Callie and Marie laughed while hanging out in the back of the café with sky as she cleaned dishes .

" And so Marie's dress is torn to shreds mine completely stolen , curtain set to go up in thirteen minutes and our producers is flipping on security ." Callie explained hyper, holding back a laugh while kicking her feet back and forth as she sat on a counter top next to a drink making station .

"We would have been up the river if it wasn't for Callie's next bright idea."Marie said while leaning on the wall holding a extra hot ginger leaf tea .

" My idea ? I thought it was your idea to get those two cosplayers to switch with us?"

" No my idea was to buy outfits from where ever those cosplayers got them from . You miss heard me and yelled YOU TWO GIMME YA CLOTHES! I still can not fathom how that worked ."

" it almost didn't , it honestly would have sounded creepy if we were anyone else ." Callie said with a smile beaming with confidence .

" Don't forget how those two girls were both different sizes then us." marie reminded

" I almost flashed that stadium filled with people so many times cause of that !" Callie said in agony .

"Good thing we stopped preforming and would just tell story's in the middle of songs ." Marie said before taking another sip .

" really ? sqweeple must have hated that since you stopped preforming ."Sky said while she continued to scrub away .

"Oh no they loved it." Callie said cheerly .

" yeah story's make the fans go crazy !" Marie answered with a smile .

"So you tell story's when things are going wrong ?" Sky questioned.

"Not only when things are going wrong but also when we need to comfort some one or want to make friends ." Marie informed .

"Yea it's a dangerous game of trying to let some one in your house of memories but not allow them access to the foyer of your personal life ." Callie tried using a metaphor .

This being confusing but Marie and Sky looked over at her with a puzzled expression as she somberly staired at her then leaned over from behind sky at the other dishwashing station and asked .

" boy trouble ?"

"Boy trouble ." She said with melancholy . There was then a short foreboding pause.

"Anyways." Marie interrupted " Telling stories is what we do why we do it may change but the what we are trying to accomplish is always the same ."

"Yeah , unity cause once you know some ones history you understand them better ." Callie said happy again.

"Hmm that's a good question , what are we gonna try to accomplish Sky ." Flames asked.

Before sky could answer Marie had said .

" well for starters you need to wake up ."

Sky blinked and the interior of the café with the super stars quickly turned into her dark apartment ceiling with the simple blue glow coming from her laptop . She sat up and realized she had fallen asleep while reading a news article on the duo again . Closing the laptop she saw that her alarm clock was going to ring soon so she went to go get ready for work .

As she walked with a generous amount of time she thought about the dream duos words . What was she trying to accomplish ? Obviously like she told flames the other day . Working there would get her the experience she needed to one day open her own café . Was there anything she was missing ? She knew the book keeping and how to train employees . She knew how to keep inventory and had a pretty good system ordering more online . So what else did she need? Soon she looked up and saw she was at her destination . The café had surprised her though. It's lights on and doors open. Confused she walked in and saw flames who noticed her first while cleaning machines and waved .

"After you finish these dishes I'm going to show you what I expect from cleaning the bathroom ." Buck senior barked at his son as they scrubbed dishes in the back.

Buck senior looked over at sky and gave her a confident nod as he continued with his son .

"Yo , the old man and his kid rolled in two hours ago and here I was thinking you got in early ."Flames said hushed as sky approached him.

" I thought he wanted me to train his son ." Sky said confused .

"Yeah me to . That means he's lying about something ." Flames said with a smile .

"So are you finding his fabrications humors ?"sky asked annoyed about not being trusted .

"I've been lied to by more superiors then , I can count this one is fun ."

Sky put on her apron and asked. " how so ?"

"Well he told us he wants his son to be trained but he comes in to train him himself , but it's been two hours still hasn't taught him how to take orders or make drinks . Just very minimal cleaning work. Plus he's asked me a load of questions like who showed me to clean the machines and who pointed out where we keep the cleaning supplies . How come your not 'authorized' to be training people ?"

Sky exhaled. Yes she was the newest member besides flames and now her boss's son but she had felt she had proven her self capable many times.

"I guess I still have further to go." she said now a little sad.

"Sky!" Her boss had called out to her .this had startled her to the point of dropping the coffee pot she was cleaning causing a loud crash . " Clean that up then come to the office ."

"Yes sir." Sky said with her heart dropping into her stomach .

As buck made his way into the back room Sky bent over to lift the pot until flames snatched it from her . He smiled and started cleaning it for her . Realizing what he was doing she became calmer and Quickly went to see what her boss wanted . Opening the door to the closet office she asked .

