1st of Ash, year 121 Age of Steel
In a coffee shop somewhere in the West End, Zaichaer
Clink
The man looked up at the figure entering the door and smiled. “Good morning Lieutenant,” the man said with a smile as he waves at the person entering.
Vincent let out a sighed “Morning Markus.” He paused, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. The fruity smell lingers in his nose, a familiar scent. “Strawberry?” he asked.
Markus looked surprised at the question.
Vincent draped the officer’s coat on the stool to his left “You looked surprised.” He fished out a pack of cigarettes from his trousers’ pocket and places it on the countertop in front of him and sat down at the stool opposite where the man was standing.
“I’d never taken you for a tea lover, Lieutenant.” Markus picked up an ashtray from a neatly stacked up pile of ashtrays and places it in front of Vincent.
Vincent scoffs. “My sister used to make something similar. What’s gotten into your head? Being all formal like that”
“Sorry, a force of habit.” Markus chuckled. “So the usual eh?” Markus disappeared behind the counter and reappear with a cup in his hand. He places the cup in front of Vincent.
“You got something meaty to go with that?”
Markus chuckled. The smell of burnt meat replaces the lingering smell of strawberry. “Ah, shit.” With a sudden realization, Markus ran to the kitchen through the door behind him.
Vincent chuckled, he then stood up and made his way around to the bar area. He grabbed a glass of water from the sink and poured it into the little container attached to the device. He pulled the handle and watched the device whirred to life. He then carefully read the description on the jars placed on the shelf nearby.
“Ah-ha. This one’s new.” He opens the lid of the jar and took a deep breath. He grinned. “Fresh fruity aroma. Gotta ask Markus to open up a branch or move shop to Kaiserhausen. We need a proper coffee shop.” Vincent then took two spoonfuls of coffee beans and poured them into the tube sticking out of the device.
Clink, Clank, Clink, Clang
The coffee beans began slowly descending the tube. A little geyser of smoke spouted from the small chimney-like partition attached to the device. He then grabs the pack of cigarettes and fished out a piece of cigarette. He lit it, took a puff, and leaned on the wall behind him, marveling at the device that revolutionizes the way how he made coffee.
“Ah, yes, so that’s what’s missing.” Vincent half jogged to the ventilator attached near the big glass window near the entrance of the shop, he pulled the string. The fan began pulling out the air from inside the shop and another one began pulling fresh air from outside the shop.
Plip-plip-ploop-plip-plip-plip-plip-ploop
He took another puff. The rain, it’s so relaxing, maybe I should take a day off. It’s not like there’s anything urgent posted on the board. Zaichaer looks better this early in the morning. More patrols than usual though, even in this weather. Vincent thought to himself as he observes a patrol group passes across the street. Five soldiers in raincoats, carrying lanterns, their rifles slung on their shoulders.
Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep
Vincent made his way back to the counter. He places his half-burnt cigarette on the ashtray. He pressed a button and places his cup on the cupholder. He then presses another button and coffee began pouring down and began filling his cup.
Beep
The machine indicated that it’s empty. Vincent grabbed another glass of water and poured it into the tube. Pressing another button. He brings the cup closer to his nose and took a deep breath. Then he took a sip and let the liquid stayed a bit longer in his mouth, savoring the bitter taste of the coffee.
“Hey, I got a new bean if you’d like to try.“ Markus half-shouted as he exits the kitchen. “Oh, guess you found it. Need to add another cup of water for the rinsing process before prepping the next batch.” He commented as he took a quick look at the machine. “I’ll be back in a while. The meat’s burnt. I’m cooking a new one. Medium rare or well done? Anyway, help yourself. Got a new recording too.”
“Let’s go with medium-rare. A new recording huh? I’ll put it on.” Vincent made his way to another shelf in the dining area, he flipped through the vinyl records cases until he found a case still wrapped in plastic. He unwrapped it and made his way to the corner of the room where the gramophone sits on a table. He places the vinyl into the gramophone, turns it on then carefully places the pin on the vinyl. He then made his way back to the counter to grab another piece of cigarette. Soft music began filling the room. He lit his cigarette and took a puff. Then he grabs the cup of coffee with his other hand took a sip.
Clink
Vincent opens his eye and looked at the group of soldiers entering the shop. The soldiers took off their raincoats and hang them in the coat hanger by the door.
“HEY MARKUS! We’ll get the usual.” One of the soldiers shouted. They made their way to the two tables by the big glass panel window. Their rifles leaning on the wall behind them.
“What can I get you, boys?” Vincent replied as took another puff.
