Caffeine! {Open}

[Kaiser Kittes]

"I'll be fine Aunt Holly, I promise." He said to the woman as she handed him a twenty bill. "You act like I've never been by myself before in my whole life." He said jokingly as his Aunt ruffled his hair. After a quick 'I love you' between the two them she left leaving Kaiser in the coffee shop by himself, not literally though. There had to be at least twenty other people sitting down and not counting the numerous customers who kept coming in, purchasing whatever, then leaving. The boy turned around and eyed the menu, slightly biting his lip, trying to decide what he wanted.

Kaiser played with the money in his hand, twisting it between his fingers. "Gaah, what do I want?" He asked himself, his eyes scanning over the menu for the umpteenth time. "Ok." He finally made his decision and walked to the counter. "A venti caramel frap with a chocolate biscotti, please." He said with a pleasant smile. He handed the man his money and after a few short seconds was handed back his change.

The whirring of the blender put a smile on his face. He couldn't wait for the caramel deliciousness that he ordered. The man came back over with his drink. "Thanks so much!" The man nodded. Kaiser grabbed one of the biscotti and made his way to an open table, not that there were many to choose from. "Time to nom!" He said in a hushed, yet excited tone.

[Odile Advaire]

Dressed in black from the bows holding her pigtails in place to the mary janes on her feet, in defiance of the Miami heat, Odile Advaire slipped into the coffee shop.

She didn't usually drink coffee. She preferred tea to be honest, but practice today had been rough and she needed the pick me up before she headed to the book store.

"Black." She told the barista, with a little smile. A moment later, a cup of black coffee appeared in her hand and she glanced around the room, looking for somewhere to sit.

No where suitable.

She adjusted herself and started to look for someone suitable to sit with.

Ah. There.

Straightening her frilly black skirt, a result of her sister helping her dress, she walked closer to the young man, her low heels making soft click-clicks against the tile floor.

"Is anyone sitting here?"

Her voice, and face revealed a slight... hint of oddness. A moment later she asked "What's nomming?"

Almost absently, she wondered what Basil was doing. Likely dealing with customers. The least she could do was help out when she got there...

[Yuume Souryuu]

So.

Much.

Coffee.

It was an important part of her schedule, really, to 'calm down' or work on homework and such over a cup of coffee. And not the kind made in a pot either- that was reserved for daytime studying, or a morning out the door. No...

She was getting a REAL coffee. A sweet explosion of caffeinated and sugared goodness, steaming hot with a delicious treat on the side-

"I will have a Mocha Coconut Frap please," she calmly stated, the one thing she set aside for splurging seemingly staring out at her from the menu to taunt her with a short wait. "Venti. Also, a pumpkin scone," she stated, waiting by the counter for her order. The drink and treat were ready in short order of course-

And then she was faced with this dilemma. Seats to the left- taken.

Directly ahead- taken.

To the right- ... ...

Mostly taken. Swallowing a little uneasily, she sighed inwardly. Fine. Fine fine fine fine-

Oh this was doing nothing for her calm relaxing coffee plans.

"Ah- Hello." Food and drink and bag on her, as she looks down to the ones before her- "...If it is alright, may I join you?" ...WAIT UM- "...Ah- I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

[Kaiser Kittes]

A smile grew on the boys face as he unwrapped the baked goodness. He bit a small piece off the corner and savored the flavor. "Mmm." His enjoyment was soon interrupted by a very strange looking girl. Everything she had on was black. Everything. It was such a contrast to the bright colored clothes Kaiser was wearing. "Um..." He looked around. Well, he certainly understood why she was asking, there was no other place to sit. He was a bit hesitant to say yes, but he would anyway. 'Dont judge a book by its cover' was a quote he lived by. "Please sit." Kaiser said with a cheery tone. "A nom? Hrmm..." How to explain it? "Nomming is basically eating...Like...I want to nom...but I only use it when something is overly delicious! Like this here-" He said pointing to his food.

Soon another girl walked up to the table. She seemed much more delightful than the other. "Hi there." The boy said back to her. "Nope, we were just chatting. Please, pull up a chair. The more the merrier." He said pointing to the chair. "I'm Kaiser by the way." Introducing oneself was the first step to making new friends. "Kaiser Kittes, at your service." The kid said with a goofy smile.

[Odile Advaire]

Odile blinked, her expression totally blank. She looked him up and down, attention flicking to the other woman, her head tilting in a bird like fashion. For a moment, her finger nails, sharp points and also painted black, tapped on the table.

