Old standards

"You go ahead, Border Weed." Hi'iaka had turned nearly translucent, physical to her kin she reserved her mana but was already scanning for the clues she came for.

"What kind of scone do you want?" Pale poked her head back into the car in time to see the goddess disappear.

"Cranberry if they have them. Lemon-ginger if they don't." She was a woman of red but also love the zest of lemon and root together. "Keep your mask on, dear. You'll need it." With that last precaution a shimmer of vapor rose and slipped to the outdoors.

An old habit, Pale checked for safety pins. In the right pocket of her red windbreaker she felt. Three old standards. The weather had shifted over the weekend. Dry heat through the summer was replaced with the snapping wind, Turtle Wind. Pale pulled the hood over her head, and pushed the bakery door in.

For a Monday, it was the quiet that was so loud. A cheerful woman mid-aged and middle size greeted Pale, "Morning." The woman looked up from the large hot latte she was stirring. A design of concentric hearts would greet its recipient. The signature Molinas' scones filled the tiered glass case on the counter. A small sign read Lemon-Ginger & Cranberry. Well that will be an easy choice.

Pale looked around at the familiar interior. The solid seats, the cozy booths, and stools for sitting at the breakfast bar. A small stage had been added a few years ago, when Shine began her gigs. Sonics was the name of her style and her band. Three musicians, Stan Costa on Bass, Sara Mott and Casey Nakano did harmony. Shine was a vocalizer, a surrealistic blend of nature's sounds in a woman's body. A special acoustic system was built into Molinas'. It was Stan's brainchild meant to allow for conversation and music to gently be together. No competing for airwaves, the effect was exactly that ... gentling. 

"Wow, it's really quiet in here," when the woman with bright green framed glasses came for her latte, Pale recognized her as one of the town librarians. Smiling at each other the librarian said, "Yeah, it's so strange. Sad really. It's like we're all in mourning and don't know exactly how to do it." Pale considered the observation. This was a town of many retirees, and even more old-timers who liked the idea of living-through right here. 

Kate Piers was not only a town librarian she was also very fond of following Swallows. Pale remembered that for some reason and asked, "How are the Swallows this year?" honestly curious about the habits of the split-tailed wonders of the sky. Encouraged that she'd remembered her love for these beauties, Kate tipped her head, looking deeply through the circles of green metal. "Do you have a few minutes to chat?" 

With her mask still in place, Pale recognized an opportunity for a good story. Hi'ikaka was perfectly capable of entertaining herself, and as any old sleuth would tell you, the game seemed to be afoot. "Yes, I do," answered Pale. Kate pointed to her large carpetbag of a purse on a nearby booth seat. "I'll order my bootie and be with you in a minute."