[Re:Hexes] Another Life Another Story

[Saia Kakaru]

Fyte turned a light shade of pink at Tsukiko's suggestion. Aside from casual work-related conversations (orders, for one), Fyte had recently taken to stumbling over her words in any conversation with Nemo. Giving her roomie a suspicious glance, she was about to walk out to get Nemo when they nearly collided in the doorway. "Sorry, sorry." She said quickly, quickly backing away and practically running to grab her bag from the back. Nearly colliding with Tsukiko as she exited the shop, she scooted past the girl, waiting for Nemo to also exit before starting off towards home.

Quite honestly, she was glad that they were walking home together, though her odd silence this evening indicated otherwise. It was one more person to the group, and there was safety in numbers. She'd heard stories about people getting assaulted either on or nearby college campuses; better not risk the chance. Especially when her overactive imagination could turn any noise in the dark of the night into something from a monster. She began to chit chat with Tsukiko and Nemo, trying to keep her mind off of those scary thoughts. It helped, to say the least.

Dropping Nemo off at his apartment, she continued to idly chat with Tsukiko until they reached their humble abode. She took a shower while Tsukiko cooked, and then the roles reversed after dinner while Fyte did the dishes and Tsukiko showered. She went to bed at the same time as the other girl; while she didn't rise as early as her friend, Fyte still cherished her sleep. Groaning to her alarm clock at 6 in the morning, she shut it off before heading down to the cafe to help out for the morning.

Being a year younger than her boss meant Fyte worked less hours due to classes. It was still a wonder to the asian how Tsukiko could juggle the coffee shop and school with such ease. She found time during the day at odd hours to finish homework, but Tsukiko practically spent her entire life at the cafe. Maybe it's cause the juniors already know their majors so they have all of their specified classes set. Sophomores still have a few pre-reqs to fill. Fyte mused to herself on the way to the coffee shop. Heading straight to the back, she joined her friend up front just as the afternoon rush hit.

"Big radio debut got you nervous, dear?" the waitress asked, noticing Tsukiko's heavy sigh (for the manyth time). Handing a short order of two cups of coffee to her friend, she leaned against the counter, waiting for the response. If Tsuki wanted to talk, she was all ears. And if not, Fyte would drop the topic entirely and move onto another. That's just how Fyte was; a bit nosy for her own good, but she knew where the boundaries were and stuck to them.  

[Foxi Doll]

After saying his farewells, Nemo slipped into his apartment, thankful that it was blissfully silent. He knew his roommate was still at work, but sometimes he wondered if the man had left him a surprise.

"Looks clear," he murmured in suspicion as he tossed his bag into one of the garage sale layzboy chairs they'd managed to snag. He had to give Palian props, the man knew how to haggle. He wandered from room to room, even checking under his bed for anything amiss. You just never could take peace for granted when Palian was in one of his more mischievous moods.

Letting out a sigh when he was satisfied that nothing would pop out to say boo, he toed off his shoes and took his bad to his room to work on his homework. He'd only graduated last year, but instead of taking the summer off like most kids his age, Nemo had opted to take summer courses to keep himself from slacking off come that fall. The classes themselves weren't very hard, just some pre-req's he had in math and history. He hated both, so figured now was the time to try and get it out of the way. But that meant a lot of reading things he found uninteresting and doing a lot of tedious problems that seemed to as disengaging as they were complex.

The next morning, he hurried off to class to turn in the work he'd done only a few hours before. He still had trouble sleeping for more than four hours at a time. A lingering problem that his doctors think might be psychologically linked, but he didn't have the insurance to get a therapist and find out. Just another quirk, like the lime green streaks, his shadowed eyes always looked tired, though he always claimed he was fine. A person gets used to how they work, even if its different than how others get through the day, or so he always told himself. Like sleep walkers and talkers, he had learned it was better to sleep when he could or go without, but you couldn't force insomnia to dissipate.

But it was at times like this, when his energies were low and his mood bordering on fowl when his roommate often chose to be a nuisance. With just a few seconds to spare, Nemo came rushing into the cafe, his face ashen and his expression grim.

