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 Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 1:51 am
 RP Type:: Private Location:: Café Jubilee, Isle de Gambino Featuring:: Natsuki & Shuura Natsuki looked at her watch, and took a deep breath. For the first time, she was not only training a new employee, but a friend who was interested in learning how she practiced business. She would be mentoring someone whom she'd befriended over the past year, but unfortunately, for the young Durem University student, Shuura was about to see the infamous other side of Natsuki's demeanor. Unlike her fun and laid-back side or her perky shop persona, Natsuki the Business Woman, was meticulous, demanding, and a stickler for rules.
Just breathe...
Natsuki waited outside by the Cafe's service entrance. Despite the piled crates and dumpster, there was no scent of garbage and it was surprisingly clean. Dressed in her complete uniform, from chunky, heeled Mary Janes to her lace cap pinned in her perfectly styled hair. If she smoked, Natsuki certainly would have finished off a pack or two by now, and it was only six-thirty in the morning. For all her confidence on the stage and on the sales floor, Natsuki felt stage fright settling in.
"I wonder if Shuura will even talk to me after this is all over," Natsuki mused, feeling the rising sun warm her cheeks. Closing her eyes, she took a moment to pull herself together.
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:06 am
She had meant to arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled time, but due to a....minor complication she was now behind schedule. At least she wasn't late....yet.
The "minor complication" was shadowing her hurried pace as she slid through the doors of the new Cafe Jubilee--thankfully, they were still 2 minutes ahead of time. Shuura had a nagging feeling that, as friendly as Natsuki seemed on an everyday basis, the woman would be quite tasking as a manager, and showing up late was not going to do well for the so-far "perfect" image that Shuura had meticulously cultivated for the sake of this position.
Dratted place. Of course it was convenient that the new place was now in Gambino, but it was so goddamned hard to find! And the fact that Natsuki did not schedule their training until the end of summer didn't fit Shuura's original plan; she had thought she would start training and work soon after she got hired back in the end of August, when the cafe was still located in Durem. She'd found a temporary job to fill the gap, of course, but was now behind in the goals she had originally set on capital accumulation.
Vyn had paused near the doorway to admire the large floral arrangements bordering it, lightly touching one of the petals of the flowers. The arrangements were obviously well-cared for, and all the flowers were real. Curious, the Frei leaned closer to examine the plants. Not all plants died when they were removed from the earth? This was particularly intriguing to the Shadow Raevan.
"Vyn!" Shuura hissed sharply at her charge. "Not now!!" she continued in an undertone, before briskly walking over the opposite side of the room where Natsuki was standing.
"Good morning, Ms. Yaganitani," She greeted professionally, before turning a somewhat apologetic grin. "Forgive me, but I had to bring Vyn here. If you'll understand, for her kind she's still quite young, and couldn't be left at home alone for the duration of time in which you require me to be here today." She resisted the urge to glare at Vyn, who was floating slightly behind and to the left of her, half-immersed in Shuura's shadow. "I assure you she won't become a liability. She could just wait in a room or a dark corner until we're through, if it's not too much trouble..." she paused, dreading Natsuki's answer, surreptitiously crossing her fingers behind her back. It was a setback, but the request had been framed in the appropriate manner with the appropriate tone. Whether or not it would make or break her was now the other's decision.
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 4:39 am
"Right on time, Shuura, you're off to a good start. Sorry about the delay in getting your internship started and the inconvenient change of location. I lost everything in the fire in Durem," Natsuki smiled apologetically, observing her friend and Vyn as they entered the cafe. Like Tariel before her, Vyn took a childlike fascination toward the abundance of fresh flowers everywhere, without the puppy like energy that Tari had. Knowing that she would soon have a similar responsibility as Shuura, Natsuki smiled, "I completely understand, Shuura. Vyn is welcome here at any time. To tell you the truth, Vyn may get another playmate soon, as I too, will be take care of a raevan in the future."
The difficult thing about the new Cafe's ocean front view was the increased amount of sunlight, which would be quite suitable for Tariel, or the rainbow based raevan, Natsuki would have eventually, but a for the Shadow Raevan, Natsuki racked her brain as to a safe place to keep her. "If Vyn would like something to keep her busy, the flowers all need to be watered. Would you like to do that, Vyn?" Natsuki smiled, peeking past Shuura's shoulder and smiling kindly at the Shadowy Rose. "Through this door is the employee dressing and locker rooms, Shuura. How about you get dressed, and I can show Vyn the watering can? Your locker has a red and black name plate on it."
