Imagine if you were aware, Part 2
Thank you for your order, The Board herself greatly appreciates it and wants to give you the best experience; the dessert will be addicting and engrossing.
Part 2 of this.
We appreciate you dining in Lucid's Reserve today. Please take a seat and enjoy your dessert, dear guest; enjoy ♡.
"How long have you known?" Ticket Taker asks as you place his order on the table, he came to the cafe today in disguise to somehow talk to you. Ever since that night they found out they've been fooled by you— they became restless. "Found out about what?" You asked sweetly with such an innocent shine in your eyes, his eyes overanalyzing your expression in hopes find something— anything that tells him you're pretending. You're too good at pretending to be clueless. "Enjoy your order, sir." You smile and slightly bow before going back to the counter to fetch other orders for dine-in customers. How could you have slipped through them? How did you find out so easily?
Ticket Taker let's out a sigh and sips his black coffee slowly, trying to stay as long as possible before the evening to see what you're doing. You're a busy bee; he notes. Always up and around fetching orders and making drinks, not having even a second to rest— he didn't even see you go for your lunch break. You come over to the section he's in again and serve a slice of red velvet to a female customer as she takes pictures. "Wow! Your cakes here look great! I know this is sooo weird to ask but what's your favorite drink? You're just cute and I just can't help but want to talk to you." The girl asked as she smiled up at you. "Oh? I like me a dark java chip usually, you're quite cute too! Enjoy your cake." You smile so charmingly and wave goodbye to her as you walk back to the counter.
Ticket Taker looks at his coffee— the black depths of his coffee staring back at him, he thought the only reason you stared so intensely in the mirror was because you were so obsessed with vanity; but it wasn't. His ears perk up when he hears you talking to someone— a stressed looking young man asking what type of coffee you like, he was just going to brush it off until he heard your answer. "I like black coffee, did you know it's healthier to drink that? Not only is it less milk and sugar but you'll actually feel energized." You smile and placed the man's order of matcha latte next to his book. "Really? That's sounds like a good idea, no wonder you're so chirpy." The young man smiles and stares at you with slight adoration as you nod in agreement then side-eye Ticket Taker because you knew he was watching— then he saw your smile change conveying a different type of joy before going back to normal as if nothing happened.
You're quite the liar.
He sighs and tries to think of what to do next, it feels like something needs to be done but none of them know what to do next. It was only until he heard the bell chime again as another customer came in and suddenly he felt the air change, he immediately looks at you and see that you're expression changed. Your chirpy smile of a mask fell and what replaced was shock— then disbelief, then a smile again but this time it was different. The smile looked manic and excited as if locking in on prey so he looked at the direction on where you're looking at and it's a normal person waving at you.
"Angel! It's been a while, did you come here to visit me?" You smile and put away the tray on the counter without ever breaking eye contact with the person. "Yeah, I came by because I'm visiting my farm this weeken and thought of seeing you before going on the drive again." The person smiles and nod as if they couldn't see what Ticket Taker sees. "That's so sweet of you, Angel. So thoughtful of you to do so, How long are you staying? I just want to make sure I can optimize our time together." You smile and walk closer to your friend, circling around them playfully and dusting off any impurities on their clothes.
Oh how it feels so nice to finally have your dearest friend with you again, that addicting feeling bubbling up in your heart is almost indescribable.
"I'm only here for one night and I was hoping I could crash at your place tonight?" Your friend shrugs their shoulders and shows you her itenerary for the week on her phone. "Of course, my lovely angel. Anything for you! I'll cook you dinner tonight, alright why don't you order something and I can go on break for a while so we can chat!" You smile and gently put your hand on their back as you guide them to the cash register. Fully putting your attention on your dearest friend, it didn't matter that Ticket Taker was watching in worry— all that matters is that your friend is here now.
You'll make sure that their stay will be worthwile. Your friend nods and orders something while you make your way behind the counter to make their order. It didn't really matter since you already know what they would want— a cortado and a strawberry shortcake, although you never really liked that type of cake you always fought for it's place in the cafe roster to stay in hopes that when she comes back then she'd be able to eat it; which is today.
You giggle under your breath and take out the strawberry shortcake to cut a slice then you hear your Angel moving away towards where you can assume would be somewhere to sit, so you glance up to see where she chose to sit. Which is the area where Ticket Taker is near, you can't help but feel angry— to angry to notice you're gripping the cake knife too tightly that you accidentally broke the handle.
