Lapis forced herself to smile at every customer, because that was what she was expected to do. She forced herself to speak pleasantly and nod and agree and calmly take orders and speak as if every customer was a friend, because that was what she was expected to do. She wasn't supposed to scowl and grumble and glare and roll her eyes when the little kid took forever to choose between a hot chocolate and a cold chocolate because really, what's the big deal? After all, Lapis needed this job – she had no other way to support herself. She just acted normal and kind and barely paid attention to the hundreds of faces that blurred into one another as they ordered and got their food. That's why it was such a big jolt when she suddenly recognized one of the faces.

"What can I do for–" Lapis stopped when she looked up from the cash register. What the– Peridot!? Other than Peridot, there weren't many people in the coffee shop, and there was nobody waiting behind the angel-in-disguise, so Lapis had no problem with dropping her smile and all pretense of niceness. She hissed the words quietly but fiercely: "What are you doing here?"

"I want a coffee," Peridot smiled innocently, keeping her voice quiet. "Also, I wanted to apologize."

Lapis wasn't buying it. Any of it. Angels didn't need to eat, she was almost positive. What was the angel actually up to? And what was up with that apologizing stuff? Peridot didn't seem the apologetic type. "No, what are you really doing here?"

Peridot's smile shrank, and she rolled her eyes. "My job. Look, I really am sorry. I didn't act right yesterday."

"Or this morning." Lapis had gotten quite a shock when she woke up to find Peridot practically snuggling up to her. She wasn't going to let her forget it. Peridot winced.

"Or this morning," she agreed, her expression unreadable. "But Lapis, I have to do my job, and help you with– uh, whatever you need help with."

"I don't need help," Lapis protested, still keeping her voice low. She was dealing with her problems as best as she could, although it was true that they weren't really gone. All the same, she didn't need help. She could do it herself. "Also, I need to work. Can you please just– go?"

"Can't," Peridot informed her, smiling slightly again. "I needa be near you all the time or else they'll think I'm not doing my job right."

Who are 'they'? And why do they care so much? Lapis felt the stirrings of her temper, but pushed it down. "Fine. Order a drink and sit down at one of the tables or something."

"Okay," Peridot was full-out grinning now. Lapis reflected that she would probably never understand this angel. She was just so... strange. "Hot chocolate will work. There wasn't much of that back when I was alive."

Lapis sighed, turned, and called into the kitchen, "one small hot choco, Amethyst, 'n make it quick!" Then she turned to Peridot and pointed toward a two-person seat next to a window. Peridot looked at it, then back at her. She didn't move. Lapis closed her eyes for a moment and prayed for patience, then glanced around – there were only a few people in the shop; the breakfast hour was over and the lunchtime-dessert-buyers hadn't come yet – and got out from behind the counter. "Just go sit down," she grumbled quietly.

"But it's a two-person spot," Peridot pointed out mischievously. "I can't sit there alone."

Lapis blinked at Peridot, then understood. "Yes you can– besides, I work here!" Really, this angel was infuriating. Still, there was something in her eyes when they sparkled like that. Something Lapis couldn't quite put a finger on.

"Yeah, but look, there's almost nobody here." That much was true. Lapis considered it. She hadn't quite forgiven Peridot for last night, but reflected that maybe the angel really was trying to make amends. A cold hand was placed on her shoulder and she jerked away instinctively, noticing that Peridot pulled her hand back quickly too.

"Go sit down," Lapis ordered, making up her mind. Slipping back behind the counter, she picked up the hot chocolate that Amethyst had prepared and walked toward the table she had showed Peridot. The angel stood next to the counter yet, her eyes following Lapis, her stance awkward. Lapis frowned and jerked her head in a 'come on' motion. Peridot jolted, then obeyed.

Once the two were seated, Peridot wrapped her hand around the cup of hot cocoa. Her fingers were long and thin, her hands tiny, noticed Lapis. She wasn't in much a mood for starting a conversation, so just waited to see if Peridot was going to say anything. She wasn't disappointed. "Do you still think I'm a hallucination?"

"No. Hallucinations usually don't last long, and you can't feel them when they touch you." Lapis kept her eyes on Peridot's hot cocoa, almost afraid to meet those piercing green eyes.

"Good. Do you believe that I'm a real..." Peridot gestured towards her shirt, which Lapis now noticed for the first time. She felt a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"Maybe." That girl sure had a nerve, with a shirt like that! Amused despite of herself, Lapis still wouldn't meet Peridot's eyes. "How'd you find out where I work?"

"Followed you." Peridot obviously wasn't afraid of being called a stalker, although, Lapis reflected, that was pretty much what she was. "Nobody saw me, don't worry. I can choose who I appear to."

"Can everyone else see you now?" Lapis didn't want to be thought crazy if people saw her talking to what they would think was empty air.

"Yes. What can I do to convince you that I'm really an angel, then?" Peridot abruptly changed the subject.

Lapis considered this, but didn't reply. Instead, she asked, "why aren't you drinking that hot cocoa?"

Peridot's eyes flickered down to the mug that her fingers were wrapped around. "I haven't consumed food or drink for centuries," she said quietly. Lapis wondered if she was imagining the note of regret in her voice.

"Why not?" Peridot just shrugged. "So try it," Lapis pressed her. "It's really good – Ame makes the best hot cocoa I've ever tasted."

"No thanks."

With that, the conversation died. Lapis waited for three minutes, but when Peridot didn't talk, she sighed and finally said what she knew the angel was waiting for. "I don't know, okay? It's really hard to just believe that you're an angel, especially since you're just like... a normal person, you know? You're not super good, you don't have a halo, you don't have a voice like tolling bells or whatever."

"What if I took you for a ride?"

"What?"

"I mean," Peridot said, meeting Lapis's eyes when the blue-eyed girl finally looked up, "a flight around the city."

"B-but I'm visible," protested Lapis, although flying sounded really cool. She reminded herself that she had to be logical, although Peridot's deep gaze was confusing her for some reason. "People would see me and..."

"Fine," Peridot shrugged. "Although I would have thought you'd jump at the chance – it's not every day an angel offers to take you for a flight..."

She has a point, but it's not a very good idea; what if she drops me? Lapis's mind raced. What if I fall? What if something happens? What if people see me? Peridot fell silent, breaking eye contact and looking into her brown-liquid-filled mug. Watching her, Lapis decided that she might as well suspend her disbelief for now. Something in the blonde-haired angel, despite how she acted so unfazed, seemed more vulnerable – lost – sad. Maybe she actually is an angel... and maybe she's the one who needs help, Lapis thought wonderingly. Turning her gaze to the door, she spotted one of the regular customers crossing the street towards the shop.

"Why don't you try the hot chocolate? I have to go."

Peridot didn't reply, only nodding slowly. As Lapis got to her feet, the angel lifted the mug and held it in both hands carefully. Lapis felt a cold twinge where Peridot had touched her shoulder. This angel business sure was strange... Hopefully it'd end well.