" you wanted to see me sir?" She asked meekly.

"I've been looking over the book keeping and I've noticed I don't see young prestons handwriting as much as I see yours. Also I asked the new recruit who brought them up to speed ,they were outside waiting when I got here ,and apparently it was you as well . You've been doing a lot of things that you're not certified to do so I'm putting you on managerial probation."

probation wasn't a word anyone liked hearing as she winced and staired down at the floor. Buck Sr. Continued talking

" With this comes a raise. The first will be on your next paycheck since the pay period just ended then after a month you should be officially be a manager so you'll get the rest of it then ."

"Excuse me ?" Sky asked confused.

"I'm making you acting manager instead of Preston because you've been doing the most work . I want to see how you do."

"Oh, sir I don't know if I can accept . "

" Are you worried about when you eventually leave to start your own café ?"

"How'd you -"

"A buddy who works at the bank ran the paper work for your loan that got denied . You know they might approve it if you had more experience actually running a café instead of just working there ."

Sky then realized he was right." Ok I will but just for a while ."

Buck smiled and shook her hand." Alright then sky I expect you to pass the news to young Preston when he eventually gets in."

when sky realized she would have to deliver that her heart sank again as she became fearful of how he would take it . Before she could ask buck senior if he could tell him he had left and she was left alone .

Outside the office flames had finished cleaning the drink machines and had started pulling it out a good amount of cups for getting the day started. As he stacked them he didn't notice senior buck who had snuck up behind him. Standing to close flames bumped into him and was startled immediately he punched him in the face. Buck senior then fell to the floor as flames realized what he had done and who he had hit.

"OH NO, sir im sorry!" he said while helping him back up.

"That's quite alright. You'd think this being my second time dealing with your people I would remember how jumpy you all get."

Flames had let the subtle racist comment go as he quickly gathered him ice in a bag. Buck senior leaned on the counter and asked.

"So whats your angle? Are you trying to infiltrate something?"

"No sir , im just trying to make the coffee and make a living. Honestly the life you think I live I left years ago." Flames said sternly.

"Yet you still lie and cheat your way into this café." he quickly retorted.

"I- … needed a job." Flames answered back realizing he was right.

Buck senior was weary of flames because of how he was an octoling but he had noticed how he wasn't in the optimal position Financial. He must have been cut off from everything like she was if he's waiting for work to open instead of sleeping.

"Alright , that's valid . Just a couple of questions so I can finish filling out some paper work." Buck senior said while pulling out a clip board." Real name , where you live , past jobs stuff like that."

"Ugh….." Flames said ,knowing he didn't have any of that stuff.

" Don't worry too much about that right now . You can fill that out after we clean the bathroom and I'll come collect it at the end of the day. BUCK!" he yelled while leaving the clip board on the counter. Flames took a moment and staired at the clip board thinking about what he was going to do to satisfy the questions. This was a only a problem one other time. Shaking that thought out of his he head charged into the bathroom.

As he opened the door raphe stood on the other side waiting patiently for him. Flames adjusted his helmet as raphe asked.

" You ready?"

"Yeah dude lets go meet up with the twins." flames stated with a smile.

" Oh yeah there gonna be a little late cause they had to help their grandma so its gonna be me and you for a bit. " Raphe said hurried.

" Alright , what ride you want to ride first in this woop woop world?"

"Wahoo world and im not sure its kinda my first time here also." Raphe said stammering.

"well we better get in line for something." Flames said as he took charge and went off. "Bro come on!" he said as he noticed raphe who stood in place watching him.

Two hours had passed as flames and Raphe rode all the kiddie rides for a laugh. Soon they stood on a bridge staring down into the water.

"You know my dad was very happy to meet you. "Raphe said to break the silence that carried for a second longer than he'd like.

" Yeah I can tell. I think he thinks im a girl though which im used to but meh." Flames said while taking another big bite out of his cotton candy while deciding to text the twins.

"Ye-….yeah." raphe said while getting quiet. Another second passed as he staired at the water below them. "Hey flames , do you think , its ok to lie?"

Flames grip on his shellphone tighten as he didn't know where this line of questioning was coming from. Did raphe truly know and was sparing him from an exposure in front of the others ? Before flames could think more on the matter raphe had continued.

" You remember a couple of nights ago when my dad was talking to us and was super excited cause you were there. He really liked the apartment idea and was more than happy to help us out , after you get your id and other important documents and what ever, Well Ive never really had his approval on anything so when he was happy to see you I had found new confidence to tell you ."

