( ❝ A walking & talking fireplace ❞ )
Life… Never seemed like life since the barrier was broken.
It was an uncomfortable way to live. It was an excruciating way to live. It was…
…an absolutely fascinating way to live.
Grillby was relieved when his daughter had agreed to move in with him, at least until she found a school that suited her interests- and, of course, was accepting of someone with their… Physique. It was hard enough to find a home without the King’s intervention, and the kindness of an elderly human female. Such a sweet old woman, much like their former queen, doting on the still-adjusting pair as if they were her ‘niños,’ a word Grillby could only assume was a good one.
As for money, well… Unless a certain skeleton finally paid his tab, Gold was scarce. Not to mention the issue of converting currency, or the new grades of pay, it… Was all a very confusing matter. Following the welcome, (although confusing) direction of their landlady, Grillby found himself at the door of a restaurant, with a sign reading ‘now hiring’ in the window.
To say the elemental was anxious was… An understatement. He dressed his best, of course, a crisp white shirt with a black vest overtop and hunter-green bowtie knotted around his collar, completed by black slacks and dress shoes. It was the attire he would wear to any formal day at his bar- anniversaries, weddings, proposals… But the human world, oh; The human world was very particular.
Grillby couldn’t help but shove his hands in his pockets, trying to hide their nervous shaking as he followed his new boss inside. The word ‘boss’ in itself was a new concept. He had run his own bar for so long… Taking direction was a slightly nerve-wracking experience he would have to get used to quick, lest he lose his position.
Sparks flew from Grillby’s flames as the bell atop the doorframe announced their arrival, quite the startle from the normally stoic monster. He stared at it a few beats after he jumped, and ,tentatively, raised a finger up to tap it, producing a curious jingle. He paused a moment, before nodding, as if agreeing that the bell was, indeed, harmless.
The eyes on him from every angle, however, did not seem as harmless.
“………………….!!”
—She watched, head tilted in both apprehension and curiosity as the living flame played with the bell set above the door. It almost seemed as if he were having a conversation with the tiny noise maker, even nodding a bit in agreement. Nessa blinked, eye brows raising a bit towards her manager. He however didn’t notice her pointed look, also staring at the fire monster with a perplexed expression.
This guy is who got the job? After interview after interview, why him? She couldn’t help but jump a bit as the elemental’s gaze moved from the bell to her, quickly deploying her best “nice to meet you” smile. Well, if he was going to be working with her for now on and she would have to help train the guy, the best thing to do is to not judge a book by it’s cover ( or a monster by their animated flames ).
The manager brought his new employee over, quickly introducing him as Grillby and as Nessa’s new right hand man, to which Nessa nodded and turned to the latter with a grin.
❝ Hello, Mr. Grillby. I’m Nessa. I look forward to working with yo—! ❞ On instinct, the waitress had stuck out her hand to shake, then quickly retracted it at the last minute in realization that she almost tried to come in contact with fire. Her cheeks flushed a bit in embarrassment, doe brown eyes wide.
❝ Oh, shit— sorry! I-I didn’t even think about… My bad… ❞ Great. Way to make a first impression, Nessa. Her face grew hotter as she tried to avoid her boss’ stare, one that was ready to chide for not only making the situation uncomfortable ( which is something Nessa was quite gifted at ), but also for using profanity during work hours.
Her hands fell useless to her sides, clenching and unclenching as she forced out a sheepish laugh. She already knew this was going to be a long day.
