A rainy afternoon. The spring storm has driven the bird-brain indoors, and she sits cross-legged in the midst of her blankets, with rags and a half-sewn quilt splayed out all around her. As she stitches, she sings -- not the impressive melody of one intentionally performing, but the soft-voiced trilling of someone making noise just to have something to hear besides the rain pattering violently on the roof. She has a nice voice, sweet and feminine, with the lilting tone of a lullaby as she sings sweetly, "When that I'll be murderin' the man in the moon to a powder, his staff I'll break and his dog I'll shake, and there'll howl no demon louder..."

Serendipity stands below the Treehouse for a while, looking up at it and listening, silent and unmoving. Apparently he doesn't have enough sense to come in out of the rain. Aurelia might not be surprised by this revelation. Eventually he scoops up a handful of pebbles, and pings them one at a time at the Treehouse.

"Still I sing bonny boys, bonny mad boys, Bedlam boys are bonny..." Plink. The pebbles against the treehouse cause Aurelia to go silent for a moment. Then she calls out, "Well, you can't be that dumb-ass vampire cuz it's the middle of the day, so I reckon you can come on up."

"I'd rather you came down," Ren's voice travels up, warm and cheerful. "...come down. I wanna take you somewhere."

Aurelia rustles about, tucking her sewing needle in a pin cushion and setting it aside before tossing aside rags and quilt pieces. Then the hatch opens, and she sticks her head out to look down at Ren in order to give him the full force of her nonplussed expression. "It's raining buckets, Dippy."

Serendipity can hardly not have noticed, since he's damn near soaked to the skin. He's also got a handful of assorted picked flowers, blooms downward -- they're small, and there's a decent bit of leafiness in there, but it must've taken a while to find a whole little bouquet's worth, even if he'd entirely denuded the patches he found. Despite the nickname, he breaks into a bright grin when she pokes her head out. "Come down," he says again, "...it's inside. And I'll cover you on the way."

Aurelia's gaze strays toward the flowers, and her expression goes dangerously close to sappy. "Some people are gettin' a day's work done," she complains, but she scuttles down the rope all the same. "Yer a nutcase, you know that?" she asks as she drops to the ground and immediately looks personally affronted by the raindrops.

"Yeah," Ren agrees as if he were personally pleased by the fact, and offers over the bouquet once she hits the ground. The grin doesn't falter. Once his hands are free, he slips out of his coat, swings it around behind the girl, and uses his arm to make it act as a makeshift shelter for her. He's going to get entirely soaked. "This way," he instructs, starting toward the road, careful not to let Aurelia get uncovered.

Aurelia accepts the flowers and the shelter as merely her due, and she takes advantage of her small stature to enjoy the benefits of a dry walk. "It's cold," she complains, her voice muffled by the fact that she's lifted the damp bouquet to her nose.

"'s warm inside," Ren replies, unruffled, and it doesn't take too long to get to the Diner, which he leads her toward, making a complicated little move to try to open the door for her while still keeping his coat properly shelterish.

Aurelia does absolutely nothing to help Ren accomplish this goal, save to daintily pass through the doorway in her own good time, and once there, she strides into the kitchen to find a vase for the flowers. "So what're you doing out runnin' around in a storm?" she calls toward Ren conversationally. "Finally lost that tentative grip on sanity?"

[Ursa Diner]

Despite the earliness of the hour, the room gets very little light from outdoors in a storm like this, the sun hidden by the layer of dark grey clouds. The internal lights are not lit, leaving it dim, but not dark -- there are candles lit, mainly a number on the tables, but a few scattered about the room. And speaking of tables, one of the rarely used smaller ones has, as well as a pair of candles, an actual tablecloth, and is set -- neatly, and for two people. Silverware and glasses and plates and everything! The chairs have cushions on the seats -- they don't match, but ah well. And there are more flowers, if only a few, in an old cobalt blue bottle between the candles there. Ren closes the door behind them, reclaiming his coat and looking proud, if wet.

Aurelia takes a few steps toward the kitchen, and then it hits her -- something is different here. She stops, looking around wide-eyed. "What's all this?" she asks as she changes her course to take her toward the smaller table instead. The tug of war against a grin is lost, and slowly the smile broadens. "Coyote-crazy," she muses, glancing over her shoulder at Ren, looking distinctly pleased despite herself. "Why, Ren, I didn't know you had it in ya."

Serendipity veritably beams, hanging up his coat. "I'm just fulla surprises," he replies happily, and takes a few quick steps -- taking advantage of his longer legs -- to reach the table before her, and pull out one of the chairs for her to sit. "...want me t' put those in some water for ya?"

Aurelia eyes Ren like she can't decide if she wants to be coy or smack him with the bouquet, but coyness wins out in the end, and she offers them over with a flutter of her lashes as she says, "Why, thank you. I'd appreciate it." Then she takes her seat and giving her hair a self-conscious patting. So very, very girly.

