One Rainy Day in Ash
Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2023 2:29 am
25th of Ash, 123, Gel'Grandal
Leon leaned on the bar, a half-burnt cigarette between his fingers. The downpour outside and the aroma of coffee filled the air. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the countertop. The soft tune from the gramophone filled the room, seemingly in unison with the downpour outside. The soft and warm glow of the lights inside the cafe added to the coziness. Leon took a spoon, took half a spoonful from the mug and slurped. He blinked twice, registering the flavor and tasting notes that he found. He took another half a spoonful and slurped it again.
"Hmmm, it's sweet, chocolaty aftertaste, and a hint of raisins?" he said before taking another slurp. "Yup, definitely raisins." He smiled as he took another jar of beans, heated the water and waited, taking an occasional peek at the glass door entrance.
BOWKP BOWK BAM BAM HMMMPPPRGGHH ARRRGGHH ARRGGGGHHH BOWK BOWK BAM BAM
Leon glanced sideways at the doorway to the storage room and sighed. He searched the shelves, opening every glass container of coffee beans and smelling them.
BAM BAM HMMPPPRRGGHGHHHH WAAAARRRGGHHHHH HMMMMMPPPHH BAM BAM
Ah, this one smelled interesting. It had a hint of jackfruit, I think. He thought to himself as he poured three spoonfuls of beans into the grinder. He then began circling the lever on the grinder steadily. As he waited for the water to heat up, he took another piece of cigarette and lit it.
CLING CLING
Leon reached for his gun on the counter and aimed at the door. The person took off their coat, showing the familiar sight of the GCPD uniform. "Woah, you always greet guests using that hand-canon of yours?" the girl chuckled and raised both her hands.
"Ah, sorry detective. Just a little bit jumpy." Leon joked as he placed his gun on the counter.
Katya scoffed and looked around the room. "You, jumpy? Heh. As if." She made her way toward the bar, carefully stepping over the bodies on the floor.
BAM BAM HMMPPPRRGGHGHHHH WAAAARRRGGHHHHH HMMMMMPPPHH BAM BAM
Katya's ear perked up and reflectively reached for her holstered firearm before stopping. "That Tommy?" she asked
"There's a really big rat hiding in the storage. We've been having rodent problems ever since opening up shop." Leon shrugged, took a towel from under the bar and handed it to Katya.
"That's one big rat you got there." Katya remarked, took out a cigarette pack, and placed it on the counter.
Leon chuckled, "A very big rat indeed. Oh, and here try this." He said as he handed Katya a clean spoon and gestured at the mug.
"You know I don't like coffee, right?" Katya replied
"I know, that's just to mask the smell." He knelt and ripped a piece of fabric from the bartender on the floor, then stood up and wiped the countertop in front of Katya. "Spilled cranberry juice." He chuckled.
BAM BAM HMMMMPPPPHHHHH BAM BAM
Katya looked at Leon, the door to the storage room, and then back at him. She sighed, took a spoon, and slurped, grimacing as she did. "Bleeergh, never could've imagined how people would drink this stuff." She gagged.
“Would like a Heiße Schokolade instead? I'm sure they got the ingredients somewhere here." Leon offered as he inspected the glass containers on the shelves.
"Yes please. Extra sweet." Katya then took a long drag, and her eyes wandered around the room. "So, what happen here?"
Leon then grabbed a glass of water from the sink and poured it into the kettle on the Dragonshard stove. He reached for the jar filled with chocolate powder from the shelf, opened it and took a whiff. "Ah well, me and my best friend were walking home when we encountered this shady people. They offered us some powders, and as a law-abiding citizen, I couldn't let them to expand their business and poison the future generation of Gelerians." Leon then grabbed a mug from atop the espresso machine and a saucer from under the counter and placed them near the machine. "I told them nicely, but they threw a punch. It's self-defense, detective."
