leftsound:

A smooth, warm laugh came bubbling past the blonde’s lips. “Well, m’not much of an expert, but I’m here to help anytime y’need it!” There was truth in his words; he really wasn’t much of an expert at all, only having worked at the small coffee shop for about a few days. “Alright then, two iced coffees it is.” All they had taught him was how to make the drinks available on the menu, and work the register.

… And that was about it.

His animated mood burned strong, as he murmured a quick ‘excuse me’ to obtain a clear cup and a sharpie. Pulling the cap off, he returned to the register. “So, what’s your name?” It was required that they ask for the customer’s name, in order to get the drinks to the right people. But, this time, curiosity shown in his eyes, a small suspicion lingering in his mind. It wasn’t obvious, but digging back through his memory, he thought he had seen this girl back at Shibuku…

Of course, it was possible that his mind was just playing tricks on him.

Somehow, though, he was almost certain now that he had seen her before. Maybe her name would ring a dim bell in the back of his head. 

Himari showed a genuine smile, as the other laughed bubbly-like at what she had said. To her he did seem like an expert, as it would take a million days for Himari to remember all the different names of drinks; and also how to make them!

“You have been a help to me!” she added for good measure, with a nod of her head she muttered a ‘Thank you.’ to her server.

She nodded again once he said a quick excuse me to grab a cup, and Himari’s purplish eyes watched every movement as he returned to the register with it in his hands she smiled once more when he asked for her name.

“Takakura Himari!” she replied in a chirpy voice, much enthusiasm be had from her reply not even noticing his curiosity. “But Himari is fine too!” Would it be alright for her to ask his name as well? She certainly didn’t see why not!

“Am I allowed to ask for your name?” Well she asked anyway!

leftsound:

He waited patiently with the smile still as dazzling as it was when he first laid eyes on the smaller girl. Well, this was new! No one so far had asked him what he himself would order— particularly something without milk.

A thoughtful expression crossed his expression, mind running through the list of several coffee beverages that they served at the shop, trying to pinpoint one that didn’t use any sort of milk. Many of them did, unfortunately… But he’d try to help the orange-haired female out as best he could; it was his job, after all. The customer came before all.

Cerulean eyes settled on her once more, another smile flashing. “Well, there’s the espresso, which doesn’t have any milk in it, but it doesn’t taste too good— actually, I can add whipped cream, which’ll probably make it a little better! Iced coffees taste nice… I’d recommend the iced coffee! Buuuut it’s up to you.”

He felt somewhat bad that this girl couldn’t choose from the wide selection that included milk-based drinks. Those were the best kinds! But, he’d tried, and he’d keep his personal opinion behind zipped lips; it’d be rude to comment. He felt an impulsive one coming on, but managed to keep it sealed as he paused for her response.

Himari would rather have an experts opinion on the matter rather than going all out, and ordering something that could be fatal; okay maybe that was pushing it just a little but she never wanted to risk getting sick.

She looked up at the blond with a smile on her face, waiting for his answer. It came so she was now pondering her choices! Unfortunately it wasn’t much but the sound of an iced coffee was perfect! Even if it was cold, Himari didn’t exactly need a hot drink!

Tapping a finger onto her chin, the orange-haired girl finally nodded while her invisible blue penguin scurried around the floor of the coffee shop to grab a seat. Again, she looked back at the blue-eyed male pressing her fingers onto the table-top counter.

“W-well I’ll go with that!” It took her quite a long time to decide, and she really hoped that no one behind her would get frustrated; looking back no one was behind so it was smoooth sailing! “I would like to order two iced coffee’s please! It’s better to go with a professional’s opinion, isn’t it?!”

the-medicine-seller:

Settling in one place was turning out to be more taxing than the medicine seller had anticipated, so when the announcement was made that there would be an opportunity for something of a vacation, the colorful man almost immediately resolved to go. At the very least, the presumably snowy expanse would cool his head, and he’d be able to return to the school good as new. At the very best, however, he would run into something otherworldly, and thereby allow his sword to be drawn and give his ‘Otherself’ a chance to … stretch his legs, as it were.

Packing turned into an effortless feat, with the man having nothing substantial to pack. His chest was the only possession of his that required more than minimal effort to haul, and consequently it was the only thing he really owned, aside from his sword and scales. Even those, though, seemed to have lives of their own, interacting with the medicine man in a sort of symbiotic relationship. He used them, and they used him. Nevertheless, the apothecary had nothing more than his chest to pack, and after making short work of that, set off to the lounge.

The difference in temperature was made almost immediately apparent, much to the medicine seller’s satisfaction, and the clear air swept away the stress and restlessness he had been piling on by staying at the school, doing menial work rather than the exorcisms he was made for. It was, quite literally, a breath of fresh air. 

Settling in the lounge was comfortable, icing on the cake; the colorful man set up shop, as it were, near the communal fireplace, set on making tea for himself and whomever caught a whiff and decided they’d like to partake.

Himari was definitely having fun, and she; plus her invisible penguin had just been running out in the snow. It wasn’t so cold, but it was cold enough and the two were worried if the girl would catch a cold or not.

Possibly she would, but wouldn’t it be worth it in the end? Himari let out a sneeze, as she trod through to find her room; sloshing wet water all over the carpet and not that she noticed or anything…

But her handy nose caught smell of something, and she needed to know where it had come from! Threetie, her penguin followed behind until the girl stopped right at the communal fireplace.

“Oh, that smell!” she chirped, walking into the place further to see the other. “Hello!” she greeted him with a wide smile, removing her scarf from around her neck seeing as it was a little hot in here now. “It’s nice in here!” Himari added with a laugh.

fated-one:

“Of course we do, we’re family.” He made sure to profess this as often as possible. It was a truth he would never tire of establishing.

