A/N: First of all, Happy New Year! It's now 2012 and this is my first contribution of the year. So this story was originally just supposed to be a drabble based off a photo prompt left by the lovely sarcastic_fina over at LJ (I'll provide the link in a little bit). But then I got to talking to jennh07 and the whole thing just blew up in my face and became a multiple chapter story that involved actual research into the area that the characters live and what they do for a living. So pretty much everything you read in this story that sounds like it could possibly be real, totally is. The only thing I actually made up was the name and location of the coffee shop. So that being said, anything that seems real...I don't own. Glee...I don't own. Also this is an AU where I have taken certain liberties with Rachel's family but you'll learn more about that later.
Rachel Berry tugs her long brown hair back and quickly ties it off with a ponytail holder in an attempt to cool off a little. She had decided to walk from her apartment (it's a cute little one bedroom at a reasonable price at Carolina Court) to her new job at Experience Music Project. It's just over a mile so she figured it would be a great way for her to get some exercise and to do something good for the environment all at the same time. She's only lived in Seattle for about a week but she already loves it so much more than her life back in New York City. While it's still a large metropolis that she can get lost in, it's not so overpopulated that she gets the feeling that she's suffocating.
Her fathers were less than pleased with her decision to up and move clear across the country but she figures that at the age of 28, she's old enough to not have to worry about their approval regarding her life choices all the time. They have wanted Broadway for her since before she could walk and talk at the same time and it's just been non-stop classes in singing, dancing and acting. Rachel understands and appreciates that she seems to have a natural talent for those things but it's just not what she wants for her life. She loves music with all her heart, all kinds of music, but Broadway and its show tunes just aren't what inspire her anymore. She wants to broaden her musical horizons even more and that is how she discovered Experience Music Project and knew that she just had to get involved somehow. So she had applied for a job, was hired and then moved to Seattle all to her parent's chagrin.
The petite brunette is walking down Mercer Street looking up at every intersection to make sure that she doesn't miss her turn when she spots a unique looking coffee shop. Rachel finds it refreshing to see an independent shop in the birthplace of Starbucks and thinks it must be fate for her to enter this shop seeing as how she suddenly finds herself craving a cappuccino, there's not a Starbucks in sight, and it is on the street that she needs to turn left on anyway. Looking up at the obviously hand drawn logo on the large window, she pulls open the door and walks inside.
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Noah Puckerman takes advantage of the lull between customers to wash dishes so that they will be clean for use later. He's been awake since 3 am and is very much ready for his best friend and roommate, Sam Evans, to come and relieve him so he can go get some much needed rest. Unfortunately it's only 9 am right now and he still has a few more hours to go. He asks one of the other employees to go and empty the trash in the shop as he wipes down the counters. Noah softly sings along to the music that is playing quietly through the speakers but stops when he hears the tinkle of the bell above the door.
"Welcome to Cosmic Coffee, where the coffee is out of this world," he says in a friendly voice, as he tosses the dirty rag into the collection bin of items that need to be washed, before turning around and seeing a stunningly beautiful brunette. "What can I get for you?"
As she stands in front of the counter reading the menu on the wall, he takes the opportunity to peruse her body. Her hair is long and silky looking, large expressive eyes of the same color, and ridiculously long legs for someone so short. He doesn't really see any makeup so he thinks she must naturally be this good looking, which he's totally not going to knock because he's always preferred women who don't bury themselves under layers of makeup and that's getting harder and harder to find these days.
"I'd like a non fat soy cappuccino please," she tells him as she pulls her wallet out of her purse.
Puck nods his head and smiles as he says, "Sure thing," before heading to the cappuccino machine to start on her order. He's created so many cappuccinos since opening the coffee shop that he swears he could do this in his sleep so he lets his gaze follow her as she wanders around the shop looking at the various photos on the wall.
"I like your mural. The homage to the musical roots of the city is a nice change from what you'd see in Starbucks."
"Shh," he whispers loudly with a finger over his lips and a twinkle in his eye. "We don't speak that name within these hallowed walls. It's sacrilege." He has a smile on his face as he hands her the drink and says, "We pride ourselves in not being like that other shop."
Rachel giggles because she can tell that he's just messing with her. "Well hopefully your cappuccino is as good as the atmosphere because I just moved here and don't really know my way around the city very well. I was actually just on my way to work when I saw your window. Needless to say it intrigued me and drew me in."
Noah looks over at the large window that has the image of a coffee cup and saucer zipping around a planet as it flies through space. "Yeah my friend, Sam, came up with the idea and painted it. We thought it went along well with our slogan."
