[OPEN] In Black & White

[topgun_textiles]

Characters: Butlers Ramza, Kanji, Naoto and YOU!
Location: Bloody Butler Cafe
Rating: Varies. This will mostly be completely silly.
Time: June 19th, All Day
Description: New faces among the butlers!? Seems like one or two of them owes a couple of favors. Take a break from your Gala preparations and grab some lunch or coffee, and a little company...


Nestled away in Death City were partner cafes, one Maid and one Butler not far from each other. With BREW inviting and dismissing, the staff frequently changed, disappointing and yet enticing the clientele who missed their favorites but looked forward to new faces and an all new favorite.

The decor was what you could expect from the Bloody Butler, modestly lit and appearing for all the world like a dining room in a fancy mansion, tables and comfortable chairs set up for singles or groups to come together and enjoy a little break from the day. The paintings on the walls were various plays on the glamorous life, but if you looked closely some of them looked like the late Shinigami had placed himself in famous works of art, like the Mona Lisa with a skull mask among other whimsical works.

But among the paintings, fresh and fragrant flowers in vases lining the walls and in centerpieces at each table, glittering chandeliers and the light and lofty mood-setting music playing over the speakers were well-dressed individuals moving along from table to table, stopping to chat. Most sat with the visitors in rapt attention, chatting away. The menu fare comprised of light and sensible meals, or more specifically things that can be picked up with a fork or spoon by the butlers and fed to you if you request it, and rich, sinful desserts that can be treated just the same.

It all begins with a warm greeting the moment each customer steps in, for it's customary to treat each visitor like royalty.




[ooc: Don't forget to tag yourself in! This is also open for Sugata, who just found work at the Bloody Butler alongside Ramza, to make a thread as well if they'd like. Butlers will each make an thread for themselves, and will attend to each visitor who tags into their thread or comes in to poke fun at their well-dressed friend. Can't pick? Well, you can stop in for lunch now and dinner later. Nobody'll bat an eyelash for your sudden interest~]

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Break Room (Employees Only!)

[topgun_textiles]

Some customers get grabby as heck, and everybody needs a break. Taking fifteen to breathe, or stopping for a quiet lunch break? Step into the back and chat with your co-workers.

Or escape to the back to flee from that customer. You know the one!

[pishirogane]

Naoto's sitting in the back soon enough, fingers rubbing her temple. The suit isn't uncomfortable, but the customers certainly do make this job uncomfortable. The endless gushing of cutie and even a few gropes. Yes, females could be just as bad as their male counterparts, but Naoto isn't sure if she was going to snap first or someone else would. Now that she thought about it, were they doing it on purpose to get a rise from one of them?

... That was devious. She shuddered and decided to get a little tea for herself.

[topgun_textiles]

It's time to tap out. Really. He thought his delinquent act would get him to somehow drive off the really weird ones while the others would see the act, laugh and just play along harmlessly... but a lot of people liked it. He was the worst actor; he'd never done well on the fly before! But that's just what happens when you go all out without thinking.

It was weird to be so chatty and bold with mostly complete strangers, but after running into a friend or two he started wanting the strangers back! Enough was enough; he called for his fifteen and had slipped out back for some water.

And encountered another butler taking a break. He nodded to her, and was liking his break all ready.

"How's it goin, Naoto-hime-"

...Only he'd forgotten to turn the 'Butler Switch' off for this greeting. He froze and slapped a hand over his mouth, turning away quickly. Shouldn't he have used -ouji-- Gah, what the hell was he thinking!?

[pishirogane]

The friends hadn't given her such a hard time at least, but the strangers, quite an entitled bunch. Odd enough, she could've sworn a few of them were familiar somehow. Still, a sip of tea and she was calm again.

Naoto raised her head when Kanji entered and, with a nod, returned to her tea. It all changed when he spoke. She inhaled sharply and did something very unlike her: she choked on her tea and began coughing. Between coughs, she heard the smack as Kanji covered her mouth and she looked up at him, her eyes wide and face flushed.

"D-Did you just call me 'hime'?" He could have at least said Ouji, but-- wait, what the hell was she thinking? He should have just said Naoto.

The "Delinquent Butler", Kanji Tatsumi

[topgun_textiles]

Tch... delinquent. The manager took one look at his piercings and bleached hair and gave him the role along with his suit for the day.

