Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Store

[mystmoonstruck]

Golden Hunt

Golden was totally unprepared for Amane asking, “You were born in a shop in Morocco?” and could not stop himself from bursting into laughter, delighted at the image her remark had brought to mind. He had to wave both hands at her as he tried pulling himself together, not wanting her to think that he was laughing at her.

When he finally brought himself under control, he sputtered, "S-sorry, Amane," with a stray giggle wandering in. "Truly, I wasn't laughing at you," he assured her, "just your question because I hadn't ever had anyone ask that before. No. I wasn't born in the shop. Thankfully, there was a doctor not too far away, so I was delivered at his office. But, that would be a lot better story, wouldn't it, being born in a shop filled with rugs and all sorts of doodads? The poor shopkeeper would have been shaken up, don't you think?" He gave her a wink at that. "Amazing. I've shown so many people those pictures and said the same things most of the time, but no one ever imagined me being born in that shop~till you. I like that," he stated firmly. "It's~well~whimsical." His smile faded slightly, still there but somehow more serious. "Very sweet."

Then, she asked, “What kind of names do they have?”, flipping back through the book to the family portrait. He watched as she studied every detail, each smiling face. When she looked up at him, smiling, he, practically beamed back as he found himself looking into dark eyes that he knew he very much liked looking into. If the eyes were windows of the soul, hers must be tranquil and beautiful he was certain. "I'm sorry," she apologized unnecessarily since she had yet to do or say anything that merited such an action. "I'm just so curious. I don't really have any stories like that. It's all so amazing..."

"That's all right. I have stories enough for a dozen people, so many that people have been known to run screaming into the night to escape yet another Golden tale." He chuckled at his exaggeration. "Maybe not screaming," he amended. "Maybe just yawning before falling asleep. I blame it on our trip to Blarney Castle~the one in Ireland. I loved it so much that I did the stretch-and-kiss twice, just to make sure it took. Thus, ever after, words have flowed from me with very little effort." He paused before adding, "However, I have to admit that my parents said I was talking up a storm by the time I could utter a few syllables. Like, instead of 'Dada', I'd say, 'Dadadadadada', varying it with 'Mamamamamama'." He laughed softly, his eyes seeming to mist over as he pictured Baby Golden prattling away. The blue eyes refocused on the girl who still awaited the answer to another of her questions. "Now... About the names..." Very carefully, he pointed with a fingertip to each blonde girl in turn, reciting, "Amber here, the oldest. Byzantium there~yes, second. By the way, that's a shade of purple. My parents passed on Brown and Blue though if she had been a boy~maybe Blue would have been OK. Of course, there was Beige, but she said that she's grateful to be what she is instead of next thing to tan. We do try to resist calling her Byzzy of course. Next up is Crimson, who keeps threatening to go auburn someday, then, next to her, Denim. The last two are Emerald way over here and Fuchsia up front, right next to me, Golden. Wouldn't you think they'd have arranged us in alphabetical order? I have to admit that even I get mixed up at times because they all ended up about the same height, looking like a bunch of clones I guess you could say, maybe Barbie Doll clones," he suggested laughingly. "My parents' parents had their own quirky naming habits, and my married sisters are continuing the tradition. So I have nieces and nephews named after flowers and whatever else captured their parents' fancy. I must say that I haven't heard complaints about the names or plans to seek vengeance on those who named us. I've always liked being Golden. I like living up to it." He heaved a sigh. "Here I've been going on and on about me and my clan. Surely you have a story to tell, Amane."

[Elda Forever]

Amane Ourmura

“You were born in a shop in Morocco?” she asked abruptly, causing Golden to fall into warm and bubbling laughter. She blushed, sure she had said something totally stupid, her face going bright crimson as she hid her face behind her Blast.

