Set in the original region of Arciel, Legends Rising is a route-inspired, but not strictly route-based, Pokemon roleplay. Pick a faction, pick a class, and strike out into the wild to take on the League, master Contest coordination, research the mysteries of Pokemon and Arciel, and much, much more. Will you be a classic trainer? A criminal? A farmer? Choose your destiny on Legends Rising.
Adelaide hadn't expected to ever be offered a job in Arciel, yet here she was, in the city of music, Bass. She'd been working at Minccino-Cappuccino for just under a month now, and she'd like to think she was doing... okay. If she hadn't been so terrified to enter into a contest, then she wouldn't be in the dilemna she was in and wouldn't have had to have found a job- but the manager offered to pay half of her hotel funds for a few months if she stayed in Bass for a while- so here she was, hiding behind a milk frother, starting a new day at work.
How were all the employees always so chipper?! She could never understand how Beth from counter could deliver such clear lines, speak with such a big smile- she was originally put on counter- which was a terrible idea on the managers part. Adelaide had stumbled over her words and after asking the customer if the fruity tea was really-really what they wanted about seventeen times she was dragged away and put on another station.
So now she just made the drinks, and sometimes, when she wasn't as shaky and could make eye contact with the other workers, she even brought out the drinks! She constantly thought she was bringing down the company, or making peoples orders wrong- or that she little Mincinno drawing she'd put on the top of some persons coffee mug was more scary than cute- but she got compliments here and there about what she made and... that kinda kept her going!
It just sucked that she wasn't allowed any of her mons out- they always helped her through things when she got in a bad situation, or got a customer screaming at her over things she couldn't control. She bit down on her lip, glancing around the homey little lounge cafe for a moment, only pausing upon realizing she'd been standing at the froth station doing literally nothing for five minutes when she had six orders to get to- which meant her coworker Dinnie was working their butt off.
"A-Ah my Giratina- sorry- s-sorry- a double shot espresso, right?" Her gaze was frantic as she pushed her way through the stations, adjusting her little grey apron as she went to grab a cup, "Yeah hun, but make it three shots- otherwise it tastes kinda shitty." was called back, and the girl flushed, nodding before getting to work.
Gabe was…. Gabe was not having a great day. He’d spent less than half the day in Ivy Town when he’d expected to spend most of it shopping, investigating, and otherwise, and here he was back in Bass right before noon. Arceus damn Ara. Damn her and all this damn damning drama damn it.
Standing in line, Gabe rubbed the side of his face slowly as he tried to will himself out of an oncoming depression cloud. Any and all logic wasn’t working by that point, though, so he supposed he should at least be caffeinated for this. Stepping up to the counter, he made eye contact with the barista before giving a slow order: “Hot mocha, double shot espresso, soy milk.” He gave cash when asked for it and dumped the change in the tip jar before walking over to one of the couches.
He swore he was just going to sit down and lean over the arm rest or something, but the mnute he got there, Gabe found his body twisting sideways and flopping entirely over all three cushions unceremoniously. Throwing his head back against an arm pillow, he stretched out and then deflated. Uuuuugghhhhhhh…. This was…. such…. Such Granbullshit.
Adelaide could say that she was proud of just how into the rhythm of this whole job thing she was getting, one iced latter, one hot chocolate- but each one she spent a solid minute panicking over- was there too much sugar?! Too little salt- there was salt?! She was glad for her coworkers, who typically walked past, sent it one glance then told Addy to go deliver it to whatever customer necessary.
After the triple shot espresso she was passed a ticket by one of the nearby staffers and gave it a once over- right- okay a mocha with soy- and a double shot? Dinnie said before to make the double-shots into a triple shot to make it stronger- should she do that with this one- or... would it be noticed, and complained about?! If it was complained about she'd be sent straight to management, there here they go- she'd be fired on the spot!
She couldn't deal with the higher up management of this place! She'd begin crying on the spot! And she was absolutely too scared to ask Dinnie, who was working their butt off still, picking up the slack that Adelaide had left- right- okay- work! She moved station to station, mug in her hand as she put in the necessary ingredients- did the customer specify for sugar?! Oh, no wait they'd... probably... put it in themselves...
But- what if they were the type who thought you had to ask and ended up drinking a too bitter Mocha, then complaining and getting her fired?! Why was this so difficult?! "D-Dinnie?" Her voice was soft, uncertain, and Dinnie glanced over to her, raising an eyebrow amidst frothing their drink. "...S-Sugar, or no- a-and... double...s-shot- or triple?"