Flames hadn't heard most of his words as he thought about how if raphe told the cops and had them waiting for them outside would the whole perimeter be blocked or would it just be the main entrance.

"Flames." raphe said turning to him while taking his hands in his. " I think….."

"AYOOOOOO." Eric yelled seeing his friend running up to them with erica following behind.

Raphe quickly dropped flames hands and took a step back. That's when flames noticed his surroundings.

" AYO Eric. Did yall finish helping out your grandma?"

"Grandma? What are you talking about flames?" Erica asked confused

"HEY DO YOU GUYS WANNA RIDE THE BEAST?" Raphe shouted fast.

"OH YEAH I heard that one is super gnarly. C'mon guys." Eric said taking off this time dragging flames along with him.

Raphe exhaled relief his lied had worked on half their group. As flames and eric walked flames wondered what Raphe was trying to accomplish. He could still see the worry in raphes mind in the reflection off his helmet and the reflection in the bathroom mirror.

" I want to see those shine , like this " Buck senior said pointing to the mirror he had finished cleaning.

Upon further inspection he had seen that flames mirror was cleaner than his own .

"Well done. Why don't you go help sky We should be opening any second and people will need their coffee to get the day started. "

" Yes sir." flames said as he left the bathroom.

Sky was at the counter prepping coffee beans for the grinder as ater washing his hands flames took the spot next to her and began doing the same.

" Yo that buck senior guy is intense but I like him. Its rare for bosses to try and dig in the trenches with you even if he isnt the best at it I'm happy for the earnest effort." Flames said while talking over his shoulder.

Sky didn't reply as the decision of how to best deliver news of how she was in charge still weighed heavy on her mind. Flames noticed the sad look on skys face as she continued to grind the same beans longer then they needed to be. -This Buck guy is putting the whole café on edge I wonder what- before flames could finish his thought buck senior had come out of the bathroom.

" Alright Miss Sara I'm leaving ill be back around lunch time to see how things are going. Good luck." he said as he quickly exited.

Sky barely was able to wave good bye as he exited fast.

"Miss Sara?" Flames said with a smile.

"Sara is my real name Saravsky is more of a nickname for turf and other things." she said barely paying attention to him.

"You good? Whats wrong?" Flames had asked noticing her spirit down.

"I'm acting manager now." Sky said somberly.

"Cool cool. So like you're in charge now?"

"Yes." She said still sad.

" YOO you could fire the turf team so they have unlimited time to practice." Flames said stating facts.

"I could." Sky said slowly realizing he was right.

"Yeah then after getting rid of the clowns we can slowly start 'recruiting' a real team of good workers and stop lacking reinforcements."

"Yeah." She said as she realized flames was right. If she was going to get Café experience it would go way faster without those three slowing her down.

As she realized this Buck Jr. had walked out of the bathroom after cleaning it fully. Seeing him sky knew that if the café empire started with training flames then the next step would be training buck.

"What has your father shown you about making coffee?" Sky questioned while pointing at him.

" Nothing, All he said when I asked him about that was that I should learn from you." he said tired and not caring.

" Well after you wash your hands I'm to make sure you know all you'll need to know about it." Sky said with a new found vigor in her voice.

With sky now fired up she expertly lead her two employees against both the breakfast and lunch rush with very little effort. Smiling and now giddy she made herself a green tea and took a seat with her two co-workers who sat behind the counter as they waited for more people to come in.

"So dads mad cause I fought those four guys but they were jumping one dude ,and get this ,they jumped him cause he stepped on the most popular idiots shoes. DURING SOCCER . Like if you didn't want your shoes stepped on why'd you bring them to gym class? "

"Yeah sounds like he wanted the smoke but whyd you get such a capital punishment ?"

"Well this is my third fight this school year."

"oh? Yeah I started school two weeks ago." buck clarified.

" What did you just go in swinging on everyone?"

"No no no not everyone. Just the ones who think they can win a slammer ball game solo."

Flames cracked up as sky noticed buck was coming out of his gloomy shell. Flames was right eariler. if the days continued like this then they were really going to turn gain some fame . As sky sat relaxed until the three other workers came in laughing and cheering. Flames tried hard not to give them the death glare as his face took a neutral expression and he continued to sip his drink. Buck jr also didn't say much as he cleaned his glasses and put them back on. -When did he start wearing glasses?- sky had asked herself in her mind.

" Sky!" Preston barked. " Make us three drinks."

