recolle | [closed]

[closed]

WHO: Minato & Nanashi
WHERE: Expressive
WHEN: backdated to 2/2
WHAT: coffeeshop ou
WARNINGS: none

[ It's dark outside, but the lack of sun is a perpetual thing with that dome still in place, an uneasy buzz around the place that can't all be attributed to caffeine. With back to back shifts, Minato is more or less dead on his feet, leaning his elbows heavily against the counter as his eyes dip every once in a while to glance at the watch on his wrist. Just today, and he'll be excused for some time off- that was the agreement he'd made with his boss, to cover for the shifts yesterday and today if he wanted to leave on the 3rd at such short notice.

It's fine. Like he'd told Nanashi, business starts tapering off after 4 PM. In between pouring drinks, he could probably switch with someone to bus tables and keep himself awake, welcoming people inside and trying to redirect them towards the center of the shop so that he doesn't have to walk so far in between them, but also to keep those corner tables empty. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Good to see you senpai! [Nanashi smiles and waves. He's pretty happy that they were both able to come here at the same time. It's kind of hard to not notice Minato's fatigue. Nanashi feels the need to make some commentary about it. ]

Wow, You look dead. [That's probably the biggest understatement of the century. Work must be rough on Minato.]

Is it because of your job or school? Or both... [Realistically speaking, it's likely a combination of both.]

[ If he wanted to be honest, he'd say it's a combination of a whole lot of things that aren't just work and school, but talking to somebody at least focuses his attention and keeps him awake, and Nanashi's bright voice makes it easy for Minato to pull himself up and stop slouching, at the very least. ]

Thanks. Can't get my coffee break in for another hour, but maybe I'll look less dead if I can last until then.

[ He tilts his head back in a gesture towards the menu hanging on the wall behind him, but it's also a good excuse to roll his head and stretch his neck. ]

What'll you have?

[It's only normal that Minato has troubles outside of school and work. Life itself gets pretty crazy at times. ]

It'll be the longest sixty minutes of your life. Time always seems to pass slower when you're waiting for freedom.

[Oh no.]

I could go for something sweet. A latte's looking good right about now.

[ Now that Nanashi says it like that, Minato' sure he's going to be glancing at the clock every half hour just to find that only thirty seconds have passed. He'll probably get in trouble if the manager catches him acting so blatantly like he wants to get out of here. ]

Latte I can do. Let me know if you want anything in addition to just coffee and milk.

[ He'll get the coffee and everything brewing in the meantime, gesturing behind him at whatever extra stuff people like throwing into their drinks, and also to the side where Nanashi can pick out what size cup he'd like. Probably not a large one since it's already 4PM. ]

Did you come right after school? No clubs?

Sure, I'll let you know when I want something added. [Thanks Minato!!!! He doesn't know how to make good coffee at all. ]

And yeah I just came straight here from math class. No clubs for me. [When school's finished Nanashi's usually too tired to participate in other things. He doesn't say this out loud. Instead, he directs the question back at Minato out of sheer curiosity and boredom. ]

How about you? Do you have any after school activities?

[ It's like when he'd started drinking coffee in high school, going pure black and not really enjoying it at all until he dumped a bunch of cream and sugar into it. Then college happened and he went back to plain coffee with no sugar or else his heart will explode. ]

Nah, I never did after school activities. I'd feel weird invading RecU's clubs when I'm not an official student, and I've got this job to fill up the time anyways.

[ Which is a more productive use of his time, even if it's not very fun or exciting. ]

[When you need more than one cup of coffee adding extra sugar probably isn't the way to go. Minato made a good choice on skipping sugar.]

That makes sense. At least you're making money to support yourself. Eventually, I'd like to work myself at some point. My little sister's gonna hassle me until I do.

[Nanashi's brows furrow at the thought of his sister. She's always a handful. ]

Got any siblings?

[ Working at Expressive isn't much money, but it's easy work and he can more or less be on autopilot like he is right now in making Nanashi's drink, even if his feet and back always hurt by the end of his shift.

