happy national coffee day, everyone! in celebration of the occasion, there's a half-priced drinks special going on at your favorite coffee place! feel free to tag around, invite your friends, do whatever! just try to cut our poor employees some slack...
[she'd been crouched down behind the register, searching for that darn box of leftover sugar substitutes that should been in the cupboard, when the customer's voice resounds, effectively startling her. the top of her head rams into the inner frame of the cupboard door,] —ow!— [causing it to shudder as minako scrambles out and into a stand.]
...good evening, sir. [she says, the edges of her mouth pulled into a pained smile. one hand rubs the slowly forming bump atop her head while the other enters his order.] You, uh... You said one espresso shot, right?
[ His eyes narrow at the girl behind the counter. Ironically, the fact that she repeated his order back at him placated Jacopo for a moment. Despite hitting her head against the cupboard and revealing herself as a klutz, he appreciated that she at least halfway seemed to know what she was doing.
After all, Jacopo was familiar with business decorum. ]
That's right.
[ A pause. ]
I want it as strong as possible and 163 degrees Fahrenheit by the time it's served to me.
[with the most self-assured, beatific smile:] No problem! I'll get it out to you shortly.
[she adds in today's discount, bringing his order to a grand total of 65 cents! incredible. the price flashes onto the card reader.] Do you have a punch card with us, sir? On your tenth visit, you get a free drink and pastry!
[ Deep down in his arctic heart, Jacopo was impressed by the barista's unflappable attitude. He did, however, consider that she might instead be stupid.
Jacopo produces his wallet from his pocket, sliding his seventh punch card out for the barista to examine. Today was his fifth visit to the cafe, according to the punch card. ]
Well, looks like I'll have to come back five more times then.
[ Even without the punch cards, he would have returned to the cafe. It was at an extremely convenient location, right across the street from his office.
Jacopo reaches back into his wallet before sliding a twenty-dollar bill across the counter. ]
Keep the change. I don't have smaller bills. If your manager asks why the cash register's balance is off, just tell him to stop looking a gift horse in the mouth.
[not withholding any of her amusement, a chuckle escapes her throat. withdrawing a hole-puncher from her apron pocket, she makes quick work of the punch card before handing it back. it's strange. given the amount of holes already on the card, she's surprised she hasn't run into the guy before.]
Oh, don't worry 'bout it. I'll just add the leftover change to our tip jar. No one's going to bite my head off or anything. Appreciate the concern though.
[her fingers hover over the screen, about to complete the transaction, when—she hesitates. minako taps a single, neatly filed nail against her chin in thought.] ...still, are you sure? You could buy more than just the single shot of espresso with this. Like... actual food. Something more than just caffeine to get you through the night.
[suddenly popping up from behind the counter] Hey! Thanks for stopping by Inaba's favorite coffee shop, I'll be with you Inaba-tta minute! Thanks!
[he ducks back down and stays there for about a minute then pops up wearing an apron and neat little hat] So sorry for the delay! What can I get started for you today on this sunshine and worry free day?
:D
EVERY DAMN TIME I READ YOUR KEYWORDS I WANT TO DIE
[it's quiet at the cafe. the worst of the evening crowd has dissipated, leaving only a few college-age stragglers doing their last-minute cramming before they retreat for the night. and even then, the last of them pack up their things and make their way out the door after another hour passes.
sandalphon stands at the counter, closes his eyes, and listens to the city around him.
it's peaceful here, in this world. he hasn't seen monsters prowling the streets the way they do on so many of the islands in the skyrealm. the technology is cutting-edge but alien; even their airships—planes—are sleek, shiny contraptions of metal, unlike the wooden airships he's accustomed to seeing. for the first time since he's arrived here in this city, he lets himself miss the grancypher and its ragtag mess of a crew.
arriving isn't incorrect, though it hardly explains the entire situation. summoned, as his bewildered master—a seemingly ordinary girl not unlike the singularity, with her soulful eyes—had put it. an accident, because she hadn't understood how the aged sword she'd used as her catalyst had summoned an archangel from another world. a contract is a contract though, one he's bound by magic to obey; trying to rebel has left him with nothing but spent energy and growing frustration.
what he doesn't understand is his master's insistence on clinging to her farce of a normal life when she's entrenched in the throes of a holy grail war. she has her late father's cafe to mind, when her mother isn't available, and the second sandalphon had let slip that he knew how to make coffee, he'd been roped into covering a shift for an employee who was up to her ears in midterms.
ludicrous. a servant dragged into something as mundane as this, and his master had had the gall to threaten using command seals on him. he should have called her bluff, challenged her into wasting one. fewer chances, this way, for her to command him to do something else equally absurd.
still, there's something soothing about being surrounded by the scent of coffee in so unfamiliar a city. somehow, sandalphon doesn't even particularly mind when he hears the bell at the door jingle again, heralding the arrival of a last-minute customer. he looks up, studying the woman with an expression of bored disinterest.]
[ It wasn't like he wanted to be here; unfortunately, bills had to be paid. ]
Uh. ... so are you going to place an order?