He wouldn't be here if it weren't for the fact that he - as the baker and delivery boy for Death by Pastry - was stuck under circumstances. He knew the managers of this cafe and the bakery were rather sweet on each other and saw fit to help each other out in need. But once a pair of the butlers called in sick, it suddenly his workday turned into a "favor" to help the Cafe out with a promise that he'd be compensated. That was nice n' all, but what the hell made him butler material!?

He couldn't help but sneak the occasional glance over to the rather short, dark-haired butler across the way, just to keep an eye on "him". Of course it didn't escape the notice of the occasional girl who'd come in today, always giggling among themselves and watching what looked like unspoken desire between two butlers, wondering if they should urge him to make his move.

[niptuck]

Morning is Valentine's free time. As much as she would love working right now, the Weapon she commonly goes on missions with was presently out of commission. Obviously, to have one person down to cause such an impact on her schedule was problematic and needed to be rectified.

She would begin her Weapon hunt after some downtime. Covering her face was one of many non-fictional history books this world held as she read, waiting for her butler to come. Her legs were crossed beneath the table and the menu lay flat, the cake listing visible. Now, who would she be seeing today?

[topgun_textiles]

It was simple enough- greet when the customers come in, try to be charming, and give them titles. Kanji was the slowest in getting the hang of things, especially with the description he was given: "The Delinquent Butler is recovering from a life of wrong-doing and trying to play it straight, but some of those habits still pop up, and you're still willing to lie, cheat and steal for your girl. (But please don't steal from the cafe!)"

Yeah, thanks for that little note.

But Kanji looked up as someone took a seat in his section, and he felt his stomach bunch up into one giant knot. Every single time. But as he smoothed down his coat and headed over with a long stride, only to dip into a bow once he reached the table. He didn't -think- he recognized this person...

"Morning, uh, Miss! Name's Kanji, and I'll... uh... be keepin' you company today." He stood and remembered, shit, he had to be in-character!

He hiked a leg and planted the foot against the sofa cushion, resting an elbow against the knee. Could butlers put their feet up on the couch? No. Could they wear shaded eyewear? Hell no. But he ain't just some butler.

"Y'want coffee or tea? I can whip that shit up real quick."

[niptuck]

Valentine didn't immediately lower her book, but she did notice who was coming over. Well, she hadn't exactly considered which section she was in, but this would provide some amusement for today. It was while he was finally getting into his 'character' that she lowered the book and rested an elbow on the small cafe table.

Must be strange seeing her out of the nurse's uniform for once, but that mask and eyepatch couldn't be mistaken alongside that dropping v-neck. There was practically a glint in her visble eye as she caught his own hidden behind those glasses. A smirk was even curled beneath her mask

"Coffee, black. And do make haste, my troublemaker. I become rather cross at tardiness..."

[vintage_magic]

Having closed Yesterday's Magic and visited the bank to make an after hours deposit of the day's receipts, Lily was now walking back towards Casualty Communal, intending to make dinner and go to bed early. The last minute shoppers for the gala had been exhausting to deal with. A couple even started wailing in the middle of the shop floor when she told them that it was impossible to have something altered for the next day at this point!

But she soon found herself walking past the Bloody Butler Cafe. Huh? Wasn't that the place Kanji had mentioned but seemed reluctant to talk about. It had been a long day... Maybe, she should just eat out tonight and see what the fuss was about.

Lily walked in, looking around curiously. Looked like a ritzy place. Then, her eyes landed on someone very familiar and wearing, of all things, a butler costume? She couldn't help tilting her head and staring.

"Kanji?! What in tarnation are you doing here?"

[topgun_textiles]

The day was winding down and the dinner rush was over. Now came those coming out of work and wanting to unwind and have a little dinner themselves with good company. Kanji was looking forward to slightly-tired, and more importantly CALMER customers to wind down the evening he owed the establishment.

But when he heard his name and turned, he decided to pour it on. He'd give these last couple of hours his ALL!

"Evening! Welcome to the Bloody Butler!" A fist pounded into a palm, but that fire in his eyes quickly faltered, and his hands fell to his sides.

Aw crap, it's his boss.

"L-lily!?" He'd dodged that subject for a reason! Of all the days for her to be curious...! Crap, play it cool, play it cool...!

