sweethymns | Mι∂ηιgнт ιη Ƥαяιѕ

I see. Then my continued relationship with you and your shop isn't an ill omen. I can rest easy.

[ Is that a mean thing to say? Possibly, but it's also one of those backhanded compliments that Claude excels in, the kind that he doesn't want to be thanked for.

He settles in his chair, listens for the sound of his brother clamoring in the back.

It's. 'Nice'. He hates thinking about that, ugh. ]

[And Iona replies jokingly:]

Am I gonna have to pinch your nose again?

[She gives the siblings their sandwiches and returns to her place on the counter so she can decide where the jar of paper stars should be placed. The door opens again and several more people of varying ages, but mostly all young, greet Iona and then Emily's brother before claiming chairs, tables, and setting up a study group. Their conversation is about school, exams, and mostly normal things although there's a mention of "training" and "powers" every once and a while.]

Welcome everyone! I'll take your orders soon!

[And as Iona does just that; these people, another small group of regulars, talk to Iona eagerly enough, and she interacts with them like a long time friend and big sister. She gives the orders to Oren and Gus, while Emily's quietly been folding more paper stars now that she finished her homework.]

Edited 2015-06-13 09:12 (UTC)

[ Everything about this is...disarmingly normal, though he can't say that he didn't expect as much. He watches the rest of the guests with quiet scrutiny, watches the students chatting amongst themselves about miscellanies that he doesn't have a frame of reference for. Privately, he understands that this is what most people do. Worry about their studies and their social life, instead of looking at their own lives through a kaleidoscope of facts and details that shift with every turn. It doesn't fascinate him as much as leave him feeling cold, twice removed.

His brother flits back and forth between these people with ease, a fish in water. Claude knows his brother hurts in the privacy of his own heart, that he can't ignore the very pressing needs of his humanity in contrast with the pragmatism that he's more than capable of: one day, he's going to have to choose between 'Auguste Aubert' and 'Gustave/Gus', and Claude hopes that that day is also when his brother tells him to go and disappear. It would be fitting.

But. All that aside: when 'Emily' drops one of the strips of paper that she'd been using to make her stars, Claude reaches over and picks it up for her, hands it to smaller hands with a quiet patience that surprises even himself.

(He remembers how it'd been a full year after Gus's birth, that he'd been allowed to see his half-brother: those soft blue eyes, even as an infant. Nothing like him.) ]

Are you paying for your coffee in wishes?

Edited 2015-06-13 10:51 (UTC)

[Emily's black eyes blink and she looks up at Claude when he acknowledges her. And with all the seriousness of a 7 year old, she replies:]

"Coffee's for grown ups. I'm not allowed to drink it yet."

[Iona, who's bringing out the second group's drinks, hides a smile behind the glasses when she sees Emily and Claude talking together. She knows her youngest regular will do fine. The little girl continues as she folds another star with precision and expertise.]

"Iona likes my stars. She says she'll decorate the cafe with them and my brother and me get drinks. That's our..." [Her nose wrinkles slightly as she struggles with remembering the exact term.]

"Barter."

[ 'Barter'. The term is charming, and he watches Emily make a star so he can emulate it, himself: deft hands, practiced with performing minute work, replicate what she's doing with precision.

He hands her his finished star, puts it on the pile. ]

I see. This place could benefit with some decor. [ Okay, easier words: ] I'm sure it'll look nice.

[ Kids are so difficult. ]

Do you like Miss Iona?

[There's the smallest of smiles from her as she watches Claude make the star so easily (it took Emily a lot of practice; there really are cool adults out there...)]

"Yeah. I like Jackie."

[She pauses to take out another pack of long, thin, and colorful paper made for making stars, splitting the amount in half. One for her, one for Claude.]

"People say that witches are bad people. That they do bad things and hurt people around them with magic because they can."

"Not her though. She's a good witch."

[ Ah, he's been relegated to help... he raises a brow but he doesn't contest it, dutifully setting to work on his pile for lack of something better to do.

(And because it kind of reminds him of the few times he'd been allowed to help his brother do menial things as a kid, like fix his collar or tie his laces. Nostalgia is dangerous.) ]

Is she? I'm glad, then.

[ He says so breezily, and then appends: ]

But you should be careful, miss. She has a nasty habit of trying to wrench your nose off if you speak out of turn.

"Oh. I think that means you made her mad then."

[Iona passes by with a specialized order for one of the customers and she easily adds:]

Hell yeah, he made me mad.

[And he walks by Iona to pass out napkins.]

Language.

Pardon my French then.

[At the rapport that just played out, Emily nods sagely.]

"See? A good place."

Edited 2015-06-14 04:40 (UTC)

For a given value of 'good'.

