Chapter Text
It was pretty safe to say that winter would be coming early this year. The wind was blowing at a hair-whipping pace, the temperature was somewhere around 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and the sun wasn't up yet, despite the clock's insistence that it was, in fact, half past eight. You stuffed your hands further into your pockets, wishing desperately for some kind of miracle warmth to come out of the action. Needless to say, you were sorely disappointed, though probably not so surprised. It was a marvel you were out so early on such a day, to be honest, but considering you were already running late for an appointment, it was fairly certain that your compatriot wouldn't agree.
They, of course, had been the one to set the time and date of the meeting. You would never suggest such an...ungodly hour to be up and about, especially if you were expected to talk business. Which- may the gods take mercy on your soul- you were.
At 8:30 in the morning.
... God, you needed a coffee.
You remembered, with an appreciative quirk of your lips, that you were set to meet this person in a certain coffee house, maybe two, three blocks from your apartment. At least they had the decency to choose a nice place, you thought somewhat sourly, absentmindedly fiddling with the belt-loop of your jeans as you turned the corner to Sett Street. It might've been odd, feeling the slightly uneven, cobbled path through the thin rubber soles of your sneakers, if it weren't for the fact that you'd grown used to it from living 'round there; most of the roads in your area were cobblestone, older streets, beautifully put together.
You hardly noticed as you grew lost in thought, and you walked right past the shop you were supposed to go into, your legs moving mostly on muscle memory, and you had to double back somewhat awkwardly. Your gaze flickered quickly over the storefront for a moment before an expression of surprised interest crossed your face and you entered the small cafe, hearing the soft ping of a bell before the door closed behind you.
A few curious eyes turned to steal a glance at the newcomer, but they quickly turned away once their need to look was satisfied. A cheery voice called out to you in greeting, and your eyes were immediately drawn to the counter, where a perky middle-aged woman was standing behind a register. Quickly, you directed yourself to walk over, noting, as you grew nearer, that her name-tag read Susan. You smiled amiably, and quietly returned the greeting, asking how she was doing.
She had a slight accent, and you weren't sure where it was from. The only way you were sure you could describe it was... grandma-like. Okay, so maybe it was less like an accent, more a way of speaking. Or are those the same thing? You were broken from your thoughts as you realized that Miss- oh, no, that's right; she'd asked you to call her Lazy Susan- as Miss Lazy Susan held out your coffee to you. You grabbed it gratefully, quickly apologizing and expressing your thanks before turning on your heel and-
... seeing that the seat across from the one you'd been planning to take was now occupied.
With a feather-light step, you maneuvered your way around the table and politely asked to sit down, as it was the only seat left. As the person- oh, it was a man- as the man turned to answer your question, recognition dawned on your features.
"Actually, I'm waiting for someo- oh, hello there! Would I be correct to assume that you are Ms. (Y/n) (L/n)?" he greeted cordially.
You nodded, a small smile spreading across your lips as you offered your hand to him. "Indeed you would be, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cipher."
The presumed Mr. Cipher's gaze trailed down to the hand hovering in the space in front of him, then flickered back to your eyes as he raised a hand to accept the shake with an almost imperceptible nod. "The pleasure is all mine."