"Uhhh... you here f-for dinner...?"

[vintage_magic]

"...Um, I guess?" She wasn't completely sure what to make of the butler costume. Or the sudden change in demeanor and stammering after he recognized her. As if he were nervous about her finding him here...

"You're moonlighting as a waiter? But I thought you worked at the bakery..." Well, when he wasn't out on a mission or doing repairs for the shop. Or that's what she remembered him telling her anyway. He seemed like a bit of a workaholic to her. "Is this why you weren't available today?" ...Oh. Was he worried she'd fire him for not being at the shop the day before the gala?

The "Mysterious Butler", Naoto Shirogane

[pishirogane]

This was fine. No, seriously, she could put up with this for a day. Really, who didn't want to be serving people at their beck and call and sometimes drawing extra attention to themselves?

... At least it wasn't a maid's outfit.

Yes, she was doing this to help out Kanji. Something about two butlers calling in sick; they probably could've summoned more suitable replacements, but he got roped into this for being the delivery boy between the Cafe and the Pastry shop. Edgeworth seemed to understand when she contacted him about the abrupt circumstance.

And so, this was how her day continued. 'Myterious' butler - right. Seemed to draw in a number though and she was doing whatever was required of her within the reasonable limits of the established rules. Sometimes, she felt someone look her way and glanced over her shoulder. It had already resulted in one or two giggling tables, at which, momentarily seemed to make her cool persona slip. The 'delinquent' must be doing that. They both just had to focus on work right now.

[pirateninja]

After having returned from her first mission with Erik and collected her reward of D$500—a measly amount for dispatching not just one but three of those treasure hunters—Morgan was left with the rest of the day to herself. Might as well treat herself to a nice dinner and drinks to make up for that disappointing bounty.

So, when she found herself outside a fancy looking place called the Bloody Butler Cafe, she walked in, regardless of the fact that she looked like a more likely patron for a pirate bar than a butler cafe. And the first person that she saw...

Wasn't that the boy from the other day? The one that freaked her out when he proved people really could change into weapons here.

"You're a waiter?"

[pishirogane]

When Morgan enters her section, Naoto was prompt to attend her as expected in the Bloody Butler Cafe. A hand before her and another hand behind, she bowed slightly.

"Butler, madame. And this is a temporary assignment. My Meister was asked to assist and they required one more besides him."

Standing from her bow, Naoto turned herself slightly holding a hand out towards the empty tables. Time to get back into character. "If I may welcome you to Bloody Butler Cafe. I am Naoto and I will be your butler for your stay. Allow me to escort you to your seating and provide you service."

[pirateninja]

"So, you're playing at being servants instead of being out bounty hunting?" She raised an eyebrow at this dubious 'assignment.' No wonder this world had problems!

Morgan didn't really care about the butler act but would follow after Naoto. "Yeah, whatever. I need a drink after that mission."

The "Noble Butler", Ramza Beoulve

[heretic_hamlet]

Ramza was thankful enough to have found a job at long last that was not centered around search-and/or-destroy. Though perhaps it should have set off a warning bell or two that the manager expressed such interest at his speech style over his job skills when he first sought out the position...

Most of the day- and his first, the day before- was spent hearing girls tittering at his greeting and conversation, overhearing one or two speaking to their companions that he sounded "so authentic!" ...and whatever they meant by that, apparently it was a sign he was doing well, because he heard it from his boss as well.

But, other than the occasional pang of guilt over some insincere interest or flattery, he couldn't complain; after all, he could think of worse ways to make a living than offering such a simple service, and for the most part, his customers were an easy lot to work with.

For the most part.

[overkrill]

"Oh this. Is. Priceless."

Hey there Ramza. Hope you weren't having a nice, uneventful day, because that certainly is your partner settled in at a table in your area, feet kicked up on the chair across from her, goggles pushed up to show the amused squint to her eyes. As if the bright row of her sharp teeth between fuschia-painted lips isn't clue enough.

"Don't think I got enough Caegars in the royal treasury for how rich this is...!"

[heretic_hamlet]

So much for his easy streak.

It wasn't as though he didn't have any fondness or faith for his partner, of course; after all, this was the troll to whom he'd entrusted his life on more than one occasion. And Meenah had enough respect and regard for him to heed his words when they- inevitably- didn't always see eye to eye.

