(no subject)

[twicequeen.insanejournal.com]

Who: Eleanor of Aquitaine & Saint Columba
What: Hello, I don't believe we've met
When: Saturday afternoon
Where: Soup kitchen
Warnings: Ah...doubtful? TBD, but probably not a lot


One of the most important things in life, at least to Eleanor, was giving back where you could. She tried to volunteer and donate to various charities as much as she could, but sometimes, life just got away from her. She hadn't been doing volunteering of any sort for almost a year now, and it made her feel rather guilty. Work could wait this weekend.

She dressed rather simply, hopping the subway to a soup kitchen not terribly far from her apartment. She wasn't sure of who to speak to, so she looked around for someone who looked like they might be in charge, or could at least point her in the right direction.

Comments

[colm-cille.insanejournal.com]

Columba had been at the soup kitchen all morning, helping with the food preparation. It was heading towards lunch time, however, and that was when things got busy. There was food to serve and dishes to wash and people to look after.

He looked up when he felt someone like him enter the kitchen and he wiped his hands on an apron before heading over with a smile. "Hello! Are you here to help out?"

[twicequeen.insanejournal.com]

Eleanor turned to find the source of the voice, smiling in return. "Hello! Yes, I was hoping there might be something I could do." She held out her hand to shake. "Eleanor."

[colm-cille.insanejournal.com]

"Malcolm, though that's...an alias," he said more softly as he shook her hand. "Name's Columba but they don't know that around here. Come on through here, we've got a lot you could do! It's almost lunctime and they're lining up outside. Would you rather stick in the back or be out front with people?"

[twicequeen.insanejournal.com]

"Ah, well, in that case, a pleasure to meet you, Columba," she said. "Eleanor is actually my real name...just not all of it. I'm Eleanor of Aquitaine. Hello." She smiled. "As for your question, I'd be fine up front. I like people."

[colm-cille.insanejournal.com]

Columba's eyes widened and he grinned at her. "In that case, I would love to get a coffee or something after lunch," he added. "It's been a while since I've met a queen. I'm a saint, though less high profile than say George or Patrick."

[twicequeen.insanejournal.com]

Eleanor smiled. "I'd like that, too," she replied. "I met George, back when I was mortal, we've kept in touch since I got to the city. But I haven't met many other saints."

[colm-cille.insanejournal.com]

"George is a fine man," Columba said, though time was he didn't think so highly of the other saint, just because he was England's patron. Those times were behind them now. "If you head tot he front they'll set you up. And I'll see you again afterwards," he said with a grin.

[twicequeen.insanejournal.com]

"He is," Eleanor agreed. "He kept my sons safe. Hard to dislike someone after that."

She smiled and waved as she headed up front, where she was immediately handed a serving spoon and told to get ready. She stuck the spoon in the pan in front of her and pulled her hair up and away from her face. She washed her hands and came back, saying, "OK. Now I'm ready."

[colm-cille.insanejournal.com]

The lunch shift went quickly with Columba serving as runner from the front to the back to replenish anything that they ran out of. He really liked being up front with the people, but he didn't mind giving Eleanor his spot there. She was wonderful with them anyway.

Every so often he would catch her eye and give her a wide and friendly smile. He did so appreciate it when immortals donated their time to helping mortals who needed it.

[twicequeen.insanejournal.com]

Eleanor was kept on her toes the entire time, which was certainly not a bad thing. She smiled at people and chatted with them briefly as they came through the line, her maternal instincts on high. Every now and again, she'd catch Columba's eye and smile back at him, but she was mostly focused on making sure everyone got served.

[colm-cille.insanejournal.com]

When lunch was over and the clean-up was done, Columba removed his apron and he pulled his jacket on before going in search of Eleanor. When he located her he smiled. "Did you enjoy yourself?" he asked.