She's so high~ High above me, she's so lovely

Midori sighed. "Their music selection could stand to be much improved."

"Ah, I think it fits," Adam objected gently. "A quiet place needs lowkey music, yeah?"

"I suppose."

Adam had a point- Want It, Knead It was indeed a quiet, subdued location. Nestled in a fairly white-collar part of town, the cafe was as tidy as it was quaint. Well lit, polished, and kept at a constantly pleasant temperature, it did little to offend any of a potential customer's senses. Detractors would grumble that it was a bit too sanitized for its own good, but given the shop's surroundings, it was understandable. Regardless of personal preferences, it's reasonable prices, understated atmosphere, and convenient location made it a popular hangout spot for local students.

"Still," said Midori, adjusting her glasses, "this place lacks character. It's so…"

"Bland?" Carlos offered, barely looking up from his sketchbook.

"Banal," finished Midori. "Bland fits too."

Adam blinked. "Banal?"

"Commonplace, boring."

"Neat word. Still think you're being a bit harsh on the place. Sure, it's not fancy, but they really know their stuff."

"Figures you'd choose a venue based on your stomach." Carlos chuckled at the jab.

Adam shrugged, smiling. "Driver's choice. No offense, but I wasn't driving half an hour to our usual spot after that little shopping spree."

"Fair enough," admitted Midori. "I dragged you out here in the first place, perhaps I could stand to repay the favor."

"Ah, don't sweat it. You needed a ride, and you didn't want your folks to see what you were getting them right?"

"More or less. Saw you did some shopping yourself."

"We all did. Right, Carlos?"

"Hmm?" Carlos looked up. "Oh, uh, yeah. Got something for just about everybody coming over for Christmas."

"And the White Elephant thing?"

"I uh," Carlos looked sheepish. "I kinda ran out of money before I could get anything for you guys. Sorry…" He shirked a bit before looking back up. "Kinda working on a substitute right now."

"Really? Aw geez, sorry about that. Listen, if you need money-"

"It's no big deal," Carlos rushed. "I don't want to cause any trouble."

"Hate to interrupt," interjected Nat, struggling from a distance, "but I could use a bit of help here!"

Carlos placed his sketchbook and pencil on the table. "I-I should help." He bolted from the table like a spooked jackrabbit.

Midori sighed again as soon as he was out of earshot. "He's hardly changed, has he?"

"Ah, I wouldn't stress about it," responded Adam. "If we can get Sean to leave the house, Carlos shouldn't be that much tougher to crack."

Midori paused. "I suppose," she murmured. "Perhaps we could make a more conscious effort to incorporate him into our outings."

"Exactly. But, uh, less wordy than that." He looked over his shoulder. "Geez, even with two people, they're struggling. Wait here, yeah?"

Midori nodded. "Go help if you need to." With her permission, Adam forcefully but calmly left his seat. She intended to use the few seconds she had by herself to solving Adam's little puzzle. Granted, social skill was hardly her strong suit- numbers and literature were predictable in a way people never were- but it was the least she could do. They already had a couple of upcoming events that Carlos had to attend. Perhaps if they pushed a bit harder…

"Sorry for the wait," said Adam, carrying a pastry plate in both hands. He placed one of the smaller ones in front of Midori. "You got the chocolate croissant, right?"

"That is correct," she responded, snapping slightly from her intellectual stupor.

Behind Adam trailed the two other boys. Carlos, like his friend before him, carried a pair of plates, each holding one of the cafe's special confections. Nat, meanwhile, carried a cardboard drink holder filled with nondescript paper cups- as bland and inoffensive as the cafe itself. "Well, I certainly underestimated how much I could carry." He methodically placed a cup at each place at the table. "Adam likes his black, Carlos and I have cream and sugar…" he recalled. "And for you, Midori, decaf."

"Decaf?" Adam gaped slightly. "Why would you drink that?"

Midori narrowed her gaze noticeably but subtly. "I like the taste and don't need the caffeine. Isn't that the point of decaf?"

"Sure, if you like bitter bean water," Adam joked. Upon seeing no reception, he awkwardly picked up his pastry and took a large bite.

"Surprised you only got the one cinnamon roll," quipped Nat.

"Hm," Adam acknowledged, still chewing. He swallowed before rapping his knuckles on the counter. "No practice means I can burn as many calories. Besides, dinner's a couple of hours out, yeah?"

