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Description
  The light scent of baking drifted down the street as it did nearly every morning. It wafted from the small open windows of the little, pink café, a rose petal amidst the bland rocky coloured buildings nearby. A rather popular establishment, it was well kept; freshly painted, lined with a variety of flowers and topiaries sprouting from the small grass sections out front, and no signs of its age aside from the overall older style of the building. It was a place that was very much loved and cared for, and anyone that walked through felt as though they were as well.
          A tall, lean figure sauntered gracefully up the walkway to the café’s entrance. Swathed in an elaborate bustle gown, the figure was a powder blue silhouette against the blush background. Inquisitive crystal-blue eyes peered out from between long golden locks flowing down from a large, ornate hat, identical in colour to its frock counterpart. She was a confident woman, modestly attractive and youthful, with the kind of face that emanated a gentle and sincere soul. Although she appeared relaxed and composed, she bore a tingle of enthusiasm within her stomach, as she most often felt when returning to the beloved café. Whether it was the welcoming atmosphere, the familiar, friendly faces, the mouth-watering treats, or the nostalgia of the place that made her so keen to want to make time for frequent visits there, she wasn’t sure. Though she was always certain of being greeted back with open arms.

          She passed under a rustic, hanging, teapot-shaped sign bearing the name, “Leona’s,” then swung open the lightweight, wood-framed glass door. The sounds and smells suddenly increased and hit the woman like an ocean wave. Voices buzzed around the room, accompanied by clinking silverware and china. The interior was just as terrifically pink as the outside, but much busier with its excessive decorations of ornamental tea sets, framed photographs and paintings, and shelves overflowing with books and flora of all sorts. People of all ages sat at tables with charming décor, sipping from delicate tea cups or wiping smudges of chocolate and strawberry crème off the side of their mouth. Many of the guests were dressed in elaborate, colourful attire; extravagant frocks, hats, and ties, though there were still a handful in more modern wear. This was one of the things that made Leona’s so special. While any reasonable outfits were acceptable, from sweat pants to pant suits, it is highly encouraged for guests to dress in vintage or Victorian-style clothing and costumes while visiting. It was something many people seemed to enjoy.

          “Ey, Kath! Haven’t seen you ‘round here in a while!” a short, plump woman with long, dark, wavy hair and a smoky-umber complexion waved from behind a counter at the back of the room. She wore a vertically striped blue uniform and an apron in the café’s signature colour. Closer up, one could read the small golden nametag pinned to her heart. It read, “IRMA.”

          “Irma! It’s been such a long time! How’ve you been? Still enjoying the café life, I see?”

          “Heh, yeah. I’ve been doin’ pretty well. My little brother’s going into the fourth grade this year, you know?” Irma replied.

          Kath blinked in surprise. “Oh already? I still remember when Brayden was so terrified of going from preschool to the first grade! He must’ve grown so much.”

          “I’ll say. He’s got a bigger appetite than my wallet can keep up with. It’s a good thing Madame lets him at a few treats for free when I bring him.”

          Kath couldn’t supress her urge to gander at the immaculately placed trays of sweets and baked goods herself. Pastries, mousses, macarons, chocolate strawberries, cakes, pies, and tarts of every kind, the whole array nearly had Kath drooling each time she went there. She hasn’t found a location yet that had such a wide assortment or as delectable confections as this wonderful place. Then of course, there was the even more expansive variety of teas and many other beverages served alongside sandwiches and finger foods as well.

          “It’s wonderfully generous of her, isn’t it?” Kath said somewhat absent-mindedly, still admiring the edibles.

          Irma tittered, raising an eyebrow. “Gee, anyone’d think you’d been starved over at college. You wanna pick somethin’ to eat? You know you’re always allowed as much as you’d like.”

          Kath blinked up at her with child-like wonder in her eyes. “Oh, oh… yes, of course!” She turned back down to the rows of treats beneath the glass counter, looking over each of them with delighted uncertainty. “You know,” she began, still picking through the food, “I’ve decided neither journalism or law are really right for me.”

          “Really?” Irma said while starting up the coffee machine. “Huh, well I can’t really say I’m all that surprised. You were pretty uncertain about even goin’ to college in the first place, weren’tchya? And I can hardly imagine you being stuffed at a desk typing away all day, or havin’a listen to stuffy people bark about laws for hours and hours.”