"Whoopsies! Boss, I'm so sorry!" You gasp and turn to your manager to show what happened, profusely apologizing for breaking it but he forgives you and tells you to finish up the order so you can take your break; reassuring you that he'll get another cake knife soon. You sigh and put the knife in the trash, staring intensely at it before slowly shifting your gaze towards Ticket Taker which makes him flinch before going back to his very cold black coffee.
"Here you are, angel. I got your order." You smile and bring her coffee and slice of cake to her table, sitting next to her in the booth. Making sure you block Ticket Taker's view of your dearest friend, "So! I was wondering maybe we can have something unique to eat tonight— maybe deer meat or fish." You smile and start talking to your friend, catching up on the past months they've been gone. Your attention and gaze solely focused on them, they barely changed other than a few wrinkles on their face and scratches on their fingers. Just as your friend was about to tell you a funny story; a man walks by and tries flirting with them.
You can instantly see your friend get uncomfortable and the way her posture changed by a fraction of a centimeter, "Hey hotshot, give me a chance will ya?" The man laughs and tries to sit in the booth but you abruptly stamd up and glare at him. Grabbing his wrist with a deadly grip and leaning close to whisper with pure hatred. "Get your vermin hands off my angel." You grunt under your breath and gently push him off the booth.
"Boss! He's harassing my friend!" You shout loudly to draw attention making many customers start shouting and standing up to pull the guy out, your boss comes over and escorts the guy out telling him he's on warning. You let out a sigh and check on your friend, "Are you okay? He didn't touch you right?" You frown and look at them with worry. "I'm okay— thanks for protecting me." They smile and hold your hand which makes you relax. You nod and sit back down next to them, resting your head on their shoulder.
Your boss comes by and tells you that they'll keep an eye on that guy in case he comes back and things go back to normal again. Save for the fact that Ticket Taker was watching the entire thing in shock, he never thought you could talk like that. The way the pitch of your voice dropped so low and your angry expression almost scared him.
"How about you finish your food and go to my apartment after? I need to clock out and… Get some meat real quick for dinner." You smile and give her your keys to your apartment then standing up, "Guess I'll see you there." Your friend nods and continues eating as you walk away. You make your way to your boss and ask if you can clock out early which he allows you to since you've been working your butt all day almost without a break. Once you clock out you change into some dark clothes and exit through the back door, already setting your sights to find that man and punish him for even breathing the air around your angel.
You hum a quiet tune and start walking around, your eyes darting frantically to find that man. Dirty blonde hair, green eyes, red hoodie and blue jeans— there he is, walking towards the forest. At least that makes it easier for you.
After a while Ticket Taker decides to take his leave and go back to the circus once evening it was about to be evening. They need to open the circus for tonight and you'll most likely be too busy to visit now that your "Angel" is in town. Still he can't help but want to make sure you're okay, he spends a few minutes walking around town until he noticed you leaving the forest with a bag. What were you doing in the forest? Before he could even walk up to you to ask his alarm on his watch rang, indicating he needs to return to the circus soon. He'll just have to ask you another time then.
You came back to your apartment in a much better mood, carrying a bag with you as you unlock your door with your main keys. "Angel! I'm back." You giggle and walk in with excitement, immediately going to the kitchen to cook. "Welcome back, what did you get?" Your friend asks softly and walks over to you to see what you got. "Deer meat as suggested earlier." You chuckle and open the bag to put the meat out, washing it with some warm water before seasoning it. "It shoulda run faster then." Your friend joked as they prepared the dinner table with plates. You couldn't help but feel your smile become wider because of their joke. "Fortunately for us, it didn't." You sigh in content and start cooking the meat by frying it.
You wish this moment to last forever but you know that you'd be too selfish to keep them around forever.
After a few minutes the food is ready and you both start eating, once and a while you'd glance at the mirror for a few seconds before returning your gaze to your friend. "So, have you pulled any bitches yet?" Your friend teased and put their utensils on their plate as they stretch their arms up. "Hm, somewhat. I'm not quite sure how I… feel about him." You smile and shrug before returning to eating.
"Well I hope you find someone that can understand you, me and my partner have been great and I thought what would your life be like if you had a lover too." They laugh— maybe a little too long before drinking some water. "That's a nice thought, Angel. Very kind of you." You nod and pick up the water pitcher to refill their cup once their done drinking.
"Breaking news, a dead body has been spotted in the forest. Police say that a man was brutally murdered possibly by hands only as there are no murder weapons around the vicinity. Due to the brutality the man's face is unrecognisable and would have to be forensically examined to reveal his identity. Police has requested for any witnesses to come forward as the CCTV's nearby the area has been broken for the past three months—" You pick up the remote and turn off the TV as both of you decide to sleep. "Such violence, this is too disturbing to listen before bed." You sigh and put the remote away, going towards your bed to hand her an extra pillow. "Are you sure it's okay for me to sleep on your bed? I could sleep on the couch you know." Your friend asks with concern and takes the pillow, their hand lingering on yours longer than you anticipated.
