sweethymns | Pictures in the Dark

[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.

Really? You don't look all that old to me. Then again, you're not what I imagined a golem to look like, either.

500.

All golems look different.

[And most golems aren't Oren either.]

[He looks surprised for a moment, then laughs.]

500? You do realize that means I'm going to have to start calling you an old man. [But he knows Oren's name now, courtesy of Iona.] Old man Oren. [Look at that teasing smile.] It's got a nice ring to it.

[Just. Dead eye stare at Ryan. Oren may not have a charming sense of humor, but he does know when something is considered funny for humans or not. Old Man Oren???? That's so lame????]

Are you going to eat.

[so yeah let's just sidestep that]

[Well hey, he thought it was clever-

Aaaand totally derailed by the mention of food. He just so happens to be hungry, but then again, when is he not?]

Well, since you asked, yes, I will eat. Gonna just wait on that free drink of mine and maybe take a peek at the menu?

No menu. Can make recommendations.

... Drink is ready.

[Iona comes out, her hair bouncing with every step.]

We made you a drink called an affogato! It means, "to drown," in Italian, but it's basically like an espresso float, but gelato instead of ice cream.

Hope you enjoy!

[And that's someone's cue...]

[It's his cue indeed, and Michael is walking out with the affogato in one hand, ready to serve it to the new customer. He scoots around Iona in order to do so, and steps forward, getting a good look at the guy-

-and freezes in his spot. It's a face he hasn't seen in a good five years, but it's instantly recognizable. He clutches at the mug a bit tighter.]

Ryan?

[The frown's not quite there yet, but it's assuredly inbound.]

[On the other hand, looking up upon hearing his name, Ryan can't hide the way his smile immediately fades when he sees Michael. A flood of emotions slam into him all at once, bringing in memories and associations he wasn't mentally prepared to be slapped in the face with.

His brow furrows, but he doesn't sound irritated (yet). Just very, very confused.]

...Michael? What the fuck?

[It nicely summarizes his feelings right now. He looks him up and down, as if his brain doesn't know what to do with him. That's Michael Camden, alright.]

What are you doing here? [He glances between Iona and Oren, as if they'll supplement his questions with answers as well.] Why's this guy here?

[Iona blinks because she's equally confused by Ryan's reaction. She looks at Michael and then at Oren and then back at Ryan.]

He... Works here if that's what you're asking?

[There's that sinking feeling in her gut that tells the witch that something's gonna go wrong...]

Edited 2016-06-12 06:07 (UTC)

[... Which is why Oren steps in front of Iona as if guarding her and looks between the two young men, his gaze steely as ever and his words coming out even more curt if possible.]

We have problem.

[Not a question, a conclusion made from a quick observation and probably stating the obvious.

Although Oren's tone is usually monotone and made even more lifeless by his choppy sentence fragments, there's something that comes across that clearly says, "Don't start anything or else."]

[And suddenly Oren blocks Ryan's view of Michael, which is not acceptable at the moment, thank you very much. He's not going to have a blast from the past just show up in a cafe full of magic and powered people and not ask about it.]

Woah, hey, there's no problem -- that is, unless Mikey over there wants to start something. [He doubts it, the guy is too stuck in his own shell to do anything that bold. He leans far to the left, so he can peak around the golem and make a gesture indicating towards Michael.]

You work here? ...Why? [What's a guy like you possibly doing here, is the implication.]

[He's not dumb; he knows what Ryan is really asking, behind that patronizing tone of his.]

I really don't see how that's your business. Plus, shouldn't I be asking you the same thing? Why you're here?

[Michael moves around and in front of Oren, muttering a "it's fine" to the golem, though from his tone one can easily tell that he's not really fine, seeing Ryan.

The Grind was a nice little escape from his own reality, even if it was only during the weekends, and briefly at that. But seeing Ryan only makes him think of his sister, and memories like that were still raw and painful. That he's here, dragging in things he'd rather not think about in a place where he didn't think he'd have to.

He sets the mug down in front of Ryan, calmly, but anyone can tell from his body language that this is pretty uncomfortable for him. Why is he here? He thought only people with odd abilities really belonged here? Was it a mistake?]

