Shiki by all means wasn't stupid. She knew that Cordelia needed the distraction and the company, and she was more than happy to oblige. Seventh Heaven felt like a safer option, if only because Shiki still wasn't quite sure how the other woman felt about Buffy in general. It seemed like a bad idea to take her to a place Buffy worked, and really, coffee seemed a lot more like a anti-brooding drink. You can't brood if you're hopped up on caffeine, after all.

And thanks to the Malnosso's decision to kidnap Neku on her birthday, she had her own reasons to be brood anyway.

It was just nearing noon when she realized she was running late. Dropping what she was doing inside her shop, she practically bolted out the door, barely remembering to lock it behind her as she darted across the plaza. She screeched to a halt just short of the Seventh Heaven door, making sure she looked presentable before heading inside and immediately spotting her friend.

"Hey! I didn't keep you waiting too long, right? Sometimes I kind of get wrapped up in projects and totally space," she rambled as she made her way over. "How about a window seat?"