She nods and is about to take a sip from her cup when she suddenly spots a foamy replica of the shop's logo sitting on top of her cappuccino. She smiles as she glances up at the attractive man behind the counter. "You sure he's the one that painted it?" Rachel asks as she gestures with the cup in her hand.
He smirks, "Yeah I'm sure. He's the more visually artistic one. I tend to just stick to foam art because if it sucks it doesn't really matter since it's just going to get ruined once you take a sip. That's one of the few that I've mastered so far so it gets used a lot." He rubs his hand over the back of his neck and shrugs sheepishly.
"Well it's quite good and I almost hate to mess it up but if I don't I'm going to be late for work," she tells him before finally taking a sip. "Mmmm, yes I definitely think I could get used to this on my way to work." Rachel quickly finishes her drink before placing the cup back on the counter. "Well I should be leaving if I want to make it on time. Enjoy the rest of your day," she says as she heads towards the door.
"You too and it was nice to meet you."
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Rachel yawns and stretches her arms and legs while trying to convince herself that she really should get out of bed instead of trying to catch a few more minutes of sleep. She's been at her new job for about a week now and she absolutely loves it even if it's only been the training portion. She's learned more about science fiction than she ever thought possible and even though it's not something she's incredibly passionate about, it's still fun. EMP is currently running a few exhibits on horror films, Avatar, Nirvana, Battlestar Galactica, Jimi Hendrix and her personal favorite, the guitar gallery. Rachel knows that she could literally spend a few hours just looking at all of the various guitars in the room. She supposes it is only natural given the family she comes from.
Sighing quietly, the brunette pushes herself up and out of bed so that she can start getting ready for work. One of the things that she really loves about her job is the relaxed dress code when it comes to uniforms. She was told that as long as she wears something music or science fiction related that she's considered appropriately dressed. It's definitely the most laid back work atmosphere she's ever been a part of and it's wonderful. Grabbing her keys and wallet, Rachel begins her mile long walk to work. Looking at her watch, she thinks might just have enough time to stop for a cup of coffee on her way.
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Spotting the coffee shop on her left when she turns the corner a smile blooms on her face. It really is a cute place. Of course it doesn't hurt that there's an attractive man making her drink for her as well. Her smile only shines brighter when she opens the door and hears a friendly voice call out, "Welcome to Cosmic Coffee, where the coffee is out of this world." Rachel spots the same guy from last week behind the counter and has to bite the inside of her cheek to keep her smile from getting too big. He really is very good looking. "Hey you're back. Wasn't sure if you actually would or not."
"Yes well I feel that it is important to support the little guy more than the corporate big wigs, especially in this economy," she tells him matter-of-factly.
Noah chuckles and mutters something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like there's nothing little about me before asking her, "What would you like today?"
"I'll have another non-fat soy cappuccino please."
"Coming right up." He turns to start her drink but continues their conversation. "You said you were new to town, so where are you from?"
Rachel watches his hands as he moves through the motions of creating her cappuccino before responding, "New York City."
"That's cool. What's it like there?" he asks as he pours the drink into a small white cup.
She sighs and mindlessly tugs at the ends of her hair. "Loud, crowded, rude, lonely. It's a nice change of pace being out here."
Puck looks at her as she answers and can't help but wonder about the twinge of sadness to her features and guesses she must feel a little homesick after having moved clear across the country. "Yeah I imagine it's quite a different scene out here. We're still a large city but not as overpopulated." He puts the finishing touches on her foam art and hands it to her.
Rachel thanks him and looks in curiosity at the design he gave her today since she can't exactly make out what it's supposed to be. "Umm…what happened to the space art?"
Noah has a sheepish smile as he runs his hand over the short bristles on his head. "I decided to try something new. It gets kinda old doing the same images all the time. It didn't quite turn out how I pictured it would."
She giggles and drinks her caffeine quickly before handing the cup back and saying, "Thank you again. I've got to get to work now. Have a good day."
He nods at her as she steps outside. And if for the rest of the day he works on perfecting the apple that he tried to make in her foam art, well that's really all just for the sake of art and doesn't really have anything to do with the leggy brunette from New York City. And when Sam comes in and questions him about the blobby apples he tells him the same thing but that he got the idea after talking to a girl who's new to town from NYC. Sam just chuckles and tells him that his apples look rotten.
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Rachel smiles and waves at her fellow coworkers that are working in the ticket office today as she enters the building and goes off to find her boss, William Schuester, to see where he wants her to work today. She finds him sitting inside POP enjoying the rest of his breakfast his girlfriend made him. "Hey Boss." She strolls up to his chair and places her hands on the back of the one opposite him. "What section do you have me working in today?"
"Morning, Rachel," Will says jovially. "I think I'll have you up on the main level today working the audio guide station. Remember to make sure that you recharge all the iPods that get handed back to you."