BAM BAM
Katya laughed out loud as she slapped her thighs several times. "What a load of bullshit. Nobody would ever believe that this was an act of self-defense. A gang dispute would be much more believable." She grinned
WUIIIIIIHHHHHHHHHHHHH
The kettle bellow, indicating the water's hot. Five spoonfuls of chocolate powder into the mug, followed by the hot water. "Well, no one would believe that two people took out fifteen armed thugs." Leon replied as he gently poured the water counter-clockwise in a circle from the middle of the mug, working his way outward until the mug was half full. "The two concerned citizens would've been the gang's next victim if not for the timely arrival of our very own GCPD officers who were diligently patrolling the streets even in this downpour." He winked before going to the kitchen to grab a container of milk from the ice box and pour it into a metal container.
"River Rats, right? Scum of the earth." Leon continued as he turned on the espresso machine. Steam billowed from the frothing wand. He then dipped the steam wand into the container. It turned the cold milk into a velvety microfoam.
"A nameless up and coming gang would be better. The River Rats are a bunch of immature bastards, why put them on the spotlight?" Katya argued and took another drag.
Leon grinned as he thumped the container on the counter to settle the foam before he began pouring it into the mug. "Why, you're scared that they would be a thorn for the GCPD? Find Spades, give me command of your boys at the GCPD, and turn a blind eye to Trashtown. I'll make it as if the River Rats never existed." he said
"Show-off," She chuckled, "I don't doubt the First Division's capabilities. It's just that the River Rats doesn't act as honorably as the big five or operated as cleanly like us Jaegers."
"Even Billy is a better opponent than the River Rats, if he had the same manpower, resources and backing as they did." Leon commented as he finished decorating the drink with a bit of latte art and placed it in front of her. "One cup of Heiße Schokolade for our hardworking GCPD detective." He smiled.
"That idealist terrorist?" she smirked, "I wouldn't want to go up against him considering who his backer is." She chuckled as she glanced at Leon. Katya then wrapped her hands around the mug. "Thanks, Boss." She teased. "It's nice and warm…." She then brought the cup closer to her nose. "A warm relaxing smell….and…." she took a sip and let the liquid linger in her mouth before swallowing it.
"Chocolaty, nutty flavor, and a smooth aftertaste." Leon explained as he saw the warm smile on her face. Katya nodded in agreement as she took one sip after another.
Leon then took out the cylinder grinder kept under the counter, took a glass container from the shelf, eight spoonfuls of beans and poured it into the grinder. He began circling the lever on the grinder steadily.
CLING CLING
Leon and Katya both drew their gun and aimed at the door. The GCPD officer dropped the bag he was carrying and raised his hands.
"Detective…" The officer greeted Katya.
Leon and Katya breathed a sigh of relief at the same time and placed their guns on the counter.
"Rayk, you brought the packages?" Katya asked as she took a long drag and flicked the cigarette butt into the sink.
The officer nodded as he opened the bag and poured the contents on the floor. Packages of white powder piled up on the floor.
CLING CLING
Three other GCPD officers entered the café. "Detective…." The three of them greeted in unison. Rayk then began handing out the packages for his colleagues to plant around the café.
"A huge batch under the floorboard or the gramophone," Leon suggested. "Hope you boys like the Schwarzer Kaffee." He said to the officers, to which the officers responded with a nod. Leon then took a pot, rinsed it at the sink and poured the ground coffee inside.
"Will the Inquisitors join in on the raid?" he asked as he slowly poured hot water into the pot.
Katya shook her head, "Nope, only the GCPD."
"So, a fast track to promotion, eh?" Leon teased, "A bust this big would be a good story. The Author still around, right?"
"Probably. But as usual, nothing extravagant. A small piece on the second page of the Daily Imperial. Well, maybe a small piece on the first page. Just for documentation. Besides, everyone would be focused on the Games." She took another sip. "You're betting on a team?" she asked.
Leon chuckled and shook his head, "With what money? Besides, I got my hands full establishing the groundwork for the new Jaegers."
"With the money in the vault, of course. Hopefully Tommy could get the combination before the person he's interrogating croaked." Katya smiled slyly
BAM BAM HMMMMPPPPHHHHH BAM BAM
The officers stopped what they were doing, looked at each other, then at Katya, Leon, and then back to Katya.
"Carry on," Katya assured her men. The officers nodded and resumed planting evidence around the café. "I think you should-"
"Yeah, I should check on them." Leon flicked his cigarette into the sink and disappeared into the storage room.
