15. "come taste! tell me if i need to add anything."
You know... I'm gonna reach back for this one. Gonna dredge up the King's Cafe au for this. n_n I saw @emile-hides’s fic from New Year’s? With Matt and John being little cuties? X3 It just inspired me to do it.
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It was a dark...stormy day...
“Hmm..”
tptptptptptptp
A terrible storm had fallen over the town since that morning...
“No... No no.”
tptptptptptptp
It was...
....
Trilby sighed and looked out the window of the small cafe. It was a typical rainy day, really. The same grey clouds that have always hung around outside. Ever steadfast. The same gentle roll of distant thunder that was almost a lullaby to the townspeople at this point.
The cafe certainly seemed to be lulled by the gentle droning of rain on the roof.
Abed had fallen asleep by his chess set.
The good doctor had his laptop closed, nose buried instead into a psychology book. He looked like he was two pages from falling asleep himself.
Jim was huddled in a corner booth, trying to finish his homework.
Claire was sitting by the counter, also engrossed in a book herself. Siobhan was nowhere to be found. Trilby assumed she must’ve taken the day off.
He sighed again. He had been struggling to think of a way to begin this next chapter in his story for the last 2 hours and the peaceful atmosphere was doing nothing to help him either.
He wasn’t normally one for caffeine, it proved to be quite agitating for him, but he considered changing things up. Perhaps that was what he needed. Maybe a heart palpitation was just what was needed to help him find the tone for this next chapter.
“Hey Claire?” Matthew’s familiar voice caught his attention.
The young child poked his head through the door to the kitchen. He was bright and grinning as always.
“What’s up?”
“Come taste this! See if we need to add anything!”
She disappeared into the back. Trilby was very curious what the twins were up to this time. But seeing that the only one behind the counter was now gone, he decided to just try to get some more writing done instead.
He looked back at the blank empty screen and then sighed. Instead he closed his laptop and tried writing longhand instead.
The day was dark and cloudy. A cold, foreboding wind swept through the city as I peered down from my lofty purchase.
Yes, that seemed to be helping. With minimal scratches and rewrites, Trilby soon found his flow once more. The world around him began to fade away as he focused. His writing slowly encapsulating him as he dove deeper into his work. His pencil scratching with such practiced ease across the paper. His messy cursive consuming the paper entirely.
Yet little did I realize... that tonight would mark the first of many horrible nightmares to follow. Chasing me, even in my waking life. Tonight I shall come face to face with the haunting gaunt, pale face of-
“Mr. Trilby!”
“Hm?”
The world snapped back into focus and Trilby felt his attention being pulled back to Claire standing in front of him with a small plate in hand and a smile.
“Courtesy of the kitchen.” she explained. “On the house if you can come up with a name for it?”
“Oh? Why me?” he smiled and politely took the cave being offered to him.
“Matthew thought you looked gloomy. He wanted to cheer you up.” Claire gave a glance and Trilby followed her eyes to find Matthew standing by the doorway with a hopeful smile and a polite wave.
Trilby smiled, a bit touched, and turned back to his treat.
“Well pray I don’t disappoint. Naming isn’t exactly my strongest suit I’m afraid.” he chuckled.
It was a was bear-shaped brownie. One large circle with two smaller ones for ears. The middle a light tan color to give the appearance of a muzzle, but overall, everything was a dark chocolate brown with rich sea salt caramel drizzled over to give it eyes, nose, and a small smile.
He took a bite. Rich and dark as chocolate was meant to be. Slightly bitter but the caramel helped in that regard to give it enough sweetness to pair well with anything anyone would be drinking. It wasn’t too dry, but almost cake-like in a sense, which was surprising. But what for a name?
“Hmm... It’s delicious...” he said at last, smiling back to the kitchen to find Matthew had inched closer and was now leaning on the counter, waiting patiently for his answer. “The sea salt caramel was a good choice.”