Edited 2016-06-12 06:34 (UTC)

[Iona is at a loss at how to jump into the conversation and seeing Michael step in front of Oren to confront Ryan is worrisome to say the least (gonna slide his drink out of the way, just in case).

Oren doesn't try to stop Michael and lets him move around him. He's studying Michael's body language, listening to his voice. This is not a happy reunion whatsoever although perhaps they never liked each other to begin with.

... And neither of them are aware of each others abnormalities.

Definitely a problem.

He closes his eyes. Opens them again. Puts a hand on Michael's shoulder.]

... We do not probe customers.

[And then he looks at Ryan.]

Employee's privacy, also considered.

[He sets his jaw, looking over his shoulder to glance at Oren through the corner of his vision. He briefly considers protesting, but perhaps wisely decides against it. Maybe if he just detaches himself from the situation, Ryan will go away, things will go back to normal, and he doesn't have to entertain unpleasant memories.

(It's going to bother him not knowing why he's here, though, but he can live with it if he doesn't have to see him again.]

...Yeah, I understand.

[And so he just wordlessly turns around and goes over to dry off some glassware that had just been through the rinse.]

[He frowns as Michael walks away, irritation flashing in his eyes. It's just like that guy to act that way, when this is obviously something that shouldn't be brushed off. Whereas Michael retreats, Ryan just presses even more.]

Hey, no, you're not gonna just walk away and leave it like that, Michael. It's been five years, and you're not gonna even say more than ten sentences to me?

[Ryan looks at Oren, his previous levity gone, replaced by a stubbornness that's just as unique to him.]

He's not just an "employee"; I know him. I went to school with him. I dated his sister.

[He tries not to feel anything when he brings up Anna, but that's like asking the sun not to rise.] I'm willing to share my story if he does the same. But knowing him, I bet he'll just clam up and ignore me. [He calls over to Michael, who is indeed blatantly ignoring him, and won't respond.] Isn't that right?

[His sister?

That makes Iona stop for a second. And then it clicks. She goes over to Michael and taps him lightly on the shoulder.]

Let's go to the back.

[Nothing more or nothing less. Iona has thoughtless tendencies, but not when it comes to something so obviously painful.]

[Oren takes the drink that was intended for Ryan. The gelato's all melted now... But instead of disposing of it, there was still a good use for it.

There's a mini-fridge behind the counter and he kneels down to take out a carton of vanilla bean ice cream. In response to Ryan attempting to call over to Michael, the golem simply replies to him as Iona leads Michael to the back.]

Don't disturb other customers.

[He doesn't even look at Iona when he feels her tapping him on the shoulder. He just finishes drying off a glass and puts it back in its place, responding with:]

...Okay.

[He doesn't really care how he looks right now, if it seems like he's a coward or running away from someone obviously wanting to confront him about an important matter. When he had heard Ryan mention his sister, it was as if voicing her made the pain all the more prevalent, unearthing everything he was struggling to keep buried under a layer of composure.

Insensitive asshole. He hadn't changed one bit.

Michael doesn't need any more encouragement. He disappears into the back moments later.]

[When Ryan has his sights set on something, it's hard to pry his attention away. When he sees Michael begin to disappear into the back, he calls out one more time, peace and quiet be damned:]

Hey! Hey! Michael!

[But he's gone, and Ryan's irritation has turned into frustration as he leans back in his seat with a growl emanating from the back of his throat, low and guttural -- a bit like a tiger's.]

Damn it. [He's lowered his voice now, but only because he knows doing otherwise is just futile.] Just as freaking unapproachable and frustrating as before. Guy hasn't changed a bit.

[It's said more to himself than anyone else. Ryan doesn't understand how a guy like him could have been related to a girl like Anna.]

[Ryan is met with the loud whirring blades of the blender. Looks like Oren's turning his affogato drink into a coffee milkshake. With Ryan's outburst, some of the customers have looked up with interest and fascination, but they know better than to ask questions and contend with Oren. Besides, it is an unwritten rule of the Grind to not probe other customers for their stories unless they knew each other.

The golem pours out the newly made concoction and adds crushed espresso beans on top of the whipped cream garnish. With a straw on the side, he slides over the coffee milkshake to Ryan.]

On the house.

[Maybe it could cool down the temper at any rate.]

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1/2 you're probably gonna get a lot of these

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1/2ing all over this thread

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1/2 for days

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