BANG HMMPPRRGGHHH HMMPPRRGGHHHH HMMMMMPPPPP BANG
Leon then came out of the storage room with a towel wrapped around his gun. He sighed and unwrapped the towel, "There's one more in the storage room." Leon said to the officers.
"So?"
"So, it looked like they came to resolve a territorial dispute. While high on substances, the conversations turned heated, one thing led to another. The survivor broke into the vault and ran off with the money." Leon narrated. "…and after further investigation, a GCPD detective traced the whereabouts of the stolen money. Only to find a dead body, cause of death? A shot to the chest, a shot to the back of his head, another to his left hand and another to his right foot." He paused and grabbed a glass of water.
"Isn't that?"
"Yup," Leon nodded his head.
"But didn't the four of you hunted them down?"
"Yup, but no witnesses. Those who knew them would think that they went into hiding."
"….and it just so happened that they resurfaced after four years?"
"Well, stuff happens." Leon shrugged.
"But, won't the big five make a move if they know that Joko Tek's still alive?" Katya huffed and took another sip.
CLANK CLANK CLANK
"That's the fat bastard that squealed like a pig, right?" Tommy chimed in as he dropped the bag of coins on the floor. "Hey Katya, nice of you to finally join the party." He exclaimed sarcastically.
Katya raised a fist in response. "We're the one doing the heavy lifting."
"Huh, ain't that right?" Tommy scoffed. He then squatted, grabbed a handful of gold coins, and pocketed them. "Treatment fees because I put my body in direct line of fire." Tommy then stood up and rummaged around, looking for valuables.
Leon sighed and leaned on the wall, "They could be looking into that, but I think they're still busy rebuilding after that battle in the Northside. Well, Gresh's probably the only one who took a lot of casualties in that battle. The others would probably be focused on safeguarding their businesses."
"But that ogre, man. A freak of nature indeed." Tommy chimed in as he pocketed several packages of powder.
Leon placed several containers of beans inside the rucksack he had hidden under the bar. "Hazard fees." He chuckled, "Oh and send my regards to the geezer. I'm sure he would be very happy for the donation from the anonymous donor."
Katya turned her gaze to the bags of coins and smirked. "Yeah, I'm sure that geezer would be very happy." She gulped the remaining liquid.
Leon leaned on the bar, a half-burnt cigarette between his fingers. The downpour outside and the aroma of coffee filled the air. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the countertop. The soft tune from the gramophone filled the room, seemingly in unison with the downpour outside. The soft and warm glow of the lights inside the cafe added to the coziness. Leon took a spoon, took half a spoonful from the mug and slurped. He blinked twice, registering the flavor and tasting notes that he found. He took another half a spoonful and slurped it again.
"Hmmm, it's sweet, chocolaty aftertaste, and a hint of raisins?" he said before taking another slurp. "Yup, definitely raisins." He smiled as he took another jar of beans, heated the water and waited, taking an occasional peek at the glass door entrance.
BOWKP BOWK BAM BAM HMMMPPPRGGHH ARRRGGHH ARRGGGGHHH BOWK BOWK BAM BAM
Leon glanced sideways at the doorway to the storage room and sighed. He searched the shelves, opening every glass container of coffee beans and smelling them.
BAM BAM HMMPPPRRGGHGHHHH WAAAARRRGGHHHHH HMMMMMPPPHH BAM BAM
Ah, this one smelled interesting. It had a hint of jackfruit, I think. He thought to himself as he poured three spoonfuls of beans into the grinder. He then began circling the lever on the grinder steadily. As he waited for the water to heat up, he took another piece of cigarette and lit it.
CLING CLING
Leon reached for his gun on the counter and aimed at the door. The person took off their coat, showing the familiar sight of the GCPD uniform. "Woah, you always greet guests using that hand-canon of yours?" the girl chuckled and raised both her hands.
"Ah, sorry detective. Just a little bit jumpy." Leon joked as he placed his gun on the counter.
Katya scoffed and looked around the room. "You, jumpy? Heh. As if." She made her way toward the bar, carefully stepping over the bodies on the floor.
BAM BAM HMMPPPRRGGHGHHHH WAAAARRRGGHHHHH HMMMMMPPPHH BAM BAM
Katya's ear perked up and reflectively reached for her holstered firearm before stopping. "That Tommy?" she asked
"There's a really big rat hiding in the storage. We've been having rodent problems ever since opening up shop." Leon shrugged, took a towel from under the bar and handed it to Katya.
