Roleplay

Michael |:| Misty Mountain Tea |:| Mentions: Grey, Aki and Luca

Michael gave a soft and content sigh at Grey’s paw brushing over his feathers, and he entered shortly after her, making his way over to the back of the counter while Grey ran upstairs for towels. He hung his sweater over a chair, right beneath where the heating system was blowing out hot air. He switched the lights on one by one and rummaged around the cupboards for trays, mugs and plates. He also took some care to start up the kettles. He was reminded of his college days in Forest Nook where he used to be a waiter for some extra income. He couldn’t ever go back to retail, but the muscle memory was still there.

When Grey turned the corner back into the shop, Michael beamed her a smile and a nod of thanks for the towel taking a step aside so that the actual store owner could get to work. He couldn’t help but giggle at her poofy fur, even though he was unaware that standing right front of the hot air conditioner for a while had also turned his damp feathers into quite the poofy mess.

“I’ll take an Earl Grey too, please. Nothing to eat for me though, no offense to your cooking, but I don’t want to spoil my appetite for those sides you promised!”

The siren returned to the store-front and sunk himself back into his favourite beanbag chair, letting himself relax and take in the hot air, even though his body was still full of dopamine from workout he’d just gotten. He could understand the appeal, honestly... While he was drying off his hair and wiping the fog from his glasses, he watched Aki and Luca quietly from his corner, occasionally cooing at Charlie who was sat firmly on Aki’s lap. He didn’t mean to eavesdrop but he was within hearing-distance of their conversation, however, assumingly budding into it would be improper, so he elected on keeping his distance.

His eyes went wide though at the mention of the coffee Luca was delivering. Michael wasn’t a coffee-drinker whatsoever, but he’d tried Death Wish on a dare once and he was sure his heart had stopped for around 30 minutes… Either that, or it was beating so fast that he couldn’t tell the difference. Not a drop of caffeine has touched his lips since. He could only presume that Reaper’s Brew would kill him, no questions asked.

Grey mentally took note of the orders and finished towling off. She threw her towel over the back of a chair and slipped her apron back on, tying it behind her back, then moved behind the counter. "Alright friends, prepare for all the good smells.". She murmered softly to herself, clicking on the oven and putting some water in a saucepan to boil. Silently thankful for the already heating kettles, she slipped teabags into each and began cooking.

From the fridge she took a terracotta pie pin with half a shepards pie left, a sandwich wrapped in wax paper, as well as milk, a tin of finely chopped chocolate, and a tub of whipped cream. From the cabinets under the counter she retrieved surgar and a can of cocoa powder. Quickly, as to preserve heat, she put the pie in the oven to heat up again. With a mastery that only comes with years of pratice, she took a whisk and stirred cocoa power into the water untill it was foamy. Grey carefully poured in the milk. She lowered the heat and added the chocolate and surgar, continuously. It was not long before the chocolate melted, filling the air with its rich scent. Grey swiftly clicked the oven off and moved the sauce pan off to the side on a hot pad. Near simultaneously, the kettles began whistling. She moved the kettles to a part of the stovetop that haden't been switched on, then opened the stove. A wave of hot air rolled out, adding hints of meat and vegetables to the air. Another hot pad later the pie was cooling on the counter top.

While everything cooled, Grey took out the plates and mugs after returning everything else to its proper spot. Noticing Luca she paused, mug in hand. "Ready to pay already, hmm? Okay I guess.". She set the mug down and took the bills, noting that he was also paying for Aki. She returned him his change, then turned to continue with her chores.

Grey stopped in surprise when Luca placed the bag on the counter. She took the bag by its lip and picked it up, turning it over to read the warnings on the back. "From the Lady herself hmm? I suppose I should expect her over for a cup soon then?". The Lady had been one of the first people Grey had met, and they had come to the habit of finding obscenely strong coffees and seeing who could manage the most cups. Grey unrolled the lip and took a sniff, then instantally recoiled, coughing. She rolled the brim back up and set it back on the counter. "That," she paused to cough again, her eyes watering, "is some really strong stuff.". She wiped her eyes. "Shame the coffee machine is broken.". Seemingly awakened at the mention of itself, the machine began rumbling ominously. In a slight panic Grey rushed over and unplugged it, then slammed her fist down on it's top, leaving a dent. "I have really got to get rid of that.". She chuckled, panic forgotten.

