Behind closed doors.

iShatteredSanity: -The day was young. The sun was already up. The streets were slowly starting to fill with life. People who were leaving from the clubs, people who were heading to work, a few policemen patrolling, the few homeless people in some corners. As expected, the temperature was still low from the night, but the slight rise could be felt easily. Since Dix was tired from work, Demetrios knew that she would feel chilly should she had stayed only with her tank top, so before they left the club, he had offered her his coat. He was glad that she did not misunderstand his intentions. As for him, he was only with that fishnet top of his, not caring about the chilly air and the stares of all those around him. With a smile on his face, he was looking at them and nodding as in saying “Good morning.”. They had left the building behind them and they were walking down the alley to reach the main square with the huge fountain. The fountain was tall and it could be seen from their current location, those wings and that head of the angel who was staring down at the street, as if she was crying. Prague indeed had some magnificent places, and the statues? Perhaps the finest pieces of art. The distance from the square was about 70 meters when Demetrios turned his head to look at Dixie, smiling softly towards her and speaking in that heavy Greek accent of his.- “Are you alright there Dix?” –His voice heavy and deep. The tone of it being calm.-

CharlotteCarrendar: – The deep voice of the newly found friend Demetrios, was a welcome relief, to the tired Aussie barmaid. The girl had done worn herself out, in the opening night blitz of the Death club. To be honest, the young backpacker hadn’t had a good sleep in a few days, what with partying with the Australian rugby union team, and then trying to earn some cash, when the boys were at training, doing a few waitress gigs, to keep her busy. Unaware that she may have smeared her face with something, she drew the coat he had draped around her a bit tighter, and chortled in a cherry tone- “Can’t complain, Mate, its a beautiful morning, in a gorgeous city. Life’s good.”- Ever optimistic  even though she was set to fall asleep the minute her head hit a pillow, Dixie kept up appearances  walking hand in hand with the well built Greek. She cast her eyes to his body of ink, and said with a smirk. “And I thought I was a walking work of art. Dead set, you got more color than I could ever hope too. You know, since I was a kid, I always wanted to get a tatt of a panther, those cats are so sleek. You know what I’m saying. Just not sure where to have it done. Maybe over my left shoulder blade.’- she seemed to be the right Miss Chatterbox, and you had to wonder, did Poor Demetrios realise that Dixie was something of a handful. “Is the bus stop around here?”<3>

iShatteredSanity: -The voices of the people who were walking the streets were still echoing on the walls of the old buildings. The sounds of the motors of the cars and motorbikes seemed like the sound of firecrackers as they reached their ears. But still, nothing seemed to bother those two. Holding Dix’s hand gently inside his palm, Demetrios was smiling towards her as she spoke to him, nodding his head slowly as she answered his question.- “Hehe, that’s all that matters.” –And true, Prague was a beautiful city with many to offer, not only the nightlife. Prague was the capital city of the alchemists around the world after all and it always attracted a large crowd of people. While walking and getting close to he square, Demetrios was listening to what the young Aussie woman was saying, especially the comments about his tattoos, her attraction about the big cats and the tattoo that she wanted to have. With a mischievous grin on his face, Demetrios chuckled softly as he fixed the frame of his glasses that were staying in place only on his nose.- “Well, thank you very much Dix. You are one of the very few people who appreciate this kind of art. But I have to admit, you yourself look amazing.” –Demetrios said and winked playfully before he resumed.- “And I will agree with you, those cats are fascinating creatures. Imagine having that as a pet.” –He said and laughed softly.- “But yeah, we can work on that. Maybe I can do that for you, what do you say?” –Demetrios asked after he had settled down from his short and light laughter. Meanwhile they were less than 30 meters away from the square where the shops were opening and the cafeterias were filling with those who wanted to take an early coffee for the start of their days.-

CharlotteCarrendar:- Cars, bikes, mopeds, shopkeepers sweeping down their pathways, umbrellas at the cafe’s being popped open, waiters rolling up the awnings, the smell of fresh bread, coffee. Prague. It was now an orchestra of sound, a swirl of people, color  beauty, architecture. Rich, vibrant, and here was the simple Aussie girl from Melbourne, walking down the street that was living history. A time warp almost, like a painter had captured the setting and thrust it into the twenty first century. Dixie was part of it, living it, breathing it, and now she was embracing it. Inhaling deeply, she almost seemed lost for a moment. She had let herself go, rabbiting on like a girl possessed, talking about her favorite craze, her tatts  her ink. And here was the one guy in Prague, that could well create her dream on her back. Demetrios was just so damn polite, and so refined. What could he see in the cheeky Aussie waif? Most would cast her aside for backpacker trash, yet here he was offering to do some work on her. He was playful, cheeky. Stud muffin material, as her gal pal, Roxie would say back at their haunt in St Kilda. “I be mighty pleased if you could, but I agree, I pay you back, right away. Don’t want you thinking Dixie is going to stiff you or nothing.”- she gave his hand a little squeeze, probably from excitement. A light flick of her head, her long black locks tumbled off her shoulders, and she winked as they headed towards the square. <3>

