Lionel

The statuesque obelisk grinned from ear to ear when his new friend guided him to the correct location. "You, uh, come here often? You knew exactly how to get here."

"I just follow my nose. It tells me where I've been before."

"Mm, impressive. Like a honey bee."

"Not really. It's a tundra thing, not just a talent that I have."

"Still impressive." They had reached the counter. The obelisk took a few moments to consider the options, then went with a pumpkin chai latte. The cashier asked for his name, and a realization hit him and his friend at the same time. They exchanged amused looks. "Lionel."

The tundra stepped up to pay for his as they had arranged, and then it was his turn to order. He went with his usual - a simple rose tea. When asked his name, he responded with a straight face, "Lionel."

The server stopped short, eyes narrowed. "Wait. So, you're both named Lionel?" She looked exasperated, like they could control how they were named and had done this on purpose just to make her job harder. To be fair, they were here together.

Tundra-Lionel gave her a matter-of-fact, "Yes, ma'am!" and the pair burst out laughing again. The tundra's laugh was almost a cackle, a little maniacal, but in an endearing way. Obelisk-Lionel was still chuckling as he made sure to give the order-taker her own tip for her pain and suffering. He had worked customer service once, and he hoped he'd never have to do so again. He had a dream to fulfill - a dream that had brought him to this very marketplace. It would be torture to have to return to bending over backwards for ungrateful people and being "encouraged" to look happy about it.

"So, what smells guided you here?" asked Obelisk-Lionel as they found the best place where both of them could comfortably sit.

"Teahouse smells." Realizing this wasn't helpful when the obelisk gave him a quizzical look, he elaborated. "Herbs, spices, that sort of thing."

"There are lots of herbs and spices out in the market. What distinguishes this place?"

Tundra-Lionel nervously looked around to make sure no one else could hear him, and leaned in. "You know how you mentioned there are usually lots of old ladies here? Well, they have a... unique smell."

Obelisk-Lionel nearly snorted tea out of his nose. That would've made great first impression. His sister would scold him for being so careless. "Old lady smell?"

Tundra-Lionel smiled sheepishly. "Yeah."

The pair of them continued talking and laughing until sunset, neither one of them wanting to part company despite having their own individual errands to run. They were different in personality, but they shared core values and had reached a lot of similar conclusions on various subjects.

They agreed to meet up at this teahouse again at a later date.

"Okay, see you then, doof!" teased Tundra-Lionel.

Obelisk-Lionel smiled. He was glad they had bumped into each other, literally. "Looking forward to it, honey bee."