Welcome all ye onlooker's! It's my first attempt at a TOS fic so I really hope you like.
Just a little note, this does take place after the game ends but Sheena isn't the successor of Mizuho yet, I know that in the game she's supposed to be, but in order for the plot of the story to fall into place, she isn't the chief. Just to let you all know…now you can read.
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of symphonia or any of it's characters or the drinks mentioned in this chapter. ;;
5 years have passed since our little caravan spilt. I have yet to come across any of the old faces I was once so found of. All except Zelos. That persistent pervert seems to be attracted to my anger since the last time we met it seemed as if he couldn't change if even the world depended on it.
I smiled lightly at the thought; it's been 4 years since I've heard from him. As terrible as he is, I've got to admit that there's just something about him. Something I can't place right now.
I shook my head at the thought of the crimson-haired swordsman. I had more important things to do.
Walking up the polished steps of Altamira, I paused to think. I could vaguely remember where everything was. Looking to my right I spotted the hotel and remembered that the beach was just below it. So if I walked a little and went down that elevator there'd be a…boat?
Well I was going to try it anyways. As I walked along the stone pathway I noticed I was getting some odd looks, was there something on my face? Was I doing something wrong?
No couldn't be…I was merely walking, it was then I realized the heat beginning to rise within my body and looked down on what was wearing. Good god it was my clothes! The purple attire I wore covered most of my body and in such heat as little as a tank top and shorts were required.
I grunted in disbelief, when had I ever cared about the opinion of others? I rubbed my forehead and waited patiently for the elevator to descend to ground level. Sure enough there was one of Altamira's employees waiting in what I remembered to be a boat. It was a little more than something so simple, it was powered by electricity, which made me think of Volt. Which in turn drifted to Corrine.
Now was not a time to reflect upon the past. I walked swiftly to the tusk clad man and took a seat on one of the cushioned benches.
"Wear to miss?" The man asked, starting the boat thing.
"The Lezareno company." I answered, it was about time I paid Regal a little visit.
A new change I noticed, was that this once noisy contraption was now so silent that I could actually hear the water bouncing of the sides of the hard metal. The boat thing came to a halt and the driver bowed slightly.
"Have a nice day." He said out of routine.
I nodded and stepped out. Now for my task of the day.
The company had definitely grown over the years, the exterior of the building had been remodeled to look more modern and the interior got a new paint job, making the place seem so professional. The stiff cream carpet now covered the entire floor and potted plants stood at the side of every unblemished dark wood desk.
I was quick to spot the person I needed to talk to most. Smiling I made myself more presentable.
"Regal." I began just to catch his attention.
The blue haired man turned around and the sudden look of familiarity graced his stern face.
"Sheena, nice to see you." He greeted, a bit unsure of what to say.
I noticed the metal cuffs around his wrists, preventing them from moving were removed. As I stared, I was compelled to ask, "What happened to the hand cuffs."
Regal smiled faintly and rubbed his left wrist, "Presea convinced me to take them off. It took quite a while but she made me realize that I can't run a company with my hands bound together."
"I can't even begin to imagine." I brushed back my bangs and sighed, "Say, Regal?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you have any openings..." his puzzeled look meant I had to explain further, "You know, like a job of some sort."
He thought for a moment before crossing his arms, "I may…I'll have to check it out. Wait just a minute."
I watched in hope as Regal made his way over to a young lady and spoke with her for a while, causing her to type frantically on the little computer in front of her.
Regal returned to me, with a slight look of perplexity, "If it is alright with me asking, why exactly do you need this job?"
I flushed slightly, I was in no mood to dictate the previous occurrences, "It's a long story, I just can't return to Mizuho right now."
Regal nodded in understanding, "That's alright, you just concentrate on what's best for you."
I smiled gratefully, it was great having someone who knows when to say what.
"Mr. Bryant." The same woman he spoke to earlier called, "There is an opening at the Mini Bar for full time only and the hours are from 6-12pm."
"Thank you Elena."
So that's what was open…interesting, I don't remember there ever being a mini bar here.
I decided to ask Regal, "What's the Mini Bar? I don't remember seeing it before."
"It's a new installment down at the beach. It's an open hut-like structure that sells alcoholic drinks at night and soda for the children in the mornings."
"Oh. I see, it sounds pretty good. What do I do?" I was egger to get started. I hardly had enough money to pay for a hotel room, this at least would get me through the night.
"You just sell drinks to the customers. I trust that your math skills are decent." There was a note of humor in his usually straight forward speech.
"Good enough to count change." I grinned and he nodded, a sign that he thought I'd be up to the job.
I looked around to find a clock, 5:15 it read.
Following my gaze Regal added, "You start today, if that is alright."
"That'd be great."
"Take this." Regal handed me some sort of black material that he just received from his secretary.
"What's this?" I questioned looking at the neatly folded clothes.
"This is the uniform for all female employees in Altamira. The design team has remodeled them into something of popular demand." Regal replied and placed a set of cotton bunny ears on top of the uniform.
I stared at the thing in horror…it was practically nothing, almost like something Zelos wishes I'd wear more often. I wanted to scream, bring down the whole place just because of this cursed thing.
An arm on my shoulder prevented me from doing so, "You start in 30 minutes. There'll be someone down at the stall from the morning shift to show you how things work. Be in uniform."
"Sure." I sighed, I'd rather wear this thing they call a uniform and earn my money than sleep on the streets, "Later Regal."
