For an idea of the setting of this fic, check out the video at the bottom of my profile. It's from the place that this was inspired by.
The pleasant aroma of coffee beans being ground wafted from the machines, music blaring from downstairs, as Lightning maneuvered a cup into place, pouring a shot of espresso into the white ceramic cup with an insignia of the coffee shop on it. After mixing together the other ingredients into the cup, she took a spoon, quickly carving a bolt of lightning imbedded in a rosebud into the foam on top of the drink. It was her signature on all the specialty drinks. Carefully, Lightning set the drink up on the counter for the customer who smiled at the quirky little design.
"Are you an artist?" The customer inquired, handing over his gil chips to pay for his drink.
Lightning smirked and shook her head, "It's just a thing I do. Trust me, I can barely draw a stick figure."
"Ah, well, you're still pretty good at it," The customer smiled, dropping a few gil into the tip jar that read 'If you fear change, leave it here.'
"Thanks," Lightning said, slightly waving as the customer walked off to find a seat, "Have a nice day."
The afternoon was quiet, aside from a local band that was practicing below the shop. The shop actually doubled as the Bodhum Ballroom, a community location for small concerts and a market on certain days with a stage on the bottom level. The Bodhum Ballroom had actually been a large mill a hundred years ago, but it had been refurbished into a modern day, multi-purpose area for the town of Bodhum. During most days, the bottom level had ping-pong tables set up, but on the weekends, the place was packed for the live music events. A set of stairs led to a loft area that held the coffee shop with a few tables and couches here and there leading to an outdoor porch area with more seating. Above the first level, there was another set of stairs leading to a smaller loft area with chairs and tables in front of a huge wall to wall window that overlooked the ocean. It was a magnificent view. The three-tiered building was a hit for the area, drawing patrons in for the drinks, staying for the events, and enjoying the attractive atmosphere.
Lightning sighed quietly. The afternoon had been dull enough and her perfectionist mindset had left the work area organized to a tee. Her crystalline blue eyes flittered over to the 'Now Hiring' sign that clung to the glass doors that led to the elevated patio. The only people that had inquired about the signs were young teenagers that wanted to be the cool kids working at the coffee shop. Most of them had been too young to even work. Although, one responsible young kid had been hired. Hope Estheim was a fifteen-year-old, almost sixteen, silver-haired boy that had impressed her boss, Amodar, so much so that he had hired him on the spot.
The May afternoon had warmed up quite a bit, prompting Lightning to open the glass doors to let the cool air mingle with the warm, creating a pleasant balance. The pink-haired girl stood out in the sun for a moment, letting her eyes close, soaking in the warmth of the day into her skin.
"Hey Sunshine, don't get too much sunshine!" A voice called out to Lightning. The voice was a warm voice with a Pulsian accent. The light-haired girl turned swiftly around to see a well-toned, tanned-skinned girl in a blue and black top with jean shorts standing by the counter, one arm leaning confidently against it, her black-and-burgundy-tipped hair tossed lightly over her shoulder.
Lightning's blue eyes were cool as she observed the girl standing before her, walking back inside to behind the counter. "What will it be?"
The woman cleared her throat before presenting a few sheets of paper. "I'm here for a job, actually."
Lightning took the sheets of paper, careful not to wrinkle them. "Alright, then. I'll give these to Amodar. You're the only that has seriously applied, so I wouldn't be surprised if you got it," Lightning stated, offering the friendly advice. She looked down at the piece of paper, catching the name Fang from amidst the references and such. "I hope you're a good worker, Fang."
Fang smiled a toothy grin, her emerald green eyes shining. "You bet, Sunshine."
"It's Lightning," Lightning answered, brushing her light-pink hair from her face that had fallen from the breeze blowing in from the open doors.
"Lightning? I guess you hit the ground running, then," Fang chuckled, making a move to leave, throwing her hand up as she walked out the main entrance of the coffee shop. Lightning waved politely as she watched the girl head down the corridor to the parking lot.
Lightning smiled faintly. Perhaps Fang would be much better than the last co-worker than she had had, that is, if she got the job. Her name was Lebreau and the two girls did not get along well at all. Their personalities and lifestyles conflicted at every pass and eventually Lebreau had decided to quit in favor of working at a friend's bar. Lightning did not miss her very much.
Walking down the set of worn stairs to the lower level, Lightning shuffled over to an office door, sliding a key into the lock. Lightning flipped the switch that brought the overheads to flickering life. She set the papers that Fang had given her on Amodar's desk carefully, grabbing a sticky note and quickly scribbling 'Seems like a good applicant. - L' before quickly exiting the office, locking the door back.
Author's Note: I decided that I wanted to take a different approach to Coffee in Bodhum so this is my reboot. I actually wrote a spreadsheet for the plot line, so that everything does not get all jumbled up like last time. Organized writing isn't usually my thing, but I'm trying to get better. This is a short starter chapter, but the further they go, the longer they will get. The next chapter is written and I may or may not post it this weekend. Spacing them out seems like a good idea.
Let me know what you think, I really do appreciate feedback. I'm also writing another fic, about Lightning and Fang. Fang is the only l'Cie that was not captured and it is up to Lightning's squadron to catch her. It's a more dramatic fic than this fluffy one.