Dinnie attempted a smile, pacing over to her and glancing at the ticket, "No sugar- and we just talked about this hun, make it a triple, otherwise the double wont hit quite right, lil' weak at the moment." That... made sense- okay! Adelaide thanked them before getting back on task- triple shot... triple shot- and no sugar! And then she'd finish it off with a little dusted cartoon Minncino- but... his eyes were a little off- hopefully the customer didn't notice... uh...
"U-U-Uhm... Stacey- w-which table was the hot m-mocha?" She held the mug carefully in her hands, glancing back to the girl at the counter, who beamed at her, "Couch- person sprawled out over it." Adelaide paused, was it a homeless person?! They wouldn't... steal, would they?! Or... maybe a tired college student? Yeah- maybe- okay...
Around the kitchen counter, she carefully balanced the mug on the plate, attempting to hide her shaking up until she'd made it over to the stranger who was all but sprawled out on the couch... uh.... "...E-Excuse... m-me..." Voice nervous and cautious, she sttod at the foot of the couch, simply staring, gaze flicked to the table infront of it, then back to the stranger. "I... I d-don't mean to- uh- disturb..."
Wait- no! Adelaide, announce what the type of drink was! just incase this wasn't the customer! "H-Hot Mocha, with a tri- double s-shot?" another pause before she let out a gasp, oh she'd forgotten to say, "A-And soy milk! D-Don't worry, uh, we hadn't forgotten the soy!"
For a little, Gabe didn’t move. His eyes had shut. His lips had closed. All that was left of him was his sense of hearing that prickled now and again at the clinking of dishes and the grinding of the coffee machine. For a moment, he willed himself to get swallowed up in the nothingness sound and cease to exist if he could.
…And then a voice was speaking to him. Gabe blinked a couple of times looking up at the ceiling before looking sideways at the barista with his mug and saucer in tow. He stared for a hard moment having almost forgotten what or why he was there until she spoke up. Oh, oh right. “Yeah, that’s me,” he answered partway through her words. He didn’t sit up, though. Didn’t take the cup and saucer of his own volition. He just sort of made a …. Slow gesture to the low table in front of him and then dropped his hand back down off the side of the couch. “Thanks…”
The girl was getting a little fidgety now, especially with the customer just laying there, not saying anything- maybe they... could sleep with their eyes open?! She didn't want to poke them awake, that went against all the shops rules! Eyes blinked, and then the customer spoke- thank everything! It was their drink. She moved to shift it onto the table, as per their request, being careful not to spill any of it- they hadn't... moved to sit up- was it exam period at college already? Or even at high school? Adelaide had no idea- especially since there weren't people with their faces shoved deep in textbooks around the cafe... maybe the customer just had a long day.
"H-Have a g-good day...." She managed out, taking a few steps back before moving to the little station at the table and nudging the little sugar packets closer to the coffee, just in case the stranger forgot about them- right, okay! Back to work! With once last, concerned glance to the customer she moved back to the kitchen, time to make somebody elses hot chocolate!
Though she couldn't help glancing at the customer every minute or two, checking to see if they were even bothering to move to drink their coffee.
Have a good day… A strained sound reverberated from Gabe. The most comparable noise would be the crinkling of fibers right before they snapped, but the snap never came. It died in his throat instead. Gabe blinked a couple of times before closing his eyes and laying still. He wouldn’t touch the coffee. He wouldn’t even sit up a little bit to look at it. He remained stationary unflinching but… unaltering either.
A few of the customers took notice now and again too. A few whispers came and went as a few glances were shot in his general direction. Gabe didn’t flinch, didn’t sit up, didn’t look around. He could feel their eyes but…. he was… too heavy for this. Too burnt out from this. Should have just gone home and gone to bed… But even that seemed like too much right then. Ugh…
They... they hadn't even moved!? Adelaide stirred up her next order, though she was practically on edge... something must have happened to the customer- or... they fell asleep?! What if they had just come back from a funeral?! Surely they wouldn't wish to get disturbed? Her hands tightened around the mug she was working on as she flickered in the powder, making a Minncino that looked more goblin-like than anything.