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 9:23 pm
Shuura noted a slight change in atmosphere when Natsuki mentioned the word "fire". As she had no idea of what had happened other than the Cafe had switched locations, she refrained from remarking on the matter. It probably didn't have anything to do with her anyways, which meant Shuura probably had no use for it, which meant she wasn't interested in what happened.
Natsuki? Also becoming a Raevan owner? No wonder she exibited such interest in Vyn. At any rate, it meant that she was tolerant of Vyn's presence and that was all that mattered at the moment.
Giving a quick nod to the costumed cafe manager before disappearing off to the locker rooms, Shuura merely hoped that her employer didn't give her something too outlandish to wear.
Vyn hovered delicately next to the vibrant woman as Natsuki showed her how to water the flowers. So this was what to do to keep the flowers fresh? No wonder the ones in their apartment always withered. She never saw Shuura doing this to them.
A ghost of a smile graced the rosy lips of the Shadow Frei. Vyn turned to face Natsuki, her amber eyes glowing softly, her satisfaction at seeing these flowers so well-cared for manisfesting itself into one of her rare bouts of speech. "It is very pleasing." Vyn spoke regally to the human-figure beside her. A slight lilt still stained her sentences, but in a curiously enchanting way. The graceful Frei studied Natsuki's face carefully, unabashedly, before returning her attention to the floral arrangements between them. A slender hand slipped out to gently cup one of the flowers. "They, are doing well...It is good of you . to do so." She gave a dainty nod, as if confirming to herself that this Natsuki person was a good thing.
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 10:22 pm
Natsuki smiled as Shuura hurried off to the dressing room. The Shuura version of the cafe costume was black with red lace and ribbon accents. It wasn't over the top cute like some of the other girls, nor was it as clean cut and elegant as her own. It was edgy, like the manager's impression of the ambitious university student. Some might see the selection as Natsuki selecting a token "goth chick", but the manager knew better.
Turning her attention to Vyn, Natsuki's smile grew when a trace of a smile crossed the reserved raevan's face. It had been a while since they last met, and she was relieved to hear Vyn speaking in full, elegant sentences. Her stormy gray eyes gleamed brilliantly as the shadowy rose took in her appearance. She was used to people staring at her, but something about Vyn's linger gaze brought a wickedly playful wink forward. Watching her cup a flower and compliment her plant care, Natsuki gave Vyn an elegant and appreciative curtsy.
"Thank you, Vyn, I enjoy tending to flowers and watching them grow," Natsuki said, taking a few steps back. Opening a small cabinet underneath the staircase, she took out a metallic watering can. Holding it up, she motioned to Vyn. "Follow me. I'll show you how to water them." she smiled, gesturing with her gloved hand. Walking over to the bar, she filled the can up in the sink. Standing by a different flower arrangement, she carefully, pushed the flowers aside, and poured the water into the soil. "Just like pouring a drink. Nice and slowly, and make sure you don't overflow the pot. If you don't mind, that is..."
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Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:25 pm
 Vyn said nothing, but scrutinzed Natsuki's actions carefully before gently accepting the watering can from the jubilant woman. She moved to one of the flower arrangements on a seperate table, bending over slightly to take in the delicate scent of the perfumed lilies and chrysanthemums.
Giving a small sprinkling of water onto the flowers with the watering can, the Frei could almost feel the delight of the buds as they accepted the mini rainshower they were recieving. Straightening up to admire her handiwork, the young Shadow Raevan looked almost smug.
Meanwhile, Shuura was wrinkling her nose in distaste at the abundance of lace and ribbon adorning her cafe "uniform", but she supposed it couldn't be helped. At least it wasn't pink, thank goodness. There was only oh-so-much wardrobe degredation she was willing to take for a job.
Slipping on the maid costume and carelessly shoving the rest of her things into the locker, the teenager hurried back to her supervisor, schooling her expression into as pleasant of a smile as she could manage. "I've changed and am now reporting for duty," Shuura informed the cafe manager, giving Natsuki a mock-salute.
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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:16 am
Natsuki beamed watching Vyn slowly circulate and tend to the flowers. She hoped this tactic of keeping the Shadow Rose occupied would help mimize Shuura's distractions. The manager must have done something right as she saw Vyn hold herself a little higher. The scent of flowers perfumed the air, clearly responding to Vyn's tender loving care. "You are a natural, Vyn," Natsuki smiled, paying the raevan a compliment.