"S-sorry, Amane," with a stray giggle wandering in. "Truly, I wasn't laughing at you, just your question because I hadn't ever had anyone ask that before. No. I wasn't born in the shop. Thankfully, there was a doctor not too far away, so I was delivered at his office. But, that would be a lot better story, wouldn't it, being born in a shop filled with rugs and all sorts of doodads? The poor shopkeeper would have been shaken up, don't you think?" He gave her a wink at that. She flushed deeper, smiling despite herself but feeling like a total idiot for thinking he'd been born in some random shop in Morocco, instead of a hospital like most people. "Amazing. I've shown so many people those pictures and said the same things most of the time, but no one ever imagined me being born in that shop~till you. I like that," he stated firmly. "It's~well~whimsical. Very sweet."

She continued to fumble for a response, even through the sincerity she heard and saw in his countenance. At least I didn't ask the same dumb questions as everyone else...heh.. “Yeah, I guess..” she turned back to his photo album, slowly turning the pages and timidly recovering from her embarrassment. On seeing his sisters again, she queried on a rather safe topic, “What kind of names do they have?” She looked up and sent him a smile, seeing the amusement in his eyes as they sparkled. She was once again painfully aware that she was sitting casually at her usual table with a very unique and beautiful boy, and it caused her to stumble once again. "I'm sorry, I'm just so curious. I don't really have any stories like that. It's all so amazing..."

"That's all right. I have stories enough for a dozen people, so many that people have been known to run screaming into the night to escape yet another Golden tale." He chuckled at his exaggeration, then amended, "Maybe not screaming. Maybe just yawning before falling asleep. I blame it on our trip to Blarney Castle~the one in Ireland. I loved it so much that I did the stretch-and-kiss twice, just to make sure it took. Thus, ever after, words have flowed from me with very little effort. However, I have to admit that my parents said I was talking up a storm by the time I could utter a few syllables. Like, instead of 'Dada', I'd say, 'Dadadadadada', varying it with 'Mamamamamama'." Amane grinned, imagining Golden as a pretty little one, babbling on and on as he played. "Now... About the names..."

He pointed to each sister as he explained, and Amane leaned forward until she was quite close, inspecting the faces as she learned who they were. "Amber here, the oldest. Byzantium there~yes, second. By the way, that's a shade of purple. My parents passed on Brown and Blue though if she had been a boy~maybe Blue would have been OK. Of course, there was Beige, but she said that she's grateful to be what she is instead of next thing to tan. We do try to resist calling her Byzzy of course. Next up is Crimson, who keeps threatening to go auburn someday, then, next to her, Denim. The last two are Emerald way over here and Fuchsia up front, right next to me, Golden. Wouldn't you think they'd have arranged us in alphabetical order? I have to admit that even I get mixed up at times because they all ended up about the same height, looking like a bunch of clones I guess you could say, maybe Barbie Doll clones," he suggested laughingly.

Amane sent him a genuine smile, “No, not Barbie Doll clones, but yeah, they all look so alike...so pretty.. Those are quite unique names, though. I kind of wish I'd been given a name color. I wonder what color I would be...”

"My parents' parents had their own quirky naming habits, and my married sisters are continuing the tradition. So I have nieces and nephews named after flowers and whatever else captured their parents' fancy. I must say that I haven't heard complaints about the names or plans to seek vengeance on those who named us. I've always liked being Golden. I like living up to it." He heaved a sigh. "Here I've been going on and on about me and my clan. Surely you have a story to tell, Amane."

She buried her face in the photo album again, flipping through the pages again, “Not really...nothing like yours. I liked listening to your stories...” Her mood got more serious as she turned through the pages some more. “My parents are nice. Sometimes I wish I had sisters and brothers, though. It feels lonely sometimes. I usually have friends to hang out with, which is great, but it's not the same as having someone to be around all the time to talk to.” A few more pages, then she added, “And siblings are there for life, they don't just abandon you if you decide to change in a way they don't like.” She blinked hard, then her eyelashes fluttered as she looked back up at Golden and smiled. “Do they have ice cream shops in Morocco? With Cappucino Blasts?”

[mystmoonstruck]

Golden Hunt

Golden had made the teasing remark about his sisters, but Amane smiled and corrected him a bit: “No, not Barbie Doll clones, but yeah, they all look so alike...so pretty."

"Yes, they are," he admitted, nodding to back up the statement.

"Those are quite unique names, though." Again, he nodded, still smiling. "I kind of wish I'd been given a name color. I wonder what color I would be...”