          “Yes, while there are plenty of things I love about both of them, I just don’t particularly feel the desire to spend the better part of my life doing them,” she agreed. She finally decided on a cherry tart with a heart-shaped crust, a marble cupcake iced in the shape of rose petals, and a raspberry macaron. “Alright, I’ll take one of those, one of those, and… one of those. With some apple cinnamon tea, if you wouldn’t mind.”

          Irma flicked a stray lock of hair aside, then declared warmly, “’course not! Comin’ right up!”

          Just as Irma set the plate of sweets onto the counter, a composed, stocky figure enveloped in violet sauntered through the little brown door leading to the back of the café. The timeworn face held an inquisitive gaze that was quickly replaced with a slight startle of surprise upon seeing the bright blue splotch amidst the sea of pink that was Kath.

          “Katherina! My dear!” the woman said, her gloved arms flying open for an embrace, “Such a surprise! Oh, I thought you wouldn’t be back until next Spring?”

          Kath returned the hug eagerly, and answered, “Oh, Auntie, I wasn’t. But I feel that college just isn’t the place for me. But I have new plans in mind, and I’m so excited.”

          “Oh, wonderful! Well, come now, let us go out into the garden and you can tell me all about it. We’ll have Pekoe bring your tea and treats over, alright?”

          “Thank you, Auntie. Oh, and thank you too, Irma, we’ll have to catch up more when you’re off the clock.”

          Irma turned from the tea she’d been brewing and smiled. “Oh, for sure. I’ve got a whole week of holidays comin’ up if you’re gonna be around for a while.”

          “Oh, great! Well I guess I’ll see you then!” Kath waved lightly as the older woman clasped her other hand and led her outside.

          The gardens were just as fantastically busy as the café’s interior, but with far more space to allow the guests to spread out from one another. Pink tables with lavender umbrellas were fixed around the rows of foliage and large topiaries. As they walked down the narrow dirt path, Kath tried to take in the overwhelming collection of scents from the multitudes of flowers growing all around. Unhurriedly, they made their way through to the centre of the gardens, where a great stone fountain stood amidst an enclosure of large hedges. A simple wooden bench and a small table furnished each side of the fountain’s edges. No other persons occupied the little area aside from a single gardener, finishing his work on one of the hedges. The two ladies sat down together, and the older woman took a large breath of the fresh, warm air.

          “Oh, it’s so wonderful you’re back, my dear. And you’ve come on such a lovely day as well.” The woman began. “So… college just isn’t working out, then? I hope you’re not overwhelmed by your studies, you’re one of the brightest young ladies I know. But if you require tutoring, I’m more than happy to find you a professional.”

          “Oh, no, Auntie, my grades are fine. I’ve just had a change of heart in my areas of interest is all…” Kath trailed off, smiling a little more meekly.

          “Ah, well that is very common in college. The important thing is finding something you love to do and learning to do it well. Even if it takes a little longer than you expected. Now, what did you have in mind? Trade school? Travelling? Looking to join a convent, perhaps?”

          Kath laughed unexpectedly at the thought of becoming a nun. She was never a heavily religious person to begin with, but being solely devoted to nothing else for the rest of her life? That just wasn’t her calling. Her face flushed lightly from the laughter, then again as she ruminated her answer. Her left hand fiddled with her skirt as her eyes darted around the ground, hesitantly searching for the right words.

          Her godmother could see her doubtfulness clear as day as she gazed at Kath expectantly. “Come now, out with it! I’m most eager to hear.”

          Kath’s eyes swept up to meet the other woman’s momentarily before returning down again. She breathed in, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them and saying, “I want to become a stunt rider.”

          The woman’s eyes suddenly changed at the words, her countenance turning a blank poker face. The worm in Kath’s stomach began to wriggle ever more wildly. She desperately tried to keep her face, terrified her godmother would wholly disapprove of her dreams and scold her for ever proposing such a career path would even be plausible.

    The woman leaned back, dropping her shoulders, a tight smile creeping across her lips. “Katherina,” she paused, “this is what you’ve decided you want? More than journalism, more than law, more than any of the more stable career choices college could provide?”

    Kath’s breath staggered, but she answered firmly, “Yes, Auntie.”

