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“IS it this café?”
“Yes, this is it. Thank you.”
A few days after deciding to enter the competition, Olivia had her next day off. The early fall sun dazzled in the blue sky as Olivia, in her light burgundy coat, stood in front of a café in the center of an area popular among young women. Next to her was the tall form of Elliot in his brown flat cap, club-collared coat, and tinted glasses.
He held up two fingers toward the server who approached them. “Could we have a table for two on the patio?” he asked.
“Of course. This way, please.”
She led them to the patio that faced the bustling road and sat them at a round table with a white umbrella.
They sat across from each other, and Olivia looked at Elliot with gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you for agreeing to this café.”
Ever since she got lost five months ago and he showed her the way to The Tabby Cat, he’d become her regular companion for exchanging information on work and magic items while they had tea. Usually, they’d agree on a date and location in advance by letter, but this time, Olivia asked if they could visit a different place instead.
“I’m sorry for suddenly changing plans even though you go to all the effort of showing me the way,” she offered meekly.
Elliot smiled softly at her apology. “Don’t worry about it. The weather’s nice; an open patio like this is better on days like this. Besides, I assume there’s a reason. Is it something to do with magic items?”
Olivia’s eyes shot open. “Wow, Elliot. You’re right on the mark. Good guess.”
“Well, this is our fifth time having tea together. I have a general idea of the sorts of topics you think about. Do you mind if I ask what the reason is?”
Olivia nodded. She didn’t mind at all, though she leaned forward and insisted he not tell anyone as she whispered, “I’m going to be entering the Magic Item Design Awards.”
Elliot leaned in to listen as well. “Is it already that time of year?” he murmured. “What category are you entering?”
“Women’s magic jewelry.”
“Ah. That’s why you wanted to come to this café. For market research.”
“Exactly. This location is popular with women right now. I have a feeling I’ll see things that can teach me a lot.”
Olivia realized that no matter how much she thought about how to make women smile, she didn’t have enough to work with to come up with ideas.
For the past five months, I’ve been focused on large magic objects. Even when I go into town, that’s all I look at. I’ve stopped looking at people.
Coincidentally, it was due time for her and Elliot to have their outing. If she was going out, she might as well use the time to observe magic jewelry and the women around her. That’s what made her request they go to the café right in the middle of the classy district.
With a look of understanding, Elliot opened the menu between them as a server walked up and stated, “I think I’ll have coffee and a slice of chiffon cake.”
“Um, I’d like tea, a fruit tart, an apple cinnamon roll, and a piece of chocolate cake.”
The server asked, “Will another person be joining you?” to confirm, considering the amount of food she’d ordered. Once the server left, Olivia turned her eyes toward the women walking by on the street.
A crowd of young women wearing elegant, knee-length dresses in bright colors like pinks, reds, and florals walked across the white cobblestones, making them almost look like brilliant flowers swaying beneath the clear blue autumn sky.
“Floral-patterned dresses seem popular right now,” she observed.
“They are. The women’s fashion department of Dicks & Co. thinks floral will remain popular for some time.”
Their sweet-smelling cakes and hot drinks were served as they chatted.
“It looks so good,” exclaimed Olivia, her heart thumping as she cut a large bite off from her fruit tart. A look of rapture spread across her face when she popped it in her mouth. She couldn’t get enough of the harmony between the fresh fruit and the smooth pastry cream.
“This is the best,” she sighed. “Whoever thought to put fruit and custard together is a genius.”
“You do really seem to enjoy it,” chuckled Elliot with a smile as he lifted a bite of his chiffon cake with an elegant fork.
Olivia continued people-watching the women in town as she enjoyed her tart.
I was aware, but seeing it now drives home how trends really have changed.
In the past, magic jewelry designs were simple to emphasize the magic stone as the most prominent aspect. But what she saw now on the passers-by was the exact opposite. She noticed flashy designs with large and prominent external metal pieces.
It was apparent from the women who walked past her or visited the cafés she dined at that the trend had changed, but it was really evident here among the throng of people.
They’re much less austere than before.
Elliot watched her become immersed in observing people, a fork in one hand, and his eyes crinkled in a smile behind his tinted glasses. He asked the server for refills of his and Olivia’s drinks, then took a book from his pocket with a smile.
“I’ll read. Take your time,” he told her.
“Thank you.”
She munched on her desserts while watching the street, grateful for Elliot’s consideration. He looked at her with a soft smile before dropping his eyes to his book.
It was peaceful between them.
Thirty minutes later, Olivia let out a “Hmm” as she sipped her tea.