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[Setting] Weana Kafee, Uptown
| > In one of the many tables of the coffeehouse, a pair could be seen chatting about something nonsensical. A Lilim and what looked like a girl. both seemed to be enjoying themselves, although it was unclear what they were even doing; neither looked they'd get along with the other
> Every now and again, a robo-butler would whiz by, drinks perfectly made balanced atop the machine to drop off at a table only to return behind the bar. The baristas once again giggle
| >The door swings open as a pair of newcomers, both lilims, enter the café.
>One was a male. Short grey hair, dark blue eyes, and a deadpan face. He's sporting a maroon hoodie and a pair of olive green trousers, as well as a pair of blue sneakers, a ball cap, and a duffle bag over his shoulder.
>The other was a slender female with a human-like eyes with bright blue irises. A single strand of blue runs down the front of her neck-length black hair.
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>She's wearing a windbreaker, a pair of jeans, and a pair of combat boots, all in various shade of black and grey.
>They make for the counter, chatting with each other along the way.
"Are you certain that this is a good option? We are supposed to meet up in two hours."
>The male said in a monotone voice.
"Just relax, Ian, do you think Ernst's gonna be on time? He's gonna pick up another job by the time he's done with this one."
>The other replies as they reaches the counter.
| >>843112
> One of the baristas peeks over and saunters to the counter where one would place an order. Their apron looks almost too clean. They're either trying very hard to look a certain way or not caring so well that it's a style in and of itself.
"Goooood afternoon you two. Anything on the menu catching ya eyes? Need any rundowns on what we have here? We're more of a slow bar here"
| "I think-"
>The deadpan male, Ian, starts talking, but his companion jumps to cut him off.
"I think a rundown would be fantastic. We don't really know what to order yet."
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| >A third patron peeks nervously through the door of the cafe, shyly planting the toe of her shoe between corner and frame as she hems and haws over entering.
"..."
>Seemingly reaching an agreement with herself, she nods, and waddles inside. She, too, is a lilim-- shorter and rounder than the two other patrons perusing the menu, but clearly a lilim-- no less.
| >>843210
"Yeah yeah, 's'all good. We got traditional espresso drinks on this vintage Linea machine. It's got real wood panels. All with whatever kind of milk or alternative you'd want. Made-to-order coffee too. Some iced drinks if you want to cool off also. And a small tea selection"
> The menu does look sparse, but worth the money, most likely. The Barista gives a wave to the new lilim who walked in, beckoning to come closer without having to raise their voice
| >Following behind the lilim a little girl sporting odango buns wearing a long crimson scarf busts through the doors. She appears to be clutching a piece of paper to her chest and spinning herself around excitedly. Behind her, a scruffy, disheveled middle aged man wearing a GCPD jacket calmly follows; scratching the back of his head and laughing to himself.
| >>843255
>The lilim quickens her pace a tad when she sees the staff motion her closer, but no sooner has she taken a couple of steps than she's nearly mowed down by the tiny twin-tailed Taz whirling past her into the cafe proper.
>>843257
>She wobbles forward and back, narrowly keeping herself from tripping over her own feet-- and over those of man shuffling along behind the little ball of energy.
"O-oh! Oh, my apologies--"
| >>843255
"I'll take a black coffee."
>Ian says, which earns him a stare of disbelief from his companion.
"You're joking."
>He stares back with his usual deadpan look.
"There's gotta be something else!"
>To which he replies in the monotone voice;
"Are you going to order?"
>The female lilim relents with a grumble before turning to order.
"I'll take a double shot of espresso, and do you have any croissants here?"
| >>843338
"A black filter drip for you and then a double espresso..."
> The barista taps at a screen and the sound of a grinder whirring is soon heard.
"We do have one croissant left that I was gonna eat but you got to it first. Want it warmed up too?"
> He notices the girl running around and quickly does speaks up about it.
>>843257
"Hey, chica, don't go running and spinning around. We got others here that you could annoy or trip, like that poor girl there"
>>843337
"sorry"
| >>843337
>The man sighs loudly, gripping the child lightly one each of her shoulders, he gets down on one knee.
"Hu Zi, Try to relax! I know you're excited but people tend to come to cafes *for energy*, you're gonna make these people jealous!"
>He pats a shoulder, and gives her a little shake.
"Now how about you go over there and apologize to that lady, alright?"
>>843340
>The man gets back up and bows briefly towards the barista.
"Ehh, Sorry! I'll try to keep her in check."
| >>843340
"Yes, that would be great."
>The female lilim replies.
"I guess it's my lucky day."
>She adds.
| >>843341
> The barista looks glad he didn't have to actually do anything this time around. He nods in acknowledgment
>>843342
"Okay, cool, yo. Just like, tap the creds in that glowing circle on the counter and take a seat. Kaldi will get the drinks out to you"
> the robo-butler blinks some lights and makes a noise of glee.
| >>843340
>The "poor girl" the barista's apologizing to seems to have regained her balance-- her cheeks glow softly as she carefully composes herself: slowly, she smoothes her skirt, inspects the new scuff marring the shiny, black polish of her mary janes...
"..."