A customers happiness was always important, though- at least that's what Adam says at their weekly team meetings. It wouldn't be wrong to just... check on the customer, right?! Or... would they hate her and complain that a staff member was unneccesarily getting in their buisness?!
She couldn't just... stand there and watch this, though! It was just... sad? The girl moved out to deliver her next order now, over to table 2, "A c-caramel-drizz... uh... frappe?" the lady she gave the order to smiled and thanked her, and Addy took a deep breath, glancing once more over to the flopped stranger- just a routine checkup.
"E-Excuse me, sir?" Oh, she hoped they were a sir! If not she'd probably cry and hide away in the break room, "Y-You...your drink is untouched- do you want m-more milk added so it cools down- o-or more sugar... s-so it's not bitter?" She attempted her best smile, but she was literally just a fumbling mess who had no idea what to do- the coffee couldn't go to waste either, right?!
Gabe blinked a couple of times back into reality as a voice hit his ears again. Slowly turning his head to find the barista from before there, he squinted a little at her in response. She was so… damn… fidgety. The fuck. Wait a minute… Hadn’t he heard that voice before somewhere? Gabe squinted trying to remember, but his brain was foggy and exhausted still. Glancing down to his drink, he mumbled something in Arroian before turning his head back. “No, it’s fine…” he answered quietly back.
Oh they moved! So they weren't asleep! Adelaide blinked a little to celebrate her tiny victory of not having to poke or prod at the customer and risk getting fired. But, at their negative response she shifted, glancing at the coffee for a solid few seconds before glancing at the stranger at the couch, "A-Are... you sure?" a hand ran through her hair, idly tucking a strand into her little barista cap, another glance to the cup, then to the stranger- she should really walk away, they made it clear, everythings fine! Everythings dandy!
"I...It... i-it might go cold soon, though- a-and, uh... i-it's... i-t's actually triple shot- so it'll give you more energy-" Oh she was talking too much already! A soft squeak left her lips as she took a step back, she didn't know what to do with her hands, so she placed them by her sides and attempted to think worfs- waitresses just leave and get to work, so just turn around, Addy! "S-Sorry- it t-tastes just like double shot, p-promise- I don't mean to disturb you, t-this is really... r-really unprofessional, p-please drink, maybe- if y-you want, you d-don't have to!"
Eyes flicked once more from the cup to the customer before she spun on her heel and fled back to the coffee making station before she could could mess up more- Dinnie was laughed at her, and Addy just ducked her head and fumbled around unnecessarily.
Why… was she still talking to him? Gabe blinked slowly and squinted sideways at the Barista as she went on talking about temperature and triple shots and…. She was… Did she want a tip or something? Hadn’t he put the change in the tip jar? Ugh whatever… She was retreating back to wherever she had come, and that left Gabe to himself again.
He didn’t… really want to move. He didn’t really want to be, but he’d already fought the latter battle. Might as well fight the prior. Slowly sitting up and swinging his legs around again, Gabe leaned over them and reached for the cup. Lifting it up with one hand, he clasped the other around it and stared at the little design on the top. What is this even supposed to be depicting… he wondered for a moment.
A slow breath drew in and out of Gabe before he raised the drink to his lips and took a sip. Not …. Bad….
Back to making orders! A long black, coming right up! She worked on bringing the ingredients together, trying to busy herself- hot water, double shot, but she was distracted. Was the customer still flopped on the couch? Or would they need further prompting to drink their drink- no- if they needed it she'd send her coworker out- she'd just stumble about and earn the cafe another bad review, and she couldn't afford that.
Eyes flicked up without her asking them to and located the stranger, only for her mouth to open slightly- oh- he was drinking! And sitting! Another happy customer for the record! Adelaide nodded her head softly at herself- so she hadn't mucked up then, at all! Quickly adding the powder on top of the new cup and bringing her next order out to the father of two little girls who was busy chugging down hot chocolates, her eyes flicked once more to the stranger.
Did that mean they were okay then? Probably. But- she'd seen people... look like that before, usually in her mirror back in Sinnoh every morning when she woke up, but still! It worried her. She just... hoped the customer was okay. Walking past she attempted to shoot them a smile, because Giratina knows he probably needs it, before going over to work on her next order.
Gabe could feel eyes on him. Even as he raised the cup to his lips and took another drink, he was aware that someone was watching him very closely. Biting the inside of his mouth, he glanced sideways briefly making eye contact with— that girl again. Why was she watching him? Did she want a tip that badly or was it… did she… did she recognize him or something? I don’t need this right now…ugh…. He just wanted to be mopey and not give a shit.