“The usual,“ the same soldier replied as he turned to face Vincent. “Wait, you’re not Markus. Where’s Markus?”
“Cooking. Now, what can I get you, boys?”
“Five blacks, one milk, and if you got some of that,” The soldier stopped. He took a deep breath “and six platters of whatever Markus’s cooking.”
Vincent smirked, “Milk? It’ll make you sleepy. You guys are still on the clock right?”
The other soldier jeered at their fellow soldier who ordered the milk.
“See, even the barista knew better. Come on, give it a try. Don’t worry, Markus’s got the best coffee place here in the West End.” One of the soldiers chimed in. The rest nodded in unison.
“I’ll let Markus do his magic when he comes back. In the meantime, I’ll get your coffee and milk ready.” Vincent replied as he took a larger tube and replaces the smaller tube that he uses earlier. After reading the descriptions of the bigger jars under the counter, he took a scoop of beans and poured it into the large tube. He then presses a different series of button and let the machine do its magic. The soldier places a couple of coins on the counter and took two ashtrays from the stack.
“Where you guys headed too?” Vincent asked as he took another puff from his cigarette.
“To the East End, weekly rotation. That’s why we’re stopping by Markus’s.”
The soldier then continues chatting amongst themselves. Vincent leaned on the wall and took another puff.
Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep
He grabs a cup, places it in the cup holder press a button, and waited, making sure to net let the coffee overflow, and presses another button to stop the pour. He then places another cup and repeated the process.
“Looking for milk?” Markus wiped his hands on the small towel he was holding. “Got some milk in the back.” He then turns toward the group of soldiers.
“Yeah, the usual five cups of blacks and a cup of milk. Oh, and they’re having what we’re having too.” Vincent interrupted Markus before he could address the group of soldiers. He then looked at Markus and shook his head. “I got this.”
Markus chuckled. ‘’You’ll be putting me out of business if you open up your place.” He then disappears into the kitchen and reappears a moment later with a container filled with milk. “I’ll be finished with the foods in a moment.”
Vincent grabs the container of milk. “It’s warm.” Turning toward the group of soldiers “Warm milk or hot milk?”
“Warm is good”
Vincent grabs another cup and poured the milk.
“Here you go, boys. Enjoy.” Vincent places the cups of coffee and milk on the table. He looked up in time to see a black carriage sped past.
“Shit” he muttered to himself.
He went back to the counter grab a cigarette and lit it. Then made his way to the kitchen.
“Hey, Markus. I’ll take mine to go.”
Markus looked up at Vincent. “No rest for the wicked huh?”
“Well, a great way to start the season right?” Vincent chuckled
“Don’t overwork yourself. Don’t want to lose my most loyal customer. It’s the one with the mushrooms.”
Vincent turned on the faucet in the nearby sink and threw his cigarette. He then grabs a knife and began cutting up the steak into biteable sizes.
“Markus, if you plan on retiring, come up to Kaiserhausen. They need to know what proper coffee is. I know a perfect spot for a coffee shop and restaurant. Maria would love it.” Shoving a piece of steak inside his mouth. “Damn, almost as delicious as Maria’s. You could also open up a farm and grow your stock. I’m sure this plate would taste ten times better and cost cheaper.”
Markus laughed “Tempting offer, Maria would surely love it. She’s been pestering me about moving out of the city, especially with all that’s been going on the past season. Perhaps after the girls graduated from the academy.”
“Door’s always open,” Vincent replied as he shoved a spoonful of steak.
Clink
Both Vincent and Markus looked at each other.
“That must’ve been her right?”
“She’s like a bloodhound in human form. Anyway, thanks for the meal, Markus.” Vincent fished out six gold coins. “For the boys,” Vincent replied before Markus could argue.
Markus took the coins. He then picked up the meat platters and exits the kitchen. A female soldier is standing near the bar
“Lieutenant Wolfgang. Sir, got a situation back at the office. There’s an outbreak in the West End.” The female soldier saluted as soon as she saw Vincent.
The group of soldiers stopped their chatting and looked surprised.
“At ease Private Anna.” Vincent grab his pack of cigarettes from the bartop and pocketed it. He then grabs his officer’s coat from the stool where he left them.
“Hey Markus, thanks for the meal and coffee.”
“Door’s always open, Lieutenant,” Markus replied
Vincent made his way toward the door. He stopped in front of the group of soldiers. “Enjoy the meal boys, Hail Zaichaer.”
The soldiers scrambled to their feet, stood up, saluted in unison. “Sir, yes sir. Hail Zaichaer.”