Grey waved a hand over the sauce pan, checking the temperature. Deeming it suitible, she pulled the last of the mugs out. She poured the hot chocolate into two of the mugs, the put a big scoop of whipped cream on both. Pulling out the tin of cocoa powder, she sprinkled a bit on top of the foam, then put away both the whipped cream and the powder. She placed two slices of pie onto plates and stabbed them in the middle with forks. Grey placed the mugs, plus two empty ones and a honey dispenser, as well as the pie and the sandwich on a tray, which she delicately balanced on one hand while she grabbed one of the kettles. Balancing, she left the kitchen to the dining area. With practiced precision she weaved between the tables, before settind the tray down on the table Aki and Luca were at. She took on of the hot chocolate mugs for herself, licking all the foam off before taking a long drink. Grey moved quickly and grabbed the other empty mug and kettle, then joined Michael in the nook. She set the kettle on the ground next to him, along with another honey bear she had hidden in her apron. "Enjoy!". She announced before sinking into her own bean bag with a soft sigh.

Michael |:| Misty Mountain Tea |:| Mentions: Grey, Aki and Luca

“Thank you Grey, I most certainly will.” The siren beamed a gentle, lingering smile at Grey, scooting over his legs to make some space for her. He popped open the honey-bear’s head – Grey knew he preferred it straight from the bear, because the cuteness made taste just slightly sweeter – and stirred a few droplets into his Earl Grey. He gave the ol’ wolf a sideways glance as she plopped down beside him, a raised eyebrow, and he said under his breath, “About time you chucked that old coffee-maker out. When last was it used? Two years ago? Three?” and he followed with a laugh.

“You know I just thought of something…” he directed a glance at Aki and Luca, at the mention of their deathly coffee. The scent of it in the air, despite the nice savoury smell of the Shepard’s pie, made Michael crinkle his nose. “A couple of my students are always raving about this little place across the park that sells novelty-type coffees like this. Apparently, the barista there works some kind of magic... I also know that there’s some-or-other Death Wish Challenge on the weekends. Has the Lady considered selling her brew there?”

Michael wasn’t sure if he was entirely right, as the place he was talking about was based entirely on hearsay, but thinking back on it he may or may not have passed it a few times before. Maybe? For a second, he felt a little guilty for promoting a place he’d never even visited, but truth be told, Grey wouldn’t exactly lose customers if she decided to stop selling coffee altogether. She had a kind of magic herself with her teas. No matter what he did, he could never replicate a cup she made. And in years, there hadn’t been a day that he didn’t stop by for a drink. The company wasn’t bad, either.

The more he was smelling of the pie, Michael’s stomach started to whine. He peeked out of the fog-covered windows, wishing for the hours to go by faster. For the first time in a while, he was eager to go home, grill up a steak, have some wine. The thought practically made him salivate, and he eased it with a sip of his tea. He turned back to Grey, head tilted.

“So, have you had any thoughts on that mountain of sides you promised? I need to stop by the shops to pick up some things for the dessert, so, you can carpool with me if you need anything and afterwards, we can head straight to my place and whip it up there? What do you say?”

“Probably sooner than later. Free time gets shorter and shorter for her with the winter holidays getting closer,” He tilted his head slightly with the response as Grey opened the bag a bit curious about it himself. Even without taking a whiff of it himself the proximity was enough to make the Aasimar pull his head back slightly, gaze drawing over to the pitiful coffee machine as the were pointed it out, “...or not”. Given the mutual interest in coffee his mother shared with Grey, he wouldn’t put past the woman to use said holidays as an excuse to procure the werewolf a new machine so they could get back to it.

“Either way: enjoy.” He bounced on the balls of his feet slightly, passing on the ever blunt message as his mother had sacked, before promptly following Aki over to where she was sitting.

A quiet ‘thank you’ was tossed to Grey when she arrived with the pair’s lunch, taking a moment to slide the sandwich off to the side for when they left. The feeling of wrapping his hands around the warm mug that had been brought over never got old, even when through the semi-thick fabric and fluff of hand warmers. He reveled in the drink for a moment— the irony of a canine monster being so so good at making it not entirely lost on him.

He took another small sip of the drink when Aki purposed her question, silently mulling over what he could recall from reading the package. It wasn’t everyday that someone asked about other delivieries, but then again it was also getting closer to the time of wintery festivities as he’d mentioned to Grey before. Maybe she was looking to get some herself? Or maybe a gift? She did seem somewhat addicted to coffee like his mother, and the fiery woman did seem to be alone a lot whether that fact bothers her or not.

“I think it’s quite literally made by reapers,” He finally settled on answering, “...but I do think the package advised humans not drink it.” Which should have made him cringe given his distaste for the bean juice, but his lack of brain cells in a day to day setting also happened to make very curious about what exactly that meant.

