat then looks over at Evalina a little wary at this talk of the 63rd.

Sophie answers Dovie, “Rose.”

Malin stares over at Kai, unblinking.

Nemi slowly turns her head to face Kai.

“Two more to go!” Dovie checks her random number generator again. “Alright we have number-” she stares at it, and shakes her head. “Nine! Preston Blackwell. Mead or rose?”

Sophie squeezes Kai’s leg and leans in to give his cheek a peck.

Kai gives a two-fingered salute to Malin, “Hey Malin,” he greets her and looks to Nemi, “And Nems.”

“It probably is something you experience once,” Preston replies, “And then, you know,” shoulders shrug a bit, and he’s reaching out to bat at Evalina’s tail, trying to capture it, in what seems to be a friendly game of cat versus cat.

Matthew holds out his bottle of mead for all to see, ooh, awe, and admire. “ALright, who’s drinkin’ with me tonight?” gets asked as he starts to uncork his bottle. He then leans in to say something to Malin.

“I told you so.” Derek muses dryly over to Preston as he leans back into the couch after nine is called.

Malin informs Kai, “You got to work on your inside whisper voice a bit,” but then adds, “Hay,” which sounds exactly like ‘hey’ but she’s standing next to a cow.

“Mead,” Preston mentions to Dovie, “I don’t even need to taste them. Just gimme.” Holding his hands out towards her.

“What, really? Uhh… you heard nothing,” Kai waves his hand at Malin as if he were a jedi or something.

Evalina blinks as Preston captures her tail, then tilts her head, giving him a wry smile. “Unless you want to cause the worst wardrobe failure in New Haven history,” She tells him with a sigh, “I must request you to let that tail go right now, Mister.” Beat. “You can’t afford the price.”

“And the very final bottle of rose goes to…” Dovie plays a drumroll sound on her phone. “Number 4!” She looks towards Alice. “Congratulations!”

Malin acts like she’s just been hypnotised by Kai and asks, “Where am I?”

“Oh thank Allah you’re here. Do you have the $1000? We have to get your cat back,” Kai tells Malin and extends a hand her way.

“I’m only able to die once, that I’m aware of,” Aeryn tells someone. “What happened?”

Alice blinks, snapping out of a reverie when her name is called. She looks to Dovie and jumps out of her seat, saying, “Oh! Oh, I won!”

“I’m only able to die once, that I’m aware of,” Aeryn tells Matthew. “What happened?”

Dovie grins at Alice and hands the bottle of rose over to Alice

“Where’s Allah? I’ll thank him,” Malin says to Kai easily. “No, I gave the thousand to her.” She gestures to Sophie. “She was supposed to give it to the cat burglar.”

Matthew holds up his bottle of mead, “Oh, I won and you won but I said I inherited your stuff but DOvie wouldn’t let it fly.”

Derek toys with the bourbon spoon in his mouth, relaxing as he observes Kai’s antics, his right hand tippity-tapping at his phone idly.

Preston slips his hands away from that tail, and keeps his hands to himself. “Sorry,” he mentions to Evalina.

Evalina says “Praise to Allah, Allah if Mighty! Allah is Powerful! Allah is Great!“

“You’d probably hate it, my stuff,” Aeryn nods to Matthew.

Matthew points toward Evalina, “She got your thousand, I heard she’s the cat burgler.”

Dovie also hands a bottle over to Aeryn

Tamar sends a few more texts and then pushes up to her feet and moves over to Robert. There is a light touch to his shoulder to get his attention and she leans in to tell him, “I am going home to talk with Sammie.” And then she slips out.

“Noooo,” Kai sighs and rests back against the couch, he looks over to Sophie and shakes his head, “Are cat burgers good?”

Evalina says “I have what“

Alice looks down at her bottle with a happy little smile, then makes a little curtsey, already slipping out towards the door. “I hate to win and run, but something did come up – thanks so much for the honey, Dovie, and I’ll be back for coffee!”

“Thank you!” Aeryn enthuses to Dovie, looking over the bottle with interest.

Preston blinks at Evalina, “Is that French?” he asks.

“Thank you everyone for coming,” Dovie calls out from the stage. “Please feel free to hang around and chill, or finish up the other tasters! If you loved a certain flavor, let me know and I’ll consider putting it on our honey stand!”

“You speak Arabic?” Preston asks, blinking at her. “How come I didn’t know that?”

Kai hmmms and looks to Nemi, “Which one did you like best?” and then Eloa, “And you?”

