USA

Aberdeen pressed his forehead to the glass window, letting out a distasteful ‘tsk’ sound. He watched as beads of water raced their way down the window, a curtain of raindrops that would be a rather delightful sight if it hadn’t been keeping customers away. Only one customer was left in the shop, and he wasn’t even attractive. In fact, Aberdeen was sure he had just overheard him call his wife, “Sweet Pea.” Aberdeen pictured his wife as a fat, melodramatic, woman who beats her husband when he doesn’t put enough milk in her coffee. He could hear her from halfway across the Café, and the man was only on the phone with her.

It had been pouring all day; washing away any trace of paying customers. The last piece of evidence that proved that there once was civilization was a plastic paper bag, and even that was blowing away, out of sight. He watched as the plastic bag clung onto one of the flower pots across the street. The Dulcet’s Café’s flower pot. The corner of his mouth up-turned, creating a lopsided smirk.

A bit amused, but not satisfied; He pushed himself off the window, walking lazily to one of the booths. But instead of sliding into the seats, he lied himself down across the table, his legs dangling off the edge. They didn’t even touch the floor, and for a moment he wished he was taller. And more muscular, and could grow facial hair. Just for a moment.

He picked his head up and watched as the lone customer ran out in the rain. As the door shut behind him, one of the many posters stapled onto the wall drifted to the floor before finally settling on a puddle. A puddle that the man created. Abb thought about crumpling up that wet poster paper, chasing after that man, and shoving it down his stupid khaki’s, but thought better of it. Lussi was here, anyway.

“Lussi~” He wailed, “I’m tired. ..Can you please pick up that poster paper and wipe up that puddle? Lussiii~..”

And then he switched. “Joshhh~…”

“Someoneee..”

A mop of dark brown hair popped up from behind a colourful divider of one of the booths opposite where Aberdeen had lain down. Lussi was drifting deep into a steamy doodle fest, swirling and scuffing her pen over the pages as she drew up tear like designs, and stars that resembled droplets of water. Her hair was in its usual short bob, but the rain had caused a thin layer of static fluff to build, so she now looked as though someone had just blown her up, or pumped electricity through her. With the lack of customers, Lussi had relaxed a little, removing her apron to reveal a tropical selection of a bright turquoise blue mini dress and thick red belt. If it where to flood, she thought, she would fit into the scenery. Lussi pushed her thick rimmed glasses down her nose as she frowned at her artwork.
“Lussi~” Lussi swung her delicately tattooed arms over the top of the separator and peered into the booth next to her where Abb was wailing from, “I’m tired. ..Can you please pick up that poster paper and wipe up that puddle? Lussiii~..”
The second stretched whine of her name finally caused her to stir.

"What?! What the F.... Abb!? i mean, man, What happened to chivalry?"

Lussi threw her pen onto the table and piles of sketches and stormed over the wet paper. Her mind was fluttering in anger, but mostly because Abb knew he could get away with it. She swung her hips in dance as she moved to the puddle bending down to swipe up the crumpled poster in one swift paw motion. She winked at Abb playfully.

"Guess your my damsel in distress then eh?" Lussi rolled the papers between her palms before throwing the muddy mess at Abb."Come on Cinderella, i'll get you a coffee."

Lussi swung herself round and grabbed the mop, whistling to herself. She liked rainy days, rainy days meant interesting people, no one in their right mind would go out in weather like this, there for anyone who turned up must, by her definition, be out of theirs. She grinned and rolled her eyes and another race gun sounded the start off for another line of rain drops to chase down the window. She had spent most of the day watching them, secretly betting on one droplet and watching with dismay as her prized star raindrop twisted and merged with another. Yet besides the raindrop window races, the crazed customers and general peacefulness, Lussi felt the strain of what a day like today could mean for the cafe. As she tangoed the mop over the puddle, she spun her head to glance across the street at the Dulcet cafe, her stomach tightened. Lussi finished mopping and skidded over the top of the counter, her dress barely covering her thighs and her thick dock's squeal as they rubbed on the plastic counter top. "So..." she spurted. " Fiesta?"