“Aah, take your time, Himari…” Content with all he’d eaten, Shoma decided to start tidying up as his sister indulged a bit more. That was a pretty good save — she went from near-tears to..well, carrying on as usual. At the same time, that was sort of depressing.

Not something to dwell on, nope. He should be glad Himari wasn’t upset about anything in the end, and leave it at that.

Without rising from the table, as it would have been impolite, Shoma busied himself with wiping is fingers of rice bits (there was some licking involved, thank you soy sauce) and picking up little grains of rice from the tabletop, the lucky few that survived… but would inevitably end up in the trash. “..It isn’t too cold at night, is it?” The silence offered some space for thought, and his mind was wandering to all the different aspects of their new lives that he had yet to nag Himari about. “I’ll pick up some thicker pajamas for you next time I go to the store, and some socks.”

“Just include those in the grocery list…”

She gave a grave nod, and smile pressing her fingers together before removing them to reach for her food; giving her brother another nod.

“Okay, Sho-chan.” Himari didn’t want to take forever eating as it was getting late now, but she couldn’t eat quickly either. She dipped the rice ball into the soy sauce, and brought it to her mouth to take another bite. Finally, she was full and watched as Shoma tried to clean up, Himari turned her head to ponder his question for a few seconds.

“I don’t think so, but it might?” It was getting colder each night, but it didn’t seem to bother the youngest all that much. “Are you feeling the cold more, Sho-chan?” Oh right, the grocery list! Himari had completely forgotten all about that!

She now stood and wandered off into the kitchen to grab a few cloths, and back to hand one to Shoma. She let hers’ sit on the table for a moment, while going into her desk drawers to get out a pen and paper.

“I would’ve forgot if you weren’t here!” Himari waddled back over, and even laughed starting to work on the list.

(Source: last-h)

leftsound:

He wasn’t happy. Well, no one was happy that they’d have to work on a ski trip.

Unfortunately, he’d have to deal with it.

He managed to take it in stride, though; working in a coffee house was a rather fulfilling job. Not being much of a shy one, he enjoyed the constant contact with the guests, along with the fact that he was on his feet much of the time. The flow of orders had him back and forth, a break not an option until his shift was over— especially since they were lacking quite a bit of workers.

Just having finished making an order of a caramel macchiato and hot chocolate, he handed it to the waiting customer, offering a bright smile and a polite ‘thank you very much’ as he pivoted on his heel to head straight back to the second cash register, prepared for more orders.

He felt confident with his progress.

“Hello there, may I take your order?” He wasn’t going to get paid extra for the positive attitude, but he’d try to make the best out of it— after all, this was a vacation! … Right?

For the time being, Himari had finished work and stepping out she was met with a cold wind blowing her right in the face. It wasn’t something she could handle well, even if she was bundled up in layers of warm clothes.

She’d noticed mostly that most of her time now was spent alone, well with her penguin and she still was sure that she hated this. But what could be better besides this field trip, and meeting new people? Probably nothing! Himari huddled through the snow, and back into the lodgings to get some extra money. The Takakura decided before even leaving work that day, that she would spend her afternoon in the coffee shop with a nice book.

Threetie, her invisible penguin seemed to be enjoying the snow the most; but penguins’ did love the snow, didn’t they? Content with her funds, she gripped the scarf around her neck tighter; and waddled all the way back into the front end of the establishment now meeting the coffee shop doors, aaand walking up to be served.

She was met with a nice greeting, and she looked at the boy with a smile on her face. Himari was pretty sure she’d seen him before, did he attend the academy? Hmm, she couldn’t quite pinprick it and it would probably irritate her further until she remembered.

“H-hello!” the sibling hadn’t even known what it was that she wanted..! “U-um, I’m not sure what I would like, but I don’t like milk; well I can’t drink milk otherwise I get sick, and nearly everything has milk in it..” And here comes the rambling, and Himari blushed from that shaking her head.

“What would you order?” she asked instead.

Another field trip? A ski trip in fact, and sure Himari had seen snow before but this would be something so different! She, of course had never been to a ski resort before so this was what made this much more exciting.

What did one even do while at a ski resort? Of course Himari didn’t want to try snowboarding or skiing because that was a recipe for disaster! And then staying out in the snow for long would make her sick, so what could be better but to stay indoors and keep busy with a job?

Apparently everyone at the school had to get one for the few days while they were here, and Himari had a little trouble picking one out. Singing in the lounge would be fun, but of course she wasn’t ready for that at all, and the gift shop job really caught her eye!

She loved gift shops so, why not? And maybe if she gathered enough confidence she could try and learn to ski.

But here she was ready, and learning all the tricks of the trade and so far Himari was having fun; making a few sales and smiling all the while at the customers who would come in and out.

Maybe to other people it could be boring but not to this little one!

“And your total is $10.50!” she replied to the recent customer, putting a cute little stuffed polar bear into the bag, and taking the money. “Thank you, and I hope you enjoy your stay here!”

Gift shops really were gold mines.

sixth-knight:

Hn, so she’s Japanese as well? Come to think of it, it seemed like a lot of students here were. Anya’s mother had always imposed the idea upon her that mingling with lower-classes (and especially the Japanese) were beneath those of Brittanian nobility.

Then again, her mother was brainless sheep of a woman, so the knight had never associated her words with any value. Especially not after she’d met Suzaku, so Anya didn’t bother to dwell on the thought for too long.

“Yes, I did.” she replied. “I take it you’re enrolled here as well?”

Himari always loved to meet new people, and making new friends started to become pretty easy for her to do. If only her mother, and father could see what a great time Himari was having with these people, and her brothers that would make her more happy.

“Mhm!” she gave a short nod to the other. “I’ve been here for a month or maybe even two now!”

Kan-chan is leaving?