soul_logs | [OPEN] In Black & White

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[OPEN] In Black & White

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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Kanji, unsure if he was a decent actor, was borrowing a lot from his membership in that drama club. He recognized this woman from Yesterday's Magic and wasn't sure how she'd act here, but dealing with so many customers today sort of coated his nerves with a little steel.

...Yet she still scared the hell out of him. That bit of sweat at his brow? Yeah.

"Maybe, but sittin' like this, 'specially around good company, is pretty comfortable," he replied, taking up the mug.

Taste it, huh? He never drank his coffee black - he was a cream and sugar guy - but he would do as the lady wished. With a tip to his lips, he gave the coffee a taste and pushed down his mind's demand to put in at least a little sugar to fight off the deep cocoa-y taste.

'Good company'. Oh, she was far from that undoubtedly what with the way he was beginning to sweat. Yes, he recognized her. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched him raise her cup and taste it. Watching Kanji closely, she seemed satisfied.

"That will do."

Marking her book and setting it aside, she took her cup after Kanji had set it down. With her other hand, she pulled her mask down, revealing her scarred lip as she chuckled. Never know when someone's attempting to poison a drink. Though, it could be a slow acting agent. She took a sip, pleased at the strong flavor. "So, what brings you to work here today? The Gala is tomorrow evening after all."

With his burden freed, he took the time to relax. The question brought him to hesitate, wondering if he could stay in-character to explain what was going on, or if he should just be honest. He'd seen to her before, after all, so it may seem odd to have the tailor here of all places.

"I'm a handy kinda guy. When they needed help here, I decided a'right, I'll cut 'em a little slack. I'm in a good mood. Besides, all the alterations for Yesterday's Magic are set."

"Wise to be ahead of the game. Still, it seems you've pulled your... 'friend' into this..."

Her eye was over at the blue-haired butler serving a few girls right now. Turning back to Kanji, she lowered her mug and brought he hands together, resting her chin where they crossed as her elbows rested on the table. "You two seem to be bringing in a good number of curious clients."

He looked surprised a moment, and followed her gaze. Maybe this woman had been here often enough to tell that the two of them were the odd ones out, but he glanced back to his dressed-up coffee and drank.

"Told 'im he could back out whenever and I could man both sections... he wouldn't hear any of it," he replied.

"But he seems to be hittin' it off. Looks like the customers like the change." Ah, crap, he's gotta be in-character, right?

Kanji turned his head away. "Tch... but the minute they get grabby, lunch is over for 'em. I'm here to keep an eye on 'im, too."

No, just subtle glances weren't as subtle as Kanji would like to think. He was saying 'he' and until she got a closer inspection, she would have to go along with it. That little boy seemed almost too pretty. Still, wouldn't be the first she's seen.

Valentine took a sip of her coffee without comment while Kanji spoke. She chuckled when he mentioned becoming physical should they touch the other boy. "Sensitive towards your friend's plight. I wonder..." She closed her eye and savored the next sip.

He rolled his shoulders, rather stiff, and kept it all up. He'd been poked about Naoto a few times since he started the shift, and had been practicing this kind of thing.

"Yeah, well, we go back a bit, even before BREW brought us here. I owe 'im. So I watch his back and he's got mine."

He set down his mug, nodding to hers. "So you like 'em robust, yeah? You'd be the first I've met today, but the Cafe's got all kinds'a things that cater to that adult taste. 'Course, there's always askin' for a little entertainment, and we each got our stories to tell. I don't mind sharin' stories of a good fight, whether it's back home or a Mission."

"So, have you two formed a partnership then?" That could be taken one way or another, but she really was asking this in terms of Meister-Weapon partnership.

"An adult taste... You could say that. I never enjoyed my coffee sweetened." One time maybe, but after the instant, she had it black since. The bitterness was much more appealing.

"Hm... I'd prefer to hear about a mission." While nothing would be exactly the same, she could at least study missions others had taken. It would give an idea on what to possibly expect in terms of Kishin eggs.

"Yeah. Been at it a while out there, so we're bound to seeya out on the field," he replied with a nod, because despite the faint warmth to his face, he was pretty sure the woman spoke in terms of Death City partnership as well.