Serendipity tucks the seat in, properly gentlemanly (even if it does stick for a moment in the effort), and takes the flowers with a near-bow of acknowledgement, looking far too pleased with everything for anyone's good. He heads into the kitchen, where sounds suggesting envasement are audible -- some clinks, running water -- and then a number of other sounds, a bit more hurried.

Aurelia watches Ren go, just shaking her head in mild amazement. Once he's in the kitchen and in the midst of doing stuff, she smooths her hair again, then her clothing, picking at bits of loose threads from the quilting in an attempt to clean herself up a little. It's likely not to make that much of a difference, but.

Serendipity returns a bit laden, with a plate in either hand and a bottle tucked into his waistband, shirt hiked up to allow it -- it wouldn't've fit in his pocket, but it's rather impressive he's gotten it where it is, either. He must not be breathing much. The plates he sets down flamboyantly atop the slightly larger plates already at each seat, and then sits as well, pulling the bottle out and setting it down as well. There's meat -- venison, likely -- with some kind of glazy sauce, with rice with some kind of herbs or spices, and some fresh vegetables, a small salad of greens with a little carrot and radish to go with. The bottle is brown glass and unlabeled, with a rounded base and a cork in the stem. "Ta da," Ren declares with quiet bubbliness, "Dinner is served."

Aurelia's brows lift slightly as Ren brandishes, among other things, a bottle from his pants. "Mercy," she says, eyes widening as she regards the spread with distinct interest. Food. Good choice. "You did all this yerself?" she asks as she picks up a bit of radish with her fingers and pops it in her mouth delightedly.

Serendipity looks exceedingly pleased with himself. "Yup," he confirms, watching her, and then reaches out to pick the bottle up again, getting the cork out and pouring the golden liquid within into their glasses -- first hers, then his. "Everything but killin' the deer. You like?"

Aurelia admits graciously, "I'm pretty impressed, Ren, my boy." She reaches for the glass, giving it a curious sniff. "I had no idea you could be such a gentleman. Well, yeah I did, but not like this." She sneaks another radish, munching with a distinct air of satisfaction. "Got fresh veggies and everything."

Serendipity nods proudly. "They had some early crop down at the Farm, just a li'l." The drink is definitely alcoholic, with a smell that somehow brings to mind honey and nuts. "Anyway... I thought you'd like it," he concludes, and takes a sip from his own glass.

Aurelia takes a tentative sip from the glass, nodding agreeably as she confirms, "I do. This is all so sweet. And you put all this together just for li'l ol' me?" Her tone is sweet and modest, sure, but if she looked any more satisfied she'd have to shift to have feathers to preen.

"Just for you," Ren confirms, smiling at her almost shyly across the table. He picks up his silverware, and starts in on his plate, gaze dropping to keep an eye on what he's doing. Wouldn't do to cut off a finger. "So what'd I interrupt you workin' on?"

Aurelia sets the glass aside and takes up her silverware, doing likewise. Girly as she may be, she's not one to pass up a meal, and she tucks in eagerly. "Oh, just more quiltin' for trade," she replies around a bite of venison. "Figured I'd use up all them rags I got, maybe get some more."

Serendipity nods, and gestures with his fork. "There's a trader just got inta town," he informs her conversationally, "Big sexy blond guy named Martin. Seems like a nice guy. Told 'im how you 'n' I'd talked about maybe takin' up trading, said maybe we could work somethin' out with him if we did, get better deals'n all for botha us, y'know? Might ask him if he'd be interested in carryin' your quilts, y'think?"

Aurelia rolls her eyes. "Why don't you save yer breath and only point out the ones you -don't- think are sexy," she teases. She leaves the ribbing at that, since there's food involved. It keeps her mouth mostly occupied. "Sure if he's willing to carry 'em, I'm willing to make 'em. It'd save us the travel when we don't feel like goin'."

"C'n I help it if I appreciate nature's bounty?" Ren protests, sliding his foot over beneath the table to hook it around Aurelia's ankle. "I'll bring it up with him, next time I run inta him. 'less you meet him first." He seems to appreciate his own cooking, which is fair enough -- it's not heaven in food form, but it's decidedly more than merely edible.

It's food Aurelia didn't have to cook. This automatically makes it wonderful. As the ankle-hooking, she eyes him dubiously, mentioning around a nibble of venison, "Yer gettin' fresh." She doesn't draw away though, and her tone actually wavers a bit between a complaint and a mere stating of the blindingly obvious. "So you're just full of surprises, ain't ya?"

Serendipity grins playfully. "Fresh'd be a lot higher," he retorts, quirking a brow and keeping his foot right where it is. "...an' yeah. I like t' think I am. Comes with the job, y'know. I try."

Aurelia shakes her head wryly and stabs at another bit of venison to make quick work of. Then she starts in on the salad. "Well, tell me what I can do to encourage these kinds of surprises," she says amidst munching, and she's quick to add, "While keepin' it clean, mister."

