10646/Running Errands

Running Errands
Date of Scene:	05 January 2020
Location:	Salem Center, Westchester County
Synopsis:	Potato Recipes, Selfies, and Foreboding
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Piper Halliwell

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
It may be cold in Salem Center, but there is STUFF to be done and the weekend is for most people the time to do it in. As such, the streets are filled with people trying to get errands done.

Also in the area running errands is Nick. While dressed in Sunday attire with his hair pulled back and tucked into the collar of his shirt, the most expensive looking thing upon him probably would be the long narrow leather bow case case his back as the strap is slung diagonally across his chest. The zipper on the case is twist tied to another zipper to make sure the container stays closed. His mission involves the Music Center, located in Salem Center in order to get some maintenance done one one of his instrument accessories.

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper Halliwell's here as well. After the bake sale...she's back. The witch is definitely back. Back, that is in Salem Center. She's heading for the music center too, mostly since she's been 'asked' to get a few things by her employees. Which means, on this weekend, Piper has to, you know...quit lazing around and get out and do stuff.

Dressed casually in her everyday wear, Piper's blending in fine, if accidentally. She looks just like other tourists or shoppers, though to those who frequent P3, she's unmistakeable. Much to her frustrations, as Piper's so, so wanting a nice, normal life. Yeah like that'll happen. She pauses outside the music center and checks her phone for a moment, then smiles to herself. One errand sort of done. A million more to go.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Approaching the entry way of the music store, Nick's steps slow as he notices a familiar face exiting the store. He offers up a smile to the club owner, coming to a stop as he nears her, "Ah. Good-" Nick pauses as he checks the time, "- morning, Miss Halliwell."

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper turns, "Oh hey" she says with a smile. "Miss Halliwell? I'm not that old. You make me sound like a spinstress" Piper says with a gleam in her eye. "Just calling me Piper will do fine" she adds with a wry grin. "I appreciate the formality, but not needed. So wha've you been up to since you played at P3?" she asks, glancing to her phone with a raised eyebrow at it as it slips back into jeans pocket. She listens keenly, looking over Nick then to the music stoe. Oh she's not going in. She'll just take the $499 for stuff out of their wages. Perks of being the boss.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick tilts his head, giving a bit of a smile, "Piper then." He reaches a hand up, thumb running under the strap to his bow case. "Oh quite a bit actually. Just finished traveling for a multiple location booking so I'm sort of on an enforced vacation minus what was already scheduled ahead of time." He shakes his head, "Seems I didn't take enough time off in 2019 to suit Wade's tastes."

He glances to Piper's phone hand briefly, "Oh, sorry. Am I keeping you from something?"

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper shrugs, O" h no, no, I'm just being a den mother and helping P3 out. Got a list of what to get while I'm here, then it turns out they use my card to get half the stuff anyway. I'm docking their pay for it" she adds with a laugh. "You want any coffee?" she asks with a nod, oh she's got that look in her eyes that promises her poor employes will ge it if they mess with her stuff again

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Sure." Nick replies, giving a nod, "I won't turn down any warm drinks being offered on a day like this."

His hand tightens on the strap, glancing to the store entrance, "Um, Can you give me a few minutes to drop off my bow first?"

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper nods. "Of course. Give me a minute to deal with my employees getting hold o my cards" she nods, leaning on the wall with a look that promises trouble for her poor employees. She digs her phone out and just....fires off a text. Piper's like that. She's not going to yell at anyone in public if she can help it. ather....she'll talk to them in P3. She nods to Nick, with a glint in her brown eyes.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Piper silently chides her employees through the ever powerful form of text, Nick takes this moment to pop into the store, making his way to the repairs counter.

A few minutes indeed pass by and soon Nick exits out, fancy leather case gone and a yellow slip of paper in hand.

The musician glances over to the club owner, tucking the claim slip into his dress slacks, quietly waiting for Piper to indicate when she's done.

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper nods. "You look less like you're hiding a sword or something now" she jokes. "Okay where's there to get coffee around here? You'd think I'd know having done a bake sale in Apple Park last week, but no" Piper mutters, looking around hopefully. Ah if she could only magic coffee out of thin air?

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Oh yes, which is why you hear so much about violinists being profiled unfavorably by the police now a days." Nick quips, glancing around.

He frowns, "Honestly, I only really come out this way when I need to get supplies or repairs done for work. Or if I have a signing session booked somewhere. But I'm sure even the burger place over there has some form of coffee on the menu."

