Vincent rushed out of Tea and Potions into the onslaught of rain. When he wasn't drinking the acquired coffee it was held close to his chest as if that could keep the rain from falling in.
He heard splashing footsteps running behind him. A second after hearing them Vincent was splashed and the footsteps stopped. Standing in front of him was a rather short man who had an obnoxious flowered shirt. What Vincent was somehow more concerned over was the fact that this man was wearing tan sandals with black knee high socks.
"What the hell gives you the right to treat people like that!?"
"Move. I have to get back to my office." Vincent pushed the man's shoulder and started to continue to his office.
Leeman pushed back. He knew he couldn't reach the man's shoulder but he could dig his shoulder into the man's gut. After he backed up slightly he handed the man a chocolate espresso bar. "I get that you're some big shot whatever but that doesn't mean you get to treat Loki like crap."
"Who-"
"That's his name. Loki. He's the guy who owns and runs Tea and Potions. He's the guy who gets up and bakes almost constantly. He's the guy that you caused to have a panic attack all because you wanted a cardboard cup which would have melted in this rain anyway. So I'll ask again, what gives you the right to treat people like you treated him?"
Vincent stood there for a moment, "I...I didn't want to leave the office. Some new guy broke the coffee machine. I don't normally leave until it's time to go home. I shouldn't be bothering with trivial things like getting a cup of coffee."
Leeman gave a sort of smile that was little more than an upturned lip, "Try the coffee bar. I swear, Loki bakes pure goodness in that kitchen of his. Tea and Potions has become a sort of family to me. Those people are the only family I got. And I don't appreciate people hurting my family. Listen, I get you've got a busy life but that doesn't mean you get to treat the rest of us like dirt. Eat and drink have a good enough day. But you better return that mug. And when you do I expect you to treat my family right."
Leeman turned and walked back to the Café. Vincent stood there listening to the splushing of the other man's sandals. Then he turned and rushed back to his office where he sat down at his desk. This lunchtime he didn't continue working. Instead he sat with his lukewarm coffee and bit into the espresso bar. Slowly he came to the realization that he might have been in the wrong with how he acted. He also realized he would have to go back if he wanted more of these awfully good bars which meant he probably would have to apologize to the oddly named man behind the counter.
Loki was already breathing easier as he gathered the ingredients for three pepper bread. He mixed together the dry then the wet ingredients. Bread flour, cayenne pepper, black pepper, some red bell peppers, hot sauce, among a few other necessary things. The door chimed and Loki looked up to see a soaking wet Leeman walk through the door.
Leeman left foot shaped puddles as he walked through Tea and Potions back to his table in one of the cozy corners. Once he jumped into his chair he picked up the mug he had abandoned in order to speak his mind to whoever that was. After taking a sip he grimmest down at his hot chocolate. With a sigh he slid down and out of his chair. Leaving more puddles in his wake he walked upto the counter. "Hey, Loki, could I get a refill on this? Left it too long."
"Of course!" Loki shook a bit of dough off his hands before coming out of the kitchen. He grabbed a hand towel off the stove and passed it to Leeman as he took back the mug. Emptying the hot chocolate out in the sink he turned slightly as he said, "Sorry I don't have a larger towel for you to dry off. I guess that will have to do." Once Loki was partially hidden by the sweets case he wiggled his fingers and twisted his left hand in an attempt to magically let Leeman dry a bit faster. It wouldn't make the biggest of differences but Loki figured it was the thought that count.
As Loki passed the refilled mug back to him Leeman reached into his pocket. Before he could bring out his wallet Loki said, "No need." Loki smiled as he carefully placed the mug between them, "I know you went to talk with that hausakljufr. Thank you." He pushed the mug a bit closer to Leeman who took it.
Shaking his head Leeman chuckled a bit before he said, "I don't know how you keep this place open. When you first opened it seemed like you lived here and were barely making ends meet. Now you keep handing out snacks and drinks for free or at the very least barely nothing."
"I suppose I've reached a more stable point in my life. Besides, I can tell when people need a bit of help. I have the ability now to undersell when I deem it necessary. And it's certainly warranted when it brings a smile to the love birds over there or helps congratulate the man who fought for my honer when I was too broken to do so." Loki turned and went back to the kitchen where he went back to punching his bread dough.
Leeman called, "Thanks!" before he took the refilled mug and the hand towel back to his seat. Already he felt dry and warmer then he probably should. The puddles he now left on the floor were lakes instead of oceans. Once his hands and arms were dry he rubbed the towel through his hair and beard which caused every hair to stick out in any and all directions. Once he pushed it out of his line of sight he drank his hot chocolate before it could get to cold. He fell asleep curled up on the large pushchair, content with his choices, with a smile flitting across his face and the hand towel clutched in this hands.