>The lilim squints down at her toes. Mere exam has (for some reason) become intense scrutiny. But, why...?
"..."
| >>843352
>The small girl in the muffler sheepishly makes her way to the lilim, still clutching the paper to her chest.
"Hi! I'm sorry I almost made you fall down! But it's like my dad always says!"
>She deepens her voice in an attempt to mimic her father.
"The best way to improve your balance is to throw yourself off balance!"
>The man chuckles from across the room.
"Hey, that one was pretty good!"
| >>843352
> The Lilim sitting nearby notices her staring at her feet. He also looks on with focus until he realizes that he knows the person the legs are attached to
"Hi! Get a drink and come sit down over here with us"
> Fox waves joyously as his roommate feigns annoyance at his enthusiasm
> The Barista finally sees the first two people off and motions the new girl to place her order
"Come on over little miss. We'd love to get a drink started for you"
| >>843349
>Both of them complies, Ian tapping his credstick on the counter while his companion makes her way to one of the tables next to the other girl and the lilim, giving a nod to the robot butler as she passes.
| >>843359
>The pudgy lilim blinks hard in surprise when she finds her gaze suddenly filled with the girl's sheepish expression.
"O-oh!"
>Her confusion over the child's advice is visible. She looks over her shoulder quickly at the scruffy man this little scoundrel claims is her father, and brings a hand to her cheek.
"Ah, then..."
>Had the pair sensed some kind of... weakness of her equilibrium? Maybe, yes; maybe that's it. She makes a mental note to run a diagnostic later.
| >>843567
"... Thank you both for your help!"
>She turns back to the little girl, smiling warmly.
"I'll have to share your father's wisdom with my companion when I return home. I don't think she has ever told me such a thing!"
>The lilim nods a few times in succession.
"Miss Maggie is already a wealth of knowledge, but it never hurts to keep learning."
>>843360
>The lilim is in the middle of righting her beret when Fox calls out to her. She brightens at the sound of his voice.
| >>843568
"Mr. Ayanami!!"
>It seems she's just as thrilled to see him as he is to see her-- she looks like she's fixing to bound on over to his table when she's momentarily interrupted by the barista.
"'Little Miss'?"
>She stares blankly in the direction of the counter... then finds herself looking down at the muffler-wearing minion still hovering by her side.
"Oh! They must mean you..."
>What was it her father had called her, again?
"... Hu Zi. You should get in line!"
| >>843569
>>843360
>The scruffy man approaches his daughter to guide her in line for a drink, she's still talking to the lilim.
"Only my dad calls me that! Everybody else calls me Yuzhen!"
>She hooks one of her feet behind her head while balancing on one leg, so effortlessly that her arms remain stationary.
"For real though, I don't remember how many times I fell trying to do this!"
>Her father interjects
"Hey now, enough showing off! How about we get something to drink?"
| >>843569
> Fox seems excited at seeing a friend.
> The barista realizes that he must have confused the lilim in line but just shrugs to himself. Common gaffs of the job. Maybe he needed a drink.
>>843574
"Yeah no, come on up. We got drinks and all that stuff. Let us know what you need"
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| >>843574
>"Hu zi" must be a nickname. The lilim herself has one of those-- though, it was given to her by a friend she hasn't met yet-- not by family. Still, she understands.
"Oh, I see! It's a >>>special name. I have one of those, too!"
>The lilim watches, perplexed, as Yuzhen twists herself into a pretzel before her very eyes. She looks a little concerned.
"... Are you... planning on waiting in line like that, Yuzhen?"
| >>843577
>The lilim decides to get in line behind Yuzhen and her father. She turns back towards Fox, and points questioningly at his roommate.
"Who is that you're sitting with, Mr. Ayanami? Are they a friend of yours?"
>She brings a hand to her mouth as another possibility occurs to her.
"Oh-- or, perhaps they are a client? I don't want to disrupt your work if you are-- um..."
>The lilim raises her hands in a pair of air quotes.
"... 'on the clock' right now."
| >>844441
"I'm Dan..... uhh....."
> She stopped herself entirely and seemed to go pale while trying to answer. Fox equally looked surprised and said nothing. She then clears her throat and drinks some of her drink before answering
"I'm... you can call me Dusty. I'm umm... I live with Fox. We live in the same place."
> Fox sighs in relief. Dusty looks embarrassed.
"Anno... this is Dusty. We live in the same space. I thought it would be nice to get a drink together"
| >Another customer entered the café, the owner of a recognizable silhouette: two large horns adorned her forehead, surrounded by long and flowing pale hair of a creamy blonde hue.
>Her large crimson eyes were oddly shaped, giving her a fierce look. Which contrasted greatly with her pudgy, reddened cheeks and loose grin, indicating childish glee and a type of undeserved smugness.
>Dressed to the aces in a Type-2 Formal uniform, Chanka looked as she ever did to anyone who knew her
| >>844438
>Yuzhen still as energetic as ever would be bouncing up and down if it weren't for the threat of falling down.
"Is that a challenge? Then yes!"
>>844489
>The girl's father who notices the major walk into the room, brushes off his uniform jacket and gives her a rather lazy salute.