"That's a very good question." Placing an elbow on the tabletop, he rested a cocked head on his hand, his crystalline blue eyes studying the girl, clearly contemplating choices. "You're an only child, but they wouldn't have to start with an A name, would they? Let's say that they could pick anything. Now, let's think. Some good ones are Amethyst, Cerulean, Lavender, Cerise, Chartreuse, Coral, Orchid, Fawn, Magenta~Whoa! Shades of Rocky Horror! I guess you could get one of those large boxes of Crayola crayons and check out the possibilities. It is my belief that every child should be allowed to have the big box of crayons, and it wouldn't hurt the adults to hang onto them. Personally, I love a good coloring book." At that, he laughed but very softly, just a movement of his throat. "I've helped many a niece and nephew, being given the honor of doing a page all on my own. I have one niece who, for whatever reason, never colors heads of anything~people or animals. Flip through her books, and they all have uncolored heads. Why? I have no idea."

Realizing that he had been hogging the conversation, he had urged her to tell her own stories. He could be a very good listener when necessary. “Not really...nothing like yours," she said as she continued studying the photo album as if there might be a test afterward. That was all right, as it gave him time to look at her. "I liked listening to your stories,” she assured him. Her expression seemed to change a bit, and he sat up straight, paying close attention. “My parents are nice. Sometimes I wish I had sisters and brothers, though. It feels lonely sometimes. I usually have friends to hang out with, which is great, but it's not the same as having someone to be around all the time to talk to.” He made a sound of agreement, not wanting to disturb her. “And siblings are there for life, they don't just abandon you if you decide to change in a way they don't like.” At the flutter of her lashes, Golden almost expected her to begin crying because what she had said sounded like a very sad thing to say. People did not use the word abandon lightly. But, she was smiling when she lifted her gaze to him. “Do they have ice cream shops in Morocco? With Cappucino Blasts?”

"Y'know, we haven't been back there since I was born, so I don't really know for sure. It's nice to think of Baskin-Robbins throughout the world. Even a regular shop would be great. Maybe I'll go back there someday and look around. I'd like to see a lot of the places I was too young to really remember. I started a list based on the pictures we've taken and all the film shot. Some places seem to reach out and grab at me more than others. I definitely have the family trait of wanderlust although my parents have wound down somewhat. They've stayed put in Colorado for a couple of years now, mainly putting a lot of their research in order. I've lost count of the books they've written, but I can guarantee they're not the dry-as-dust sort you get from many scholars. Or, maybe I'm very prejudiced. As for my sisters: I know I'm very lucky to have had all the company I'd ever need. But, I admit that I fussed a lot about the crowd at times. I also admit that I sometimes imagined what it would be like to be the only kid, especially when I thought my sisters were picking on me or keeping me from racing around as much as I wanted to. There were times I'm sure they got very bugged by a kid brother who needed watching." Again came the soft laughter. "You're such a sweet, pretty girl that I thought you'd have so many friends you'd never be alone unless you wanted to be. That's not true? After all, you did befriend me easily enough, so I'm speaking from experience in saying that I think you'd make a great friend. I find that I'm pretty good at judging people, so I consider myself a good source." He grinned and winked, hoping to cheer her up.

[Elda Forever]

Amane Ourmura

"I kind of wish I'd been given a name color. I wonder what color I would be...” she murmured aloud, automatically gaining Golden's attention.

"That's a very good question." he propped his elbows up on the table, resting his chin in his palms and cocking his head to the side like a curious puppy. She felt his eyes studying her face, and fought hard not to flush, trying to meet his gaze. All the while she couldn't hide a shy smile. "You're an only child, but they wouldn't have to start with an A name, would they? Let's say that they could pick anything. Now, let's think. Some good ones are Amethyst, Cerulean, Lavender, Cerise, Chartreuse, Coral, Orchid, Fawn, Magenta~Whoa! Shades of Rocky Horror! I guess you could get one of those large boxes of Crayola crayons and check out the possibilities. It is my belief that every child should be allowed to have the big box of crayons, and it wouldn't hurt the adults to hang onto them. Personally, I love a good coloring book." She giggled, imagining him sitting at a colorful kid-sized table scribbling furiously. "I've helped many a niece and nephew, being given the honor of doing a page all on my own. I have one niece who, for whatever reason, never colors heads of anything~people or animals. Flip through her books, and they all have uncolored heads. Why? I have no idea."