Cat |:| Black Forest |:| Mentions: Juno and Aoife

Cat blew back into Black Forest on the back of an icy winter breeze, hair plucked loose from its bun and sticking up in every direction, with a little blueish hint around her lips. It was definitely going to snow any day now. Cat shut the door behind her, skulking towards the teenaged faun on her tiptoes. As with any other cat, you could never hear Cat arriving until she was right about to pounce, even on her highest of heels. She pulled her ice-cold hands out of her pockets and pressed them against Aoife’s warm cheeks from behind, causing the girl to shriek and cuss, but only for a moment.

“I’m back!” Cat laughed heartily at the girl’s expression, circling around the table where Juno and Aoife were sitting to retrieve her apron from behind the counter, and returned to her post, starting by scooping up a cup of ground beans into the coffee press and turning on the machine to heat up the water.

“Has your mage friend been here about the Thanksgiving décor yet?” She casually addressed Juno, while she poured herself and her boss a steaming hot cup of coffee each, and ringing it up on her own tab before bringing it back over. Cat could tell by looking at her face that Juno’s head wasn’t all there, but it wasn’t unusual for her to become… a little quieter around this time of year. She didn’t want to pry as to why though. She left the faun to snap out of her thoughts first and turned to Aoife.

“Speaking of which, that’s around the same time you’re doing Hamilton for school, right? How are rehearsals going?” Cat purred sweetly. She loved musicals, and was surprised that the high school would let them do it in the first place, but delighted nevertheless, and bought a ticket to attend as soon as she’d heard that Aoife was cast as Eliza Schuyler.

“Grinding.” Aoife frowned. “Not the role, but my understudy is an idiot, and Mr. van der Meer has me playing in the band when I’m not rehearsing for extra violin practice. I’m not even gonna be doing it in the show, he just HATES me…”

Grey snorted softly, that was probably true. "A year now, I believe, ever since it caught on fire. Don't even know why, to this day.". She gave an exasperated flick with her free hand. "And now there are bugs in it! How does that even happen? It is long past due to get a new one, for sure.". She sank even deeper in to her chair, allowing her arm to flop over the sort of armrest she had created.

The action of the day was catching up to her, as well of the warmth of the room, and she was tired. She gave a small yawn and took a long drink of her cocoa. She stuck the tip of her tongue out at the mention of Black Forest. Grey knew a bit about the place, them being "competitors" and all. They sold coffee and food. She had no mind to actually get in companion though, she burned all the food she made, and coffee was obviously not her speciality.

Grey yawned loudly. "A shower and a nap first, for sure. Then food. I'll be quick about it. You can pick me up again at five.". She set her now empty mug on the ground. "You could use a shower too, you smell like wet feathers.". She laughed softly. "I know what I want to cook, plus I wanna stock up on teabag mesh. I'll probably bring a movie to watch afterwards as well. An older one probably.".

Michael |:| Misty Mountain Tea |:| Mentions: Grey and Aki

Michael let out a laugh at Grey’s comment. He remembered the day the coffee machine caught fire. If memory served, it wasn’t even plugged into the socket that day. He’d warned her that thing was cursed, but she insisted on keeping it. The old siren was happy that after all that time, the thing was finally being chucked in the bin. Head tilted a little, he thought to himself that maybe he could buy Grey one of those posh new tea brewers for Christmas coming up. Maybe that’d convince ger to finally retire coffee from her menu altogether… Leave that devil’s brew to the youngins. Grey’s special teas was more sophisticated, not to mention by far healthier.

Finishing the last of his tea, he set his cup down beside Grey’s and released a yawn right back at her, glad that he wasn’t the only one who seemed to be tired from the workout. His muscles were certainly going to ache so much over the weekend, but mercifully, he could sleep it off later without worrying about work.

“My apologies, I thought the smell was wet dog.” He winked, to indicate he was joking and meant no offense, of course. “A shower in this cold weather does sound heavenly… But if I succumb to a nap now, I’ll probably not wake up any time soon, so I’ll make sure to use that time to prep you the best steak you’ve ever had!”

Michael pulled out his phone from his bag, opening up his planner to write up a quick shopping list for what he needed to get on the way home. He muttered as he typed, “I do love older movies; I look forward to seeing what you bring...”

Inconspicuously raising up one of his wings over Grey’s head, Michael peeked over the phone screen with a little smirk, before giving his feathers a thorough shake over her head, showering her in a light mist of droplets, followed by a giddy, nearly childlike sort of laugh. Some of it probably also landed on Aki by mistake, as he could have sworn he’d heard something sizzling like when a water droplet hits a warm stove-top.

“There we go, just some practice in the event that my kitchen catches fire tonight!”