In a coffee shop somewhere in the West End, Zaichaer
Clink
The man looked up at the figure entering the door and smiled. “Good morning Lieutenant,” the man said with a smile as he waves at the person entering.
Vincent let out a sighed “Morning Markus.” He paused, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. The fruity smell lingers in his nose, a familiar scent. “Strawberry?” he asked.
Markus looked surprised at the question.
Vincent draped the officer’s coat on the stool to his left “You looked surprised.” He fished out a pack of cigarettes from his trousers’ pocket and places it on the countertop in front of him and sat down at the stool opposite where the man was standing.
“I’d never taken you for a tea lover, Lieutenant.” Markus picked up an ashtray from a neatly stacked up pile of ashtrays and places it in front of Vincent.
Vincent scoffs. “My sister used to make something similar. What’s gotten into your head? Being all formal like that”
“Sorry, a force of habit.” Markus chuckled. “So the usual eh?” Markus disappeared behind the counter and reappear with a cup in his hand. He places the cup in front of Vincent.
“You got something meaty to go with that?”
Markus chuckled. The smell of burnt meat replaces the lingering smell of strawberry. “Ah, shit.” With a sudden realization, Markus ran to the kitchen through the door behind him.
Vincent chuckled, he then stood up and made his way around to the bar area. He grabbed a glass of water from the sink and poured it into the little container attached to the device. He pulled the handle and watched the device whirred to life. He then carefully read the description on the jars placed on the shelf nearby.
“Ah-ha. This one’s new.” He opens the lid of the jar and took a deep breath. He grinned. “Fresh fruity aroma. Gotta ask Markus to open up a branch or move shop to Kaiserhausen. We need a proper coffee shop.” Vincent then took two spoonfuls of coffee beans and poured them into the tube sticking out of the device.
Clink, Clank, Clink, Clang
The coffee beans began slowly descending the tube. A little geyser of smoke spouted from the small chimney-like partition attached to the device. He then grabs the pack of cigarettes and fished out a piece of cigarette. He lit it, took a puff, and leaned on the wall behind him, marveling at the device that revolutionizes the way how he made coffee.
“Ah, yes, so that’s what’s missing.” Vincent half jogged to the ventilator attached near the big glass window near the entrance of the shop, he pulled the string. The fan began pulling out the air from inside the shop and another one began pulling fresh air from outside the shop.
Plip-plip-ploop-plip-plip-plip-plip-ploop
He took another puff. The rain, it’s so relaxing, maybe I should take a day off. It’s not like there’s anything urgent posted on the board. Zaichaer looks better this early in the morning. More patrols than usual though, even in this weather. Vincent thought to himself as he observes a patrol group passes across the street. Five soldiers in raincoats, carrying lanterns, their rifles slung on their shoulders.
Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep
Vincent made his way back to the counter. He places his half-burnt cigarette on the ashtray. He pressed a button and places his cup on the cupholder. He then presses another button and coffee began pouring down and began filling his cup.
Beep
The machine indicated that it’s empty. Vincent grabbed another glass of water and poured it into the tube. Pressing another button. He brings the cup closer to his nose and took a deep breath. Then he took a sip and let the liquid stayed a bit longer in his mouth, savoring the bitter taste of the coffee.
“Hey, I got a new bean if you’d like to try.“ Markus half-shouted as he exits the kitchen. “Oh, guess you found it. Need to add another cup of water for the rinsing process before prepping the next batch.” He commented as he took a quick look at the machine. “I’ll be back in a while. The meat’s burnt. I’m cooking a new one. Medium rare or well done? Anyway, help yourself. Got a new recording too.”
“Let’s go with medium-rare. A new recording huh? I’ll put it on.” Vincent made his way to another shelf in the dining area, he flipped through the vinyl records cases until he found a case still wrapped in plastic. He unwrapped it and made his way to the corner of the room where the gramophone sits on a table. He places the vinyl into the gramophone, turns it on then carefully places the pin on the vinyl. He then made his way back to the counter to grab another piece of cigarette. Soft music began filling the room. He lit his cigarette and took a puff. Then he grabs the cup of coffee with his other hand took a sip.
Clink
Vincent opens his eye and looked at the group of soldiers entering the shop. The soldiers took off their raincoats and hang them in the coat hanger by the door.
“HEY MARKUS! We’ll get the usual.” One of the soldiers shouted. They made their way to the two tables by the big glass panel window. Their rifles leaning on the wall behind them.
“What can I get you, boys?” Vincent replied as took another puff.