It made your heart beat faster.
"I'm sure, you need the best sleep before going back on the road. I also need to do a few emails before sleeping." You sweetly shake your head and spoke with a tone so sacchrine that they didn't realize you were lying. "Sleep well, Angel." You giggle and playfully tuck her to bed then going to your couch to sit for exactly 20 minutes. It always takes your friend 20 minutes to sleep if they're on a comfortable bed or 39 minutes if on a couch.
Once you're sure they're asleep, you stand up and make your way towards your balcony. Quietly opening it and coming face to face with Pierrot. He was standing there awkwardly, trying his best to smile like usual but you can see the discomfort on him.
"How have you been?" You ask and look up at him with a gaze that looked lifeless like it usually would of you weren't masking. Pierrot blinks a few times before answering. "I've been… Okay. I'm sorry for only coming to see you now." "None taken." You answer quickly and tilt your head to the side, one hand behind your back and the other just on your side.
"It shouldn't be, I— I didn't talk to you for days." "It's called giving space." Pierrot freezes and tries his best to keep control of his emotions, Jester suggested to try not to be so obvious of his emotions around you since all of them don't know how to act around you. You stare at him with intensity waiting for him to say anything but nothing comes out.
"You're hurt, aren't you?" You blurt out and take one step closer towards him. "What are you talking about?" He gulps and feels that same dread in his stomach he felt when he first read your diary. "You're hurt, Pierrot. You're hurt because you had to hold yourself back from seeing me. Trust me." You chuckle but the sound lacks true amusement.
"I know that feeling very well." You take one of his hands and put it palm against your cheek. "Do you feel better now that you can physically feel me?" You hum and look at him with those lifeless eyes but the smile is genuine. Pierrot couldn't hold back his smile anymore and nodded, leaning over to rest his forehead against yours.
"Yes, Yes Yes— I-I feel so so so much better Angel." He pants and tries to hold himself back from drooling all over you. "Don't call me an Angel, you and I know I don't fit that archetype." You sigh and look up at him, your breath grasping so close to his. "Call me poppy. Is that okay, dearest?" You giggle and let go of his hands to properly hug him tight, savoring his warmth and attention. "Yes, yes of course. Of course, Poppy dear." You smile triumphantly and slightly look up, smiling sweetly towards Jester who was watching from afar on a rooftop of a building.
"Do they hate me, Pierrot?" You close your eyes and hug him tighter, afraid that he could disappear anytime. Your question threw him off guard and it made him snap out of that temporary haze in his mind. "W-What? No they— they're just cautious, they're worried what you'll do to them." He tries to lift his head to face you but you're hugging him so tightly that he can't move to see your face. "What do you think I'd do?" You ask this time with no sweetness in your voice, just a flat tone that made him shiver. He couldn't figure out if it were out of arousal or fear, he didn't mind either way.
"They don't know but they're afraid." He answers and waits for you to respond but after a minute or so you don't respond. "Poppy dear? C-Can you let go of me?" He asks with a nervous smile both wanting to see your face and maybe put some distance. For the first time he felt uncomfortable of your presence during that silence. "Do you think I'd hurt you?" You ask again and loosen your grip around him then letting your arms rest on your sides, your gaze stuck on the ground with various emotions swirling in both your heart and mind. "No, of course not— I mean I would be honoured to of you hurt me b-but I believe you have no ill intentions, right?" He nervously laughs and notices how your mood suddenly changed again, holding both your hands as his shakes in fear. "Poppy dear?" He asks again but he's met with silence.
"I would never hurt any of you." You answer and shake your head, too ashamed of your consuming love for them to look at him properly. "When… I first watched Jester's show about that story, I felt sad and angry. No one else in the audience understood that it was about you guys." You bite your lips and ball your hands into fists. "All of you were being taken advantage of to the point you did something to someone care for the most." You sigh and feel tears seep out of your eyes but you don't sob. "I felt angry that they're so engrossed in the violence than the story itself, how humanity themselves is so evil that they'd ignore what's truly in their face." You laugh bitterly and sniffle, your tears staining your shirt.
"After that I felt so sad for all of you, that you went through that and after all of these years telling these stories through your performances— it's like nobody listened." You shake and choke back a sob, unable to hold back that feeling of sadness and despair you felt back then after watching Jester's show. "I hated it so much that humans are so blind and I wanted— I wanted to hurt those people who laughed during the show." You pant and feel your lips trembling, unable to separate the anger and sadness in your body language.