[ He spoke without a smile and, instead, an extremely flat tone. Had the manager been observing, the poor lady would have fainted on the spot seeing such a horrific display of customer service.
Therion gives the customer a glance from head to toe and -- wait. Were those pointed ears? ]
Oh... yes, I'm sorry. I just needed a moment to decide...
[really, there's no reason francel should have to apologize for taking a moment to consider his order, particularly as the woman behind him is engaged in a phone conversation so intense that she's probably forgotten that she's standing in line ("over, chris? you tell me it's over? i paid your rent! if you're going to sit here and tell me it's over, i want that back!")...
ducking slightly, as if he might be able to protect his sensitive, pointy ears from the woman's conversation if he just ducks and hides, francel manages a pained smile as he says:]
...Could I just have some banana pudding to go, please?
[it’s a cold day in autumn and chloe’s still dressed like she’s going to the beach. still acting like it, too. rip, minatoast.]
i saaaaid i want an iced caramel macchiato with two extra pumps of cream and five pumps of vanilla and extra caramel! It’s not toooo bad an order I think? hehe :9
[truth is, minato heard her just fine the first time, had the drink combination memorized down to each separate pump and everything. he just wanted to make sure he'd heard her emoji right.
unperturbed, he keys in her order.]
And did you want to make that a Venti for only an additional 50 cents?
[it’s a good thing no one is behind chloe in line, as she needs more than a mere moment to figure this out by talking to herself. she twirls her colored lock of hair, tapping her other finger against her lip, as she considers this fairly simple question with the seriousness of a rich man contemplating marriage.]
it might put me super above my calorie count 4 the day! but like... u kno what? ok! let’s do it! let’s be bad!! Ψ(｀▽´)Ψ
[omg, he did the thing, too! it's been so long since someone else has done the thing! chloe is so excited.]
Oh, card please! 'cuz cash is so not cute, you know? ヾ(●´∀｀●)
(*´з`*)＜ here you goooo ♪(´∇`*)
[...are they somehow getting more elaborate? how does she do that with her mouth, anyway? giggling, chloe hands over her shiny, new-looking credit card, beaming with joy.]
[marian staggers her way to the front, elbowing the other customers—the good, patient ones—out of her way. her face looks a little pale, a little sweaty. she'd just come out from the restroom.]
Look, um... [her eyes stray to the barista's name tag, squinting a little. her vision dances.] Jan... lenoux. Janlenoux. Right. Um. Sorry about the ruckus, I just made a bit of a mess in the toilet. On it. Around it. Nothing too gross, I threw up a bit of my brunch is all. Bad salmon. Just one of those days, you know?
[ The grumbling from the customers elbowed aside quickly dies down when they hear that explanation — some only recoil, others are more vocal about their sudden wariness towards the cafe's menu. Janlenoux masks his mounting dismay. Turning to the queasy customer before him, he regards her with some concern. ]
Thank you for letting us know — we'll have it cleaned up soon. [ Until then, the toilet is out of order... ] But will you be alright?
[twenty minutes before open. minato hums along to the music playing from his earbuds as he mops the back kitchen floor. is he even allowed to have his earbuds in while working? unlikely, but he gets away with it because he's minato.]
[and here's akira, slowly poking his head out of the closet, from where he's been making sure they have enough inventory for the day, because whoever was on closing shift yesterday somehow forgot. he offers a little half-smile.]
...To be fair, you've been meeting us several times every week, now.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
no subject
He enters at 10:30PM sharp, the cheerful sound of the entrance bell overcast by the dark scowl on his face. ]
I'll take an espresso shot.
[ He had a long night ahead of him. ]
no subject
...good evening, sir. [she says, the edges of her mouth pulled into a pained smile. one hand rubs the slowly forming bump atop her head while the other enters his order.] You, uh... You said one espresso shot, right?
no subject
After all, Jacopo was familiar with business decorum. ]
That's right.
[ A pause. ]
I want it as strong as possible and 163 degrees Fahrenheit by the time it's served to me.
no subject
[she adds in today's discount, bringing his order to a grand total of 65 cents! incredible. the price flashes onto the card reader.] Do you have a punch card with us, sir? On your tenth visit, you get a free drink and pastry!
no subject
Jacopo produces his wallet from his pocket, sliding his seventh punch card out for the barista to examine. Today was his fifth visit to the cafe, according to the punch card. ]
Well, looks like I'll have to come back five more times then.
[ Even without the punch cards, he would have returned to the cafe. It was at an extremely convenient location, right across the street from his office.
Jacopo reaches back into his wallet before sliding a twenty-dollar bill across the counter. ]
Keep the change. I don't have smaller bills. If your manager asks why the cash register's balance is off, just tell him to stop looking a gift horse in the mouth.
no subject
Oh, don't worry 'bout it. I'll just add the leftover change to our tip jar. No one's going to bite my head off or anything. Appreciate the concern though.
[her fingers hover over the screen, about to complete the transaction, when—she hesitates. minako taps a single, neatly filed nail against her chin in thought.] ...still, are you sure? You could buy more than just the single shot of espresso with this. Like... actual food. Something more than just caffeine to get you through the night.
no subject
no subject
[he ducks back down and stays there for about a minute then pops up wearing an apron and neat little hat] So sorry for the delay! What can I get started for you today on this sunshine and worry free day?
