Mai-Ly (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
formidable) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sunfloras2021-01-06 03:33 pm
formidable) wrote in sunfloras2021-01-06 03:33 pm
𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕚𝕕𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕘𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕕
 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. 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?". |
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[It was still strange that no one seemed to be familiar with this cafe. But at the same time, it wasn't uncommon for certain restaurants to go overlooked in Ijincho. "Is this place really Ijincho?" is what Ichiban thinks for a second. But Amelia's book seemed to be the new object of his attention.]
Hey, hey. Whatcha readin', anyway? It looks kinda old...
[He's going to leaaaan over just to try and steal a glance at a page.]
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I could tell you without you moving so close to me sir.
[She and Iona are both witches. They aren't giving up that sort of information anytime soon. Besides, most normal people tend to never find the cafe again.]
... I'll be mildly surprised if you can find this cafe again, but it's possible. It tends to be overlooked.
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[And he'll be pulling back. No Adachi or Nanba to tell him to dial back his curiosity. That straightforwardness of his was both his greatest strength and weakness.]
Sheesh... You're talkin' like this place is made of magic or something. I mean, I've always been a big fan of knights, dragons and mages... But most people don't really hold onto that wild sense of imagination.
[As someone who played Dragon Quest and RPG games religiously, Ichiban's sense of reality was a little less down to earth than most would give him credit for.]
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Just don't do that again.
[At the mention of magic... There's no reaction because hey, magic? That's just silly! Yes. Very silly.]
It's just a cafe.
[And that's the truth of it! Speaking of here's your oolong tea Ichiban, served to you by Oren who leaves as soon as the cup is set in front of him.]
Better enjoy your free drink. If you need ideas on what else you can order, I'll answer. They never really write down a menu although I've advised them to at least have some items on there.
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No menu, huh? Sounds like they've got a hammerspace kitchen back there!
[Even though that sounds pretty unusual, Ichiban decides to take it in stride. This must be a unique system of the cafe... Not too many restaurants would do something like this. As always, Ichiban decides to look at the bright side of things!]
Y'know... I think that's a pretty cool thing to do. Not only does it keeps customers on their feet, they can also surprise 'em with something that they want. [Hmmm...] How 'bout beefbowl ramen? I know this ain't a ramen restaurant, but can they really make up somethin' like that?
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[Needless to say, Amelia, sounds and looks dubious.]
I don't think you'll find something like that served here... I think.
[Who knows, Oren is a wizard in the kitchen.]
There are pasta dishes and really good sandwiches instead?
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[Ichiban will take a moment to sip his oolong tea. At the taste of it, he practically beams with happiness.]
Holy shit! This is pretty good. Gotta give props to the guy if he makes another pass 'round.
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[Hard to open up isn't she? But at least she doesn't seem totally cold since she's continuing to talk to him after all.
Using the context clues, Amelia figures, "Oh, he's from Japan." So she'll make one more suggestion.]
Napolitan pasta.
...
Is that something you're accustomed to?
[Strange tomato ketchup pasta... She's seen some people order it and Oren or sometimes Iona make, although the latter seemed dubious about the dish.]
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[Ichiban never gone to high school, so he's not the most educated person. Still, he was eager to learn about new things whenever it was thrown at him. Spending fifteen years in prison did not help him for being behind the times.]
The closest shit I've had to pasta was pasta sticks. It makes for good comfort food if you want a quick snack.
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[Leave it to her to have obscure food knowledge. Reading books (and tour guide books in her spare time) is fun kids!]
I'm kind of surprised you haven't heard of it, but I understand that cuisine can vary a lot around here.
[Smart cookie she is, she's just feigning that yes, we're totally in Japan still.]
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[And he easily believes this! She had rather exotic looks that made her stand out as a foreigner.]
But yeah! Japan's got so many crazy foods that it's almost impossible to eat everything on the menu. I've been a bit out of touch with the current times since I was in the joint for fifteen years.
[He says this rather casually like it was no big deal. Sometimes, he was stupidly straightforward and honest. Regardless, Ichiban offers Amelia a hand.]
What's your name? I'm Kasuga Ichiban. You can just roll with Ichiban, though.
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Nice to meet you. I'm Amelia.
[Then Amelia puts her hand down right away. Maybe she just isn't totally comfortable around others, not because of what he was just open about.]
How long have you been out of the, "the joint" now? Congratulations are in order I suppose.
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[Some guys were bad-mouthing his boss and he had to stay in due to some bad behavior. Ichiban is rather happy-go-lucky about it all, though.]
So everything's pretty new to me still! Like I hear people don't even use VHS tapes anymore! They've got DVDs now and some people ain't even using cigs to smoke. They've got, uh... those 'vape' thingys or whatever.
[And he's even been seeing teenagers using them. It's so strange to him even now.]
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[Even more disbelief, what the heck?? Although Amelia guesses it's not as if the normal non-powered individuals were usually an oddball of some sort if they were able to find the cafe.]
That's... Very long. How old are you now even?
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[With all of his energy and looks, Ichiban comes off as much younger than that. It's surprising that he was still able to keep his upbeat attitude.]
How 'bout you-- [A beat.] Oh yeah. I heard that it's rude to ask a lady her age.
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[She answers almost too quickly. She could probably pass for mid-20s to late her late 30s, but it seems rather ambiguous even if she clearly looks like a youthful adult. Amelia waves away his concerns.]
I don't mind questions about age. It's not a big deal.
[Just not her real one shhhh.]
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[And yet here he was... Talking up a storm with a woman he just met. He considered Masato far better in that field while he just followed him around like a shadow.]
So Amelia... You mentioned something fortunes earlier, yeah? Are you into fortune tellin' and all that mystical shit?
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Sort of. I've tried fortune telling with tea leaves before, but I don't really depend or put much stock in it.
[She adjusts her glasses as she sighs and sets her book upside down on her lap.]
I prefer reading books in my spare time as you can tell. Not very exciting really.
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[Just like with life, Ichiban always looks on the bright side of things whenever it comes to people. She definitely didn't seem to be much of a people person... But it wasn't the first time that he's spoken to people like that.]
I never went to high school, so I'm a bit of a dullard when it comes to a lot of things. I have been working hard on earnin' certifications at a vocational school I go to sometimes. So I do a bit of studying whenever I get some spare time.
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[Amelia doesn't quite smile, but the air about her seems warmer, more sympathetic.]
But it's good that you're seeking out all the opportunities you can. It doesn't sound like anything can impede you even with your background. That's very admirable.
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[He could pick up on that! Ichiban wasn't book smart, but he was empathic enough to read small changes like that in people.]
You do anything for work? Asides that, I've been pickin' up a few side hustles and run a company on the side.
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And you? What kind of work have you been able to do since you got out?
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You ever tried Japanese snacks? I've got a cozy shop that I can introduce you to 'round here.
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[In her own witchy way of course.]
Did anything interesting happen with the bodyguard gig?
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[Reaching into his pocket, he'll be handing her a business card with the company name: 'Ichiban Confections' on it along with the address.]
A bit of a long story! This bar had been gettin' harassed by this organization called the Geomijul. They were stealing electricity from the place and the owner hired me to watch out for any strange people who were gonna come out to terrorize the bar. It was my lucky night to see that someone did try to wreak some shit, but I put a stop to 'em.