Brewing Up Trouble (403 views)

[DentonClone]

While most would scoff at the idea of downing a piping hot latte in the middle of summer, that doesn't seem to stop most customers during the twelve o'clock rush. Maybe it's that last little push needed to make it through a hectic work day, or feeding that ever-present crippling caffeine addiction. Either way Vincent's always happy to serve 'em up at the Brews Brother Cafe.

Serving up coffee and and pastries to grateful locals is an honest living, there's no doubt about that. He gets to meet and chat with all different kinds of neos (usually getting them to buy more expensive drinks) and earns enough to live comfortably... but any hopes for doing more with his life is usually crushed by the weight of his student debt and a degree that's about as useless as a map to Jelly World.

Luckily he's into the afternoon lull now, that brief respite before the masses descend on their way home from work. He's taking this time to do a little sweeping up amongst the mismatched tables, chairs, and worn sofas filling the cafe. It adds a touch of quirky charm that goes nicely with the old movie posters lining the walls.

[Raichi]

After having had a close encounter with pirates in the haunted woods Yosca was quick to flee to Neopia Central. Every pirate knew of “Taylor” the one that got away, and of the bounty on his head. And though the pirates didn’t know he had changed color from desert to rainbow and got a haircut, there were things that a paintbrush couldn’t change, such as his personality, voice, height, and most of all tattoos/marks/wounds. Though he always made sure his tattoo was well hidden, he recalled some pirates giving him a suspicious look-over as he hustled neopians at the fairgrounds, and that’s why he left. He was rather safe than sorry.

Neopia Central was about as safe as one could get. Pirates having a large disdain against the crowded city life and law keepers walking about everywhere. Yosca felt relaxed and safe for now, and entered the Brew Brother’s Café. He had earned quite his share of cash off those poor unsuspecting neopians, but in his defense the only ones stupid enough to spend their np’s at the fairgrounds were gamblers and naïve tourists. He wasn’t proud of doing it, but he did feel good making some easy cash, and he was a good hustler. Honest jobs were often awful chores for low pay, and though he hated it and never had enough money to treat himself to something nice, it felt good to get by honestly.

Though every once in a while a neopet deserves to let themself go, and now that he could afford it he was going to treat himself to some café food and drinks, find a nice lodge to stay, and enjoy whatever facilities neopia central had to offer. He noticed the bartender was tidying up the place and said “hi” before walking over to the bar to have a seat, waiting for the Kyrii to come over.

[DentonClone]

At first Vincent was so lost in his thoughts he didn't even notice the new customer. The greeting made him jump a little and turn to face the usul. How the heck he missed such a brightly colored Neo walking through the door is anyone's guess. "Oh, w-welcome!" He sets his broom aside and dashes over behind the bar. "How're you finding Neopia Central?" The Kyrii asks, making idle chitchat. Just one look at the customer's attire makes it obvious he's not from around here.

[Raichi]

"Depends, do you want to hear nice or bad words come out of my mouth?" he raised an eyebrow at the bartender with amusement. He enjoyed being in Neopia central for the many facilities and guarantee of safety, but it was also one of the highest populated places in neopia. And wherever there was a high population with a thriving economy there was a high number of snobby and spoilt individuals. Those he couldn't stand and that's why he never stays for too long.

"It's my fourth time here actually, but in your defense this is the first time I walked into this cafe."

[DentonClone]

Vincent was taken off guard by the Usul's bluntness. He certainly didn't expect something like that from someone so cheery-looking. It just goes to show him it's not wise to judge a neo by their paint job. Still, he's a customer. Gotta have a good attitude for the customers. "W-well, it's got its good and bad just like any other city. I like to think the neighborhood around here's pretty decent." He puts on a bright smile. "But anyway, what can I get for you today? The lunch specials are still going and it's Half Price Happy Hour on all our blended coffee drinks."

[Raichi]

The kyrii's smile was a contagious one, though it helped that Yosca was in such a good mood. "Sorry if I came across a bit roostery, it's been a long road and I'm a bit full of myself right now"

He had to admit that hustling didn't bring forth his best side, but he was proud that he managed to escape the pirates and triumphal that he now had plenty to spend. He looked at Vincent's necklace out of habbit. Even though he hadn't pirated in four years he had trouble to rid of his tendency to spot valuables, but that's what he got for being part of the greediest crew in neopia. He quickly shifted his gaze elsewhere and cleared his throat, getting more self conscious about himself.

"Lunch sounds amazing. I would even eat a raptraphant leg by now" he joked, hoping he wasn't making the poor bartender any more uncomfortable than he already was.