Robert belatedly stirs at the touch of his shoulder and then – he glances doorway words. There’s a faint expression of approval, and a brief, firm nod and then he goes back to relaxing. Apparently, once he’s sat down, there’s zero desire to get up as he just sprawls out.

Nemi nods softly to Kai. “Bourbon.”

Nemi nods.

Dovie returns to the couches among the people, turning to Derek. “How’s classes coming? Or are they on pause for the summer?”

“Orange Blossom.” Eloa informs Kai while hugging her bottle of wine.

Evalina tilts her head to Preston, “What are you? An evanologist?”

Nemi turns to Dovie. “I cannot WAIT, for when these honey jars are up for sale.”

Preston blinks at Evalina, confusion in his face. “No, my name is Preston. I’m a Prestonlogist.”

Kai nods to Eloa and Nemi in turn, “So two bourbon, a spicy and orange… others are saying bourbon too though,” he shakes his head, “If I don’t get a spicy food place soon I’m going to walk into the ocean.

Nemi says “I will quite literally have a bar b que and make a glaze out of this.”“

Dovie beams at Nemi. “We have jars of the regular honey now if you’d like!”

“There is a lull, though occasional seminars abound.” Derek supposes vaguely with a little ‘so-so’ gesture of his hand as he looks over to Dovie. “Overall though, things have been quite fine.” he muses.

Nemi says “Nope I’ll be waiting for that bourbon honey.“

Preston frowns a little bit, thinks it over, and then concedes the point to her. “Alright, you got me there.” Settling back into the seat now, he flips his tail onto his lap.

“I shoulda wore my Pikachu onesie. You have a panda one right?” Kai asks Sophie, brows raised as he peers over at her.

Sophie nods at Kai, “Yep, I shoulda worn it.”

Malin asks Matthew, “You want me to rub your cheeks, boo?”

“Now I’m glad I didn’t. I don’t want to get 63rd sweat on me,” Kai tells Evalina and leans on Sophie, “We can dress up for that uhh… wait, is there not another movie night soon?” he asks her.

Robert rises to his feet after a moment, taking in a deep breath. “Well, now that things are quieting down – where did you say the garden was, Dovie?” He glances over at Dovie.

Kai squints at Eloa and looks to Sophie, he looks back to Eloa, then back to Sophie, “…I clearly should have dated Eloa because of these great ideas,” he shakes his head, “Just kidding, you’re great,” he kisses Sophie on the cheek, “Good call,” he tells Eloa.

Eloa giggles a little, “Bonus him adding drops to other people’s food and causing them to suffer.”

Evalina raises an eyebrow at Kai, “You know I’ve never actually spent any real time with any of the 63rd, right?” She suggests. “I like the idea of being king-kong’d by someone, doesn’t mean I am stupid enough for that. See my aura for evidence.” A sigh follows, and her eyes flit to Malin, “Cheek rubbing is the latest rage…”

Sophie sighs and feigns her worry, “I will never be as amazing as Eloa. Woe is me.”

Eloa snorts softly and shakes her head at Sophie’s words

“Yeah, and Matthew’s a cheek magnet, so…” Malin says to Evalina, grinning broadly.

“Oh please,” Kai pokes Sophie in the side lightly, “That’s also an excellent idea,” he tells Eloa, smirking at her a little and looks to Evalina, “I know nothing, Miss Rothwell,” he says and takes his monocle out, cleans it on his hoodie and pops it back in.

Robert nods back at Dovie, answering with a smile, “I will. See you later. Just need some time to gather my thoughts.”

There’s a laugh from Preston at something Evalina said. “The concept of being King Kong’d is absolutely hilarious. Just crawling up a building, carrying you?” Preston asks, listening as Evalina speaks in a different language now.

Kai points at Sophie, “There you go, that’s a crazy good idea,” he laughs a little and looks to Derek, “Did you try one? Which one’d you like?”

Dovie waves to Seraphina, “Welcome! We have a few more honey tasters if you’d like! Out of Orange Blossom, but we have a few more of the others!”

Waving at Seraphina from next to Kai and Sophie, Eloa smiles warmly at the latecomer.

“I think the orange blossom was my favorite.” Derek supposes to Kai, humming once with a nod.

Nemi hums softly

“Why not sell both?” Aeryn wonders of Dovie, of the two most popular options.

Seraphina wanders into the Cafe, her hands tucked into her jean’s pockets. She puts on a warm smile, and pulls a hand out from within one pocket to wiggle her fingers to Dovie, and Eloa. She says to Dovie, “Oh, its okay, I am late to the game, and besides….” Pause. “I am sweet enough.” She stands beside the counches, eyes taking in the scenery of the place.

