Krystina, Coffee, and the Art of Being Prepared

Krystina Sheiffer is one of those people who notices everything.

And I mean everything.

The unusual footprint in the mud.

The person who's been following us for three streets.

The fact that I've forgotten to bring something important.

Again.

She's observant, analytical, and extraordinarily capable in situations where the rest of us are still trying to understand what's happening.

Which makes her incredibly useful.

And occasionally very annoying.

Not that I'd ever tell her that.

Actually, I probably have.

Krystina and I have different ways of approaching the world.

She studies the details.

I tend to get distracted by the possibilities.

She likes preparation.

I like improvisation.

She thinks through the consequences.

I sometimes discover them personally.

Somehow, it works.

We've spent enough time together that she can usually tell what I'm thinking before I've said anything.

There's a particular expression she gets when she knows I'm about to suggest something questionable.

It's remarkably similar to Michael's.

I'm beginning to suspect they've been comparing notes.

But here's something people might not realize about Krystina.

She's not just the serious, capable person you see during a mission.

She can be funny. Surprisingly funny.

And when we're somewhere safe, drinking coffee and talking about ordinary things, she's one of my favourite people to spend time with.

We don't always agree.

We don't always see things the same way.

But when it matters, I know she'll be there.

And that's the kind of friendship worth travelling through time for.

Even if she insists on checking the route first.

Love, ♡