“It was John’s idea!” Matthew smiled brightly. “The bear was my idea. I wanted it to look cute for customers.”
“It’s very artistic. You should be proud with how well it came out.” Trilby smiled, happy to see Matthew hold himself a little higher with pride. He then set himself to the challenge at hand. “Hmm.. For a name though.. Caramel bears.. Sea salt...caramel bears... It’s a bit of a mouthful like that, isn’t it?”
“See, I was having trouble with that too.” Claire sat down opposite of him. “But the boys were trying so hard... And it’s delicious!”
“Perhaps.... Perhaps it’s too many words to work with.” he mused and flipped to an empty paper and began scrawling down a few different combination. “Hmmm.. Let’s see... Caramel Bears?”
“Hmm..” Claire shook her head with a slight frown.
“Seaside Bears?” she gave another shake of her head. “Sea Bears?”
“Ugh. No.” she shook her head, frowning more.
“Salty Bears?”
“But they’re not salty.”
“But the seasalt? In the caramel?”
“Hmm... Matt! What do you think?“
“I think it’s better than Brownie Bears like what John and I came up with.” Matthew chuckled.
“Well if the bakers like it then why not? We can have the Prince finalize them when he comes in later.” Claire smiled.
“Whoo! I’m gonna put it up on the board!”
Claire laughed as Matt hurried to get the stepping stool.
“Hold on! Let me help! You can barely reach it!”
Trilby chuckled, watching the scene play out, and took another bite of his Salty Bear.
A/N: I’m a little late with this. Meant to have it ready yesterday but alas. Happy Birthday John Defoe. Happy Birthday Matthew Defoe. nwn
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My life had always resided in the darkness. That was just simply how it was. There was the occasional flash of light, a tall man, and then nothing but pain until I was consumed by the black again. Sometimes, however rare, there was food. And that was the entirety of my life. I didn’t understand the concept of time either. All I had to measure with was my own height to the wall with the shackles, which kept me close to the wall and floor.
My head had just made it past the bolted plate that the shackles were held onto. The bottom of my chin met the top of the plate. By this point I was quite accustomed to my life. I could easily remove my shackles, which I did only when I had nothing better to do. Typically the fear of the tall man coming back at any moment was what made me keep them on.
I had once wandered around my room too much, and found a large wooden wall. That was when he appeared, and he was furious. I had never known such pain until that night. Afterwards, I always made a point of returning to my shackles and my corner, as soon as possible.
But there was one point. I was simply sitting there, vocalizing and trying to understand what my voice even was, when I heard a loud knock. The sound of it startled me so greatly I immediately shut back up and double-checked to see if I had my shackles on.
“Hello? Is someone there?”
I hadn’t ever heard that sound before. It sounded...small. Nothing like the tall man. When he yelled, it was deep and reverberated through the walls.
Cautiously, I slipped out of my shackles and crept closer towards the sound.
“I thought I heard yelling. Is someone there?” the voice continued.
I felt out the stone steps and crawled closer to the door. I made a sound in return, trying to find some way to answer back.
“Who is that? Hang on.”
The wooden wall I dared not ever step past suddenly began rattling and moving. I was scared, fearing the tall man’s return, but it didn’t come.
“I can’t find keys. I’m sorry. Maybe Father can help. I’ll try asking him. I’m...so sorry.”
I wish I understood what he was saying. He sounded...sad? But then his tone brightened a little.
“What’s your name? I’m Matt.”
I didn’t know what he was saying, but he seemed to be waiting for a response, so I simply grunted back.
“Mmm. Ma-bee yu cant understand me.” there was a moment of silence and I wondered if he had simply disappeared.
“I know! You can knock!”
He really didn’t seem to understand I had no way of comprehending what he was on about.
Suddenly there was a loud sound through the wall. It made me jump a little. The...thing...behind it made a disapproving sound. Then there was two more of those sounds and the thing made a very happy sound. After a bit of struggling, he finally got it across to me. I was to hit the wooden wall. Once when I was upset. Twice when I approved.
