[GIAT] gold teeth, grey goose [#gregoire]

Hell's bells. Myfanwy was... was this lovesickness? It had all happened so quickly anyways, to think more would legitimately come out of it was a little childish of her. But, it would have been so awesome! The corner of her lip lifted at the thought at what could have been before her shoulders slumped forward and she pushed her way through the door.

She had met Gregoire a few times, never too in depth but enough to know that as soon as that bell chimed she could make her way to the counter and wait bearing gifts for the artist! Even though she might have been a little out of place, psh!, with her flowing blush pink skirt, topped with a white blouse and adorned in golden jewelry. Her white heels clicked to a stop as she set her box of baked good on the counter.

Upon seeing Gregoire, Myf produced an enormous smile and gave a ridiculous wave. He was always so nice! How could she not just act on the urge to wave! Intertwining her fingers, Myf's brows lifted and she pushed the box across the counter and towards Gregoire. "I made extra, and thought of you!" Another smile and she couldn't wait any longer. She began stripping away the ribbon and flopped open the box filled with fluffy cookies. "So! These are Too Cocoa Chocolumps, these are Cinnamixed Up, these are Blondies Go Boom, and these are what I personally like to call A Dump." She blinked happily and snatched one A Dump for herself.

Taking a bite, she felt her body relax and was super pleased that they were still warm. "Oh man...~" She breathed and urged the box even moreso across the counter. "There's like... a zillion different things in this cookie and it is uh-maze-ing! I swear!" Her eyes widened as if he were about to challenge her claim, but just as she moved to take another bite, her defensive eye-bulge turned into a eye-bulge-gasp-effect and she tugged the box back towards her and snapped her own cookie out of her mouth.

"WAIT!" She warned, gulping down her more recent bite, "No allergies, right? Because I'm not kidding at all when I'm saying there is like a hundred times crazy amounts of things in these cookies..." Seriously. Bits of candy bars, bits of flavoring... but at least it all equalled out to an awesome mouth party.

Sometimes being a shop keeper was kind of a dull job. Sweeping, stocking shelves, paperwork, and so on... but Gregoire still loved it. He enjoyed running his own business and having a great customer base. Even though the mundane tasks were a bit boring, he got through them because he knew at any moment the bell above the door would chime and things would get a whole lot more interesting. Sweeping up one of the tattooing rooms he heard said bell ring and a small smile grew on his face. Leaning the broom against the door frame and wiping his hands on his paint covered dark jeans he made his way to the front of the shop. When he saw Myf, a fellow shopkeeper standing there with what looked like a gift he waved excitedly back at her. "Hello there." He spoke kindly, a little of his French accent flowing through as he did. Before he had a chance to ask her how she was she was setting the box down on his counter and speaking. His smile grew as she told him about what was inside, she made the best treats, and Gregoire never turned down free food. He tried to keep up as she told him which ones were which but honestly he had no idea what the names really meant. He could assume cocoa meant chocolate, the cinnamixed up was cinnamon, and blondies were probably something with vanilla... but he could never be certain.

When she gave him the name of the last type of treat he looked at her, a bit puzzled, but still smiling. That was a strange name for a cookie. Watching her take a bit of one made his stomach rumble, they looked good... whatever they were. He went to reach for one but she pulled the box from him instead. "Allergies?" He said, thinking about the question. "Nope, no allergies here." He smiled and waited for her to push the box back before he reached in for one. "Thank you." He said before taking the first bit and being assaulted by the flavor. They really were amazing. "Wow." He mumbled, bits of cookie still in his mouth. Taking another bite he smiled brightly. "These are great, it doesn't even matter whats in them because their amazing. You made these Myf?" He asked, quite impressed by her skill. Gregoire happened to think of cooking as one of the best kinds of art. Sure he wasn't great at it but there was no denying how much skill it took to make things like this. Plus, he really liked sweets. "You know you're going to make me go broke if you keep bringing by free samples. These cookies are like a drug, all it takes is one to get you hooked." He laughed casually, assuming she would know that he was being playful and in no way wanted her to stop bringing them by.

