Money doesn't grow on trees

[candothismuch]

Who: Fukushi (Eiji) and anyone
What: Eiji is working at his job so he can earn the money he needs to keep living in his temporary abode.
When: Morning to late afternoon; all week
Where: A little cafe close to a residential area.
Warnings: None at the moment



[When Eiji had gone to work to begin his shift at the usual hours that he had been given there were already some people inside. He smiled at them, said good morning, and went into the back to put on his apron and name tag. At this point he knew the routine well enough. Some regulars would come in, followed by people who wanted their morning coffee, the list went on and on.]

Here you are, ma'am.

[He finishes ringing up a purchase for a coffee cake, handing the pastry over to a woman who tersely thanks him before quickly leaving, continuing to talk to someone over her phone. Once she's gone, the traffic begins to lull little by little as the day goes on.

As he considers going to help one of his other co-workers with cleaning up a little he sees the door open and someone enter. He goes back to the cashier, putting on a smile for the customer.]

Welcome! May I take your order?

Comments

[sailorlaughter]

[A little cafe seemed like a perfect way to get outside while still keeping away from crowds. Pinkie's pinned her head scarf into place this time; it should stay no matter if her ears twitch or not.]

Hi! Um, I'll take a strawberry muffin and a hot chocolate? [Lately coffee's been striking her as too bitter. Plus they make the ears more excited.]

[candothismuch]

[He nods his head and goes to get the muffin first. Eiji grabs one of the small pastry bags and using the tongs, places a strawberry muffin inside of it. Once he's done with that he hands it to her.]

Here you are. I'll get your hot chocolate for you now.

[Since she was the only one he could get to making it right away, which he does.]

[sailorlaughter]

Okay, thanks!

[Pinkie lingers near the counter to watch him. It keeps her from the front, where fans could maybe see her through the windows.]

[candothismuch]

[He works the machinery easily enough. Heating the milk and letting flow so it mixed with the chocolate syrup in the cup. Then when that was done, he added to customary whipped cream topping before returning to the counter.]

Here you are, miss.

[sailorlaughter]

Thanks!

[Pinkie chirps, sipping the drink.]

...hey, is it okay if I hang out in here for a while? I'll go if any press people show up!

[alleato]

[Dino comes up to the counter for the third time, looking over his sunglasses like he's trying his hardest not to be recognized. He's failing, as there are three teenage girls giggling and pointing at him while he's turned away. He doesn't notice.]

Um... another espresso, please.

[candothismuch]

[This man certainly was putting away his coffee.]

Okay, I'll get another one ready for you.

[alleato]

[Italian.

Dino leans in a bit and whispers, though:]

Hey, can you check on something for me?

[candothismuch]

[Eiji had grabbed another clean cup and was in the process of replacing the filter for the espresso beans when he hears the whispered request. He gives a inquisitive look in the other's direction but doesn't stop what he is doing.]

Hm? What is it that you need checked?

[alleato]

[He leans in more, almost over the counter the whole way.]

Are those girls laughing at me?

[loveconservative]

[Nia is half-heartedly trying to not be conspicuous, with a scarf tied over her hair and wearing sunglasses. But when she recognizes the man behind the counter, she immediately beams, pulling her sunglasses down and revealing her flower eyes without even thinking about it. She forgot to put in her contacts this morning oops.

Still, she smiles brightly at him.]

Good afternoon! I did not realize you worked here!

[candothismuch]

[He recognizes Nia as well and his smile brightens a little.]

Well, I did mention I worked in a cafe, didn't I?

[loveconservative]

You did, but there are many cafes. It's a pleasure to see you again. How did you do in the trial? Were you chosen to participate? Are you well?

[candothismuch]

Ah, yes I was chosen to participate and I did fine in my trial. Somehow we were able to win.

[The fun house hadn't been too bad, bar maybe the end part.]

I am doing fine. What about you?

[loveconservative]

[Her smile falters a little.]

I... I am doing well. I just wanted to get out for a little bit. Even though Ankh is still there, I find it's a little lonely without Tsuna.

[woomy]

[ Have a kid who's probably struggling to see over the counter. ]

Can you do hot chocolate with marshmallows?

[candothismuch]

[Oh, he recognizes you!]

I can. I'm pretty sure we have marshmallows here.

[woomy]

Hot chocolate with marshmallows are the best. You can't have them any other way!

[ She continues to stand on the tips of her toes to see what other goodies the cafe has. ]

What's your favorite treat here?

[candothismuch]

Mm... I'd have to say I like the blueberry muffins the best. But everything here is delicious.

[woomy]

[ Her face almost turns comically serious as she ponders this. ]

Would a blueberry muffin go good with hot chocolate?

[possessedbygreeed]

[Oh, shit, this was a problem. He came to Eiji, or Fukushi's place of work with a tabloid paper stuck in his inside suit pocket. He knew he'd fucked up, but this was a level of attention he didn't want.

He let himself into the cafe, and returned Eiji's smile at the door.] Hey, uh, I'll take a coffee, and uh, do you have a minute? [He lowered his sunglasses a little so Eiji could see that he meant business.]

[candothismuch]

[Well then... Eiji blinks and quickly nods, going to mix up the coffee his friend ordered. One of the other workers stared at Shingo curiously but stopped when Eiji said it was just a friend of his. Once done, he walks out from behind the counter to the other man and gestures him to an emptier part of the cafe.

He sets the cup down in front the chair adjacent to one he seats himself.]

Did something happen?

[possessedbygreeed]

[When they get there, he takes the sunglasses off and pulls the 'newspaper' out of his jacket. He never read the things at home, but here they were sometimes useful. Or in this case, it was a disaster. It was already open to the relevant page.]

This did. I wasn't trying to draw this much attention! I wasn't trying to draw any at all! [He's clearly a little stressed out, he scratches at the back of his head while he just drinks the coffee black.]

[candothismuch]

[And Eiji quietly reads over the the tabloid while Shingo drinks his beverage. The pictures were of pretty poor quality but those were unmistakably Ankh and Shingo. The media seemed to think they were long lost siblings.]

Oh...

[He's not judging Shingo but this looked like a sign of trouble for his friend.]

[possessedbygreeed]

[He's moved past regretting that it happened, now it was time to just deal. He huffs a bit.] As far as I know for now, I haven't lost my job at the gates to Virgo yet, but more importantly, I hope I didn't just sabotage anything.

[He reaches a hand out to one side of their table like he was about to grab something, but his hand closes on nothing. He continues on, speaking more quietly.] I was so close. He said he wanted to help his humans.