AU - Another Universe. Eyes and Paws - Second part (Of Three) - continue to the previous chapter. Characters; Rei, Brooklyn, and two Russians Plus a Japanese one.

"It's... stunningly breathtaking. Beautiful, very beautiful. It's not just some another flower shop, they've managed to turn the yard into a field of flowers, including my share of it. It's absolutely mesmerizing. I've done nothing but stand there and stare for about ten minutes when I first saw it. I can't belive they managed to purchase so many flowers and actually keep them alive. Some of them don't even blossom in the spring!"

"That's sounds wonderful..." Brooklyn mused, shaking his silver Cocktail-Shaker. He stopped and opened it, purring the raven-haired a glass of orange liquid. "Here, it's called Planter's Punch. Alright, you convinced me. I'm in."

"What?" Rei glanced at the bartender in confusion and took a sip from the cocktail. "Hmm... not bad." he murmured, letting the taste linger on his tongue. "Orange juice, lemon.. pineapples? *Angostura bitters... is that Grenadine?"

"Grenadine sirup, yes. Also sugar sirup, Rum obviously and I can't believe you actually nailed it with the Angostura." Brooklyn looked somewhat impressed.

"I sometimes use it for cooking." Rei cleared, taking another sip. "You're in -what, exactly?"

"Seeing that flower shop, of course." said the ginger-head with a smile, leaning his elbows on the counter. "I'll accompany you back home after my shift." Brooklyn said, thinking it over. "No, actually I think I'll close early tonight. The weather's nice today, it'll be a shame to spend the evening indoors."

"I can make us dinner. Or desert, if we're not that hungry." Rei offered. "We can eat outdoors."

"Are you sure?" The bartender mused in concern, mostly fake. More amusement, really. "Because now that I think about it, all these flowers must have overblown you senses. You're a Cat-Person so your sense of smell is sharper than normal humans."

"It's fine, I don't mind it that much." Rei assured him with big blinking eyes. "It's not like they stink or anything. Besides, it's nice to smell something other than my own baking every morning. After some time you become sick of smelling the very same sweet smell of sugar, flour and bread each day."

"But isn't that going to happen with the flowers, too?"

"No. Because there are so many I can just focus on different scent every day."

Brooklyn smiled slyly. He often liked teasing people, and Rei was one of his favorites. "And what if they bring in Catnip?"

Rei choked on his drink. He put the Planter's Punch down for safety and cough, taking deep, long breaths to settle his breathing back on course. "That... that won't happen." He breathed with slightly reddened face. "I hope... right?"

"You tell me." The bartender smiled kindly, but Rei could see the sadistic, amused smirk underneath it.

"Hey, Bartender! One *Blue Lagoon, one Black Russian and one- what? I though you wanted- ok ok, never mind - a shot of the strongest Vodka you've got!"

"Coming!" Brooklyn called back to the corner table, smiling like nothing.

That's just how Brooklyn was. He could be nice one moment, if he's in the mood. But he really like teasing people and could be downright mean.

But he loved nature. Really really loved nature. He also had a rule to be nice and caring to all costumers. If the costumer happens to posses some brains and can distinguish his fake façade and Brooklyn finds him or her interesting or fun, then you get one step up from just a costumer to a friend or a comrade or a buddy. If not, than the kind bartender will listen to all your crap and pretend he cares even though he doesn't give a rat's ass about you.

He liked Rei, said he thought Rei is an amusing, interesting person, so they became friends. And Rei bribes him with sweets in exchange for alcohol insted of actual money.

With Takao it was different. Takao literally shattered Brooklyn's so-called façade.

Although it was many years ago, it was because of Takao that Brooklyn stopped pretending outside of work. Inside the pub it was necessary, he said, since it's a bar, and the bartender is usually a Shrink. But he didn't bother with the fake facade outside shifts. Well, mostly. He was still annoying.

Takao can be very persistent.

They have become good friends, but sometimes Brooklyn just feels the strong argue to strangle him with his two bare hands.

Garland reminds him that he'll go to jail and that he'll get bored without all the interesting people.

Brooklyn handed a pink-haired waitress a tray. Rei turned to look over his shoulder to see three guys in that corner table. One blond, pretty big and obviously not japanese, the second about Rei's age and height with two-toned hair clutching his head as if he already had a hangover and the one who yelled was... short. Very short. Is he even an adult?

"Isn't that guy underage or something?" Rei asked when Brooklyn got back to lean beside him, hinting about that shorty that yelled. "Too small for something like vodka." he muses, leaning his elbow on the counter and his head on the hand.

"The Vodka is for his friend. Apparently he's got a headache. And don't worry, it's not their first time here. He can handle his liquor." Brooklyn said. "Oh, yeah, and I checked his ID too so it's fine. Did you know he's russian?"

"It's fake, isn't it." Rei stated pointly about the ID, playing with his straw in boredom.

"I have no idea whatsoever you are taking about." Brooklyn hummed absent-mindedly while wiping a glass.

"So," he asked finally, checking the glass under the light. "How's the owner of that flower shop?"

Rei dropped a sigh. Brooklyn frowned at him. "What, that bad?"

"Don't know. Didn't met them." Rei said firmly, taking a sip from his drink.

"So?"

"They named their shop.."

"And that's... a problem?"

"Yes!" Rei slammed the glass on countertop with irritation. "At first I thought it's just a coincidence, but the more I think about it, the more I realize it can't be! because, maybe it would be if they had chosen a different location, but they're right next to me and there's no way that name they chose is a mere coincidence!"

"So what name is it?"

Rei sighed again.

"Oh well," Brooklyn shrugged. "I'll see it myself later."

*Angostura bitters - from Wikipedia - is concentrated bitters made of water, 44.7% alchohol, herbs and spices, typically used for flavouring beverages or (less often) food.

*I searched for drinks to fit the Characters by content too, not just name. LOL I did a research there; I myself have No idea about Drinks and Flowers. Blue Lagoon is Vodka, Lemonade and blue Curaçao(?) - for Ian (The drink is actually blue in color!) & Black Russian is Vodka and coffee liqueur, for Spencer. So? Did I nailed it or not?