Storm Chaser: Chapter 13

Chapter 13



Elena smiled as she turned on a few of the lights and began meandering through the displays. Roger and Andre had done good work. She remembered the empty shell the building had been and marveled at the transformation. It wasn’t the same thrill of excitement she got outrunning raiders but it was still a zing to look at everything. And soon she would be sharing it. She traced her fingers along the edge of a Qurla fadesol that had been used for decoration behind the daask.

“No,” she reminded herself. “Not daask, Starlight.” She held up the small bottle and watched the silvery liquid swirl with small prismatic rainbows flashing color every few turns. Her grandfather liked to add a drop or two to champagne for festive occasions. Today and for the opening they would mix it with Pellegrino.

“You know if you talk to yourself in the dark people are going to start calling you crazy.” Elena turned to find Andre standing at the foot of the stairs. He wore faded blue jeans with frayed cuffs and a gray t-shirt. He was barefoot and holding a mug of coffee. He looked as though he had just woken up. Again Elena wondered if the Thursday movie outing was a date.

“I’m not in the dark,” she told him. “I turned on some lights,” she indicated the two small bulbs above her head. He rolled his eyes.

“My mistake. I was misled by the twenty other light bulbs that were still dark,” Andre commented, gesturing with his coffee mug. Elena laughed. “I noticed you didn’t deny the talking to yourself claim though.”

“That would be pointless,” Elena said. “Besides everyone knows I talk to myself. All the great people do. I heard Leonardo Davinci routinely chatted to himself.”

“Uh huh,” Andre said “So did Genghis Kahn.” Elena frowned.

“He did not,” she said, walking over to where Andre stood. “And how are your feet not blocks of ice after standing on the concrete?”

“They are,” Andre said with a shrug. “Want to come up stairs for coffee while I put some socks on?” Andre waved the cup under Elena’s nose. “It’s freshly brewed. Besides Roger will come up when he gets here.” She followed him up the stairs. Since Nibbles was not officially open yet Roger didn’t have to be at the store for opening. “And Genghis did talk to himself.” Andre said over his shoulder.

“He did not,” Elena said. They entered the conference room and Elena poured herself a cup of coffee from the nearly full pot on the sideboard. Andre set his coffee mug down on the table and walked past her to retrieve his socks and shoes. “You are just making that up.” She sipped her coffee and Andre reappeared, socks in one hand, shoes in the other.

“Its true, everyone knows it. Just before battle he would spend hours talking to himself.”

“Preparing for battle?” Elena asked her amusement showing as Andre sat down and pulled his socks on. He wiggled his toes in appreciation but left his shoes off. He reached for his coffee mug.

“You think so but no,” Andre commented. “He would just talk about anything really; his travel plans and retirement options after his son took his place as the next great Kahn, his summer trips as a boy, the price of yak’s milk and how it had increased exponentially under the free market system.” Elena laughed and shook her head as she set her coffee mug and grocery bags on the table and began to remove her heavy coat.

“And exactly how to you know this?” She asked as she hung her coat on one of the wall hooks.

“Common knowledge,” Andre said with a wave of his coffee mug and a mock serious face. “Its like knowing the sky is blue and that rain is wet.” Steps sounded on the stairs and they both turned at the sound. Roger entered the conference room.
“Morning, Am I interrupting anything?” he asked looking between them.

“Nope,” Elena said. “Just discussing the price of yak’s milk.” She told him.

“And the way it has gone up exponentially due to the free market system.” Andre added.

“I see,” Roger said hesitantly. He hung up his coat and poured himself a cup of coffee. Elena could see him struggling to find a comment.

“I brought the breads and things for the tasting,” she said. Roger looked a little relieved to be in a conversation he understood. Andre sipped his coffee, his eyes sparking with laughter as he watched Elena unpack the grocery bags she had brought.

“We are going to need to get some samples up here,” Elena said.

“Already done,” Roger said pointing to a box he had stashed in the corner. “I brought it up yesterday after you stooped by.”

“Good work,” she told him. They began arranging things on the table and Elena soon realized she was in the way. She stepped back and let Roger take over. When he finished he steeped back and surveyed his handiwork. Elena had to admit that the table was laid out beautifully. She would be able to talk about each item while everyone sampled. Drinks were located on one end, their bright glass bottles glinting under the lights while small plates were lined up on the other. After samples were consumed and questions asked, Roger would lead the tour downstairs and cover the basic orientation and operations.

“It’s almost time for everyone to get here,” Roger said glancing at his watch. “I think I’ll go down to let them in and send them up here, if you think we are set.” Elena nodded, swallowing hard past the lump in her throat. This was the sink or swim moment. Would everything they had done make these off world goods look right? Roger went back downstairs.

“Just breathe,” Andre told her with a warm smile. “Everything will be fine.”