"That's one big rat you got there." Katya remarked, took out a cigarette pack, and placed it on the counter.
Leon chuckled, "A very big rat indeed. Oh, and here try this." He said as he handed Katya a clean spoon and gestured at the mug.
"You know I don't like coffee, right?" Katya replied
"I know, that's just to mask the smell." He knelt and ripped a piece of fabric from the bartender on the floor, then stood up and wiped the countertop in front of Katya. "Spilled cranberry juice." He chuckled.
BAM BAM HMMMMPPPPHHHHH BAM BAM
Katya looked at Leon, the door to the storage room, and then back at him. She sighed, took a spoon, and slurped, grimacing as she did. "Bleeergh, never could've imagined how people would drink this stuff." She gagged.
“Would like a Heiße Schokolade instead? I'm sure they got the ingredients somewhere here." Leon offered as he inspected the glass containers on the shelves.
"Yes please. Extra sweet." Katya then took a long drag, and her eyes wandered around the room. "So, what happen here?"
Leon then grabbed a glass of water from the sink and poured it into the kettle on the Dragonshard stove. He reached for the jar filled with chocolate powder from the shelf, opened it and took a whiff. "Ah well, me and my best friend were walking home when we encountered this shady people. They offered us some powders, and as a law-abiding citizen, I couldn't let them to expand their business and poison the future generation of Gelerians." Leon then grabbed a mug from atop the espresso machine and a saucer from under the counter and placed them near the machine. "I told them nicely, but they threw a punch. It's self-defense, detective."
BAM BAM
Katya laughed out loud as she slapped her thighs several times. "What a load of bullshit. Nobody would ever believe that this was an act of self-defense. A gang dispute would be much more believable." She grinned
WUIIIIIIHHHHHHHHHHHHH
The kettle bellow, indicating the water's hot. Five spoonfuls of chocolate powder into the mug, followed by the hot water. "Well, no one would believe that two people took out fifteen armed thugs." Leon replied as he gently poured the water counter-clockwise in a circle from the middle of the mug, working his way outward until the mug was half full. "The two concerned citizens would've been the gang's next victim if not for the timely arrival of our very own GCPD officers who were diligently patrolling the streets even in this downpour." He winked before going to the kitchen to grab a container of milk from the ice box and pour it into a metal container.
"River Rats, right? Scum of the earth." Leon continued as he turned on the espresso machine. Steam billowed from the frothing wand. He then dipped the steam wand into the container. It turned the cold milk into a velvety microfoam.
"A nameless up and coming gang would be better. The River Rats are a bunch of immature bastards, why put them on the spotlight?" Katya argued and took another drag.
Leon grinned as he thumped the container on the counter to settle the foam before he began pouring it into the mug. "Why, you're scared that they would be a thorn for the GCPD? Find Spades, give me command of your boys at the GCPD, and turn a blind eye to Trashtown. I'll make it as if the River Rats never existed." he said
"Show-off," She chuckled, "I don't doubt the First Division's capabilities. It's just that the River Rats doesn't act as honorably as the big five or operated as cleanly like us Jaegers."
"Even Billy is a better opponent than the River Rats, if he had the same manpower, resources and backing as they did." Leon commented as he finished decorating the drink with a bit of latte art and placed it in front of her. "One cup of Heiße Schokolade for our hardworking GCPD detective." He smiled.
"That idealist terrorist?" she smirked, "I wouldn't want to go up against him considering who his backer is." She chuckled as she glanced at Leon. Katya then wrapped her hands around the mug. "Thanks, Boss." She teased. "It's nice and warm…." She then brought the cup closer to her nose. "A warm relaxing smell….and…." she took a sip and let the liquid linger in her mouth before swallowing it.
"Chocolaty, nutty flavor, and a smooth aftertaste." Leon explained as he saw the warm smile on her face. Katya nodded in agreement as she took one sip after another.
Leon then took out the cylinder grinder kept under the counter, took a glass container from the shelf, eight spoonfuls of beans and poured it into the grinder. He began circling the lever on the grinder steadily.