He disappeared not long after that, and the following silence left me uneasy. I went back to my shackles.
It was the first of many visits.
Once in a while, he would come back and speak to me. It wasn’t much, but I would often knock for him. It made him happy, which, surprisingly, made me quite happy as well. It helped me get through the loneliness and the beatings.
“It’s my birthday tomorrow.” the voice said. “When’s your birthday?”
I didn’t understand his questioning voice so I knocked once.
“Oh… Maybe… Maybe you don’t know? Or maybe you don’t celebrate it? Hm.. Maybe...We can share mine?”
I didn’t like the sadness of his voice, so I knocked twice for his sake. He really liked that.
“You want to? That would be great! It’s...nice… I always wanted a sibling… Someone to share the day with. Father always gets so… depressed on this day. I think he barely even acknowledges me.”
One knock. I didn’t like that he was still so sad. I tried to verbalize this. I think, somehow in, some way, it got through to him.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be okay.”
The next day he slipped something under the door. It was a flimsy thing with weird bumps and ridges all over it. The ridges were all wet and the texture smeared on my hands. I slipped the paper back to him. He seemed disappointed at first but then made a new sound I had never heard before.
Laughter.
“I guess I didn’t think it through. It must be dark in there. No wonder you touched it. Don’t worry, I can always make another.” he said.
And that’s how we spent our first birthday.
After that he would visit me, and try to show me more of the flimsy wet thing. The texture always changed with each visit and it was interesting to feel, though it tasted disgusting. After he would leave, I would do my best to hide the weird substance with the dirt in the floor. I didn’t want the tall man to see this.
Then..things changed.
The plates that held my shackles were now near my stomach. I had begun to understand a very little bit about what Matt was saying and we were making progress every visit. But the tall man grew angrier and angrier when he came to see me.
Then I made a very very horrible mistake.
As the tall man began to beat and berate me I couldn’t help letting out a horrible cry.
“NO!”
I had heard Matt used this word many times to be disapproving or upset and it slipped without my realizing.
The tall man stared at me after I cried out. He then became furious and started screaming at me.
“WHERE DID YOU LEARN THAT?! WHO TAUGHT YOU?! YOU FILTHY! HORRID! PUTRID! MONSTER!”
He beat me to a point of bleeding and all I could do was sob in agony. I had learned Matt’s name. I could’ve just simply called it out, and hopefully scare this monster away. But I could not betray him. Matt was the only thing in my life that didn’t end in pain.
But, I didn’t call for him after that. I did not knock. I feared more that he would be caught, and the only good in my life would be stripped away from me. After all, though the tall man only visits me briefly, Matt had to live with him on the other side of the wooden wall. I had no idea what kind of pain or agony Matt had to endure.
But one day, I heard him scuffling in the room beyond. I missed our talks. I missed hearing his voice. I missed feeling the slight glimmer of hope.
So I knocked on the door.
He showed me a painting. Left. I waited for his return.
HELL YES we’re starting this year off with a shit ton of writing!!
Now fair warning to the five others in this fandom and what few read my writing for the sheer sake of it: I’m not intending on making this a serious fanfic. Trilby won’t save the day or have any sort of epic quest to save the coffee shop. Just...more like glorified head canons than anything. How they meet. What others do with their modern-day life. A few consistencies, but nothing major. No over arcing plots. Hell no real plot at all. Just slice-of-life shit. That being said, enjoy.
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Chapter 1 - Introductions
On the corner, at the intersection between Bronwyn road and Kings street, sat a small cafe which was aptly named King’s Cafe. It was small and quaint and obviously trying its best. Nothing too fancy or special. A modest little coffee shop that got by on the average. It had its share of regulars and made decent enough sales to keep the employees paid.
And one employee in particular, Siobhan O’Malley, was running late.