The mention of a little sister almost gets him to smile— he's always thought having a little sister would be nice, somebody to take care of and be looked up to, but it's never been more than a passing dream. But even as he thinks that, his voice gets quiet, somewhat hesitant. ]

A sister. [ It comes out a little terser than he'd like, which isn't Nanashi's fault so Minato clears his throat and tries again. ] Twin sister- I'm the younger one by two minutes. We grew up apart and don't really talk all that much now, so. [ He shakes his head, and in an obvious plea to move away from this conversation, changes the subject. ]

Do you want any of the flavored creamer in your coffee, or just milk? French vanilla or hazelnut or whatever.

Sorry to hear that. [Time to move away from this topic. It seems kind of personal. Not a subject you want to talk about while you're trying to rest. ]

Milk will do. It's already sweet enough so I don't need to add more. [Nanashi looks around and tries not to dead eye everything. They're hanging out in a pretty nice location. It's not too cold and there's plenty of space.]

I should really thank you, senpai. Coming down here was a nice change of pace.

[ He's thankful for it, both the moving off the subject and the fact that he doesn't have to mess with the drink anymore, just focusing on getting the ratio right and milk to foam nicely on top before sliding the cup over. ]

It's no problem. I get somebody to talk to, the place gets another customer... [ He shrugs a shoulder. They're all helping each other out; that's how the world works. ]

Have things been rough lately?

Sorta....it's hard to explain. [Asides from going to school, Nanashi's got foreign memories to deal with. He hesitantly nods his head.]

Sometimes I don't think I know myself well. I realize that makes no sense. [Once the latte's prepared, Nanashi takes a sip out of it. It's the best one he's ever had. He's much more energetic from it. ]

This is great, by the way. You're a real pro at handling coffee.

It makes sense. I have no idea what the hell I'm doing or what I even want most of the time.

[ He shrugs again, at that, but also at the thought he's any good at brewing, because most of the flavor has to do with the coffee beans themselves and the other ingredients that go into the drinks; he's just there to make sure the milk's not too hot and the coffee doesn't burn. ]

It's a lot of just going through the motions, to be honest.. I had good training here when I started. If you're ever looking for a part time job, I'm sure you'll do well too.

You too, huh? That sucks. There isn't an easy solution to that kinda problem. [Nanashi isn't too excited to hear that Minato's going through something similar. At the same time, he's glad that he isn't alone on this one. ]

I'll try to live up to those words. First day of the job's got to be the worst part of it all. You get used to it later on, apparently. [People say learning a job is like riding a bike. Is that true?? He's got no idea. ]

[ Minato only wishes he could have better advice to give over how to take that step forward and find himself; he doesn't have senpai here, or any adult figures in his life for that matter, just people his age or younger that seem to already know what they want in life and it baffles him sometimes.

He could offer empty words— "You're still young." or "You'll figure it out."— things that make little difference but he wishes somebody had said to him anyways. Ultimately, he keeps his mouth shut, thinking it isn't his place to offer words he doesn't believe in for himself. ]

Some parts of it gets easier, some don't. Mixing drinks is easy because it's like following a recipe. Dealing with customers before their morning coffee is always hard.

[ It's okay, Minato doesn't have to offer any words of advice. Just talking about it helps. He fiddles around with his drink before taking another sip. All that sugar is finally starting to get to him. ]

Bet they're all ready to snap unless they get their fill. It's only for a few hours, so I hope it's not that bad. [He pauses for a while and considers another scenario: angry customers on a rampage.]

Don't you report rude and disruptive customers to your manager when it starts to bother everyone?

...No.

[ The pause before he speaks up betrays what they're both probably thinking: he doesn't but he should. For the sake of everybody involved, he should calmly turn them away as is his right to refuse service to anybody who endangers the public, and some of these caffeine-deprived customers approach that level of danger. ]

It doesn't get that bad too often, and I know it's the caffeine withdrawal making things worse, not people themselves being bad. I can make up for it. I can work faster. I can memorize people's usual orders. I can put in the effort to make things go smoothly, and then I don't have to bother the manager, or turn away potential customers.

[ It's always like this. He doesn't mind taking more and more upon himself if it'll mean keeping the peace. ]

Alright, I get why you wouldn't. Working faster is effective and good.

