estoria | [closed]

[Mikleo is unsure about the pink aprons, but he's worn worse. He can tolerate it.

He can also tolerate Leon being the Grump to his Not-So-Grump. Maybe. The water seraph quirks an eyebrow.]

Hi to you, too.

[To Roxas and Xion, he nods politely enough.]

Nice to meet you two. I'm Mikleo, and he's Leon.

[ Xion isn't even registering Leon being rude. At least, not at the moment. Mostly, she's just kind of nervous about being here. What's a job? Can you eat it? No, she knows what a job is, but she's never had, like, a real person's job before, she's a soldier by trade. This sort of thing is utterly alien to her, and she's worried about messing it up. Unlike the other two boys, though, she loves her adorable pink apron, and she clutches its frilly hem in constantly-shifting fingers as she smiles a little anxiously at the two boys she doesn't know. ]

It's nice to meet you too! I'm Xion. Um, I ... I've never done this kind of thing before, so ... I'll do my best to learn!

[ Whatever you might say for her, she's very earnest. Even if she's kind of glued to Roxas's side right now like a dark-haired, especially eager to please shadow. ]

What a nice guy.

[roxas mutters to xion, under his breath. it's like dealing with saïx or something—what a jerkass. he notices, but he's been at this ice cream shop job for a couple of months now, so it's not so hard to him.]

Nice to meet you. [well, mikleo, at least. he's still not sure about leon over there.] I'm Roxas.

[he'll turn to xion and offer an encouraging smile.] Don't worry, you'll pick it up in no time. It's not really hard at all.

[way, way easier than dumb missions like tailing pete or beating up leechgrave, that's for sure.]

Edited (get out of there extra linebreak, nobody wants you) 2015-12-09 00:51 (UTC)

[He is a nice guy... he's totally a nice guy. But because he's a nice guy like that, he's not at all interested in small talk; instead, he huffs faintly and turns away to inspect the shop.

He's actually listening, he just is trying to pretend he isn't because he doesn't!!! care!!! Obviously!!!

Ice cream....there's so much ice cream in here, he actually doesn't mind that at all...]

[Holy Amenoch, Xion is adorable. A hand falls to rest at his hip and he gives her a small smile.]

It's my first time doing any sort of work like this for currency. So, you're certainly not alone in this, Xion.

[He gives Roxas an interested look.]

Ah, you wouldn't happen to know Mary, would you? She talked a little bit about someone she knows named Roxas.

[ Xion ducks her head in a tiny, private giggle at Roxas's comment, and she elbows him gently, murmuring: ]

Maybe he's just quiet?

[ But she'll straighten up at his and Mikleo's encouragement, releasing the hem of her apron and smiling much more brightly. ]

Thanks, you two. I hope I don't mess it up, but ... I'm sure with the support of my friends, I'll be okay!

[ Yes, Mikleo and Leon, you apparently both get to already be included in that number. Welcome!

While Mikleo addresses Roxas, Xion watches Leon curiously, and finally detaches herself from Roxas's side to move over to him. ]

What are you looking at, anyway?

[he makes a bit of a face at xion's assertion... he doesn't think that's the case at all. or maybe he's quiet, but he's still a jerk in the process. he could at least try to join the conversation. they have to work together, after all.

but the sourness dissipates pretty quickly at the mention of mary. that perks him up a bit, a smile forming on his lips. well, that and xion being xion. isn't his best friend great? she's great!!]

Yeah... Mary's one of my good friends. I didn't know you knew her too. [she has so many friends!! it's impressive, really. how is she so good at that?]

[Xion, sweet child, no.... don't put yourself at the mercy of this jerk.

Either way, he'll at least respond to her question, even as he crosses his arms. The majority of his grumpiness is at the fact that he's stuck working such a menial job to begin with, after all.]

If I am going to be stuck working here, I may as well familiarize myself with where everything is. It might benefit you to do the same.

[It's... kind of harsh, but it's not said entirely harshly at least. He'd noted that she was nervous about this, so surely making herself more competent and ready to face things will help.]

[Xion is actually the best. Mikleo's just sorry she has to deal with Leon.]

I met her when I first arrived. I've been interested in meeting you after she mentioned you. Mary said she'd probably be visiting with my close friend from home, Sorey, during lunch whenever she has the chance.

