((No worries~ By the way, what sort of things do you think Ivan should try to find for Alfred's birthday? He's likely to try to get things in advance, so as not to tip Alfred off nearer to the time.))

"Da, wow." Ivan agreed, feeling a little bit lost, but glad that he wasn't the only one who was experiencing oddness. It seemed all too easy to forget how new he was to America, when he was with Alfred - right up to the point when they actually intended to go somewhere. "Apparently, universe is bored, da? If anything can happen, and this is... hm?" He added, trying to add humour to their vaguely bewildered musing. "Perhaps we could make game of it? Guessing things about one another, perhaps? Could be interesting." He suggested, thinking that - if they did so - he might learn more about Alfred through his answers, even if his guesses were wrong. Plus, it might help them to feel a little less uncomfortable about the deja vu they kept experiencing. He could see that Alfred seemed thoughtful, and he wondered what was on his mind. Was he thinking about reincarnation, or some other idea? For some reason, Ivan wasn't certain that it was not science fiction that had made an appearance into the American's thoughts. "Do you like things about the universe?" He asked, curious. For some reason, Alfred seemed the type. "I know that I do - there are many things about the - heh - 'great black yonder' that are quite fascinating. Beautiful things, terrible things, and things that are somehow both - it is amazing." Aware that he had begun to ramble, Ivan trailed off sheepishly, embarrassed. Fidgeting slightly with his scarf, he wondered how close they were to their destination.

((Possibly little hero figurines or something? ovo Maybe pertaining to Captain America or something uvu I haven't actually put a huge amount of thought into it lol))

((That sounds cute - he'll probably try to find a set of Avengers, even if he has to mix and match.))

Appreciative of the affection, Ivan smiled as Alfred rubbed his shoulder. "Da, you are right." He nodded, pleased by the notion that they could rely on one another while feeling befuddled. He smiled a little when Alfred approved his game idea, quietly trying to work out what he should guess at first, before being mildly distracted by his boyfriend's response to his other query. "I think so as well." He confided softly, glad to be able to say so - he had not discussed this often, being concerned that others would consider him foolish for it. "The vastness of space is such that I cannot help but think there to be others out there... somewhere. It is... enticing, to think of all the places out there that have never been witnessed - except, perhaps, by those who are not ourselves." He mused aloud, his smile and his confidence growing when he felt Alfred's reassuring contact with his hands. He stopped fidgeting, allowing his scarf to drop, and relaxed. "Ahh, spasiba." He sighed, before noticing that the lights were changing. "It is time to be ready for green soon..." He informed Alfred, not wishing to be the reason that they stalled at a green light.

((x3 Yes that will be cute))

((He might not be able to find them all in figurine form - he might have to substitute a plushy for one or two...))

"I like Star Wars also - the scenery in the movies is very good, and there are so many interesting characters." Ivan responded amiably, relieved that Alfred hadn't missed the green light. It wasn't that he doubted his boyfriend's driving skills, but he'd been a little nervous. They had been conversing quite happily when the lights had begun changing, after all, so it wasn't unreasonable to have supposed that there might have been an element of distraction. "I also like those lightsaber thingies - very useful, and quite appealing." He added, thinking it over. Alfred had a point about the aliens as well, seeing as those tended to be portrayed in quite interesting ways, often looking quite captivating. "I am not so familiar with Star Trek, but I think I would recognise some of the names and words, and some of the aliens... Klingons are Star Trek, da?" He asked, trying to be sure that he actually knew what he was talking about. "I am glad that this is so~ I do not suppose that it is unusual for people not to wish going to work when they have only recently gotten out of bed - is nothing to be worried for. I am looking forward to trying the doughnuts, though... How many types does the place have, by the way?" He enquired, a vaguely mischievous ex
pression decorating his features. He felt a little like a naughty child, asking about the doughnuts - he hadn't given any thought to ordering anything more healthy, after all... The thought amused him, even as he wondered what his mother would say. Well, he could always have some leafy greens later.

