Hi guys! I only just got into SwissBel a few weeks ago, and my inspiration was from sitting totally bored at the cash register and wishing I worked somewhere else other than a farm store...so I hope you enjoy!
A twist of a knob, cool bronze surrounded by warm browns, a rush of cold air, a tug on his arm. A sweet scent rushes in, up, over, out. A tinkle; a laugh.
There she is.
Vash's eyes lock immediately onto the sea green window on the far side of the chocolatarie, past the shelves and baskets and mugs, past the shells and wind chimes, past the counter with the short haired blonde flirting with the tall man with a thick accent that sounded Russian, past, even, his own sister's short head as it shot in front of him to look at everything the chocolatarie had to offer; Vash can just barely make her out, scooting in between two other chocolatiers and placing something he can't make out in the oven.
A step towards the counter; quiet, soft. Another. Left, right, left, right. He had to ask her, had to ask her, if he didn't, his mind would explode- he took a big breath in, heart preparing to break out of his chest, his fingers curled together, sweat dripped down his skin-
"Excuse me, miss? May I have a word?" He had said it. The first step. A breath left him, his heart stopped hammering, his hands relaxed.
The blonde looks murderous, and the tall Russian spooks like a small animal, says a hurried goodbye, and leaves, a bag of chocolate shells in hand.
"Seriously, Mr. Zwingli?! Seriously?! I have been trying to get Ivan to ask me out for weeks, and right as he was about to, you just had to- ugh!" Amelia Francine Jones, the only person in the entire town who wasn't attending college or raising children or grandchildren, was also the only person who was available as cashier for A Little Taste of Home Chocolatarie. Despite how fortunate is seemed, it was quite the unfortunate decision on Fem- on Miss van Rijn's part. Miss van Rijn. Miss Femke van Rijn.
He begins sweating once more.
"I deeply apologize, Miss Jones, it was a mistake I won't make again." He bows his head slightly; maybe if he's polite, she'll do as he asks. Although that hasn't worked the last seven and a half times he's asked.
"Yeah, damn straight you're sorry. I swear, y'all will be the death of my love life." Amelia grumbles, and Vash's eyebrows come together. "Y'all" generally means there is one person, and it is only him, because Lili is-
"Vash, you aren't getting anything?" A soft voice sounds from his elbow, and Vash turns. Lili is right at his elbow.
"Ah, no, but I need to speak to Miss Jones about something, my sweet." Vash says, kneeling down slightly to reach Lili's height, and he smiles. She loves it when he smiles. Maybe she will too?
His stomach churns.
"Oh, okay, Vash. This is all I want, so, uhm, c-could I…" Lili's voice trails off, and Vash's eyes grow soft. She never was good at asking for things…
"Just put it on the counter and I'll be out as soon as I can. You may go to the park across the street if you wish." Lili's eyes light up and a large smile adorns her features; she places her small bag of chocolate covered coffee beans in front of Amelia, and rushes out the door. Vash watches her as she pauses at the road, looks left, right, and left again, and runs across. Lili turns around and waves at Vash (well, at the storefront, but he knows it's meant for him) and then goes to the swings.
"Jesus, what're you, a stalker or somethin'?" Amelia remarks, ringing up Lili's sweets. Vash looks at her, and answers with "I'm in charge of her. I can't let anything happen to her."
"Uh-huh. That'll be seven and a quarter." Vash tips the money into her outstretched hand. This is it. The question. This is different than before- before, he just needed Amelia's attention. All he needed was to get on her good side, and that hadn't worked. But hopefully, hopefully this would.
"I was wondering if I would be allowed to speak with Miss van Rijn?"
Amelia gives him a look.
Vash sighs.
"Of course, of course, I'll come back at a later time, when she isn't as busy. Thank you, and have a good day, Miss Jones." Vash nods, pulling on his hat, and walks out the door.
He should have expected as much.