"Give me whatever you recommend, I don't care if it's costly"

[DentonClone]

The silver pendant around Vincent's neck is more of a fashion accessory than anything sentimental. While nothing on the cafe's menu is overly expensive, there's a few delicious dishes that would hit the spot for any hungry traveler. "Alright, I think I've got just the thing in mind." He winks at the usul before getting to work in the little kitchen corner behind the bar. Soon the sound of sizzling fills the cafe accompanied by some delicious smells. "Here on business or pleasure?" He asks curiously as he cooks, not one to let silence hang in the air for long.

[Raichi]

Yosca scratched his jaw and smiled when the Kyrii winked at him. Winking was something he catagorized as a joke or a flirt, which had his mind wonder off about what the intention behind it was. The delicious smells that filled the air around him had him drooling, though he didn't allow it to escape his mouth and gulped it down.

He couldn't help but chuckle when asked if he was here on business or not "Do I come accross as a business neopian?" he imagined business neopians as guys in suits working office jobs.

Once recovered from his amusement he studied the other's posture, then looked at his face with a mischievous look in his eyes. "How about you? You work here on the side or full time?"

[DentonClone]

The wink had been more of a playful and fun thing. Vincent's completely oblivious to the flirtatious way it could've been interpreted. Had he realized the embarassment would've made him blush a shade of red that would put his hair to shame. "I guess it depends on what business you're in." He chuckles. "And this is a full time gig for me. I don't really get to travel outside of Neopia Central much so I like talking to out-of-towners every chance I get."

When he's finished cooking Vincent brings a quirky looking dish to Yoska's spot at the bar. At first it seem like an ordinary grilled cheese sandwich, but a closer look reveals heaps of macaroni noodles mixed with the cheese and some chicken breast slices snuck in there. Next to the plate he sets a feshly made soda with colored layers matching the Usul's fur pattern. "Here ya go! A Vincent-style chicken sandwich and something special to wash it down."

[Raichi]

He looked with big eyes at the sandwich and dink that were put before him, and then at the young neopian that offered it. "Awesome!"

He had to gulp before he even said it or else it wouldn't have been pretty. He grabbed the sandwich with two hands and inhaled its smell deeply before taking a bite. He wasn't embarassed to express how delicious this sandwich was, which could be seen from the delight on his face.

"This is great! You're a downright genius"

He said before taking another big bite, having very little tablemanners aside from not eating with his mouth open. Not even five minutes later it was already gone and he was licking his fingers, then took a big sip from the drink.

"Whoa" he smiled in surprise at the taste of the drink and with a big grin on his face.

"You must get this a lot" he said, refering to how satisfied he was as his customer. Feeling satiated he got into a more relaxed state.

"I could compliment you all day, but that would get boring, right? So what do you want to talk about?"

[DentonClone]

Vincent couldn't help but blush as his cooking was showered in compliments. "There's hardly any space for a proper kitchen back here, so I've gotta get creative with the ingredients we can fit in." He explains as he watches the usul chow down. Those messy table manners bring a grin to his face. "I try aiming for dishes I can make in the same time it takes me to brew up a drink. Speedy service makes it taste even better." He chuckles.

He pauses and scratches at his cheek as he ponders a new conersation topic. "Well, what's your name?" He asks curiously. "From the sound of it I've got a new regular customer so it'd be good if I knew what to call you."

[Raichi]

Now that he wasn't distracted by his hunger anymore he noticed how adorable the bartender actually was. "My name is Yosca, but feel free to call me whatever you like" he winked suggestively, his golden eyes eagerly making contact with Vincent's. Though he didn't want to make him uncomfortable so he continued talking when he noticed the other didn't have a verbal response.

"But my name isn't really a topic.. So what about romance?" he had a mischievous attitude about it "I'm very curious since I've never been a bartender myself, though I'm sure a good looking guy like you gets asked on dates all the time."

He raised his finger with a cheerful expression on his face. "But before you answer that! I'd like to know your name as well"

[DentonClone]

He'd only gotten that kind of wink from women hoping to flirt their way into a free drink, so seeing it from a guy caught him off guard. He gulped and looked off to the side, brushing it off with a nervous chuckle. "A-alright, Yosca is is!" Such an exotic sounding name had Vincent curious about where the usul was from, but before the kyrii could ask a topic was brought up that made his cheeks flush.

"W-well first off my name's Vincent. Kinda plain, but I make it work." He smiled bashfully and pushed some of his hair out from in front of his face. "I h-haven't really been the dating type, y'know? Don't wanna mix business and pleasure too much." Maybe that was enough to throw off suspicion. The awful truth about how he devolved into a nervous wreck whenever a woman took a shine to him was too much embarrassment for him to bear.