Aaron stood outside, the cold rain seeping into his Tshirt and making it stick to his back as his wildly plastered his skateboard with plastic wrap. Every now and then a car hurled past spitting a black coloured puddle towards him. "Ye' Dense bowsie!" her yelled swinging a fist to the rain as a large SUV splashed him again. Aaron swore at the driver, a thick heavily put on Irish accent boiling through. Once he had double wrapped the board her shook himself off like a dog and wandered back inside. "Top of the mornin t' ye'" he called as he trailed a sloppy path of wet footprints to the cashier and plopped down. Aaron was a man of many and few words, He greeted then he slumbered, as he adjusted the stool he ruffled his shortly cut hair shaking the rain out and leant forward onto the counter. He watched as Lussi swept along his watery path with the mop before diving over the counter.
"So..." she spurted. " Fiesta?" Lussi held her arms wide, and in his mind he imagined her wearing a string of pink flowers about her throat and a tacky sombrero. Aaron waved the offer off and slouched further against his post, his eyes growing heavier by the minute. He knew he was late, he knew they knew he was late, he didn't care. Aaron cupped his hand over his frown and closed his eyes, only listening to the conversation within the cafe and deciding he eyes deserved a much needed rest, If someone came in, he would hear them.

Konan’s day did not start out like he had imagined. Getting rained on was not his idea of a ‘good day’. As soon as he left his house, the rain poured down. Konan had to go back in, change his clothes, and then go back out into the horrible weather. He had arrived to work in the biggest funk ever. Luckily for him, there weren’t many customers there to see his miserable face. In fact, there weren’t many customers at all. Normally the café was hustling and bustling with customers. Sometimes he would not be able to keep up with all the orders. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case today. ‘Great’ the young male thought with a huff. It was going to be one of those days.

Konan sat down at a nearby table. He threw his little notepad on the table and let out another huff. The young male crossed his legs and stared out the cafés window. The rain did not seem like it was going to let up. The skies were filled with dark gray clouds that cried endless tears. Rain beads slid down the window calmly and gently, as if it were mocking Konan. The young male cursed Mother Nature for her rather unpleasant present. The day was going to drag on forever. The customers in the corner did not seem to be one of the cafes usual’s. In fact, they looked like they had never stepped foot in the café before. The pair glanced around the little shop and made little comments here and there. Yep, this was their first time here. Someone had already taken care of the pair, so Konan did not have to worry about them. He hated dealing with new customers. They never knew what they wanted. So flipping indecisive.

As if it were his second nature, Konan pulled out a pen and started drawing. The notepad became his canvas. In the picture, there were clouds and a face sticking out of them. The face resembled a beautiful woman, but her expression did not seem happy at all. Far from it. Tears fell from the face and onto a building. The building was not as detailed as the sky, but it was enough to get the general picture. Inside the building, the water started to rise. People were inside twirling their arms around. One could guess what building was being flooded with tears. Konan dropped his pen and glanced down at his picture. ‘How morbid of me’ he thought. With one last glance out the window, Konan whispered a oh so familiar rhyme.

“Rain rain go away, come again another day… Or never again.”

Claire sighed and dropped another spoonful of sugar into her cup of tea. She was on her break, not that it mattered. There had been a short rush this morning as the regulars stopped by for their cuppa before work, but no one had come in since. She gazed listlessly out the window as she sipped her tea. She had planned on flying a kite in the park later that day. The forecast had called for wind, but not rain. She pouted, giving her an air of child-like disappointment. She watched as someone left the Insouciance Cafe and she silently prayed that they weren't getting more business than Dulcet. Her job was her pride and joy, and she wanted Dulcet to be the best no matter what.

Claire picked up the delicate saucer and tea cup and took a sip of the scalding tea. Over the rim of her cup she saw Konan come in and start drawing. Absentmindedly, she moved to replace the teacup on the saucer. She wasn't paying attention, instead trying to make out what Konan was drawing from across the room, and she ended up missing the saucer altogether and dropping the teacup onto the table. The teacup shattered, shards of porcelain mingling with the nearly boiling water. She bolted upright and shrieked. Tea splashed onto her hand and tears welled up in her eyes as she rushed to the sink to hold it under cold water.

"Don't be a baby. Don't be a baby. Don't be a baby." She repeated to herself over and over. Her hand was burnt, but not badly. They would only make fun of her more if she cried.