She hurried into the store and closed the door behind her. She sighed disappointed and frustrated, knowing she’s likely to hear about her tardiness from the manager, Cabadath. But now wasn’t a time for self-pity. Now was a time for work. She came over to the door to the worker’s back room, grabbed her apron, punched in, heard the snide remark from Cabadath about being a few minutes late, and came out, ready to start her day.
First she headed to the back to check on their resident baker, John DeFoe.
John was an unusual lad. He was tall, pale as a ghost, and lanky, practically skin and bones. He had a gaunt face and hollowed eyes, but he wasn’t really as spooky as he appeared. He was actually very timid and sweet, but a hard worker as well.
He always arrived first, bright and early, to get started on the cakes and doughnuts and pastries. It would’ve been a surprise that the cafe’s management even allowed him to have so much free reign, but it was no secret that his baking was what really brought in customers. Between his sweet treats and the way his twin brother, Matthew, would ice and decorate and customize each and every cookie, it was a wonder you could call it a cafe at all and not just a bakery.
Siobhan peeked into the kitchen to check on him, the sweet warm smell of spices, yeast, and fresh brewed coffee already wafting about the air.
“Morning!” she greeted cheerfully.
John was in the middle of stirring up dough and looking at a recipe on the company’s laptop. He jumped, slightly startled, before his gaze became expressionless once more, as it normally was, and he fixed it on her. He gave a curt nod.
John was a mute. He could hear, and he often used sign-language as a means to communicate, though it was really only something Matthew understood. In all truth, it always made Siobhan uneasy and constantly in the dark of the lad’s real thoughts or intentions. She hoped the nod was meant well and she gave a thumbs-up in return, feeling momentarily stupid for doing so.
“Morning, Ms. Siobhan!” Matthew’s sweet and excited voice rang out as he came in, from the pantry behind the kitchen, carrying a large tray full of different colored icing.
Siobhan immediately started to lighten up and feel better. Matthew’s sunny disposition and youthful energy easily filled any room. A complimentary yang to John’s yin.
“Hey Matt.” Siobhan smiled back. “How we looking today?”
“Doing great! Same as always!” Matt replied easily.
“Awesome.”
Siobhan came back out to the main room and looked up at the chalkboard. She noticed Cabadath had already scribbled in specials for the day and the cake display was already polished and gleaming. She got started on brewing a few of the coffees, and, when ready, made herself a Caretaker. A personal favorite of the unusually named coffees they served.
Siobhan then went about the cafe, setting chairs to tables, setting out the old magazines no one looks at, and setting pillows up on the couches, where they belonged.
“S’cuse me, Siobhan.”
She turned and saw Theo standing behind her with a broom and dustpan. An expectant and rather bored look on his face.
“Oh! Yeah, sorry.” she stepped out of the way and Dacabe began sweeping under the couch. “When’d you come in?”
“Same time as you. I came in right behind you.”
“Oh..” Siobhan gave a weak grin. “Ah.. Sorry, I didn’t see you.”
“No one ever does.”
She rolled her eyes and walked away. Theo was always a bit of a crybaby. He was the janitor though, so not only was it easy to overlook him, it wasn’t exactly like he had the hardest job. Not in Siobhan’s opinion at least.
Siobhan came to the front and pulled away the blinds and turned around the open sign. She came back to the counter.
‘5….
‘4….
‘3….
‘2….
‘1….’
“Morning!” Claire’s voice rang out, out of breath but still perky. She hurried to the door to the back office and soon reappeared, dressed for work. “Hey! Sorry! Sorry I’m late!”
“You’re right on time, Claire.” Siobhan grinned.
Claire hurried around the counter, said good morning to the boys, and came back to the counter and began helping set things up for the morning.
“So, how’s it going?” Claire asked.
“Same old, same old.” Siobhan sighed with a patient smile.
