The last remnants of fall were embodied in the browned maple and oak leaves as they clung to the skeletal fingers of the trees. The wind was cutting like freshly sharpened chef knives. It was winter in Oregon, and the air hinted snow, though that would never shut down the hustle and bustle of the University campus that Jack Frost was currently visiting. Unseen, he flew about; eyeing the stern faces of the professors and doctors, as well as the tired faces of the college students.
Jack had always found these young adults so strange. They still held to a childlike wonder and had a wild energy about them. Yet, they strapped down those at school in favor of appearing adult and mature. Still, when it snowed, some of the students weren't too far along the path of adulthood to give in to their desire to throw at least one snowball, that's what Jack liked to see. Glancing into the face of yet another weary student, he felt there was definite need for a snow day. It would require some serious work on his part. This particular campus did not close for only a couple inches. Tomorrow was definitely going to be a snow day; it was already 3pm now. Most students were already taking their leave from the campus.
Flying over a particular crowd that had just exited one of the bigger buildings, Jack descended. Taking in the features, they had to be art students. Judging by the more carefree expressions, as well as the metal and ink instilled in some of their faces, he was almost sure. A particularly loud laugh caught his ears, turning in midair, he watched as a small group of girls began to pull from the group. The one who laughed was gesturing wildly. "So after she said that Sir Gawain was the James Bond of the King Arthur tales, I can't read any of what he says without a Sean Connery accent."
Her companions busted up, some holding their stomachs as the girl adopted a terrible Scottish accent and spoke. "Ssirr, I'm the weakest, I know, and the dullest minded."
The student's lips quivered and she joined her friends in laughing. "Oh G-God, I c-can't!"
Jack liked her; she was indeed a sort of oddity, her laugh was intoxicating and sounded practically manic. Yet, it wasn't disturbing; it just made the situation all the more funny. The girl's dark hair was pulled to the middle of head and styled into a sort of fan. The winter spirit had heard that it was called a 'Mohawk.'
Landing in front of her, he took to studying her face more. Taking notice of a glint of a silver ring, this wrapped around the left of her nose. On most people, it would have looked wrong, but on the girl it looked like it belonged. The girl's eyes were rather strange, a mixture of grays, blues, greens, and a hint of yellow. She also had several small acne scars on her face.
The group had continued their conversation right through Jack. He hadn't heard much of what they were saying, until the others walked through him to join the Mohawk girl. Sighing, Jack took to the air again, watching them as they made their way down the sidewalk. "So we're you headed Sara?"
Sara, she did not look like a Sara. She looked more like…..A Charlotte, no, perhaps Sara did suit her. "The café, I have another class in about an hour. You guys wanna join me?"
All of them declined, either saying they had another class or needed to head home. After a couple minutes of goodbyes, Sara was the only one left. Turning, she kept her course, worn leather jacket closed against the wind, black muffs protecting her ears, and hands hidden in the confines of her pockets.
She walked in an almost silence, except for the tune that hummed past her lips. Smiling, Jack landed next to her and continued studying her. He noted the two rings in her right ears, as well as the three in her left. Reaching her destination, Sara withdrew her hands from her pockets to pull out a red wallet from her bag, revealing a series of rings that decorated her thin white fingers. This girl really liked her jewelry.
A new smile played on her lips, though it seemed to hold embarrassment, reaching out she opened the door to the café and stepped in. Jack managed to squeeze himself in before the door closed. Sara shivered slightly and made her way up to the register. He looked around the café, it was warm and welcoming, but not that packed. Made sense, he supposed, what with a Starbucks being just down the street. He'd never had coffee but he knew that adults were wild about Starbucks.
Sara was now eyeing the display case, which was filled with assorted pastries. He caught her eyes jumping to attention when a few of the men behind the counter smiled at her. She flushed and turned her attention to the menu this time, just waiting for the customer in front of her to place their order. Finally, it was her turn. Jack noticed that one of the guys had grabbed one particular pastry and put it on a plate in front of Sara. She flushed and then placed her drink order, though it seemed that the boy manning the machine already knew what she was getting. This caused another shy smile, once she paid for her stuff; she made for a two person table that sat at the door.
Unbuttoning her jack she flung it over the back of her chair. It looked like she took a knife or something to the collar of her shirt, it draped from her shoulder in a lazy manner, reveling a bit on ink on the right shoulder. Jack eyed the tattoo, taking in the detail on each mask, he'd seen these many times. It was sort of the calling card of a person involved in theater. Sara got up and went to retrieve her drink order, watching from the table Jack was able to catch the cashier taking the cup from her and moving it about the counter. Sara said nothing, and was left to smile and blush at the antics. Finally getting her coffee, she gave the man a careful once over and returned to her spot.
After pulling a book out from her bag, she tore into her pastry like a wild animal. Jack caught the glint of laughter in her eyes. She even growled playfully to herself. Tearing a hunk of chocolate and bread from the food, she put in on the plate and picked up her book. Sara had also snagged a pen and was writing in the material as she read it. A few times she would read out loud to herself, though it sounded like very poorly pronounced English.
Jack sat opposite her, chuckling when she screwed up her face and proceeded to pronounce a difficult word. The girl was a bit odd, dressed like that; you'd think she was tough and incapable of making jokes or even being embarrassed. Yet, she was still like a child, the thought made Jack wish she could see him.
Putting the book down, Sara sat back in her chair, tapping thoughtfully on her nose ring. Her eyes wandered around the cafe, looking away when she caught anyone's attention. Snatching her coffee, she sipped it only hold back a contained shriek of pain. Putting the cup down, she started hissing. "Hot, bloody fucking hot!"
With a smile, Jack leaned forward and touched the glass, if only just to take the edge off. Surprisingly, Sara went for the coffee again. Her eyes widened when she sipped it. Her eyes swept the place, landing on her the drink. Shrugging, she took another sip and went back to work. Muttering something that sounded like. "First Apollo, now something that controls the temperature of my drinks. Damn I'm awesome."