𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕚𝕕𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕘𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕕

[formidable]

OPEN POST It so happens that on a dark and stormy night in a city, (somewhere, anywhere really), someone may spot a beautiful gilded wooden door nearby wherever they are. Side of a building? In an alleyway? Near a dumpster?? Usually, it appears somewhere that's out of sight and out of mind, where the majority of people can't see it. The door looks warm and inviting and it's just a secret begging to be opened up so you can find what lies within... ❂❂❂ ... It's surprisingly normal inside; a surprisingly normal cafe actually. The interior is a warm mixture of red brick walls and sleek wooden floors and tables, along with comfortable looking sofa chairs and a large couch with a coffee table to accompany it. The ceiling is decorated with colorful hanging lanterns that cast interesting shadows on the walls and floors. A large black bookshelf sits next to the counter where there are various books and novels that have an age to them from past readers and customers. Behind the counter are the usual machines, bottles of syrups, jars of coffee beans, and tea blends in decorative jars. The black chalkboards aligned on the wall are strangely empty except for the special of that day and a lavishly illustrated logo which can only be the establishment's name. ❦ THE MIDNIGHT GRIND ❦ There's no other way to say it. This place is cozy. There is someone behind the counter, but depending on when you come in, it's going to be a different barista who will serve you. Or you can say hi to other customers and hang out with them! ❂❂❂ The Midnight Grind is a magical cafe with a door that appears in any location, across different universes and even time periods. It is a place to relax, eat, and drink, and collect yourself before heading back to whatever business you were in the middle of. It is run and owned by a witch named Iona J. Oakes, her golem companion Oren, and their main barista, Monts. Volunteers to help out with busy shifts are welcome and will be compensated appropriately. ➤ it's just a blur ➢ "Why'd I Wait?".

Comments

Iona J. Oakes

[infusion]

[If you arrive in the late afternoon or evening, the owner herself will be behind the counter, flitting around the tables, picking up cups and empty dishes, or if there isn't a lot of customers, she's at a table working on her college homework. She'll look up, either way, her face lighting up at whoever has opened the door.]

Welcome! Come on in!

[Her smile is vivacious and bright as if you are extremely special.]

You new here? First drink for first-time customers is on the house!

Marianna "Monts" Medina

[nerine]

[Early afternoon or late at night from 9 PM to midnight, the barista behind the counter is Monts, a pretty girl who doesn't seem totally attentive. But she'll pay attention when the door opens and she waves lazily to the incoming customer.]

Hello. Take a seat. You're lucky it's not crowded today.

[As for the empty menu...]

What do you feel like having today? We can make all sorts of drinks-- ah, no alcohol though. No license you see.

[laeradr]

[ The visibility is absolutely terrible tonight. The torrential downpour had started without warning, coming down hard and with barely a rumble of thunder as warning. Not to mention the fog. He'd been out exploring the woods, but Vangeance can barely see a few feet before him any more; just getting back to his home is going to be difficult. So when he manages to spot the blurry outline of lit-up windows up ahead, he heads towards them without hesitation.

Little wonder he fails to discern the strange shift in scenery around him, pulling him away from that wretched island and to someplace entirely different. It takes him all his focus just to find the door's handle amidst the crushing rain, then push it open.

The moment the door opens, the rain subsides -- no longer that blinding torrent, just a regular downpour. And it just leaves Vangeance standing in the doorway, soaked through like a drowned rat, as he stares blearily across the counter. ]

Monts?

[ He blinks water out of his eyes before looking back and realizing he's still holding the door open. And as pleasant as the sound of the rain is, it wouldn't do to drag even more water into this establishment, so ... he closes the door. Then stands at the entranceway, looking very gently dismayed by the mess he's making. ]

... my apologies. The weather caught me rather by surprise.

[nerine]

[There aren't many customers tonight. Monts had been staring into the light of a pink ceiling lamp before the door opens up to reveal the dampened stranger. Without her having to say anything she can hear Oren taking out a mop from the back. She turns to greet the new guest.]

C'mon in. Don't worry about getting the floor wet...

[And then she finally registers his appearance. Unassuming frame, mysterious mask... And then he says her name]

... Oh!