Claire worked the counters with Siobhan. She was a sweet, short, bespectacled woman. The type who loved to collect cat figurines and make movie references. She was bubbly and kind and claims to be psychic. Some believe her, some don’t. It didn’t really matter to Siobhan either way. Working with Claire was always a delight.
They got the store ready and opened. After helping a few early morning patrons, Siobhan looked up at the clock. 9:30.
She heard the door jingle and looked over in time to see Dr. Somerset walk in.
“Morning, Somerset!” she called out with a smile.
“Morning.” he greeted with a small nod.
“You ordering anything this time?”
“Maybe in a bit.” he walked over to the same corner he always sat at, in the arm chair underneath the space poster, and pulled out his laptop from his bag.
Siobhan rolled her eyes. Somerset was nice enough, but being a psychologist, trying to get into the field, he was almost always jobless. As such, he hardly ever actually ordered coffee. Instead he sat on his laptop, scrolling through the internet, busy with job hunting.
Not 3 minutes later did the door jingle for another regular.
“Siobhan!” Prof. Abed Chahal called out, as soon as he came in. He was a good man, a history professor for the nearby university. He always came in on the weekend, carrying a suitcase.
Siobhan waved, smiling.
“Morning, Abed! What’ll it be?”
“Ah.. I’m feeling adventurous today.” Abed thought for a moment, looking at the menu. “I think I’ll have a Guide.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
“Do the boys have any pastries ready?” he glanced over at the glass display of cakes and tarts.
“They’ve already been baking. Whatcha need?”
“Mmm.. What would you recommend?”
“Hm. I think I saw Johnny put in a sheet of cookies!”
“Well that sounds perfect. I’ll have one of those when they’re finished.”
“Alright then.” Siobhan jotted down the order and rang him up.
Abed walked over to a booth to wait. He sat down his suitcase, opened it up, and began setting up the chess board he always brought with him. Siobhan chuckled and watched him set up all the pieces.
“Who are you gonna play today?” she asked.
“Not sure, yet. But I’m sure I’ll find someone. Perhaps Johnny will entertain me on his break.”
“Hm. Maybe.” though Siobhan was sure he wouldn’t.
Johnny almost always liked to keep to himself and stay in the back. Abed was likely confusing him for Matthew.
Time went by, she made the coffee, got the cookie, came out to the counter.
“Abed, you’re coffee’s ready!” she immediately turned to find Chris Quinn, just as he was about to attempt shouting and scaring her. “Morning Chris.”
“Aw- what?!” Chris’ face fell in disappointment. “Bullshit, how’d you know I was here?”
“Because you do it almost every morning.” Siobhan chuckled. “And I heard Claire take your order.”
“She’s a sharp one, Chris.” Abed was chuckling as he took his coffee.
Chris blew a raspberry and proceeded to act like he was deflating and drape himself over the counter.
“You’re no fun, Siobhan.”
“And you’re still a child.” she chuckled.
“Here’s your coffee, Chris!”, Claire nudged past Siobhan and handed him a cup. “One Arrogant Joe.”
“Hell yes. Thank you!” he grinned and quickly bounced over to the couch beside Somerset and sat down to bug him instead.
Chris Quinn was an odd one. A man who supposedly wrote for a living. He was childish, excited, exuberant, and eccentric. He would’ve looked like a psychopathic horror, with the dark bags under his wide eyes and the long black trench coat that had red splatter paint on it.
He was a type of person Claire would describe as “bright”, but not in the traditional sense of being intelligent. “Bright” as in the way a 1000 watt lightbulb would be bright. He was friendly with everyone, had a horrible caffeine and sugar addiction, and was only ever kicked out once when he made everyone uncomfortable after downing 5 lattes on a dare and began talking about talking dog heads and zombies. He was mostly harmless, but has warned most of his slight schizophrenic tendencies.
After a while, the doorbell rang once more and the last regular of this cafe’s dysfunctional family arrived; Jim Fowler.