Layla was wiping off the counters lazily again, not even looking at them. One elbow was supporting her small chin, and it rested on the counter as she looked out the bleary window. She spun her rag in circles over and over again, not even noticing until her elbow support slipped. She snapped back into position though, standing upright. She heard the front bell ring, and her prominently grey eyes looked up at the door. They turned grey whenever it was bad weather. She walked around to the front counter and stood behind the register, not knowing where Jeferee was. She decided to take this order herself. She smiled up at the guy, who was your average wanna-be jock, talking obnoxious on the phone, laughing to loud.

"Hi, welcome to Dulcet Cafe, can I help you?" She asked with a sweet tone. The jerk looked her up and down quickly before ordering a mocha frappe. Layla's fingers tapped the board, and she looked back up at him. "$2.55 is your total." Layla said. The guy dug three dollars out of his pocket and smacked it on her freshly wiped counter. She bit her lip to keep from saying something as she tucked away the money. She walked back into the room where they made coffee, and saw Claire looking like she was on the edge of tears. Layla's eyes widened as she walked over to her, putting one hand on her back in a soothing manner. "What's wrong?" Layla asked, concerened. Then she heard the loud laugh of the customer, and remembered what she was supposed to be doing.

"Hold that thought." Layla said as she turned and grabbed a pre-made mocha frappe. The guy had taken a seat in one of the soft lit tables with only two chairs when Layla brought him his coffee. "Enjoy." She said with a soft smile, before turning around and walking back to the register. She heard him say something like 'Oh, I will', but she ignored it. Don't get flustered. Stay calm. After the customer left satisfied, another 30 minutes passed of nothing. She sighed before grabbing her grey jacket off the coat rack in the back, and heading towards the exit. She yelled over her shoulder.

"Be back in 20." She said. After all, she had spent her lunch break wiping a shiny counter. She slid off her warm apron and tucked it under the counter. She reached under and grabbed her black leather skinnies from under the counter with her black tank top. She wasn't goth, but it did make for a cute outfit. She slid into the bathroom and quickly changed, before sliding her jacket on. Layla looked at herself in the mirror, flipping her hair a few times, before checking her face. Her little makeup was still in place, and she didn't look flustered because they had rarely any customers that day. She walked out of the bathroom and out of the cafe. She found herself walking towards the other cafe, the Insouciance Cafe. The Dulcet's top competitors. She narrowed her eyes and walked in, stuffing her hands in her pockets. She looked around the cafe and scoffed, seeing a guy named Aberdeen sitting on a booth facing the window, and she walked over his way, a smirk on her lips.

"I can't believe that you guys think your cafe's better than ours." She said, narrowly avoiding a freshly mopped wet spot on the floor. "Who funds this place anyway? Is it all your allowance put together?" She laughed and pulled out a chair, placing her black pumps ontop of a table as she leaned back in the chair. "Don't even try to kick me out, because you're lucky I haven't asked my dad to shut this place down yet. One bad move and," as to demonstrate, Layla snapped her fingers with a fake surprised expression. "Poof!" She leaned back in the chair and laughed, before moving her feet off of the table and looking at both Lussi and Aberdeen intently. "Watch your coffee. Something might get spiked." She said, a small smile spreading across her lips. As evil as she was being, she felt, and looked, like a hot badass. But she knew her emotions would be completely different in about 10 minutes.

Josh sat in the corner, quietly. He liked days like this, he got paid to sit down and do what he liked. In this case it was art. His small notepad was out in front of him. The dark brown cover was very worn, the leather had been scratched in places and the markings had faded. His pencil was in an equally bad state. It had been sharpened about halfway down now and it barely fit inside his hands. Josh liked to draw his art first before painting it, that way he could capture a picture without having his art supplies with him at all times.