"Goodnight." He bade me goodbye and I walked out the company.
The boat thing was still where it last was, I told the driver I wanted to go back to the main area and reached in a couple of minutes.
Great…stupid me had to be an idiot and now I'm so desperate to run away from Mizuho that I've been reduced to a bunny girl.
When I snapped out of calling myself various names I realized that without knowing it my feet had carried me to the beach. Might as well get this over with. I walked into one of the stalls and changed as quickly as I could.
If I had a mirror I might have fainted. This 'uniform' was terrible.
I had the little black bunny ears on, a black tank top that supported itself with thin straps crisscrossing my back. The top was so small it barely covered the essentials and a tiny black mini skirt with white bows on either side. And not to mention the low-heeled black boots.
I rubbed my head, I was nearly 24. Bunny ears should not be on me. I took of the little thing and walk to what was the 'Mini Bar.'
It looked adorable. Like a giant coconut shell cut in half with a white counter full of glasses across it. Small gold bulbs dangled from the dome ceiling and bottles of drinks occupied the hidden shelves behind the counter.
"Where are you bunny ears?"
I snapped out of my own little world and looked upon the woman who was addressing me.
"Right here." I held them up absentmindedly.
She was in her mid-twenties with bright blonde hair curled up in a bun and an up turned nose. I also noticed she had her bunny ears on.
"Well, missy." she started, "You must be new here. All employee's must wear the proper uniform. So ears on."
Already I hated her. But still I put on the thing in my hands, positioning it firmly on my head.
"Mr. Bryant told me you'd be coming. So, where you from?"
Is this her idea of small talk? I decided to answer, "Mizuho."
Her eyebrows arched like one of those garden gates, "Really? Then did you hear about the fire…heard it was pretty bad."
"It's died down." How could I not? After all, I was right there in the middle of it all.
"That's good." She was now wiping the counter, "We do things a little differently here. To give people the real feel of simplicity you have to count the money by hand and put it in the safe that looks like a fat leaf."
I spotted the leaf from where I was standing; it was fixed into one of the first shelves.
"Got it." I said to let her know I was listening.
"Good, then you know where the drinks are, right under the safe. The ones on the back are for display only. Don't sell to people under nineteen; if they look too young ask for ID. There's a spray and a hand towel in the cabinet for any spills. Do you know what each drink is?"
"Pretty sure I do." I remember when I had just turned 20, Orochi bored me to death with the history of wines and strange beers. Who would have guessed he knew so much about something quite rare in our village.
"Wonderful. I'll be watching since it's your first day her. By the way, I'm Mindy." She reached out and shook my hand.
"Sheena." I smiled, about time she told me her name. I wasn't looking forward to calling her bunny girl all night long.
"That's not your real name is it?" Mindy cocked her head to one side and studied me, "I heard that in Mizuho people go by a fake name."
"Sheena's my second name. It's not fake; we're just called by our middle names. I don't mind, everyone calls me this." I explained. How'd she know about Mizuho's ways anyways?
"Oohhh. I get it. That's interesting. My mother once knew a girl from there."
That explains it, "That's great, but don't I start work now?"
"Right! Just get behind the counter and you're good to go."
Finally she's gone…of flirting with some random guy. I sighed and walked behind the counter, closing it's flap behind me.
"Hey, hey, hey." Some strange man approached me and sat on the high chairs in front of the counter.
"What can I get you?" I asked, ready to reach for the drinks.
"How much do you sell for?"
I growled when I caught onto what he was saying, he ran like a little girl.
From 6-8pm that's all that ever happened, Mindy came over once and told me not to scare the customers. 'They had it coming.' Is all I had to say.
It wasn't until 9:00 that I really got customers so caught up in their own affairs I actually sold a lot of booze.
It may have been dark, but from the light in the bar I made out a figure I thought I recognized. I wasn't so sure, but my instinct told me I knew this person. The careful outline of strong arms and a poised figure drove me to think it was a man. When the figure started to walk nearer to the bar I realized it was a man, and…great goddess it was him!
I dove downwards so only the bunny ears on top of my head could be seen peeking above the counter. I don't know why I was behaving this way, surly I had grown out of this stage. Maybe I just didn't want him to see me in this ridiculous costume…yeah, that was it alright.
"Hey hunny." I knew that voice only too well, "Be a sweetie and pour me a drink."
His voice had changed, it was deeper, coming from the very depths of his throat.
"What do you want?" I managed to say.
"Margarita." He answered quickly. Making me think it was a regular.
Great…I had the unopened bottle in my hand, with the cork screw on the other end of the counter along with the proper glasses on top of the table. I exhaled silently. I was being childish.
I stood up to pour the drink, all the while aware of his wandering eyes. Yet I kept my head down, "Here, all done."
He took the drink but stayed perched up on the chair, leaning forward with his arms supporting his weight.
"Do I know you?" He wondered out loud.
It would be a straight out lie if I said no, and embarrassing if I got caught. So I chose a more casual approach, "That depends on your memory Zelos."
"Sheena?" He sparked back into his old self almost immediately, "What brings you here my violent banshee?"
NOTE: Sorry if it was boring. But it WILL get better, that I promise now that Zelos is in it. The explanations in this chapter were horrible to write out, but I needed to get the plot going somehow.
Oh yay! Here's my favorite part…REVIEW my dear people! 7 of the lovely things and the next chapter will be up before you can say, "I love Zelos!"