At that, she raised an eyebrow, perplexed as to why a kid would do that. “That's quite interesting...she must have some reason for it, though. “ She took a carefully measured sip of her Blast, noting how low it was already getting. “I like the name Orchid. It's different, I think. Plus, it's fun to say. Orchid.” She giggled, taking another sip as he asked her to tell her own stories, sure that she would have something interesting to say. When she started to tell him that her own life had been filled with no colorfully-named siblings or adventures in new countries, she found herself letting slip her longing for siblings. Realizing how silly and sad she must sound, she mustered up a smile and asked him, “Do they have ice cream shops in Morocco? With Cappuccino Blasts?”

"Y'know, we haven't been back there since I was born, so I don't really know for sure. It's nice to think of Baskin-Robbins throughout the world. Even a regular shop would be great. Maybe I'll go back there someday and look around. I'd like to see a lot of the places I was too young to really remember. I started a list based on the pictures we've taken and all the film shot. Some places seem to reach out and grab at me more than others. I definitely have the family trait of wanderlust although my parents have wound down somewhat. They've stayed put in Colorado for a couple of years now, mainly putting a lot of their research in order. I've lost count of the books they've written, but I can guarantee they're not the dry-as-dust sort you get from many scholars. Or, maybe I'm very prejudiced.” To this suggestion she sent him a coy smile, one hand holding the straw to her lips as she tried to get the last of her Cappuccino Blast without making loud slurping noises to disrupt his story.

”As for my sisters: I know I'm very lucky to have had all the company I'd ever need. But, I admit that I fussed a lot about the crowd at times. I also admit that I sometimes imagined what it would be like to be the only kid, especially when I thought my sisters were picking on me or keeping me from racing around as much as I wanted to. There were times I'm sure they got very bugged by a kid brother who needed watching." Again came the soft laughter. She liked his laugh. It was easy-going and honest.

"You're such a sweet, pretty girl that I thought you'd have so many friends you'd never be alone unless you wanted to be. That's not true? After all, you did befriend me easily enough, so I'm speaking from experience in saying that I think you'd make a great friend. I find that I'm pretty good at judging people, so I consider myself a good source." He grinned and sent her a heart-fluttering wink, making her flush again nervously. She wasn't sure if she would ever get used to being talked to directly by a pretty face, but she liked having to try.

“T-Thank you,” she murmured, “It's just that I...I have a history with the people I want to be friends with most. I tend to get a little...erm..overboard on things. I'm trying, I really am! But..sometimes I don't know when something is too much, you know? And because of that, I hurt people I care about. So I am going to work on that.” She smiled at him, holding up her Blast as though in toast, “Let's hope you get to visit your birthplace, and that I learn to not go overboard.” She chuckled, taking the final slurps of her Cappuccino, then making a frown at it, “Though I suppose eating a whole one of these was not a good start to that resolution, was it? Haha.. Ah, well. I guess I can restart now, right?”

[mystmoonstruck]

Golden Hunt

Orchid had been Amane's choice for a color name, and he had to agree that it was a fun name to say, and it did suit her, whether the purplish color or the exotic blossom. He decided that this would be something he would try with other people: get them to decide which colors they would like to be named.

Later, he had assured her that he was confident that she must have many friends. His wink seemed to fluster her, and it surprised him that she was so tremulous and giggling over flattery and idle chat. She seemed like a girl who should be accustomed to it. Didn't New Orleans guys know a cute girl when they saw her?