    “And you realize the dangers that come with it? The harm you could be throwing yourself into?”

    “Yes, Auntie.”

    “That it’s something no one in your family would have ever considered and completely diverges from everything your parents worked for?”

    Her chest tightened. “Yes, Auntie.”

    There was a brief moment of silence between the two of them, but to Kath it felt like the most agonizing eternity. Her godmother pursed her lip, her gaze stern, before… chuckling. Kath sat startled, unsure of what to say.

    Upon looking back at Kath, her godmother’s dark brown eyes filled with the warmth they had upon her arrival. “Well that sounds just wonderful.”

    Kath let out the air she held so tightly in her lungs, surprised, but also relieved at the words.

    “You know, you always were such a strong-willed child. Everything had to be just the way you fancied, or there’d be hell to pay. But nothing could ever be conventional with you, oh no, no.” her godmother’s eyes wandered as she reminisced to herself, “It’s good to see that part of you hasn’t changed. I think it’s terrific you’ve found something you’re passionate about. And so exciting!”

    “Oh, thank you, Auntie! I’m so glad you think so. A couple of my friends thought I was insane for dropping college, but I know it in my heart this is what I really want to do. And I do love it, so, so much.”

    Her godmother placed her hand on Kath’s. “Of course, my dear. Your parents would be thrilled to see you living so passionately. And you know I will always be here to support your endeavours, whatever they may be.”

    “Thank you, Auntie.”

    Just then, the sounds of heavy, rhythmic footsteps sounded from the path towards the café. A tall, colourful shape appeared, bearing platters of treats and tea for the two ladies. It wore a striped blue vest adorned with a large pink rose and a bright red bowtie. It was covered head to tail in fluffy, spotted fur and had bright, round, glossy eyes that emanated a feeling of life within the creature. Its nametag read, “PEKOE.”

    “Miss Kath, Madame Leona, apologies for the delay. I was occupied by a spill of tea and china in the main room,” the robot said in its lively, preprogrammed voice.

    “No worries at all, love, our mouths were plenty full of words while we waited,” Madame Leona told the bot. She grasped her teacup and breathed in the warm scent that wafted from its contents.

    Kath’s eyes lit up with eagerness and her mouth watered as the three desserts were placed in front of her. She lightly licked her lips, taking some of her lipstick off as she tried to decide which one to eat first. The cheerful server batted its long, pink eyelashes as it turned towards her.

    “Good afternoon, Miss Kath. It’s lovely to see you again. I hope you have been well,” its large ears bobbed up and down as it slowly blinked.

    Kath managed to tear her eyes away to look up at the robot, “It’s good to see you, too, Pekoe,” she said with a smile, “I’m doing very well. The hustle and bustle of the café isn’t taking too much of a toll on all your gears and rivets now, is it?”

    “Not at all, Miss Kath. My parts are being checked and maintained sufficiently.”

    Kath couldn’t help recalling the first time she met Pekoe. As a tubby, gap-toothed child, the bot had towered over her. Her godmother unveiled it to her and her mother before the café’s grand opening, where it was sparked to life for the first time. Its scale and clownlike makeup intimidated Kath exponentially, and she screamed and threw a crying fit when it took a step towards her. Her godmother was disappointed that the bot she had custom ordered as the café’s mascot was so rapidly despised by her goddaughter, as it was one of Kath’s own scribbled crayon drawings that inspired the basis of the robot’s design. But over time, Kath gradually grew used to Pekoe, and the robot eventually became a cherished comfort after her mother’s funeral. Now, Pekoe was a known character to children and adults alike within the city, with its cartoon counterpart appearing in commercials, on merchandise, and in the form of plush dolls available for sale at the café.

    The rest of the afternoon was spent going into the details of Kath’s new career path, along with the occasional bits of gossip Pekoe would share about the other guests when it would circle back over to check in on Kath and Madame Leona. Kath took time before heading to the front entrance to book a date with Irma to catch up on things, and waved goodbye to Pekoe as it was busy serving customers. Madame Leona waited for her at the door, and the two hugged endearingly as they said their farewells. When she had arrived, Kath had been both excited and anxious about the future, but after her long, wonderful conversation with her godmother, she felt more confident in herself than ever as she sped off on her motorcycle.