Finally Shuura emerged from the staff locker room, and to the manager's pleasant surprise, with a smiling face. She raised her brow in approval, both in Shuura's presentation, and in her selection of the darker uniform for the university student. Without a word, Natsuki strode over, and began making necessary adjustments to Shuura's uniform. She tightened and smoothed the apron, evened out the ribbons in her hair, and added a couple of hairpins to keep the cap in place.
"You see and feel the difference, Shuura?" Natsuki asked, pointing to the framed mirror on the wall. "As ruffly and embarassing as it may be, you are to report to work, in this fashion, and you are not allowed to break costume or character until you get home and change. From this moment on, you represent, not only yourself as a manager, but myself, the staff, and the reputation of this cafe as well."
Natsuki's grey eyes observed the teen over her spectacles. Their normal mischievous sparkle was iced over, by her professional focus. Reaching over to the table beside them, she picked up two binders, one green and the other magenta. The cafe logo was embossed in gold, and in the name placard, Shuura's new identity was written in Cherry scented marker. Below it in bold type, read 'Assistant Manager'.
"Your homework tonight will be to familiarize yourself with these two binders. They are your lifelines for survival here. The green one is for cafe opperations, including recipes and complimentary menu combinations. Lose and I'll shave your head," Natsuki said, though her voice lacked the normal playful cheer, indiciating that she was rather serious about the threat. "The magenta one contains staff bios, information about the cafe, and my sure-fire customer service success notes. Lose it, and I'll bleach your hair, and plucks you bald one hair at a time..."
Several seconds passed, and she broke the air with a light chuckle.
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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:12 am
Shuura stared in incredulous disbelief for a scant few seconds before abruptly closing her mouth shut when Natsuki started chuckling. s**t I was right. She transforms into slave driver from hell in business, Shuura thought warily to herself. She stared at the binders Natsuki had handed her, one eyebrow twitching slightly.
"Lose 'em?" She couldn't hold back the slight scoff of indignation that escaped her. These things were HUGE! "That won't happen," she assured the other. Like hell it would, it'd be impossible to lose these big bulky binders, even among her spacious apartment in Jules' complex! Not to mention it smelled utterly disgusting. She'd have to stash it somewhere in her kitchen drawers, preferably after spraying it heavily with an odor eliminater. If there was one flavor Shuura hated, it was cherries, and the green binder reeked of it.
"I'll go over these tonight, unless you want me to start right now." She nodded at the woman's explanation behind the not-so-concealed-threat. "The university is the same way, if you'll remember. They expect us to uphold the reputation of the school while the students are wearing the university's uniform. Basically, we're not allowed to do anything that might...damage the school's prestige, while wearing it." A pause. She had noticed something when she had first stepped into the Cafe long ago in search for a festival sponsor, and something Natsuki had mentioned was forming a question in the back of her throat.
Deciding she had nothing to lose, Shuura went ahead and asked it. The employers always liked it when she asked them questions. Made them feel important and showed her initative, crap like that. "Also, about being 'in character'.... When I first entered Cafe Jubilee, one of the first thing I noticed was that every worker had some sort of theme going on. If I may ask, what kind of character would you like me to be?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:50 am
"Fair enough, Shuura, you've passed the first test," Natsuki acknowledged with an elegant nod, a bemused smile tracing her lightly glossed lips. She rested her chin atop her hand, with her smile softening and becoming more genuine. Something about the spunky university study made her feel quite nostaligic, like talking to herself. "Yes, I remember the days of DU quite fondly. I am impressed though, I've had employees threaten or walk out on me when I promised to shave their heads for losing the manuals. Well, played Shuura."
Taking a look around the cafe, she affirmed that the university student, was in fact, correct. Each of the servers wore the same uniform, but they were tailored and accented in different colors, creating unique styles for each of them. "Lesson One: Indulging the Fantasy. A costumed cafe like this one thrives on three things: 1) delicious food, 2) impeccable service, and 3) indulging stereotypical fantasties." Natsuki said, pushing her glasses up her nose with a knowing nod. Pucking up a tray with speed, she balanced it delicately and precisely with one hand, while the other cocked itself onto her hip. Furrowing her brow and dropping her head to look at Shuura over her glasses, she continued her explanation.
"Take my alias, Marron, for example. As the owner and trainer, my persona is that of the 'bossy, elder sister.' I have no use for the glasses, as I see perfectly without them," she said, plucking the glasses off her nose and shoving them into her pocket. "However, some of the clientele that come to Cafe Jubilee, are more inclined to drop more money on food and part-take in the store services more, if they are being attended to by a nurturing, older sister archtype. Plus, most of the other girls, do not wear glasses, so its another way to distinguish myself from the others."