Jim was less common compared to others, being generally busy with school himself, but often stopped by on the weekends. He was a good, sensible lad who was on good terms with the DeFoe Twins, despite being a year younger. They go to the same school and on weekends, like today, Jim sometimes hangs around the shop and studies.
“Morning, Jim. What’ll it be?”
“Morning, Ms. O’Malley. Um..” Jim looked over the menu, thinking a moment before finally snapping his fingers with an answer. “Y’know? I think I’ll have the Bridgekeeper.”
“Got it.”
“Any of John’s cakes?”
“Plenty!” Matt came around, setting up another baked good for the display. “Whatcha need?”
“What was that one..? You guys were talking about it the other day. With the caramel?”
“Ooh! Yeah, the Salty Bears! We just finished those!”
Matt quickly disappeared into the back to retrieve his dish. Siobhan chuckled and rang him up.
“Jimmy! Why don’t you sit down and play a round with me?” Abed asked, looking up from his board.
“Wish I could, Abed, but I got studies!” Jim gave an apologetic grin.
“Nonsense! It’s just one round!”
“Mm. He should really study.” Claire chimed in, closing her eyes. “Big test coming up.”
“You’re telling me..” Jim rolled his eyes. “My dad’s gonna be all over me if I don’t pass.”
He hurried to another table and sat down, sitting his backpack beside him and started pulling out his textbooks.
“Welp, everyone’s here today.” Siobhan said to Claire.
“Yup. Another day in the King’s Cafe.” Claire sighed contently.
Jim soon got his coffee and pastry, and then it was just another, slow, typical day in the cafe.
Abed managed to convince Matthew to play with him on his next break.
A few randos came in and went out.
Simone Taylor droned on in the background on a small TV mounted to the wall in the back.
Chris decided he was done bugging Somerset and struck up a conversation with Siobhan while waiting for his next cup.
“So, can I ask a serious question, Siobhan?” Chris was asking.
“But you’re never serious.” Siobhan chuckled, pouring the milk into his latte, practicing her foam art.
“No, come on. Really.”
“Okay, fine, what?”
“When are we gonna stop playing these silly games with each other?” he grinned suggestively.
Siobhan laughed. It wasn’t the first time Chris was a flirt, let alone flirted with her. But as opposed to most guys, Siobhan didn’t think it wise to have even a casual fling with a man like Chris. She shook her head.
“Chris, I still don’t know what game you’re talking about? But if you’re looking for a date Friday, the answer is still no.”
“Aw, come on!”
The door jingled and rang. Siobhan handed him his coffee.
“Just take your drink, would...ya…” Siobhan’s thought slowed as she took in the recent customer.
He was tall.
He was handsome.
He was well dressed.
He was soaked to the bone.
His long black hair clung damply to his pale face.
He took off a small gray hat, a complementary part to the three piece grey pinstripe suit he wore, and shook the excess water off.
He looked up and smiled at Siobhan, politely.
“Good afternoon.” he said in a soft, posh, baritone voice.
“Um..” Siobhan quickly shook her head and smiled readily. “Welcome to the King’s Cafe, sir. What can I get you?”
“Well let’s see um…” the man frowned, reading the menu. “I’m...afraid I don’t quite understand what some of your options are.”
“Oh! Right! Uh, the King’s Cafe has a few specials, and ergo a fun and special lingo for the customers.” Siobhan chuckled. “It’s a little silly really, but I’ll do my best to explain anything that catches your attention.”
“Well.. What’s the Guide?”
“The Guide is basically a Mead Raf.” Siobhan explained. “Espresso with a shot of honey and topped with heavy cream. Bitter, strong, but a hint of something sweet.”
“Actually that already sounds lovely. I think I’ll try that.”
“Coming right up, sir. Do you like cakes?”
“Not often...” he said, looking at his watch, frowning thoughtfully. “...Perhaps another time.”
