Dimly lit, quiet music, with the soft hum of computers and a rich aroma of coffee. The shop felt no different from hours before when I scoped it out. I found the private room easily enough with a simple question to the staff at the counter.
Through the glass door, I could see a woman with shoulder-length brown hair hunched over a laptop. Cables and small devices were spread across the table to take up her attention, but she looked up as I approached anyway.
Warm brown eyes behind a set of wire-rimmed glasses. Not a handsome man at all. I'm almost disappointed in some ways and pleased in others.
She seemed younger than I'd expected from our exchanges, maybe late twenties? And the woman stood up as I entered. Extended a hand out slowly for a shake.
"I'm Brook. Thanks for coming out so late."
There was a tremor of nervousness in her fingers as I looked down at it. Checking for deception and scenting for weapons or traps - my hair raises immediately.
> Snow and iron. <