With a flick of her wrist, the silver serving tray, spun, balancing precariously on a single gloved fingertip. Taking in Shuura's overall appearance, she smiled. "Which brings us to your image, Shuura," Natsuki said, putting the tray down momentarily and lifting Shuura's chin up slightly. "I selected black and red, as I know they are not only colors you like, but ones you look best in. Your general look is edgier than most of the girls here combined, meaning you are a rarity. I don't say that to add more pressure, but you've got grit, and that opens the door for a more varied customer crowd; a larger variety means more customers, and the bottom line, ends up with us making more money."
She circled around Shuura, evaluating the university student's new image. "You're tough and sassy, so I think playing with your strengths would be best," Natsuki said, crossing her arms as she returned to face the girl. "That being said, you also have a knack for tactful speech, a definite key to success in this line of business. You first task is to name your in house persona, and the only restriction is that it must be after a dessert item, fruit, or beverage. This name must be one you feel embodies your store image, and is one you will remember to answer when called. You can read those massive binders at home."
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Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 4:01 pm
The slender girl had to bite back a wry smirk when she caught the manager herself referring to the binders as "massive". Good, she better not expect me to finish going through all that in one night, then.
Perking up at the notion of making more money, her initial interest quickly dulled at the task of naming herself among the narrow categories Natsuki had limited to. Of course, applying to this sort of place...Shuura had figured something like this would happen sooner or later, but it still didn't make the task any easier.
Alright, definitely not a dessert, the rash teen decided. She might be able to stand it initially, but after a continuous period of being called something such as "Sweetcakes" nonstop, she would surely lose it and probably shove a metal fork or two up some customer's....posterior area. That would not do well for the paycheck at all. Not a drink, either, she mused -- being named after a beverage would just sound stupid.
That left her with fruit. What was a fruit that doesn't sound retarded as a nickname?
Out of sour desperation Shuura turned and called out to her Raevan. "Vyn! What's a fruit I have in the apartment right now?" She had told the Frei to put away the fruits from when she brought back stolen groceries last time, the thing should know.
Vyn paused in the middle of watering a particularly fat petunia, her amber eyes glowing softly as she thought.
Fruits? Vyn didn't mind fruits as much, the smell of them didn't make her as sick. She still couldn't eat them though. The Shadow Frei recalled that Shuura had handed her a bunch of the 'fruits' to put away last time. Most of them were round and hard and as red as Shuura's eyes, but Vyn forgot what those were called. There was also a few bright yellow ones, there weren't as much as these as the red ones but Shuura almost always had them in the apartment. What were they called again?
Squirt taught her once, she remembered. He liked them best because some of them were colored a lot like his bottle. Vyn's answer came out a little hesitant, but her voice was very clear. "Lem-mon?" The Shadow Frei questioned softly. Was that it?
Lemon? It wasn't amazing, to be sure, but many other possibilities definitely could've been worse than that. Shuura arched an eyebrow at Natsuki, waiting to see if she would approve of this choice.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 11:42 am
Natsuki merely waited, keeping her watchful, gray eyes on Shuura's face while the trainee contemplated her new alias. Selecting a new name is never an easy task, she could count the number of servers who picked a name that was applicable, successful, and nonexhausting on her crisp, gloved hand. Naturally, her own, Marron, ranked among the three she could think of; the others being Honey and Peach.
An immediate response was hardly expected, and she found the university student's conference with the shadow rose raevan, a rather interesting method of deduction. Shuura managed to narrow down her name to a genre, which in itself, is a difficult decision.
"You know, I did a similar thing when I selected my name," Natsuki nodded in appreciation. Lightly clapping her gloved hands together, a silver twinkle shone in her eyes. "I basically asked a coworker to say "Marron", so I could hear the sound of it. It was sweet, nutty, and a bit sophisticated, and it simply stuck. I think Vyn's recommendation is a solid one, 'Lemon', but the question is would you be willing to be addressed as such? Think it over."
"Your next task: a role play. You shall be the customer, and I will be your server." Natsuki explained, motioning to the reception area near the door. The hostess stand's key elements included: a color coded floor plan, shift schedule, waiting list, and menus. Turning on her heel, Natsuki marched over and assumed her postion, with her gloved hands folded over one another and clasped atop her apron. She carried her shoulders and posture with a refined elegance, but without looking like a robot. "Watch closely, as we will discuss this over tea and dessert. Take your place, please."