"I would never hurt any of you, why would you think of that?!" You scream and push yourself away from him in anger. Pierrot's eyes wide as he stumbles back, seeing you this hurt and angry made him feel upset. "I thought I finally found someone who felt the same feelings I felt years ago— that someone would love me for who I am despite me being this— I don't know. Deranged? Crazy? Haha!" You shake your head and shrug your shoulders, laughing and crying at your own situation. Covering your face in anguish as your nails dig into your skin.
"Do you think so lowly of me?" You chuckle and look at him with disbelief but he stays silent— too long for you. "I'm asking a question and I want all of you to answer." You scoff and cross your arms to your chest, your question makes the air still. You aren't dumb to realize that slowly all of them were listening in— hiding in different places to see what would happen. "If neither of you answer me then I'll make sure to scare you all reeeally good...." You laugh and smile at Pierrot, tilting your heard and looking at him with that false innocent expression. "We are just worried what you would do knowing you have information against us—" Before ticket Taker can finish his sentence you shatter the small mirror you set up on the balcony with your right hand, ignoring the fact you're injured and blooied out of anger.
"Only actually people who are present here can answer; otherwise your answer is not valid." You click your tongue and glance up Jester who is now standing on the rooftop next to your apartment building. "Humans have always been selfish and greedy so it's only natural that we'd take precautions." He answered with no smile this time, he knew that if he didn't take you seriously things could spiral within a flash. "Even after I made sure the police aren't on your tail for kidnapping people to become your fools?" You roll your eyes and stare at your injured hand. "What—?" Harlequin gasps, looking down from the balcony he was hiding in above you. "That was you?" Jester's eyes widened and unconsciously took a step back.
"I wouldn't mind if the people that went missing were bad people, I just hope you never targeted Carol at all." You hum and take out the glass mirror shards sticking on your palm. "Poor girl, her parents were gonna apologize to her before she went missing." You chuckle and shrug your shoulders as if that grief passed you. "But her going missing did teach them a good lesson, don't you think?" You smile and look up at Jester again, when he didn't answer you roll your eyes and walk closer to Pierrot.
"Would you like a taste, dearest?" You hum and extend your injured hand out to him. "What the fuck." Harlequin grunts and jumps down to your balcony to block your way towards Pierrot. "Why are you doing that— huh? Are you a masochist?" He smirks and laughs at your face but it dies down when he sees you didn't react to his taunt. Pierrot stares at your injured hand with hunger but looks back to your perfect face in guilt. He shakes his head and gulps, trying to ignore his sudden hunger. Jester watches in silence— he can see your strategy now, you want to see if Pierrot can control himself and feed without biting your hand off.
"Cannibalism is quite romantic, no?" You giggle and walk closer again, ignoring the fact that Harlequin is trying to push you back with his hands and tentacles. "Just a taste, I know you've been hungry. You smile with genuine kindness and move past Harlequin as Pierrot holds your injured hand with a weak shaky grip. Pierrot feels tears prick his eyes and looks up at Jester— in hopes of seeking approval.
"Your choice." Jester answers and jumps down the rooftop to your balcony. (Your balcony ain't that big but it ain't that small either) Harlequin quickly glances at Jester in disbelief but his gaze tells him to stand down. "I trust you, dearest?=." You smile and put your left hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
"Thank you, Poppy dear." He sobs and takes your hand, Harlequin looks away while Jester watches. Pierrot didn't actually bite your hand off he just started licking it. "There you go! Good job." You smile and pat his head with your left hand. Harlequin hesitantly looks back at you and sees Pierrot really going at it and licking your hand like it's the last thing on earth. "Oh he really wants that's cookie." He smirks and laughs but Jester covers his mouth to shut him up since your friend is still asleep on your bed. "Let's take you back to the circus so that Doctor can clean up your hand after Pierrot's done." Jester sighs and drags Harlequin by his cape, "We'll see you there then?" You shrug and lightly tap Pierrot's cheek.
"Dearest, Jester said we need to go to the circus. How do we get there?" You whisper softly this time as to not wake up your angel, oh silly inconsiderate you for forgetting your angel is asleep. "I'll take care of it, don't worry." He smiles and stops licking your hand then picks you up to carry you. Jumping from one rooftop to another, "Pierrot what the fuck?!" You squeal in fear and adrenaline, holding onto him tighter. Pierrot laughs and moves faster just so no one can spot any of you.
