Closed A Day Like Any Other

[Nicolas Mariani]

Nick was running errands for the family business as usual, and though he usually didn’t bother asking his parents anymore what it was exactly that he was doing for them and what it involved, he sometimes had an uneasy feeling that he shook off most of the time. He was aware that whatever it was they were hiding, they wanted to protect their children and Alice from it. His family was well-known around lots of areas in the world and the man wouldn’t be half surprised if there were certain partnerships that didn’t trust the deals and decided to back out, whatever they were. He knew it couldn’t be anything illegal, or at least that was what he hoped, as surely mother and father were smart enough to keep themselves out of trouble. It was risky, being known and all. Nick rubbed his temples with his forefingers to ease the mild headache and once today’s delivery had been made he decided he had earned himself a nice run at the park, maybe he would go bowling or something after. After all, the weather was lovely and he didn’t want to pass up an opportunity as rare as this one to just get some time alone. When the forty-five minutes of his usual training were up, he went home, took a quick shower and headed to the harbour, where he would plan out the rest of his day. He sat down on a bench near a cafe and took a deep breath before releasing it. The stress was over, for now.

 

[Gracie Williams]

All of Gracie's time recently had been spent in Obsidian Harbor that she was beginning to doubt why she even bothered getting an apartment, let alone why she was bothering shopping for a house. Recently acquiring Eeylop's Owl Emporium, she had spent a lot of time remodeling the look and updating the interior. She had decided to take the rest of the day off, the hooting owls ringing through her ears and ingrained in her mind. Gracie was walking towards the cafe, hoping to grab a quick bite before doing something better with the rest of her day.

When Gracie approached the cafe, a line had started to form towards the door. She peeked in, debating if it was worth grabbing a brie and chilli toastie. Gracie started to reach her hand towards the door and then decided against it. Well, what to do now. A man sat on the bench outside the cafe, she wondered if he was avoiding the line too. Looking over to him, she gave a smile. "The line at the cafe is something else isn't it?" Gracie asked with a laugh.

 

[Nicolas Mariani]

Nick was about to leave his spot on the bench and perhaps head into the cafe to get a bite when he noticed that people were suddenly lining up. He sighed, a little frustrated that he hadn’t thought of heading inside any sooner than these people. Why were they all queuing now, anyway? Maybe, he should just head home, he pondered, but before he could think any more a woman spoke, and seemingly, to him. Nick raised an eyebrow slightly at her, but then smiled a little, nodding his head slowly. "It is for sure," he replied with a small chuckle, and glanced at the front of the line. "But perhaps there are other ways to get in," he added more seriously. Nick had done this sort of thing before as part of the family business ‘errands’ that his parents usually sent him on, learning a trick or two on...skipping queues. He had his ways.

 

[Gracie Williams]

Gracie looked at the man curiously as he seemed to have other ideas to get in. Maybe he knows the cafe owner. She wasn't one to skip the line, but she wasn't a very patient; usually, she would just go somewhere else. "How's that?" Gracie asked him. A rumble rolled through her stomach in a hunger protest.

 

[Nicolas Mariani]

Nick simply smiled when he noticed the expression on the woman’s face, and, after checking that no one was paying the pair any attention he nudged her to follow him and without a word went around the building to find a door. "There’s a back entrance," he explained, "it’s gotta be here somewhere." The man kept looking, feeling the wall for a sign and finally, he found it. With another smile he pushed open the door, that from the outside hardly looked like one, and gestured for the woman to enter first. "Ladies first." ​

 

[Gracie Williams]

Gracie was both surprised and curious, so she carefully followed the man towards the back of the building. She giggled a little bit, checking around her to see if anybody was watching or could see them. A back entrance makes sense. "Aren't those typically for employees only?" Gracie asked with her eyebrow raised and smile on her face. She watched as he pushed open the door and gesture for her. In school, she was never one to sneak around and as an adult, she typically followed the rules of society. "What a gentleman." She teased as she watched her step going inside.

 

[Nicolas Mariani]

Nick shrugged mindlessly at the woman, "Well, I used to be an employee. I know people who work here," he explained, preferring to tell her that than the whole truth of how and why he knew the employees in this cafe. He chuckled, and followed her inside, it was a bit dark but eventually he guided the pair to a table, it had been a bit of a long passage, and sat down, glancing around him to ensure no one had seen them. Satisfied, he turned back around to the woman. "My name’s Nick, by the way."​

 

[Gracie Williams]

Gracie nodded. At least he used to work here. The man was interesting to her. Her eyes took a moment to adjust from the bright sun outside to the darker back of the cafe. It was quiet as they walked down a long passage. Gracie's mind was full of curiosity and thrill, it had been a while since she had done something outside the norm. The dim passage opened up to the cafe full of people and the sounds of clinking glassware filled her ears. Following him to a table, she sat across from him. When she looked around people were chatting, eating, laughing; all too busy to notice the pair sneaking in. "Gracie." She extended her hand to Nick out of curtesy. "What do you do now, Nick?" Gracie inquired with a smile.