"Fair enough." Nat took a careful sip from his coffee. "So, any bets on who's going to win the Christmas Cup?"

"Armor Breaker, no question," Carlos piped. "Rookie or not, his play is phenomenal."

"Hey, don't count old Azazel out," Adam said, before taking another, slightly smaller bite of his pastry. "Any thoughts, Midori?"

"Personally," she admitted, "I'd like to talk about something other than Vanguard. My brothers won't talk about anything else."

"Oh," Nat said. A jilted but understanding expression sprouted from his face. "That's understandable."

"Your bros are driving you up a wall, eh?" Adam chuckled. "Been there. My little brother has been watching Paw Patrol nonstop. Haven't been able to use the TV in days."

A small smile slipped onto Carlos's lips. "Same here. My sister has been on the couch all week watching crappy princess cartoons."

"Ouch, that's way worse. Bet you're happy you're an only child, ey Nat?"

Nat shirked a bit. "Well, uh," he sighed. "Since I got a D on my French midterm, I'm not allowed to use the TV until Christmas."

"Ouch, tough luck."

"Oh dear, if only someone told you that the midterms were more important than the shop tournament," Midori said, taking a snide sip of her coffee.

"Wait," Carlos murmured as Adam chuckled heartily. "Did you just...use sarcasm?"

"I did. Is it really so shocking?"

"I mean...kinda? No offense, but your track record with sarcasm is, um…"

"Awful," finished Nat. "You're the most literal person I know."

Midori smiled. "I suppose the group is rubbing off on me." She took another sip, quickly searching her mind for a potential non-Vanguard topic. "For what's it's worth, I finally got around to watching The Last Airbender."

Nat bounced back almost immediately. "Better late than never. Welcome aboard."

"Yeah, congrats," Adam beamed. "Start to finish, it's amazing. I'd watch it again if I could."

Carlos nodded. "I'd happily watch it a third time, honestly."

Midori adjusted her glasses. "I'm happy to be part of this group. Thoroughly enjoying my time watching it. Just finished season 1."

"Excellent," Nat smiled. "The best is yet to come for you."

"Hey, season 1 has a ton of great moments," said Adam. "The last few episodes? Pure gold."

"Not saying there aren't good moments, just saying most of the best scenes are afterwards."

"So I have more to look forward to?" asked Midori.

"Absolutely," answered Nat. "Especially when it comes to Zuko."

"Try not to spoil it, champ," Adam joked. "So, who's your favorite so far?"

"Zuko, by far," said Midori, after taking a sip of her coffee.

"Figures," chuckled Adam.

"Excuse me?"

Carlos cleared his throat. "Zuko has a...reputation among some, uh, fans."

"Fangirls, you mean," Midori sighed. "I'm aware, and I assure you it's not like that. I just admire his character."

"That's what they all say," teased Adam, weathering an exasperated look from his friend. "Anyway, how do you feel about the story and stuff? That's usually more your lane."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you're usually the most outspoken of all of us in English class," Nat said. "You seem to have an opinion on every other line." He paused, his awareness catching up to his mouth. "That's not a bad thing, it's just you're very, uh-"

"You're always on top of the ball," Carlos saved. "That is, when it comes to, uh, analysis."

"I'm not taking offense," said Midori. "Though I am not keen on the implications."

Nat shirked again as Adam chuckled nervously. "See? Analysis."

"Analytical," corrected Midori. "But back on topic- yes, I find Avatar's world brilliant. The worldbuilding is phenomenal."

"It is, isn't it?" Carlos said, relieved. "I'm a huge fan of all the real-world influences, especially the Fire Nation."

Nat put down his coffee quizzically. "Real-world?"

Midori nodded. "You didn't think everything from that show came from the aether, did you?"

"Uh…"

"Never pegged you as a history fan, Carlos," Adam said, wiping the last bits of pastry sugar from his hands onto his hoodie. "You don't seem to do anything but draw in Mr. Black's class."

Carlos tensed up. "I mean, just because the class is bad doesn't mean the subject is."

"Well said," agreed Midori. "Despite his best efforts, Mr. Black cannot take the fascination out of history."

"I'll take your word for it," said Nat, finishing his coffee.

Adam dusted off his hoodie. "Actually, I'm kinda interested. So what are these 'real-life inspirations' for Avatar?"

Midori adjusted her glasses. "Where do you want to start?"