"A mission... a'right, I know just the one: We were off in Russia, lookin' for a bastard who's luring people in with faberge eggs- jewelled trinkets shaped like eggs, real popular collector's items if you're feelin' fancy- and we find him hidin' out in an alleyway. Face only a mother could love, pointed teeth, faberge egg lure dangling at the end of some appendage it's got stickin' outta the thing's head. Looked like somethin' straight outta hell, or a few tens of thousands of feet underwater, where light don't even wanna go. Punk had a mean streak, chargin' in n' outta the alleys, lookin' for a bite... that'd be the mission where I got eaten. ...On purpose."

He pounded a fist into an open palm and grinned. "See, the whole thing was solid as a rock, but there ain't a thing out there with tough insides. So after jumpin' in, all it takes is a nice, sharp blade... cut my way out. Sonuvabitch never saw it comin'; thought it had dinner early."

"Perhaps later. Finding a partner isn't simple by all means." Then again, that would be due to her own personality and she knew it. Still, tough luck for anyone who wanted a competent Meister and couldn't handle her soul, personality and other things lurking inside.

Valentine set her cup down and listened, attention somewhat in and out. Yes, she knew what a Faberge egg was, but interesting a Kishin egg still had the intelligence to use it as a lure. From the sound of it, it had been an angler of some kind. Only fitting it had bait. She only appeared a little surprised when he mentioned jumping into the kishin egg.

"Well, at least I know now there's someone here willing to go the extra mile." Sure, she would jump into a Kishin egg if it was the only way, but how many others would? The fool could actually be worth some merit.

"With a war like this? A place like this? Y'gotta go the extra mile. The shit we take on out there ain't gonna wait for anybody to man up; fight or become food. Or worse." There were plenty in the city who weren't entirely suited for what they dealt with here, that he knew. Least he could do was fight for them as well, and with SEES he could see to it that they don't feel as if they're useless.

"I've seen plenty'a people come here, complain that Shibusen don't do shit, that the war's pointless n' hopeless. BREW eventually showed 'em the door. I feel like we can accomplish this thing, see to the source and kick the shit out of it! But we just gotta get on the offensive, find THEIR shit and start wreckin' it for once, y'know?"

"Survival of the fittest you mean." Yes, it was always a fitting study in times of war. However, living by a single thought would make a man a fool. Really, those who could should fight for themselves and the others should learn. Otherwise, suffer the consequence of injury or death.

"... We wouldn't be here if we couldn't contribute somehow. Though, with the borrowed adaptions to this world, it will catalog us before we take action. For better or for worse..." She drank her coffee in quiet thought, eye narrowed. BREW - such a fickle machine. Fortunate it could pick her out, but there were plenty of people from her universe that would stir up trouble.

"Right. A group was made here by a friend that gave the folks who didn't think they could fight a chance to be heard, contribute in a way they feel they could for the city. That's where SEES comes in." But even then he felt a pang of guilt. He wasn't much of a leader, and SEES was stagnating. He didn't know what to do for them, and wished that Souji-senpai or... or anyone with a penchant for leadership would show up to step up and make some kind of plan. But the desperate thought made him angry all the while; he could, along with Naoto, kickstart SEES again and see to bringing it back up to speed. He just had to work out how.

"And I feel like SEES is needed now, more than ever. People still kinda hate our guts, and with that Erinyes group still screwin' around we gotta work out getting Death City back to what it was. ...Shit sucks as it is."

"Yes. The 'Erinyes' as they want to call themselves. A few of their tactics could be genius, but they're pathetic otherwise." She didn't consider them a real threat. Then again, she still didn't hold much attachment to this place as a whole. The only person she had to watch wasn't here anymore.

She had to cock her head slightly at the mention of this organization she never heard of. "SEES?"

He nodded. "My partner n' I run SEES, sorta freelance assistance for the Watch, the local police n' Shibusen. Those who fight can fight, and those who can't can help Death City back on its feet, greet new folks brought in through BREW and help 'em feel welcome. We're a presence to up morale on all fronts and see to the war's end."

"So there's a little somethin' for everybody."

"Now I remember. The group handing out the starter baskets."

