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[ not actually a buttdial.
this is the first time zahid's ever used a phone, and unji is the lucky first witness.
he gets a video call and it's a stranger's face, frowning at the screen in confusion (this stranger has a tree branch stuck to his head for some reason).
he appears to be concentrating a lot as he smashes buttons. ]
j kk ll ddd uuuuuuuuuu l
this is the first time zahid's ever used a phone, and unji is the lucky first witness.
he gets a video call and it's a stranger's face, frowning at the screen in confusion (this stranger has a tree branch stuck to his head for some reason).
he appears to be concentrating a lot as he smashes buttons. ]
j kk ll ddd uuuuuuuuuu l
[ whomst tf is this. unji just watches zahid smash buttons for a moment before it dawns on him that this was likely on accident, like the kind of shit old grandpas and grandmas would do when faced with new tech. except this guy looks young?
well, whatever. when there's a pause in between zahid's keysmashing, unji speaks up. ]
You good?
well, whatever. when there's a pause in between zahid's keysmashing, unji speaks up. ]
You good?
[ this is the ultimate boomer moment. not that zahid knows what a boomer is. ]
Aaah!! It talks!! I ... guess they told me that it would. Hello??!
Aaah!! It talks!! I ... guess they told me that it would. Hello??!
[ He is so bored and he barely has any friends yet, which is hell for an extrovert. Of course he's going to want to chit chat with the phone man. ]
I was trying to talk to the person on the other side. I guess it's you. [ The way he assumes only 1 person would be on the other side. He doesn't have the concept of a phone. ]
Well ... nice to meet you?
I was trying to talk to the person on the other side. I guess it's you. [ The way he assumes only 1 person would be on the other side. He doesn't have the concept of a phone. ]
Well ... nice to meet you?
[ "other side".... damn, this guy really is a boomer. ]
You can have more than one person— [ ah, it's probably harder to explain over video call. ] Nevermind. I'll show you next time.
[ he's also not the best at explaining but whatever. ]
Yeah. What's your name? I'm Zuma.
You can have more than one person— [ ah, it's probably harder to explain over video call. ] Nevermind. I'll show you next time.
[ he's also not the best at explaining but whatever. ]
Yeah. What's your name? I'm Zuma.
[ It's always an adjustment whenever she disappears and returns to Visium and Lumindeas, memories of her time in this land flooding her mind when she reawakens in the garden, alone again.
And this time, memories of her entire summer vacation spent with the Thieves flash through her mind's eye. A summer spent with Zenkichi and Sophia, and the journeys she's watched them go on; the pain, desperation, but the sheer determination and hope they demonstrated together.
After a couple of days of resettling back, it's time to return to the cafe and get back on track there. As ever, she's grateful Minato and Akira have worked diligently to keep it afloat. So when she enters, she's ready for business as usual, until she notices the tall boy who seems to be mopping her floors. Not Minato or Akira.
... now why is a customer cleaning her floors? ]
Pardon me.
And this time, memories of her entire summer vacation spent with the Thieves flash through her mind's eye. A summer spent with Zenkichi and Sophia, and the journeys she's watched them go on; the pain, desperation, but the sheer determination and hope they demonstrated together.
After a couple of days of resettling back, it's time to return to the cafe and get back on track there. As ever, she's grateful Minato and Akira have worked diligently to keep it afloat. So when she enters, she's ready for business as usual, until she notices the tall boy who seems to be mopping her floors. Not Minato or Akira.
... now why is a customer cleaning her floors? ]
Pardon me.
[ it's only his second day at the cafe, but he thinks he's getting a better feel of it. minato had kindly showed him around earlier, pointed out things he needed to know and introducing him to a few of the staff. why a dog and a starfish are part of the employees he'll never know, but it's fine. he passed the vibe check and now here he is, mopping the floors in between the flow of customers.
he looks up when she comes in, and the first thing he sees is her fluffy hair. didn't minato say that's what the owner had? ]
Hello.
[ well, might as well try to be polite. ]
he looks up when she comes in, and the first thing he sees is her fluffy hair. didn't minato say that's what the owner had? ]
Hello.
[ well, might as well try to be polite. ]
[ Gosh, he's... really tall.
And kind of intimidating in appearance, too.
She feels very small next to him, nervous, but if he were a threat Koromaru or Bi-chan would have jumped in by now. Instead, the star demon twirls behind in the kitchen, forgetting its responsibility to the cafe. ][ She's polite in turn, but quickly finds her voice and courage to ask what he's doing in her cafe. ]
Who are you... sorry? You're not one of my staff...
And kind of intimidating in appearance, too.
She feels very small next to him, nervous, but if he were a threat Koromaru or Bi-chan would have jumped in by now. Instead, the star demon twirls behind in the kitchen, forgetting its responsibility to the cafe. ][ She's polite in turn, but quickly finds her voice and courage to ask what he's doing in her cafe. ]
Who are you... sorry? You're not one of my staff...