Description
  The light scent of baking drifted down the street as it did nearly every morning. It wafted from the small open windows of the little, pink café, a rose petal amidst the bland rocky coloured buildings nearby. A rather popular establishment, it was well kept; freshly painted, lined with a variety of flowers and topiaries sprouting from the small grass sections out front, and no signs of its age aside from the overall older style of the building. It was a place that was very much loved and cared for, and anyone that walked through felt as though they were as well.
          A tall, lean figure sauntered gracefully up the walkway to the café’s entrance. Swathed in an elaborate bustle gown, the figure was a powder blue silhouette against the blush background. Inquisitive crystal-blue eyes peered out from between long golden locks flowing down from a large, ornate hat, identical in colour to its frock counterpart. She was a confident woman, modestly attractive and youthful, with the kind of face that emanated a gentle and sincere soul. Although she appeared relaxed and composed, she bore a tingle of enthusiasm within her stomach, as she most often felt when returning to the beloved café. Whether it was the welcoming atmosphere, the familiar, friendly faces, the mouth-watering treats, or the nostalgia of the place that made her so keen to want to make time for frequent visits there, she wasn’t sure. Though she was always certain of being greeted back with open arms.

          She passed under a rustic, hanging, teapot-shaped sign bearing the name, “Leona’s,” then swung open the lightweight, wood-framed glass door. The sounds and smells suddenly increased and hit the woman like an ocean wave. Voices buzzed around the room, accompanied by clinking silverware and china. The interior was just as terrifically pink as the outside, but much busier with its excessive decorations of ornamental tea sets, framed photographs and paintings, and shelves overflowing with books and flora of all sorts. People of all ages sat at tables with charming décor, sipping from delicate tea cups or wiping smudges of chocolate and strawberry crème off the side of their mouth. Many of the guests were dressed in elaborate, colourful attire; extravagant frocks, hats, and ties, though there were still a handful in more modern wear. This was one of the things that made Leona’s so special. While any reasonable outfits were acceptable, from sweat pants to pant suits, it is highly encouraged for guests to dress in vintage or Victorian-style clothing and costumes while visiting. It was something many people seemed to enjoy.

          “Ey, Kath! Haven’t seen you ‘round here in a while!” a short, plump woman with long, dark, wavy hair and a smoky-umber complexion waved from behind a counter at the back of the room. She wore a vertically striped blue uniform and an apron in the café’s signature colour. Closer up, one could read the small golden nametag pinned to her heart. It read, “IRMA.”

          “Irma! It’s been such a long time! How’ve you been? Still enjoying the café life, I see?”

          “Heh, yeah. I’ve been doin’ pretty well. My little brother’s going into the fourth grade this year, you know?” Irma replied.

          Kath blinked in surprise. “Oh already? I still remember when Brayden was so terrified of going from preschool to the first grade! He must’ve grown so much.”

          “I’ll say. He’s got a bigger appetite than my wallet can keep up with. It’s a good thing Madame lets him at a few treats for free when I bring him.”

          Kath couldn’t supress her urge to gander at the immaculately placed trays of sweets and baked goods herself. Pastries, mousses, macarons, chocolate strawberries, cakes, pies, and tarts of every kind, the whole array nearly had Kath drooling each time she went there. She hasn’t found a location yet that had such a wide assortment or as delectable confections as this wonderful place. Then of course, there was the even more expansive variety of teas and many other beverages served alongside sandwiches and finger foods as well.

          “It’s wonderfully generous of her, isn’t it?” Kath said somewhat absent-mindedly, still admiring the edibles.

          Irma tittered, raising an eyebrow. “Gee, anyone’d think you’d been starved over at college. You wanna pick somethin’ to eat? You know you’re always allowed as much as you’d like.”

          Kath blinked up at her with child-like wonder in her eyes. “Oh, oh… yes, of course!” She turned back down to the rows of treats beneath the glass counter, looking over each of them with delighted uncertainty. “You know,” she began, still picking through the food, “I’ve decided neither journalism or law are really right for me.”

          “Really?” Irma said while starting up the coffee machine. “Huh, well I can’t really say I’m all that surprised. You were pretty uncertain about even goin’ to college in the first place, weren’tchya? And I can hardly imagine you being stuffed at a desk typing away all day, or havin’a listen to stuffy people bark about laws for hours and hours.”

