The Haven - Open

[professortrepe.livejournal.com]

The Haven was softly lit, gentle illumination coming from polished brass lamps. The shop had an aura of comfort and safety, with an oversized fireplace and mahogany-paneled walls. The fragrance of rich coffee and warm pastries perfumed the air. In the brighter section of the café, several computers were set up, the screens turned on and running a start-up sequence.

However, in the shop proper, it was not as meticulously organized. There were books all over the place, in a slightly chaotic display, though separated by genre. Shelves of thick fantasy novels and paperback romances mingled with hard-covered research tomes and oversized racks of glossy magazines and fan-shaped displays of graphic novels.

There were even several sections of gifts and novelty items – small toys, flamboyant action figures, lavish chocolates, greeting cards, silk bookmarks, leather-bound notebooks, DVDs and CDs… and several boxes that had not yet been unpacked.

The owner was a willowy blonde, clad in a loose rust-colored skirt that hit her just below the knees and a plain blouse. She spared the boxes an appraising glance, her blue eyes sharp behind her thin, wire-framed glasses. After a moment, she returned to writing on the small chalkboard.

Monday Café Selections:
- Croissants
- German Chocolate Cake
- Brownies
- Espresso Brownies
- Rosehip Tea
- Ginseng Root Tea
- Espresso Roast (Decaf or Regular)

Quietly, she disappeared into a back room. A push of a button and several strains of calming music drifted from hidden speakers. She re-emerged, a thin stack of job applications in hand. She set them down on a small table by the checkout counter, alongside an assortment of pens. She went to the door to make sure that the small, handwritten sign indeed reads 'OPEN'. With a sigh, she kneels on the thick carpet and rips open a box with a serrated knife. The carton is crammed with novelty items that hardly change her collected countenance, though her sapphire eyes dance with amusement as she stocks the lowest row of shelves with an array of prank items, magically-enhanced and not, and the like...

Feel free to interrupt her.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

Seeing the door was open, Red pushed on it with his head and trotted in to visit the new business opening up. He looked around and seeing the woman kneeling on the floor, trotted up to her and set his flyers on the floor in front of him. "Hello there! My name's Red and I'm the mayor. Finding everything you need?"

[professortrepe.livejournal.com]

Quistis looked up, strands of hair falling into her face. She smiled warmly, "Yes, I am. I haven't seen too much of the town, but I like it..." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "It's pretty different from what I'm used to."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

"We are a unique little town with many individuals, in more than one way," Red said with a grin. He sat down, his tail swishing back and forth. "When you get a chance, take a turn around town. The people are very friendly."

His head tilted. "It will take them a few days to realize you are open. Once they do, you'll find you'll get some business from the school as well. The Townsfolk are very supportive of local businesses."

[professortrepe.livejournal.com]

She returned his grin, "Thank you for the advice. I've noticed how warm it is around here." She pushed the box aside and stood up, stretching to work a cramp out of her shoulder blade.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

"I haven't seen the winters here yet. Hopefully they won't be too hard," Red rubbed his head on his front paw with a chuffle. "Fur helps, but cold is cold."

[professortrepe.livejournal.com]

Quistis chuckled slightly, "I hope it doesn't get too cold. I've never been able to stand snow - or any kind of cold weather, really." She admitted.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_red_xiii_/]

"I guess we'll huddle through it together," Red grinned. He nosed one of the flyers toward Quistis. "Before I forget why I'm here. I'm holding a town meeting on Thursday. I hope you'll consider coming."

[professortrepe.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Quistis picked up a flyer, scanning it quickly. "I'll be there." She promised, pushing up her glasses.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige walks in yawning, she goes over to counter and looks around, "erm could I get an expresso and an expresso brownie please? I need caffeine, badly!"

[professortrepe.livejournal.com]

Quistis smiled and nodded. A few moments later, she handed the girl a large espresso brownie, neatly wrapped in waxy paper, and an insulated cup of rich caffeine.

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

"Thank you." Paige smiles handing over her money before going to sit down

[mikeys-ben.livejournal.com]

Ben wanders into the store. "Excuse me...Hi. Could you point me to the gay literature section?"

[professortrepe.livejournal.com]

Quistis smiled, holding several thin paperbacks under her arm. "Right by the window over there." She gestured with her free hand, setting the books on the counter.

[mikeys-ben.livejournal.com]

"Thank you."

Ben searches through the books and finally finds the one he's looking for (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932360239/104-9314542-7999953?v=glance&n=283155&n=507846&s=books&v=glance). He glances around and sees the action figures. Picking one up, he grins and tucks the box under his arm. Not finding anything else -- at the moment, anyway -- that piques his interest, he returns to the counter.

"You will have made my husband's day." He sets the action figure on the counter. "That is the only Captain Astro action figure he does not have. Believe me, I've seen them all on his shelf over the years, and heard him pining about this one. They're not collectors items, as far as I know, but they are tough to find. He will be over the moon." Ben sets the book next to the toy's box. "How much?"

[professortrepe.livejournal.com]

"Nineteen thirty-two," Quistis responded easily, smiling. "He's a big fan, hm? One of my old friends from back home used to spend hours detailing Captain Astro to me." She offered a shy grin.

[mikeys-ben.livejournal.com]

Ben hands over a twenty dollar bill. "Big doesn't even begin to describe his fanboyism. It's so adorable." Ben smiles. "It's nice to have a bookstore with a good gay literature section. I've got a couple of books out myself, it's tough to find stores that want to carry them."

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

Cameron passed the new shop and stopped at the window. Looking inside, he didn't notice Vala anywhere. Making a note to come back and introduce Vala to brownies once he did find her, he moved on along the street.

Afternoon

[conathon.livejournal.com]

Sawyer strolls in with Paige at his side, the smell of coffee is almost intoxicating as he eyes the brownies. They smell good too but he's not as tempted right now. Glancing over at Paige, "You want anything? A brownie, perhaps?" he asks in that southern drawl of his.

Re: Afternoon

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige smiles, "yeah the expresso brownie I had here earlier was pretty nice, I wouldn't mind one of those and a latte, please. Erm if that's ok?"

Re: Afternoon

[conathon.livejournal.com]

Sawyer pulls out some money and counts it, he has enough for that and some coffee. "Yeah, that's fine." he orders some coffee and her Expresso Brownie. He's glad that he'll be starting his job with Frank soon.

Re: Afternoon

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

"I'll get the next one" she promises looking up at him

Re: Afternoon

[conathon.livejournal.com]

"Don't worry about it, sass. I got a job comin' up here real quick." he grins and hands her the brownie as they sit.

Re: Afternoon

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

"Oh that's good, me too. I got a job at the new museum, as a tour guide." she looks at him and takes a bite of the brownie looking worried, "I'm hoping there won't be too much to remember."

Re: Afternoon

[conathon.livejournal.com]

He sips his hot coffee and winces as it burns his tongue, "Yeah. I'm going to be the right hand of God, practically. Frank seems to like me. I'll be makin' $10 an hour." he grins at himself, feeling accomplished.

Re: Afternoon (NFB)

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige chokes on her coffee "Frank! He-he owns.." Paige has no idea how to put it without making it obvious she's been into the shop "Pandora's Box doesn't he? What are you gonna be doing?"