Piper Halliwell has posed:
"I blame that Princess Bride movie" Piper snarks, "You killed my father, prepare to violin!" she adds with a giggle. "Hey, coffee shop over here. Let's go" she adds stepping over to it. It's logical a coffee place does coffee. It's more of a cafe, eally...but Piper's grabbed a seat and is pleased they do beignets on the menu and chickory coffee. Sitting back with a happy litle sigh, she's already considering what to get. There's outdoor seating, metal tables and comfy chairs outside the cafe, ringed by a low wall, with pavement slabs for the floor. Piper's picked a table near the front of the area, or, just as anyone walks in.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The alteration of a commonly quoted line does illicit a slight chuckle from Nick as he follows over after Piper to sit at the table she chose, glancing around before sitting. There's plenty of seating to choose from. Most people have opted to go into the warm interiors of other eateries despite the presence of outdoor heaters at this cafe.

"William Goodman did do a pretty good story." Nick admits, "Would hate to have read the original if the comments are any indication."

He looks down to the menu, skimming through the contents. "So, are the staff thoroughly reprimanded?"

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper looks amused. "Oh, don't bring it up to the bar staff at P3. I made them turn in term papers on it to teach them a lesson when they were failing classes" she says. "It was to get them used to writing English papers. I got called everything imaginable. But" she says, pausing to order chickory coffee and beignet. Just one, single, beignet. "It worked. Got their grade up from a B- to an A-. Which, funnily enough, got them into GSU on a scholarship for academics. I'm proud of my guys and girls at P3" Piper says. "But yeah. I had to read the whole book. It's not as bad as you think. You want a horrible book? Arthur Miller. Need I go on?" Piper offers with a nod. "And to think I went tol school for accounting.g. High school had us reading the classics. TKAM, Death of a Salesman, Catcher in the Rye, Great Gatsby. Much preferred the last one to anything else" Piper nods, settling back, waiting on her coffee to arrive. "Don't tell me you had to study the dull boring classics in school too?" she says with a pleading look. "Don't get me wrong, all of the books are classics. But. When you're in school, you don't want to be tuck reading a book you find awful"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Term papers." Nick repeats, giving a mock shudder, shaking his head, "I ended up having to switch to home schooling in high school so there was required reading, but it may not have been the same books you had." His eyes fix on the menu, a finger tapping on the plastic laminate, "But, early on my mom instilled into me a love of reading. And my aunt continued encouraging it when I moved in with her."

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper grins, "I'm pretty much thought of as everyone's mom. KI figured I'd help my bar guys out by getting them used to writing papers. Hey, now. What's wrong with writing papers?" she mock asks, glancing around for the coffee. "Nah we had the boring stuff. Least in homeschool you can get up and go to the kitchen whenever you like" she adds with a knowing nod.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick snerks, "The kitchen WAS the classroom. Do you know how hard it is for a teenage boy to concentrate when dinner is slow cooking RIGHT there?"

He pauses, looking over to the server as they come up, "Coffee. No cream, no sugar. Please." He requests.

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper grins, "Oh yeah. It's hard for us women too" Piper offers with a smirk. "I could teach you a thing or two with food if you want?" she asks with a look over to the server. "Coffee, cream and sugar please" Piper offers with a smile. Looking over to Nick, Piper laughs. "You were being taught in a kitchen? Okay, not asking" she says with a wry smirk. "Hw'd you go from that to music?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Home schooling." Nick emphasizes, "Kitchen has a table. Ergo, kitchen became the classroom. It did have the added benefit that I was able to pick up a few of the Hannigan family recipes due to the- distracting nature of my study environment."

He sets the menu down, "As for the music thing, well oddly enough, if I hadn't got stabbed, I probably would still be working convenience stores right now."

Piper Halliwell has posed:
"Ah, get stabbed, become musician. That's one hell of a career change" Piper offers with a smile, looking over the menu. Order's in. Piper's waiting now, relaxing. "Ah I forgot kitchens had tables. Mine had a counter. But yeah. Tables are a thing" Piper adds patting the one they're sat at for emphasis. "Though any good recipes? I could give you a few Halliwell ones if you want" she nods tapping her nose.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"It's one hell of a motivating factor to try something new." Nick admits, giving a nod as he rests his hands on the table, folding them, "A lot of good ones but the potato side dishes take the cake." He cracks a smile, "Conveniently enough, one is called potato cake."

Piper Halliwell has posed:
"Is that a cake with potatoes in it?" Piper asks carefully. "Not sure I'd like baked into a cake potatoes. Baked potatoes are good mind. But...in a cake? I don't know about that one" she says with a grin. She's taking this way too sriously....and...an.....enjoying it too. Looking over tn Nick again, Piper nods. She's been wrong on simple sound recipes before. not often, but she's not this magic infalliable chef. She does make mistakes. Then is careful not to repeat them, too.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The question makes Nick burst into laughter, shaking his head as a few of the small assortment of other cafe patrons glance over to the table.

"No..." He replies, as he starts to regain his breath, "Think of it as a seasoned pancake or patty where the main ingredient is mashed up potatoes. It's a great way to give new life to leftovers."