"Now, have I ever been lewd t' you?" Ren chides, wounded, and ruins it by smling wickedly and teasing, "You're makin' it hard, though. Leave me stuck with only the sappy suggestions, like, just keep bein' you..."

One brow creeps up, and she fixes Ren with a Look. "Hard, huh," she says, deadpan. She takes another drink from her glass, then reaches for the bottle to top it off. "Well, if you wanna dote on me, I suppose it'd only be nice if I let ya," she decides.

Serendipity nods. "Terribly hard," he confirms, all innocent solemnity, and sips almost daintily from his glass. "...and good. I kinda like it. So it's kinda you t' put up with it." Grin.

Aurelia inclines her head graciously. "I do what I can," she replies. "I think I'd let you do this pretty much all the time. I'm just that kind of generous person." Dinner dwindles fairly quickly, and then she leans back to sip from her glass. "I like this," she comments quietly. "I tastes good."

"I picked it up when Rex 'n' I went down t' Millinockett for stuff," Ren informs her, sipping it again himself. "It =is= good, innit?" His meal's gone too, and he considers her a second before mentioning, "I made dessert, too. D'you wanna eat it here, or should we take it home?"

Aurelia gives Ren a look as though he just suggested they jump off a bridge for kicks. "You have dessert?" she prompts. "Bring it out, boyo. I ain't gonna go trudgin' through the rain when I could get it here." She takes another swig from her glass, then sets it down and says, "Top me off, sugar. This stuff's taking off the chill."

Serendipity laughs, watching her. "You c'n have it anywhere you want, beautiful," he replies, obediently refilling her glass, and his own while he's at it. "Just try not t' make me hafta carry you back home, yeah?" He recorks the bottle, and comes around to her side of the table, taking her plate and stealing a kiss before whisking the dirty tableware off to the kitchen again.

Aurelia offers up the kiss readily enough -- that alone should be a warning sign. While Ren is gone, she slouches in her chair and nurses the glass along, commenting to no one in particular, "I feel fine. Can always fly home. Nothin' wrong with me." Except the slight slur in her voice.

Serendipity returns with two plates again, each holding a small cake covered in slightly steaming sauce. The sauce, on examination, appears to be melted raspberry jam, or something similar. The cakes are chocolate -- not that easy to get hold of, generally -- and very moist. They smell a bit of the same drink he served with the meal. He sets one down in front of Aurelia, kissing her atop the head, and then sits with his own, waiting for her to start.

Aurelia blinks at the cake, then sits up and sets her glass aside. "Goodness me," she says. "I think I'm gonna marry you." It's not readily clear if she's talking to Ren or the cake. If it's the latter, she's destined for widowhood, because she reaches for a fork and digs right in. Upon the first bite, her expression goes slack with pleasure.

Serendipity forgets to start eating his own cake for a minute or so, rather raptly watching Aurelia instead. Eventually he remembers to cut a bite for himself. "...so you like it?" he inquires innocently before he eats.

Aurelia takes a deep breath, sighing blissfully, and she takes another nibble. "Yeah," she replies eloquently. "Damn, boy. You're gonna spoil me." Not that she's complaining (for once). She's got a slight lean where she sits, and her eyes don't quite focus clearly, but she looks content.

Serendipity beams, and digs in, looking down at the cake. "Well. Someone oughta," he murmurs in reply, sounding just about embarrassed. He eats in silence then, sipping periodically from his glass.

Aurelia does the same, focusing on chocolatey goodness and draining her glass. She polishes off the cake and pushes the plate aside before slouching down in her chair, giving the distinct impression of melting. "Mmmn," she comments.

Serendipity finishes a little after, just a bite or two, and smiles to watch her. "You relax. I've gotta tidy up," he informs her, and gathers the dishes -- including the glasses, this time -- to cart the whole pile to the kitchen. There isn't long enough for him to have thoroughly washed all of it before he returns, slipping into his coat and travelling around the room to blow out candles and collect them and the holders. A few of the holders return to the kitchen, a few to his coat. The tablecloth goes in there as well, though neither vase does. In the resulting near darkness, he offers Aurelia his hand. "Home, beautiful?"

Aurelia has, in the time Ren has tidied, curled up in her chair, and her eyes are closed when he returns. His voice causes her to stir, and she slowly opens her eyes, looking up at him fuzzily. "Hey handsome," she says quietly and reaches for his hand. She manages to get to her feet, eventually, but it's clear that Ren's going to have to help her home. Good booze. Too bad she's so small.

Serendipity laughs softly, and steadies the girl with a hand on each of her shoulders, then catches her face in his hands to give her a long, hungry kiss. "...Here. Hold this," he says then, pressing an umbrella pulled from who-knows-where into her hands, and scoops the girl up in his arms, carrying her out of the Diner and into the storm.