sweethymns | OPEN RP POST QUATRE

[She could have tried and insisted on her humanity, but Monts had given up a while ago. These days, she certainly felt more human than not. But the thing under her skin is a constant reminder of that uncertainty and it didn't feel correct to be called human anymore. It's why she tries not to take it personally when someone, like Vincent, happens to sense something off about her.

She smiles at him rather kindly to assure him that she wasn't offended.]

It's alright. You're not the first one to tell that I'm an odd duck. I'm impressed really.

[She gives him another thoughtful look before asking herself:]

Are you quite alright though? Most people tend to be confused when they come in here for the first time, but you seem a bit out of it.

[The fact that she doesn't seem terribly offended puts him at ease, as if dissipating the remaining awkwardness in the air. Even so, it doesn't dispel his curiosity about what he senses about her; he wants to know -- both his eldritch and Hunter self -- but he leashes his tongue for now. She's been polite to him, and it would be rude for him to not extend the same courtesy.

He's a little surprised at her question, not thinking he had been so obvious about his somewhat dazed state. Perhaps he shouldn't be surprised. He feels as if his mind and body is readjusting, and there's no way that someone observant wouldn't be able to pick up on that.

He straightens his collar, buying a few seconds' time as he wonders how to explain.]

The wrong sort of impression I'd wish to make, of that you can be certain. [He offers a smile, a strained sort.] I have been through a few... great changes, lately. The most recent was unexpected, and I feel as if I must readjust all over again. It is like waking up from a long slumber, and I'm still trying to rub the proverbial sleep from my eyes.

Thankfully, I'm not a dream, right?

[Monts!? She says it lightly and flirtatiously, but that's her usual manner, really.]

I'll set you up with some tea first. Maybe that will wake you up.

[He blinks up at her because -- wow, so forward? Ah, but she's joking, surely. Vincent isn't used to people acting in such a way towards him; well, if they did once upon a time, he doesn't remember. His time before Yharnam remains hazy, and his time in Yharnam was certainly not filled with any manner of flirtation.]

Ah... I suppose, thankfully not. [Thankfully not? is more of how it's enunciated, with that telltale question mark at the end. But you know, he's just going to leave it at that. He'll leave her to "set him up" with tea, and maybe he can find his focus more clearly by the time she returns.]

[She's incredibly forward or at least appears to be so. Monts disappears into the back to get an order of tea ready and in a few minutes, returns to Vincent, with a tray that includes not only a cup of tea, but with sugar and cream as well.]

Earl Grey. Cream and sugar is optional. Our tea and coffee master in the back suggests you take it straight first before making any additions.

[He almost looks amused at the idea, but eyes the tea gratefully as its brought to him.]

You've a coffee and tea master? I wish I could say I was so fortunate.

[He brings the cup to his lips, lightly tasting it. The Earl Gray is nothing short of perfect.]

...Ah. You're right. A master indeed. It hardly needs cream and sugar at all.

[Did he strike gold with this place? Maybe! Should he be more concerned about why he's suddenly human again? Probably that, too. But right now this is such a nice distraction; he's met with kind faces and hot tea, for goodness' sake.]

Where is everyone here from? I take it not from Yharnam. You don't have the look of it.

Gesundheit.

[What, that's the only thing she can think of when he mentions Yharnam. Like what kind of name even is that???]

I'm glad you like the tea. As for me and everyone else, we're from here and there, probably farther away from where you came from than you can imagine.

You're from Gesund...heit?

[the joke

Vincent's head]

Ah.

[Oh, dear, she's got a live one.]

Don't worry about it.

[Vincent remains both confused and genuinely curious.]

You say that, but I wish to know. This "cafe", as you call it, is unlike anything I've ever seen. The people here are dressed strangely, in fashions that are quite alien to me.

[Vincent looks like he came out of a gothic horror novel set in the Victorian era, after all.]

Is this what it is like where you're from?

[Monts is actually feeling bad for wanting to egg him on and continue teasing... Really, don't make it so easy for her??]