Sophie gives Seraphina a wave and a wink.

Preston waves to Seraphina, not with his hand, no siree. He uses the tail in his hand, flicking it back and forth, giving a bob that head that’s covered in a mane.

Evalina nods triumphantly at Preston, “Right? And like. Everyone wants to feel coveted a little, sometimes.” Beat. “I’d adore the view, too. I love good city views.”

Kai nods to Derek, “Just like Eloa, fair fair… very nice,” he hmms and waves at Seraphina and tells her, “Yeah but honey has anti-aging properties so…” he glances to the tasters, back to Seraphina, back to the tasters, “Maybe a few bites?” he suggests, a shit-eating grin on his face.

Matthew comes to from his oneness in his onesie with the mead. “We all announcing our favorites, now?”

“I am carrying my blade, Kai. Don’t make Dovie have to do a taste test of Blood Honey.” Seraphina remarks to Kai, with a wink.

Sophie glances at Kai, “How did you know that about Honey?”

“But that sounds good,” Aeryn protests to Seraphina.

Dovie nods at Seraphina. “Incredibly sweet,” she agrees before listening to the others, enjoying the chatter. “Blood honey, there’s an idea…”

“He’s a busy bee.” Derek muses to Sophie as he holds up his phone as if to assess himself through his front camera.

Aeryn nods her head at Dovie. “Of course.”

“Let the blood letting begin!” Seraphina says, then, to someone, reaching behind her to pull her duffle opening to the front so she can wrap her hands bout the grip of the sword.

“Let the blood letting begin!” Seraphina says, then, to Aeryn, reaching behind her to pull her duffle opening to the front so she can wrap her hands bout the grip of the sword.

Kai snickers at Seraphina and looks to Sophie, “I just amde it up,” he tells her, “Is it true?” he blinks at her a couple of times and turns his head to yawn into his elbow.

Nemi turns to Dovie. “Actually if you take very careful precautions you could maybe attempt to bring a breed of- either bee or wasp that feeds on dead animals to make their nectar- Thus actually making meat slash blood honey that vampires MIGHT be interested in.”

Dovie raises an eyebrow at Nemi. “Oh yeah? What kind of bees or wasps are that?” she wonders.

Sophie nods at Kai, “Yeah it is. It also has healing properties.”

Seraphina smiles at Preston and waves in return, then, with the hand that was once around her sword hilt.

Dovie smiles at Solomon. “Hello! Welcome! We still have some honey tasters, feel free to try them!”

Dovie turns back to Nemi, nodding.

Matthew smiles at Malin and presents his cheek, “Go for it, helsp with the cud.”

Preston blinks at Seraphina watching her pull out the sword, with amusement. “I did not know you came packing, Sera,” he says with a laugh. A shift towards Evalina, to regard her, eyes narrowing a bit. “Yeah, honestly, I’m with you. I feel like that sounds fun, like once, but the rest of the times, it does not sound fun.”

Nemi says after she looks at her phone for a moment.

Evalina stares at Solomon, “Jesus christ, is this a person?”

Kai nudges Sophie, “Okay time to go,” he says when he notices Solomon, he gets up from the couch and offers a hand to Sophie, eying Solomon all the while.

Solomon lumbers in and looks around before spotting Kai and giving him a wide grin, “Evening, Gadfly.”

Aeryn says “Damn, I really am awful with betting,” @me sighs to her phone.“

“Damn, I really am awful with betting,” Aeryn sighs to her phone.

Malin tilts her head, but raises a slender hand to Matthew’s face. “Oh, I wasn’t thinking of this cheek, but okay,” she says, giving that portion of the cow onesie wearing man’s face a gentle rub, and the lightest pinch, like one a granny might give a kiddo.

As Evalina gives Solomon a closer look, she notices something. Her eyes widen and she gives a slight shiver in alarm before she averts them. “…Now that’s an aura I have not seen in a while…” She murmurs to herself, “…and yet it couldn’t be long enough…”

Seraphina explains to Preston, “One too many times accidentally just wandering out into the mist.”

Sophie lifts her brow at Kai, “What? Why?” She glances around, “Are you sure?”

“Solomon, good evening,” Aeryn beams a smile toward Solomon, waving a hand.

Matthew’s eyes light up at what Malin says, “We’ll sort it out in Big Sur,” he promises her.

“Very sure,” Kai tells Sophie and beckons to her, “C’mon, real fast now,” he says and fidgets with his kangaroo pocket, forcing a smile at Solomon.