iShatteredSanity: -Well, damn. Damn in the good way of course. That cheerfulness of Dix’s was so… pure and innocent in a way that made Demetrios smile wide as he felt his hand squeezed. And that smile was not a fake one that people often wear just to be nice to others, no. That smile of his was a genuine one, mirroring his exact emotions and feelings of the moment; he had found someone who could appreciate the simple pleasures in life.- “We can always discuss about the payment at a much later time, money is not an issue with me; having a damn good time is.” –Demetrios said as he looked into Dix’s eyes, still smiling softly as he held her hand a bit tighter, but not tight enough to hurt her.- “But first, lest have some breakfast, shall we? You seem like you need something to eat and a coffee to drink.” –Demetrios said as they had already reached the square and the small bakery that also served coffee was only a few steps away from them. Once he spoke about the breakfast he motioned that place with his head and waited to see what Dix would say.-

CharlotteCarrendar: – Was it like minds, or kindred spirits? Who would know, what just mere minutes after leaving the Death club. Both of them seemed to be feeding off the morning, like the sun and the energy of the morning crowds and people going about their day, was invigorating somehow. Dixie almost had something of a skip in her step, at the mention that the deal of the tatt would involve payment at a later date, and that suited young Dix. She wanted to get a bit under her belt, while living in Prague, but she was a thrifty lass, managing to live on next to nothing, scraping together an existence from sheer determination and a positive outlook. Hell, that was how she made it into the country, spotted at a bar wiping tables and quenching the thirst of the Rugby team, who insisted she travel with them to Prague, where there was chance of earning better money, and seeing more of Europe. It was while they walked along, that Demetrios made the offer for some breakfast, and Dix, well she had completely forgotten, she hadn’t eaten for a day at least. “Serious? I could go a coffee. Crazy I know, but I love one in the mornings. Gives me a buzz. And they do it so well in this part of the world. Me mum has that processed shit. Nasty. But yeah, that table over there is free.”-she said brightly, pointing to a free table being cleaned down by a waiter wearing a black apron. <3>

iShatteredSanity: -The young girl was sure enthusiastic, despite the fatigue and all the stress of the night. That was actually a quality that Demetrios loved to find on someone. Hearing her response about the breakfast, Demetrios nodded his head once and began walking towards the empty table that was just cleaned up. He looked at the waiter with the white apron and nodded slightly upwards. The waiter nodded back and went inside the shop while Dix and Demetrios had reached the table. Demetrios pulled the chair with his free hand and motioned it.- “Please, ladies go first.” –He said and waited for Dix to sit down first before he would. From the distance of about 200 meters, everyone in the whole city could hear the sounds of the bells from the cathedral, a sign that it was already morning and that the city would be alive again, this time in day time. The time was 8 after midnight. The waiter with the white apron was at the door of the store with two menus in his right hand, waiting for Dix and Demetrios to sit down before he would approach the table for the order.-

CharlotteCarrendar: – The smirk on Dix’s face, the twinkle of her eyes, as Demetrios pulled out the chair and said. “Please, ladies go first.” -She did a little wiggle, and slipped off the coat, draping it over the back of the chair, then removing the backpack and placing it just to the side of the table, just in reach. Dixie sat herself down, drawing her shoulders up, like she was sitting at the grown up’s table, and casting glances around at the other morning diners, people reading menus, and fancy ladies, in the latest Paris fashions. Chewing on her bottom lip, as she head the sound of the bells, ringing out loudly across the city. Dixie was awe struck and then said with a wide eyed expression. “I bet they don’t need alarm clocks. Those bells would wake the dead.” <3>

iShatteredSanity: -Demetrios was waiting for Dix to sit on her chair and once she did, he pushed it a tiny bit forward. As she sat down, Demetrios nodded slightly towards her before he turned his head to look at the waiter, nodding to him and getting a nod back. Demetrios pulled his own chair and sat down, fixing it by the time that the waiter arrived and offered the menus to them both. Then once he had done that, he bowed slightly and went back inside the store after the bell for the next order had rang. Demetrios did not bother to open his menu since he knew what he was going to have. However he waited till Dix would take the menu on her hands before he responded to her comment about the bells.- “True. That sound can be heard throughout the city. But you will get used to it, in fact you may even love that sound.” –He said and chuckled a bit playfully. Now, on the menu, Dix would see that they had a large variety of coffees, from espresso to cappuccino, from Belgian Chocolate to white chocolate and even flavored chocolate; caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, butterscotch, strawberry, banana, orange, amaretto. Then on the second page she could see the pies: chocolate pie, apple pie, orange pie, caramel pie, berry pie. On the other page the cakes: vanilla cake, chocolate cake, caramel cake, banana cake, cake with nuts and slices of fruits. On the next page the sweets: panacotta, profiterole, strawberry cheesecake, raspberry cheesecake, tiramisu, brownies with milk caramel syrup and 2 scoops of ice cream. On the next page a large variety of ice creams. And on the last page the croissants along with the fillings: praline, Belgian chocolate, jam, white chocolate, cinnamon and sugar and honey with butter.-

