dictated, or action for anyone in town

[mors]

Aw, you aren't going to stay?

[There's a particularly flirty-sounding voice coming in on the journals today. A few people might even recognize it, though it sounds much more casual than it used to.]

We were just getting to know each other, though! Are you sure you won't stay for another coffee? My treat, of course.

[Whoever that guy is flirting with giggles shyly, saying something about how maybe one more drink couldn't hurt. You can practically hear the grin in the voice of the boy.]

Wonderful! One caramel latte, coming right up. You'll like it almost as much as I like you.

[There's more giggling in response to the horrible flirting, and some cheerful humming in the background, just as the loud, obnoxious sound of a milk steamer starts up. There might even be a few hot drops of milk falling onto the journal pages and seeping through to the other side, though Ryoji hasn't noticed it at all yet. A few minutes go by and the noises die down, and Ryoji sets the cup down for the girl. She tries to give him money, but he waves her away with a grin.]

No no, I told you I'd treat you! What kind of gentleman would I be if I went back on my word?

[The girl thanks him, and takes the drink. She walks away after that, apparently, because Ryoji sighs wistfully.]

What a cute girl... I hope she has another one.

[There appears to be a new barista in the local coffee shop, and he's flirting with just about anyone that walks through the door. Feel free to run into him either on his way back home, or while he's on the clock; there'll probably be free coffee in it for you if you catch him at work, though.]

[And then, around midnight...]

[ Zelman ]
You need to come back from the Dead Zone right now! I can't find you anywhere and I could always find you before.

I don't like not being able to tell where you are, even if you need to be out there, so come back so I can see you and then you can leave again if you need to.
[/filter]

[An hour or so later.]

[ Zelman ]
Why aren't you answering me? I know you're out there...

[He has to be out there. Right?]

I'm sorry I've been gone as long as I have. I didn't want to leave...

Just come back and call for me. I'll be there right away.
[/filter]

[ Zelman Clock ]
Are the filters not working properly? Are they not going through?
[/filter]

[Ten minutes. His voice is growing more concerned with every message left, just a little bit more upset.]

[ Zelman ]
Is this because I left? Are you not replying to me because you're upset with me? If I had a say in the matter I never would have left without you--

Please speak with me.
[/filter]

[Five minutes. His voice is sharp now, though it shakes slightly; angry and afraid, rolled into the voice of a young man who's trying so hard not to sound like a little boy.]

[ Zelman ]
You can't do this. This is my jurisdiction and my place and I never said you could leave, so you need to come back this second. Do you understand, Zelman? You're mine.






Just because I left first doesn't mean you get to leave.
[/filter]

Comments

[save_the_souls]

[Allen is walking into the coffee shop, since hey who doesn't like coffee? He's been to this place a couple times before, and always enjoyed it. Though he pauses when he sees the new barista. He looks familiar...but definitely not in this setting]

Eh...?

[mors]

[Everyone loves coffee!! That's why Ryoji loves working here. People are usually pretty happy, except in the mornings, because then they haven't actually had their caffeine yet.

Ryoji perks up when he sees Allen though, and waves from behind the counter.]

Hey there! Do you know what you'd like, or do you want some time to decide? We've got some delicious seasonal lattes right now. You've been here before, haven't you?

[save_the_souls]

[he meanwhile is still trying to place this guy (what he only saw Pharos in this form once or twice), but he'll nod and smile]

Ah, yes I have. What sort of seasonal lattes do you have?

[mors]

I knew I recognized you! [He laughs, and reaches under the counter to pull out a menu - or at least, it looks like one at first, except it only has pictures. He flips a few pages, and then sets it down so Allen can see, and begins rattling details about them off.]

The pumpkin spice latte is my personal favorite. It's made with chai and cinnamon though, so if you're looking for a drink to keep you awake, that probably wouldn't be the best. It comes in gingerbread and candy corn, too.

The gingerbread macchiato takes care of that problem, and it doesn't have nearly as much of the bitter aftertaste that espresso usually leaves. It's really popular with the morning crowd.

We also have a salted caramel hot chocolate, which is surprisingly popular with all ages. I don't think we've gotten a single complaint about it.

[There are four pictures, though, and Ryoji kind of waves off the fourth.] That one didn't go over very well, so the owner took it off the menu. They haven't gotten around to replacing the book yet.

aaaaaction

[amiable]

[ She's gotten off work and is taking a walk around the town, thinking to herself maybe she'll buy something new or fancy to treat herself to.

As she passes by this particular shop and takes a quick peek through the window, something jogs her memory and she halts in her steps, gazing long and hard into the store.

She knows that face. Surely she does.