Malin presses a kiss to the corner of Matthew’s mouth, letting fingers trail away from his cheek to rest on his shoulder. “Deal.”

Dovie waves to Patience. “Hello! Welcome! So good to see you!”

Matthew chases after Malin’s kiss, turning his head to catch her full lips, smiling against them. “Deal.”

Solomon keeps his grin turned on Kai for a little bit longer, “Off so soon? Such a shame. I’ll bee seein’ ya, yeah?””

Derek is distractedly regarding himself through his phone-mirror, a green eye peeking over to Solomon for a moment, then to his screen… then doing a double take over to Solomon and staring for a moment or two. Blink blink. He clears his throat, slipping his phone away, folding his hands on his lap as he glances askew off to some other corner of the room for a beat.

Sophie blinks and puts her hand into Kai’s, “Alright uh..” She waves to the group, “Bye?”

“Nope!” Kai tells Solomon and turns to wave at the rest of the group, damn near jogging out of the place as he tugs Sophie along after him by the hand.

“Hey Dovie,” Patience greets. She’s beyond late, but she finds herself a seat anyway and perches there with a wave and half-smile to the gathered group.

Seraphina glances between Solomon and Kai, and lifts her brow.

“How have you been?” Dovie asks Patience, “So glad you could make it! We still have a few testers if you want, though Aeryn mentioned blood honey might be a good investment.”

Nemi waves softly to Patience. Standing up she gives the woman a soft hug. “Good to see you, how are you doing?!! And yes I finally made a decision- Which I’ll be joining the scrolls… I’m learning natural magic under a tutor.”

Preston grins at Seraphina, “Nah, that’s smart, stay strapped. I’ve had my crashing into the mists before,” Preston breathes out a little, shaking his head slightly. “Not fun to be very ill-prepared out there. Besides, you’re all planned for jaguars now.”

Malin smiles after the kiss Matthew delivers, and she winks at him. “You are… legendairy,” she claims. “Heavy on the dairy part, cow boy. You aren’t pasture prime at all.”

Solomon turns his attention to Aeryn with a far more friendly grin, “I think I might’ve frightened him a little. How are you?”

Malin gives a wave to Seraphina, saying, “Hey, you. How’s it going? That’s a super cute top.”

“Just a bit,” Aeryn concedes, nodding at Solomon. “Not too bad, even if a bit sleepy. There may be a bit of the honey left, though. We were musing about blood honey,” She pauses, giving Dovie a grin. “They put it in ice cream and it was great. I don’t suspect honey will be different.”

Matthew beams at Malin’s puns and lifts his bottle for a good long swig. “Keep butterin me up like that and I’ll milk it for all it’s worth.” He leans in and says, “I’ll graze your fields later.”Then he glances around, spies Patience and lifts his bottle in that direction, “Hey Pax,” noticing Seraphina next, “Hey Sera,” and then over towards Solomon, “Hey stranger!”

Dovie giggles at Matthew’s teasing of Malin.

Patience returns Nemi’s hug. “Hey babes,” she begins, then smiles at the news. “Good for you,” is said quietly but firmly. “I’m glad you’re feeling ready to make that decision.” She looks back over to Dovie to say, “Good enough. Busy, but I decided to make some time.” There’s a pause, followed by a smirked, “Even if the person I agreed to meet here isn’t here… this looks as fantastic as I’ve heard all your things are, Dovie.” There’s a pause and then she says, because of course she does, “Heyya, Matthmoo. How are you?”

Seraphina smiles a little at Preston. “I am. Not sure when the next time I’ll be in El Dorado though.” She leans a little onto a couch arm rest. But when Malin waves, she pushes herself off of it, in order to attempt to offer a hug to her, and Matthew. “Hi. I haven’t seen you guys in forever, it feels. I think I became a hermit for a little.”

Evalina nods to Preston, then rises, “Today is truly lovely,” She murmurs, “But I have to go. I promised a friend to visit her.” She throws back her hair with a flick of her hand – and it rapidly tightens, almost as if afraid. “I have places to be. Larry, want a ride back? I cant spend time with you after, maybe someone else will have coffee with you?” She glances to Seraphina

Nemi nods softly to Patience. “And I know you may not be the boss lady officially anymore but you always will be someone I call boss in my book.”

“Taking your word this was worth the trip.” Solomon says to Aeryn while collecting a spoon from one of the jars. “Evening.” is all he offers to Matthew before popping the spoon into his mouth.

Dovie leans over towards Solomon. “What do you think of it?”

“If we’re taking my word for it, it’s already worth the trip,” Aeryn grins to Solomon, tilting her head as she awaits the verdict.