In a soft monotone, almost sounding robotic, she murmured "Ah. You are the new woman Basil hired for the Haunt. I've been watching you. I'm still not sure why you were hired. Certainly there had to be more suitable candidates. But then, he does tend to have a... softness where people with such... obvious issues are concerned. I've never understood why. I'm Odile Advaire." She added the last as almost an after thought, as if she expected everyone to know who she was. And not once had her inflection or tone changed.

Her attention switched back to the young man.

"Are you always this obviously unintelligent? One would think you'd at least make some vague attempt to conceal it. I'm relatively certain your very presence lowers the IQ of the entire city."

She inhaled slightly.

"And I was always informed that cats were supposedly intelligent. Perhaps you were dropped on your head. That might explain it. The stunted emotional development, as well as the decreased height and intelligence. If that is the case, I must commend you for your impressive abilities to conceal the inevitable flat spot."

A pause to sip her coffee.

"And I see you're both planning to join the rapidly growing numbers of the morbidly obese. If so, I am certain you will have plenty of company on the beach."

[Yuume Souryuu]

"Aah, tha-"

EERRRRReeeeeeeeehhhhhhh... W-What was with that tone... What was with this judgement... (and cats, what, cats-) and...

Sh-She cycled to work!! "Ah... G-Greetings... ...'Yuume Souryuu'," she continued in introduction, uneasily taking a seat. "...Forgive me if I don't quite understand what issues you're speaking of however..." Errrrrk... N-Not that she doesn't have troubles with anything, but she couldn't have made herself that obvious right..? "...Although... ...I don't recall meeting..." ...Ever. Unless...

...Unless she was the eagle. Which is a thought that appears to be translating rather clearly in her eyes, and in her teensie tiny bit of body language and OHGODSHE WAS RIGHT THE EAGLE HATED HER-

"...Contrary to popular belief, with proper exercise, a drink such as this each week is not so fattening..." R-Really. She eats about this much for lunch half the time (she really should eat more actually), she's not-

AHHHHHHH- Lets focus on mr. happy. Or at least try to calm down. Just a little. Just... Just a little (as she takes a small sip of delicious frap goodness). "...I heard you mention 'nom' earlier...?" She's pretty sure she did. "...That is an onomatopoeia for eating in a large number of graphic novels where I am from, actually..."

[Kaiser Kittes]

Kaiser was completely caught off guard by the black clothed girls comments. He was left sitting there, mouth open, listening to every word she said about the girl and then about him. 'What does she know about me!?' The girl, Odile, seemed to be as dark as the clothes she was wearing. 'So much for judging a book by its cover.' And then she knew he was a shifter...how? Was it that obvious? He looked down at his arms for a second just to make sure he wasn't in a mid shift. No...that wasn't it. Was she spying on him? What was with this girl!?

"Why are you so mean?" He asked blatantly. "You don't know anything about me and you're just going to start assuming things? No ma'am. That's not how that works. You get to know someone before you just go and start insulting them. I'm not stupid, by the way...for your information I have a three point six grade point average." That should shut her up, but going off what she previously said he doubted it would. 'Hrmmph. Rude.'

He directed his attention to the other girl, the nice one. "It's a pleasure to meet you Yuume." He said giving her a bright smile. "Oh yeah? I just found it on the Internet one day and I loved it." He then registered what she said. "So...are you from Japan?" He asked, hoping he wasn't wrong. He had never met anyone from Japan before, this was exciting!

[Odile Advaire]

"Why am I so mean? If we're asking stupid questions, I'll ask you why you're so clearly incompetent you shouldn't be allowed scissors without adult supervision and yet you're sitting here talking to me. I don't want to know you. I don't need to know you. All I've been saying is the obvious truth."

She paused, and a tiny flicker of a smile appeared.

"And I'm sure your parents are very proud you got such high marks from your preschool teacher."

And now back to the incompetent girl Basil had hired.

"I know your name. And your issues are obvious. I have to wonder why you haven't sought therapy. You might want to start working on that stammer. It makes you sound even dimmer then you actually are, although I'm certain that's a challenge for it. And of course you haven't actually met me. Basil insists I wait until I meet the new hires. Something about me scaring them off. Or trying to claw their eyes out. Or pecking their heads. Really, he's quite particular."

A sharp gaze looked her up and down and the tiny smile returned. "Ah yes. Once a week. Somehow I doubt you limit yourself that much. Call me when you can't see your toes anymore. Now, seeing as I assist in looking after the Haunt, I have to ask you, are you actually bright enough to know the alphabet? It upsets Basil when his books are out of order and to be honest, I'm not entirely certain how you're capable of speech much less reading. Shouldn't you have an assistant for such things? I've heard America has homes for people like you. I'm sure Basil will find you one if you ask."