He knew the cookies were a free gift but Gregoire wished he had something of equal value to give her in return. It wasn't the first time they had met and he really enjoyed her company. He hoped she would continue to stop by, even if she wasn't carrying sweets when she did. "Hey if you ever need any art supplies or decide you want to get a tattoo its on the house, this is the best cookie I have ever tasted." He took the last bite, a little sad that it was gone but comforted by the fact that she had brought over a whole box of goodies. "Just don't tell my mother that." Laughing again he peered into the box. "Blondies Go Boom huh?" He pondered over the possible meanings of that title. "Its not going to like... explode when I bite into it right?" He smiled and shrugged his shoulders, if it tasted anywhere near as good as the first cookie he tried, it would be worth it.

Her body relaxed as Gregoire said the magic words and Myf scooted the box of goodies back in his general direction. This was always the best part! As she nibbled on the rest of her own bite and leaned forward and sneak-attack-watched Gregoire's reaction. It was all in the eyes. Seriously! Watching people was well and good and fun! But the eyes were what gave peoples' initial thoughts away. And in this instance, Gregoire's eyes matched the brightness of his smile. Myf's own lips spread into a happy grin and she bounced on the balls of her feet.

"Ohh yes, I always bake from scratch." She nodded, emphasizing her statement that much more. Oh! "Well, that is initially. Once you create a recipe that's successful then you'll want to make sure to write it down and then it's not necessarily from scratch anymore." She shrugged and took another bite. At Gregoire's next statement, Myf snorted and quickly made to swallow the bit in her mouth. "I can promise you I don't lace these goodies with anything illegal! Unless Skye is sneaking something into the flour that I don't know about." But the red-head wouldn't be daft enough to do that.

Myf dabbed at the corners of her mouth and freed up the spare bits of crumbs as she finished her own helping of a cookie. Ohhh, that reminded her! "Actually I do have a propostition for you! If you're ever bored..." she trailed off and her eyes bulged at Gregoire's comment, "I would never!" She drew an invisible X over her heart and zipped up the metaphorical zipper along her lips.

Mothers were all different and yet all the same. They always had the best of everything. Or that's what they wanted their kids to think and no way was Myfanwy wanting to put up a fight with Gregoire's mum! An instant image of a tiny white-haired woman with scattered body art drifted across her mind and immediately made Myf smile. The extreme of what to expect of Gregoire's mum she was sure, but how perfect a picture to have painted!

The small woman maneuvered a bit closer to Gregoire and waved her hands in front of her as if in surrender. "Noooo, no, no! Not at all! Even though maybe we cook up a jalapeno popper mash up and maybe then people would experience a more fiery type of explosion," her fingertips danced together and she puffed out her cheeks to create and barely-there boom! sound effect as her fingers danced themselves up and then back down towards the countertop. In an instant she gave a quick wave and smile sweetly. Tucking that bit of devilish fun away for later. "These just have tiny pockets that are warm butterscotch pockets! They're drippy and yummy and ooze just as soon as you bite into them!" Hands in action once more, Myf gave a few quick claps and held back a girlish squeal, "It was a great find! Figuring out a way to keep the butterscotch warm for long period of time, all the while keeping the taste! Try it!" She urged, if only for another chance to watch his reaction.

While she gave him his space to decide to attempt the cookie or not, Myf rifled through her bag and set out a few sketches her and Skye had been working on for the shop. The whole only having words thing was a little too boring for their establishment and while it wasn't Myf's first choice, Skye had been talking about remodeling the shoppe. Hmph. Myf liked the girliness! Of course that was then the only real clientele. And Skye was looking for a broader scale of visitors. So be it. Chalk boards would be magicked around the establishment with themed walls. So at least in that respect Myf had a wall she could slap with an overload of girlish everythings.