There’s a look upwards at Evalina, tilting his head a little bit from side to side. “You were my ride, Katherine,” Preston mentions to Evalina, and then looks over to Seraphina, smiling at her. “I owe you coffee,” he says to Seraphina, pointing at the sword in her bag, and stepping away. “Plus I wanna show you something.” Holding his hand out towards her, “Tag along?”

“Oh, make no mis-steak, babe,” Malin expresses to Matthew. “By my cow-culations, you’ve got full grazing rights, and I’ll save the sweetest patch for you.” She waves to Patience, then smiles broadly at Seraphina. “Sometimes you gotta hermit. It happens. It’s good to see you, though.”

It is only be chance that Seraphina catches that someone has peeked at her. “Me? i don’t know any Larry.”

It is only be chance that Seraphina catches that Evalina has peeked at her. “Me? i don’t know any Larry.”

Solomon clears his throat as he tries to hold back a cough, rasping out to Dovie, “Good. Spicy, but good.”

Evalina points at Preston

Dovie nods amicably at Solomon. “Not as popular as orange blossom!”

“Citrus is always best.” Derek muses to Dovie with a thumbs-up.

Aeryn says “Bourbon was by far the best.“

Solomon says “Didn’t show up in time for those it seems.“

Patience smiles at Nemi. “That’s sweet of you babe, but I’ve definitely been shoved out the door and put to pasture,” she says in a halfway teasing tone. Still, as your friend, I’m glad to hear you’re doing so well.” She waves back to Malin, that smile quirking upward as someone else makes terrible costume-related jokes too.

Aeryn says “Orange blossom was a close second favorite.“

“Oh!” Seraphina says to Evalina, laughing softly. She looks to Preston, “You are leaving?” She furrows her brow some, but says, “You do owe me. Probably more than coffee at this point…. Mind if I tag along?”

Dovie grins at Derek and Aeryn both. “Lots of fans of all, maybe a little less of the lemon.”

Nudging Solomon, Aeryn points toward a lone spoon in the jar labeled Bourbon.

“Oh, I’m fan-mooing-tastic,” Matthew calls towards Patience, “I recommend the bourbon honey or the citrus.” To Seraphina he nods in support of Malin’s words, “Hermits happen, but hang out soon?” Then to Malin, “That’s Moo-sic to my ears, I’ll be sure to take my time and chew the cud on that one, don’t want to rush the sweetest patch after all.” His grin flicks sharp, teasing, “Just don’t be surprised if I stampede back for seconds.”

Evalina gives Seraphina a gesture to follow along, “I can even give you a ride if you want. He definitely needs a cup, and I can’t entertain the man right now. I’ve places to be.” She tells her with a sigh. “I don’t want to keep her waiting much longer.”

Solomon collects the spoon after Aeryn’s nudge, “Good eye. Missed that one.”

“It’s largely in part to not needing to blink, I promise,” Aeryn assures Solomon.

“Well, Dovie, sorry I came late and leaving early but I will come back to get myself a little better tour of the place.” Seraphina says to Dovie, blowing the woman a little kiss for the woman’s work.

“Were?!” Matthew asks Dovie, feigning offense, hand to his chest, “I AM a poet!”

Solomon dips his head to Aeryn, “That’d be a handy trick, yeah.” after tasting the bourbon honey he comments, “Definitely better than the habanero. Both’re good, but this wins.”

Malin gazes at Matthew with absolutely adoration, loving their stupid pun throwing back and forth. “Nibble wherever you please. That field will be wide open, I have no doubts.”

Preston waves a hand at the gathered crowd, preparing to head out with Evalina and Seraphina. “Thank you, Dovie, for hosting!”

Malin waves after Seraphina and Preston.

Matthew waves at Preston, “Later Larry, Lion.”

Evalina waves herself, seeming rushes before leaving

Seeming abit sleepy on the couch, Eloa is content just to listen to people around her.

Matthew peers over towards Solomon and calls towards him, “Hey Mountain man, we’ve not formally met, I’m Matthew.”

“Afraid I have to head out,” Aeryn wrinkles her nose, glancing toward her phone. “I’m sorry Dovie. Thank you so much for the wine though!”

Solomon gives Matthew a nod of introduction, “Solomon. Pleasure.”

“Thank you everyone for coming! I’m going to wind this down, but feel free to chill, I’ll be here a little while longer anyhow!” Dovie tells the remaining group.

Nemi sneaks off, and returns soon with some mocha for herself as she nods softly at the announcement.

Malin winks at Matthew.