Open!

[maidhem]

Who: Felicia (maidhem) & YOU
When: After the Interlude
Where: A Maid Cafe + Throughout Town
What: Felicia learns the hard way why her job isn't a good one AND Felicia delivers cookies!
Rating/Warning: None



A

[When Felicia was told that she would be working in a maid cafe, she expected it to be not dissimilar to the work she had done during her service in that distant, Nohrian castle in the north; delivering food and small goods, laundry and other cleaning, and perhaps some cooking if she were allowed to. What she hadn't expected was an environment more akin to a restaurant-- nor patrons both male and female making very particular comments about the uncomfortably short length of her skirt or the equally uncomfortable low neckline of her blouse. It was embarrassing for her to be so exposed, but she put on a brave smile and worked as hard as she could to take care of the patrons.

The fact that her clumsiness was actually encouraged was surprising for her. Tripping over her own feet was far from what a graceful and elegant maid should be, and she didn't understand it.

Nor did she understand other things, like the teasing from the young men who came in on their own, or the fact that they seemed to be tripping her on purpose.

Until finally it clicked-- it just took a young man casually getting too handsy for polite company to do it.

Yelping in surprise and sudden anger over having her faith in the profession violated in such a way., Felicia threw the teapot she had been delivering at the offender and stormed out of the building in tears.

Frozen droplets of sweet tea followed in her wake. No one could explain the sudden chill in the air.]

B

[Baking was her means of coping. In this strange environment, where every rule she believed in had no bearing and people could be whisked away without any forewarning, there were few other things left to comfort her in this city. Finding the honey she favored in her recipe was like a gift from the Gods...and she ended up with dozens upon dozens of cookies that neither she nor her room mate, Yuna, could finish in a reasonable amount of time.

Still worried about the few friends she had made, Felicia knew her choice was obvious.

Thus, on some quiet afternoon, Felicia was making her way around the city with a giant tote bag filled...with cookies. Her smile seemed a tad forced, but she was quick to greet everyone she knew with complete gusto. Even if she didn't know you, odds were that she would offer cookies anyway-- she had far too many, and there were far too many hearts who needed to know the simple delight that was her special Angel Cookies.]

Comments

B

[meowbel]

[Along the way, she might happen to find one young brunette wandering around. As she too tried to cope with the new of what happened to a few of her friends, the only thing she could do was keep herself busy. By that, she was going off to buy as much yarn as she could! What else could she do to prevent her mind from thinking about what happened to her friends?

While she walked around with a huge bag of yarn, she spotted a young girl with a giant bag of her own! At first, she didn't have any idea of what it might be but when she did? She wasted no time in going straight to Felicia!]

Oh, I want a cookie too! Pick me, pick me!

B

[maidhem]

Oh?

[Felicia looked over the young girl curiously, noting the gigantic tote of yarn and grinning broadly when she realized she had met a kindred soul. Holding the bag open, she held it out for the stranger.]

Of course you can have some! I made way too many, but they're just so easy and there's no way anyone can be sad if they have some cookies.

B

[sunnymerc]

( For days now, Soleil had been scouring the town taking note of every possible location one would take a person out on a date: tea shops, coffee shops, whatever. She had also been visiting stores in an attempt to find things to cheer up the friends who had suffered recently, but admittedly had not gotten to know any of them well enough to know what they would like.

She perked up when she recognized Felicia. )

Ah! Feliciaaa!

( Soleil waved and bounded over. )

Hehe, hi, Felicia!

B

[maidhem]

Soliel!

[Spinning around in her billowy, floral skirt that she had picked out for that day, Felicia grinned when she saw the young woman. Whether the relief in her eyes was real or imagined, there was no doubt that Felicia was glad to see Soliel when she reached out to give her friend a hug.]

It's really good to see you! How's this city been treating you?

B

[tuishou]

[He didn't want to be out. Then again, Neji was no stranger to doing things he felt he must do anyway. In this case-- he wouldn't call it avoidance (again), he did just think he was helping matters by going about his day as if nothing had ever happened. It was stupid to think it would fix anything, and so that wasn't the intent Neji had in mind. He couldn't fix the gnawing restlessness in his core by simple exercise but.

But it'd give him something to do. It'd force him to move and think of something outside of-- himself. He's a little more morose than usual _{(when the hell had it become his Usual?)} until he catches sight of...

he can't remember her name. That nice girl, only her smile wasn't hers, and damn if it didn't rub him wrong to see it. Neji smooths his expression into distant nothingness- and Felicia's already approaching, so.] Are you alright?

[He notes that she's carrying something in her bag but his white eyes are on hers, expectant.]

B

[maidhem]

I'm fine! I'm totally fine!

[Except for the fact that she couldn't work in the industry she had spent her life in any longer, and the fact that at least some of her friends were still missing in this mess. The knives that were gifted to her by one such person were carefully wrapped and carried in the pockets of her skirts, alongside her usual set of blades, just so she could remind herself that their meeting had actually happened and wasn't just a figment of some dream.

