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.

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.]

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?

[ofrockbottom]

Huh? Uhhh, shit... That's a good question! I'm usually on the run a lot!

[Scratching his head and mumbling to himself, Ichiban ponders for a moment. This place didn't sell any alcohol which was fine in his book. He wasn't a overly heavy drinker. Perhaps something simple and effective would do the trick for him...]

How 'bout oolong tea? That's usually good on the bones and helps with boosting MP.

[Don't mind his gamer lingo. Even his best friends find that a bit weird.]

[recluserose]

Alright. I'm sure they have something basic like that in stock.

[She doesn't seem put off by his gamer lingo at least. Heck, it's kind of hard to tell what her expression is because she's a bit of a poker face. She waves over Oren who has his notepad ready.]

One oolong tea. Seems like he's new.

[The dark-haired man nods and goes to fulfill the order. To clarify, Amelia turns to Ichiban.]

New customers get their first drink free on the house. Thought you ought to know.

[ofrockbottom]

Whoa--Word?! There's no cafe in Ijincho that would ever do that. Might be a good thing that this ain't a bar or people would take advantage of that rule.

[And trust him... He knew all sorts of troublemaking types back home. Speaking of which, that did raise a good question in his mind.]

Hey, uh... I've never seen any advertisements or commercials 'bout this joint. Come to think of it, I found this strange door in an alleyway while I was lookin' for a cat and it lead me to here.

[recluserose]

[Ah, normal person. She realized it early on, but it's better to get clear context clues.]

It's not highly commercialized, but people tend to come across it one way or another. I don't think you'll regret your choice though. It's a nice cafe.

... Did you ever find the cat?

[That seems important ok]

[ofrockbottom]

Damn straight I did! Managed to report it and the people who lost their kitty had gotten it back.

[He shoots Amelia a thumbs-up with a smile. One quest down in his book! The CEO of Part Time Hero was a bit of a weirdo, but Ichiban couldn't deny a cry for help. He hoped that they would be able to keep a better hold of their cat from now on.]

Sooo... Guess I'm just chillaxin' here for right now. How often do you drop by here, anyway?

[recluserose]

Me?

[She was just gonna go back to her book, but guess she's talking!]

Not very often. Usually in the evenings. I might stop by in the mornings if I don't feel like making my breakfast.

[ofrockbottom]

Huh. I'll haveta put this place on my mental checklist for dropping by again.

[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.]

[recluserose]

[Annnnd she's going to hold up her book as if to defend herself? To block. Either way, she's beginning to look displeased.]

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.

[ofrockbottom]

--Oh! My bad! It just looked really interestin' and all!

[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.]

[recluserose]

Well. [She sniffs and readjusts her glasses.]

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.

[ofrockbottom]

[Once Oren serves him his oolong tea, Ichiban gives him a quick 'thank you' and bows his head.]

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?

[recluserose]

... Beef bowl ramen?

[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?

[ofrockbottom]

Hey, I'll take that too! I ain't too picky whenever it comes to food. I'll try anything at least once.

[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.

[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!]

[recluserose]

... That's good.

[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.]

[ofrockbottom]

Napolitan pasta? That's new for me... Wasn't there some kinda dude named 'Napoleon' in history? Was that food based off him?

[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.

[recluserose]

I believe it's a specialty in... Yokohama was it?

[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.]