[She stands up and moves away from the counter to get a closer look.]

Vangeance? It's really... Wow.

[A flurry of memories of sweeps into her mind. It was like a brief interlude, short, shocking, but sweet overall. Her wish had come true, hadn't it? She wanted to return to her place of belonging, but keep the memory of those she had grown fond of even if they were separated too soon.]

It's really you... Um... [She looks behind him to peek at the entrance.]

Where did you find our door? I mean... I didn't expect anyone I knew to be...

[Monts is actually at a loss for words for once. Rare, but it happens!]

[laeradr]

[ He'd be acting just as surprised as her, except he's a little distracted by all the water weighing him down. His cloak is basically deadweight hanging off his shoulders, and the rain sloughing off the dome of his helmet is dribbling right into his face and down his chest. Vangeance blinks hard, raising a hand to try and wipe the worst of it out of his eyes, before giving her a watery (haha) smile. ]

I'm afraid I couldn't say where exactly I entered from. The rain was unlike anything I've seen before. [ A glance back towards the doorway, where the sounds of the rain outside gently fill the air. Truth be told, he's still a little confused by this whole situation, but ... at least the sight of a familiar face helps him maintain his calm. ] I could barely see anything before me, so I rather lost track of my surroundings, and only followed the light from your windows.

[ And then he sneezes. It's prim and proper and muffled into the crook of his elbow, but still.

Vangeance clears his throat afterward, fighting back a tiny trace of embarrassment. ]

I apologize for the trouble, but ... I don't suppose you have anything warm to drink?

[ Help a guy out, Monts. Before he catches the dreaded deadly Anime Cold. ]

[getting_better]

[ He's unsure how long he's been walking, but he had arrived where he needed to go even if it was much too late for anything. Save maybe a cup of coffee to warm the bones and a meal to fill the tank, though getting all that meant a bit more walking much to the chagrin of his well worn boots.

Thankfully the wooden decorative door struck him oddly as a place to find food, even if it was in a dimly lit alley off the main street but he's done riskier and dumber things. Walking into some place potentially dangerous is a Tuesday for him after all, but thankfully this place was not that. Cozy, in fact. ]

Guten Abend. Könnte ich eine Tasse schwarzen Kaffee haben?

[ He says with a flawless German accent as he walked in, pulling down the hood of his worn-out coat and taking off his cap, dressed in all black, and a backpack that's full to the brim. ]

[nerine]

[The cafe is equally cozy and warm (Oren was the one who had taken notice that their current stream of customers was coming from chillier weather conditions).

The German catches Monts' attention as well as... Her blue-green eyes widen ever so slightly, but she takes a second to regard the new customer before replying.]

Guten tag? Well, that's all the German I know.

I speak English and Spanish mostly.

[There's a pause as if waiting for him to react to something, but then she decides just to casually move along.]

So is that just a regular black coffee you'd like?

[getting_better]

Oh.

[ Color him surpised on several levels. First, a shop in Germany that doesn't speak German, second - ]

Uh, yeah to start. If your German is just Guten tag, then you did well to get the black coffee part.

[ Also what was with that pause? He took off his glove and rubbed his face thinking there was something on it. That'd be embarassing. ]

[tonguecutter]

[ It's not the first time strange happenings have popped up in the mountainous areas around the Enma-tei, but as always, it falls to the proprietress to check it out. However, this time, instead of being greeted by vicious beasts, she is greeted by a friend. ]

I'd like a hot peach tea, please.

[ Behind her are a few adorably plump sparrows, looking around curiously. ]

[nerine]

Beni!

[Monts' face lights up at the sight of the small being in familiarity. The sparrows around her make for an even cuter visage.]

Welcome to the Midnight Grind! I'm so glad our door could show up in your area.

And I'm glad you remembered my recommendation.

[tonguecutter]

[ Monts' face isn't the only one that lights up. ]

Of course I did, cheep. It sounded like a wonderful drink.

[ And with things around the inn how they are nowadays, she could afford to take a break and see a friend for a bit. One of the sparrows pokes his head out from behind Beni's legs after looking around. ]

I want coffee! Make it really fancy, and put as much sugar in it as you can, chirp!