He was just about to stuff the notepad into his pocket again when an angry woman walked into the café. While she was sitting there he looked at her. She intrigued him, no one from the Dulcet café dared come over here to insult them before. He laughed and took flipped open the notepad. Clasping the pencil in his hand he etched out a rough outline of her. He took care to perfect every curve, every expression and every position. After that he filled in the details of the café around her. It was quite crudely drawn but nonetheless he was happy with it. Seeming as he had nothing better to do he began to perfect the picture. He spent some time on her face as he made sure all the lines and shadows were perfectly in place. He looked at her and compared it to his sketch. "not bad." Just for the finishing touches he added two little horns above her head and added some puffs of smoke from her nose. "Perfect"

The sound of shattering glass caused Konan to look up from his art work. His sleepy brown eyes slowly turned in the direction of the sudden sound. Claire was sitting at a table by herself. The teacup that she used was now on the table and floor, in several pieces. The hot liquid inside had slashing and was not creating a small puddle on the floor. Claire had jumped up, gripping her hand. Konan stared at the poor girl as she ran to the back room. She seemed to be in a lot of pain. Konan stood up and followed her. He knew exactly what to do. Konan had been through his fair share of spills. When he first started working at the café, he would occasionally drop a cup of coffee or tea. Normally, they would hit the floor, but once in a blue moon, he would spill the liquid on his hands.

Konan slipped into the back, just as a costumer came into the shop. Luckily, Layla was on it. He hadn’t even seen her standing there. That shows how much he paid attention. In the back, Claire was running her hand under water. Taking a hold of her wrist, he slowly pulled her hands away to examine them. It did not look too bad. It probably wouldn’t even leave a mark. Still, it was best to take care of it properly. Konan pushed her hands back under the cold water before he went to find the first aid kit. Once he found it, Konan opened it and removed little bandages and burn gel. He took his coworkers hands again and gently dried them off with a cloth. He then rubbed burn gel on her wounds before covering them with bandages.

“There” Konan said quietly as he put the finishing touches on her hands. Claire was a sweet girl, but she could be ditzy at times. Without a word, he slowly went back out front. Layla’s costumer had left quietly and so did the newbie’s in the corner. Unfortunately, the rain did not let up. If anything, it probably picked up. Konan grabbed a washcloth and walked over to the table Claire had been sitting at. He slowly cleaned up the liquids on the table and then it started on the floor. Every so often, he would run into a piece of glass, which he would pick up and dispose of. The last remaining shards of glass were swept up and thrown away. Konan had just thrown away the final pieces of glass when Layla spoke up.

"Be back in 20." Konan nodded before walking behind the counter. As he throw on an apron, Layla walked by him. He watched as she exited the store and go across the street. ‘She isn’t…’ he thought. But she was. In a matter of seconds, Layla had crossed the street and entered the Insouciance Café. The Insouciance just happened to be their biggest rivals and there was a mini war being fought between the two cafes. Konan leaned over the counter, hoping she would come back, but she didn’t.

“Claire, should we go get Layla?” he questioned softly. "She went over to the Insouciance Cafe. Instead of waiting for her answer, he decided to act.

"I'll be right back" Konan said as he walked from behind the counter. He slipped out the door and acrossed the street. Konan peered inside before entering the little cafe. He did not want to start any problems, since the pair was out numbered two to four.

"Layla love, please lets go back."

Mid motion Lussi's attention was drawn to the soft tingling of the shop bell as the door flew open. Crap now a friggin' customer walks in. She though as she relaxed her fiesta motioned arms to her sides. Just below the line of neatly trimmed dark fringe, Lussi's eye's narrowed to see that stuck up prat of a girl, Layla, from across the street swantering about their cafe. The Dulcet cafe staff rarely came across the street, but when they did it usually meant trouble. Lussi crossed her arms and evil eye'd the girl as she slid about the cafe making comments.

"Who funds this place anyway? Is it all your allowance put together?"

Lussi began to grind her teeth. Her eyes struck at Layla as she lazily sat down at one of the booths, spreading her filthy feet on one of the freshly cleaned tables.

"Watch your coffee. Something might get spiked."

That was it, Lussi wouldn't take this any longer, She swung herself back over the bar and squared up to Layla. Lussi was a tall woman, taller than Layla at least, her lean body dwarfing the pretentious girl as she angled her arms on her hips. Of course the 5 inch heels helped, they tapped a vibrato into the tiles as she let her eyes freely move up the girl body, vomiting her disgust. For a moment, Lussi ran the edge of her tongue over the soft warmth of her bottom lip, deep in though as she searched out the girls buttons, her finger itching to press them. To declare all out personal war.