          “Yes, while there are plenty of things I love about both of them, I just don’t particularly feel the desire to spend the better part of my life doing them,” she agreed. She finally decided on a cherry tart with a heart-shaped crust, a marble cupcake iced in the shape of rose petals, and a raspberry macaron. “Alright, I’ll take one of those, one of those, and… one of those. With some apple cinnamon tea, if you wouldn’t mind.”

          Irma flicked a stray lock of hair aside, then declared warmly, “’course not! Comin’ right up!”

          Just as Irma set the plate of sweets onto the counter, a composed, stocky figure enveloped in violet sauntered through the little brown door leading to the back of the café. The timeworn face held an inquisitive gaze that was quickly replaced with a slight startle of surprise upon seeing the bright blue splotch amidst the sea of pink that was Kath.

          “Katherina! My dear!” the woman said, her gloved arms flying open for an embrace, “Such a surprise! Oh, I thought you wouldn’t be back until next Spring?”

          Kath returned the hug eagerly, and answered, “Oh, Auntie, I wasn’t. But I feel that college just isn’t the place for me. But I have new plans in mind, and I’m so excited.”

          “Oh, wonderful! Well, come now, let us go out into the garden and you can tell me all about it. We’ll have Pekoe bring your tea and treats over, alright?”

          “Thank you, Auntie. Oh, and thank you too, Irma, we’ll have to catch up more when you’re off the clock.”

          Irma turned from the tea she’d been brewing and smiled. “Oh, for sure. I’ve got a whole week of holidays comin’ up if you’re gonna be around for a while.”

          “Oh, great! Well I guess I’ll see you then!” Kath waved lightly as the older woman clasped her other hand and led her outside.

          The gardens were just as fantastically busy as the café’s interior, but with far more space to allow the guests to spread out from one another. Pink tables with lavender umbrellas were fixed around the rows of foliage and large topiaries. As they walked down the narrow dirt path, Kath tried to take in the overwhelming collection of scents from the multitudes of flowers growing all around. Unhurriedly, they made their way through to the centre of the gardens, where a great stone fountain stood amidst an enclosure of large hedges. A simple wooden bench and a small table furnished each side of the fountain’s edges. No other persons occupied the little area aside from a single gardener, finishing his work on one of the hedges. The two ladies sat down together, and the older woman took a large breath of the fresh, warm air.

          “Oh, it’s so wonderful you’re back, my dear. And you’ve come on such a lovely day as well.” The woman began. “So… college just isn’t working out, then? I hope you’re not overwhelmed by your studies, you’re one of the brightest young ladies I know. But if you require tutoring, I’m more than happy to find you a professional.”

          “Oh, no, Auntie, my grades are fine. I’ve just had a change of heart in my areas of interest is all…” Kath trailed off, smiling a little more meekly.

          “Ah, well that is very common in college. The important thing is finding something you love to do and learning to do it well. Even if it takes a little longer than you expected. Now, what did you have in mind? Trade school? Travelling? Looking to join a convent, perhaps?”

          Kath laughed unexpectedly at the thought of becoming a nun. She was never a heavily religious person to begin with, but being solely devoted to nothing else for the rest of her life? That just wasn’t her calling. Her face flushed lightly from the laughter, then again as she ruminated her answer. Her left hand fiddled with her skirt as her eyes darted around the ground, hesitantly searching for the right words.

          Her godmother could see her doubtfulness clear as day as she gazed at Kath expectantly. “Come now, out with it! I’m most eager to hear.”

          Kath’s eyes swept up to meet the other woman’s momentarily before returning down again. She breathed in, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them and saying, “I want to become a stunt rider.”

          The woman’s eyes suddenly changed at the words, her countenance turning a blank poker face. The worm in Kath’s stomach began to wriggle ever more wildly. She desperately tried to keep her face, terrified her godmother would wholly disapprove of her dreams and scold her for ever proposing such a career path would even be plausible.

    The woman leaned back, dropping her shoulders, a tight smile creeping across her lips. “Katherina,” she paused, “this is what you’ve decided you want? More than journalism, more than law, more than any of the more stable career choices college could provide?”

    Kath’s breath staggered, but she answered firmly, “Yes, Auntie.”

