Last Supper
“It’s a small place in the Gold Zone,” Eunji told her with a shrug, “The Golden Fleece. But if you really want something, I could just make it for you. I mean, if you really want something. They’re not that great.” The words rushed out of her before she could stop them, her hands coming to cut off the shere amount of word vomit that was spilling past her lips. “Sorry, I don’t want to presume anything,” she added after a moment, hands lowering to wrap around her steadily cooling latte.
Did she really not know? It had happened years ago and yet, people still still seemed to talk about it. The fastest Tournament recorded and the one with the most bloodshed. Her fingers tapped an erratic beat against the mug, betraying her anxiety. Even know, the sounds of the screams echoed in her mind, trying to pull her from the present and into the past, where the blood ran in small rivulets down her fingers.
“The Tournament,” she murmured, keeping her eyes trained on her latte and struggling to stay in the cafe, “I, uh, won it. A few years ago actually. It’s why people buy my things…they want something a Champion made.” The word sounded - and felt - like a curse, falling from her lips quietly as if said low enough no one would notice it, notice her, notice if there was still blood on her hands. It felt like it most days.
She finished the latte, choking slightly when she took too large of a last sip, “I should go. It was,” Eunji hesitated, halfway standing already. Had it been nice to see her again? Awkward yes, but nice? Yes, she decided a moment later. “It was nice seeing you again. And the inside of your cafe.”
Amber clapped her hands together excitedly, “The Golden Fleece? What a cute name! Ah,” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, “Does that mean I get a special friend discount?”
“I’m sure all your embroidery is beautiful, don’t worry about it.” Amber shrugged, leaning back in her chair as she spoke.
Watching Eunji’s voice shake, Amber frowned at the topic, her lips pulling down into a frown, “Oh, I didn’t know. I don’t really keep up with the news, kinda ironic I know for a cafe owner since I hear so much gossip. Sorry, I can tell this is a sensitive topic. The Tournament never is easy to talk about, especially if you’re a champion.” In all honesty, Amber hadn’t known that Eunji had won and become a champion. That would explain her rapid rise to the Gold Zone and her disappearance... Mentally scolding herself for not knowing more about Eunji, someone whom she referred to as a friend, Amber did her best to put a reassuring and apologetic smile on her face.
“I’m sorry for bringing the memory back up,” Amber said softly, eyes downcast with guilt before it flickered back up to Eunji’s own.
“Oh!” Before the words ‘be careful, don’t choke’ could rush out of her mouth, Eunji’s own chair was already being pushed back. Amber hurriedly got to her feet to meet the girl’s gaze, a smile already pulling on her lips. “It was really nice seeing you again too. Please come back and visit. The cafe could use a little familiar face from time to time.”
Amber watched Eunji nod, a small nod, before she left the cafe. Sighing and turning back to the counter at the front of the room, Amber slowly made her way back to her old position, settling back into work mode.
Hopefully, she’d see Eunji again soon.
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