Which was why she beamed at Neji, even though her heart trembled with worry. This friend, at least, seemed to be pretty okay.]

I, uhm, have something for you, [she said, fishing around in her tote before she found a small, delicately wrapped bag of cookies that were tied off with a simple little bow. Still smiling, and hoping that Neji wouldn't press the issue of her not knowing what to do next with her life, she held the bag out for him.]

They're cookies! Home made, and I picked out the recipe myself. [She giggled, sheepishly.] My friends at home call them Angel Cookies, because they're sweet enough that you feel like you're going to heaven...not that you actually are, of course.

B

[powertotearer]

[Eiji probably has too much time on his hands, but his job is part-time, so he tends to have some extra time off. And being Eiji, he tends to spend that time in the park, tossing around a ball with his candroids. He's just caught it when Felicia offers cookies.]

Huh? Oh, thanks!

[But two metal octopi will be hovering closer. Just what is so interesting that it's interrupting their game?]

B

[maidhem]

Great! I made too many, so I hope you like them!

[She handed him a delicately wrapped package of cookies, tied off neatly with a little bow on top.]

And I'm sorry for interrupting your game with your friends. What are you playing, anyway?

B; I'm sorry for him

[notsogreedy]

[Ankh was walking down the street when someone surprised him but holding out a cookie toward him. He just looked at the stranger for a second, then the cookie in her hand, then took it without saying anything, taking a small bite out of it as he turned to walk away. That was unexpected, but he wasn't going to turn down free sweets.]

sdjhsjkhgksjhgs

[maidhem]

Ah-- hey! [Felicia held her bag tighter in her hand and started following the man. Her heels clacked in rapid cadence on the concrete, announcing her intentions for anyone within hearing range.]

You're not even going to say anything? Just take one and walk away?!

[R U D E.]

a

[freeinghorror]

[The only good thing about this place was the tea. The second good thing was that the cafe was at the perfect spot between the building he answered calls and the building in which he taught people how to actually live. The costumes and the mannerisms of the 'maids' didn't phase him - even if he wasn't married, he was raised among the Makai in which women often dressed in a manner that would make some of these 'maids' look like they were wearing too much clothing. So he was probably one of the few people who came to this place just to relax and have something sweet, and not to oogle the wait staff.

Some of the patrons were bad though. He eyed that one bunch, especially when they decided to start harassing one of the 'maids' who wasn't as into the scene as the rest of them. He chuckled as the harassers got a face full tea and finished his highly sweet treat before leaving. And if he stepped on the harasser's foot and accidentally elbowed him as he turned to apologize, well, he didn't mean any harm, right?

Then he was outside, following the trail of frozen tea and cool air, his hands in his pockets and his manner trying towards non-threatening as possible. He knew he didn't look innocent; all black clothing did that even if it wasn't also wearing oddly-cut strangely decorated to the modern eye, but at least he didn't radiate stalker. It might help that he also had a glowing blue butterfly flying around his head before it decided to settle on top of it like a silly little hat.]

I take it no one explained to you what a 'maid cafe' is?

a

[maidhem]

[Looking up at the stranger with tearful eyes, it was clear that Felicia held no fear for this man. It wasn't fear that drove her to flee, but anger-- anger at having her profession insulted by some improper jerk. Even Niles, a man with a reputation for being a rogue and a flirt, had more manners than that in his dealings with her-- and half of his antics were simply to get a reaction from his targets, nothing more.

She leveled her gaze at him from underneath her neatly cut bangs before wiping the tears from her eyes and shaking her head.]

N-no, [Felicia said in a watery voice, and swallowed back more tears before she continued.] I'm a maid in a castle back home. I thought the job was going to be similar to that...

...I should have known something was strange when they didn't yell at me for dropping that nice tea set.

b

[whiteris]

Hello Felicia! Did you make all of these yourself?

[ Why? There's so many of them. A single person can't eat that many cookies! It's a little questionable, but Cloche appreciates the sentiment nonetheless. Maybe Felicia just wanted to share it with lots of people. ]

b

[maidhem]

Yes!

[Felicia giggled sheepishly before holding out the bag for Cloche to take as many little packages of cookies as she wanted.]

I got a little carried away with the baking, so I thought this would be the best thing to do with them all.

a!

[splashdamage]

[ he doesn't have any interest in maids, to be honest. and he's ... not even sure what the point of a 'maid cafe' is, really. one would think the food and atmosphere of a cafe would be the key selling points, not the attire of the servers? point being -- kakyoin's only considering entering the maid cafe because the sign they've put out front advertises a neat array of dishes, and it looks like a clean, fairly cozy establishment. he'd like someplace quiet to think for a bit, and the offering of tea and pastries sounds nice.

but before he can so much as turn away from the signboard and head towards the entrance, the door bursts open, and someone comes storming out, smacking into him before he can get out of the way. ]

-- whoops.