[ It doesn't take long for her expression to fall flat after an order like that. ]

Don't listen to Gokan, Monts. If he gets too much caffeine or sugar in his system, he won't be able to settle down for the rest of the day, especially when he needs to. The same goes for the other sparrows, too.

[ She can't tell them what they can and can't drink while they're off work, but while they're on "break" with her directly in tow, it's somewhat fair game. ]

[breweries]

Ah, that's unfortunate. But I suppose I'm here for nonalcoholic reasons, after all.

[ hey, monts. it's the familiar alluring face of a certain western wizard... probably. ]

I believe we've met before? Unless I'm mistaken.

[nerine]

[That didn't take long. Monts perks up immediately, her blue-green eyes alert and joyful at the wizard's entrance.]

Shylock! You made it!

[sometimes ur in hell for 6+ months and suddenly you're just back where you came from... But it's been a nice few days, seeing familiar faces after explaining to Oren and Iona her circumstances. At least they believed her, even in their own incredulous way. The new influx of customers has proven Monts right.

She waves him over to the table closest to the counter.]

C'mon in! I'll get your free drink started right away!

Oren

[oren]

[This is Oren! You'll see him at every hour of every shift. He cooks, he cleans, he makes coffee, he serves, he runs the cash register... Man, he can do everything!

He also has incredibly fine features. Long black hair tied back into a ponytail, tall, a slim beautiful face, and silvery eyes that seem to look right into a person's soul... This sounds all very romantic, but he doesn't seem all that talkative.

But who knows? As he pours you coffee or tea, or gives you a pastry or sandwich, strike up a conversation and you'll find he has lots to say.]

[clockworksoul]

[ Sometimes you’re out for a walk and you spot a strange door in a place where you’re very certain that there wasn’t a strange door before. And sometimes, though you may be highly intelligent, you’re not actually all that wise so you throw caution to the wind and open said door.

(You would think all that time in vampire and horror-ridden Barovia would make you more cautious about things, but not really.)

Thankfully there isn’t anything nasty waiting on the other side of the door when Declan opens it, and instead he finds a marvel of magic and technology that makes him go all starry-eyed. He instantly makes his way to the counter, and heedless of who might be working behind it, he leans over, trying to get a look at the espresso machine and everything else back there. ]

Oh, how fascinating!!

[ I’m sorry he’s like this. ]

[oren]

[The dark-haired golem glances up from the espresso machine that he's been wiping down when Declan enters the Midnight Grind. After being in this business for a few years, Oren always makes note of several things; the appearance, the reaction, and the mood.

Overall, this young man seems like the decent sort; not totally human, the ears say that much. Still, Oren stiffly acknowledges Declan.]

Customers are not allowed behind the counter.

Ai Thao Kha

[emotive]

[Ai Thao mostly volunteers on Saturday and Sunday mornings, when the cafe is at its busiest. Why? Well...

When you come in, you'll see cups, utensils, napkins, and plates of food levitating in the air, and Ai going around doing several tasks at once. Gotta put those esper powers into use somehow. If you come in through the door she'll smile, but get immediately distracted with another customer's order.]

I-I'm sorry! I'll be right with you! It's a little busy, but I'll get to you quick!

Amelia Steinbeck

[recluserose]

[She is not an employee or a volunteer, but merely a customer.

Amelia Steinbeck, tends to hang out at the Grind on quiet evenings. Her drinks change from time to time, but otherwise, she'll stick with a hot latte with cinnamon and nutmeg dusted on top while enjoying a book. She sits by herself, uninterested in the business of other customers, only politely greeting the Grind employees.

She doesn't mind sharing a table though, so if other seats are full, she'll nod when Iona asks her to share her space. Amelia will briefly acknowledge your presence.]

Depending on how you see your fortune, I am not a sparkling conversationist. I hope I don't bother you.

[ofrockbottom]

Heeeey, no sweat! I think I'm good enough to keep a conversation rollin' between the two of us. If anything, I gotta hope that I won't be buggin' you.