[ A low chuckle, and he slides his finished stars over towards the little girl, shooting only a brief glance at Iona. ]

Don't let her fool you, I've done nothing to warrant her ire.

"Hm."

[That's all little Emily has to say on that matter. She may be somewhat wise for her years, but she's not sure how to deeply parse what makes Iona tick aside from obvious causes (damaging her cafe, making trouble with other customers, etc).]

"Thanks for helping me."

[Help with the stars at least. The precognitive girl's appreciation is quiet, but sincere. Iona comes by to collect Emily's dishes and raising a brow at the growing pile.]

Geez. You'll have enough to fill another jar in a few hours.

Edited 2015-06-14 04:56 (UTC)

My pleasure.

[ He sets aside the multicolored stars, gets up and moves his chair back towards his own section of his table— but not without a practiced bow, polite and prim. ]

Don't make her work too hard, Miss Iona.

Now you're making me sound mean.

[She shakes her head at Claude, but it's the friendly kind. One of the kids in the study group calls out to her.]

"Iona, catch!"

[A glass is tossed up in the air, but then what can only be described as an invisible force of nature, makes it create an arc that drops the glass neatly into Iona's outstretched palms.]

Hey, I thought I mentioned no telekinesis on the cups!

[The kids laugh and another pipes up.]

"Then tell us which one you're dating again? We missed the news!"

[Iona shakes her head and tries to make her escape to the counter.]

As owner of the Midnight Grind, I have the right to remain tight lipped about my dating life!

[ Gus sees an opportunity, and he pops his head out from the back. He can tell that Claude is about to make a vaguely snide comment, but he cuts in with a light: ]

I'm the lucky guy with the date! Don't bother him too much, alright?

[ Trying to get the kids out of Claude's hair, not that he thinks his brother can't handle it...

[There's some whoops and a, "Good going, Jackie!" And Iona just responds with a light roll of the eyes and a smile. Only Oren notices it from a mere glance; the way the smile is more melancholic than anything and how it speaks to her mindset of trying not to be attached, but knowing too well how bad she is at that.

It's supposed to be temporary. She's just wishing it wasn't.]

❇ ❇ ❇

[An hour or two later, the study group has dissolved and everyone, including Emily and her brother have left. Oren's clearing up the tables while Iona...

For someone who's a hard worker, she sure does crash hard because she's laying on the large sofa letting out a deep sigh.]

A romp around Paris and then getting straight to work may not be my best idea. Thanks for helping out though, Gus!

[ Gus is similarly stretched out on a chair, hair pulled up, undone apron slung over his face. Clearly the day's taken its toll on him, along with his hectic falling-off-the-roof routine the night before: honestly, he hasn't gotten much sleep over the past few days.

But he lifts up the hem of the fabric draped over his eyes, gives Iona a grin. ]

None necessary! I'm the one that made you run around, lightening your load was the least I could do, right?

And you paid it off spectacularly. Oren might not say it, but he appreciates the help too!

[Even if he was super loud and had little grace as a waiter, geez. Oren has no comment though. Iona pulls up her legs to wrap her arms around her knees, looking at the brothers expectantly.]

Soooooo. What next?

[ Ah, the elephant in the room. Gus sits up in his chair, looks back and forth between Iona and his brother. ]

Well...you should probably. Go home? I don't know about what I'm going to do— I have to lie low, but that's nothing n—

[ To which Claude interrupts with a brief: ]

"Maybe you could go with Miss Iona, Auguste. Though of course, it's not up to me to say."

Ah. Well. Yeah, that's... That's definitely an option!

[Oren: NO. COMMENT.

Iona's twirling her hair, going over how this may or may not go over well- they're from a different parallel time after all and while she may not have to sweat certain details with them (like historical ones), just... Oh, what the hell. Over think this later.]

I live in an apartment, but I could use magic to make extra rooms... [Thank god her only roommate is Oren and he doesn't even sleep!]

[ This actually reminds Gus that he hasn't heard how far into the future Iona is actually from: clearly his brother withheld that information just so Iona can have the satisfaction of him flipping out. Which he'll do in a second, just watch him. ]

—Hey, really? I have to say that I'm curious... what year are you from? 1900? 1950...?

[ Aim for the stars, Gus. ]

... Add another century to 1900, hon. Then you'll be more on the mark.

[THAT'S ALL SHE'S GOTTA SAY ABOUT THAT.]

Edited 2015-06-15 05:44 (UTC)

[ Uh. ]

Uh.

[ A. Century??? ]

—Does that mean you think I'm an old man?!

Well.

I wouldn't be wrong...

Noooooo!!!! I'm 20, I can't be an old man already?! What does that make Claude?! He'd be ancient if I'm old?!

[ Gus... ]

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