The Coffee Shop ( Zen + Louis )

The coffee shop was quiet today, with the only sounds being the soft jazz and gentle conversations occurring here and there. A sudden *ding!* rang out as the metal door was opened. A tall man walked through, his attire being much too fancy for having entered such a mellow place. His long purple hair, which flowed down to the backs of his knees, blew in the gentle breeze until the door closed behind him. There'd be an awkward moment where he looked around for a table to claim as his own. He chose one of the upper level tables. The lighting was a dim and hazy yellow, lit by a low hanging chandelier in the center of the rectangular upper floor. After placing his leather satchel down in one of the stools, he'd go back down and begin to take his order.

" Hey there, what can I get you? " The young barista asked him.

" Just a medium latte, please. Be light with the cream, " he responded with a gentle smile.

His voice was harsh as if he had a sore throat, but he did his best to be soft-spoken despite it. Four minutes later, the barista returned with his coffee. They exchanged money and receipt and the man took a straw and returned to his seat above.

Alexander, whom was sitting at a nearby table looked up when he heard the ding. He was focused on writing a book. One hand was neatly wrapped around his lemonade, he didn't really like coffee, so lemonade or tea was the next best thing. He had on a simple sweater vest and a pair of jeans, with a sort of bellbottom look to them.

While the man ordered he went back to his book, his fingers quickly clacking away at the keyboard, writing words he would never say.

The man took notice to the other not too far from him. Whether it was fear or simple courtesy to his apparent working that stopped him from approaching and striking up a conversation like he normally would was just out of his grasp. So he'd simply resort to a glance every now and again in hopes he'd close the laptop and focus on the outside through the windows.

That hope was inevitable of course, so it didn't seem too off-putting to him. He'd spend no more than three minutes of not-so-discreet glances before he finally worked up the courage to walk over. Or maybe he stopped caring about his busy appearance.

" Work holding you on such a nice day? " He asked with nothing more than a polite tone and a half smile.

Alex looked up again. "I just have to get this chapter of a book done" before his eyes went back to the screen, blinking back the exhaustion he inherently felt from staring at the screen for so long.

The sun shined through the windows, like a god was standing right near it. "Quite.....bright isn't it?"

" It is now that you mention it. " The conversation was a challenge to him. Crucible saw each word and response as moves on a Chess board. A decisive strike back was the only proper answer.

" What's your book about? " Forcing conversation despite his apparent exhaustion.

( Oh, apologies for my break. I'm unavailable on the weekends. )

(its okay, DW I'll answer soon I just slept till 1pm)

>7 louisisaloafofbreb: ( Oop, I hope you slept well :p )

(I did!)

"Well I guess its a paranormal investigator investigating a home, simple but I'm trying to make it complex" He mumbled, putting a hand above his eyebrow to make sure the sun didn't blind him.

"Your voice sounds forced"

" I have not a clue what you mean. " He smiled wider, his eyes following suit, albeit not by much.

" Your book sounds interesting, " Crucible said as he stood up to draw the blinds. Wide blackout curtains that covered too much wall and not enough window. A beam still found it's way onto the table. He returned to the seat across from Alex.

" There are many ways you can add complexity to a piece of work like that. Discoveries that amplify the activity to a beaming climax. Or... " he seemed to trail off, " ...I'm not good at thinking on the spot. But there are ways. "

His posture straightened and his fingers intertwined with one another on the table, only ever separating to take small sips from his coffee. It seemed he was disgusted with his own choice of drink, which explained the slow, methodical sipping.

"You're like me, don't like coffee?" Alex asked with a slight chuckle.

"Oh- thank you for closing the blinds" He muttered, grabbing his lemonade, taking a lot drawn out sip.

"That would help, I think I may make them figure out what's haunting the place, maybe a murderous ghost"

" My shrink keeps telling me to try new things. I don't understand why I'd ever do that. So far it's been disgusting and uncomfortable. " He listened intently to his response to the recommendations.

" That's too simple. No, go for something unique. " Crucible struggled to come up with something more than that. God, why was it so hard to just think of something? It's easy. Rather than speak out loud, he'd mumble to himself then shake his head and groan.

" Maybe you do the thinking, Author. " Referring to Alex.

*walks into coffee shop*

Can I get uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

sorry- ;-;

(ack- I totally didn't forget about this....uhhh-...)

(-w-)

Just realizing how much of a dud my response was, holy.

Sorry!!! I completely forgot about this :( i'll respond in a sec I'm on Pin))

No problem at all -w-

He laughed, short and sweet. "I don't like caffeine, so that's why I always get tea, or lemonade, whichever one I feel like ordering that day"

Alex stated matter of factly, his voice sounding soft, like the foam that baristas put on their hot coffee. "What's the item you get most?" He quietly asked, before the bell above the door rang again, almost drowning out his voice.

"Iced tea," he responded with more enthusiasm than he'd have appreciated. "Not too sweet, nice and cold. Lovely on the mouth. The heat of the coffee just isn't what you need in the morning, you need something mellow..." Crucible seemed to go on and on, finding himself lost in the daze of being asked something about himself. He caught himself, though, and corrected course with a cough and a smile.

"Sorry," he said quickly, shifting in his seat uncomfortably before going stone-still with his eyes fixed on the man's laptop instead of his eyes.

shadow walks in hood up hello i would like a grande iced tea