And without another second to lose, she steps into the shop and goes straight for Ryoji. ]

<33333

[mors]

[If she doesn't recognize it as Pharos's face, she might recognize it as Minato's, at least. He has his hair slicked back, though, and it's not falling down constantly like it used to. He still runs a hand over it when he sees Uru approaching though, because you always need to look your best for cute girls like that.]

Hello, princess. What can I get for you? [Because surely if she came right over she must know what she wants already...!]

Our seasonal drinks are really delicious. Have you tried them? You've been here before, right? [He's sure she has. She looks way too familiar to not be some kind of a regular. Shame on him for not being able to remember such a cute girl.]

<3_<3!!!!!!!!

[amiable]

[ No, no she's definitely seen this face. Just-- no, now's not the time for Paradisa to hold back that memory. It's something important and almost at her grasp. She didn't know going home for so long would slow down her memory like this.

She looks frustrated as she stares at him. ]

Um...! [ ... Okay, maybe she should have a drink. ] Okay. I'd like that.

1/2

[mors]

Do you have a favorite, or did you want me to pick something for you? I've been known to have good judgment when it comes to the kinds of drinks ladies like. If you don't like what I make for you, I'll pay for it.

[mors]

[Though... wow, she doesn't look very happy at all.]

Is something wrong? You look sort of upset...

[It always pains him a little when a cute girl is upset (what kind of gentleman wouldn't be upset at the plight of a fair maiden?), but it's especially upsetting this time, and he's not sure why.]

[amiable]

[ He's talking differently than what she expected. She doesn't know what to expect exactly, just that this isn't it. ]

I'm not upset! I'm... thirsty.

[save_the_souls]

Y-You do? [Oh...maybe I'm just remembering things wrong. But he listens to the Loooong explanation- which too seems familiar]</i< Um- I'll have the hot chocolate! That sounds nice...

[mors]

I see a lot of thirsty people in here, and you don't exactly look thirsty...

[But, if she says so... He sets about making her a drink, though he never wanders far from the counter if she stays there. After a few minutes he's done, and he sets a hot chocolate in front of her, topped with whip cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. It should be creamy and sweet and delicious, if she's into that sort of thing.

It's also in a ceramic cup so she can't take it and leave.]

So... [Leaning on his elbows and tilting his head a little to peer at her.]

Can I get your name, princess?

1/2

[amiable]

[ If she looked upset before it's wiped instantaneously from her face. She might have done some growing up in these three years but she hasn't lost her appreciation for good food and drinks.

And this one looks amazing. ]

Wow, that looks amazing!

[amiable]

[ DRINKS.

DOESN'T ANSWER YET BECAUSE SHE'S ENJOYING THIS DRINK. ]

[mors]

Of course! You'd be a little hard not to recognize... You look much different than most people do, and I've worked here for awhile. I try to recognize everyone that comes more than once.

[He grins, and laughs slightly.]

Coming right up. Just a moment, please.

[Doot doot doot making hot chocolate. He'll be back in a sec.]

[mors]

[...Oh gosh, this girl is absolutely adorable. Terrible at answering questions, but so cute!]

I'm glad you like it! That one is on the house. It isn't really on the menu, but I can make it for you whenever you'd like.

[save_the_souls]

Oh...right. I'm sorry, I guess I mistook you for a new perso..

Thank you!

[he'll wait!]

[mors]

[He comes back in a few minutes with the hot chocolate, which is topped with whip cream drizzled with caramel, which helps hold the sea salt on top.

It still probably won't be quite as delicious as the one Uru got, though.]

A new... person, you said? New where, exactly?

[save_the_souls]

Um- new here. At the coffee shop. I mean, I feel I've met you before but...somewhere else.

[He'll take the cup and drink it- why do you love Uru more you jerk]

-- Mm! This is delicious!

[amiable]

It's really great! [ She finally says. She pauses to wipe her mouth carefully and now back to fixing Ryoji with a more serious stare. ]

Oh... you asked my name, right? It's Uru. [ A beat. ] What's yours?

[mors]

Really? I'm usually good at remembering names, though...

[How unusual... Maybe he was forgetting something? He'd kind of had a feeling like that a lot today. And because potentially upset momma and cute girl, why does this even need to be explained.]

I told you everyone likes that drink. I like it, too.

[save_the_souls]

Well, maybe I'm wrong...

[He smiles at him, politely]

I'm Allen Walker, though. If you didn't know it before.

[mors]

[Oh... that makes him pause a little. Uru? Why does that...]

Uru...

[...It sounds so familiar; like he's said it a million times before, even though he's sure he's never known someone with that name.]

...It's Ryoji. Ryoji Mochizuki. But I've been called a lot of things, so you can call me whatever you'd like.

[amiable]

[ She grips the cup. ]

Ryoji... [ ... ] Are you a resident?

[mors]

I didn't think I knew it... [But that sounds familiar, too. What a weird day...]

Ryoji Mochizuki. It's nice to meet you, Allen.