Eyes crinkling a bit as he's still smiling, bringing a hand up to cup his mouth. Only managing a small, struggled note of thanks to the server as his coffee is set down before him.

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper nods. "Ohhh, now why not call it a potato burger or something logical?" she teases with her eyes dancing with amusement. Piper's in her element, food...and sarcasm? Awesomely good, as Piper shakes her head. "Okay. Okay. I get it now. I'm totally not trying to get you thrown out" Piper offers. Well. Not intentionally, at least.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick gives a nod, lips pressed together as his expression betrays that he's still laughing, inwardly. He shifts his attention to the coffee, moving the palm of his other hand to gauge the heat coming from the beverage.

The hand on his face lowers, "Potato burger indicates you'd put it between bread, pancakes tend to be served as is on the plate with the option of a topping."

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper looks thoughtful, "Oh. So potato burger. Lettuce, garnish, bit of relish. Then you'll get strange looks. Okay, more strange looks. We're getting those looks again" Piper nods sipping her coffee....or trying to while giggling. Like that'll help any, Piper. She's doing a good job till she pauses to speak and nearly spits coffee out giggling at what she said. Piper's done it now.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well no wonder they're looking. We have established a very odd choice in discussion topics." Nick observes, handing a napkin over towards Piper, "Perhaps we should move to more mundane topics like how freaking cold it is today."

Along the nearby sidewalk, a couple of girls walk by, sharing their own little conversation, shivering in the cold, pausing long enough to look to the price menu posted outside of the cafe, one of which pulling out their phone to take a picture of the prices before typing into the phone.

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper's got an answer for that. "I can fix that. it's called....are you ready? It's called a coat" Piper quips. She's got hers on the back of her chair and dons it. "Nah it's not cold. Coffee will warm you up. C'mon, think on that" Piper nods. She's already plotting how to get Nick back for making her nearly spit her coffee out laughing. Oh, this is going to be good. "It's cold, because, it's winter. Though I'm questioning that one. Lack of snow" she offers with a shrug, half expecting anyone to break out a snow blower and shower em in fake snow....like something out of a bad old 90s sitcom. Or 80s if Piper feels mean. That's decades ago by now in the 2020s...

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Ok then. Miss Conversation Killer," Nick retorts, "It's your turn to pick the topic. Potato Recipes and Weather are now off-limits." Nick pauses to take a sip of his coffee.

The pair of girls look to the phone, giggling before they set up for a selfie, positioning themselves in front of the sign of the cafe, giving silly hand gestures in the process.

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper's just got a new nickname. She looks thoughtful. "Hmm, what about..." she muses. Tempted as she is to say selfies...nah. Piper's not that cold and cruel. Instead she smirks. "So what you think of Salem Center?" Piper offers with a nod.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Salem Center?" Nick repeats, glancing around, "It's pretty peaceful considering what I'm used to. A bit slow. Good place for a lazy Sunday Morning or Afternoon."

The girls are still at it. Setting up for another pose, only with a slight turn, giving kissy faces towards the phone but the aim seems a bit off, the camera picking up more of Piper's table.

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper's giving the girls a sideways 'knock it off' look. She's not going to witch. Yet. Instead she's settled back out the way, though she does give them a slightly irritated look over. If looks could wound, Piper would be breaking that phone right bout now. Shaking her head at the girls with a warning look, Piper turns her attention back to Nick. "Try Bloodhaven after dark. It's something else." she admits. Dangerous is wat she's not saying

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"If you mean to the other extreme then, yes," Nick agrees, "I know. Had a moment or two over there. Got bruised up pretty good there once, too."

After taking the photo, the girl with the phone lowers it. Whether it was the searing glare that Piper was treating the girls to or the prices on the board, the two girls seem to opt not to go to the cafe, instead going back the way from which they came.

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper keeps the glare up while the girls head away. "If they come into P3...." Piper says. "Somebody's getting charged more for drinks. Present company excepted" she nods to Nick. "Ah you know how rough my bit of the area is huh? Great, do I need to keep an eye on you when you're in town then so nothing happens?" she wonders aloud

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick watches the girls as they leave, sipping the coffee quietly. "It happens. We weren't doing anything wrong, so no worries."

The cup sets back on the table, "Don't worry about me. I should be fine. The guy who was causing the problem got caught," Nick answers with a shake of the head, "And I have a feeling he's not going to be walking about for awhile. Nowhere near as bad as when I was a kid."

Pale eyes glance up to look in the direction the girls went, "Uh, listen, in case something should happen because of those two, is there a boyfriend or husband I need to vouch for you to?"

Piper Halliwell has posed:
Piper shakes her head. "Nah, my P3 crew mostly. They're my adopted family. Oh and my sisters of course" Piper admits. "But as far as romance goes? Nah. No luck with that" she says with a sigh. "Why, you think they are trouble?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick sighs, shaking his head, "I don't know. I just, have that feeling..."