Snippet #2675337

Jared knew that a fight was going to start before they started shouting. He could hear it in the scraps of the chairs that they'd shoved back, violent and angry. All he did in response was bend a little lower over the counter so that no debris or magic could hit him in the crossfire and took another small bite out of his pie. It didn't involve him, so as far as Jared was concerned it wasn't his problem. Instead, Jared closed his eyes, savouring the small piece of delicious cinnamon goodness for as long as he could to fully appreciate the taste before swallowing. His expression was still as bland as porridge without seasoning, but there was a subtle tilt to his mouth that suggested enjoyment, and a sense of contentment radiated out of him.

... This is really good pie... huh?

Jared heard something soft pawing beside the stool he was seated on, close to his legs. Looking down in curiosity, Jared's eyebrows rose a few degrees, something that was a bit surprising for those who knew him. "...Ah."

There was a white fox plush trying to climb the chair beside him. It was pretty smart - as Jared watched it had already wiggled its way up into the seat of the stool, using the thick stool leg as leverage to shimmy up with its little white paws. Now it was seated onto the chair, turning as if it had just noticed that someone was staring at it.

Or rather, him.

Jared didn't look away, although his eyebrows went back down. For a moment, the two stared at each other, fox plush still in his seat and Jared with a fork in his hands. Then...

"... need a lift?" Jared asked casually, placing his fork down. He cupped both his hands and stretched it out like a platform towards the fox plush. The young male spirit inside the fox plush looked as if he were considering the option for a moment before shrugging, using Jared's hands as a platform to make it onto the counter. Not quite how he'd expected it to be used, but eh. He hadn't expected to meet a spirit here either. Turning back to his remaining pie, Jared took another bite, aware that the spirit inside the fox plush was watching him.

I don't think the spirit wants pie... They can't eat. What's he after?

Jared chewed thoughtfully on the pie, looking at the spirit. To anyone seeing, the fox plush was seated onto the counter on all four paws like a cat, looking back at Jared. For a moment, Jared wondered whether to speak. Why would a spirit come to him?

"Sorry if he bothered you..."

Jared turned to see a girl with white hair grabbing at the fox, who stayed still pliantly in her hands. It seemed as if the male spirit was comfortable with her. It seemed as if the male spirit knew her then, or was at least comfortable with her.

"...It's cool." Jared replied, expression neutral as always. The girl nodded, and Jared's expression didn't change as another two spirits popped up, one inhabiting a cat plush with a pink bow around its neck and the other inside a small soft dog. She hopped up at the table with the other spirits, and for a few moments they sat by each other in comfortable silence, the soft toys seated on the counter in a row in front of them.

Anna. Jared remembered her name now. That explained the spirits - it was her magic that granted them a home in the plushies. The girl was Anastasia, but apart from her being Noiz's age that was all Jared knew. He'd seen her around a few times, but it was the first time they'd talked. Placing his fork back onto the plate that contained his nearly finished pie, Jared turned his head to look at Anastasia and the trio of soft toys.

Talking. Right. Conversation. Jared took a sip of his coffee, appreciating the slightly bitter taste that spread across his tongue.

"Good morning." He said to both Anastasia and the spirits inhabiting the plushies. "Have you eaten? Cinnamon pie is good." Jared asked Anna casually, leaning his elbows against the table. Then he turned to the spirits. "It's nice to meet you." Jared greeted the spirits casually, not caring that it seemed as if he were talking to the plushies for anyone who couldn't see souls. The next words Jared uttered would probably send a sharp shock of surprise through Anna if it hadn't flared at the first time he talked to the plushes like they were normal people instead of asking Anastasia questions. " What are your names?"