"It's okay." Maya attacks the spillage with methodical efficiency while I stand frozen in mortification. "Happens to everyone."
"Not like this."
Sarah appears beside our table with professional crisis management tools: towels, spray bottles, replacement beverages. Her expression suggests this isn't her first coffee explosion, though possibly her first involving industrial-strength sugar integration attempts.
"On the house," she says, setting down a fresh cup. "Maybe try stirring... gentler?"
I bow deeply, formal orcish gratitude protocol that feels inadequate for the magnitude of my café disruption. "My sincere apologies for contaminating your establishment."
"No worries. Just maybe next time, ask for help with the sugar situation?"
Maya catches my eye as Sarah retreats to handle other customers who've resumed normal conversation patterns. Her expression hovers between sympathy and barely-contained laughter.
"Cultural learning curve?" she asks.
"Spectacular failure of cross-species beverage preparation."
She loses the battle with contained laughter, covering her mouth while shoulders shake with suppressed amusement. The sound transforms embarrassment into something lighter, more manageable.
"I'm sorry," she says when breathing returns to normal. "It's not funny. It's just..."
"Completely ridiculous?"
"Endearing. In a destructive sort of way."
Endearing.
The word settles into my chest with unexpected warmth while I attempt sugar integration with supernatural delicacy, treating the new coffee cup like rare manuscript preservation. One packet. Gentle circular motions. Test dissolution rate. Repeat.
"The muffins survived," Maya observes as I extract the bakery offerings from my bag. "Cultural diplomacy through carbohydrates?"
"Gratitude for translation consultation. Plus neighborhood peace treaty reinforcement."
She examines the mixed-grain varieties with professional food blogger assessment. "These look amazing. Campus bakery?"
"Student cooperative. They specialize in fusion approaches to traditional recipes."
"Like adding modern attitude to ancient grains?"
"Exactly. Cultural preservation through innovation rather than rigid authenticity."
Maya selects the cranberry-walnut option and takes an experimental bite, chewing thoughtfully while I monitor her reaction with linguistics professor attention to detail.
"Verdict?"
"Fantastic. Sweet without being overwhelming, texture contrast that actually works." She pauses, studying my face. "This is really thoughtful, Ursak. Thank you."
The gratitude feels genuine, uncomplicated by social obligation or neighborly politeness. My morning anxiety begins dissolving into something approaching actual conversation.
"I wanted to apologize properly for the noise disruptions," I explain. "And perhaps establish better communication protocols for future interactions."
"Communication protocols?"
"Boundaries. Expectations. Methods for addressing conflicts before they escalate into formal complaints or midnight confrontations."
Maya nods slowly, breaking off another piece of muffin. "That makes sense. Though I have to admit, the midnight confrontation led to some pretty interesting conversations."
"You weren't entirely wrong about the noise levels."
