sweethymns | Pictures in the Dark

I guess that makes sense. I like a quiet place, and I'm not even psychic.

[He gazes around the cafe, gauging if there's anyone who needs help, or if anything needs restocking. He notices that they might need to run to the back room and stock up on more napkins for some of the tables.]

I'm going to grab a few things in the back. Anything you need, Oren?

Half and half.

[One of the jars is almost two thirds gone. Oren also has one other thing to add:]

Will make deposit for you. Tomorrow.

[He hasn't forgotten about paying Michael!]

[He nods, feeling a wave of gratefulness.]

All right. Thanks.

[He scoots past the golem, muttering a:] I'll be right back. [-And then disappears into the back for a moment.]

[He's a sensible young man. Lost, but sensible.

These are Oren's thoughts as they are usually a mystery to most people who have not spoken to him enough. The golem has seen so much in what seems like an unimaginable amount of time, that there's little that surprises him. He had his reservations about Iona accepting Michael into the fold (she accepts almost anyone with very little restraint on her end), but to oddly enough? Oren's felt fine with him.

Michael is fine. Maybe he'll grow. Oren can watch since he has plenty of time left.

The golem continues to polish some cups and glasses, giving people plates of cookies or a slice of cake as the minutes pass by. As he goes back and forth, he stops for a second. He has a knack of sensing when the door is going to open.]

...

[He won't remark on it though. That's just the way he is.]

[And he's right, the door does open. When it does, a young man steps into the Grind, with a very flabbergasted sort of look on his face -- a face which Oren might recognize.]

Woah. What the hell-?

[A... cafe? Where did a cafe come from? More over, since when did the door to the cafe appear in such a random alleyway, on his way to work?]

Hey.... oh, hey. [He recognizes that guy behind the counter!] Golem guy!

Oh.

It's you.

[Don't sound so excited Oren, please! Some people look up with interest because it's always kinda funny when a new person enters the cafe. The reactions are priceless!]

[Ryan's not offended, he just saunters right up to the other side of the counter where Oren is.]

Yeah, you remember! [He leans forward on the counter with a big grin.] What are you doing here? You work here?

[Actually...] Wait, what am I even doing here? What was up with that door? Is this a cafe or something?

[Questions for days.]

Where was the door?

[Question right back at'cha Ryan.]

I work here. Co-owner. Cook. Accountant. Restocker.

[so... almost everything.... Iona's not the best at math ok...]

[He blinks.] Uuuh... it just appeared while I was going to work. [Or rather, on his way to running errands for Alanna, but whatever.] Some out of the way alley or something.

[He waves that away because it's totally not important.]

So... you do a little bit of everything? That's cool. [He looks around the cafe.] What's the deal with everyone here?

Their business.

[Aka, "Not yours." But Oren will at least elaborate a tiny bit.]

Special people. Like and not like you. Cafe for them if they can see it.

[He can't help it if he's curious; this stuff is still relatively new to him, and it never stops being fascinating.]

So a nice little place to hide from the world when you need some R&R? Nice. I like it.

Who's the other owner? Are they here?

Someone call for me??

[Speak of the devil! Iona pokes her head out of the kitchen. Her curly and wavy hair is tied back and she wears her white blouse and blue pleated skirt she uses for the Grind. Her smile widens at the new customer and she waves.]

Hi there! New? Welcome to the Midnight Grind! Sorry, I'm brewing up a storm in here, I'll be out with you in a minute.

[Oh, there's a pretty young lady back there? Look at Ryan and his suave smile, giving her a little friendly wave when she appears.]

Oh, hey there. And yeah, I guess I am new; wasn't expecting to make a coffee pit stop today, but hey, why not? [And instead of just leaning against the counter, he decides to take a seat and then lean.] Smells great. Can't ever have too much caffeine.

And you're not so bad yourself!

[She gestures with a finger gun, a wink, and a short laugh, before coming out of the door fully.]

I'm Iona! I run the cafe along with Oren. And for our policy for first time customers is a free drink! How's that sound?

[He chuckles at her enthusiasm, grinning widely.]

Hey, you know me -- or, I guess, you don't -- but I'm not the kind of guy to turn down a free drink. Whatcha got?

[He lightly hits the counter with the palm of his hand, gesturing.] Actually, surprise me!

[This place is already so cool in his book. Bunch of people with weird powers plus coffee plus a pretty owner plus a free first drink? What else could a guy ask for?]

Oooh, a daring one! Okay, leave it to me then!

[Iona's always so ready to please. She goes to the kitchen and then to the back where Michael is.]

Hey, Michael? Still looking for the napkins?

[Michael turns around when Iona calls out to him, and he does indeed have a stack of assorted things in his hands -- napkins, plus what Oren requested as well.]

Nope, I found them. Did you need something?

We have a first time customer!

[Cheerfully said as always, but Iona's usually excited when it's a first timer to impress especially if they seem particularly friendly like the new guy that just came in.]

I'll teach you how to make something Oren hasn't gotten to yet; it's called an affogato! And you can serve it to him so that he can see all the staff.

[Cause Michael's kind of on his way of being part of the Grind now.]

Oh...? [He feels flattered to be referred to as "part of the Grind"; it's almost like he belongs here with her and Oren. He smiles a little.]

All right. I've already learned so many drink recipes, so what's the harm in one more?

Lead the way. I'll set this stuff aside on the counter when I get out there, and I'll put everything in its place after we help this new customer.

[And so Iona, personally walks Michael throughout the steps to make this unique drink; hot and cold, bitter and sweet, and that hidden touch that elevated the taste that couldn't be described in words. It's complicated in its own way, especially since Iona's taking time instead of using shortcuts.

It comes out beautiful, part chilly and part warm in the glass. She crumbles the cookie bits over the new customer's drink to dot the whipped cream on top.]

There! Doesn't that look tasty? God, I even want to make my own now...!

[It does look tasty; smells good too. Michael's glad to have learned how to make this particular drink, adding to his ever-growing repertoire since he started working at the Grind.]

Maybe we can make a couple more after we close up.

[Utilizing his newfound skills? Also an A+.

Having set down the supplies he went to get in the back before Iona showed him the recipe, Michael has his hands free now; free enough to pick up said drink and start heading out into the cafe proper.]

Let's serve it to the new person.

[Mr. "New Person" is still at his seat at the counter, trying to make conversation with Oren. (It's a mostly one-sided conversation, but he doesn't mind.) He doesn't notice Iona or Michael come out just yet, and the cafe is full enough for Michael to not know which direction to look for this new customer.

Both remain oblivious. For now.]

[Oren will give Ryan SOME conversation...]

Can cook anything. If ingredients available.

[Their stock seems to be strangely full a lot of the time, it's usually preparation time that poses a challenge.]

[His focus is on Oren for now, and he's not really paying that much attention to the people around him just yet.]

So basically, you're saying that cooking is your superpower?

... Among others.

Had a long time to learn.

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