"Oh man I totally used to have a light-up lightsaber when I was little," Alfred said with a grin. "I was like ten and I terrorized my friends with it until my parents ended up taking it from me to hide it somewhere," he said, shaking his head a little bit. He kind of missed being a kid, when his energy was more understandable. He used to be told he'd grow out of it but he obviously never had, but hey it wasn't really something he could help without being medicated and honestly being medicated kind of sucked. Okay so it REALLY sucked.

"That... That sounds absolutely adorable, Alfya~" Ivan commented cheerily, picturing little Alfie running around and brandishing a lit-up toy lightsaber - he pictured a blue one, to match the eyes. It was both funny and cute, and Ivan hoped that there were pictures of that somewhere. Maybe Alfred's parents would have some, if Alfred himself did not? That thought opened up a whole new can of worms, though, a nervous and wriggly one - what would Alfred's parents think of him? He'd never dated anyone before, as sad as that was, so he only had fiction to inform him as to what to expect. Needless to say, it made him anxious. He was able to shunt it to the back of his mind, however, as Alfred mentioned Vulcans. "Oh, I know of those, they are the logical eyebrow people, da? The ones who have the hand gesture for wishing someone well." He responded, waiting until the car had stopped moving before performing the gesture in question. He might not have been a Trekkie, but it was a fairly well-known hand sign, even if one didn't follow the continuity.

"Ahahahh, I guess I do, a little..." Ivan chuckled, a little self-conscious, as his hair was ruffled. He liked the feeling when Alfred did that, but he was a little embarrassed that his thoughts had been so apparent. "I suppose it must be that I was thinking on what my parents would say of me, my intention being no further thought out than doughnuts where ordering is concerned." He explained, a guilty smile visible on his face. "That is a lot of types - it sounds as though there will be plenty to choose between~" He added, musing over that while he clambered out of the car. "You are right, though - I will see when we are there~"

Alfred laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I think that's one of the things my parents have on video. I don't have it with me of course, it's something my parents kept since I moved out and everything," he said, only to have to cover his mouth to cover his giggle at the mention of Vulcan's. " don't think I've ever heard them called logical eyebrow people before," he said, grinning up at Ivan. He wasn't mocking him, no, not at all. He just really had never heard the term before. "But yeah, the hand gesture basically means 'Live long and prosper'," he responded as he lifted his hand to do it too, gently touching their fingertips together. "And touch is a very intimate thing for them," he added gently before he smiled up at Ivan. He let their hands linger like that a moment before he turned to start into the cafe, holding the door open for Ivan. "Well it's not like you're going to be eating all the pastries every day so I don't imagine they'll be too upset," he responded, grinning before he moved off to go make sure he was clocked in to start his shift.

"It certainly sounds amusing." Ivan imparted with a slight smile, wondering vaguely whether he would ever see that footage. He had hoped that maybe Alfred would have a copy, but he could see how it would be a little illogical to make such an assumption. Well, it was still possible that he'd get to see it at some point, though that would mean meeting and talking to Alfred's parents... "I think it is a fair deion of them - and is ironic for humour to be formed from those who tend to eschew frivolity, da?" He commented, amused, as Alfred giggled. It had, perhaps, been a little bit silly to refer to Vulcans in such a way, but he liked to make his boyfriend laugh and, well, it had worked. He could tell that he wasn't being mocked, and that still made him happy to notice - he hadn't thought Alfred would mock him, of course, but it was still nice to have that trust confirmed. He blinked a little, when the slightly more sunkissed fingertips of the American met his paler ones, and he briefly wondered whether he was being presented with an alien high-five. What was said to accompany this gesture, however, dispelled that notion, and Ivan blushed a little bit. It was geeky, but it was charming as well.

