Trayline
Chapter two: Crosstraining
A/N: My dedication is astounding…-sarcasm- Really, I called in with a twisted ankle to get all this work done today. -grins- Love my irresponsibility.
Oh, and Viv's thing with calling Freya 'Miss' was something I got from Gar-san. I just find it too cute not to use anymore.
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Vivi was used to waking up early. He just wasn't used to waking up at a certain time. He'd never been one to sleep in all day, but having an exact time to wake up each day took some getting used to.
Kuja didn't show up when everyone else did. Vivi was starting to see why the Trayline staff separated themselves from him. But it didn't cause him any problems, so he didn't think too much of it. At any rate, he had enough to worry about with his own job to worry about anyone else's, even Kuja.
Zidane had proved to be the most helpful, despite his seemingly pessimistic attitude upon the boy's arrival. Whenever Vivi had trouble with something, Zidane usually had a trick to make the job go faster. And the blond had made sure that Vivi was included in everything and knew where everything was.
So when Zidane wasn't there when Vivi clocked in the next morning, he was more than a bit disconcerted. Kuja was there, and Vivi wasn't sure whether that made things better or worse.
He peeked his head inside the office door. "Um…w-where's Zidane?"
Kuja looked up, not even noticing the boy come in. "Oh, he's in a meeting right now," he stood walking over to the Mage in the fluid movement Vivi was getting accustomed to seeing from Kuja. "I need to ask you a favour…"
Vivi didn't like where this was going. Especially once Kuja stopped in front of him, entirely too close in Vivi's opinion. "W-What?"
Kuja crossed his arms. "Zidane, Garnet and Freya have meetings today. They're all at different times, but that still leaves us a person short on each meal. I'm pulling Ama from Dishes, but all he knows is Starting."
Vivi blinked. "Oh."
"So, I'm asking you to fill in the various spots. Do you think you can do that if I show you how?"
The boy sighed. It wasn't like he could refuse. "I guess so."
Kuja clasped his hands together. "Wonderful. How much do you know about Steamtable? I'll get you started."
He left before Vivi could respond further. Beside him, Amarant laughed. Vivi jumped, realizing the redhead had snuck up on him once more. "Things going well?"
Vivi tugged on the brim of his hat. "Not really. I'm not sure yet."
Amarant shook his head, leaning against the office wall with his arms folded across his chest. "Even if he's supposed to be in charge, you can't let Kuja push you around."
The boy looked up at him. "How do you do that?"
He shrugged. "You find ways. Unless you do, you'll be his gopher just like Zorn and Thorn."
"I dunno. I just don't want any trouble…"
He laughed again, sarcastic as always. "If you didn't want trouble, you should have never signed that application."
"I'm beginning to believe that," he replied. "Hey, Ama?"
The redhead frowned. "Don't call me that."
Vivi winced. "Sorry. I thought that was your name. That's what Zidane and Kuja call you."
"I know. I'm trying to get them to stop that too," he rolled his eyes, half hidden beneath all his hair. "My name is Amarant, if you have to call me something."
"Right. Sorry Amarant."
"What did you want?"
"Huh?"
He pushed himself off the wall. "You were about to ask me something."
"Oh," his face felt hot suddenly. "It's…it was nothing."
"Whatever. Suit yourself kid," Amarant headed off toward Vivi's station.
Vivi sighed again, looking at the bulletin board. Every morning, Kuja posted a schedule there, even though usually everyone did the same job. Today, his name was under Steamtable, Cold Food and Beverage, respectively. "He already put me there before he asked!"
"He'll do that," Freya replied, walking through the door. "Sorry about causing you so much trouble, but it's a mandatory meeting. We have no choice."
Vivi shook his head. "It's okay. It's not like you can help it do anything."
She smiled at him. "I'll make sure you're all set up before I leave."
"Thanks," a though struck him. "M-Miss Freya?"
"Hmm?" she waved at him to follow her as she went to her station.
"Do you think…is there something wrong with Kuja?"