:D
EVERY DAMN TIME I READ YOUR KEYWORDS I WANT TO DIE
Someone's vandalized your sign outside.
c:
Why do you think I was late to work?
leave
...you overslept?
no subject
Anyways, aren't you going to order something?
no subject
So you vandalized your own sign?
no subject
no subject
sandalphon stands at the counter, closes his eyes, and listens to the city around him.
it's peaceful here, in this world. he hasn't seen monsters prowling the streets the way they do on so many of the islands in the skyrealm. the technology is cutting-edge but alien; even their airships—planes—are sleek, shiny contraptions of metal, unlike the wooden airships he's accustomed to seeing. for the first time since he's arrived here in this city, he lets himself miss the grancypher and its ragtag mess of a crew.
arriving isn't incorrect, though it hardly explains the entire situation. summoned, as his bewildered master—a seemingly ordinary girl not unlike the singularity, with her soulful eyes—had put it. an accident, because she hadn't understood how the aged sword she'd used as her catalyst had summoned an archangel from another world. a contract is a contract though, one he's bound by magic to obey; trying to rebel has left him with nothing but spent energy and growing frustration.
what he doesn't understand is his master's insistence on clinging to her farce of a normal life when she's entrenched in the throes of a holy grail war. she has her late father's cafe to mind, when her mother isn't available, and the second sandalphon had let slip that he knew how to make coffee, he'd been roped into covering a shift for an employee who was up to her ears in midterms.
ludicrous. a servant dragged into something as mundane as this, and his master had had the gall to threaten using command seals on him. he should have called her bluff, challenged her into wasting one. fewer chances, this way, for her to command him to do something else equally absurd.
still, there's something soothing about being surrounded by the scent of coffee in so unfamiliar a city. somehow, sandalphon doesn't even particularly mind when he hears the bell at the door jingle again, heralding the arrival of a last-minute customer. he looks up, studying the woman with an expression of bored disinterest.]
Good evening. What can I get you?
no subject
no subject
Uh. ... so are you going to place an order?
[ He spoke without a smile and, instead, an extremely flat tone. Had the manager been observing, the poor lady would have fainted on the spot seeing such a horrific display of customer service.
Therion gives the customer a glance from head to toe and -- wait. Were those pointed ears? ]
no subject
[really, there's no reason francel should have to apologize for taking a moment to consider his order, particularly as the woman behind him is engaged in a phone conversation so intense that she's probably forgotten that she's standing in line ("over, chris? you tell me it's over? i paid your rent! if you're going to sit here and tell me it's over, i want that back!")...
ducking slightly, as if he might be able to protect his sensitive, pointy ears from the woman's conversation if he just ducks and hides, francel manages a pained smile as he says:]
...Could I just have some banana pudding to go, please?
no subject
no subject
no subject
...could you repeat that?
no subject
[it’s a cold day in autumn and chloe’s still dressed like she’s going to the beach. still acting like it, too. rip, minatoast.]
i saaaaid i want an iced caramel macchiato with two extra pumps of cream and five pumps of vanilla and extra caramel!
It’s not toooo bad an order I think? hehe :9
no subject
unperturbed, he keys in her order.]
And did you want to make that a Venti for only an additional 50 cents?
no subject
[it’s a good thing no one is behind chloe in line, as she needs more than a mere moment to figure this out by talking to herself. she twirls her colored lock of hair, tapping her other finger against her lip, as she considers this fairly simple question with the seriousness of a rich man contemplating marriage.]
it might put me super above my calorie count 4 the day! but like...
u kno what? ok! let’s do it! let’s be bad!!
Ψ(｀▽´)Ψ
no subject
$2.75. Will you be paying with cash or card...? (´∀`)
[—woah there, minato. where'd that come from? he clears his throat a little, playing it off as coolly as possible.]
no subject
Oh, card please! 'cuz cash is so not cute, you know?
ヾ(●´∀｀●)
(*´з`*)＜ here you goooo ♪(´∇`*)
[...are they somehow getting more elaborate? how does she do that with her mouth, anyway? giggling, chloe hands over her shiny, new-looking credit card, beaming with joy.]
no subject
no subject
no subject
[marian staggers her way to the front, elbowing the other customers—the good, patient ones—out of her way. her face looks a little pale, a little sweaty. she'd just come out from the restroom.]
Look, um... [her eyes stray to the barista's name tag, squinting a little. her vision dances.] Jan... lenoux. Janlenoux. Right. Um. Sorry about the ruckus, I just made a bit of a mess in the toilet. On it. Around it. Nothing too gross, I threw up a bit of my brunch is all. Bad salmon. Just one of those days, you know?
no subject
Thank you for letting us know — we'll have it cleaned up soon. [ Until then, the toilet is out of order... ] But will you be alright?
no subject
no subject
PROTAGS ASSEMBLE
no subject
So... we meet again.
no subject
...To be fair, you've been meeting us several times every week, now.