She'd never bothered with other people's opinions of her. They were always wrong. With a few exceptions. And she never had any problems talking over other people, for all her voice was soft. Whatever inane chatter they were engaging in was clearly unimportant compared to what she was saying.

[Yuume Souryuu]

...She was fairly certain she could see why then... But the fact is, she's beginning to really dislike you. It is taking quite a bit not to choke on her coffee and leave. Perhaps that's one of her good points.

But quite frankly, you are as ICE, there is no doubting it.

"I can see why he called you the 'Hel' to his 'Sleipnir'," she responds, taking a small sip of coffee. "However, it would be wise to trust his judgement on the matter rather than repeating your distaste toward it. He clearly thinks highly of you- and he very obviously respects, and trusts you. For that reason, I can understand your doubts. But I am in no need of such assistance," she adds with a somewhat colder tone, "Regardless of your thoughts on the matter. Believe what you will- but do not mistake an uneasy start to a conversation for an inability to speak entirely..."

...A little calmer then- to the boy. "...You are correct. I came here to study in anthropology and history, in fact. Currently, I am in my second year for the Anthropology degree- have you yourself decided on a future career..?"

...Have you Yume? Because your options are growing small with those degrees unless you plan on teaching...

[Kaiser Kittes]

"Good, I didn't want to know you anyway!" He said as he sipped his drink, rather forcefully. "And for your information I'm not a preschooler, I'm a Junior in Highschool." How he would love to just call this girl as many ugly names as he could possibly think of but that was the easy way out. Just say exactly what he thought of her, get up, and leave. But with those actions he would leave Yuume to the hateful words this girl was spewing.

His eyes brightened when Yuume fought back. Yeah, never let a bully push you down! You go girl! He was almost completely ignoring Odile by now. Her words were nothing but darkness and he would have nothing off it. He got verbally abused enough by his parents and he was not about to take it from some random girl that asked HIM if she could join his table. Nope. Not gunna happen.

Hrmm. What was he going to study? Good question. Of course he had thought of many things he wanted to do with his life but he never really could settle on just one. The one he most connected with though was a counselor for abused kids. He knows for sure he would have loved to talk to someone when he was going through the rough times in his own life. "I haven't decided completely, it's a bit up in the air at the moment...but I'm leaning towards counseling...for abused or neglected kids...or anyone who needs someone to talk to for that matter."

[James Grayson]

The door opened yet again, and a man ducked into the shop; Grayson had to duck if he wanted to get through the doorway without significant bruising.

Once clear of the lintel, he straightened and headed for the counter, his stride smooth - perhaps a little too smooth - and his pale eyes sharp. The faint smile stamped on his angular features didn't really help to offset the hint of hunger he carried with him.

Oh good. No queue.

"What can I get you, sir?"

"I'm sorry, I don't speak Starbucks." His accent was definitely, defiantly, English. "Could I have a chocolatey coffee, please? With those little tiny marshmallows in? And a chocolate cookie, too."

"Yes, sir, coming right up."

That was one thing the Americans did right, Grayson always acknowledged. Customer service. Even if their idea of biscuits did look unfortunately close to cowpats.

Money and coffee and biscuit changed hands, and then he was looking for somewhere to sit. Why did he always arrive at these places after everyone else had? Oh look, there was a seat near - was that a Goth? He usually got on with Goths, and it was worth a try.

"Hi, mind if I join you?"

[Odile Advaire]

Odile smiled.

If Basil had been here, he'd have already been doing damage control.

But Basil isn't here, now is he?

"I am mildly amused that you are so catastrophically stupid that you assume that you know the first thing about my relationship with Basil."

Odile is fond of letting her hate slowly simmer, planning her revenge and setting it in motion the second her victim dropped their guard.

That wasn't the only option of course.

"That's so cute. You know mythology, correct? Then you should know exactly what happens to people who displease Hel."

Her attention flicks back to the increasinly annoying bundle of idiocy wrapped in evolutionary defiance.

"Amazing. I knew the American school systems were bad, but I wasn't aware they were that horrifically atrocious. Where I'm from, you'd still be in year 1, with the other five year olds giving you pitying looks."

Her smile got slightly wider. It looked horrifically out of place on her still face and was never a good sign.

With the same calm she did almost everything, she shifted carefully, and then kicked first one, then the other of her table mates in the shin. Hard.

That done, still smiling, she turned her attention to the new man.