    “And you realize the dangers that come with it? The harm you could be throwing yourself into?”

    “Yes, Auntie.”

    “That it’s something no one in your family would have ever considered and completely diverges from everything your parents worked for?”

    Her chest tightened. “Yes, Auntie.”

    There was a brief moment of silence between the two of them, but to Kath it felt like the most agonizing eternity. Her godmother pursed her lip, her gaze stern, before… chuckling. Kath sat startled, unsure of what to say.

    Upon looking back at Kath, her godmother’s dark brown eyes filled with the warmth they had upon her arrival. “Well that sounds just wonderful.”

    Kath let out the air she held so tightly in her lungs, surprised, but also relieved at the words.

    “You know, you always were such a strong-willed child. Everything had to be just the way you fancied, or there’d be hell to pay. But nothing could ever be conventional with you, oh no, no.” her godmother’s eyes wandered as she reminisced to herself, “It’s good to see that part of you hasn’t changed. I think it’s terrific you’ve found something you’re passionate about. And so exciting!”

    “Oh, thank you, Auntie! I’m so glad you think so. A couple of my friends thought I was insane for dropping college, but I know it in my heart this is what I really want to do. And I do love it, so, so much.”

    Her godmother placed her hand on Kath’s. “Of course, my dear. Your parents would be thrilled to see you living so passionately. And you know I will always be here to support your endeavours, whatever they may be.”

    “Thank you, Auntie.”

    Just then, the sounds of heavy, rhythmic footsteps sounded from the path towards the café. A tall, colourful shape appeared, bearing platters of treats and tea for the two ladies. It wore a striped blue vest adorned with a large pink rose and a bright red bowtie. It was covered head to tail in fluffy, spotted fur and had bright, round, glossy eyes that emanated a feeling of life within the creature. Its nametag read, “PEKOE.”

    “Miss Kath, Madame Leona, apologies for the delay. I was occupied by a spill of tea and china in the main room,” the robot said in its lively, preprogrammed voice.

    “No worries at all, love, our mouths were plenty full of words while we waited,” Madame Leona told the bot. She grasped her teacup and breathed in the warm scent that wafted from its contents.

    Kath’s eyes lit up with eagerness and her mouth watered as the three desserts were placed in front of her. She lightly licked her lips, taking some of her lipstick off as she tried to decide which one to eat first. The cheerful server batted its long, pink eyelashes as it turned towards her.

    “Good afternoon, Miss Kath. It’s lovely to see you again. I hope you have been well,” its large ears bobbed up and down as it slowly blinked.

    Kath managed to tear her eyes away to look up at the robot, “It’s good to see you, too, Pekoe,” she said with a smile, “I’m doing very well. The hustle and bustle of the café isn’t taking too much of a toll on all your gears and rivets now, is it?”

    “Not at all, Miss Kath. My parts are being checked and maintained sufficiently.”

    Kath couldn’t help recalling the first time she met Pekoe. As a tubby, gap-toothed child, the bot had towered over her. Her godmother unveiled it to her and her mother before the café’s grand opening, where it was sparked to life for the first time. Its scale and clownlike makeup intimidated Kath exponentially, and she screamed and threw a crying fit when it took a step towards her. Her godmother was disappointed that the bot she had custom ordered as the café’s mascot was so rapidly despised by her goddaughter, as it was one of Kath’s own scribbled crayon drawings that inspired the basis of the robot’s design. But over time, Kath gradually grew used to Pekoe, and the robot eventually became a cherished comfort after her mother’s funeral. Now, Pekoe was a known character to children and adults alike within the city, with its cartoon counterpart appearing in commercials, on merchandise, and in the form of plush dolls available for sale at the café.

    The rest of the afternoon was spent going into the details of Kath’s new career path, along with the occasional bits of gossip Pekoe would share about the other guests when it would circle back over to check in on Kath and Madame Leona. Kath took time before heading to the front entrance to book a date with Irma to catch up on things, and waved goodbye to Pekoe as it was busy serving customers. Madame Leona waited for her at the door, and the two hugged endearingly as they said their farewells. When she had arrived, Kath had been both excited and anxious about the future, but after her long, wonderful conversation with her godmother, she felt more confident in herself than ever as she sped off on her motorcycle.