Freya laughed, surprising the boy. She leaned in close, whispering to him conspiratorially. "Of course he's weird. But that's not what you need to worry about. You just want to stay away from his bad side. He can be very spiteful if you catch him in a bad mood. Just try not to make him mad," she raised an eyebrow at Amarant, who passed by them, carrying an armload of napkins and silverware, "no matter what a certain Salamander might tell you."
Amarant shrugged concomitantly, continuing on. Freya looked like she might say more, but just then Kuja sauntered up to the station. The rat girl looked away, focusing wholly on stocking her cooler.
"I started a few plates for you. just copy those unless Ama gives you a special order. If you have any questions, ask someone on the Line," he smiled, patting him lightly on the head. then he was gone again.
Freya rolled her eyes. "I can't believe he's got you crosstraining on your second day. He's such a sadist sometimes."
Vivi's eyes dimmed slightly. "When's Zidane coming back?"
She smiled sympathetically. "He'll be at lunch with you, I promise. Just get through this meal, okay?'
He nodded, offering her a weak smile. "I'll try."
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Vivi supposed it was like dancing. It took a fluid motion and a grace that he could never understand. Vivi couldn't dace. And it looked more and more apparent that he couldn't run Steamtable either.
He'd never seen Zidane dance, but he was pretty sure he could. He'd seen the monkey spin around in his station, making plates with ease. Vivi, however, seemed to feel about as graceful as a dying karp. He was sure Amarant was moving slow, trying to let him keep up, but it just wasn't working. His feet were too short to cover the distance between the two tables quickly, and his arms were too short to reach very far over them. Add the fact that it seemed like everyone wanted something different, and the boy swore that if it kept up, he was going to wind up crying.
About midway, Amarant stopped. Vivi looked at him, grateful for any kind of break, but confused by the sudden halt. The redhead leaned over the line. "You're going to snap if you keep on like this."
Vivi frowned. "Maybe. What can I do differently?"
"You're worrying to much. If you miss the tray, just put the plate on the Line. Freya'll get it."
"Are you sure that'll work?"
He shrugged. "Never done Table before."
The Mage thought about this briefly. "Then how do you know?'
"Zidane."
That made sense. Vivi was reminded of the question he was about to ask Amarant earlier that morning. He stopped himself before curiously got the better of him again. Amarant probably didn't want people poking into his personal life. Zidane might answer him though. "Okay, I'll try it."
Working at his own pace was easier, but he felt bad. He was holding everyone up again, patient as they were. Finally they finished, and Amarant helped Vivi clean up.
They met Zidane in the cafeteria, who looked half asleep. He brightened when he saw them, and ran down the hall. He lunged at Amarant, who didn't seem surprised in the least. He rolled his eyes and held the monkey's extra weight with no effort.
Zidane beamed at Vivi from his place around Amarant's neck. "Hey Viv! How's it going?"
Vivi smiled back. "Just gaining an extra appreciation for you."
The blond blinked. Was it just Vivi's imagination, or did his face flush the slightest bit? "Huh?"
"Kuja made him do Table," Amarant explained, disentangling the shorter boy from him.
"On his second day?" Zidane asked incredulously. "He knows damn well he could've covered!"
They started down the hall. Vivi stretched, moving his tired arms. "I'm taking over for Freya and Garnet today too."
Zidane looked mad, which surprised Vivi a bit. Usually no one cared if he got stuck with an unfair situation. "I'm gonna talk to him. If he keeps working you like this, you're gonna crash!"
Vivi shook his head. "I don't want you to get in trouble."
The monkey winked. "No problem. Living with your supervisor does have its perks." He stifled a yawn.
"Up all night again?" Amarant drawled, vaguely amused.
"Always," he grinned back. "But that damned meeting bored me to death. If it were any longer, I'd have been out like a light."
Vivi laughed. Zidane turned to him. "Hey, do you still wanna come out with us tonight? I'll understand if you're too tired."
Reaching the café, the trio grabbed their trays. Vivi put his usual sandwich and drink on his. "No, I still wanna go. I've never been to a club before, and I—" he stopped, realizing what he was about to say. He really wanted to go just to hang out with Zidane. He was very interesting, and so far he was the nicest to him. Vivi wanted to know more about the so-called Trayline gossip.