“Alright then. I’ll get that coffee ready.”
She rung him up and he paid, but was so distracted he left to a table and sat down immediately. He was carrying a leather messenger bag and quickly sat up in a corner booth, pulling out several notebooks and a laptop. He immediately got to work on whatever and it took Siobhan an embarrassing amount of time to realize she hadn’t asked his name.
“Uh, sir? Sir?” but it was too late.
The man was already too engrossed in whatever it was he was doing to hear her. Siobhan simply sighed and looked at the cup. She shrugged and drew a trilby on it. And that was when she realized the newcomer had caught everyone’s attention. Even Somerset and the DeFoe twins were all looking over, trying to get a look at the strange man.
“...Alright, come on you guys, there’s nothing to see. He’s just another customer.” Siobhan rolled her eyes and got to work.
“He is kinda cute though.” Claire grinned, leaning over the counter to look better.
“Claire.” Siobhan said disapprovingly.
“Hell maybe he’ll wanna go out this Friday.” Chris grinned.
“Chris, you’re not even gay.” Siobhan looked at him, confused.
“So?” Chris immediately went over to introduce himself.
Siobhan internally cringed. She hated when Chris did this with other customers. The one time it was funny because a guy named Philip clocked him in the face, but aside from that, it was usually just embarrassing and frustrating.
“Hey!” Chris greeted, taking a seat opposite of the man. “So what’s your name?”
The man didn’t skip a beat, and continued to type away on his keyboard, slowing only to reach over with one hand and hold up a notebook he was looking at. One hand still typing away while he read.
Chris sat there for a moment before leaning over a little closer, looking over the notebook.
“Whatcha working on there?” he reached to move the notebook down a little.
“Your demise if you so much as touch this notebook.” was the sharp and quiet answer.
Chris immediately retreated. The man continued on, unphased.
“I’ve no time for idle chit-chat, thank you.” the man said politely. “I’ve a very important deadline.”
“Then maybe another time? ‘Nother place?”
“Here and now is plenty for me to worry about. I’ve no interest in any further plans.”
Siobhan chuckled at how utterly rejected Chris looked. Eventually she finished the order and looked over at him. She wasn’t sure at first how to address him, but figured if she had to, she’ll go over and tap him on the shoulder.
“Um.. Sir? W-with the trilby?” she leaned over the counter a little.
At that, as if by magic, the man’s head popped up from his work
“Hm? Me? Oh, yes.”
He came over and grabbed the coffee.
“Thank you very much, miss.” he smiled politely.
“Wait, what’s your-?”
He already turned and retreated back to his corner.
“Maybe his name’s Trilby?” Claire suggested.
“What kind of name is that?” Siobhan scoffed.
“Hm, judging by his laptop and notebooks, it could be a pseudonym.” Somerset commented thoughtfully. “Likely an author or writer of some sort.”
“You think he’s here to stay?” Chris asked.
“Whatcha mean?” Claire asked.
“Well I mean.. Look at us.” Siobhan shrugged. “Normally we’re all here at some point or another. Sometimes with Philip or Janine.”
“Oh.. So you think maybe he’s gonna…” Claire looked back and Chris helpfully finished the sentence.
“Stick around.”
Everyone was looking at him curiously now, lost in their own thoughts and assumptions.
Siobhan watched him for a while, serious and busy hammering away at his laptop. He occasionally paused only to look over his notes once more or to sigh, rub his chin, and soon enough get back to typing. Perfectly content and oblivious to the world around him. She smiled.
Since it’s taking too long to get around to drawing anything for it, I’ll just word-vomit some headcanons here:
Welcome to The King’s Cafe
The special would be the Blessed Agony, said to have so much caffeine in it that it once sent a man (AJ) to the hospital. It comes with three options: The Body (which relies more on the strength of the espresso), The Mind (a very sweet and creamy version of it), and The Soul which is a combination of the other two.