[ he's just solid enough that the collision doesn't affect him much, and he's quick to grasp at felicia's shoulders to keep her from stumbling back herself. ]

Sorry, I shouldn't have been lurking near the doorway like that. [ his words start off calm, but he definitely sounds more concerned once he notices she's -- crying? quickly letting go of her in case he's scaring her, kakyoin backs off a half-step to give her a little room to breathe. ] Ah, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?

a!

[maidhem]

[No, this young man doesn't scare her. She's met men far older and hardened, even if this man's stature alone was impressive to behold. Felicia wiped her eyes dry before looking up at him and quickly shaking her head.

There was no hiding how her slender figure trembled with anger, or how the temperature around them seemed to have dropped to an unseasonably brisk level.]

No, it's my fault. I should have looked before I left...

[Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. No she wasn't hurt-- the only damage she had sustained was to her pride.]

b

[thatdamnknight]

[one person that she runs into can sure use the cookies. it's been a rough couple days courtesy of getting dumped in the sewers resulted in catching a nasty bug. several days after and flynn's still looking a bit pale. ah well, at least he's not hallucinating.

his expression brightens considerably upon spotting felicia and doubly so upon being offered the treats. what a sweet young lady she is.]

Thank you for the cookies, Miss Felicia. Did you bake them yourself?

[maidhem]

I did!

[She said with a sheepish smile, offering him the cookies in a delicately wrapped package with a sweet little bow of baker's twine sealing it shut.]

I made way too many, but it was probably for a reason. I heard lots of people were having some troubles lately-- how are you, Mister Flynn?

B

[swordhandled]

Ah, are those delicious sweets that I smell?!

[ owain is sitting somewhere shaded. he has his legs cross and a sword at his side, with a notebook open in his lap. ]

Greetings, Felicia. Did you bake something?

B

[maidhem]

[Oh, good. The presence of the book was a reminder that, perhaps, Owain was still on the way to becoming the Odin that she knew. Mages and their tomes were things that were inseparable, although she didn't fully understand where they came up with the smells.

Stepping closer, Felicia smoothed out her floral casual skirt and pulled out a delicately wrapped package of cookies for Owain to have.]

That's right. There's nothing like one of these Angel Cookies to make anyone's day a little sweeter!

A!

[fairbrook]

( She'd been inside a cafe nearby-- just leaving from her regular afternoon tea, when she couldn't help but overhear the choked sobs coming from the establishment next door. It was that woman again, and Integra for one wasn't about to turn a blind eye.

Before approaching, she removes a handkerchief from her suit pocket, taking quiet, controlled steps, as if not to startle her. )

Are you hurt, Miss Felicia? Please, tell me what's wrong.

( It is then she outstretches her hand, gently offering the handkerchief should she need it. )

A

[maidhem]

[Felicia looked up at Integra with puffy, watery eyes and gladly accepted the offered handkerchief from the stately woman...which she used to blow her nose in a very un-ladylike manner before swallowing her tears and finding the words to respond.]

No, I'm not hurt. I just....I don't know what to do. If Lord Xander or Lady Camilla were here, none of this would have even happened.

B!

[fishyoldman]

[One of Raven's more annoying traits -- of which he has many -- is his tendency to disappear for days or weeks at a time and then show up again in the most random places, often with no explanation whatsoever. Which is exactly what happens as Felicia makes her way around the city, when there's suddenly a voice behind her:]

'Scuse me, miss. Ya need a hand with that big heavy bag of yours?

[He grins. Hi Felicia.]

B!

[maidhem]

[She turned around, eyes wide with surprise after her recent encounter with a weird man (who is an NPC and not a threat to Raven), but her expression quickly blossomed into a grin when she recognized the man for who he was.]

I think I've got it, Mister Raven-- but thank you for asking!

[She was a maid, after all. She's carried heavier...and it was only polite to initially turn down an offer of help.]

B! walks in late with bubble tea

[imano]

Oh, hello Miss Maid-lady, it's nice to see you!

[ Imano might have forgotten her name, he hopes that she won't be too rustled over it. He's making for a decent recovery from Interlude-napping shenanigans, so now he is out of the house and taking a walk outside, probably a ways from the residential area. It's the closest to fresh air the kid might get for now-- getting cooped in a house is not fun. Plus he gets to see more than swords and a bird-man if he goes outside, like her! ]

You smell really sweet... Oh! Did you make sweets?

yay bubble tea!

[maidhem]

It's 'Felicia', not 'Maid-lady', Imano.

[She giggled, and made a show of wagging her finger as if scolding a child before digging through her bag.]

But you're right, I did make some sweets. Too many, so I wanted to give some to my friends...

...like you!

[Grinning, she held a package out for Imano to have. Inside were a handful of her home made cookies, and who can possibly resist cookies?]