[The water seraph picks up on Leon's tone, but decides not to comment just yet. He wants to see how Xion (and, by extension, Roxas) handles it on her own first.]

Stuck?

[ That strikes her first, as she blinks at him. It doesn't occur to her to think he views it that way because of the work itself - she thinks he believes he's stuck here with them. Which ... is pretty mean.

Her chin lowers a little, her hands coming up to curl over her middle as she draws in a breath ... and then she nods firmly, looking up at him with a determined expression. ]

I know! You're right, I should be doing the same thing. And I will, don't worry. I just thought ... you should join us, rather than standing off by yourself. [ She smiles a little, gentle. ] We'll all be working together, after all.

[ And she'd really, really, really like to get along with this set of coworkers better than she did her last set. ]

Oh... I didn't know she mentioned me. It'll be nice to see her around here in the day, though.

[and sorey too, he guesses. anyone that's friends with mary is a friend of his, or could be. she's a good person, so he trust in that. the whole situation brightens his mood a lot, despite the the way he's scrunching his nose a bit from what he picks up of leon's words.

"stuck." yeah, great to work with you too, jerk.]

Is he always like that? [granted, he may not be as bad as saïx based on the fact that he's not outright berating xion, but his word choice leaves a lot to be desired here.]

[Being rude without meaning to be, being rude while meaning to be. The Leon life.

Either way, he's legitimately startled. She has no reason to be this friendly to him, and yet here she is, trying to be friends. Naturally, Leon has to Leon at that.]

We aren't friends. [That comes immediately, even as he tosses his head slightly, looking away huffily.]

The fact that we are working together is a matter of coincidence and necessity and nothing more, so don't act as though it is.

[Friendship is hard.]

[Mikleo's eyes flicker toward Leon for a moment.]

To everyone, especially if they use the word 'friend' or 'kind' to describe him. At least, that's what I've seen of him so far. The only person he's not like that to is Chaltier.

[Ah, and now comes the inevitable. Leon 'Friendship Is Hard' Magnus. Mikleo calls out to them:]

Didn't you say that to me verbatim when we first met?

[He'd be impressed if it wasn't so sad.]

[ Well. For the first time he's actually managed to ruffle her feathers, the look on her face halfway between offense and hurt, and she draws back slightly. She hasn't got the confidence to really force the issue - not loudly, like someone more energetic or more self-assured might.

Instead, she lowers her chin, her momentarily vulnerable expression turning into something of an unhappy pout, and turns away to move back towards Roxas instead. ]

I just thought we should all get along, that's all.

[ What Mikleo says gets her gaze to settle on him, then flick back to Leon curiously. ... is he always like this? She frowns a little, a small, sharp, huffy thing.

... maybe she can-- ]

You don't have to be rude about it.

[ DAMN, SHE WENT THERE. ]

So what you're saying is that he's kind of a jerk.

[roxas isn't really one to pull punches here. he was content to keep the thought to himself when leon was being a little isolationist baby; being rude to his best friend though?

yeah, absolutely not.

she doesn't deserve that kind of treatment from someone who doesn't even know her at all. they were all trying to introduce themselves and get along because they work together—roxas and xion are both accustomed to a less-than-pleasant work environment already, and roxas isn't interested in a repeat situation.

and yet here we are, with roxas shooting a pretty icy glare in leon's direction. a+ good job.]

[100% correct, he is absolutely a rude jerk. Leon hears it (and Xion's comment too), but he ignores both; he's heard worse and he doesn't really care what they think about him. One would think he would at least try to get along with his co-workers but no... no he's a big baby.]

I am not interested in getting along with any of you.

[A beat.

What Mikleo said sinks in, and then he frowns, looking both more flustered and more irritated.]

You-- shut up! Keep your opinion to yourself!

[being a tsun is hard]

[Sorry, Leon. Someone's gotta keep this household together and that means not doing what he's told. Also, he's older than everyone in this room, so Mikleo automatically wins.]

Isn't it better to try to get along with potential comrades than to make them your enemies, anyway?

[Logic! Sensibility! None of those icky friendship feelings that Leon clearly doesn't need more of in his life.]

At any rate, if none of you mind, I think it might be best if I stuck to making the ice cream rather than deal with customer service. On my world, most humans aren't able to see me, but here there's no telling. Some see me, some only hear me, some don't even know I'm here.