"Really poppet, that all you got? what? Daddy couldn't get you what you wanted so you come to let off some steam? Poor little princess."
Lussi moved a ink stained hand and softly tapped Layla on the shoulder.
" If anything gets spiked here, it will be my doing, and everyone will love it. Shame really, bet your bored over there in your pitiful stick-up-the-arse cafe. Watching through the glass as we actually have fun that daddy didn't have to buy us. You know what?"
Lussi was now leaning into Layla, whispering ever so softly, ever so sweetly, a fierce know it all sense swelling through her veins.
"Why don't you go home, and tell daddy you want him to buy you some friends, then you can all come back here together, drinks on me."
Lussi smiled flirtatiously to Abb, she loved playing bad ass, winking at him, she invited him to join her.

Aaron watched the whole scene smugly from behind the cashier, in his mind, the floor had become a wrestling ring filled with warm sticky mud, Lussi was still wearing a sombrero and Layla, mee owwe, was covered from head to toe in glistening pink spandex. Aaron shivered at the thought and turned back to the cashier. He popped the draw open with a ting and nestled his thick fingers inside, scurrying about for the 'special' pocket. The fingers found it and pulled out a neat stash of foreign change. He lightly pilled it to one side. If Layla was going to buy something, he would slip a few of the useless coins in with her change. He chuckled softly to himself and leant back down onto the cashier, wishing he had some popcorn to elevate the situation to official 'Arumba' drama.
"Layla love, please let's go back"
Aaron shot up, there were two of them. He levelled his eye's on the boy who had just walked in. His breath froze in his lungs as he watched in anticipation. It was make or break time. Oh how he was beginning to enjoy this day.

Layla stood up when Konan walked in, and walked over to him, standing at his side. She took one last look at the cafe, and wondered how he had seen her go over there. But then again, it was right across the street. Oh well. She guessed that Konan was pretty cute, but she wasn't sure what sexuality he was. He was pretty sweet though, so she didn't dwell to much on the subject. Layla was always moving from guy to guy, actually it was the opposite. Guys moved on from her, once they realized how crazy she could get.

"Fuck your little cafe." Layla said before turning on her pumps and walking back outside, knowing Konan was right behind her. She stopped abruptly and turned to him, looking at him from under her long black lashes which were collecting rain. "I'll take my official break now." She said, turning and walking over to the closest Subway. She didn't know if Konan had went back to Dulcet or stood there in the rain, and she honestly couldn't find anywhere in her to care. She felt numb now. This was usually the time of day when this emotion took over.

"Fuck your little cafe."
The girl turned and walked out much to Lussi's disappointment. She was looking forward to the challenge, but as per usual had come up to a brick wall. Lussi turned to Abb and Aaron pouting her lips playfully and fluttering her eyelashes.
"Sometimes i think this world is full of crocodiles.."
Aaron moved his arms in a snapping motion. He knew what Lussi was on about.
"..big mouths, little legs, all talk, no action." Lussi signed and slumped into one of the booths. Dancing her fingers over a bouquet of multicolored straws on the table, She decidedly plucked one of the twisting red and white striped ones and moved it to her lips, holding it thoughtfully between two fingers. Smoking the straw she turned to Aaron and blew out imaginary smoke.
"Guess you'll have to slip that foreign change another day mate."
With that she returned the straw to her mouth and turned back to the rain, watching as it fell lightly against the pavement, the blur of two figures melting into the street. Unusually, Lussi felt bad about what she had just said, a steam of remorse mounting in her chest, she began to chew at the end of the straw angrily.

Abb honestly found it funny. That a girl like that had the nerve to waltz on in here and say such things. That anybody had the nerve to spit such ugly things. Especially coming from a family of wealth. He couldn't help but think that if it wasn't for that guy who came in, Lussi would have gotten out of control. He glanced over at Lussi, who was chewing on the end of a straw, guilt plaquing the dark irises of her eyes. If anybody should feel bad here; it was that girl. In fact, Abb was proud of Lussi. He liked Lussi. She was fun, especially when she got into her moods. She was unpredictable, and if there was one thing Abb liked; it was not being able to guess what might happen next. The rush of it.

