[Sugar & Spice]Nine Lives {Lorin}

Indiana was waiting for Cal to finish up an errand somewhere across town. He’d planned on going with Callum at first, but then in an effort to not follow his friend around like a lost puppy, Indy had decided it was best if he struck it out on his own for a while. He was wandering the streets of wizarding London without much purpose, poking his head into different shops, especially bookshops that looked like they had good finds. He’d managed to find a couple books on his and Cal’s interests, including a rare book on aquatic species he thought Cal might like. They hadn’t cost him much either, which was a win, Indy liked a good bargain.

But now, he was starting to get a little hungry and was thirsty. The wizard had passed a few pubs several blocks back, but couldn’t work up the energy to hike all the way back. Just as he was about to give up and begrudgingly do just that a sign that read Sugar & Spice in large script with small script that read cat café just below. It wasn’t his first choice, but it sounded intriguing and was right across the street, not to mention it gave him a place to start reading one of the books he’d picked up.

As he neared the window, Indiana realized that it was literally a cat café, with real live cats and kneazles just walking around. The sight made Indy momentarily quirk an eyebrow before he shrugged and made his way though the door, stopping briefly to give one of the many felines in the shop a quick scratch as he walked up to the counter and ordered himself a cup of tea and a croissant. He preferred iced tea, but it was hard to get it the way he liked it in the UK so he’d long since settled on liking hot tea, too. While he waited for his order the brunette scoped out a table that was free of both people and cats, not wanting to fight with the latter over tabletop space for his books, at least not yet.

It wasn’t long before his order was on his table, and the croissant half gone as he began reading Overland Beasts: Habitats, Habits & Migration Patterns. It sounded dreadfully boring, but Indiana was more interested in the illustrations and seeing what the differences were between what they knew now versus then. Working with Ashley and helping with research regularly growing up had given Indian an interest in changes over time when it came to information, and figuring out what was true and what was just fluff.

Just as he was about to turn his attention from the table of contents and was ready to turn the page, Indy found himself with a facefull of fur as one of the cats in the café had decided that he’d been left undisturbed for too long, and had perched itself on top of his book. He laughed as he pulled a few stray hairs from his mouth and gave the cat an affectionate scratch behind the ears. It was a moment before he realized that the cat wasn’t his only company. He offered the witch a smile as he continued to give the cat who had now flopped down unceremoniously on his book scritches.

“Hi…you’re welcome to sit if you like” he offered, not wanting to keep the cat all to himself, if that was the reason she’d come over, and not wanting to be rude even if it wasn’t. He decided that he wouldn’t mind if the witch did sit, not in the least, she was beautiful, but he was curious to find out she had ended up here, of all places.

Not wanting her to feel obligated to sit, Indy didn’t wait for her to sit and instead asked “Do you think this one has a name already? If it doesn’t, I think it should be named Steve.” He didn’t know if the cat was male or female, but it seemed to fit the creature. And, while Indiana was mostly being honest, but also attempting to be a little silly in the hope that she would laugh and maybe stay awhile.

@Lorin Odell

Considering all she ever really did now was take work home, drink wine, and play with her cat—Lorin had decided it was time to invest in a second companion. Loki was starting to get older and bigger, though he was just as mischievous as ever. In the long hours she was away at work and school, she thought about how he probably sadly destroyed her furniture wishing he had a friend. That was what bought her back to Sugar and Spice. She had originally intended on bringing her cousin Circe or her friend Rose with her, but coordinating had been difficult, and she really wanted to go see the kitties.

So, she went alone. She had taken awhile to find the perfect cat of the bunch, a feisty female who she had not yet decided on a name for. She was thinking she might like to name her Eve, like the evening sky, and call her Evie. However, Lorin had a friend Genevieve who went by Evie. Also, she was more of a frenemy than an actual friend. Would that bother her? She also liked the name Luna. And Eris, though she already had Loki and didn’t know how two gods of mischief would work out in an apartment together.

She had petted the cat and snuggled with it until she fell deeply in love with her, but soon the cat seemed to play hard to get, walking away and flopping on top of a young man’s book. Lorin bit her tongue. The last thing she wanted was to go tell the boy that he was ‘stealing’ her cat, but she also didn’t want any competition.

She followed the cat, smiling at the boy. He was cute, really. She tried not to notice. This was not time for flirting, right?

“Oh, hi.” She offered. “I’m Lorin, nice to meet you…” He looked about her age, but not at all familiar. He also had a lovely American accent, she wasn’t expecting. Was he American? What was he doing in Hogsmeade?

“Steve, hm?” She teased. “Nice name for a girl.” She teased. “Actually, I was thinking of adopting her, but I couldn’t figure out the right name for her.” She laughed. “I have a boy at home named Loki, and I’d like the names to go…”

The wizard flashed her a bright smile “I’m Indiana” he told her but he was quick to add “But you can call me Indy, if you want.” Indy didn’t care which name people used, but usually if he told them to call him Indy rather than Indiana, he avoided the whole ‘why are you named Indiana? Is it like the state?’ line of questioning. He gestured for her to sit as he continued “It’s nice to meet you, Lorin” He told her honestly. The horned serpent really did like meeting new people, it was just a bonus if they happened to be pretty witches. He went back to gently petting the cat who appeared to be very pleased with herself as the tip of tail twitched saucily.

The sound made Indiana smile some more. Animals and creatures in general were always a hit with him, especially if the enjoyment of the shared company was mutual. He looked away from Lorin for a moment to scratch the cat under the chin before his gaze flicked back to hers “Well, okay” He agreed, tilting his head slightly as he laughed softly “Stevie, then.” He said stubbornly, but with no malice to show her he was just teasing.

“Loki is a good name for a cat. What’s he look like in comparison to this little lady here?” The cat was purring now as Indy idly stroked her side. Loki made him naturally think of the other Norse gods and goddesses. Merlin knew that Ashley and Noah had drilled them in to his mind in his childhood. After another moment Indy asked the witch “What about Sigyn or Eir?” He said casually, not trying to impress her, not outright anyway. It just so happened that those two had come to mind first, especially Sigyn, with her other cat being called Loki.

As an afterthought the dark haired wizard asked "Did you know this cafe existed, or did you just stumble upon it like me?"

Lorin laughed playfully as Indy changed the name to fit a girl, though it was still ludicrous to Lorin. She thought he was rather funny, though. She reached out between them to pet the cat. She thought the name Indiana was interesting, though she was not much familiar with American geography and couldn’t have told anyone that Indiana was a state if they asked her. She also wasn’t familiar with muggle movies, like Indiana Jones, so it seemed he got a pass on the name department. She liked the name, though.

“Oooh, Loki is all black.” She smiled. “He’s a gorgeous thing. I got him here when he was just a kitten, but of course he’s fat and grown and eating my coffee table now.” She laughed. “He could use a friend. Or a wife, like Sigyn.” She smiled. “I had considered naming her Eve, but then I’d be tempted to call her Evie and I know a terrible witch of a girl who goes by that name. Might ruin her for me.” She laughed.

“Oh, I’ve been here before, but I stumbled upon it at first, too.” She admitted. “But what brings you here? It’s not often I hear a charming American accent in Hogsmeade of all places.” She grinned.