1 ; video/action

[eyeforaneye]

(video: @s.uchiha)

[ The video opens to a view of a simple sign in the quarantine’s common language, a dark green background causing the white lettering of “The Coffee Shop” to really pop alongside a graphic of what appears to be some kind of mermaid or siren. Why does this feel like copyright infringement. ]

It’s my understanding that there aren’t many places like this here. [ So comes the voice from behind the camera, view panning to the right and left to showcase the street he’s on and make it clear just where this particular shop is. Only then does he move forward, the small store’s bell jangling as he steps into what can only be described as an immaculate café, the specials written neatly on a chalkboard in Japanese characters on the counter, booths and tables lining the walls, and plants placed stalwartly in the windows like leafy guardians. ]

So it should receive more business. Now that you’re aware, consider spending your extra money here. [ As he finally turns that camera around, revealing a dour young dark-haired man in all his glory. ]

If you need more information, I suppose it can’t be helped. I’ll address concerns.

(action)

[ Feel free to stop in! Expect a quiet one-armed man behind the counter cleaning an already spotless work station in his down time. ]

Comments

[bespredel]

[ Yuri rolled his eyes at the response. Mostly because he needed a moment to formulate a proper snarky response. The guy made a good point; Yuri had to give him that, at least. ]

I didn't say I wouldn't try it. Just saying, I hope you know your shit. There's more to brewing coffee than just 'add beans to hot water.'

[peacekeeps]

[ he's pretty serious huh!!! but then, jesse supposes hip coffee shops probably feel different in a quarantine zone than they do back home. (... maybe.) ]

What're your hours like? I'm a night shifter, so if you say way early or way late I'll be comin 'round more than a mountain lion smellin' steak downwind.

[ a pro at making sense always ]

[eyeforaneye]

"Throw in the towel"? [ There's an absolute calm to that voice as he examines their surroundings a last time before fixing his gaze back on Gladio, wondering exactly how long he's been here waiting. ]

No, I expect this to be definitive. I just thought I'd give you the chance to earn something by beating me. After all, you're angry about what I'm doing... I thought I'd offer to quit and instead join the Perimeter Guard should you win.

[leatherdaddy]

Perimeter Guard might be a start, or hell -- you could be a trainer for all I care.

[ Gladio feels himself tensing again, this time under the unwavering and impassive gaze of a man who kept a Behemoth at bay with complete ease. And he's trying to spar with him. He can feel his resolve wavering for a moment before he clenches his fists against it. ]

Look, do whatever you want if that's your goal... but you don't even care about it -- don't you think someone with your skill can do a lot of good?

[eyeforaneye]

[ He does him the courtesy of at least visibly considering it, a single brow even lifting before he glances away. ]

Yes. Power is the capacity to enact change... Of course I believe it can be used to do good. [ And vice versa, a side he also knows well. ]

Are you more interested in having this conversation or should we return to terms?

1/3

[eyeforaneye]

2/3

[eyeforaneye]

3/3

[eyeforaneye]

In a way. [ THIS PAUSE ]

[eyeforaneye]

If you don't know how it's charged, don't say you have enough for five times the normal amount. [ Here he pauses, however. ]

Do you really have so little money?

[leatherdaddy]

[ The fact that it's considered is a little surprising, but yeah. He's not going to turn this into a debate. Gladio drops his eyes to some point near his feet before returning it, voice calmer. ]

Let's hear it, then.

[ Sasuke's terms. ]

[eyeforaneye]

[ Sasuke's accepting of this even if in reality he wouldn't have minded continuing the talk either. It might've been beneficial.

Still. ]

I've seen you summon your sword before. I can only assume there's a possibility that you have a store of others... and if that's the case, I'd like one that you aren't currently using.

[leatherdaddy]

[ Gladio considers it, fights with the potential - no, likely outcome - and then recalls a similar arrangement. It's all about the phrasing, isn't it?

He gives a firm nod. He knows just the one he'll give him, but despite all odds being against his emergence as victor, he'll give it his all. That's the respectful thing to do. ]

Agreed.

um where did your shirt go

[eyeforaneye]

Very well. Then I expect it to be high quality if it's comparing to your desire to see my powers used for "good". [ After all, that's what's weighing the other side of the scale here.

He steps forward now, however, easing Kusanagi from its sheath with a satisfying slide of metal. ]

Anything else?

1/2

[liquidate]

I'm allotting myself an amount that will cover five blobs, of course.

It's called being... (what on earth is the word he's looking for.) Fungal? No. Prudal?

...

2/2

[liquidate]

Smart.

(this is not a good demonstration.)

[eyeforaneye]

The condition that I'm currently in is intentional. I'm not interested in replacing my arm.

[ It's okay, he's from manga. ]

[eyeforaneye]

I know that there's more to it than that. Rest in that knowledge. [ It's hard to even tell if this is meant to be sassy or not. ]

Are you trying to threaten me?

[eyeforaneye]

... how colorful. [ And normally he wouldn't comment on that but... well, maybe it's the accent. ]

We open at five. We close at twenty-three hundred. Is that suitable for you?

[eyeforaneye]

[ sweet king of hell save me ]

... ah. Prudent. Or frugal. Either way, there's a set charge for extra toppings. In your case I'll just apply it four times over.

[supersweet]

[ Jon's face creases in complete confusion. ]

You . . . wanted to lose an arm?

[eyeforaneye]

............... no.

[supersweet]

Well, that's what it sounded like!

[eyeforaneye]

It was a conscious decision not to gain a new one. That's what I'm saying.

[supersweet]

[ Who would choose that? Maybe Captain Storm would . . . but it's not like he had a choice. ]

Was it a hard decision?

do we need to talk about the fact sasuke looks like he's kissing the flat of his blade

[leatherdaddy]

[ Damn, he's underestimated him again - Sasuke's cunning and has upped the stakes - Where Gladio had thought to offer his practice weapon in his arsenal in exchange as on-par to the value of some dumb barista job, Sasuke has compared it to a matter of honor.

It goes without saying, but Gladiolus reminds himself not to take this man lightly.

Gladio's mouth tightens, brow furrowing in that way that spells out that Sasuke's guess is right on the nose. It causes some hesitation, enough for Gladio to cast his gaze down before he throws out his arm. A blade explodes into life out of thin air, its hilt grasped and swung as it solidifies into shape. ]

Let's do this!