"Sorry I'm late," he murmured to Tsukiko as he disappeared in back to punch the time clock. "Class took longer than I thought."  

[Foxi Doll]

In the wake of the fleeing boy a man stepped into the cafe. His hair was spiked around his face and sun bleached white as if it was in between dyes and was soon to become some vibrant color or other. Eyes a shocking blue like a husky dogs scanned the busy tables.

Dressed all in black, from his studded hoodie to his jeans and nike swoosh, he looked like all the other eccentric college kids in town. The lack of color made his skin look paler, and those eyes stand out like he'd added florescent contacts, a fad that had died out not too long ago. A studded choker accented his long neck.

He looked oblivious to the effect he had on some of the female customers as he strutted unconsciously through the cafe. His walk screamed sex or darker things, but his attention was not on any one person. At least for the moment.

'That's the last time I attempt to take him to work after class,' he thought. 'Good deeds aren't appreciated.' He'd have grumbled, but the emotion never made it to his face. Palian enjoyed being vindictive above acting out in anger. He always believed in getting even instead.

Walking up to the counter, he looked at the girl who scrambled with the orders, her brown hair trying to escape the tie she'd wrangled it with. A secreted smile played on his lips as he thought about switching the sugar at home with yeast. Oh yes, getting even was so much more fun.

He stood looking at the girl, taking in her whole appearance, waiting for her to notice him. It was her job, after all, to serve him, was it not? So like a good customer, he'd wait his turn. But he couldn't help watching as that hair kept trying to get in her way, just barely swaying towards her face before being whisked away as she moved along her counter.

'My mind sure likes to wander a lot these days,' he observed silently. That was one of the reasons he'd liked having Nemo for a roommate. Silly boy was organized almost to the point of irritation. They were the perfect match. The answer to the age old question, what happens when OCD meets ADD? ok, maybe not age old, but he had always wondered. And for Palian, it was working out swimmingly.

(sorry, he just had to make an appearance. lol. and FYI, Fyte and Kiko don't know he's the DJ kk? More fun to find out. heehee)  

[Saia Kakaru]

There was barely anytime to hear what her friend had to say before Nemo came bursting through the doors, looking worse for wear. "Nemo? Is everythi--" Before she could even finish voicing her worries, the green-haired boy rushed past her and towards the back. One could visibly see her disappointment, almost if a puppy had just been scolded. Having clearly seen the dark cloud above his head, Fyte shut up immediately; she'd inquire later, if his mood lightened.

Turning her attention back to Tsukiko, she also noticed a new customer enter. Eyes following him, she noticed all of the oddities about him, especially those eyes of his. If anything, it just reminded her of a husky's, to which she silently reveled in the fact that anyone could have such a hue. About half a minute passed by, and it was a bit obvious that the brunette was a bit too far in lala-land. Fyte decided to step in and help her busy (and currently distracted) boss out a bit. "Good afternoon! How can I help you today?" Fyte said cheerily, giving Tsukiko a small nudge. The gesture was only to let her know there was a customer waiting, if she hadn't heard already. Once Tsukiko took over, Fyte would go back to waitressing. She helped out at the front counter occasionally though, when things were really slow. If she wasn't supposed to, Tsuki would definitely know.  

[Foxi Doll]

Palian watched as the girls both greeted him, almost in unison. He wondered if it was a practiced response, or merely coincidental. Not that it mattered, but still he found it interesting to note. Would they sing too, if he dropped a tip in their little jar? He heard of an ice cream parlor that did that, danced and sang little diddies of appreciation for a dollar or two. Pitiful and degrading, he was glad he didn't have to do that. Though it showed how hypocritical he was, since he demanded that of his callers, to perform silly tasks for meager rewards. Not that he really cared about the double standard. Life was full of contradictions and he wasn't of the mind to challenge it.

Palian had learned rather quickly the night before, that his guest was his roommates boss. It wasn't all that hard considering he took Nemo to work from time to time and knew the address. It made all the more sense after he mentioned it to the boy. Nemo had blushed and refused to say anything, which was answer enough.