It seemed slightly dissonant to the Russian, when the contact was broken, but he had known that they couldn't exactly hang around imitating Vulcans all day. "Ahahh, is true - I am not in favour of becoming the shape of a walrus." He giggled, responding to Alfred's comment. His slight tint of pink lingered a little as Alfred held the door for him - it seemed reminiscent of chivalry, and raised a few questions in his mind, but he had no objection to it - it was polite, and sweet, and he would do the same. "Ah, may I have a random doughnut, please?" He asked, once Alfred was in position to take orders, before glancing around to see if he could spot the sweet elderly couple.

Alfred grinned. "One random doughnut coming up," he said with a smile, moving to grab an apple fritter and carefully wrap a napkin around it. "The couple probably won't be here today since it isn't a Tuesday," he said as he moved to give Ivan the fritter. "It's pretty rare that they come in when it isn't Tuesday, but I mean I pretty much always work on Tuesdays so I'm no complaining much," he said, smiling. After telling Ivan of the couple he was sure that was who he seemed to be looking out for. "If they do come in though I'll be sure to introduce you." He moved back to his spot on the counter, humming quietly as he waited for more customers to start coming in. 

((Yeah, he deserves a bit of a break from the inexplicable.))

"Spasiba~" Ivan responded, exchanging money for pastry and apple goodness with a smile. "Mm, this smells good~" He declared to Alfred, pleased with the selection. He had chosen a seat that put him near to where his boyfriend was stationed, so that they wouldn't have far to go in order to converse easily - and, of course, so that Ivan could observe the golden-haired American easily. "Ahhh, I see - that makes sense. I thought that I would look, though, just in case I could spot them." He replied, when Alfred told him that it was the wrong day for those particular customers. He nodded amiably in acknowledgement, then turned his attention to his fritter, applying himself to it with enthusiasm - but not without restraint. He had a tendency to nibble on things like this, which could perhaps be seen as childish or reluctant, but the set of his features made it apparent that he was quite delighted with the flavour. He nibbled in order to allow the treat to last longer, as gobbling would cause it to disappear all the sooner.

Pausing in his consumption of the apple fritter, Ivan began to rummage in the bag he had brought. Withdrawing his sketchbook and pencil case, he flipped the book open to a page somewhere in the first quarter of it. A blank white space to fill, just across from a drawing of an interesting cobweb that had frozen. Smiling faintly, the big Russian withdrew a pencil and began to whisper lines across the paper with it, looking up at Alfred as needed - occasionally nibbling at his fritter.

Alfred leaned forward on the counter, a small smile tugging at his lips as he waited for customers to start coming through, his posture overall relaxed for the time being. It was calm in Cafe Americana, and for now Alfred was letting it calm him in return. He had enough energy to last through the day at his job, of course, but still, there was no sense in disturbing the peace just yet. For now he could let the patrons enjoy their coffees and pastries in peace. For a while when he first got there, he could very much take a moment to enjoy the calm feeling of the cafe and let it keep him still for a while. It was later in the day, closer to the end of his shift, that was the problem. Especially if coworkers were late to trade off.

((I'm going to go to the airport in the wee hours of tomorrow - so excited, but hoping I won't be like a zombie. :3))

Alfred's little smile was appealing, and Ivan tried to convey it as best he could in his drawing. He wasn't certain whether he'd managed it okay, being somewhat critical of his own work, but he was optimistic that it at least didn't look wrong. Looking up again, he could see that the real smile hadn't faded - Alfred looked quite content. That was good, and it made Ivan feel contented as well. It seemed as though the sunny American was happy here, at least at the moment, and that was pleasant. The very atmosphere of the place seemed tranquil, for the time being, at least, and he nibbled at his fritter in contemplation of it all. It certainly seemed a nice place to pass the time, and it smelled lovely as well. Plus, for all that the uniforms were a little on the garish side of things, the decor of the place itself was not hurtful to look upon - with soft blues and creamy hues that were soothing to the eye.