CharlotteCarrendar: – Taking the menu from the neat looking waiter, Dixie opened it up, practically dissappearing in behind it. You could hear the ooo’s and ahhs..and then the curse of ‘Shit..how much?” and the all too popular “Bloody hell..and I thought coffee was expensive in Toorak.” Trying to read the long list of delectable delicacies, she could hear Demitrious trying to answer her about the bells. “True. That sound can be heard throughout the city. But you will get used to it, in fact you may even love that sound.” Dixie pulled the menu to one side, so she could see her gracious breakfast companion, and then raised an eyebrow. “Not sure how I will love them after a full night shift and my head buried in a pillow trying to block out the noise. I mean, yes, the bells are sweet, but loud. Like, they must be calling people to church..or..yeah.”- She was definitely like a possum before the spotlights of a Mack truck. So much to take in, and in the company of such a handsome man, like Demitrious, the young backpacker was a touch nervous, making up for it with her wacky humor  “Oh my god…they have pie. CAKE..wow, tiramisu, love that. Brownies..ice cream. Did someone make Willy Wonka the mayor of Prague, and ensure everyone ate sweets for breakfast?”- she then bobbed her head, her eyes zooming back and forth across the menu, till she placed it down and said. “Vegemite on croissants, with..a flat white thanks.” <3>

iShatteredSanity: -In all honesty, Demetrios was having a blast. He enjoyed that the person not more than 50 cm from him was honest and straightforward. A smile was on his facial expressions as he looked at Dix browsing the menu. Behind them a truck passed by, creating that really intense bass noise; good thing that that place was not a closed one. While listening to her comments about the price, he just shook his head a little bit, but waited till she had decided. Once she had decided on what she wanted, he looked at her still with that smile on his face.- “It is my treat, and Willy just happens to be jealous of this place. But shhhh…” –A slight pause was made as he put his right hand index finger in front of his lips.- “That’s a secret. He may get his feelings hurt.” –He said and winked playfully as the waiter had arrived. Demetrios coughed softly and cleared his throat before he gave the order.- “One croissant in Vegemite and one flat white for the lady. For me, I want a large cup of cappuccino and a caramel pie. Also bring the brownies with lots of milk caramel syrup and 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream. Then an apple pie and a profiterole. Also prepare a whole tray of caramel pie, a whole tray of raspberry cheesecake and 10 croissants; 5 with Vegemite filling and the other with praline filling.” –Demetrios gave the order and looked at the waiter who was surprised by the size of his order.- [Waiter.] “Sir, are you sure you want that order?” –Another one who thought that Demetrios was just a punk and a mindless clubber.- [Demetrios.] “Yes, I want all of those that I mentioned in my order.” –He said without losing his cool, still with a smile on his face. The waited nodded and took a slight bow as he walked inside the shop, muttering a few words that actually made no sense. Demetrios knew that the waiter must had been cussing and could not help himself but laugh softly.- “I am just hungry.” –He said after he looked at Dix and shrugged his shoulders slightly.-

CharlotteCarrendar: – A gift of food, friendship, and more. Fanciful dreams of a place where the most exotic array of creamy cakes, and wicked coffees, the scent of fresh baked goods. Dixie placed her menu down on the table before her and fiddled with the cutlery, straightening them up, like she was setting the table again. Demetiros had said that this was to be a treat, and what a splendid one at that. The joke seemed to continue about the magical Willy Wonka being Mayor of the city of Prague. And Dixie quickly crossed her heart then playfully pretended to zip her lips and toss away an imaginary key, like not another word would she speak of this secret, for fear of hurting feelings. A wink and a smile, and the waiter was back to take their orders and much to Dixie’s surprise, Demetrios was ordering enough..well, enough for an army it seems. A dream breakfast is what she would call it. Dixie mouthed the words “You sure you can eat all that?”-being somewhat silly, but the waiter, he was not in on the joke. His muttering actually made Dixie giggle, as he walked away with a lofty air. Demetrios was indeed hungry, and who could blame him, it was breakfast time after all. “I guess he probably checked me out and thought, can’t pay…huh?” Her cheeks colored a sharp red and she looked nervously towards the door where the waiter went. “One day.Mate..One day.” <3>

<~ To be continued ~>