"I need a large blended 911 with extra irish cream," he recited smoothly. It was his standard pick me up when he knew he had to work late for the show. He was a night owl, but even night owls need a little help to get their second wind by three thirty in the morning. Better to get the goods now and stash it in the studio than to flounder later.

He wondered idly if they would recognize him from the show. Most people didn't, even when they listened everyday. Something about the airwaves warping the vocal resonance. He didn't care, but it only served to amuse him when people found out who he was. The town was large and steadily growing, so his audience grew accordingly. Maybe they just didn't think he was a local, like some broadcasters that linked out of state. Then again, some people were just stupid and didn't pay attention to what was around them. Palian watched silently then, contemplating which these girls were. The unobservant, or the ignorant.  

[Foxi Doll]

"He's no one," Nemo said hurriedly as he walked into the barista station. His work shirt had been pulled half-hazardly over the white tee shirt he'd been wearing all day. His blood ran cold at the narrow eyed expression from his roommate. Palian definitely didn't like being cut off. The green haired boy kept a flushed look about him, but he really had been in a hurry so it wasn't like he could help it.

It had only been chance that Palian had been awake when he'd walked in the door. Nemo only meant to sneak in, grab his work shirt and hurry back out again. But luck was not on his side and Palian refused to take no for an answer after offering to take him to work. And the entire time, he'd been grilled on the girls' he worked with. And Nemo didn't sit interrogation well, even innocent ones.

"He's not a regular," he amended quickly, knowing that Tsukiko and Fyte didn't like it when he was so blase about people. But for him, if he didn't know them personally, they were no one. At least no one important. And the last thing he wanted was for them to know who Palian was.

They knew he had a roommate, of course, but they had never met one another. Palian thought that he was just being childish, and maybe on some level he was, but he was cursed to a life of pain and suffering if he let them all come together. Palian didn't play well with others and often came off offensive what with his sudden changes in mood. It made all the more sense why his job of choice was the graveyard shift, where he dealt with people the least. He was far worse than Nemo ever thought of being, when it came to being antisocial. Or maybe it was better to say that he was perfectly social, when he had a mind for it, but Palian had a hard time staying on track when following social queues and being aware of boundaries. That man had none as far as Nemo was concerned.

"Hey Fyte," he acknowledged abashedly. He was both furious and embarrassed that Palian had followed him inside the shop. He normally would just drop him off and leave trails like a speed demon. But oh no, not today. Today he just had to come in and practically introduce himself when Nemo hadn't the energy for it. The worse he felt, the more he clammed up. Another horrible habit of his, one that he had yet to break. Unconsciously, he swiped his bangs to the side, but they slid back in place as they always do.

Please, please let him get his drink and leave, he thought. Don't stay and chat. Don't say anything. He didn't know who he was asking this of, but he hoped Palian would leave before he caused any trouble. Though if he'd been paying any attention, he would have known that he was the one making a fuss. If anything, Palian just looked amused as hell by how the boy was acting. As if he was silently berating him, calling him an immature child trying to play at the big boys level.  

[Saia Kakaru]

She let Tsukiko handle this order, since there were tables to clear and a group of kids had just sat down at a table. Giving the man a small bow of her head, she scooted out and around to the "dine-in" section. When Nemo greeted her, albeit with maybe too much stress, Fyte silently bit her lip. Fyte could sense that this was turning out to be one of Nemo's off days, but she still didn't take this kind of mood well from anyone."Hey." she simply replied back, continuing onwards without much of a backwards glance. If anything, she hated it when it felt like someone was upset at her for… anything, really. One of her many insecurities, really, but not something she shared with just anyone, not even Tsukiko. As she went about doing her usual work and leaving the counter alone, she mended her gloomier thoughts with the distraction of work. However, she did occasionally take the side-long glance back to the counter, hoping that everything was alright.

[[Curse it. You guys give me such good material at such odd hours of the night ;A;]]  

[Foxi Doll]

"I have done nothing," he replied coolly, a smile quirking one side of his face. His clear blue eyes stared at the boy, daring him to argue. He honestly hadn't done much out of the ordinary. At least not yet. But the day was still young and there was still plenty of time to reek havoc on his roommate, should the boy continue to be so irritating.