But thats what happens when you get everything handed to you; you turn into an unappreciative little shit. Narrow minded, unable to think outside the little box of handed-down fortune. Not even earned, and it made him sick. And mayble a little black monster called ignorance was clinging to his back, but he didn't care. People like that.. they bring out the ugly side of himself.

Hopping off the table, he looked from Lussi to Josh, then Aaron. He was stuck between laughing, or hurling the napkin-dispenser at the wall. Somehow, he managed to surpress both urges. And instead, he quietly made his way over to the radio set on the counter. He twisted the knob, blasting it until he was positive it could be heard from outside. Then he opened the front door, went back to the radio, and put the volume to its max so he was sure it could be heard from across the street, at the Dulcet Cafe. Even if it wasn't as loud from there.

"..But its just the price I pay, destiny is calling me. Open up my eager eyes.."

Abb, in his destructive state, lashed out at a nearby chair, knocking it over with a bang that would've been louder if the music wasn't blaring.

"..cause I'm Mr. Brightside."

Konan knew once he stepped foot in that awful café, that there would be problems. Their café’s had always had problem, and they still do. So it was not unusual for them to get into little ‘unsportman’ like arguments. Still, no one from the Dulcet café had ever just walked into the Insouciance café. That is…until this day. Konan took a step back when one of the Insouciance café workers took a step towards Layla. He was not going to get involved in the two female’s dispute, as long as it did not get too out of hand. As the worker started to yell back, Konan let his eyes wander around the café. He snorted when he saw another worker staring at the sight. ‘Is he waiting for them to fight or something? So uncivilized’ he thought with a soft chuckle. He then took note of the worker laying on the table, and the other sitting there drawing away. ‘So, this is what they do over here. Doesn’t seem like they get too much done.'

Konan turned back to find Layla standing next to him. The girl was a firecracker that’s for sure. When he started working with her, he thought she was sweet and very professional. That is, until someone pushed her buttons, then he saw a completely different side of her. Every now and then, Layla would even act differently, depending on the time of day. Konan had become used to her ‘episodes’, but at times she could still be unpredictable. The pair quickly escaped the café, but not without Layla having the last word. “Fuck your little café.” This caused Konan to smirk. That’s the firecracker all right. Layla turned back to him once they were outside. She was going to take her break.

“Mmhm” he managed to muster up as Layla walked away. The young male walked back into the Dulcet café, just in time to find an angry customer. The elderly woman complain to Konan about the poor service today, even going as far to say that she would contact his manager.

“I’ll take your order ma’am, and it will be on the house” he kindly said to the woman. It did not matter anyway. It was not like any one was around to see him give away free coffee. The woman did not react at all. Instead she gave him her order and took a seat. Konan slowly worked on the woman’s peppermint mocha when he heard a faint sound. Music maybe? He would not have known or even cared. But then the sound grew louder. The young male walked over to the table that the elderly woman was sitting at. He gave her her coffee and asked if she need anything else. When she responded no, Konan excused himself and walked back to the counter. On his way, he glanced out a window to find the source of the music.

“Leave it to them” he complained before going back to the counter.

“Maybe…I should call the police. They are disturbing the peace.”

Josh was quite surprised at what he had just seen. It annoyed him that the woman from the Dulcet had walked in here, but to insult all of them that was not called for. He hated being judged by people who did not know him. He shook his head for a few minutes and then decided to get up. He had been working since the morning shift and decided he needed a break. Quietly muttering "ill be back in a bit". He swung the door open and walked out into the rain. It beat down on his head the instant he stepped out. By the time he was halfway across the road he was already drenched and the weight of the water in his clothes pulling him down.

He walked across the road into the Dulcet café and looked into the window. It was clean and bright looking, flowers lit up the mood with some colours. He didn't like it. It was too happy. Almost fake happy. He smirked to himself and looked around the café some more. The rain obscured his vision through the glass and eventually he just gave up. He continued to pace slowly down the street, keeping his head low and his hands tucked deep inside his pockets.

For the rest of his break he just kept walking, unknowingly round in a circle and ended right back by the Insouciance café and he walked back inside.

