003- High Demand

The Master held a deep yearning in his heart for all of the things that reminded him of his youth; for the sweet and nutty smell of peanut butter ("I would like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."), for the touch of something raw and unrefined between his fingers ("It's called clay."), and even to hear the passages of tales of old. ("It's 'You shall not pass'. You need to say it with more conviction!") The ageless father of Elysium now pined for the taste of coffee—specifically Columbian Coffee, and authentic beans, too. None of that artificial crap that they sell in the coffee shops that line the streets of the main city like gas stations.

It was a demanding task, but Trigger had long ago come to the conclusion that The Master's tastes were nothing but demanding, so what was deemed demanding for most had become standard fare for the blue purifier. One visit to Ciel's lab for consultation, a night in the library for information on the climate and soil of Columbia, and a week in the controlled agricultural area allowed for that demand to become possible. The Master was extremely pleased and grateful for the fruits of Trigger's labor—as were Thomas, Albert, Cain, Claire, Rebecca, and Veronica. The entire council of EDEN was absolutely taken with Trigger's coffee, which set him up with the task of making their morning coffee every other day of the week.

"You know what you've become, right?" Trigger recalled first commander Nero's question to him on their last lunch break together. "EDEN's bi–"

"Shut up, Nero!" Trigger hissed to no one in particular, coming out of The Master's personal garden with a sack of his coffee beans tucked under one arm. "I'm sure this is just temporary." He muttered under his breath, though honestly he wasn't even sure if that would be the case given the raving reviews (Any form of praise from Master Albert was not to be taken lightly). There was cause for relief however.

Yuna had not gotten wind of this, and as long as that remained true–

"Trigger."

The purifier dropped his sack to the floor on reflex and pivoted sharply on his left heel to come face to face with the one person he dreaded even more so than he did Yuna. They both stood there, staring into each other's eyes for far longer than any two people should be comfortable with before Trigger broke the heavy silence in the only way he knew how.

"Sera."

This had become something of a ritual between them, really.

"Loitering here instead of attending to your duties, I see." Sera began with the usual line of contempt.

"And, as usual, you have enough time on your busy schedule to seek me out and lecture me whenever I am around. What do you do all day, Sera?" Came Trigger's riposte. "I'm beginning to see even more of you these days than I do Yuna."

Ignoring that second part, Sera replied with, "You're about to find out." Which, taken out of context and location to a darker, more secluded place could have easily become something oddly suggestive.

"Wait, what?" And Trigger was vaguely aware of this fact.

"She wants your coffee." Yuna's voice whispered huskily from beside his ear before two tanned arms wrapped around his waist. "I want your coffee."

Trigger's heart sank. "No." He whispered, his handsome face now resembling something that would make Edvard Munch green with envy.

She knew.

That statement, however, deeply disturbed Sera. "You don't do coffee, Yuna." And she was going to ruin this moment for Yuna even if it killed her.

Yuna did not receive this well. "I'm adventurous, Sera!"

"No." Trigger whispered once more.

It would not be the last.