"T-Thank you,” she murmured, “It's just that I...I have a history with the people I want to be friends with most. I tend to get a little...erm..overboard on things. I'm trying, I really am! But..sometimes I don't know when something is too much, you know?" No, he didn't, but he listened as she tried to explain. "And because of that, I hurt people I care about. So I am going to work on that.” Well, at least she smiled at the end of that though he still wasn't quite sure what she meant by "overboard". Perhaps it was like him: Sometimes he was too goofy and/or too hyperactive, which put off some people. Maybe her girly, giggly behavior was criticized by some though he found it charming. “Let's hope you get to visit your birthplace, and that I learn to not go overboard.” At that, she laughed before finishing off her beverage. He totally understood the frown that followed. What this country~or any country~needed was a bottomless Blast! “Though I suppose eating a whole one of these was not a good start to that resolution, was it? Haha.. Ah, well. I guess I can restart now, right?”

"I hope I haven't gotten you too loopy on caffeine, Amane! It can give some people a buzz, and you probably aren't used to it unless you drink lots of Coke or Pepsi or even some types of tea. Here I feel like I've led you down the road to ruin, starting you on coffee drinks." He paused then decided to ask: "I don't understand about the overboard you talked about. Do you mean you get overenthusiastic? I think there are many people who do. I myself have been told I need an off-switch or to at least tone it down. Well, you saw an example of my~um~exuberance. I'm sure that I'm irritating, aggravating, whatever to some people. We just have to find the ones who like us for who we are, right? Now, would you like to sit and digest that gigantic drink, or would you like to show me around? Remember: You are under no obligation whatsoever. Just bop my nose with a rolled up newspaper and tell me to be a good Golden and go play somewhere else." His smile was a mischievous one, his blue eyes glinting as he wondered if she would decide to meander with him or simply send him in the right direction.

[Elda Forever]

Amane Ourmura

“Let's hope you get to visit your birthplace, and that I learn to not go overboard.” At that, she laughed before finishing off her beverage. Then she frowned, realizing it was all gone, and there would be no more. She was already craving more – maybe she was already addicted! So much for everything in moderation.. “Though I suppose eating a whole one of these was not a good start to that resolution, was it? Haha.. Ah, well. I guess I can restart now, right?”

"I hope I haven't gotten you too loopy on caffeine, Amane! It can give some people a buzz, and you probably aren't used to it unless you drink lots of Coke or Pepsi or even some types of tea. Here I feel like I've led you down the road to ruin, starting you on coffee drinks."

Amane shook her head, grinning. “I'm good. Besides, it's fun to try new things! Thank you very much for getting me one!”

"I don't understand about the overboard you talked about. Do you mean you get overenthusiastic? I think there are many people who do. I myself have been told I need an off-switch or to at least tone it down. Well, you saw an example of my~um~exuberance. I'm sure that I'm irritating, aggravating, whatever to some people. We just have to find the ones who like us for who we are, right?”

At this, she considered for a moment, trusting in Golden's straight-forward ways and honest eyes and down to earth nature. But it wasn't a good idea to explain to an almost-stranger, 'Well, you see...I fell in love with a beautiful boy and started obsessing over him, stalking him even though I was too scared to really talk to him. Then he found out about the huge website I made dedicated to him and told me to stay away from him and his girlfriend...I'm trying to move on now, but it's still very complicated. Especially since I think I may like his best friend now, too.. She gave a nod, then, thinking of Kagayaki and how he wasn't upset by her all-or-nothing way. In fact, he was like that, himself. So she could be sure she wasn't smothering him or anything. And he let her take pictures of him, too. And he didn't mind that she added them to the collage of people on her walls. She smiled, giving a more affirmative nod. “We just have to find the ones who like us for who we are. I like that!”

”Now, would you like to sit and digest that gigantic drink, or would you like to show me around? Remember: You are under no obligation whatsoever. Just bop my nose with a rolled up newspaper and tell me to be a good Golden and go play somewhere else." His smile was befitting to his name – golden – and his eyes shimmered.

Amane giggled at his offer, “Maybe it would be better if I moved around while I'm letting it wear off. I might get jumpy in this chair! We can head out now, if you like! I haven't been to visit the haunted houses and stuff for a long time anyways. It'll be fun!” She stood up, pulling her purse strap over her shoulder and tossing out her empty cup with a little clatter. As they headed out the door, Amane smiled to herself, glad she had taken the chance to ask if they could share a table.

I suppose we are done here, yes?