[ my staff. so this is the owner, then. unji straightens up on instinct but then thinks better of it halfway through, slouching a little and leaning against the mop handle. she's much shorter than him and he's already big; she's probably wondering what the hell he's doing here. ]
Sorry, Minato-san said you could use the help, so he's been showing me around. He also said you've been out for a while, so I thought I'd clean up a little.
[ is that overstepping? oh, well. ]
I'm Zuma. I woke up here recently.
Sorry, Minato-san said you could use the help, so he's been showing me around. He also said you've been out for a while, so I thought I'd clean up a little.
[ is that overstepping? oh, well. ]
I'm Zuma. I woke up here recently.
[ There's a couple of owlish blinks from her before Haru's taut shoulders begin to ease up at the mention of Minato. ]
He did that? Oh...
[ She was out for a while— perhaps he was worried about the cafe and its customers. She'll have to remind herself to thank him later. ]
I hadn't realized we had gotten new staff. Forgive me for that.
[ She bows her head politely and as her eyes catch the floor, she notices they're very clean. ]
I'm Okumura Haru. I own Sip and Blossom. [ Which he already knows... ] Um, welcome! I'm sorry, I'm still getting caught up with matters since returning.
He did that? Oh...
[ She was out for a while— perhaps he was worried about the cafe and its customers. She'll have to remind herself to thank him later. ]
I hadn't realized we had gotten new staff. Forgive me for that.
[ She bows her head politely and as her eyes catch the floor, she notices they're very clean. ]
I'm Okumura Haru. I own Sip and Blossom. [ Which he already knows... ] Um, welcome! I'm sorry, I'm still getting caught up with matters since returning.
Nah, it's my bad, I should've said something. He was just trying to help.
[ it feels a little awkward to be on the receiving end of such politeness, but he bows in turn, one hand coming up to rub the nape of his neck afterwards. he definitely feels like he overstepped, but she hasn't kicked him out yet, so... maybe it's fine? ]
... Nice to meet you. If you want, I can finish up here and come back again later when you're more caught up.
[ it must be a shock to come back and be met with all these changes. ]
[ it feels a little awkward to be on the receiving end of such politeness, but he bows in turn, one hand coming up to rub the nape of his neck afterwards. he definitely feels like he overstepped, but she hasn't kicked him out yet, so... maybe it's fine? ]
... Nice to meet you. If you want, I can finish up here and come back again later when you're more caught up.
[ it must be a shock to come back and be met with all these changes. ]
You don't need to leave.
[ She moves toward counter, setting down her purse and tucking it away somewhere. Then she grabs an apron, tossing it over her head and grabbing the strings so she can tie it together. ]
Zuma-san, right? If Minato-kun said you can work here, I trust his judgement.
[ She's never had to train someone before, so now she wonders what she should do next. Minato and Akira were naturals and didn't need much prodding, outside of poking Minato whenever he dozed off. ]
Then... it's nice to meet you as well! I look forward to working together.
[ She moves toward counter, setting down her purse and tucking it away somewhere. Then she grabs an apron, tossing it over her head and grabbing the strings so she can tie it together. ]
Zuma-san, right? If Minato-kun said you can work here, I trust his judgement.
[ She's never had to train someone before, so now she wonders what she should do next. Minato and Akira were naturals and didn't need much prodding, outside of poking Minato whenever he dozed off. ]
Then... it's nice to meet you as well! I look forward to working together.
Yeah. Likewise. [ he clears his throat. ] And just Zuma's okay.
[ zuma-san lowkey gives him hives. haru seems like a proper lady and he's just a deadbeat punk in comparison. ]
I don't think Minato-san had a chance to tell you yet, but I don't really have work experience... and I got a record. [ not sure if that even matters here, but he may as well be upfront. ] But, uh, if you need help with cleaning or fixing stuff, I can do that.
[ zuma-san lowkey gives him hives. haru seems like a proper lady and he's just a deadbeat punk in comparison. ]
I don't think Minato-san had a chance to tell you yet, but I don't really have work experience... and I got a record. [ not sure if that even matters here, but he may as well be upfront. ] But, uh, if you need help with cleaning or fixing stuff, I can do that.
Not having experience is fine.
[ After all, how does one gain experience if they can't work?
But she does slow her movement, interest piqued when Unji brings up his record.
... what kind of record? ]
A record? Have you been convicted before?
[ After all, how does one gain experience if they can't work?
But she does slow her movement, interest piqued when Unji brings up his record.
... what kind of record? ]
A record? Have you been convicted before?
Yeah. I beat up an officer and got arrested for it.
[ he sounds pretty matter of fact about it, but there's no use hiding it. haru deserves to know what she's getting into. ]
I was in a bad place for a while. Angry all the time. Doesn't excuse what I did, but I'm trying to make up for it.
[ he sounds pretty matter of fact about it, but there's no use hiding it. haru deserves to know what she's getting into. ]
I was in a bad place for a while. Angry all the time. Doesn't excuse what I did, but I'm trying to make up for it.