There weren't a huge amount of customers coming in, but there were indeed people entering in search of a cup of coffee, or perhaps a snack. Ivan didn't know it, but he had these people to thank for the putting off of a potentially disastrous meeting. While the Russian was sketching peacefully, Natalya was passing outside. She was curious about the coffee outlet, though not yet inquisitive enough to set foot inside, and was peering in through the window. However, due to a couple of customers milling around in just the right place - as they put some things in the bin - her view of Ivan was blocked. All the same, Ivan had an eerie feeling, as though he was being hunted, but it passed. The young lady with the intense gaze and the old-fashioned blue dress had moved on. For now. Shivering slightly, though he didn't know why, Ivan nibbled a little more on his fritter, wondering what had given him the creepy feeling.

((I hope you have fun! ;v;))

((Will do, thankies~))

Ivan had managed to complete a number of drawings, most of them involving Alfred in some way, and had long since finished his apple fritter. He had a latte now, one with chocolate, and had been playing with the DS in between conversations. He was quite pleased with it, in fact, and had not missed the opportunity to tell Alfred so. He was discussing the game he'd been playing, when he heard the voice. It sounded English, and male - and more familiar than he would have expected. What had been said was fairly irrelevant, in Ivan's opinion, compared to the reaction that Alfred exhibited. The American had frozen up, apparently also recognising that voice. Was that a bad sign? Ivan hoped not - but how could he be certain? Turning slightly so as to view the newcomer, the first thing he was struck by was the enormity of the fellow's brows - they were far larger than he had expected, and yet... Blinking in bemusement, Ivan realised that these, too, were remarkably familiar, setting off deja vu like nobody's business. The eyes, too, reminded him of something - maybe the same something that the dragon book had reminded him of? He couldn't be sure. It looked as though the man had recognised Alfred as well - perhaps like that Matthew person had long ago? The expressions worn by the American and the Brit were similar in their stupefied nature, and Ivan was beginning to think that there was something wrong.

The big Russian was relieved when Alfred snapped out of it, and greeted the customer - it looked as though the situation was normalising. "Da, I recall." He answered, when his boyfriend asked him if he remembered the dream they'd spoken of. Was this what all the weirdness was about? He was glad that Alfred had come to sit with him, but he was still a little worried. "Ah, are you alright?" He asked, before the rest of what Alfred had to say hit him. "That is the one? He was in your dream? Bozhe moi..." He murmured, startled, mind whirring. "He... read to you? I must confess, I do not know what to think of that. Perhaps you grew up together, in that other life that we seem to have had?" He added softly, his ex
pression reflecting his confusion. "I, too, had another dream - it was of a first visit to that field of sunflowers, but it was a different first visit. You were wearing glasses, and someone called Toris had told you of my love of sunflowers, so you had brought me there with my vision impeded until the moment was perfect." He confided, hoping to distract his sweetheart from the dismal mood threatening to descend. "I, ahh, it was overwhelming and surprising, and I cried - it was as though I had not wept for years and years, but had no shield from unexpected joy. You had done something nice for me, for no other reason than to make me happy, and I - I do not know how to explain... What is the opposite of a heart breaking?" He was embarrassed now, but better to say this than to let Alfred get gloomy. Besides, he wanted Alfred to know about this dream he'd had. He didn't look over at the Brit just yet, in case he goofed his distraction by doing so, but he maintained a peripheral awareness of the Englishman's presence. Just in case.

((That and a bit of swelling, I think. It's not too awkward, don't worry~))

((Should I wait for another time to bring in Natalya, or should she swing back? Not sure how Arthur would react to her if they had cause for interaction, or if she even should interact yet - she might just lurk for a bit, I dunno. That'd make ordering difficult, though.))

((Bump.. Are you busy at the moment? It's okay if you are, I'm just wondering.))

((I am busy tomorrow but after that I'll be able to reply ;v; (i kinda forgot about this i'm so sorry)))

((It's okay, I understand - I've had moments like that myself. It tends to happen to some of my stories, when I forget what it was that I wanted to happen next. Hope whatever you're doing goes well~))

((Everything okay?))