Zidane shrugged, not asking further into it. They moved to the cash register, where Cid had his usual glare for him, which he ignored. "Okay. But if you change your mind, just let me know and I'll take you home."
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Cold Food was definitely not as hard as Steamtable. Although it was harder than Starting, Vivi supposed that was just because he was unfamiliar with it. He managed to get through it with only a few mistakes. Apparently you couldn't give them orange juice when they asked for fruit juice. But oranges were fruits, weren't they?
After a short break, Garnet left for her meeting, and Vivi moved into her station. Unfortunately Garnet had been running late, and hadn't had time to set up for him.
Vivi had four trays of coffee to make. There were two machines. He made cup after cup, putting lids on each and carrying them to the trays. Then he had two trays of hot water and one of cold. He wondered how garnet had time to breathe, let alone beat Zidane up with coffee cups.
Amarant started sending trays down. Looking at the tickets, Vivi was horrified. Almost every tray wanted coffee as well as milk.
"M-Miss Freya, I didn't get any milk!" he squeaked, trying to put what little milk that was left from dinner on the trays.
Freya tossed a juice onto the tray. "Hey Steiner!" she stopped the armored man, who was speeding past them.
He skidded to a halt in her station. "Yes?"
"Got a minute? Viv's new on Beverage and he didn't get his milk."
Steiner smiled knowingly. "I'll go get some. Any specific kind?"
Vivi looked at some of the tickets as he put the drinks on them. "Looks like mostly regular…"
He nodded. "I'll be right back."
He sped off again. "Thank you!" Vivi called after him. But while he'd been talking for a few seconds, he'd managed to miss some trays. With a small squeal, he tried to catch up.
He was on his last three milk cartons when Steiner returned, rolling in six crates of milk. Vivi was amazed. "It takes that much?"
"Everyone gets milk with breakfast," Freya explained, helping him put cartons on the last of the missed trays.
Once the milk crisis was over, Vivi's only problem was keeping the coffee and water stocked up. He managed to finish needing only a few extra cups. He was putting everything into the main freezer when Kuja caught him again. "You did good today. I'm impressed."
Zidane paused his own clean up, draping himself over the line so he could see them. "Kuja, you ass. Give him a break."
Kuja blinked, seeming for all the world innocent. "Why, whatever do you mean?"
"You were gonna ask him to help Rusty finish Porting, weren't you?"
The silver-haired man shrugged lightly. "I might."
Zidane eased up, putting the food bins on a cart. "Well, he's coming with us tonight, so don't go giving him overtime. Get Zorn and Thorn or something. They always love the chance for extra time."
Kuja frowned, obviously not liking to be second-guessed. "Hm. I suppose I'd rather not have to wait for you all. But I'm not watching him." He turned and left in a flourish.
Vivi shut the freezer door. "Thanks."
Zidane nodded. "No prob. Kuja needs to learn that just because you're new doesn't mean he can screw with you. You about ready?"
Vivi looked around. "Yeah. Do you need any help?"
"Uh…you can take that cart to the cooler if you want," he dumped the used utensils into the sink.
The Mage rolled the cart into the cooler. When he returned, Amarant and Zidane were waiting. Zidane grinned, throwing an arm around Vivi's shoulder when the boy was close enough. "Time to go!"
Vivi nodded, following them out the door.
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Karu: It's funny how I gave Viv the worst-case scenario in each station, but all of these things have happened to meh at least once. He's just lucky I left out the frozen meatloaf. Anyway, how're things gonna play out? Will Vivi learn to dance? What exactly is going on between Zidane and Ama? And is Kuja still pissed off? Find out next time!
And I was almost correct in my assumption that no one would read this. So thankehs to the special few who put up with this! -grins-
Special Fact of the Day: This ficceh was written under the influence of Special Dark chocolate. -spazzes-
Ferrai: Wow, I'm flattered. Thankehs!
Devilish Kurumi: Did something cut out? All I get is a laugh. XD It's really all I need anyways...Good to know you're reading!
Garnet-Crystals: Thankehs! I was hoping it wasn't too choppy.
Until next time guys!