piwakawaka | Carl in Wellington

That gets a bit of a glance - okay, a lot of a glance.

"What was that, didn't quite catch it?"

She's already moving since its a beautiful windy day and the water's looking pretty so the wind gets a good bit of her words,

"Welcome to Wellington."

"Ah ha. Haere Mai Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara."

He repeats it, putting it to memory as he tips his face into the breeze and inhales. It's a much better welcome than the tense atmosphere near the warehouse as they came out of the dreaming.

Soon they're walking up to look out over the harbor, the wind has blown away the clouds for a bit though there's rain out on the horizon,

"Be a good day for flying. I think the gelato place might still be open."

"I haven't had gelato since the last time I was in Italy."

(This is approval.)

"Best place to get it in the city. Where were you in Italy?"

From up where they're standing the harbor is laid out in front of them with lots of sails looking like birds as Tiwa heads down some steps towards another part of the huge waterfront.

"I've spent time in both Turin and in Rome."

He can see why she loves it here, with how she bounds down the steps, wind catching her hair.

"Never been anyplace so old unless maybe you count James' school."

She's been here since she was just dreamed up and the door to the cafe is open,

"Glad you're here and its being a good day."

"I'm glad I'm here too," he says honestly, letting her walk in first. "You might like Rome, there's a lot of old history there, feels like you're part of something bigger than this lifetime."

The cafe certainly does smell wonderful, and the staff is very cheerful as they enter.

They've got a good selection of gelato and Tiwa leans over the counter,

"Can I get a chocolate with passionfruit and a Phoenix coke?"

The young guy who's there looks a bit stunned by the brightness of her grin and gets to work on the gelato while Tiwa turns back to Carl,

"Maybe, lifetimes are strange things."

Carl believes in living dangerously - if she likes it, he wants to try it.

"Make it two," he adds.

The server gets making another round going and nods to the fridge as he asks Carl,

"This your first time in Wellington?"

Tiwa's already grabbing the two bottles of soda and glasses and paying the cashier as Carl is asked and handed two gelato cups.

He debates on a reply for a split second.

"First time on holiday, I was here once on business and knew I just had to come back."

"Looks like you've got a good guide, think she lives up at the museum and know her mother since she owns the best bakery near Vic. Here you are and she's paid things up for you."

Once he's sure Carl's got the cups, the server gives another grin and Tiwa sings something into the wind to lead Carl out to where they're sitting with a view of everyone and the water too.

She's paid before he gets a chance to protest (he'll get something later if she'll let him) and he thanks the guy as he takes the cups of gelato out towards the tables and chairs.

"Next time I'm buying, you come down here a lot?"

"Yup."

She turns and points up the hill where a red brick building can just be seen,

"Fly down some days since the wind's best down by the water and then grab something here or at the library."

"You should always have places where the people know you, it makes a place really feel like home."

If he's speaking from experience (more of the not ever having that feeling, really) he'll never tell but it's still a valid point.

That sets her off laughing for a moment,

"Carl, this is New Zealand, there are places here where you can't go without running into someone I'm related to."

Then she sets into the gelato, this will make sure she's going well through the day.

"Great so I'm going to be surrounded by your family and friends the entire time, way to make a guy feel the pressure," he teases, picking up his spoon and having a bite.

"This is damn good, by the way."

She taps his nose with her spoon and a more serious look is in her eyes for a moment,

"We all owe you a boon, me more than most so no worries."

"I was just teasing," he comments, nodding a little. "And you don't owe me anything."

"I wasn't, debts are important."

Then her smile is quickly back as she goes back to eating.

"Loyalty is important," he says.

Debts and favors, not so much. He'd rather have loyalty than payback.

Then it's back to the gelato and the...Phoenix coke?

Its just coke but sweetened with honey instead of sugar and Tiwa's already a bit more hyper,

"Oh yes, you and Jack, two knights though I wish you'd remember that you don't need shiny armor to be a knight."

"I'm not a fan of shiny armor, it's easier to be spotted that way. These days I prefer to work behind the front lines."

Though he was usually always behind the front lines - behind enemy lines, really.

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