Sky didn't argue as she started making the drinks immediately. Flames looked at her and was about to say something but decided against it.

"Oh umm what has you guys feeling so lively ?" Buck jr. had asked . Not paying attention to him Preston Roland and Trucker had continued talking .

Sky had then repeated the question but to no answer as well .

" Sky ." Preston said questioning . " who is this ?"

" you've seen our bosses son before ." Sky said a little hurt.

" No way ! You used to be smaller. " Roland said While laughing .

Preston worried approached the counter and said .

" so when you see your father I need you to tell him what time we got in today ."

" you got in almost at one." Buck said not afraid .

" you sure it wasn't seven thirty." he said with a snarl

"Pretty sure."buck replied .

" well Tell him seven thirty. " Preston said forcefully.

"Ah ok." Buck said not afraid .

With Preston satisfied. He went back to his seat as he walked away buck called out again and asked.

" So what are you guys so lively for."

Preston still wasn't going to answer him but Roland immediately blurted out.

" we reached the top of the pyramid in our league games with a new guy we were trying out."

"Tho it was only the top of the silver part of the pyramid which isnt as exciting as you make it sound tho it is still a step in the right direction. " Tucker retorted.

"Regardless, If we keep this momentum up we will be able to secure ourselves a nice spot in the Toni kensa open invitation coming up at the end of the week." Preston added

They all continued to laugh and just relax while sky flames and buck watched uncomfortably. Fortunately for them the work started picking back up again the café was no longer as deserted as it once was causing them to retreat to go play more. The day went by uneasy and sky felt like it was her fault. Flames knew it wasn't, being the superior came with pressure from unit leaders and commanders to preform in such a way that seemed impossible. Flames tried to gather the right words in his head so when he gave sky the criticism she knew was coming it didn't come out as hurtful.

Later that day

The café had slowed down and the three man crew began cleaning. As they finished flames decided to shoot straight.

"So do you have a plan to do something with the three stooges or are you going to let them drag us down?"

Sky didn't answer as she continued to clean plates.

" Ah ok." Flames said knowing she had heard him." This isnt cool and you know it tho."

" I know flames just give me time ok?" Sky said broken.

"No , yeah for sure don't worry bout me I can take the hits, but anyone you bring in will be put in the same situation."

"then we wont bring anyone in." She said mad at him. " it'll just be the six of us for a while."

Flames turned away from her as he continued to mop the floor.

"Friday should be good." Buck jr said to himself loud enough for the two other workers to hear.

Before flames could ask what he meant by that the earlier mention three stooges had come back in. Flames silently kept mopping.

Sky not wanting to deal with them then said. " I need to run the numbers flames, finish the dishes , please." she then turned and left into the back.

As she walked away . Buck senior walked in to everyone's surprise.

"Oh ." Preston said surprised .

" hello everyone I've come to collect my son . I'm sure you handled the training well Sky ?"

" Sky is in the back." Buck jr had answered.

"Right I'm going to go talk to her then. Excuse me everyone ." He answered then headed towards the office closet.

As they were left in the room alone there was an akward silence . After several seconds of silence while flames cleaned the dishes and everyone sat around looking busy buck senior came out with sky and took an inventory of what was going on .

"Come along buck ." He said as he made his way towards the door .

The silence then continued for several seconds. Preston then broke it by saying .

" Sky , do you have any idea what he's trying to accomplish?"

Sky sighed and answered truthfully." Not in the slightest. I thought he was just trying to train his son but even the baby sitting thing isnt lining up."

"Well, when you figure it out tell me immediately . Come on guys lets go." He said getting his friends attention leaving.

When they left sky and flames continued working till the end of the day in silence . Flames wanted to talk to her about the problems that the crooked members of their work force were making but he knew there wasn't truly many since they stayed out of the way . Sky wanted to also get rid of this problem but her inability to get through tenuous social situations was proving too much . Flames broke the silence

" I trust you ."

Sky was confused ." I beg your pardon ?"

" sorry I was spitting out loud. But yeah I've just gotten my foot in the door so I don't know the whole deal . I don't think this is fair but you seem to know what I don't so I trust you ." Flames had said while continuing to clean dishes .

" oh ,well thank you ." Sky said dropping her guard

"Yo if this blows up tho imma give you a stern talking to ."

Sky laughed as the tension dissipated " I may deserve one if this continues for too much longer ."

"True but quick question , what are we gonna try and accomplish from this ?"

Sky smiled ." Simple . We survive ."