CLING CLING
Leon and Katya both drew their gun and aimed at the door. The GCPD officer dropped the bag he was carrying and raised his hands.
"Detective…" The officer greeted Katya.
Leon and Katya breathed a sigh of relief at the same time and placed their guns on the counter.
"Rayk, you brought the packages?" Katya asked as she took a long drag and flicked the cigarette butt into the sink.
The officer nodded as he opened the bag and poured the contents on the floor. Packages of white powder piled up on the floor.
CLING CLING
Three other GCPD officers entered the café. "Detective…." The three of them greeted in unison. Rayk then began handing out the packages for his colleagues to plant around the café.
"A huge batch under the floorboard or the gramophone," Leon suggested. "Hope you boys like the Schwarzer Kaffee." He said to the officers, to which the officers responded with a nod. Leon then took a pot, rinsed it at the sink and poured the ground coffee inside.
"Will the Inquisitors join in on the raid?" he asked as he slowly poured hot water into the pot.
Katya shook her head, "Nope, only the GCPD."
"So, a fast track to promotion, eh?" Leon teased, "A bust this big would be a good story. The Author still around, right?"
"Probably. But as usual, nothing extravagant. A small piece on the second page of the Daily Imperial. Well, maybe a small piece on the first page. Just for documentation. Besides, everyone would be focused on the Games." She took another sip. "You're betting on a team?" she asked.
Leon chuckled and shook his head, "With what money? Besides, I got my hands full establishing the groundwork for the new Jaegers."
"With the money in the vault, of course. Hopefully Tommy could get the combination before the person he's interrogating croaked." Katya smiled slyly
BAM BAM HMMMMPPPPHHHHH BAM BAM
The officers stopped what they were doing, looked at each other, then at Katya, Leon, and then back to Katya.
"Carry on," Katya assured her men. The officers nodded and resumed planting evidence around the café. "I think you should-"
"Yeah, I should check on them." Leon flicked his cigarette into the sink and disappeared into the storage room.
BANG HMMPPRRGGHHH HMMPPRRGGHHHH HMMMMMPPPPP BANG
Leon then came out of the storage room with a towel wrapped around his gun. He sighed and unwrapped the towel, "There's one more in the storage room." Leon said to the officers.
"So?"
"So, it looked like they came to resolve a territorial dispute. While high on substances, the conversations turned heated, one thing led to another. The survivor broke into the vault and ran off with the money." Leon narrated. "…and after further investigation, a GCPD detective traced the whereabouts of the stolen money. Only to find a dead body, cause of death? A shot to the chest, a shot to the back of his head, another to his left hand and another to his right foot." He paused and grabbed a glass of water.
"Isn't that?"
"Yup," Leon nodded his head.
"But didn't the four of you hunted them down?"
"Yup, but no witnesses. Those who knew them would think that they went into hiding."
"….and it just so happened that they resurfaced after four years?"
"Well, stuff happens." Leon shrugged.
"But, won't the big five make a move if they know that Joko Tek's still alive?" Katya huffed and took another sip.
CLANK CLANK CLANK
"That's the fat bastard that squealed like a pig, right?" Tommy chimed in as he dropped the bag of coins on the floor. "Hey Katya, nice of you to finally join the party." He exclaimed sarcastically.
Katya raised a fist in response. "We're the one doing the heavy lifting."
"Huh, ain't that right?" Tommy scoffed. He then squatted, grabbed a handful of gold coins, and pocketed them. "Treatment fees because I put my body in direct line of fire." Tommy then stood up and rummaged around, looking for valuables.
Leon sighed and leaned on the wall, "They could be looking into that, but I think they're still busy rebuilding after that battle in the Northside. Well, Gresh's probably the only one who took a lot of casualties in that battle. The others would probably be focused on safeguarding their businesses."
"But that ogre, man. A freak of nature indeed." Tommy chimed in as he pocketed several packages of powder.
Leon placed several containers of beans inside the rucksack he had hidden under the bar. "Hazard fees." He chuckled, "Oh and send my regards to the geezer. I'm sure he would be very happy for the donation from the anonymous donor."
Katya turned her gaze to the bags of coins and smirked. "Yeah, I'm sure that geezer would be very happy." She gulped the remaining liquid.