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Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:53 pm
Yes! Finally something easy. Play the customer? Make demands? Be served and waited on? That was something Shuura was well accustomed to doing anyway. With a cheeky smirk the teen glided up to the host stand where Natsuki was standing, assuming the air of a cafe regular.
"Party of two, please." she announced crisply, flicking a hand casually towards Vyn's direction to indicate she wasn't alone. "And we'd prefer the non-smoking section."
Vyn either didn't catch the motion or was ignoring Shuura completely; the shadow Frei continued to water the flower arrangements, cheerfully oblivious to the fact that she was being used as free labor.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 8:06 pm
Shuura's persistency never ceased to amaze her. As the university student straightened the hostess stand, Natsuki took a grand total of five seconds to smooth her skirt, adjust her gloves, a touch to her glasses, and turn on the stage glam. Turning on her heel, not even the slightest glimpse of the hard-nosed, rule Nazi which made Natsuki simply the best at what she did. She glided across the floor with her head held at a slightly elevated degree, unlike many of the staff members who played the "shy girl' or "cutesy" cards, Natsuki genre of choice was smart and older sister-like.
"Welcome to Cafe Jubilee, Mademoiselle. We've been expecting you," Natsuki said with a polite curtsy, quickly plucking two menus up. "There's no need to worry, Cafe Jubilee is a non-smoking establishment, so you may enjoy your time with us comfortably. Kindly follow me please. "
With a gloved hand, she motioned to the left, indicating the direction in which they would be walking. Striding forward, Natsuki's striped stockings reflected in the smoothly polished wood flooring. Reaching the table, she pulled out the chairs and waited patiently for her "guests". The table was in the corner, near one of the more fragrant and floral areas of the cafe, near the center of the room. With the menus tucked gently under her arms, she merely smiled at Shuura.
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Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:04 pm
Sharp eyes observed the vibrant hostess' every move, taking careful note of every detail. Ah, dammit. Do we have to pull out the chairs for the greedy pervs cafe customers too? She would've sighed in irritation she thought it wouldn't tarnish Natsuki's impression of her, so instead, the black-haired teen merely slid gracefully into one of the chairs pulled out by the cafe manager, remembering to smooth out the ridiculous ruffles on her maid skirt so she wouldn't resemble some kind of overly fluffy ostrich perching on the fancy upholstered chairs of the cafe.
"The person I'm supposed to be meeting is...running rather late," Shuura remarked dryly as she settled herself into the chair, shooting a dour look in the direction of Vyn. Perhaps once they got the ball rolling here, the stupid thing would be done with the plants across the room and start watering the more floral area where herself and Natsuki were conducting their little "role-play". "But I'd like to go ahead and order first. What kind of specials do you have today?"
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Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:57 am
"That is certainly not a problem. Simply press the button on the table at any time to summon a server," Natsuki said amicably, motioning elegantly to an electric button placed beside the small advert tent and bud vase. Holding out the menu before Shuura, she unfolded the menu before the student's eyes, so all she needed to do was take it look it over at her own leisure. She placed the additional menu beside the place setting for the other guest.
The shop owner knew Shuura was a sharp kid, so she had no qualms about making the training seminar a bit of a challenge. Her handbook perfect performance usually served as the final examination for the regular staff members, but if the Durem University student couldn't tell, Natsuki knew she was special, therefore warranted unique training.
"Today's specials are as follows: the chiffon cake of the day is lemon poppy seed, the cheese cake is raspberry marble, and the parfait is Green Tea Delight," Natsuki continued, directing Shuura's attention to the box marked 'daily specials' in the center column of the menu, merely by holding her hand over the middle of the tri-fold menu. The menu items were recited in order from top to bottom so as to avoid reaching over the menu to indicate which items she spoke of. Beside each special was an actual photo of the item with a detailed description which included ingredients and a general idea of what the item would taste like to the customer.
"On the left side of the menu you will notice this month's flavors of tea. You may choose one of the six flavors or one of our house blend coffees to compliment your meal," Natsuki concluded with a polite bow, folding her hands at her waist, clasping one glove of the other. Her electronic ordering tablet remained tucked in her pocket, awaiting for the customer to decide what she'd like to order. "I will give you some time to decide. Please press the button when you are ready to order." Taking a single step back, she curtsied again before turning on her heel and returning behind the bar.
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