[As some of his friends would say, Ichiban's greatest quality was being a pain in the ass for others. Even though he looked big and intimidating, his smile was very friendly and child-like. He'll decide to sit down at the table where Amelia was. It was his first time in a cafe like this... He's still not sure what to order yet. The atmosphere was right at home for him even if it wasn't the Survive Bar. Straightforward as ever, Ichiban just goes for the quickest topic starter.]

I'm kinda new to these parts, so I still dunno what to order. Got any recommendations?

[recluserose]

Depends.

[Amelia isn't so rude that she'll give the stranger across from her the silent treatment even if he does look intimidating. She sets down the book into her lap trying to think.]

Sweet or bitter? Hot or cold? Is there something you usually drink, but wouldn't make for yourself normally?

[federates]

[ barton doesn't seem to mind any curtness. he holds a dense book in one hand, a hot, black coffee within a to-go cup in the other. it's no vaporwave boba, but it would do. he sets his cup down and takes a seat without hesitation. ]

[ his eyebrows raise as peers at her. hi, amelia. ]

What's "fortune" gotta do with anything?

[recluserose]

[oh its you... Amelia doesn't even try to hide her nose-wrinkle at Barton. Her brief stint in hell came and went and while she was happy to not be indebted to the Daitengu and get all of her magic back, some people she's not entirely sure if she's happy(?) to see have started to be customers (probably because of the other barista, what a coincidence...)]

Hello. Surprised to see you here at a cafe rather than some unruly wrestling ring.

[amelia play nice]

VENGEANCE-FLOWER.

[shoulders]

[ Untraceable. No digital footprints, no lead. The first time he's ever been given a literal or metaphorical business card, both as the Bat or Bruce Wayne, that he hasn't been able to get an inch of intel on.

Interesting. Also: concerning.

He thinks back to their first meeting, Monts' beguiling smile and her skewed forearm, her calm melded into the orange-yellow blackness of Gotham's veined alleyway. Out of place, yet familiar. The casualty of his violence hadn't frightened her; compelled her to ask for his contact information, even.

Instincts say: she's trouble.


He suits up, anyway.


---


Three days later, a bat shows up at The Grind. Kevlar-wrapped, reinforced, masked. He is immediately out of place in the soft, natural sweep of the cafe's decor, a tar-dipped shadow leaving streaks of mud on the welcome mat.

Interior sweep. Bruce's attention slides from floor to ceiling, wall to wall.

Hm.


Maybe Monts isn't a criminal linchpin, then. ]

[nerine]

[Every now and then, Iona complains about the lack of reverence and respect people initially have for the name, "The Midnight Grind." It's sophisticated and dignified! Cozy even! Why on earth would the first thought be of criminal activity or an underground sex club catered to deviants? The name is supposed to evoke late nights, the smoky and chocolatey aromas of different coffees, flowery teas, and overly sugary treats. The concept is also geared towards those who work far into the night and need to rest their minds from the tempo of their busy lives.

"Well. Just tell me what you think of when people are grinding at midnight with one another and you got your answer," Monts tells her boss dryly.

Iona adamantly clings to the romanticism and not the obvious innuendos.

When the Bat enters, she is there behind the counter, making a drink for a customer who jumps at the man in black. They evaluate. Shrug. Give their thanks to Monts for their lavender cream cold brew and take a seat.

She's dressed simply, black shirt, jeans, and apron. Knocking out some old espresso beans, her eyes light up when she sees Batman.]

Oh!

[Her smile is wide and she washes and dries her hand quickly before beckoning him to come on in.]

So you did find it! I almost thought you were gonna leave me brokenhearted.

[shoulders]

[ What Bruce should feel: ridiculous. What he doesn't feel: ridiculous. He's had enough of leering and jeering for a lifetimeー it would be stranger, really, if no one chose to gawk at him.

(that, too, is probably the security blanket. being spurned. negative reinforcement that he's still adjusting out of, in increments.)

Long, even strides take him to the polished countertop, where his gloved hands run along the grain of the varnished wood. Everything in this place is deceptively warm: amber and low lights and saccharine smells. ]

This isn't anywhere on the Gotham map.

[ Translation: I thought it was weird and suspect, ergo, I thought I should check it out. His voice hums low. ]

What is this place?