And that did make sense. Some people required morale boosts to continue functioning in this world. And to give some people who had nothing better to do, but mope about would be useful. Something for the people who couldn't get partners... people who weren't her.

"Right. You've been there, I've been there; BREW throws you in this world and you're expected to fight a war. It sucks. It's confusing. Pisses you off. ...The guy that started SEES wanted to give folks a chance to see to it that the transition ain't as jarring, give 'em somethin' to start off with. ...'Specially now that the shops don't take Shibusen credit and until you get a job on your own, you're screwed. So the baskets got an upgrade with more to start off with. It ain't cheap, but... well, it ain't like I'm short on cash most days."

"With a partner at your beck and call and a tailoring job, I'm not surprised." Seriously, they're even here helping out with wait staffing. "Still, there's merit in what you're doing. Keep doing it, but make it publicly known again."

She took down the remainder of her coffee and patted her lips with a napkin before pulling her mask up again.

"That's the plan. It'll be like a big-ass SEES phoenix comin' outta the ground again!" He was pumped for it now, enough that he took his sufficiently-cooled coffee and took it down.

"'Til then, y'want me to hunt up somethin' to go with your coffee? We got some pretty dark treats n' the like that can go pretty good with a black coffee." A fist into an open palm. Was he going to beat up a baker or something? One couldn't tell at this point.

"Heh, good luck..." Revivals like that aren't so simple. Then again, it's not like anyone came and wiped out their little group now.

Valentine's eyebrow raised significantly at the mention of dark treats. At least he knew what matched with black coffee. "Hm... I suppose I could spend a little more time here if there's a slice of dark chocolate cake." If he did beat up the baker, that would be amusing.

He grinned and nodded. "Perfect. I know just the one."

Kanji stood and took the dishes with him, but the serving tray was slung against the shoulder like a weapon as he headed on back. The baker was a great guy, certainly, but they had something of a routine. "Oi! The dessert guy slackin' off back there??"

There was commotion from the kitchen, a clatter of a silver tray, and a gruff voice facing off against the hurried staccato of another. Because for his clients, quick service and top notch service went hand in hand, and if he had to flex a bit of muscle and show who's boss, he would... he was the Delinquent Butler, after all.

"...You better not be pullin' my leg, or I'm comin' right back here, y'hear me??" He growled as he backed out of the kitchen, but flashed a quick grin to the baker who assured that y-yes sir, he's damn sure of it, a slice of that beauty is sure to please the lady of the house. With a surreptitious wink, the baker was back to refresh the stock of scones.

What was presented to Valentine was a glossy ganache-topped cake just about as dark as the coffee brought to her previously, decorated in chocolate shavings, cocoa dust on the plate, and a trio of fresh raspberries nestled atop.

"Baker calls this the Midnight Delight. It better be... what kinda butler would I be if the cake ain't perfect?"

Valentine watched with interest from her table, amused at the exchange between the butler and the baker. It caught a few more patrons' attention, but they paid little mind to it ultimately. On the other hand, his partner could only stare and shake their head. Such a serious kid... reminded her of herself when she was around that age, but even then, Valentine would not be able to fit inside that uniform.

At the sight of the dark chocolate cake slice, Valentine was pleased. Sure, she didn't like sweets, but dark chocolate had a bite just like her coffee. The little sweetness in the strong chocolate meshed well with the hot mug. Right, she should get a refill.

"Midnight Delight... I'll be the judge of how delightful it is." Valentine had to scoff slightly. "You would still have a job. The baker on the other hand..." No need to finish that. She picked up her fork to take a bite.

The Mysterious Butler was a serious sort, but at times nobody knows 'em like Kanji knows 'em. He and the baker had to explain later that there was no bad blood between them.

Regardless, noting her mug was looking rather empty, he'd made a detour for the coffee pot, setting it among the table knick-knacks and decor as Valentine helped herself to the cake. A fresh mug was poured as he inquired:

"And...? Does the baker keep his job, or do I gotta throw him out?"

As sullen as the teen appeared, explaining the teasing nature between the two was a good idea. Looked like they were prepare to confront the Delinquent for his behavior. That, apparently, made a few young girls swoon.

Savoring the cake for a moment, she swallowed.

"... Yes, you both get to live."

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[OPEN] In Black & White

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