“The usual,“ the same soldier replied as he turned to face Vincent. “Wait, you’re not Markus. Where’s Markus?”
“Cooking. Now, what can I get you, boys?”
“Five blacks, one milk, and if you got some of that,” The soldier stopped. He took a deep breath “and six platters of whatever Markus’s cooking.”
Vincent smirked, “Milk? It’ll make you sleepy. You guys are still on the clock right?”
The other soldier jeered at their fellow soldier who ordered the milk.
“See, even the barista knew better. Come on, give it a try. Don’t worry, Markus’s got the best coffee place here in the West End.” One of the soldiers chimed in. The rest nodded in unison.
“I’ll let Markus do his magic when he comes back. In the meantime, I’ll get your coffee and milk ready.” Vincent replied as he took a larger tube and replaces the smaller tube that he uses earlier. After reading the descriptions of the bigger jars under the counter, he took a scoop of beans and poured it into the large tube. He then presses a different series of button and let the machine do its magic. The soldier places a couple of coins on the counter and took two ashtrays from the stack.
“Where you guys headed too?” Vincent asked as he took another puff from his cigarette.
“To the East End, weekly rotation. That’s why we’re stopping by Markus’s.”
The soldier then continues chatting amongst themselves. Vincent leaned on the wall and took another puff.
Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep
He grabs a cup, places it in the cup holder press a button, and waited, making sure to net let the coffee overflow, and presses another button to stop the pour. He then places another cup and repeated the process.
“Looking for milk?” Markus wiped his hands on the small towel he was holding. “Got some milk in the back.” He then turns toward the group of soldiers.
“Yeah, the usual five cups of blacks and a cup of milk. Oh, and they’re having what we’re having too.” Vincent interrupted Markus before he could address the group of soldiers. He then looked at Markus and shook his head. “I got this.”
Markus chuckled. ‘’You’ll be putting me out of business if you open up your place.” He then disappears into the kitchen and reappears a moment later with a container filled with milk. “I’ll be finished with the foods in a moment.”
Vincent grabs the container of milk. “It’s warm.” Turning toward the group of soldiers “Warm milk or hot milk?”
“Warm is good”
Vincent grabs another cup and poured the milk.
“Here you go, boys. Enjoy.” Vincent places the cups of coffee and milk on the table. He looked up in time to see a black carriage sped past.
“Shit” he muttered to himself.
He went back to the counter grab a cigarette and lit it. Then made his way to the kitchen.
“Hey, Markus. I’ll take mine to go.”
Markus looked up at Vincent. “No rest for the wicked huh?”
“Well, a great way to start the season right?” Vincent chuckled
“Don’t overwork yourself. Don’t want to lose my most loyal customer. It’s the one with the mushrooms.”
Vincent turned on the faucet in the nearby sink and threw his cigarette. He then grabs a knife and began cutting up the steak into biteable sizes.
“Markus, if you plan on retiring, come up to Kaiserhausen. They need to know what proper coffee is. I know a perfect spot for a coffee shop and restaurant. Maria would love it.” Shoving a piece of steak inside his mouth. “Damn, almost as delicious as Maria’s. You could also open up a farm and grow your stock. I’m sure this plate would taste ten times better and cost cheaper.”
Markus laughed “Tempting offer, Maria would surely love it. She’s been pestering me about moving out of the city, especially with all that’s been going on the past season. Perhaps after the girls graduated from the academy.”
“Door’s always open,” Vincent replied as he shoved a spoonful of steak.
Clink
Both Vincent and Markus looked at each other.
“That must’ve been her right?”
“She’s like a bloodhound in human form. Anyway, thanks for the meal, Markus.” Vincent fished out six gold coins. “For the boys,” Vincent replied before Markus could argue.
Markus took the coins. He then picked up the meat platters and exits the kitchen. A female soldier is standing near the bar
“Lieutenant Wolfgang. Sir, got a situation back at the office. There’s an outbreak in the West End.” The female soldier saluted as soon as she saw Vincent.
The group of soldiers stopped their chatting and looked surprised.
“At ease Private Anna.” Vincent grab his pack of cigarettes from the bartop and pocketed it. He then grabs his officer’s coat from the stool where he left them.
“Hey Markus, thanks for the meal and coffee.”
“Door’s always open, Lieutenant,” Markus replied
Vincent made his way toward the door. He stopped in front of the group of soldiers. “Enjoy the meal boys, Hail Zaichaer.”
The soldiers scrambled to their feet, stood up, saluted in unison. “Sir, yes sir. Hail Zaichaer.”