"Heya Major."
>Yuzhen does the same, just on one leg.
>>844452
>He makes a move to order.
"I'd take a black coffee myself, Anything sweet for the little one would be great!"
| >>844637
> The Barista taps his chin and thinks a bit before putting the order in. Seems like his job is on the back burner today
"A filter drip and... we could do like a sweetened tea. Kids usually like those. Caffeine free even. Sweet. Kaldi's on a run but he'll be by to drop off the drinks when they're ready. Just have a seat and get comfy"
| >>844637
>The Major lifts her eyes to look at who called out to her
>She smiles widely, her cheeks loosening even more than they already were, if that's even possible.
"Oh! Hello there!"
>She replies, waving a hand, dismissing the man's salute, seeing the young girl imitate her father though, she quickly replies to the child's salute with a crisp motion of her own.
"Ehehe! Good to see another officer around!"
>She says, in her usual excited way of speaking
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| >>844720 >>844441
> When the barista sees the older gentleman and the young girl seat themselves, he turns around and talks to whomever is behind the espresso machine. They seem to laugh at something that can't be heard over the din and the Barista returns, looking more cheerful
"I can help out whoever would like to get a drink next. No rush, of course. We're all chillin"
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| >>844452
>The lilim nods, looking thoughtful.
"Oh, I see-- you're Dusty. You live in the same space as Mr. Ayanami!"
>She repeats this dutifully, as if committing it to memory.
"Do you two enjoy living together? I find it is very pleasant to have a companion to share a residence with. I can't imagine spending my time at home any other way!"
>>848803
>The barista's remark brings the realization that she is now at the front of the line-- and rather suddenly, at that.
| >>849221
>She scans the menu quickly, not wanting to hold up those behind her for too long while she makes her selection. It becomes apparent to her after a few seconds that she might need a little more input from the barista, so as to make a... truly informed decision on what to order.
"Um... I'm sorry for asking, but..."
>The lilim looks to her left, then her right, before leaning in towards to the barista and asking quietly:
"What... kind of cafe is this?"
| >>849221
"Go get a drink and I'll spill on this kid"
> Dusty flashes a toothy grin and Fox sheepishly smiles. Both don't seem stressed about the situation
| >>849225
> The barista ponders for a moment on the nature of the question asked. He taps his index finger to his chin while he thinks before coming to an answer
"We're a fifth-wave coffeeshop which i think is really just a return to the third-wave? That probably makes no sense to you, wait. We umm... got espresso-based drinks here and your typical coffee when of a combination of water and grounds. We got all kinds of milks and a few syrups and also some tea even."
| >>849230
>The lilim blinks once, twice... she purses her lips, shifting her gaze here and there as she struggles to express to the barista her partial dissatisfaction with their answer.
"... Oh. Thank you very much for your thorough explanation, but... that wasn't what I was asking about-- I'm sorry."
>She shifts her weight from foot to foot, piecing together better phrasing of her question.
"I wanted to know..."
| >>849239
"... If this is the fun kind of cafe that will put pictures on top of your drinks. Do you provide that service here?"
>You can /see/ the hope in her eyes.
| >>849240
> The barista thinks some more
"*We* don't have the means to do that really. I think Kaldi might be able to? Well like, after we make the drink. Isn't that right Claire?"
> The barista turzns around to someone apparently named Claire behind the espresso machine. She shrugs and makes an "i dunno" sound
"If not, we can still make it look pretty. Sorry if that doesn't give you the answer you wanted"
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| >>849246
>The lilim clasps her hands together, satisfied.
"Please don't apologize! I am happy just having an answer-- it doesn't matter what kind of answer it is."
>She smiles, and cocks her head to the side in question.
"You can make the drinks look pretty? I would like a pretty drink."
| >>851152
"Hmm... I'll make you two small drinks that equal one normal sized. Err... normal for us.... you'll get two cappuccinos. Claire will do art on one and Kaldi does the other and we'll let you judge. You're sitting with the Fox, right? We can send it there and cover it."
> He gives a thumbs up and a cacophony of coffee-related noises start up once again
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| >>851456
"'Normal for us'?"
>The lilim looks from barista to 'bot, and over again.
"... Who is, um... 'us'?"
>Normal for humans? For employees? For masters of the exquisite, bitter bean? She doesn't know-- but, she feels that she should definitely learn-- and make note of her findings, to boot.
"Oh, yes-- I will be sitting with Mr. Ayanami."
>The lilim fishes a small coin purse from one of her jumper's pockets, and peers inside.
"How much is this order?"
| >>853203
"Friends of Fox are friends of ours. Give us 100$ and we'll be even. This kind of stuff is umm... pretty... standard? Yeah it's normal in this business"
> the Barista grins warmly, convinced that he's convinced everyone that what he's doing is absolutely okay to do/
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| > In the Uptown district sits a small, European-style coffee shop. It looks like a calm space with the modernity that most uptown citizens expect. A few bored looking barista lounge behind their bar, steam and giggles occasionally rising from behind their machines.
> The space would be a good place to have a date or work on something important with limited chances of being disturbed. An aura of peace and coffee flowed around the booths and tables scattered around