[ Goodness, he sure looks like he could take on an officer or two.
But she's even more curious as to what could have been happening for him to do that. Most people where they come from don't lash out the way they do and for the ones that do rebel more openly, like Ryuji or Ann, they were being victimized to a breaking point. ]
Oh!
[ At least he's honest. ]
That's terrible to hear. I hope things have gotten better since then.
[ As for the officer? ]
I imagine that officer made things worse and was not helpful at a time you needed the support.
But she's even more curious as to what could have been happening for him to do that. Most people where they come from don't lash out the way they do and for the ones that do rebel more openly, like Ryuji or Ann, they were being victimized to a breaking point. ]
Oh!
[ At least he's honest. ]
That's terrible to hear. I hope things have gotten better since then.
[ As for the officer? ]
I imagine that officer made things worse and was not helpful at a time you needed the support.
[ he's gotten so used to people immediately recoiling that what she says makes him pause for a moment, a blank look on his face before he thinks, yeah, actually. she's not wrong. ]
... Yeah. They're better now.
[ he can never get his family back, nor can he undo the damage that he's done, but the least he can do is keep moving forward. to keep helping people who still need him. ]
Thanks.
... Yeah. They're better now.
[ he can never get his family back, nor can he undo the damage that he's done, but the least he can do is keep moving forward. to keep helping people who still need him. ]
Thanks.
That's good.
[ If Minato offered him a job, then there isn't much of a reason to worry her head off. He must be good company or have a good heart.
Haru smiles, sweet and friendly. ]
Don't worry; we don't like the police, too.
[ The cafe is an anti-cop establishment— ]
What has Minato-kun shown you so far? I'm happy to take over and train you on the rest.
[ If Minato offered him a job, then there isn't much of a reason to worry her head off. He must be good company or have a good heart.
Haru smiles, sweet and friendly. ]
Don't worry; we don't like the police, too.
[ The cafe is an anti-cop establishment— ]
What has Minato-kun shown you so far? I'm happy to take over and train you on the rest.
[ he laughs a little, pleasantly surprised. ]
Some of them are okay. But most of 'em are shit, yeah.
[ he's just glad she doesn't seem put off by him. not many people in his life have taken a chance on him. it's a nice feeling, despite also being very foreign. ]
He just showed me where everything is. I haven't worked the register yet... just been cleaning and putting stuff away. [ a pause as he shrugs. ] I figured you'd want someone more friendly looking to deal with customers.
Some of them are okay. But most of 'em are shit, yeah.
[ he's just glad she doesn't seem put off by him. not many people in his life have taken a chance on him. it's a nice feeling, despite also being very foreign. ]
He just showed me where everything is. I haven't worked the register yet... just been cleaning and putting stuff away. [ a pause as he shrugs. ] I figured you'd want someone more friendly looking to deal with customers.
I'm sure we can work our way there.
[ What kind of manager would she be if couldn't help train someone? ]
Hmm... I'll show you around a bit then, but you can stay cleaning up today.
[ It's quiet for now and it seems like the other boys are handling the cafe fine, so she'll take the time to start showing Unji around.
But first, Decarabia is going to float in front of them, swirling clockwise as if to convey excitement. ]
Oh, Bi-chan! I hope I didn't make you worry too much.
[ What kind of manager would she be if couldn't help train someone? ]
Hmm... I'll show you around a bit then, but you can stay cleaning up today.
[ It's quiet for now and it seems like the other boys are handling the cafe fine, so she'll take the time to start showing Unji around.
But first, Decarabia is going to float in front of them, swirling clockwise as if to convey excitement. ]
Oh, Bi-chan! I hope I didn't make you worry too much.
Okay.
[ he's still not sure how he'll fare on the customer service front, but he'll do his best. for now, he watches the starfish twirl its way over, somersaulting through the air as it floats around her. ]
Is it yours? From this place?
[ koromaru being in the cafe is fine but of course he's curious about the floating starfish. ]
[ he's still not sure how he'll fare on the customer service front, but he'll do his best. for now, he watches the starfish twirl its way over, somersaulting through the air as it floats around her. ]
Is it yours? From this place?
[ koromaru being in the cafe is fine but of course he's curious about the floating starfish. ]
[ That starfish is going to now turn its single eye onto Unji, staring at him and inching closer out of curiosity. ]
Kazuya-kun let me have him. He watches the cafe when we close up, but it seems he likes to hang around us.
[ You would think she's talking about a dog and not a starfish looking demon.
When Decarabia gets too close to Unji, Haru's arms scoop it up into her arms and give it a slight hug. ]
You don't seem scared of him like some of the others were...
Kazuya-kun let me have him. He watches the cafe when we close up, but it seems he likes to hang around us.
[ You would think she's talking about a dog and not a starfish looking demon.
When Decarabia gets too close to Unji, Haru's arms scoop it up into her arms and give it a slight hug. ]
You don't seem scared of him like some of the others were...
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