A sigh escaped from him as she shot him a smile while going by. Setting his cup down on his saucer, Gabe stood up, walked over, and attempted to block the barista before she could get back in behind the counter. “What do you want?” he asked. He had intended for more force to be behind his words, but he just came off as tired then.
Post by Adelaide Gladstone on Dec 13, 2019 1:10:46 GMT
Everything was going fine, she was just about to go back to whip up some choc nightmare when the customer stepped right before her, stopping her in her tracks. Eyes wide, they flicked to place to place, 500 different ideas for what the customer wanted flicking through her mind- but only a squeak left her lips
What did she want?! She blinked rapidly, and took a step back. It would have almost been threatening if the stranger didn’t sound... so done. Hands holding onto her dishes she attempted to keep her breath study, “...s-sorry... I...I d-don’t want anything? I d-don’t know why you’d think I w-want something-“ hands pulled and pulled on the fabric of her apron and she swallowed back her fear.
“Y-you... y-you remind m-me if s-somebody f-from back home- and... a-and it worries me- a-are you okay? A-are you getting enough sleep?” Eyes wide, that... probably wasn’t the right thing to say, backtracking her hands now moved to her hair, adjusting “S-Sorry- s-sorry, I d-don’t want anything- I’m just... j-just making sure my customer I-is okay? I-it’d be- uh- a- a waste...if...” her voice kept getting higher and higher, and upon realising she promptly let go of her hair and ducked her head “....sorry”
Gabe’s lower lip pulled down in a grimace as the girl seemed confused. Had he been wrong? Had he just thought she was watching him? It wouldn’t be the first time— but no, no he was sure of it. “Because you kept staring at me,” he answered.
As the barista went on, though, Gabe’s entire body seemed to slack all at once again. Oh…. Lowering his glance down and right, Gabe mumbled something in Arroian to himself before reaching up and pinching between his eyes. Ugh… Pity? Was he really getting pity from this fidgety waitress who he was pretty sure didn’t even recognize him now? He kind of wanted it, and he kind of wanted to put her through a wall for giving it to him. “Don’t worry about me…” he finally grumbled rubbing the side of his face before turning and starting back over to the couch. Maybe he’d just drink the rest of his coffee and leave.
Post by Adelaide Gladstone on Dec 13, 2019 2:12:01 GMT
Don’t worry?? Don’t worry?! She was worrying, all right. A sputtered apology left her lips once more before she watched him go, maybe he’d be okay? But... what if he wasn’t- did anybody else see this?! Was it wrong of her to worry?? If she kept bothering him there was a chance he would say something and she’d lose this job. And her name tag said her name clear as day-
What if her recognised her name and is from Sinnoh!? The Adelaide Gladstone, sister to Diamonde, who’s name and face made headlines when she was eaten alive by the press. What if he was judging her- what if he was tired because he’d just gone to the press about her and guilt was eating him ali-
Stop it, Adelaide! He hasn’t seen you before in your life! Eyes flicked back to him once more before she rushed off back to her station. Whipped hot chocolate with extra chocolate, whipped hot chocolate with extra choc...
What if... somebody went to the reporters about him? She looked like that for years, probably still does. What if he was famous and his name was dragged through the gutter by the reporters like hers and he came here to find peace? But she was just here, bothering him?! What kind of butt waitress was she?! Glancing to her coworkers and the lazy flow of people she moved now, grabbing a choc-chip cookie and rushing right over.
Gabe had considered chugging the coffee. It had cooled enough to do so, and then he cold just up and leave. But as he took a sip of it again, he considered just sitting there for a few moments longer to recapture himself before he—
And she was back. Gabe blinked slowly as he found the barista right in front of him again holding out a cookie wrapped in saranwrap. What… An apology cookie for…for what? Staring? Being a general nuisance? Gabe reached out, took it, unwrapped it, and bit into it keeping eye contact with the barista but not saying much of anything. She’s so damn fidgety, she’s got to be the one and the same from the ball… What were the odds? How could he be sure? Did he even want to be sure? Did he even want to be feeling even worse than he already was?
…He kind of wanted Lizbeth to just squeeze the life or consciousness out of him (or both) so he could recuperate for a while in peace. Of course, she was still mad at him though for earlier so…. “Why are you so fidgety….” he asked unintentionally aloud.
