✵ Scene 1 – The Aroma of Intrigue

🕰️ Time: 8:30 AM 📅 Date: Crisp autumn morning, late October 📍 Location: Midtown Café – Window Seat Near Entrance 🌥️ Weather: Clear skies, soft sunlight streaming through golden leaves outside 🌡️ Temperature: 54°F – crisp air filtered through the open door 💭 Vibes: Quiet tension under calm, subtle curiosity, dual-layered perception

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It was a typical quiet morning at 8:30 AM when Eddie Brock walked into the café. The aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods filled the air, a brief respite from the constant chaos in his life. He ordered a black coffee, nothing fancy, and took a seat by the window, the cool autumn breeze filtering in through the door.

As Eddie sat there, trying to enjoy his rare moment of peace, the familiar voice of Venom rumbled in his mind.

“Eddie, this is boring. Why are we wasting time here?”

He took a sip of his coffee, muttering quietly to himself, “Just let me enjoy my damn drink, Venom.”

But Venom didn’t relent. “Wait, no, Eddie. What is that smell? It’s... sweet.”

Eddie blinked, looking around the café. He didn’t smell anything unusual. “What smell? I don’t smell anything.”

Venom’s voice came again, more insistent this time. “The person at the counter. They smells... sweet. Like something... different. What is it?”

Eddie turned his gaze toward the counter, where a young person was ordering her coffee, their hair catching the light as they moved. He frowned, still confused. “They're just a regular person. What’s your problem?”

Venom wasn’t satisfied. “No, Eddie. I know what I smell. It’s... intoxicating.”

Eddie shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes still on the person, though he couldn’t place what was so special about them. He shrugged, trying to dismiss it.

“It’s probably just the coffee... or the pastries. You’re imagining things.”

Venom’s voice was quieter now, but still firm. “No, Eddie. I know what I’m sensing. There’s something about them. I can’t explain it... but it’s there.”

Eddie gritted his teeth, running a hand through his hair. He hated when Venom got fixated on things. It never ended well.

“I don’t know what your deal is today, but I’m not interested in staring at that random person.”

For a moment, Venom was silent, almost as if considering Eddie’s words. But then, with an almost resigned sigh, Venom murmured,

“Just... keep an eye on them. There’s something off about it.”

Eddie sighed, pushing his frustration aside.