Crows on Fire
Walking through the streets, Gabriella thought about her money issues. Since she had been chased out of her home for having, what her parents called, witch blood, she had little money to spend; and being a sixteen year old girl who loves food, had caused a dramatic problem.
Food was really the only problem. She, being a pyrokinesis, had warmth, the clothes on her back, and she could easily enough from water from a lake or stream, but food cost money. Something she was at a loss on how to earn. Gabe turned onto a street called "Almond Grove" and hurried down the pale sidewalk to a diner, watching her dark, pointed boots clack against the ground. The diner was small and had a vintage feel to it. The walls were black marble, with intentional cracks that were filled with gold with windows that were tinted blue and the black of the walls seeped over into the glass in the shape of ivy that swirled nicely around the edges. On one of the panes at the entrance was a sign, in beautiful curved letters, wrote: Solmen. The light, aqua blue glass was like a one way mirror. Gabriella could see nothing on the inside, but as she walked in, she turned and watched some pedestrians pass by. She liked this.
"Well hello there…" called a kind voice. Soft jazz played in the background. Gabriella looked away from the window and to a tall, thin man with smooth raven black hair and gentle chocolate eyes. Gabriella returned his welcome with a smile.
"Hi…uh…" Gabe could feel her cheeks start to heat up as the older man looked down at her. By the wrinkles on his forehead and under his eyes, she guessed he was in his later forties or early fifties. Gabriella took a deep breathe and went up to the white marble counter that the man stood behind. He was rubbing a shining glass with a plain rag. "My name's Gabriella and I was wondering if…the job opening here was still available." She tried to look confident and older then she was.
"The job?" The man smiled his soft smile and nodded. "Yes it is," He looked her up and down thoughtfully. "The owner, Mr. Solmen, owns this place and I'm Harry Kutou and I run it alone. The job would consist of waitering and making food and drinks for the customers." Gabriella nodded. "It's not all that hard, but may I ask," Mr. Kutou paused. "How old are you my dear Gabriella?"
"I-I'm," Gabe stammered and let out a small sigh. "I'm sixteen,"
"Sixteen, my." The Kutou looked her up and down once more. "You look much older."
"It's the lack of sleep…" Gabe mumbled, rubbing the small bags that were forming under her eyes. Mr. Kutou let out a small chuckle and sighed.
"Well…I do need the extra help and no one seems to want to work in a place like this nowadays." He folded his arms. Gabriella looked at him and let her eyes wonder over his skinny arms hidden under a black turtleneck shirt.
'He's so…odd…' She thought. 'I wonder if he's gay…'
"Not even my wife will come and help me out," Kutou muttered.
'Nope, just crazy.' Gabriella cleared her mind.
"Alright, you've got the job." Harry smiled and tilted his head, smiling cheerfully.
'..That poor…poor woman.' Gabe gave a nervous smile and bowed in gratitude, though unfortunately, she hadn't realized how close she was to the counter, and hit her head.
Mr. Kutou blinked in shock and covered his mouth with his wrinkled hand. "Are you alright?!" He asked.
"Y-yeah…I –uh—always hit my head." Gabe blushed. Kutou let out a breath and put his hand on his heart. "Good! Come to the back and I'll show you what you'll be doing and give you your uniform." Gabriella nodded and quickly followed, trying not to fall on the glossy black floor.