For the most part, yes. Most of the customers tend to be from my side of the woods, or something close to it. Other than that though, we get visitors like you, who have jumped plenty of hoops to be able to see the door.

[Vincent will probably always make it easy for her...]

"Jumped hoops" meaning that... ah, normal citizens cannot find this place?

Got it in one.

Oh, but I shouldn't bore you with more talk, not without dessert to go with your tea. How does pie sound?

[Monts might not be the most efficient worker at the Grind, but she sure is the most convincing when it comes to charming customers, especially getting them to try the food.]

[he wants to say that she isn't boring him, but the mention of pie has him curious -- how long since he's had anything sweet?]

I would not have anything to pay you with, Miss... [er.] Forgive me, I did not catch your name.

Monts. That's what everyone calls me.

[It's a strange name and it would be ill fitting with anyone else. But it suits her.]

And well... Let's see, what's the currency in your world?

Miss Monts. [He nods, committing it to memory. And in return:] My name is Vincent.

[As for her question, he hesitates. His situation wasn't exactly... normal where Yharnam is concerned.]

...well. Blood, actually.

... Huh. That's a first... Well, for me at least...

Let me check with the co-owner.

[WELL...]

[He feels quick to add an addendum.]

I should say that while that is a sort of currency in my world, that does not mean I expect you to accept it. My blood may not be something anyone would wish to... collect.

[That's a lie. Great One blood is a hot commodity these days; but it's also dangerous, leading to horrific transformations and madness. Before, he would not have cared. But his humanity now dictates that he not be so reckless.]

Something else perhaps? I have a few small but glittering coins I've picked up in my travels.

Oh, why didn't you say so? Coins work much better. We like collecting coins.

[Monts looks relieved anyways and whatever's part of her and under her skin, seems to flutter along with her. The mark's been ambivalent to Vincent, but still wary in a quiet way.]

Two of those. Because I'm going to get a slice for myself too.

[He quirks a brow, but looks more amused than offended. A hand reaches into his pocket in his coat, retrieving two small coins. They seem old and rusted, but give off a glinting, noticeable shine despite that.]

Are you saying you're making a customer pay for your own piece of pie? Isn't that backwards?

[He's holding out his hand to give her the coins, regardless. He may still be able to sense that oddness about her fluttering subtly beneath the surface, but Vincent ignores it. It's harmless, surely? It certainly hasn't been a threat yet, so he ignores it for now.]

Edited 2016-10-18 04:36 (UTC)

[Monts takes the two coins between her fingers, waving them playfully at Vincent.]

I got you to do it though, didn't I? And you're going to be having dessert with me. I can think of worse things.

[Well, she's definitely dangerous in other ways.]

[Certainly dangerous, indeed. But Vincent ain't scared! Or rather, he's too polite to refuse the company even if he wanted to.]

Well, I suppose I may be able to manage that much. I'll suffer through the experience of fresh pie for your sake.

[That wry humor piques, an old part of himself that didn't quite leave either, it seems.]

[And here is today's special pie! Monts brings out two plates after a few minutes, and the pie is warm, and the sphere of ice cream had just hit their slices, beginning to melt decadently all over their plates.]

Here you go! Blueberry oatmeal pie with blueberry ice cream. You're lucky that it's today's special. We rarely have the same items around in this cafe.

[Naturally, the pie looks nothing short of amazing. Vincent tries to remain polite and not stare at it too much, but rather focus on the company that he's being granted for now.

He'll wait for her to take a seat and the plate to be set before him, before doing anything else than carry on the conversation.]

I'm beginning to feel exceedingly special. Though all joking aside, I would be lying to say I wasn't grateful. I know that I... "paid" for this, but this cafe is exceptionally welcoming regardless.

Edited 2016-10-18 15:02 (UTC)

That's our job! We have to be welcoming if we take in all types from all corners of space and time.

[She twirls her fork around before taking a small bite of pie. It's fragrant and warm and she hums a little in contentment.]

There's nothing good pie can't fix, even if you're completely out of it right now.

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