"We can't decide which would make a better sign for the store front." One was a cupcake theme where the Os in Flour Power were plain-jane cupcakes, one was a play on the shop name which was written in cursive with magicked lights behind it representing initially flour and eventually sprinkles of all colors that were constantly changing, and the other was blank. The sprinkles were Myf's idea; color, go figure. The cupcakes were Sunny's and Skye's. And blank was there because Myf just wasn't sure. "She's looking for a broader customer base but..." Myf looked up to Gregoire with a very near lost expression, "What if we change and then lose who we have!" With that, she flung her arms out and wrapped them around the papers, pulling them into her torso as she lowered her head, her mess of hair flowing out every which way. This was hitting closer to home than she wanted. Cookies and boy problems were the pits! Myf grunted into the counter in defeat.

Believing her when she said their were no narcotics in the cookies he nodded. Drugs or not, they were addicting. There were all kinds of sweets shops and bakeries scattered around London but he especially loved her shop. He tried to remember to go in more often, but he usually forgot. Gregoire loved to support local businesses so when he had spare sickles he tried to spread the wealth as much as he could. Hearing her say she had a proposition for him one of Greg's eyebrows raised and he waited for her to continue. The French man was raised to be generous so he already knew whatever she asked of him he would try to accomplish, but he was quite curious as to what she might want. "Really? What did you have in mind?" He wondered if she wanted some kind of tattoo or if she was in need of some supplies. Listening to her talk about the cookie in his hand he took a bite, the soft butterscotch flowing out when he did. He laughed when she made the motion of an explosion and didn't care that bits of cookie were stuck in his teeth.

While he was chewing he watched her going through her bag and waited for her to pull out whatever it was she was looking for. When he saw the sketches he leaned in closer, loving anything that had to do with any kind of art. Still taking bites of the Blondie as he looked over what she was presenting to him Gregoire listened closely. As she explained why they needed to change their sign Gregoire finished the cookie and then laughed a little as she clung to the papers in her hands. "Don't worry about that." He said with a genuine tone. "The sign isn't what keeps people coming, these" he pointed to the box on the counter and then quickly snatched up another cookie. "are what keeps people coming back. The sign just catches their attention so if you need to bring in more customers, changing the look of the sign could help." He could tell the subject upset her and he honestly wanted to help her. "I like the one with the flour and the sprinkles. Its got flash to it, you gotta' be able to attract these kids and they love anything shiny." He smiled again, once more showing bits of cookie behind his lips because he was unable to smile with out unleashing all of his teeth on the world. After he finished his cookie (in only two bites because it was that good) Gregoire wiped his hands on his pants and then reached under the counter.

Returning to face her he plopped a box of markers down on the table and then got a piece of blank paper from a binder near the register. "Do you mind if I draw up a possible idea for the sign?" He had a few things in mind that he thought she might like. He started checking the markers he was planning to use, looking for the little ticks he made on them when they were starting to run dry. The design he had in mind for her called for bright colors and lots of them so he needed the most vibrant markers he had available. Waiting for her to reply he thought about having another cookie but he stomach screamed at him for consuming so much sugar so Gregoire decided to wait a bit before devouring another.

Myf felt as if her ribs were going to cave in. All she wanted to do was melt into this counter. This specific one. And just be the counter. Maybe for a little bit. That way she wouldn't have to bloody think for ahwile. Ugh! And as Myf came super close to the darkness that was smothering her brain cells, that's about when her ears prickled in all the right ways.

His voice! Oh swoon! It was so nice and comforting! Her doom and gloom dissipated and the woman slowly raised her torso up and off the counter. She gave the area a quick swipe in thanks for letting her have her momentary life failure revelation on it. Poor counter. Moving on! A slow theme in Myf's life as she allowed herself a happy little smile watching and listening to Gregoire. He was so... calming! Her head tilted as she watched him take another cookie, and her body became fluid again with his reassurance. She flushed at his comment, biting the inside of her lip with just the tips of her teeth before unleashing a full-on smile.