They took the cookie! That was... an accepted apology, right?! Other customers were starting to notice her constantly going back and forth- if she just explained her intent was to insure the wellbeing of the customer they wouldn't complain, right?! Or- or does wellbeing not matter to the public anymore? When did wellbeing ever matter? The customer was making eye contact- like they were sizing her up, or wanting to say something which... instantly made the girl more uncomfortable.
She was waiting for a response, an anything before she nicked off and went back to prepping and serving, hands moved from her sides, to her hair, to adjusting her badge and she broke her gaze awkwardly. Then he was asking... why she was so fidgety? Eyes instantly clicked back towards him and she let out a confused noise. "H-Huh...?"
Was she fidgety?! She hadn't... well maybe she had but she didn't think it was that bad to be noticeable! She always tries not to be, right?! And yet- this was bad. This was bad- what did she say?! "I...U-Uhm- I didn't think I was- u-uhm... s-sorry..." another rushed apology, and her hands moved to her glasses, taking them off for a moment to wipe them on her apron before putting them back on.
"N-No- i'm... i'm just... w-worried- did... something happened to y-you- right- a c-crowded cafe p-probably isn't the best place to f-find peace, n-not that you should leave- y-you're judging me- you're... i-i'm sorry- sorry..." A headshake and a step back, hands tucking behind her back so her fidgeting wouldn't be noticed "Y-You're probably just a c-college student- I can- d-did you use a student discount? H-Have you had lunch? I'll l-leave if you wan't rest... I s-said that before but- uhm-"
She blinked a few times and took another step back- was she sweating?! She was sweating, and shaking- and giratina help her. "I d-don't mean to fidgit- i t-think it's a habit- p-please don't leave a bad r-review because of m-my fidgeting... i-it doesn't represent the company... t-they'll probably fire m-me soon anyway- p-promise!"
Ugh…. Gabe watched the girl struggle out an apology with a dulled expression. His hand shifted over clasping the arm of the mug, lifting it, and putting it to his lips. Somehow, he was halfway through his coffee already. Something happened to you, right? Gabe’s teeth grit behind his lips. A crowded café probably isn’t the best place to find peace… Yeah well, here he was anyways. You’re judging me… Ah. Gabe set the mug down. So she was just… assuming that. Not that she’s wrong but….
He’d wait for her to stop talking before actually speaking. “Leaving a bad review takes more energy than I have right now,” he stated in a sort of matter-of-fact tone. “I’m not a college student, and I’m fine paying normal price.” Why was he even doing this? Why was he entertaining this ball of nervous energy? “I’m just drained because this girl went and ruined my day— not you.” He sighed a bit dramatically at that and rubbed the side of his face.
She was about to apologize once more and flee, realizing that she'd said... way too much but the customer seemed to be humouring her, eventually speaking. So- he wasn't going to leave a bad review?! Her career with minimum wage as a barista was saved! But she was right on the front that... he had no energy? She was still curious, but wouldn't bite, instead practically bouncing on the spot, her fingers locking and unlocking behind her back. Not a college student- fine paying normal price... "O-Okay... o-okay..." yeah... okay- but then-
A girl ruined his day?! That wasn't her? Eyes widened in concern- a breakup?! A toxic relationship? a mean girl- a reporter- Adelaide blinked rapidly. "A g-girl- made you like this?" she was shocked, for one part. It's not like she hadn't witnessed breakups in the cafe, but the dude wasn't crying- he hadn't been broken up with, probably- uh... what did she do- what did she say?!
"D-Did you... d-did you want a top up of your c-coffee?"
“Yes a girl,” Gabe answered ignoring the barista’s follow up question. “She went and had the gal of blaming me for everything AGAIN.” A weird sound not quite a cry, not quite a laugh came from him. “And making even the simplest relationship I have into a fucking mess because she can’t keep her damn mouth shut..”
Why was he shouting? Why was he making a scene in this fucking café of all places? He could feel the eyes of other customers and maybe even those behind the bar now. Gabe didn’t know. Gabe didn’t care. “We’re not even together…” his voice broke then, and it was only then that he bothered to take in a breath. “And she’s still making me…. Making… me….” A choked sound came and went from Gabe, and he slapped a hand over his mouth finally then not finishing the statement.
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