Claire's heart fluttered as Konan helped her with her burned hand. "Thank you." She said somewhat tremulously, trying her best to ignore the now throbbing pain. Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time that Claire had burned herself. A cafe really might not be the best fit for someone like her. She heard the front door open and close, Layla was going across the street. Probably to start trouble at the other cafe. Claire sighed, as much as she cared about Dulcet being the best, she also wished people could just get along. She was terrible at arguing and always turned bright red when she was angry. It was embarrassing.

"Someone's got to stay here." Was her reply to Konan asking if they should follow her. "It may be raining, but someone might wander in." She watched him disappear into the rain as she picked out a clean rag from under the counter and went to clean up the spilled tea.

Cause I just can't look its killing me
And taking control
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies

Aaron slumped over the cash register, simultaneously tapping the 'ENTER' button on the till in sync with the melody, adding a teeth grinding ting to end of each chorus. His eyes lazily traveled the room, the music blaring in his ears and vibrating inside his rib cage as the volume mounted. He remembered the music video to the song, and how it had a sickening resemblance to the film 'Moulin Rouge' he hated that film, she died, that wasn't musical theater!

Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me

Aaron sighed as he mourned the death of Nicole Kidman on stage. Beneath the rhythmic clanging of the till, his trouser pocket began to vibrate, a little off beat to be honest. He swung a gorilla arm down and pulled out the vibrating, flashing gadget, an old school Nokia with buzzing monotone ring tones. The screen blurted a primitive text message from one of his skating buddies.
" Wher R U @?" Aaron's mood shifted in an instant, trapped in the fuzzing music filled café he hammered his fingers against the phone keys.
"Work, Party @ Cafe, brng the gang." Aaron selected 'send' and smiled mischievously, the Insouciance Cafe was about to get charged with customers, naturally Aaron wouldn't take any of the credit, but he was planning to slip away with them once the herd had finished at the watering hole.

Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr Brightside

Lussi's mouth hung slightly open, the chewed up straw dangling limply against her bottom lip, as Abb took his anger out on a nearby chair. The mood was heightened by his rage influenced loud music, but the melody brought other meaning to Lussi’s ears, even as she strained to drown out the thumping bass. Outside she could still see the lost looking blur of Josh, as melting into the pavement he trudged about on his break. She shook her head in disbelief that he had preferred to take a break in the rain rather than subdue the noise rape inside. The chair screamed as it was thrown, but barely loud enough to be heard over the music. Lussi plugged her ears and shouted to Abb, but her voice, let alone inaudible to those in the café, was barely a muffled vibration in her own ears. She spat out the chewed and twisted straw and marched over to Abb.
In a moment of sheer desperation she threw her arms around him, taking him prisoner and holding him firmly by the sides of his arms. For a second, during which if you blinked you would have missed it, a different expression surrendered behind Lussi irises as she found herself face to face, almost entirely inside Abb’s bubble. Lussi briskly regained control of her facial expressions and hands still holding him firm she stepped back into her own comfortable space before, with a roll of her dark eyes gestured that the ear burning music was not such a good idea. Then she leant over to his left ear, pressing her breath against his skin, her lips almost so close that his skin would imagine their touch, her chin lightly resting on his shoulder for a brief moment.

"ARE YOU FUCKING DEAF?!"

Lussi screamed deeply and painfully against the side of his face before releasing him. Lussi turned away and walked lazily off towards the back room as if nothing had just happened. She was hoping the sound wouldn’t be as ear piercing at the back in the Tatoo parlor. Thought the flimsy poster pasted walls that separated it from the café area didn’t look to be very convincing sound filters. Before she disappeared through the curtained door way she turned and winked at Abb, hoping that experiencing close deafness wouldn't blind him from her true feelings for him, a bubbling sensation of success shimmering over her, how she loved to tease and pick on him. She chuckled and clicked her fingers, swinging her wrist to the music, glancing over to Aaron as he played along to the song with the cashier bells and noises.

Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me

"Destiny is calling me…" She sang the line aloud, throwing her arms dramatically as if praising the parlor’s entrance and gradually healing from her earlier spat, a new fire of creativity building in her bones. As she moved further from the stereo the music did drop a little in volume, but not enough, she wandered for a moment how low the Dulcet cafe would fall, and whether the next customer of the day would be the pigs.

[[ IS THIS ROLEPLAY STILL ALIVE? ]]