"Yeah, I suppose some change wouldn't be terrible." She noted aloud, seriousness back in it's own form as she gave a light shoulder shrug and nodded in understanding... and then she nodded quicker! Her hands couldn't help themselves as they worked their way up in excitement with a stringing of light claps. "Yes! That was my choice!" She squealed out in a slur of words. Happiness taking her back over once more. She followed the squealing with a bout of giggles and started to point out the crumbles, but then thought it best to just move along. He was enjoying the treats! Who really cared!

"Please do!" Myf responded immediately, leaning against the counter once more and propping her head up in the palm of her hand. Besides, it wasn't all the time she got to see Gregoire in his element. And while this might not be a needle in skin, tattoos started off somewhere right? Sketches and outlines and drafts on paper before finding their forever home in flesh. She bounced on the balls of her feet a bit, her heels clicking into the floor lightly with each bop back down to earth. Her eyes flicked from the paper, to Gregoire, to the markers, and back to Gregoire before she splayed her hands on the counter in the overwhelming silence.

"I'm-so-excited!" she said in a flurry as if it were all one word. Okay now! Hands to yourself sweet child! Myf contained her burst of energy by twisting her arms around each other and leaning over the counter once more.

It was possible that Myf might be one of the most interesting people Gregoire had ever met. She was so bright and bubbly and she seemed like she was constantly moving around. Gregoire smiled at her, thankful that she seemed excited by him drawing something for her. He wanted to help but he didn't want to overstep. After he had selected only the best markers he set the rest of them aside and went to work. He knew she was probably watching him, which made him a little nervous, but Gregoire had been doing this in front of people for so long the anxiety quickly faded. First he drew up the shape that he thought the sign should be. It had to be something bright, something attractive, so he hoped he wasn't going too far over the top. It was a rough sketch, some of the lines barely connected and the coloring wasn't completely filled it but she'd be sitting there for hours if Gregoire tried to complete a real drawing for her. He was a bit of a perfectionist when it came to his work, nothing else in his life, but his art was always very detailed. He never put anything up for show unless he was completely satisfied with it. However she was a friend, and this was a sketch, so he didn't feel ashamed that it was incomplete and a bit sloppy. "So this would be the backdrop of the sign." He said, flipping the page around on the counter so she could see it from the right side up.

Then he used the tip of his freshly capped marker to show her more about the design, the enchanted element he was thinking of. "Since its a cupcake shop I was thinking you could have a large cup cake like box bolted right here in the middle. He used the tip of the drawing utensil in his tattooed hand to trace a circle in the middle. "Now I have no idea how to go about making one of these but I'm assuming there is an enchanter somewhere in London you could hire. I can help you research them if you need." He shrugged his shoulders, Gregoire was a kind man, but he also knew the value of things. You learn that when you only have enough sickles to afford half the things you really need: never over pay. The French man would help her get a good deal, if he could, and if she wanted his help. He chewed on the lip ring in the center of his bottom lip and then continued speaking, furthering his plan. "Inside the cupcake box should be some kind of reoccurring magic. Like an explosion of confetti and when the confetti starts to fall the bits of shredded paper morph into glowing words that say 'Flour Power' so people know the name of the shop." As he explained it Gregoire talked with his hands, like he usually did. He balled them together and made a fake explosion as he said the words and then his fingertips trickled down like falling snow when he spoke of the glowing words.

Taking a deep breath he stared at her face, watching for any signs of approval or disappointment. It was a fresh idea but Gregoire thought it was a good one. They could tweak things and flesh it out a bit if she had any complaints, but he hoped that she wouldn't. Gregoire leaned against the counter and absentmindedly pulled the cap from the marker in his hand and popped it back on with a light click. He did this over and over, waiting for her full response to his idea. Slightly nervous again.