A quaint invitation for a shared pot of coffee. So in love, under sugared starlight, with two timid pairs of hands clutching their filled cups like stone statues. Summoned and joined thanks to secret instruction; to the letter from written letters that had been slipped under chamber doors. Not one tick late for the back-garden dinner party made for a puzzled and guileful pair. They completed the pieces, locked into each other’s eyes, and locked to the table by their shared weakness. A keen exchange between suspicious glances, a plan unplanned by those present. Breathtaking galaxies swirled within the contained pools fastened in toasted palms. And with one synchronous sip, both cups of stars had fulfilled their vicious purpose. Choked-down star-filled bitterness, and lovely eyes rolling back into the fading galaxy of their deceit.