[ Xion's the youngest in the room by technicality, though she and Roxas are really roughly the same age. They're both still younger than Leon ... and they're both much nicer than he is. Leon.

Mikleo continuing to keep calm about the situation is what keeps Xion from reacting more adversely. She watches Leon with an odd mix of curiosity and sourness. Her feelings are exactly the same as Roxas's - she doesn't want to get stuck with a situation like the one they had back home. They've both had their fill of awful coworkers. But what Mikleo said is sticking with her.

Didn't you say that to me verbatim when we first met?

Does that mean they are friends now?

Besides... Leon isn't nearly as imposing as someone like Xemnas or Saix. She doesn't feel scared of him... just kind of mildly annoyed by his attitude.

So it is that she starts to, on the pretense of examining the counter, drift back over in his direction again while listening to Mikleo's explanation. ]

Humans can't see you? But ... [ A beat, as Xion considers various implications of that statement. ] I mean, I definitely don't mind! Before I arrived in Cerealia, I ... [ Her gaze flicks to Roxas, and then back to Mikleo. ] I hadn't had a chance to meet many people. So I ... I'd like to try doing that, if I can!

[roxas isn't as forgiving as xion about these things, so it's definitely going to take some work for him to warm up to leon after this (quite frankly) shitty first impression. he can tell that leon's not anywhere near as bad as someone like saïx, or even larxene, but... he's still unpleasant and rude.

he makes a bit of a face at leon before turning his attention back to xion and mikleo. whatever, leon. this blonde isn't as forgiving as stahn, so he'll focus on his own best friend!!]

I guess... it's pretty good we can see you, then. [it works out nicely, and roxas smiles a bit at them. (take that, leon!!)] I'm not really good at making the ice cream either, so me and Xion can handle the counter.

[leon shouldn't be near people. ever. he looks to xion and grins brightly.] It's pretty easy, I think you'll be good at it. You get to talk to a lot of people... it tiring sometimes, but it's not bad.

[Leon's arms are crossed as Mikleo speaks (more defensively than anything), and he huffs shortly and turns away to look at the ice cream (but mostly to not have to look at the others). Whatever, Mikleo!!! You're not his mom!!!

He does respond, but it's just said somewhat quietly, more a short comment than anything.]

If this is enough to make enemies of you people, I do not want you as my allies.

[Sheesh... all he was was... totally rude and abrasive!!

He does notice Xion drifting closer to him (which is something he wasn't expecting after how she'd reacted to his words before), and he quirks an eyebrow at her in response. But she's talking to that other punk kid whose name Leon doesn't care to learn and Leon's not interested enough to interrupt.

If they want to do all of the customer service, they can be his guests, really.... it's not like Leon wants to interact with more people for something stupid like this. Instead of poking his nose into the conversation, he has progressed to poking around behind the counter, but it all seems simple enough... ice cream, treats, cones (holy shit dipped cones with sprinkles!!!) and everything is all right here, so... this shouldn't be a hard task.]

[Too bad, Leon!!!

He nods at Xion's question, though. There might also be a tiny smile for both of them.]

Then I think it will be perfect for the both of you. If there are flavors from your world that you'd like, then I'll do my best to figure out the recipe for them.

[Mikleo isn't forgetting their grumpy coworker, either. He looks over at Leon.]

You mind helping me with figuring out which flavors we'll have each day? I'm going to need some help cleaning back there, too. I figure the four of us can take turns with keeping the dining area neat.

[ Secret agent Xion, all up in Leon's space...

She'll just hang out over by him, joining him behind the counter, even though she's talking to Roxas and Mikleo, for now. Leon doesn't scare her! She'll prove it to him, if she has to! If there's one thing she's always been, it's stubborn, and she always had a streak of trying to prove Saix wrong about her. That's already surfacing when it comes to Leon. She doesn't want to be his enemy. She's not sure she wants to be his friend, either, but she does want to prove they're not all so bad as he seems to think they are. And if that means not being cowed by his brusque demeanor, so be it!

Challenge accepted!!!!

Still, Mikleo's offer gets this immediate outburst from her, perhaps a little too loud: ]

Sea salt!

[ She slaps her hands over her mouth, blinking, turning a bit pink from embarrassment. Then she laughs, sheepish. ]

Um... can we please try to make that? [ She lowers her hands and glances at Roxas with a teensy tiny smile, knowing and sweet. ] It would be so cool to have it here! [ Looking to Mikleo again: ] It's a flavor we both know from back home. Our favorite!