After a few minutes you arrive at the circus, Pierrot still carrying you towards Doctor's tent to clean up your hand. Pierrot is stil holding you in his arms until he walks in the tent, The only people inside was Doctor and Jester who were discussing something. "Sit her down on the chair, Pierrot." Doctor notes out and walks towards you as you're seated on the chair. "You're quite extreme? Have you ever thought of talking to a psychiatrist? He asks and examins your hand before getting some disenfectant alchohol.
"You ever thought of doing the same?" You shot back, raising your eyebrow at him with an unimpressed look. "Touché." He laughs and starts to gently disinfect your wounded hand. Pierrot stands next to you as he watches Doctor do his work while Harlequin standing behind him to watch as well.. "Hey." Jester calls out to get your attention and continues once you're looking at him. "Thank you, for covering for us." You smile and shake your head as if it was no trouble to you at all.
"No problem, I do hope you'll let go of Carol." You simple state with obvious no room for negotiation. "I'll let go of her." Another voice answers as Ticket Taker enters the tent, staring at your now bandaged hand. "Really?" You smile and immediately sit up, skipping over to him and taking both his hands in yours. "You really mean it?" You grin widely and look up at him. Despite your smile being genuine your eyes still looked lifeless, all of them knew it was better to play along or else your mood will change like a switch. "Yes, I mean it." He nods and tenses up when your hands hold his which doesn't go unnoticed by you. "Do I scare you?" You ask with no smile and lean closer to him. "That's enough, doll." Jester sighs and pulls you away from Ticket Taker.
"Hehe, you know— you guys make me feel so happy and belonged." You smile and look up at Jester. "Promise me that when I start being a nuisance just tell me!" Pierrot shakes his head with your statement and covers your mouth with his hands. "Hah, I doubt you'll be one." Jester chuckles and shakes his head, tipping your chin up to meet his gaze again. Staring into his eyes and slowly you felt your body feeling light and your eyes shutting. "Pierrot, Harlequin, take her back to her aprartment." was the last thing you heard before all of it went to black.
By the time you open your eyes, you see you're back in your apartment. Lying in your couch as your alarm rings on your phone. You groan and rub you eyes, swiping to turn off the alarm. The morning slowly seeps through the window, approximately one hour before your shift. You get up and start walking towards the bathroom to take a quick bath, too tired to cover the mirror. You take off your clothes and slowly take off the bandages— wincing in pain since the bandages stuck to your skin of your right hand. "Need help?" A familiar voice asks and you look to the mirror to see Ticket Taker, his gaze was locked to your face only and never trailing anywhere else. "With what exactly?" You grunt and feel your right hand trembling in pain.
"With bathing, dear." He answered and pointed to your hand. "As long as you don't do anything I don't like." He nods and steps out of the mirror to help you. You keep your hand up to make sure that no water would touch it, he keeps his hands gentle against your skin. Making sure you're cleaned and never touching you for too long, "Are you still scared of me?" You ask again— this time your tone isn't scary. It sounded like your real voice, quiet and barely noticeable. "No, I'm not. You're just like all of us." He answers and slowly looks up at you, splashin some water to your head to wet your hair. "I realized that you're putting a show just like all of us, just in your own way." He continues and presses his thumb against your cheek then pulls on your lip slightly. "So all that stuff you felt about love was true? The pain and all the disgusting parts?" He softly asks and leans closer, not to kiss you but just to really feel your presence.
"Yes." You answer and smile with melancholy. "Hey Bestie—! Are you done there? I need to get ready to leave soon!" Your angel asks behind the bathroom door, "She probably needs to pee, I can handle the rest." You whisper and hold his wrist away from your face before letting it go, He nods and quickly makes his way to the mirror to leave. "Come in, I'm almost done anyways." You shout to them as you turn off the water. "While you're naked?!" They shout and you can already tell they were blushing. "I don't mind if it's you, Angel." You chuckle and put on a bathrobe as they come in. "Oh you're not actually naked." They let out a sigh of relief.
"I can't believe you're leaving aready." You frown and look at your friend with a pout, keeping your right hand in your pocket. "I know. I promise I'll stay longer when I'm gonna go back home." Your friend smiles and hugs you tight before letting go. "Update me when you get there, Angel." You smile and wave goodbye to them as they got in their car, walking slightly to catch up as it drives away before stopping after a few steps.
"Is that them? The one you loved before?" Pierrot's voice asks from the alleyway. You look up at him and smile with gratefulness.
"Yes and now it's all of you whom I love."
We hope you enjoyed your Dessert today, dear guest. Please come again for the Appetizer or Main Course ♡.