But, in his current position, Ramza was forced to yield to Meenah that was she needed perhaps least of all... Unquestioned authority.

And he was pretty sure he knew how well that would go. Nonetheless, holding a deep breath, he strode over to her table.

"Good afternoon, m'lady. I will attend to you for today."

He paused only a moment, trying his hardest to ignore the implications of Meenah's mischevious grin.

"How may I be of service?"

The "Bocchama Butler", Sugata Shindou

[peacocked]

Sugata found himself unable to escape the little nickname Tiger and Jaguar used to call him back home. The manager took one look at him and gave the role without a second thought. But that was the least of his worries. He wasn't exactly afraid of messing up on an order, or anything to that nature. Because that stuff he could do. He was proficient enough and could be fast on his feet when he needed to be. But it was the dealing with girls part that had him slightly worried.

He knew what to do with Wako and a couple of the girls back home, but the girls here aren't anything like Wako. Or the girls from home for that matter. (Well, no. To be fair, there were a FEW that he could just easily slip into his comfort zone and flirt with.) But he was a Shindou, and he was supposed to meet his issues or dilemmas head on. Shindou's don't run away when things get to crazy. Or at least this Shindou didn't. This was his first job after all, he has to do his best!

[morecowbell]

She could have holed herself back up in her apartment but she needed to get out and do something besides training, music practice and work. There was also the current money problem so she didn't want to tempt herself by entering any shops or even just window shopping. Window shopping could really be hazardous to one's purse.

It seemed like a place where one should dress up a little so she came in a pink blouse and short skirt and waited to be seated in Sugata's section. For the first time she actually felt a little under-dressed next to the impressive decor here, it felt like she was at some grand ball. It wasn't a long wait before she was ushered to a fancy table. Nanami glanced about the place taking it all in while waiting for her service when she caught something a little bizarre on a nearby wall. Was that a painting of The Lady of Shalott wearing a skull mask?

[peacocked]

It is a good thing she didn't hole herself up in her room! When he spots Nanami he makes his way over to her quickly. Before he reaches the table he has his little notebook out waiters and waitresses use to jot down peoples orders. Not that he can actually use it properly with his arm still in it's cast. But, he's been able to use the table without people/management getting upset over it.

"I'm glad you were able to make it Nanami-hime." He had been so used to saying it to the other customers that it just... sort of slipped out with her.

[morecowbell]

A familiar voice grabbed her attention away from the painting and she smiled cordially at Sugata. They had only spoken a couple of times but she immediately felt at ease around him probably due to their similar upbringing. She was only slightly surprised at the fact that he tacked 'hime' onto her name since again, they didn't know each other that well but she supposed that was just what they did around here on account of the theme.

"Hello Sugata-san..." It's just now that she notices his cast, "was that there when we spoke over the network?"

[itaidakimasu]

Yako had intended to try out the Butler Cafe for quite some time, as she slowly but steadily worked her way through every dining establishment Death City had to offer. It was somewhere in the middle of the list, but hearing about Sugata's employment had bumped it up in priority, so she found herself stopping in on her lunch break soon enough. the closest she had been to a cosplay cafe before had been at her school's cultural festival, so she took her time looking around as she waited to be seated.

She's in her work clothes for once, a sleeveless button-up and knee-length skirt combination that was fairly different from the shorts and cute blouses she usually wore when her path crossed with Sugata's. She settles down at her table once she's guided there, and promptly begins studying the menu.

[peacocked]

After double checking with all the other customers on his side, he makes a beeline for Yako's table. "I hope you've been having a good afternoon Yako--." He would usually just call her Yako, but since the manager is doing a round he has to quickly slip it in. And of all the things for him to get in trouble over, he'd rather it not be that. "--hime. Do you need more time to look at the menu? Or shall I get you started on something while you look at it more?"

[itaidakimasu]

Her eyebrows raise a little at the tacked on honorific, but she lets him off with a soft, amused laugh and closes the menu, flipping it around to hand it to him. "No, I've had enough time, Shindou-kun. Thanks. I'll have the first two of each heading." Normally she might go for one of everything, but the Bloody Butler is a bit pricey, and after being in Death City for so long she has gotten into the American habit of tipping—and she wants to give Sugata a good one.