"I'm supposed to be all up in your face," said James, unrepentant. "We're partners."
"You just want to know if I got the kind you like," said Jacques.
"That, too," said James. "And I saw you did, so now I'm content."
Julian giggled, and Alex snorted a laugh. "You two are absurd."
"But deadly," said James with a dorky grin.
Alex laughed outright that time. "We're Guardians, too, now! Just not as pokey as you two."
"Guardians Less Pokey," intoned Julian.
Everyone was laughing as they pulled up behind Saveur.
Someone was already waiting by the door to let them in and lead them to her tasting room, which was remarkably similar to the 'nice' interrogation room at the agency with its oval table and half-dozen chairs.
Ellen was waiting with some hot chocolate and a very rare treat indeed, fresh chocolate lava cakes.
"Between Alys and Jacques' orders, I figured you guys had earned a special treat," she said, sitting to have one of her own when all the treats were passed out. "Also, I wanted one."
"Thank you," said Alex, digging in with real enthusiasm. Alys made her own, but Saveur's were even more chocolatey and decadent, whereas Alys added flavours to lighten up the dense treat.
Both were delicious, but variety was even better.
"This is so good," said Julian, beaming. "It's just like the chocolatiest chocolate ever to chocolate, but warm in my mouth."
"You two are always so sweet," said Ellen with a grin.
"It's a really good recipe," said Jacques. "Worthy of the praise."
James made a wordless sound of yummy agreement, mouth full of the delicious cake.
Everyone concentrated on their food like hungry goblins for a few minutes, the room comfortably quiet as they all shared the experience of warm cake and gooey middle. Pauline came by with lemon waters for everyone at one point and got a chorus of thanks, but otherwise no one bothered to disturb the moment until they all started finishing up and leaning back to sip water and bergamot hot chocolate.
"This is one of my favourites of yours," said James, sipping again with a happy look on his face.
"It's very well-liked," said Ellen. "We swap out some of them, but this one is too popular to ever discontinue."
"Good for me," said James with a little grin.
"I'd like to do a little shopping on top of what Alys is getting," said Alex, "mostly for some gifts to have sent to people. Is chocolate appropriate to say, 'sorry I couldn't save your husband'?"
Julian snorted. "She'll probably appreciate it, even if it isn't. And really, it's not like you want to get a reputation for being appropriate."
"I do not, it's true," agreed Alex. "So, a nice somber gift box for Tsukiko Nonami-Finklewick, something more cheering for Lucas Chudleigh and another for Dr. Geoff Tamlinson at the Agency. Anyone else?"
"We should send a little something to Miss Winterson, and maybe Alice and Smithson up at the Chudleigh house?" Julian was thinking about it. "Chocolates won't be seen as too gauche, and Chudleigh would never deny someone a treat."
"Plus some of those persimmon slices for the way home," added Alex, looking smug.
"Nothing for Lapointe?" asked Jacques.
Alex huffed. "She's just doing her job, but yeah, some flowery something for Lapointe and something not-flowery for her boytoy."
"I know what she and Thomas like," said Ellen. She had brought out her phone and was making notes. "Will I be delivering all of these for the usual fee?"
"Yes, please," said Julian sweetly. "That way no one can guilt us into including them next time."
