Pictures in the Dark

[formidable]

General PSL/FUNBOX post for aurajen and formidable. Lots of OC shenanigans. ➢ Cool Mood Music No. 1 ➤ Cool Mood Music No. 2

Comments

[dilatory]

I think that might be his idea of efficiency, which is drilling it into my head until I get it right.

[at least it seems to be working. He already has so many drink recipes memorized, it's ridiculous.]

Well, Oren's been pretty thorough so far. I guess what I've mostly been wondering if you think that the customers will take to me, being a new face and all?

[infusion]

They won't mind! They don't ask questions because I usually don't ask much questions beyond what they would like to drink.

And besides, you're sweet. The girls definitely appreciate you when Oren is too overwhelming.

[dilatory]

[Aaaah, you're gonna make him blush again; Michael wonders if he can mentally WILL IT AWAY...]

I'm just being... polite. [He idly washes out a coffee cup that needs rinsing in one of the sinks, for no real reason.] Besides, how can they think Oren is too overwhelming? I'd figure girls would be all over him, considering how he looks.

[infusion]

Oh they're definitely all over him. I mean why wouldn't they? But unfortunately, they treat him as if he's on another level they can't reach and they're kinda right. I mean, he's not available. [Being her golem for the time being and all.]

You though. [She points at him and nods knowingly.]

You're approachable. That is KEY in attractiveness. And you're not cocky, overconfident, and you try your best. [She says all of this while gesturing with her arms.]

That way, people go, "Oh, he's dependable. He's refreshing."

Yeah. Refreshing! [THUMBS UP AT MICHAEL]

[dilatory]

[So, there are two ways that he can take that. One, very flattering. Two, he's just the silver medal.

If he were the more prideful sort, Michael might actually be offended. But that's not his personality at all, and instead he does find it flattering, but even more embarrassing with Iona just listing all these attributes off like it's nothing.]

"Refreshing", huh? [Yup, drying off that coffee cup and putting it back in its proper place, now.] You might be overstating things a little though; I'm sure they're just being... civil. [Yeah, that's it, all the girls are being civil to him.]

[infusion]

... You're really shy aren't you?

[Although she wonders if he was like this before he withdrew from his family.]

It's not a bad thing you know. Besides, right now you're clearly trying your best. I think almost everyone can see that.

[dilatory]

[He looks at her, as if trying to prove a point that no, he's totally not shy! What are you talking about.....]

You say that kind of thing to any guy, I'm pretty sure he'd be a little shy or embarrassed about it.

[Which is... not at all true. Michael had always been a little naturally shy, but after the accident with his sister, it only accentuated this aspect of his personality, making him more withdrawn that he would normally.] But still, I'm glad you can see I'm trying my best. I want to add to productivity, not be a hindrance.

[infusion]

[She covers her mouth to stifle her giggle.]

Well, I DO like embarrassing people with nice words. Keep it up and you won't hear the end of it from me.

[dilatory]

Yeah, well you're really good at it.

[Aaaah, so embarrassing...]

A-anyway, your nice words get you pretty far. Everyone here loves you.

[infusion]

Believe it or not, when I first started up this place a few years ago, it was kind of hard to build a customer base. I mean, it's not conventional to begin with since the door can be hard to find.

And on top of that... Witch? Cafe full of sweets and delicious drinks? I had a lot of the, "You're not doping or fattening us up are you?" questions.

[dilatory]

Wait, really? Is that an actual thing that happens? Witches fattening up kids and tossing them in their boiling cauldrons to eat for later?

[It sounds too... stereotypical.]

[infusion]

Oh of course not! Not now anyways. From what Berna told me... Oh, that's my grandma by the way-- From what she told me, that was probably something done by ancient witches, but you wouldn't know because they're dead.

[Iona shrugs.]

Proving that cannibalism does not support a healthy magic body system. People just ask just to be kind of annoying anyways.

[dilatory]

[He can't help but sneak in a little joke.]

So then... you're saying you're not planning on cooking me alive?

[infusion]

[Iona in return, gives him a cheeky wink.]

Not quite yet. I'll keep the plan on the back burner for now.

[dilatory]

Make sure to give me a little warning before you do, that way I have a fighting chance.

[He smiles but then leans on the counter, exhaling.]

I'll be sleeping well tonight after my shift is over, that's for sure.

[infusion]

Make sure you get some really good rest! You deserve it.

[And Iona made sure he worked at peak hours instead of past midnight because...]

After midnight tends to be the time I get really weird customers, just so you know. I didn't want to put you into that sort of situation that abruptly.

[dilatory]

[That makes him frown in concern, even though he knows that's not the reason why she brought it up.]

"Weird", how?

[infusion]

Lizard people.

[There is no humor in her voice.]

[dilatory]

....





Wait, what?

[That is the only legitimate reaction to that, Iona. Plz to be explaining.]

[infusion]

They REALLY like garlic noodles.

[IONA THAT DOESN'T EXPLAIN ANYTHING]

[dilatory]

[Michael is, plainly, confused. He pinches at the bridge of his nose, his brows knit together.]

So after midnight, you get lizard people who like ordering garlic noodles?

[He looks directly at her.]

Are you messing with me again, Iona?

[infusion]

[The witch continues nonplussed by Michael's reaction.]

Not just garlic noodles! They like this fermented drink Oren makes too. They only come every other month or so, but I'm positive they like using my cafe as a war conference room... But you know, don't ask questions... they're from a different dimension altogether.

And then there's that huge bear that comes at the end of the month. He really likes all the fruit pastry items and we tend to have to spend a lot when berries aren't in season. He pays us in honeycombs though! They're really tasty!

[IT'S JUST THOSE SORTS OF WEEKENDS.]

[dilatory]

[It's times like these that Michael realizes how much of the world he was completely oblivious to. That is, until he met Iona.

He's trying to imagine everything that she says; it's like the spoutings of someone with an overactive imagination, but Michael listens with a sense of... bewilderment and awe.]

...I'm extending my shift. [(He says, as if that's his decision to make.)] I want to be here to see all that. [And it sounds like having an extra pair of hands during the... lizard and bear rush wouldn't be a bad thing to have.]

[infusion]

Oh? If you're sure?

I don't think either of them will show up tonight though. And I was planning to go out drinking with some friends.

[dilatory]

...Oh. [Michael sounding a little deflated? Surely not. (Maybe he'll get a chance to see all the weirdness some other late night.)

That, and he's not going to be so bold as to invite himself along with Iona, when she already had plans with her friends. He's not that headstrong, and so he'll politely bow out.]

I guess never mind, then. I didn't know you had plans, so I'm not going to derail them.