Current mood:	weird
Entry tags:	brendan_q

4 January, 2007; Street; Brendan Fraser, Mia Kirshner; PG13
[Cross posted on brendan_q.]

Brendan dashed along the narrow street, politely throwing 'excuse me's to passer-by’s he nudged with his box of pralines. He had been told to deliver to a nearby cafe, but needed to get back to make some more for the day's trading. He muffled a 'fuck!' when he bumped into a woman. "Oh ma'am I am so sorry!" he apologized profusely. 

Mia blinked a few times as she found her footing, suddenly glad her purse was hooked up over her shoulder instead of held in her hand.  When the man that had hit her started apologizing Mia looked up and shook her head.  "It's okay, I wasn't watching where I was going much either." 

"Are you okay?" Brendan was painfully aware that his bulking frame could have caused damage to such a slight young woman. "Man I'm sorry." 

Mia paused a minute and aside from her shoulder stinging a bit she felt fine, a bit amazed she didn't drop the single bag she had in her hand.  Nodding her head Mia looked up at the man and gave him a slight smile.  "I'm fine.  Really, should have been looking."  

"I haven't made for a good start to your day have I?" Brendan shook his head. "Damn hurrying never gets you anywhere but we still do it don't we?" 

"Not the worst," Mia said knowing how true that was.  Considering all things Mia knew there were tons of ways to start out a bad day, this was rather mild.  "Well, the season definitely doesn't help with hurrying," she added when she realized the man was still standing near her.  

Brendan sensed a slight sadness in the woman. "Look the least I can do is share a little of what had me in a hurry. I work at Sweet Things, you ever tried their praline?" 

Mia shook her head, the name not sounding familiar to her at all.  "No, I've never been there.  Although I haven't been living here too long."  When the man offered some of the sweets Mia actually smiled a more honest smile.  "You don't have to do that."  

"Of course I do," Brendan grinned. "There's plain, nut and chocolate...try a bit of each and tell me which is the best...call it on street research." 

Mia raised an eyebrow, wondering if she'd somehow managed to get run into by one of the town oddities but ended up laughing a bit herself.  "Is that your marketing ploy?  Find the people that you don't know and bump into them for product placement?" she asked, her voice light to show she was teasing a bit. 

"Cover blown," Brendan laughed. "Although I don't think management will be impressed with me handing out free boxes to all and sundry but that's what you'll get when you tell me which one you like the best. It's the least I can do." 

"It was a simple accident; you don't have to feel that guilty."  Mia hooked the handle for her bag around her wrist and looked at the box the man was holding.  "If you're going to insist though I'm guessing it would be better not to argue though right?"  

"Too damn right," Brendan pushed the box towards her offering a sample from the top. "There are wrapped samples at the top, take one of each and tell me what you think...no hard sales involved I promise. Sugar always makes things better." 

Mia peeked at the contents before taking one of each of the wrapped samples.  "What are the flavors again?" she asked, peeling the wrapper off one of them once she had one of each in her hand. 

"The one you're about to eat is plain," Brendan informed her. "I've worked on the original recipe though. It's authentic New Orleans praline but I've tweaked the recipe they used to try and make it a little tastier. I'd like to know what you think; it's the first batch I've put out." 

"So you do these yourself?" she asked before taking a bite.  She hadn't had praline in ages, at least not since she was still back home with her family, so she didn't know what she was quite expecting.  The taste wasn't bad, definitely had a bit of sweet to it and she nodded her head, taking another bite of it.  

"The nut is better though I reckon, has more of a kick to it. Try that next and leave the chocolate for last, there's a bit of a secret to that one." He handed Mia a package of the nut praline with a smile. 

"This isn't bad," she said once she finished the plain one, already unwrapping the nut one.  "Although I have to admit lately my sweet tooth is usually filled with pastries."  Mia blushed a bit at that and took a bite of the next piece.  This tasted a bit more familiar and Mia smiled.  

"I did a stint as a pastry chef," Brendan said. "But my last gig was as a chocolatier...that's why I saved the chocolate for last. It's praline with home made chocolate mixed through it." He winked, "Now try this one. It's decadent." 

"I can cook basics," Mia admitted and unwrapped the last piece.  "So all this, is amazingly over my head.” 

Brendan shrugged his shoulders. "It's my trade. I have to admit I love messing with recipes." He put the box down and held out his hand, "I'm Brendan by the way. New to New Orleans myself." 

Mia popped the piece of praline into her mouth, barely keeping herself from groaning at the mixture of chocolate and other goodies.  Bunching up the wrappers Mia took Brendan's hand and shook it.  "I'm Mia, pleased to meet you Brendan." 

"So the chocolate is a winner huh?" he grinned back. 

Mia blushed a bit again and nodded.  "The nut ones remind me of being a little girl but the chocolate definitely wins.  Although...you are talking to a woman, most like chocolate." 

"Guys do too believe me," Brendan smiled. "Well take a box...no make it two as a sorry gift. Might make the day pass better." 

Mia opened her mouth to argue that he really didn't have to apologize that much.  Especially when she could have ran into him just as easily.  When he gave her a slight look Mia signed and opened the bag she was carrying to put the boxes in.  "You really didn't do something all that horrid you know."  

"That's not the only reason I'm forcing them on you," Brendan added. "I reckon by midday that arm of yours will have recovered from being slammed by this dumbass but whatever's bugging you will have returned to your mind so you'll need a sugar hit." 

Mia stopped when Brendan said that, wanting to ask him what he was presuming but couldn't find the words to really say anything.  "That's sweet of you," she managed finally. 

"Intended pun?" Brendan giggled. 

"Slightly."  Mia laughed, not having really realized how that sounded until she said it.  "Okay, not fully but it makes me sound a bit smarter if I say yes." 

"Well Mia enjoy, and if you need a refill just pop by the store. It's near the Market and there's always a handful of samples with your name on it...no purchase required," Brendan grinned. 

"Thanks Brendan."  Mia closed her bag again and made a mental note of the area Brendan mentioned.  "I might just have to stop in." 

"Please do, I promise not to slam dance with you next time." 

"I'll have to hold you to that Brendan," Mia said. 

"Take care yeah?" Brendan patted her lightly on the arm. "Nice bumping into you." 

Mia nodded her head.  "You take care as well Brendan, don't rush so much," she said giving him a grin. 

"I'll try, although it worked out pretty well this time," Brendan returned the grin. With that he was off at an enforced slower pace back to the store to replace the goods he had just given away. When Mia had turned the corner he started to run again. Now he was later than ever.