There was a deep warmth beneath Ellie's frost colored eyes as she sampled the cookies Ludo had gave her. There was an involuntary "mmmm!" that she hummed as she tasted her first baked treat. He watched as a childish grin parted her soft peachy lips as she stated her love for the cookies, seemingly impressed by him making them as well. She continues on to state that they should be a main menu item as well. Flattered by her shower of compliments, and proud of the cookies turning out to be delicious to the customer, he grinned toothily, "Thank you, you'll have to try more of my experiments," he added slightly nodding his head.
As he explained where he was from he could see her body squirm in excitement as she beamingly replied as to how she always had wanted to visit Italy. "It is beautiful. If you do ever go, make sure to visit Naples. It is a lovely city filled with mom and pop shops such as this bakery. Although, this is more French styled," he responded as he took notice to all of the quirky décor Tal had covered the place in. She continues on to tell Ludo her nickname and how if he kept making the cookies, she just might have to come back every morning. "Maybe I'll ask Tal if it can become a regular item.", Ludo thought, wanting an excuse to see such a bright face every day. People like Ellie were hard to find in big cities such as this one. It made Ludo feel at ease, like he was back in his city conversing with old family friends. "Well, I'll see what I can do. If anything, Tal usually lets me have free reign on what I want to make. Maybe I'll just have to make a small batch if you are that interested in buying more," he flirtatiously comment, eyeing the excited woman before him.
Perhaps Ellie thought she was sneaky, slipping the ten dollar bill into the tip jar but Ludo caught on to it as soon as he came out of the back with the extravagant box of cookies. He asked her if they looked alright and she exclaimed that they were just perfect. "Good, you're welcome," he smiled sincerely. Without hesitation, he offered to carry the cookies as he clocked out of work. Taken aback in surprise, Ellie told him that she didn't necessarily need help, but if he was headed near Hawthorne village she wouldn't mind the company. "I actually live in Hawthorne village so I suppose it works out," he nodded his eyebrows raised in curiosity. "How have I not seen her before?" Ludo thought, trying to recall all of the neighbors he had ever seen on his block. "Well, I suppose Hawthorne village is a rather large neighborhood, I suppose that it would be a small coincidence if we did. he convinced himself. He slipped on his worn dark brown leather jacket as he lifted up the counter to exit. "Well, shall we?" he smirked as he saw Ellie sweetly smile as she nodded and opened the door. "See you Tal!" Ludo waved as they left the establishment.
As they casually sauntered down the street Ludo was trying to find topics to converse in. "So Ellie, how long have you lived in Sacro? Do you like it here?" he asked as he shoved one hand in his coat pocket as they strode onto the crosswalk. She was very friendly, and Ludo was appreciative to find such company. Her personality seemed infectious, and he couldn't help but start to feel as bubbly and happy as she perceived herself to be. Her silken honey hair beautifully wafted in the wind as they continued to walk down the city street. "Are you in school or anything?" Ludo asked as he noticed the bulky messenger bag she had hanging off her shoulder. "It seems they have a good University here," he added recalling Miya explaining to him how exciting some of the classes could be. There was a sign that creaked in the wind catching Ludo's attention right away. "The Coffee Bean," it read as the bold inviting text lured Ludo in. "Would you mind if I stopped to grab some coffee? I've been wanting to try this place. It'll be my treat," he asked. "Besides, I can't let customers tip me ten dollars for a dozen cookies," he playfully joked. |