And she knew a fellow predator when she saw one.

A moment of assessment. She knew that accent as well.

"You are welcome to join us. My apologies in advance for the level of intelligence these people have. I'm not sure if they ate paint as children or were simply deprived of oxygen for a significant amount of time."

Her voice is it's usual monotone, but her eyes have brightened ever so slightly.

She half hopes one of them says something.

It isn't often she gets to have fun...

[Yuume Souryuu]

Her hands are shaking. Holding the cup of coffee helps to calm that, but they shake nonetheless, if not slightly.

No doubt a certain pair of eagle eyes are catching that, but even so. "That's just it..." she manages to say despite this poudning fact in her mind. "I don't know anything about your relationship with him- just that it is strong." And really, she can already tell that any pathetic attempt at a defense isn't going to work here- logic says that the coffee is perfectly fine, but logic also says that she's not going to win this argument, which figures really because it's quite obvious that this girl is someone who has a much sturdier head on her shoulders.

"Nn-g!" A kick, and her coffee is suddenly jostled, almost (but somehow not) spilled all over her sweater, and the cup is going back on the table as she somewhat shakily grabs a napkin from her plate to wipe what is now all over her upper lip. Her leg stings like hell- more than even if a bokken hit her there to be honest. Regardless.

Note to self- Odile is bitter, more or less frightening, and quite likely stronger than her despite size differences.

Much.

Much.

Stronger.

It would be foolish to even speak, let alone argue.

But the boy with blond hair reminds her too much of an old friend, and she cannot stand for that. "...I apologize if I come across as rude, or unintelligent in any way- but I cannot see any justification in belittling a child whom you have just met. In addition," she adds, looking to Kaiser as well, "It may be best to simply let conversations of flame die down rather than adding more fuel..."

Another comes. She looks up, before bowing her head. "I see no problems with that- if the others agree, then I will gladly offer a seat," she continues calmly, taking a sip of coffee again. Perhaps she should have ordered a chai tea... It probably would have helped her nerves far more...

As it is, she does not address the intelligence comment. Because while logic again tells her that she's currently top of her class, it does not tell her what 'level' she places at near Odile- a level no doubt far beneath the smaller woman's.

[Kaiser Kittes]

Kaiser kept his mouth shut and simply crossed his arms. Why was she so rude? Did she find it fun? Well, most bullies did. They found joy in hurting others. That must be why she was so cold, she was just a bully plain and simple. "You're the one who asked to sit here with me. I didn't ask to join you. So how bout you learn some manners or you can just leave." The boy said his final words, taking a second to munch on his snack and sip his drink.

Yuume was right however. He shouldn't have fanned the flame. Anything Kaiser said Odile twisted it into some sort of snarky remark. He simply shook his head, Kaiser could never fathom why people were like this...why they thought they were better than anyone else. Everyone is different and that's what makes the world so special. No two people were exactly alike, not even twins! He took another small sip of his drink, trying to calm his nerves though it didn't seem the caffeine was helping that at all. A sharp pain hit his leg. "Ow!" He screamed, rubbing the spot. Did she just kick me? He chose to let it slide. No, he wouldn't let her have the satisfaction of a response. Just...no.

Another person walked to his table, a man this time. "Sure, grab a chair." He said quietly. It seemed Odile had sucked all the happiness out of him...not a good thing for Kaiser. Most of the time he was a little ray of sunshine and rainbows, but this girl had gotten deep under his skin. "I'm Kaiser." He said, introducing himself to the new member of the group. "Nice to meet you."

[James Grayson]

Grayson met Odile's assessing gaze with one of his own, palest blue to dark blue; the corners of his lips twitched ever so slightly upwards, and he inclined his head a few degrees without looking away.

"Thank you," he murmured, then added, "I'm sure it can't be that bad."

His smile had just a little too much tooth to it, and the points of his canines were on display.

His attention was drawn away from Odile by the other two; a quick glance took in the way the contents of both cups were moving, but it was as though he hadn't even noticed Kaiser's scream or Yuume's flinch.

"Likewise, I'm sure, and thank you all." He set his cup down on the table, then glanced around again with mild amusement as he shrugged out of his long coat and folded it over one arm. "Does this table wobble a lot, or something? It looks as though drinks were nearly spilled. I'm sure we can find something to put under one of the legs if we need to."

He slipped into the offered seat, moving with a casual grace that belied the awkwardness that should come with his height, and looked again towards Odile. That tiny hint of a smile grew, the corners of his lips twitching further upwards while his eyes warmed not at all. "Or maybe it was just an accident."