"Will do," she replies as she goes in the direction of the stairs to get to the second floor. Once she reaches the station, Rachel checks to make sure that all of the iPods that are loaded with the tour guide information are present and accounted for as well as properly charged. She slips the lanyard with her name tag on over her neck as she boots up the computer that she'll be using to check out the devices should anyone like one. Putting a friendly smile on her face, she's prepared to start her day.
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Everyday for the next week Noah hopes to see the pretty brunette that likes the non fat soy cappuccinos walk into his shop because he enjoys looking at her and talking to her too. Of course their conversations are never really all that long but he figures that he'll take what he can get for right now, especially considering he doesn't even know her name; just that she moved here from New York City. Hearing the bell above the door jingle, he looks up and smiles. "Hey Stranger. You want your usual?"
Rachel smiles brightly at him and nods. "I didn't realize I come here often enough to have a usual."
"Eh not really. You've just never ordered anything different so I just figured it's what you would want. Although I totally wouldn't mind if you wanted to stop by more often and make it your usual," he tells her with a flirtatious wink.
Rachel blushes at him and says, "I'd like a non fat soy cappuccino please."
"Coming right up," he chuckles as he starts measuring out the espresso. "So what brought you out to Seattle? Change of pace, job, boyfriend, runaway? Although you look a little old to be a runaway."
"Yes and no to all in no particular order," she tells him.
Putting the finishing touches on the foam art he jokes, "Well that's not confusing at all. Here you are."
Taking the drink from his hands, Rachel looks down at the art and is a little surprised but then tells him, "I just really love music and this seemed like a great place where I could get immersed in a different style than Broadway. And I like the apple art."
"Ah so it's noticeable this time then? I've been working on it for a little bit."
Rachel's gaze flicks from the handsome male barista to her cup and then back again as she recalls the circular blob that was in her cup last time and the fact that she had mentioned she came to Seattle from New York City. A warm smile graces her lips as she takes the first sip and thinks that it's nice that he remembers things about her. She moves to a little table to finish her drink before heading off to work.
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Puck smirkes as his best friend, roommate and co-owner, Sam Evans, walks into the coffee shop with an incredibly excited look on his face. "Hey what's up?"
"Dude," he says animatedly, "you are never gonna guess what I just heard on the radio."
His eyes flick to his friend as he makes a café breva for the redhead at the counter. She's been giving off flirty vibes but his mind is still stuck on the petite brunette from earlier in the day. He really wishes he knew her name and vows to try and get it from her the next time he sees her. "No clue so spill."
"I just heard that there's an Avatar exhibit at Experience Music Project. I'm so freaking excited but I don't want to seem like a total nerd," he punches Puck when he spots the arched eyebrow and look that says yeah right, "so you've gotta go with me."
"Evans, even with me there you'd still look like a nerd," Puck mutters.
Continuing on as if he'd never even heard him speak Sam says, "One of the things you can do is get virtually turned into one of the Na'vi and be directed by James Cameron through one of the scenes in the movie."
"Yes because it's always been my dream to turn into a giant skinny blue dude with a tail," he quips as he hands the drink he just finished to the flirty redhead. He just takes her money and tells her to have a nice day.
"Don't you want to interact with the world of Pandora?" Sam asks incredulously because he just can't understand how anyone wouldn't want to be a part of Pandora.
Puck wipes off the counter and levels him with a stare. "I think I get enough interaction with the world of Pandora every Wednesday night when you watch all three discs of your extended collector's edition of the movie."
"Whatever, Puck, you know it's awesome. They've also got actual props from the movies and just come on, Dude. It's going to be fucking amazing. You know you wanna," the blonde says as he nudges his friend's shoulder.
He sighs at Sam and just says, "You know I like to have one of us at the shop at all times."
"Yeah yeah, I know dude. But its AVATAR," he pleads. "You know how fucking epic that movie was. Besides Tina can totally run the shop for a few hours while we go get our geek on."
"Fine whatever," Puck yields. "But I don't want to hear any Na'vi until then."
"Pxasik!" Sam ducks when his roommate throws the dirty towel at his head.
Translation: Sam's Na'vi word essentially means "screw that, no way!" but more vulgar like, according to the lovely free Na'vi app on my iPhone.
Photo Prompt: http : / / puckrachel . livejournal . com / 650815 . html?thread=17632063#t17632063
Cosmic Coffee logo: http : / / lh5 . ggpht . com / coffeesister / SJN47iJbEII / AAAAAAAAAJ4 / qAhkrfDFl-4 / s288 / saturn%20cappuccino . jpeg Just imagine a coffee cup zooming around the planet.