[Minato's doing the mature thing by handling a situation in the best way he can. Still, Nanashi worries for him. It's not good to shoulder the burden yourself for too long. He offers a sympathetic smile and stops drinking coffee.]

Just make sure you ask for help every now and then. It's easy to forget sometimes.

[ It might be mature and Minato certainly thinks so, even though he knows there's merit in getting help. It's just hard— the suggestion that he needs help, that he's weak and can't handle everything on his own. ]

I know. [ He knows it. Doesn't mean he'll ask. ] It'll be easier over the summer when the high schoolers come pick up shifts. More hands means I don't have to work as hard.

[ Which is about the only help he feels right in receiving; they're working to get paid, so of course they'll have to do work. ]

[Asking for help doesn't necessarily mean that you're weak. Everyone's got to do it at some point or another. Minato's got some issues to sort out. He'll have to deal somehow. Life is so hard and unfair at times. Nanashi finally speaks up with a more confident tone:]

One of those high schoolers might be me. Summer's still far away so give it a few more months. It'll be okay.

[He offers Minato a handshake as a friendly gesture. There's a couple old scars on the palm of his hand from training. It's noticeable enough to the naked eye. Woops. ]

[ He has tons of issues to sort out, but he's unhurried, knowing that things will fall into place in time. Time is something he wishes he has more of, so summer really can't come soon enough.

He wipes his hands off on the damp towel behind the counter before reaching out to shake Nanashi's hand; his grip is firm, hand cold, and he turns his wrist so that Nanashi's palm is left facing up when he lets go. ]

What's this from?

[ Just curiosity, nothing accusatory ]

Oh, this? It's from physical defense training. I mishandled myself and got hurt a while ago. Maybe I just need more practice.

[Somehow, Nanashi feels comfortable enough to tell Minato all this. He seems like a reliable guy. That's a good first impression to make on someone. ]

How about you? Can you fight at all?

[Honestly, things get so crazy in the city. Having a way to defend yourself isn't a bad idea at all. He wouldn't be too surprised if Minato could fight. ]

Be careful and take care of yourself...

[ What is physical defense training, though... Injuries to the palm makes it sound like he's training to use a weapon— a sword, maybe? swords are versatile and easy to use just by instinct. Minato looks down at his hand, callouses building up on the mounts of his palm and on his fingers. ]

I don't have a lot of experience, but I've had the most practice in archery. Got a bow from Retrospec and everything, and I'm a pretty good shot now.

[ He also got a bunch of other weapons too, from swords to axes to spears, but he's never used them so he can't say he knows how to fight with them. ]

I'll try to.

[ For the most part, Nanashi uses his actual fists to deal physical damage. What he doesn't tell Minato is that his "training" involves fighting dudes who want to hurt you in real time. Some things are better left unsaid. A bow though? That's an interesting choice. You need a lot of accuracy and concentration to use one. Minato must have fairly good vision. Nanashi stops his train of thought for a second. Retrospec is the weirdest mailing system ever. ]

How on earth did Retrospec manage to put a bow inside a package? They're huge. I'm glad to hear you have a means to defend yourself.

With a bow you can keep yourself at a safe distance, then run when you need to.

[ ...That's a lot more dangerous than Minato would be comfortable hearing, so Nanashi is smart to keep the details of his training to himself. He leans back a little, running a finger along the edge of the counter; unnecessary, because he cleans this space so often, there's no dust to pick up.

He likes the bow for those reasons too: he can take his time, and keep away from direct damage, and the extra time and space is comforting. Actually using it against someone, though, whether it's offense or defense, is still something he waver on. But seeing how he's to head out into the forest tomorrow, he might not have a choice. ]

Retrospec is kind of... Well. [ How to explain the mail system? He guesses he doesn't have to. ] Have you ever been to the waffle house over in Tisse?

It's that place with an odd mailbox, right? No, I haven't been there before. My knowledge of the waffle house is all second hand.

[That should be the right location, unless he's got it mixed up with another spot. The chances of that happening are fairly high. Nanashi moved in recently. He doesn't know everything about this city. ]

Retrospect can delivery everything, apparently. I got my old phone back from them too. [Minato doesn't have to go out of his way to explain why these things happen. ]

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