It was intriguing that the brunette came to Nemo's defense. Could this be the infamous Fyte? he wondered. The boy seemed flustered enough, but then again that wasn't really a hard thing to do. Just mention anything dirty and the boy blushed harder than a virgin on her wedding night. It was a most amusing game he played when he got bored of the normal day to day.

But his fun was to be short lived. He knew that Nemo would get over his embarrassment and all that uncertain energy would find a most irritating outlet. It truly was awe inspiring to see Nemo in a rage. That boy had a temper when he got upset enough. Said the most colorfully hurtful things.

"Thank you so much," he said sincerely as he paid the girl and dropped a dollar in their tip jar. Truly, for he knew that by now Nemo would have started yelling if it wasn't for his coworkers. A most intriguing note that he would likely ponder on when he had the time. As it was, he put on his brightest smile, which Nemo knew to fear for it meant trouble, tipped an imaginary hat and turned to leave.  

[Saia Kakaru]

Giving a small bow to the man as he left, Fyte turned back to the counter to pass out orders to be filled. Once she had mustered up enough courage to ask what was wrong, Tsukiko went and practically told him that he could go on break. Biting her lip, she fidgeted; a bad habit of hers since childhood. Taking the orders that were done, she turned back to bussing tables for a few minutes, before returning to the counter once Tsukiko had left. "You alright?" Fyte asked hesitantly, unsure of how to gage his current mood. She wanted more than ever to brush the long bangs from his face, but she knew that small act of comfort (to her anyway) would be overstepping her place as a friend and coworker. Not something Nemo needed at the moment.  

[Foxi Doll]

(sorry Sai. That's just what happens when you rp with night owls. lol hoot hoot! XD)


"No no, it's fine," Nemo said quickly. He laughed nervously as a sweat drop formed beside his head. "I was almost late as is. It would be wrong of me to take a break when I only just got here."

With a few deft movements he tied his brewing apron around his waist and positioned himself around Tsukiko so he could easily answer the next order. He still looked a little out of sorts, but the power of focusing on something else, also known as distraction or delusion, helped calm him enough to manage a smile ans steady voice when dealing with the customers. Whether Tsukiko tried to shadow him or not, he worked as he always did, smooth and efficient.

His only slip up was when Fyte managed to snag a moment to wander to his counter. Nemo had been diligently getting his empty milk cartons smashed when she asked if he was alright. He paused, breathe hitched.

'No of course not,' he grumbled in his head. 'My alarm clock reset because of a power serge sometime last night, I was late to class, haven't eaten, failed my last history test, put salt in my coffee when I got home instead of sugar because someone who shall remain nameless switched them when filling the sugar bowl, and almost jumped from a moving vehicle to escape the bombardment of questions from said unnamed person, whom incidentally enough, refused to take me directly to work, but the longest out of the way detour inspiring scenic route that was about twenty two miles out of the way, which I know, because I was watching the odometer.'

Knowing that saying all that aloud would be not only entirely unprofessional, but way out of his comfort zone, Nemo shook his head and sighed. When he looked up at Fyte, he showed her only his tired gaze, such as it was and smiled shyly. He didn't like lying to her, even by omission, but he couldn't think of a way to open up to her that didn't make him seem so childish. Some things never change.

"I'm alright. It's just been a long day," he managed finally as he continued to crush his milk cartons.

And it was about to get even longer, he feared as he looked over at the clock. Just three hours from now, the evening groups would begin to flock in after evening classes got over. Not long after that, the Night Life began its nightly airing. Palian was probably preparing even now for the show. Getting ready to cause a fuss and rumors abound on campus, his favorite playground.

Nemo hoped in futility that he wouldn't get too animated with Tsukiko. The woman lived and worked here after all. It would be unforgivable if he embarrassed so much that she sold the cafe and left town. It was Nemo's greatest fear about her appearing on the show. Which he knew it was awful to say and think about, because it meant he thought Tsukiko couldn't handle whatever Palian might throw at her, but it was his fear nonetheless. He couldn't help it, having these irrational fears, kind of like his insomnia. He worried over things he just couldn't control.