“That seat’s taken.” Said Elmeriie, still staring at the horizon and seeing nothing.

Bewildered, the waiter looked up from his tidying. “P-pardon ma’am?” He asked, slowly removing his hands about the chair at her table.

“My mother is ma’am,” replied Elmeriie sharply, “and I say to you again that that seat is taken.”

The man’s cheeks went scarlet, but his voice was cool as he spoke, “We’ve been quiet all day and we’re closing early now there are no customers. If you’re not buying, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Standing up straight, but leaning her fists on the table, Elmeriie glared into the waiter’s face. “I am a customer. I’ll thank you to leave that seat and hurry along with my order, I haven’t got all evening. Shanili fulr when you’re ready.”

Defeated and a little scared, the waiter nodded obediently and escaped to the kitchens.

Quietly chuckling to herself, Elmeriie sat down and kicked back her feet onto the chair opposite.

She noticed that other waiters who were packing away had been watching the disagreement, some talking and pointing, their faces shocked and disapproving. Behind them was a figure skulking near the canopy situ.

Slouching further into her seat, Elmeriie met the stares with defiance, her teeth glimmering in the dimness. “Don’t you all have work to do? You have customers now.”