[ After a beat, she'll glance up at Leon with a look that isn't quite a smile, but she's not frowning, either. Quietly: ]

You won't make an enemy of me, Leon. Not unless you really want to.

Good news, Xion.

[he'll offer her a bright grin, which... well, he hasn't had much reason to do lately. but this is totally cause for it.] Sea-salt's already on the menu. I was pretty surprised when I first saw it, too.

[but it's the best kind of surprise! naturally, he buys a lot of it himself, and he usually gets it for mary too, because other flavors are totally inferior to sea-salt as far as he's concerned.]

You'll definitely be able to learn it then, right? Maybe we could have it all the time... [since that's a flavor more likely to rotate, and roxas isn't any good at making ice cream himself. he's definitely giving mikleo a bit of a starry-eyed look... can they? can they? please? that would be the best!!

all this ice cream talk, naturally trumps leon's entire existence so he's just gonna keep ignoring the grumpy kitten until he has to.]

["You won't make an enemy of me, Leon. Not unless you really want to." IS THAT A THREAT........ Leon's paranoid enough from his time around people who would make threats like that that he looks at her a bit more sharply at that, but... no, she doesn't really look like the sort of person who would deliver passive-aggressive threats like that. Maybe he's just being overly wary...

Either way, he just makes a quiet noise under his breath, a "hmph" more than anything. That's what he thinks of that... he doesn't want friends or allies!!!

~~This is why he's so lonely~~.]

I'm not interested in that.

[Obviously he doesn't want to make enemies for no good reason, but he's not afraid of it either.

And then he turns his attention to Mikleo, nodding shortly. He's not happy about having to do menial labor like this, but better to work than to do nothing at all, really.]

That should be fine. I will pull my weight here.

[You don't have to worry about that... despite his attitude, he really is a hard worker.]

[Whoa, okay. He can appreciate Roxas and Xion's exuberance for this sea salt ice cream! Mikleo gives Roxas a confident look.]

It'll take me some time, but I can learn it. I'd be honored if you two had the final taste test when I get to that point. I don't see why that can't be our signature ice cream flavor.

[AKA, yes, they can have it out all the time.

To Leon, he nods.]

I'm counting on you.

[OKAY now that everything's been sorted out, Mikleo shifts his attention back to Roxas.]

Roxas, you've been here much longer than the rest of us. Do you mind showing us where everything is?

Really?!

[ Roxas gets her brightest grin in return. ]

That's great! I can't believe we can have sea salt ice cream here.

[ She'll stay over by Leon. He can't shake her now!!! He hasn't gotten angry, or told her off... he just seems kind of standoffish. But that's nowhere near as bad as Saix. In a way, she feels like she needs to do this. For his sake as well as her own.

But she keeps her attention on Mikleo now, because, well, at least he's talking to her. ]

You're amazing, Mikleo! Thank you so much for offering to make it. I bet we can make everyone else love it, too!

[ Xion will lean against the counter, grinning at everyone - even Leon. ]

And yes, please! I want to learn where everything is as soon as I can. I want to be the best I can be at this job! The whole point is to make our customers happy so they keep coming back, right?

Signature flavor...

[wow... that sounds so cool. so cool!? roxas didn't even consider that as an option. but it's so cool! sea-salt ice cream all the time! and a signature flavor!

mikleo is definitely doing a good job of winning all kinds of points in his book. good going, mikleo. you will never be rid of this nobody now. right, okay, focus!!]

Yeah, I can show you guys where everything is. And how to do all the stuff for opening and closing the shop too... set-up, and clean-up. It's really not hard, I'm sure you guys'll get it quick. [even you, leon. even if you're a big jerk, roxas will help because that's what you do with co-workers. you cooperate and not act like a big asshat.]

[Standoffish is right... and sea salt ice cream...........

(He wants to try it.)

A-ahem!!!

He's not interested in this conversation at all shut up.

Hmph. (Carry on, Roxas.)]

[Yes, he must gather all of these children under his wing, give them love (and sweets), and protect them at all costs.

Still! Mikleo looks a little embarrassed, though his smile remains. He's not sure about being amazing, but he really can't say no when they're so excited and happy about the arrangement. At Roxas' statement, he nods.]

That would be a tremendous help. Thank you, Roxas.

[closed]

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