Siobhan and Claire work the counter
The Prince is the manager (I suppose humanized? Idk.)
John bakes the pastries (anxious mute boy that he is, keeps to the back)
Matthew decorates them (excited extrovert ready to share their creations. Also helps with the latte art.)
(Twins are 16 or 17. Old enough to work.)
Dacabe is a janitor
Chzo’s insignia is embroidered into every apron the staff has to wear
Abed is that regular who usually sits with a chessboard, hoping that someone would play a round with him while he rambles on and forgets who’s turn it is
Somerset is also a regular who normally sits in his own corner, trying to find a job on his laptop while also playing therapist for anyone who sits with him. (Usually Dacabe, hoping to climb the ladder.)
Chris is that regular that always changes his name on the order and asks for the Blessed Agony almost every day, even though the staff has had to refuse after he nearly had a breakdown the last time they gave him one.
Trilby is the regular who simply shows up, oblivious to the world around him, almost always orders the same thing, forgets to give his name, responds to Trilby, and sits at a table, with his laptop and notebooks, to work on his next murder mystery novel.
Siobhan and Chris playfully compete for Trilby’s attention and affection.
While Chris only gets his attention because he would almost literally throw himself in Trilby’s way, Trilby often deflects, finding no interest whatsoever in engaging or would simply brush off his remarks.
While Siobhan tries a more subtle approach which earns the occasional smile and returned joke, yet Trilby is still unaware to her drawing hearts on his cup, the heart latte art she’s learned how to make for him, and other such hints.
Occasionally, if Trilby is stuck on his writing, he’ll sit down to play a game of chess with Abed.
The one day Trilby is actually disappointed to show up and find Claire taking his order instead of Siobhan because she’s has the day off or is sick.
Trilby looking around, disturbed at the silence in the cafe because Chris isn’t there to strike up conversations with everyone.
The one day Somerset and Trilby occupy the same space and everyone’s making theories on why they look so much alike and how they’re related.
“Somerset?”
Trilby looks up but sees the doctor going to get it and returns to his work.
“Holy crap, he responded! Who is he?!!”
John communicating in sign language with Matt.
Siobhan spending her breaks sitting across from Trilby, giving him the peace of silent company.
Chris talking Somerset’s ear off and exhausting him
Matt always impressing and teaching others how to do latte art
Claire learning sign language to communicate with John too
Trilby hits a crunch time with his writing and orders a Blessed Agony, to which the manager complies
Trilby ends up having an anxiety attack and heart palpitation from the caffeine and sugar and it hurts
he survives...barely
part of the art and decorations in the coffee shop hint back to things in the series. (The Sea Angel in a bottle, the landscape of Defoe Manor, a painting the Mephistopheles, the idol, etc.)
A rocking chair in one corner
Other cute nicknames for other coffees like Caretaker, Guide, and Bridgekeeper
When the Prince is working behind the counter, there is a special Chzo coffee, but it’s borderline lethal
Chris whining about Trilby not paying attention to him, to Somerset who’s only half listening as he scrolls through the internet
Trilby having his own, incredibly subtle way of flirting back with Siobhan and Chris, like tolerating Chris’ ramblings but no one else’s, or scheduling to show up only on days Siobhan should be working, leaving a tip for her, pausing his work to actually give Chris his attention.. Y’know, the little things.
Trying to get more in the habit of drawing and posting, so I’ll start with this!
Coffee Shop AU for Chzo, based on the sweet fic that @emile-hides did! I just had to draw the sweet bois all excited and nervous for Trilby’s approval. X3
I hate that I never draw hands and only sometimes actually finish drawing bodies, but whatevs. I wasn’t going to get into great detail with this anyway.
Here's most of the staff at the King's Cafe! Had to kinda assume a lot with Claire and the boys. Also I didn't really wanna bother with my normal style so chibi it is! I'll try to get around to drawing the rest soon.
